Percy (next day)

I managed to sneak out of the medical tent around 3am the next morning. Will Solace had fallen asleep in a folding chair next to the boy's-Luke I believe his name is-bed. The boy was deathly pale, his lips blue due to blood loss. His chances of survival had increased greatly as soon as some ambrosia and nectar had been forced down his throat. Now, it was just waiting for him to wake up. Some time during the night, however, young Annabeth had crawled into the bed next to him, holding him like a teddy bear.

Once I left the tent, I ran as quick as I could to my cabin, careful to avoid and nymphs or other creatures who would try and punish me. Luckily, I successfully made it. As soon as the door closed behind me, I collapsed into the bed. I didn't change my clothes or anything, and I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

The next few weeks went as normal as could be in a camp filled with half-blood children of Gods. Cabins pranked each other, campfire songs were sung, and my team dominated at capture the flag. Then again, it could also be because I always placed the flag in a swirling whirlpool only accessible to children of Poseidon. Finally, after lengths of peace and happiness, Chiron came to me with a grave look on his face.

"Percy, I must speak with both you and Nico. Come to the big house immediately after dinner," he said, before immediately walking away. I was too stunned to say anything. Eventually, I called over to Nico, who like me sat alone, to tell him. He nodded his head, though he looked at me in question. All I could do was shrug my shoulders, a worried look in my eyes. As quick as we both could we finished eating, even though my appetite left as soon as Chiron spoke. Then, as all of the other campers made their way to the fire pit, Nico and I made our way to the big house.

We paused when we reached the porch, looking towards each other with our anxiety written clear across our faces. With a deep breath, I reached and pulled open the screen door before stepping inside. Nico followed, his footsteps silent as a ghost's breath. As we rounded the corner where Chiron sat behind a small desk, we noticed him nursing a cup of what I assumed to be alcohol. He had a grave look on his face as he gestured to the seats set across from himself. For a while we simply sat in silence, until finally he broke it.

"I'm afraid I have terrible information I need to share with you," he paused to take a deep breath as we waited anxiously. "There had been a prophecy. We hadn't expected it to come to pass for years yet, but recent event show that it is time."

"A prophecy?" Nico asked.

"Yes, and it could be either one of you. The young girl, Thalia, could have also been a candidate, but no longer," Chiron took a large gulp of his drink, effectively finishing the cup.

"What is the prophecy?" I ask.

"It goes as follows:

A half-blood of the eldest gods
Shall reach seventeen against all odds
And see the world in endless sleep
The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap
A single choice shall end his days
Olympus to preserve or raze.

"And that is all," he finished. "We need to prepare the both of you, and we don't have much time. Percy, you are turning seventeen in only two months. Nico, however, has almost two years. We need to figure how we can prepare you two for the hellfire that will come from this prophecy."

We fell into silence once again, before an idea came over me. It was a horrible idea, but it seemed to be the only choice. "Lotus Hotel," I say. Immediately, Nico tensed up. It was then I remembered the decades Nico and his sister had been trapped there. Immediately I hated myself for even bringing up the idea. "Nico-" I began.

"No," he interrupted. "It just might work."

"Are you sure you wish to do this," Chiron asked.

"It will protect the rest of the world. You can get us when we are needed the most. Besides, neither of us will be alone," I reply. Nico nodded along.

"When will we go?" Nico replied. His voice was short, obviously he did not want to do this. Hades, I didn't want to do it. The mere idea of being trapped there again brought back memories of the time my mother and I had gone to Vegas for vacation. Unknowingly, we wandered into a trap. Of course, we were only there for a few weeks, but it was disorientating. It was how Grover found me and brought me back to camp halfblood.

"Soon, before Percy's birthday," Chiron replied.

"Can I visit my mother and say goodbye?" I asked.

"Of course," Chiron replied. He took a deep breath. "Words cannot say what this is going to do for us. You are both incredibly brave to even think of this." After we thanked him, he continued. "I will announce your departure as a lengthened quest, stating that you will not be back for quite some time. The campers do not need to hear of this."

"Of course," I replied. "We will pack tonight, and leave tomorrow morning after breakfast." I stood to leave, Nico following close behind. "Good night, sir."

"Good night."

The stars seemed dimmer as we left the big house. We walked side by side to our cabins, which were quite to each other's considering our parentage.

"I never thought I would be going back," Nico spoke, starting me and breaking the silence that had settled between us. We came to a stop in front of Zeus's cabin where we would separate.

"I know," I reply. "I forgot. If I remembered I never would have suggested it." Nico stared at the ground in front of him, before he raised his eyes to look at me. His eyes startled me, as they held a haunted look that made them seem bottomless.

"I could never forget," he replies. Then, he completely turned his back to me, and walked away. I stood, staring at his retreating form until he reached his cabin. Only then did I finally turn the other way to my own cabin. I climbed the steps in solemn silence, reaching the screen door. Instead of opening it however, I rested my head against the cool wood. Stupid, I thought to myself. Suddenly, I heard a slight sniffle coming from my right. I opened my eyes and turned my head to the source of the sound, startled to see Annabeth curled up against the wall, crying.

"Annabeth?" I whispered. "What are you doing here?" I walked over to where she was sitting before crouching in front of her.

"Is Luke going to die?" she muttered through a sob.

"No, no, of course not," I assure her. "Will is taking wonderful care of him."

