The ground shook.
Something big was coming.
Each step sent deep tremors through the earth. The trees swayed, their twisted branches rattling as if whispering warnings. The mist at my feet slithered back, like it was afraid.
Then—BOOM.
Leaves rustled. The sharp scent of dirt filled the air. My breath caught in my throat.
BOOM.
A flock of birds burst into the sky, screaming. The wind picked up, but no one moved.
BOOM.
The third impact cracked the ground. My heart pounded. Every instinct screamed at me to run.
Then—CRASH.
A tree ahead of us shattered. A massive hand—rough, jagged, like carved stone—tore through the broken wood, sending splinters flying.
Then it stepped forward.
A Cyclops.
Thirty feet tall. Its body looked like it had been carved from a mountain—cracked, weathered stone stretched over its huge frame, deep fault lines running through it. Its single eye glowed like molten gold, scanning the battlefield.
Then—it locked onto us.
No.
It locked onto Nolan and Lucas.
They didn't move.
They didn't breathe.
For the first time, they weren't acting tough.
They were terrified.
I saw it—Nolan's tight grip, Lucas's stiff posture. They tried to hide it.
But I knew.
Because I felt it too.
The Cyclops let out a deep growl, shaking the air itself. The sound pressed down on my chest, heavy and crushing.
Then—Nolan moved.
"PREPARE FOR BATTLE!"
His voice was strong, but I heard the fear underneath.
Lucas forced a smirk. "We can take it."
But he didn't sound convinced.
I turned to the others, heart racing.
"Damon! You and your brother—help them!
We can't win this!
We need the professor! Where is she?!"
But in my heart, I already knew.
She wasn't coming.
And it was my fault we were here.
I was the one who said we had to follow Nolan and Lucas.
I was the one who insisted.
I led them into this.
And now—we were going to die for it.
Damon and his brother charged in. Nolan and Lucas attacked—lightning flashed, water slashed through the air. Sparks flew as their magic struck solid stone.
It did nothing.
The Cyclops didn't even react.
Then—it struck back.
The air exploded as the Cyclops swung its arm.
The ground split apart.
Trees snapped like twigs. The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
Damon barely dodged.
The forest trembled as the Cyclops roared, a sound so powerful it made my bones shake.
And still—it kept coming.
Nolan and Lucas were slowing down. Their attacks weaker. Their breathing ragged.
They weren't winning.
They were barely holding on.
Then—Damon shouted.
"Ethan! You guys run! We'll keep it busy!"
Before I could react—Nolan and Lucas stopped attacking.
For a second, I thought they were planning something.
Then—they turned.
And ran.
Cowards.
Traitors.
They left.
Left Damon. Left all of us.
Lucas looked back, throwing a smirk over his shoulder. "Take care of them for us, will you?"
Like this was a joke.
Something snapped inside me.
He knew what he was doing.
And he still ran.
My hands clenched.
Not again.
Not ever again.
Then—impact.
A blur of motion.
Something slammed into us.
Xander Hale flew back, crashing into a tree. His body crumpled, blood trickling from his face.
I heard him breathe. Still alive.
I turned, voice sharp.
"Heal him! Now!"
The Apollo healers rushed over. Golden light flared around their hands as they pressed against his wounds.
I turned to Clara and the Athena students.
"Form a barrier!"
Clara and her group started chanting, their voices quick and focused. A translucent shield shimmered around us.
It wouldn't last.
I staggered forward, turning to the Apollo healers.
"Give me your mana."
They hesitated.
I forced my voice to stay calm. "I have a plan. Trust me."
One by one, they placed their hands on me.
A wave of pure power flooded into my body.
It burned.
It was too much.
My vision blurred, my body shaking under the pressure.
I gritted my teeth. I had to hold on.
The Apollo healers collapsed, drained.
I turned to Xander.
"Take two of my Apollo brothers. Get out of the forest."
I turned to Clara. "Take your brothers. Follow him."
She hesitated.
I nodded.
It's okay.
It was up to me now.
"Damon! Daniel! Come here—I have a plan!"
Damon was barely standing. His breathing heavy, muscles weak. He wouldn't last much longer.
I looked at him.
My chest tightened.
I didn't want to do this.
But I had to.
"I'm sorry, Damon." My voice shook.
He frowned. "Ethan—?"
Before he could react—I struck.
Quick. Clean.
His eyes widened. His body went limp.
I caught him before he hit the ground.
I held him.
He was heavy. But the weight that crushed me wasn't his body.
It was guilt.
I swallowed hard. My voice barely a whisper.
"We could have been good friends."
I took a shaky breath.
Then, I turned to Daniel.
"Take him. Catch up to the others. Find the professor."
My arms felt empty as I let him go.
But I couldn't think about that now.
The barrier cracked.
The Cyclops let out a slow, rumbling growl.
The shield shattered.
It lunged.
And I stood my ground.