The Lost Hero

The giant bellowed, ―I see you, Piper McLean!‖ He turned and blew fire at a line of bushes to Leo‘s right.
Piper ran into the clearing like a flushed quail, the underbrush burning behind her.
Enceladus laughed. ―I‘m happy you‘ve arrived. And you brought me my prizes!‖
Leo‘s gut twisted. This was the moment Piper had warned them about. They‘d played right into
Enceladus‘s hands.
The giant must‘ve read Leo‘s expression, because he laughed even louder. ―That‘s right, son of
Hephaestus. I didn‘t expect you all to stay alive this long, but it doesn‘t matter. By bringing you here, Piper
McLean has sealed the deal. If she betrays you, I‘m as good as my word. She can take her father and go. What
do I care about a movie star?‖
Leo could see Piper‘s dad more clearly now. He wore a ragged dress shirt and torn slacks. His bare feet
were caked with mud. He wasn‘t completely unconscious, because he lifted his head and groaned—yep,
Tristan McLean all right. Leo had seen that face in enough movies. But he had a nasty cut down the side of his
face, and he looked thin and sickly—not heroic at all.
―Dad!‖ Piper yelled.
Mr. McLean blinked, trying to focus. ―Pipes … ? Where …‖
Piper drew her dagger and faced Enceladus. ―Let him go!‖
―Of course, dear,‖ the giant rumbled. ―Swear your loyalty to me, and we have no problem. Only these
others must die.‖
Piper looked back and forth between Leo and her dad.
―He‘ll kill you,‖ Leo warned. ―Don‘t trust him!‖
―Oh, come now,‖ Enceladus bellowed. ―You know I was born to fight Athena herself? Mother Gaea made
each of us giants with a specific purpose, designed to fight and destroy a particular god. I was Athena‘s
nemesis, the anti-Athena, you might say. Compared to some of my brethren—I am small! But I am clever. And I
keep my bargain with you, Piper McLean. It‘s part of my plan!‖
Jason was on his feet now, lance ready; but before he could act, Enceladus roared—a call so loud it
echoed down the valley and was probably heard all the way to San Francisco.
At the edge the woods, half a dozen ogre-like creatures rose up. Leo realized with nauseating certainty
that they hadn‘t simply been hiding there. They‘d risen straight out of the earth.
The ogres shuffled forward. They were small compared to Enceladus, about seven feet tall. Each one of
them had six arms—one pair in the regular spot, then an extra pair sprouting out the top of their shoulders, and
another set shooting from the sides of their rib cages. They wore only ragged leather loincloths, and even
across the clearing, Leo could smell them. Six guys who never bathed, with six armpits each. Leo decided if he
survived this day, he‘d have to take a three-hour shower just to forget the stench.
Leo stepped toward Piper. ―What—what are those?‖
Her blade reflected the purple light of the bonfire. ―Gegenees.‖
―In English?‖ Leo asked.
―The Earthborn,‖ she said. ―Six-armed giants who fought Jason—the first Jason.‖
―Very good, my dear!‖ Enceladus sounded delighted. ―They used to live on a miserable place in Greece
called Bear Mountain. Mount Diablo is much nicer! They are lesser children of Mother Earth, but they serve their
purpose. They‘re good with construction equipment—‖
―Vroom, vroom!‖ one of the Earthborn bellowed, and the others took up the chant, each moving his six
hands as though driving a car, as if it were some kind of weird religious ritual. ―Vroom, vroom!‖
―Yes, thank you, boys,‖ Encedalus said. ―They also have a score to settle with heroes. Especially anyone
named Jason.‖
―Yay-son!‖ the Earthborn screamed. They all picked up clumps of earth, which solidified in their hands,
turning to nasty pointed stones. ―Where Yay-son? Kill Yay-son!‖
Enceladus smiled. ―You see, Piper, you have a choice. Save your father, or ah, try to save your friends
and face certain death.‖
Piper stepped forward. Her eyes blazed with such rage, even the Earthborn backed away. She radiated
power and beauty, but it had nothing to do with her clothes or her makeup.
―You will not take the people I love,‖ she said. ―None of them.‖
Her words rippled across the clearing with such force, the Earthborn muttered, ―Okay. Okay, sorry,‖ and
began to retreat.
―Stand your ground, fools!‖ Enceladus bellowed. He snarled at Piper. ―This is why we wanted you alive,
my dear. You could have been so useful to us. But as you wish. Earth-born! I will show you Jason.‖
Leo‘s heart sank. But the giant didn‘t point to Jason. He pointed to the other side of the bonfire, where
Tristan McLean hung helpless and half conscious.
―There is Jason,‖ Enceladus said with pleasure. ―Tear him apart!‖