Sons of Apollo
A reading of the Percy Jackson books written by Rick Riordan with exhilarating debriefs after each chapter.
Read by Panther Prakash and Dante Musa, the Sons of Apollo
Sons of Apollo
8. PJLO
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Chapter eight. I take the worst bath ever.
SPEAKER_00My sword reappeared in my pocket. Yeah, great timing. Now I could attack the walls all I wanted. My cell had no bars, no windows, not even a door. The skeletal guards shoved me straight through a wall and it became solid behind me. I wasn't sure if the room was airtight. Probably. Hades dungeon was meant for dead people and they don't breathe. So forget fifty or sixty years, I'd be dead in fifty or sixty minutes. Meanwhile, if Hades wasn't lying, some big trap was going to be sprung new in New York by the end of the day, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I sat on the cold stone floor, feeling miserable. I don't remember dozing off. Then again, it must have been about seven in the morning mortal time, and I'd been through a lot. I dreamed I dreamed I was on the porch of Rachel's beach house in St. Thomas. The sun was rising over the Caribbean. Dozens of wooden islands dotted the sea and white sails cut across the water. The smell of salt air made me wonder if I would ever see the ocean again. Rachel's parents sat at the patio table while a personal chef fixed them omelets. Mr. Dare was dressed in a white linen suit. He was reading the Wall Street Journal. The lady across the table was probably Mrs. Dare, though all I could see of her were hot pink fingernails and the cover of Con Conde Nash Nast Traveler. Why she'd be reading about vacations while she was on vacation, I wasn't sure. Rachel stood at the porch railing and sighed. She wore Bermuda shorts and her Van Gogh t-shirt. Yeah, Rachel was trying to teach me about art, but don't get too impressed. I only remember the dude's name because he cut his ear off. I wondered if she was thinking about me and how much it sucked that I wasn't with them on vacation. I know that's what I was thinking. Then the scene changed. I was in St. Louis, standing downtown under the arch. I'd been there before. In fact, I'd almost fallen to my death there before. Over the city, a thunderstorm boiled. A wall of absolute black with lightning streaking across the sky. A few blocks away, swarms of emergency vehicles gathered with their lights flashing. A column of dust rose from a mound of rubble, which I realized was a collapsed skyscraper. A nearby recorder was yelling into her microphone. Officials are describing this as a structural failure, Dan, though no one seems to know if it is related to the storm conditions. Wind whipped her hair. The temperature was dropping rapidly like 10 degrees just since I'd been standing there. Thankfully, the building had been abandoned for demolition, she said, but police have evacuated all nearby buildings for fear the collapse might trigger.
SPEAKER_03She faltered as a mighty groan cut through the sky. A blast of lightning hit the center of the darkness. The entire city shook. The air glowed, and every hair on my body stood up. The blast was so powerful, I knew it could only be one thing. Zeus's master bolt. It should have vaporized its target, but the dark cloud only staggered backward. A smoky fist appeared out of the cloud. It smashed another tower. And the whole thing collapsed like children's blocks. The reporter screamed. People ran through the streets. Emergency lights flashed. Woo. I saw a streak of silver in the sky. A chariot pulled by reindeer. But it wasn't Santa Claus driving. It was Artemis riding the storm, shooting shafts of moonlight into the darkness. A fiery golden comet crossed her path. Maybe her brother, Apollo. One thing was clear. Typhon had made it to the Mississippi River. He was halfway across the US, leaving destruction in his wake, and the gods were barely slowing him down. The mountain of darkness loomed above me. A foot the size of a Yankee stadium was about to smash me when a voice hissed. I lunged out blindly. Before I was fully awake, I had Nico pinned to the floor of the cell with the edge of my sword at his throat. What two rescue He choked. Anger woke me up fast. Oh yeah? And why should I trust you? No choice he gagged. I wish he hadn't said something logical like that. I let him go. Nico curled into a ball and made wretching sounds while his throat recovered. Finally he got to his feet, eyeing my sword warily. His own blade was sheathed. I suppose if he'd wanted to kill me, he could have done it while I slept. Still, I didn't trust him. We have to get out of here, he said. Why? I said. Does your dad want to talk to me again? He winced. Percy, I swear on the river sticks. I didn't know what he was planning. You know what your dad is like. He tricked me. He promised. Nico held up his hands. Look, right now we need to leave. I put the guards to sleep, but it won't last. I wanted to strangle him again. Unfortunately, he was right. We didn't have time to argue, and I couldn't escape on my own. He pointed at the wall. A whole section vanished, revealing a corridor. Come on, Nico led the way. I wished I had Annabeth's invisibility hat, but as it turned out, I didn't need it. Every time we came to a skeleton guard, Nico just pointed at it and its glowing eyes dimmed. Unfortunately, the more Nico did it, the more tired he seemed. We walked through a maze of corridor filled with guards. By the time we reached a kitchen staffed by skeletal cooks and servants, I was practically carrying Nico. He managed to put all the dead to sleep, but nearly passed out himself. I dragged him out of the servant's entrance and into the fields of Hasfida.