"But he's not waking up!" she argued. "How can he be alright if he is not waking up!"

"It's going to take some time," I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. "He's not going to leave you." Suddenly, Annabeth dove at me and wrapped her arms around my torso. After a moment of shock, I tucked her head under my chin and let the young girl cry.

"Please don't leave me," she said.

"Don't worry. We can sit here until morning if it makes you feel better," I assure her.

"No, never leave me." I didn't reply. Annabeth picked up her head and stared me in the eyes, staring as if she was dissecting me. "Promise me you'll never leave," she demanded.

"Annabeth, I-" I started, but she interrupted by once again demanding I promise her. "I promise," I whispered, and she once again tucked her head under my chin.

We sat like that for hours, and eventually she fell asleep. I, however, had no chance of sleep. All I could think about was how it would be possible to explain to her about my leaving the very next morning. I thought of asking Chiron if I could stay, but I knew that it wouldn't be possible. I was too close to 17, it would be too risky.

Eventually the sun rose, and I picked up Annabeth and began walking to the Athena cabin so she could sleep a little longer. She stirred a little bit when I first stood up, but eventually settled in my arms. I walked slowly to the cabin, enjoying the feeling of the sun on my skin. I passed by Nico's cabin, and noticed him sitting on the steps. I gave him a grim smile, and nodded towards him as he looked up. He looked towards Annabeth in question, and I mouthed 'later', before continuing my walk.

When I arrived at the door, I twisted Annabeth in my arms to knock on the door. Unsurprisingly, one of the campers answered it almost immediately. Athena kids were always early risers.

"What've you got there?" asked Malcolm Pace-the head counselor-as he gestured towards the sleeping girl in my arms.

"She fell asleep as we were talking last night, I didn't want to wake her," I answer. "Can you take her? I need to get back."

"Yeah, of course," he replies as he takes her from my arms.

"Thanks," I reply, before beginning my short walk back to my cabin. However, sitting on my porch was the one and only son of Hades. "What is up with people and my porch?" I asked myself.

"I mean, it's a wonderful porch, Jackson. Perfect amount of sunlight, and a lovely view of the rest of camp," Nico replied with a heavy amount of sarcasm.

"Not appreciated, man," I reply, climbing halfway up the steps and dropping down next to him. We sat, not talking to one another for a few minutes, silently watching as the camp came alive.

"I can't believe I'm going back," spoke Nico, breaking the comfortable silence.

"I'm sorry," I reply. "I shouldn't have suggested it." In truth, I felt terrible for almost forcing Nico to return to the place that had been his prison for many years.

"Don't be sorry, Percy," he said. "It's not your fault. It's our only solution." I sighed and leant back, lying flat on the porch with my legs dangling down the steps. I heaved another heavy sigh and threw my arm over my eyes.

"Do you ever just think it would be easier if we weren't born?" I ask him quietly. "Wouldn't everything be so much easier if we just didn't exist?"

"Every day, Percy," he replied as he too fell down next to me. "Every day."

We ate breakfast together at the Poseidon table, regardless of the rules. As soon as Nico sat down across from me, everyone around us began to whisper amongst themselves. Within minutes, around ten rumors began to swarm through the pavilion. They varied from close to the truth, to not even in the realm of possibility. One of my favorite of the many, was that we were planning escape to become iconic gay movie stars in Hollywood, and that this was the final meeting before our plan was going to come into action. However, much to their disappointment, Chiron stood up and addressed the rest of the campers.

"I'm sure you all have noticed something is happening," he stated. " Nico di Angelo and Percy Jackson are to leave camp today. I have assigned them a lengthened quest, one that will cause them to be gone for many years." People looked towards us in confusion. "We will miss them both terribly, however we will also remember them for all they have done for this camp. They leave shortly after breakfast, and to those who wish to say goodbye can meet them at the entrance to camp. Thank you for listening."

"I guess that's our cue," I said, looking towards Nico. He sighed, before nodding his head and standing up from the table.

"Let's go, then," he replied. He picked up the backpack he had set under the table, and I grabbed the small backpack that was on the bench next to me. It felt strange to be leaving. We weren't sure how long we would be gone for, but things would not be the same once we returned.

As we walked down the dirt path to the exit, around twenty or so people began to file out behind us. For some reason, it reminded me more of a funeral march than a going away party. Suddenly, a hand pulled on my shirt, yanking me back. I turned to see young Annabeth standing there, a storm in her grey eyes.

"You promised," she said. It was then her cheeks began to rain.

"I know, I'm sorry," I reply as I get down on my knees to be eye level. "I'll be back before you know it."

"How can I trust you now?" she asked.

"You don't have to trust me, but just know that I'm not leaving you for forever."

"Percy, we need to go," Nico said, interrupting us. I watched Annabeth as she gave me one final look before latching her arms around my neck.

"Please come back," she murmured as I wrapped her in a hug.

The rest of the goodbyes consisted of playful punches, fake dramatics from Will about "losing his one true love", and an overly enthusiastic child of Aphrodite who seemed to think Will was serious. I played along happily with Will's antics until I burst into laughter when he offered me a "token to remind me of him during the dark nights" which just ended up being a pair of white cotton underwear. Chiron gave us one final goodbye, wishing us all the luck in the world. He warned us about the dangers we would face due to having two children of the big three alone in the wild. With our final goodbyes, we turned our backs to the camp, our home, and began our journey.