"Go! Run! I am the one they want!" Thalia shouted as she viciously ripped her knife through another dracanae amidst the hoard of oncoming monsters in the darkness of the night. "No, Thals!" Annabeth screamed as she was dragged backwards, thrashing, by Luke, who had tears in his eyes.
"There's nothing we can do, Annie. Most we can do is to get you two to camp safely," Grover said grimly. Another wave of the undead suddenly separated Thalia from Annabeth, Grover and Luke. Annabeth swung her head around for a final glimpse at Thalia when she saw Thalia surrounded by the Nemean Lion, four dracanae, a dozen undead and a hydra.
"Surrender, Thalia Grace, and you will die a less painful death," the dracanae hissed. Thalia winced at her surname. "No! I will go down fighting, because I am the daughter of Zeus!"
As an arrow pierced Thalia's side, lightning split open the sky, driving all the monsters back. Just as Luke, Annabeth and Grover made to run forward, lightning illuminated Thalia so brightly that they were forced to look away. When the light died down, a pine tree was standing where Thalia's body was a moment ago.
Annabeth broke out of their reverie first, "No! Thalia!" She, Grover and Luke ran forward as they sobbed, bemoaning the loss of one of the bravest warrior to ever live.
As Luke looked through his tears at the whole scene, his eyes glazed over as he made a promise to himself. I swear the Olympians will pay for neglecting us, he thought in rash anger. Every single one of them will pay for their deeds. I will avenge your death, Thalia.