SPEAKER_00I almost felt relieved until I heard the sound of bronze gongs high in the castle. Boom boom boom bing Uh alarms Nico murmured sleepily. What do we do? He yawned and frowned like he was trying to remember.
SPEAKER_01How about Run?
SPEAKER_00Running with the drowsy child of Hades was more like doing a three-legged race with a life-size ragdoll. I lugged him along, holding my sword in front of me. The spirits of the dead made way like the celestial bronze was a blazing fire. The sound of gongs rolled across the fields. Ahead loomed the walls of Erebos, but the longer we walked, the farther away they seemed. I was about to collapse from exhaustion when I heard a familiar oo misses O'Leary bounded out of nowhere and ran circles around us, ready to play. Good girl, I said, Can you give us a ride to the sticks? The word sticks got her excited. She probably thought I meant sticks, S T I C K S. She jumped a few times, chased her tail just to teach it who was boss, and then calmed down enough for me to push Nico onto her back. I climb aboard and she raced raced towards the gates. She leaped straight over the easy deathline, sending guards sprawling and causing more alarms to blare. Cerberus barked but he sounded more excited than angry, like Can I play too? Fortunately, he didn't follow us, and Mrs. O'Leary kept running. She didn't stop until we were far upriver and the fire of Erebos had disappeared in the murk. Nico slid off Mrs. O'Leary's back and crumpled in a heap on the black sand. I took out a square of ambrosia, part of the emergency god food I always kept with me. It was a little bashed up, but Nico chewed it. Ugh he mumbled.
SPEAKER_01Better.
SPEAKER_00Your powers drain you too much, I noted. He nodded sleepily.
SPEAKER_01With great power comes great need to take a nap. Ugh Wake me up later.
SPEAKER_00Whoa, zombie dude. I caught him before he could pass out again. We're at the river. You need to tell me what to do. I fed him my last the last of my ambrosia, which was a little dangerous. The stuff can heal demigods, but it can also burn us to ashes if we eat too much. Fortunately it seemed to do the trick. Nico shook his head a few times and struggled to his feet. My father will be coming soon, he said. We should hurry. The river Styx's current swirled with strange objects, broken toys, ripped up college diplomas, wilted home homecoming corsages, all the dreams people had thrown away as they passed from life into death. Looking at the black water, I could think of about three million places I'd rather swim.
