Where You Go ― Jason Grace

xxiv. ophelia is (not) fine

IN THE DISTANCE, Ophelia heard her name being called, but it felt like it was coming from another universe. Her vision swam as the fresh wound in her side burned like a flame was licking up her side.

She felt a phantom hand on her wrist, nails digging into her skin until they drew blood.

I won't let you be with them.

Ophelia opened her eyes again, pressing her hand to her side. She grit her teeth against the way the pressure made it hurt a thousand times worse, but the pain brought clarity. It cleared away the pain from a memory she couldn't conjure up.

She wouldn't die here.

Jason was back on his feet, his face full of rage, but even from far away Ophelia could tell he was drained. Enceladus watched him approach, grinning with anticipation. At the last second, Jason faked a strike and rolled between the giant's legs. He came up quickly, thrusting his javelin with all his might, but the giant anticipated the trick. He stepped aside with too much speed and agility for a giant, as if the earth was helping him move.

The giant swept his spear sideways, met Jason's javelin, and with a snap like a shotgun blast, the golden weapon shattered.

The explosion was blinding, the force knocking the breath from Ophelia's lungs. A crater formed around the blast, the edge barely a foot away from where Ophelia laid, helpless and pissed.

Jason was on the opposite side of the crater, facing Enceladus. His clothes were steaming. He had no weapon, no energy—and Enceladus was still in mint condition.

Jason tried to get up, but his legs didn't seem to want to cooperate. Ophelia wanted to scream, wanted to pull herself up and help him, but she knew she wouldn't be able to even get close enough to help. Her hand was wet with blood. She knew instinctively that the spear tip had missed her vital organs, and it hadn't gone all the way through her, so if she could stop the bleeding fast enough, she'd be fine.

At least, she hoped so.

Enceladus laughed. "Impressive! Unfortunately, that was your last trick, demigod."

The giant leaped the crater in a single bound, planting his feet on either side of Jason. Enceladus raised his spear, its tip hovering six feet over Jason's chest. Ophelia knew with horrifying certainty that Enceladus was going for the kill, and there would be no bringing Jason back from that.

She wanted to scream, to cry, to curse every god in the sky, just watching them lose a battle they were fighting for them. She wanted to trade places with Jason, to save him from Enceladus's spear, to tell him she loved him, because she did, even without her memories, she did.

She couldn't lose him.

Not him too.

"And now," Enceladus said, "my first sacrifice to Gaea!"

Leo's voice yelled, "Heads up!"

A large black wedge slammed into Enceladus with a massive thunk! The giant toppled over and slid into the pit.

Ophelia could see Piper at her side, her face full of worry, but Ophelia shook her off. "Help Jason," she ordered. "I'm fine."

Piper looked hesitant, but the look in Ophelia's eyes must have convinced her. She ran to help Jason up as Leo kept the giant busy, an ax blade the size of a washing machine stuck in his breastplate.

Breathe, Ophelia told herself, counting her breaths and forcing herself to keep them steady and consistent. The pain in her side had dulled some, just enough for her to force herself into a sitting position with a pained gasp.