Chapter 4

Annabeth

Annabeth looked around, seeing only darkness envolope every corner. Her grey eyes seemed to be the only thing light in the room. Suddenly, a hand went forward and held hers. It warmed her body and made her calmer. Annabeth felt a smile slowly creep onto her face. As she looked back, she saw the sea blue-green eyes she was expecting. Seaweed Brain.

"It's completely dark," Annabeth said.

"Thank you Captain Obvious," Percy replied.

4 years ago, Annabeth would have challenged him, make up ae comeback. Now, she just punched him in the stomach.

"Ow Wisegirl! I forgot how strong you are," Percy said.

Still, Annabeth was worried. They were in Tartarus. Out of all of the places in the world, going to Tartarus was like a death note. Tartarus was filled with gods that have faded or monsters that have been defeated. In Tartarus, it seemed that everyone was evil except them both. It seemed like you couldn't trust anybody.

To make matters worse, Annabeth felt a pain in her leg as she tried to stand up. The foot could not take any pressure, yet, if she held on to Percy, she could manage with limping. Still, everytime her foot even slid across the floor, pain surged through her body, paralyzing her.

"You see," Gaea's voice mirrored in her mind, "You are too weak. Just give up."

Annabeth did not want to listen, but the pain was unbearable.

"Percy," she said, her face twisted in a weird expression, "I cannot go on like this."

He looked back at her. Annabeth knew that his fatal flaw would not allow him to leave her. Still, Annabeth could not help but worry. They were in Tartarus because her foot was still attached to some of Arachne's web when Arachne fell and Annabeth could not walk, slowing them down. It seemed like all of this was her fault.

If only she hadn't been so foolish as to try to scout the Mark of Athena. Still, it had made her feel special. Only she could see its contents. Only she could find it. Only she could take the blame for the mess they were in now.

The last thought echoed in her mind as Percy said, "Annabeth. Stay with me." His voice was filled with fear which only made Annabeth feel more guilt surge through her.

"I'm not dying," Annabeth coughed out. Her voice came out in a couple of wheezes.

"Of course, Wisegirl. You're just bleeding too much," Percy replied. In the dim light, Annabeth could see a goofy grin resting on his grin. It made her want to smile too.

She looked beyond Tartarus. The only lit up place in the darkness seemed to be where they were. It seemed abnormal, weird. Annabeth looked at Percy. He seemed to be concerned about her. Of course he didn't realize the weirdness of it all. He was such a Seaweed Brain.

"Percy...," Annabeth started to mutter, but something, or someone, interupted her.

"Demigods," a female voice echoed in Annabeth's head. She could tell that Percy could hear the voice too.

"Who-o are you?" Percy muttered.

The area around them both got lighter. Inside the light, an image of a woman formed.

"Eos?" Annabeth asked. For once, she was not sure.

"No!" the woman in the light was now angry. "I hate being confused with that goddess. First, Pausanias, now you! I am my own goddess, you know."

Annabeth was startled. She did not want to make the goddess more angry. Still, something rang a bell in her mind. Pausanias. He was a Greek traveler and geographer who wrote books. One of the earlier sons of Athena. He was enchanted by things of the past. Suddenly, Annabeth knew who was before them. A goddess whose roots were so old, it was legendary.

"Hemera," Annabeth stated, "the primordial goddess of the day."

"It is a pleasure to finally be recognized," Hemera simply said.

"Premordial?" Percy asked. Gods, he was such a Seaweed Brain.

"Primordial deities are the first beings that came into existence. They form the very fabric of the universe and are a group of gods from which all the other gods descend," Annabeth answered. Percy's eyes widened in amazement.

"Oh... You must stop, I'm blushing," Hemera answered.

"Why did you come?" Percy asked. Annabeth was amazed on how calm he was. She was literally screaming on the inside.

"Of course," Hemera replied, "to help you."

"But why?" Annabeth could not help but interfere. "I mean, usually, the premordial deities try to remain neutral."

Hemera nodded, "Being a premordial deity, I am very powerful in my elemental form, day. However, in my goddess form, I am weak, being slightly replaced with Apollo, Helios, etc. This is why I usually do not pick sides. But now, my mother, has angered me so much that I must."

Annabeth nodded, not fully getting what the goddess was saying. Still, Annabeth knew that Nyx, Hemera's mother, had a bad relationship with Hemera. Hemera was the goddess of the day and Nyx was the goddess of the night. They were opposites. It was even said that when one leaves Tartarus, the other returns to Tartarus to avoid seeing each other.