SPEAKER_03So I just jumped in. You have to prepare yourself first, Nico said, or the river will destroy you. It will burn away your body and soul. Sounds fun, I muttered. This is no joke, Nico warned. There is only one way to stay anchored to your mortal life. You have to he glanced behind me and his eyes widened. I turned and found myself face to face with a Greek warrior. For a second, I thought it he was Ares, because this guy looked exactly like the god of war, tall and buff, with a cruel scarred face and closely shaved black hair. He wore a white tunic and bronze armor. He held a plumed war helm under his arm, but his eyes were human, pale green like a shallow sea, and a bloody arrow stuck out of his left calf just above the ankle. I stunk at Greek names, but even I knew the greatest warrior of all time who had died from a wounded heel. Achilles, I said. The ghost nodded. I warned the other one not to follow my path. Now I will warn you. Luke you spoke with Luke? Do not do this, he said. It will make you powerful, but it will also make you weak. Your prowess in combat will be beyond any mortals, but your weaknesses, your failings will increase as well. You mean I'll have a bad heel? I said. Couldn't I just like wear something besides sandals? No offense. He stared down at his bloody foot. The heel is only my physical weakness, demigod. My mother Fetis held me there when she dipped me in the river sticks. What really killed me was my own arrogance. Beware, turn back. He meant it. I could hear the regret and bitterness in his voice. He was honestly trying to save me from a terrible fate. Then again, Luke had been here and he hadn't turned back. That's why Luke had been able to host the spirit of Kronos without his body disintegrating. This is how he'd prepared himself and why he seemed impossible to kill. He had bathed in the river sticks and had taken on the powers of the greatest mortal hero, Achilles. He was invincible. I have to, I said. Otherwise, I don't stand a chance. Achilles lowered his head. Let the gods witness, I tried. Hero, if you must do this, concentrate on your mortal point. Imagine one spot of your body that will remain vulnerable. This is the point where your soul will anchor your body to the world. It will be your greatest weakness, but also your only hope. No man may be completely invulnerable. Lose sight of what keeps you mortal, and the river sticks will burn you to ashes. You will cease to exist. I don't suppose you could tell me Luke's mortal point. He scowled her. Whether you survive this or not, you have sealed your doom. With that happy thought he vanished. Percy, Ninko said. Maybe he's right. This was your idea. I I know, but now that we're here Just wait on the shore.
SPEAKER_00If anything happens to me, well maybe Hades will get his wish and you'll be the child of the prophecy after all. He didn't look pleased about that, but I didn't care. Before I could change my mind, I concentrated on the small of my back, a tiny point just opposite my navel. It was well defended when I wore my armor. It would be hard to hit by accident, and few enemies would aim for it on purpose. No place was perfect, but this seemed right to me, and a lot more dignified than like my armpit or something. I pictured a string, a bungee cord connecting me to the world from the small of my back, and I stepped into the river. Imagine jumping into a pit of boiling acid. Now multiply that pain times 50. You still won't be close to understanding what it felt like to swim in the sticks. I planned to walk in slow and courageous like a hero. As soon as the water touched my legs, my muscles turned to jelly and I fell face first into the current. I submerged completely. For the first time in my life, I couldn't breathe underwater. I finally understood the panic of drowning. Every nerve in my body burned. I was dissolving in the water. I saw faces. Rachel, Grover, Tyson, my mother, but they faded as soon as they appeared. Percy, my mom said. I give you my blessing. Be safe, brother, Tyson pleaded.
SPEAKER_01Angeladas, Grover said.
SPEAKER_00I wasn't sure where that came from, but it didn't seem to help much. I was losing the fight. The pain was too much. My hands and feet were melting into the water. My soul was being ripped from my body. I couldn't remember who I was. The pain of Kronos' scythe had been nothing compared to this. The cord! A familiar voice said. Suddenly there was a tug in my lower back. The current pulled at me, but it wasn't carrying me anymore. I imagined the string in my back keeping me tied to the shore. Hold on, seaweed brain. It was Annabeth's voice, much clearer now. The cord! Remember your lifeline, dummy. Hold on, seaweed brain. It was Annabeth's voice, much clearer now. You're not getting away from me that easily. The cord strengthened. I could see Annabeth now, standing barefoot above me on the canoe lake pier. I'd fallen out of my canoe. That was it. She was reaching out her hand to haul me up and she was trying not to laugh. She wore her orange camp t-shirt and her je and jeans. Her hair was tucked up in her Yankees cap, which was strange, because that should have made her invisible. You are such an idiot sometimes, she smiled. Come on, take my hand. Memories came flooding back to me, sharper and more colorful. I stopped dissolving. My name was Percy Jackson. I reached up and took Annabeth's hand. Suddenly I burst out of the river. I collapsed on the sand and Nico scrambled back in surprise. Are you okay? He stammered. Oh god, you're hurt.
