Allies and Enemies
The skies above Hogwarts turned stormy, dark clouds swirling ominously as the battle raged on. Thunder rumbled, and in the distance, lightning flashed, illuminating the chaotic battlefield.
I took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of everything around me. Angelos was keeping Voldemort distracted, her scepter a golden blur as it clashed against his curses. Will and I stood side by side, surveying the battlefield. The Death Eaters seemed endless, their spells flashing like fireflies in the night.
"We have to find Kronos," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Voldemort might be the face of this war, but Kronos is the true threat. He'll bring Olympus crashing down if he's not stopped."
Will nodded, his jaw set. "I'm with you, Nico. Let's end this."
We joined the fight again, cutting through the ranks of Death Eaters as we searched for any sign of Kronos. My shadows were a constant companion, shielding us, striking down enemies with bursts of darkness, but I could feel my energy waning. Every time I used my powers, it took a toll.
"Over there!" Will shouted, pointing toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest. The trees swayed as if something massive was approaching. Then, with a horrifying grinding noise, a figure emerged.
It was Kronos.
He towered over the battlefield, his golden eyes glowing like twin suns. His scythe gleamed, reflecting the flashes of magic in the air. He moved with a terrifying grace, his every step sending tremors through the ground.
"About time, Nico di Angelo," he sneered, his voice deep and resonant, echoing like thunder. "Did you really think you could defy the Titan of Time?"
I swallowed hard, tightening my grip on my sword. "I'm not afraid of you," I said, though my heart was pounding. "You're not unstoppable, Kronos. We've beaten you before, and we'll do it again."
Kronos laughed, a chilling sound that seemed to shake the very air. "We'll see about that." He raised his scythe, and I barely had time to react before he swung it down, sending a wave of golden energy toward us.
I dove out of the way, dragging Will with me. The energy sliced through the ground where we'd just stood, leaving a smoldering trench. Kronos's power was even more terrifying up close; it radiated off him like heat, twisting the air and making it hard to breathe.
But we didn't back down. With a determined nod, Will and I charged him, our weapons raised. My shadows curled around my sword, strengthening it, and Will's blade glowed with a warm, golden light, empowered by his own unique magic.
The battle was brutal. Kronos fought like he was invincible, his scythe sweeping through the air in deadly arcs. I blocked his strikes with my shadows, feeling each impact rattle through my bones. Beside me, Will was a blur of movement, deflecting Kronos's attacks with skill and precision, his face set with fierce determination.
But it wasn't enough.
Kronos was too strong, too fast. Each time we thought we'd landed a hit, he'd dodge or deflect it, barely breaking a sweat. It was like fighting a force of nature, a storm that couldn't be stopped.
And then, just when I thought we were done for, a new voice rang out across the battlefield.
"Hey, Time Lord! Miss us?"
I turned, my heart leaping with relief. Percy, Annabeth, and Jason were charging toward us, their faces set with grim determination. Percy's sword, Riptide, was a streak of celestial bronze as he led the charge, his eyes blazing with fury.
Kronos sneered. "You think a few demigods can defeat me?"
Annabeth smirked, her grey eyes gleaming. "We're more than a few."
Suddenly, the sky lit up as the Olympians themselves appeared on the battlefield. Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, and the others descended, their forms massive and powerful, each one radiating a divine aura that made the ground tremble. They joined the fight, their powers clashing against Voldemort's forces and Kronos himself.
The sight of the gods bolstered our spirits. With the Olympians on our side, the tide began to turn.
But Kronos didn't back down. With a roar of rage, he unleashed a torrent of power, his golden energy colliding with the Olympians' attacks. The ground shook, and the air crackled with raw magic as the two forces clashed.
Amidst the chaos, Percy ran to my side. "Nico! You okay?"
"Better now that you're here," I admitted, catching my breath. "We've got to end this. Kronos and Voldemort—together, they're too powerful."
Percy nodded, his expression grim. "Then let's finish this."
With renewed determination, we charged back into the fray. Jason flew overhead, lightning crackling around him as he sent bolts of electricity toward Kronos. Annabeth was a blur of movement, using her wits and agility to outmaneuver the Death Eaters. The gods fought alongside us, their powers clashing against Kronos's magic.
As the battle reached its peak, I knew we had to take a final risk. I met Percy's gaze, and he seemed to understand. With a nod, we both lunged at Kronos, aiming for his weak spots.
The Titan roared, swinging his scythe to block us, but this time, we were ready. With a yell, I summoned every ounce of my strength, enveloping his weapon in shadows. For a brief moment, he was caught off guard.
"Now, Percy!" I shouted.
Percy didn't hesitate. With a fierce battle cry, he plunged Riptide into Kronos's chest, the celestial bronze blade sinking deep. Kronos's eyes widened in shock, and for a moment, he seemed to falter.
"No," he hissed, his voice weakening. "This isn't... over..."
But it was.
With one final surge of shadows, I forced Kronos back, sending him reeling. The Titan's form began to waver, his power disintegrating as he faded from existence.
The battlefield fell silent. Voldemort's forces, seeing their strongest ally defeated, began to retreat. The Death Eaters fled, their ranks breaking apart as they vanished into the forest.
It was over.
We stood there, breathing heavily, covered in dust and grime, but alive. I looked around at my friends, at the Olympians, at Will, who was smiling tiredly beside me. We'd done it. We'd survived.
As I looked up at the dawn breaking over the horizon, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. The war was over. And for the first time in a long time, I felt hope.