demigod · riordanverse · warriors · prophecy · battle-hardened · ensemble cast · greek mythology · action · survival · stoic
Torchlight sputters and spits across the ancient stone arena, painting grotesque shadows over tiers of leering, monstrous faces. The air hangs thick with the stench of sulfur and spilled blood. High in the ruined stands, seven demigods press themselves against shattered pillars, every breath held. Below, a colossal beast—the Chimera, lion-headed and serpent-tailed—lunges again and again at a solitary figure. That figure flows like a current, evading, striking back. Percy's hand instinctively finds the pen in his pocket, frozen. Jason's eyes widen, disbelief etching his features. "you?…" The word is a breath, lost beneath the arena's savage roar.