SPEAKER_03My arms were bright red. I felt like every inch of my body had been broiled over a slow flame. I looked around for Annabeth, though I knew she wasn't there here. It had seemed so real. I'm I'm fine, I think. The color of my skin turned turned back to normal. The pain subsided. Mrs. O'Leary came up and sniffed me with concern. Apparently I smelled really interesting. Do you feel stronger? Nico asked. Before I could decide what I felt, a voice boomed. An army of the dead marched towards us. A hundred skeletal Roman legionnaires led by the led the way with shields and spears. Behind them came an equal number of British redcoats with bayonets fixed. In the middle of the host, Hades himself rode a black and gold chariot pulled by nightmare horses, their eyes and manes smoldering with fire.
SPEAKER_02You will not escape me this time, Percy Jackson. Hades bellowed.
SPEAKER_03Destroy him Father No Nico shouted, but it was too late. The front line of Roman zombies lowered their spears and advanced. Mrs. O'Leary growled and got ready to pounce. Maybe that's what set me off. I didn't want them hurting my dog. Plus, I was tired of Hades being a big bully. If I was going to die, I might as well go down fighting. I yelled, and the river sticks exploded. A black tidal wave smashed into the Legionnaires. Spears and shields flew everywhere. Roman zombies began to dissolve. Smoke coming off their bronze helmets. The red coats lowered their bayonets, but I didn't wait for them. I charged. It was the stupidest thing I've ever done. A hundred muskets fired me point blank. All of them missed. I crashed into their line and started hacking with ripe. I hear Bayonets jabbed swords slashed guns reloaded and air. Nothing touched me. I whirled through the ranks. Slashing red coats to dust one after the other. Poof. My mind went on autopilot. Stab, dodge, cut, deflect, roll. Riptide was no longer a sword. It was an arc of pure destruction. I broke through the enemy line and leaped into the black chariot. Hades raised his staff. A bolt of dark energy shot toward me. But I deflected it off my blade and slammed into him. The god and I both tumbled out of the chariot. The next thing I knew, my knee was planted on Hades' chest. I was holding the collar of his royal robes in one fist, and the tip of my sword was poised right over his face. Silence. The army did nothing to defend their master. I glanced back and realized why. There was nothing left of them but weapons in the sand and piles of smoking, empty uniforms. I had destroyed them all.
SPEAKER_02Hades swallowed Now Jackson listen here.
SPEAKER_03He was immortal. There was no way I could kill him, but gods can be wounded. I knew that firsthand, and I figured a sword in the face wouldn't feel too good.
SPEAKER_00Just because I'm a nice person, I snarled. I'll let you go. But first, tell me about that trap. Hades melted into nothing, leaving me holding empty black robes. I cursed and got to my feet, breathing heavily. Now that the danger was over, I realized how tired I was. Every muscle in my body ached. I looked down at my clothes. They were slashed to pieces and full of bullet holes. But I was fine. Not a mark on me. Nico's mouth hung open. You just with a with a sword you just you just I think the river thing worked, I said. Oh gee, he said sarcastically. You think? Mrs. O'Leary barked happily and wagged her tail. She bounced she bounded around, sniffing empty uniforms and hunting for bones. I lifted Hades' robe. I could still see the tormented faces shimmering in the fabric. I walked to the edge of the river. Be free. I dropped the robe in the water and watched as it swirled away, dissolving in the current. Go back to your father, I told Nico. Tell him he owes me for letting him go. Find out what's gonna happen to Mount Olympus and convince him to help. Nico stared at me.
SPEAKER_01I I I can't he'll hate me now. I I mean even more.
SPEAKER_00You have to, I said. You owe me two. His ears turned red. Percy Percy, I told you I was sorry. Please. Let me come with you. I d I wanna fight. You'll be more help down here. You mean you don't trust me anymore? He said miserably. I didn't answer. I didn't know what I meant. I was too stunned by what I'd just done in battle to think clearly. Just go back to your father, I said, trying not to sound too harsh. Work on him. You're the only person who might be able to get him to listen. That's a depressing thought, Nico sighed. Alright, I'll do my best. Besides, he's still hiding something from me about my mom. Maybe I can find out what. Good luck. Now, Mrs. O'Leary and I have to go. Where? Nico said. I looked at the cave entrance and thought about the long climb back to the world of the living. To get this war started, it's time I found Luke. Chapter eight.
SPEAKER_03Oh my god, I'm not sure.