I'm alive! Before anything, please check out the site .com . If you look at the site, you'll find me! Apparently one of my readers created this site, and whoever you are, (thank you for asking for my permission first of all) I am very flattered! Thank you! Anyways, all of that aside, enjoy the next chapter of AHBAatDoD! (I need to find a better acronym...)
Percy's anatomy felt all messed up. The beat of his heart felt like it was right next to his brain, a drumbeat disrupting all of his thoughts. He couldn't sense anything, and everything the demigod saw was all a blur. He was only aware of the earth underneath his feet that he had unsteadily trekked on for the past several hours, for the past endless miles., and the being next to him holding him steady. Had he been in his correct state of mind, he would've been able to identify him, but so far, all that he knew was the color red. The red blood lust of the pit, the red he was seeing, and the ill intent stemming from his own consciousness.
"Percy," said the being that Percy had once known to be a mere glow, and who was now a solid figure. "We're at the Doors, can't you feel it? The fury of the millions of monsters, and the awe that they feel when they see the Doors at last? It's our turn, Percy, as we achieve what should have been done years ago." The words were like a magic spell, immersing him further into the dreamlike state.
Suddenly, a white hot fury gripped Percy's very core. His lungs, they were being squished without mercy, his heart felt like it was pumping tar rather than blood, and his usually kind thoughts, once filled with hope, were now being buried by the hate of his surroundings. Percy gasped, struggling for air. The person next to him chuckled. "Looks like it's starting. Now you can understand the pain I've been through this past year."
Trying his hardest to see through the haze, the son f the sea god stood steadily through sheer willpower. "Who... w-who are you?" Percy coughed. The figure's demeanor changed. "Do you really not recognize me yet? After all that we've been through together? I'm disappointed. Well, que sera sera. Let me help you then..." A sharp pain bubbled up through Percy, and his vision quickly cleared. Squinting, Percy looked at the now familiar face, and he gasped. The long scar, running down the side of his face, and the blue eyes, clouded with a manic rage, stared back at him. His first friend in Camp Half Blood, and the traitor who didn't hesitate to turn his back on the people who trusted him. "Luke." The man smiled. "But, I thought that you had achieved Elysium, why are you down here?!" The man snarled. "A part of me did achieve Elysium, Perce. However, I'm afraid that the judges couldn't overlook all of my deeds. A part of my soul is indeed somewhere up there, partying away, but the rest of me is stuck down here, waiting for the moment when I can once again try to fix the world. Now, here's my chance." The younger demigod tried to bolt away, but his feet were practically bolted to the ground. Frantically, he clawed at the surrounding dirt, anything near him, but to no avail. The blur was coming back, and it was only a matter of time before he lost himself.
A rumbling shook the ground, and a silver light flashed from above. For the second time in forty-eight hours, Percy fell half-asleep. The breath was stolen from his already weak lungs, and space bent every which way. Then, it stopped. Percy's eyes cracked open, and he saw a welcome face.
"Bob," he croaked. "Percy, I'm helping you." the Titan rumbled. He set Percy down. Looking around, Percy saw that everything was still. Each and every monster was a statue, mouths still open in a frozen snarl. Bob had frozen everything within a square-mile radius, and then shadow traveled to right in front of the doors. This had saved the pair some time, but even now, the many monsters which had exceeded the magic's radius were quickly navigating their way through the maze of their comrades. Bob pushed the Doors of Death's button, and they slid open. He gently pushed the weak demigod inside. "Bob," Percy rasped, "why are you helping me?" "Bob is helping Percy being we are friends. Nico said so." With that, the elevator doors closed with a "ding!"
"Percy!" "Percy?!" "Perce!" "Percy!" "PERCEUS JACKSON!" When the doors opened, he was faced with seven demigods, some of them tearful, and one of them was a very, very angry Annabeth. She assaulted him violently, first attacking with a bone-crushing hug, and then nearly killing him with a barrage of chaste kissing. "I'm so happy you're safe!" She sobbed. Percy tried to console her, but he couldn't even lift his head, much less hug her back. "He needs medical help." Came a cool voice from the back. Nico stepped forward and slung an arm around Percy's waist, helping him up. They started to walk back to the Argo II, when another arm lifted him up on the other side. It was Jason, more serious than normal.
After making it onto the deck of the ship, they watched as the entrance of the House of Hades crumbled, as smooth as the surrounding floor. Percy was laid down on the closest bed, and fell unconscious almost immediately.
When he woke up, he found Nico hovering beside him. When the younger boy found that he had been discovered, he tried to dart away, but the senior demigod caught a hold of his arm in a weak grip. "You saved me, Nico," Percy said softly. "Thank you." Nico's face was turned away, but Percy could tell that it was red, though he wasn't sure as to why. The Ghost King cleared his throat, but then shakily said, "You've saved my countless times, Percy. I was only returning a favor." The pale boy then left the room, confusing Percy even more.
I know that these past few chapters have seemed rushed, but I'll have you know, this is not the story you've been expecting! This is merely the prologue! See you soon:)
Ps. I am also looking for a beta. If anyone is interested, let me know!