THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH Percy Jackson ... - No one's invited.

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“It’s celestial bronze,” the other said. “What did you expect?”
I got pulled along. We turned a corner, and from the sound of the wheels echoing against the walls I
guessed we had passed down a tunnel and into a smaller room. Hopefully I was not about to be dumped
into a smelting pot. If they started to tip me over, I’d have to fight my way out quick. I heard lots of
talking, chattering voices that didn’t sound human—somewhere between a seal’s bark and a dog’s
growl. There were other sounds too—like an old-fashioned film projector and a tinny voice narrating.
“Just set it in the back,” a new voice ordered from across the room. “Now, younglings, please attend to
the film. There will be time for questions afterward.”
The voices quieted down, and I could hear the film.
As a young sea demon matures,the narrator said,changes happen in the monster’s body. You may
notice your fangs getting longer and you may have a sudden desire to devour human beings.
These changes are perfectly normal and happen to all young monsters.
Excited snarling filled the room. The teacher—I guess it must have been a teacher—told the younglings
to be quiet, and the film continued. I didn’t understand most of it, and I didn’t dare look. The film kept
talking about growth spurts and acne problems caused by working in the forges, and proper flipper
hygiene, and finally it was over.
“Now, younglings,” the instructor said, “what is the proper name of our kind?”
“Sea demons!” one of them barked.
“No.Anyone else?”
“Telekhines!” another monster growled.
“Very good,” the instructor said. “And why are we here?”
“Revenge!” several shouted.
“Yes, yes, but why?”
“Zeus is evil!” one monster said. “He cast us intoTartarus just because we used magic!”
“Indeed,” the instructor said.“After we made so many of the gods’ finest weapons.The trident of
Poseidon, for one. And of course—we made the greatest weapon of the Titans! Nevertheless, Zeus cast
us away and relied on those fumbling Cyclopes. That is why we are taking over the forges of the usurper
Hephaestus. And soon we will control the undersea furnaces, our ancestral home!”
I clutched my pen-sword. These snarling things had created Poseidon’s trident? What were they talking
about? I’d never even heard of atelekhine .
“And so, younglings,” the instructor continued, “who do we serve?”
“Kronos!” they shouted.