"Still," Percy said thoughtfully making Annabeth sigh, "that doesn't fully explain why you want to side with us."

Hemera's anger was apparent in her eyes. "Gaea is trying to convince Nyx to join her side, so I must join the opposite side! To defeat Nyx!"

Silence spread throughout the room. Nobody knew what to say. Even Annabeth's mouth closed. All her thoughts seemed to have stopped. Everything was replaced with confusion, along with a little sorrow. Annabeth was sorry of how much Hemera hated Nyx, yet she was too scared to say anything. By the look in Percy's face, he seemed to feel the same way too.

"Anyway," Hemera's voice dropped an octave, "I am willing to help you. You may accept it or not. If you accept my help, you will have a chance to survive and go above ground, but you will have to pay a great price. If you do not accept my help, you will remain in the condition you do now, without the light."

Annabeth thought about it. It seemed like a fair deal, yet the warning scared her a bit. Still, they needed the help, compared to the condition they were in now.

"We accept your help," Annabeth told the goddess.

The goddess smiled and went away. Suddenly, it was dark, then the whole Tartarus lit up.

"We can see!" Percy exclaimed.

Annabeth looked around. It was incredible. Everything was as clear as day.

She saw Percy look down and mutter, "your foot..."

Annabeth looked down. Her foot had been healed. It was a miracle. She stood up on it. Annabeth no longer felt pain, but joy. Maybe her dreams will come true. Maybe...

Annabeth growled. Her pride was tricking her again. None of that could ever happen. Luke was already dead. She could never have everything be her way. Even being the architect of Olympus was not all that it seemed to be. Just because the gods are immortal does not mean that they do not argue! At that moment, Percy chose to sit her down next ot him. Annabeth smiled. At least one part of her fantasy had come true.

"You accepted my sister's help," a gruff voice said.

Annabeth looked around. Because of Hemera, she could see, but as she looked around, all that was there was a blur. Annabeth could see that something was there, but what it was, or who, she could not figure out. She looked at Percy next to her. He looked as if he was ready to follow her lead.

Then, Annabeth noticed the position the two were in. She was on top of him. His arms were around her. It shouldn't have felt comfortable, but it did. Suddenly, Annabeth got up. She reached inside her pocket and somehow found her dagger. Not thinking, she got her dagger out. She looked behind her. Now, in Percy's hand, a familiar sword rested: Riptide.

"What do you want?" Annabeth asked. She was suddenly filled with more courage.

The voice let out a great donkey call. It would have funny if they weren't in a situation of life and death. However, Percy laughed anyways. Annabeth rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. Seaweed brain.

"I am the payment," the voice yelled. It echoed across the room.

"What do you mean?" Percy said. He put a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. It felt nice and, at a time like this, Annabeth did not want his touch to leave her.

"Hemera has aided you. Now I must interfere. Mother always said that no good troublemaker has been ruining everything for everyone! You petty demigods are proof!" the voice answered.

Annabeth was terrified, yet she still managed to mutter out, "Your mother is Nyx too."

The cool air beside them was filled with laughter that made Annabeth cringe.

"You do not recognize me daughter of Athena?" the voice asked. "I am Moros, primordial god of doom, and I was sent here to kill you and your special friend."

Me: So, obvious Percabeth in that chapter, I hope...

Now: A poll:

The couples:

Percabeth is definite

I think this story is leading to a Jasper, but Jeyna could happen.

Finally: Lazel or Frazel (I personally say Lazel, but then, Frank would be lonely... :()

What do you guys think should happen?

Annabeth: I don't think they want to hear you ramble.

Me: Like you never do. *Rolls eyes*

Annabeth: Thanks for noticing.

Me: It was sarcasm! Oh my gosh, am I going to need a sarcasm flag for you now?!

Annabeth: A sarcasm flag?

Me: You are hopeless. Just do the disclaimer and run off to your boyfriend.

Annabeth: *sigh* ProsePoesy101 does not own anything from the PJO and HOO series, Riordon does, luckily, because if she did... who knows what chaos whould emerge.

Me: HEY! I am not that bad of a writer. Fine! Guys... 5 more reviews and I will DEFINITELY post. I don't mind burns, but I hope to get positive comments... Especially after that meeting with Annabeth! *mumble grumble*