Haunted || Leo Valdez

90 - Clytius Gets Wrecked

Leo knew the pain hadn't lasted long, but it definitely felt like it had. When the pain finally stopped and he opened his eyes, he could see some goddess with the polecat on her shoulder, probably Hecate.

Annabeth and Percy remained motionless, but Leo could hear their breath coming more evenly. As for Rebecca, she was no longer shuddering and convulsing, but she was lying on the ground, curled up in a ball behind Clytius. Her body was pulsing with dark magic.

The goddess stepped forward, her dark eyes glittering in the torchlight. "You're right, Clytius. Hazel Levesque is not Hercules or Dionysus, but I think you will find her just as formidable."

Through the smoky shroud, Hazel saw the giant open his mouth. No words came out. Clytius sneered in frustration.

Leo tried to sit up. "What's going on? What can I—"

"Watch Percy and Annabeth." Hazel drew her spatha. "Stay behind me. Stay in the Mist."

"But Rebecca —"

"She'll be okay. She was being corrupted by the Malignant Spirit, but I've stopped that for now. Just stay there. Got it?"

Leo sighed, feeling helpless for the millionth time in his life. "Yeah, got it. White Mist good. Black smoke bad."

Hazel advanced. The giant spread his arms. The domed ceiling shook, and the giant's voice echoed through the room, magnified a hundred times.

Formidable? the giant demanded. It sounded as if he were speaking through a chorus of the dead, using all the unfortunate souls who'd been buried behind the dome's stelae. Because the girl has learned your magic tricks, Hecate? Because you allow these weaklings to hide in your Mist?

A sword appeared in the giant's hand—a Stygian iron blade much like Nico's, except five times the size. I do not understand why Gaea would find any of these demigods worthy of sacrifice. I will crush them like empty nutshells.

Hazel screamed. The walls of the chamber made a crackling sound like ice in warm water, and dozens of gems streaked toward the giant, punching through his armor like buckshot.

Clytius staggered backward. His disembodied voice bellowed with pain. His iron breastplate was peppered with holes. Golden ichor trickled from a wound on his right arm. His shroud of darkness thinned. Hazel could see the murderous expression on his face.

You, Clytius growled. You worthless—

"Worthless?" Hecate asked quietly. "I'd say Hazel Levesque knows a few tricks even I could not teach her."

The giant dug his fingers into the wound on his biceps. He pulled out a diamond and flicked it aside. The wound closed.

So, daughter of Pluto, Clytius rumbled, do you really believe Hecate has your interests at heart? Circe was a favorite of hers. And Medea. And Pasiphaë. How did they end up, eh?

Annabeth stirred, groaning in pain. Percy muttered something that sounded like, "Bob-bob-bob?"

Clytius stepped forward, holding his sword casually at his side as if they were comrades rather than enemies. Hecate will not tell you the truth. She sends acolytes like you to do her bidding and take all the risk. If by some miracle you incapacitate me, only then will she be able to set me on fire. Then she will claim the glory of the kill. You heard how Bacchus dealt with the Alodai twins in the Colosseum. Hecate is worse. She is a Titan who betrayed the Titans. Then she betrayed the gods. Do you really think she will keep faith with you?

Hecate's face was unreadable.

"I cannot answer his accusations, Hazel," said the goddess. "This is your crossroads. You must choose."