Percy Jackson was bored. Sitting in history class, listening to some ancient professor drone on about philosophy, Percy felt like his head was going to explode. When you're as ADHD as he is, there is only so much lecturing you can take before you burst. The hyperactive demigod bounced his knee and tapped his pen on wooden desktop.

Tap-Tap-Tap-Tap-Tap

Sighing, Percy gazed out the window and allowed his thoughts to wander toward Annabeth. The beautiful daughter of Athena was only 3 classrooms away. After the Giant War, she had agreed to spend her senior year at Goode High, where she and Percy could spend more time together. The past six months had been more peaceful than Percy could have hoped for, but that didn't mean they were without struggle.

Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter were finally recovering from Gaea's destruction. Large portions of both camps had needed repairs, and there were losses to mourn on each side. Leo made his dramatic return a few days after the battle with Calypso at his side. Piper yelled so fiercely at him that he'd been inclined to avoid her for a week, but Percy knew she was just ecstatic to have her friend home and alive.

Annabeth and Percy were faring well enough. Admittedly, Tartarus had made an impression on them mentally, so once things at camp had seemed stable enough, they'd returned to the city. Sally was brought to tears at the sight of her lost hero and celebrated with her infamous blue cookies. Now, months later, the nightmares and visions were subsiding, the nerves were relaxing, and everyone was finding peace again.

Percy's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, very loud cough. He looked forward to find his teacher, Mr. Walsh, staring at him from the front of the room.

"Mr. Jackson, if you would stop making such a racket, you're disrupting the class."

Percy realized his pen tapping had probably been pretty loud and went to apologize.

"Sorry, Mr. Walsh. I'll refrain from disrupting you in the future." He hoped the strict teacher would just leave him be.

Mr. Walsh narrowed his eyes, trying to decide whether Percy's attitude was worth berating, and turned back to the white board.

From the beginning of the year, Mr. Walsh had detested Percy. Like many other adults, he'd labeled Percy a trouble-maker and set out to make

the demigod's life miserable. Percy suspected he was a monster at first, but Annabeth assured him otherwise. For once, Percy's teacher was human.

Finally, the bell rang and Percy sprinted for the door. He made it down the hallway just in time to meet Annabeth outside her class. The blonde laughed when she saw him.

"Monster on your tail, Seaweed Brain?"

He grinned sarcastically, "Not exactly. Ready to head home? I'll walk you."

"Sure thing," she took his hand and together they made their way outside.

Walking to Annabeth's apartment, they chatted lightly about their day. She teased him when she heard he zoned out in history.

"I swear Percy, one of these days you'll get distracted and miss something truly important."

"Sorry we can't all be genius children of Athena," smirking, he poked her in the side.

"You don't seem too disappointed, oh mighty Son of Poseidon."

"You're right. Sea Spawn and proud." He showed off his muscles jokingly.

Annabeth made a sarcastic mark just then, but Percy didn't hear it. He had frozen in his tracks.

"Percy? Percy, what happened?" Annabeth was shaking his shoulder, trying to get him to respond. Finally green eyes met gray.

"Nothing. Thought I heard something, that's all." Percy tried smiling at her, but Annabeth wouldn't have it.

"Don't lie, Percy. What happened? Was it a flashback?" She looked worried.

"Really, Annabeth. It's nothing. I thought I heard something in the alley, but I was wrong. Come on, let's go."

Reluctantly, she took his hand and walked with him silently. Percy recalled the noise that made him stop a minute before. He really had heard something, just not in the alley. He'd heard a voice whispering urgently,

Perseus, beware.

After spending some time with Annabeth, Percy said goodnight. His own apartment, where he lived with his mom and Paul, was only a block away. Percy admitted it was nice knowing his girlfriend lived a few minutes away, and his mom loved having Annabeth around more often.

Walking through the front door, Percy greeted his mom and headed for the back of the apartment. Exhaustion hit Percy hard as soon as he entered his room. Barely managing to take his shoes off, he collapsed onto his bed and was out in moments.

As one would probably suspect, Percy had a dream.

He was back in Tartarus, standing with Annabeth before Akhlys as she threatened to kill them. Like before, Percy took control of the poison and fought back. A sick, dark feeling writhed to life in his gut, urging him to continue. Fight. Protect. He was enjoying this. He felt alive.

But that all crumbled when he watched the shock and worry form on Annabeth's face, watched as she made him promise never to use that power again. He agreed, but the darkness remained in the pit of his stomach.

The scene dissolved, and Percy found himself standing in an empty, black room. A voice startled him, "Perseus, Beware." The same voice from earlier echoed through the dark space.

"Who are you?" he called out. "What do you want?"

"Trying times await you, Perseus. Beware."

"Beware what? What are you talking about?"

"Sometimes the mistakes we make haunt us, the people we trust betray us, and the dreams we have fail us. We must be strong and have hope that light will overcome our inner darkness. Beware the choices you make, Perseus, for you have the power to either save yourself or bring your own destruction."

The floor beneath Percy began to crumble, making him stumble and lose his footing. With a yell, he fell into the nothingness below.

Thanks for reading!

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-LL.