Chapter 11

Annabeth

When Loh Shim took off his helmet, both praetors went stiff...especially Reyna. Reyna was in shock, her eyes were as wide as plates. She was shaking. Frank wasn't much better, he was also frozen. Loh Shim looked at the two with bewilderment. He obviously never met them, but those two acted like they did. Loh Shim decided to break the ice.

"Nice to meet you. I'm assuming you're Reyna. And you're Frank. Annabeth said a lot of great things about you, and it showed. You were truly formidable opponents."

The two Romans stayed silent, still in some sort of shock. Loh Shim awkwardly kept talking,

"I mean you still lost. It wasn't too difficult. Not saying that you sucked! But..um..I'm just saying that as an adult…I'll just stop talking and allow you to awkwardly stare at me."

Frank got out his trance, and shaked his hand.

"N..nice to meet you Loh Shim. I am honoured to lose to you."

After the battle, the Greeks and Romans gathered in the mess hall. The Greeks, energized by their surprise victory, were creating quite a scene. Many were dancing on tables and wrestling each other. Even the Romans got caught up in the festivities. Loh Shim was the star of the show. Many were patting him on the back and he was caught up in a countless number of toasts. He finally managed to escape the crowd, and hang out in Annabeth's table. Reyna was with them, refusing to talk. All she would do is stare at him. Hazel was with them, and was the only Roman in the gang not to be in a state of shock.

"Where did you meet this guy, cuz man that stuff out there was insane! I really thought those horses were going to trample us."

Leo decided to do the introduction for Loh Shim.

"Apparently he saved Annabeth, Percy and Jason's butts. They were getting kicked around by this sphinx, and this wino comes out, takes out a sword and cuts it down in two strikes."

"Damn, you don't see that everyday. Last time, it took half a cohort to take down a sphinx."

Percy came back from partying. His hair was disheveled and he was pouring with adrenaline. He immediately pounced on Annabeth, trapping her in a big passionate kiss. Annabeth couldn't feel anything but Percy's mouth, her heart felt like it was going to explode. She quietly murmured,

"whhh...wha.."

The rest of the table roared in laughter. Loh Shim took out a ciggy, blowing the tobacco in everyone's face.

"You really love each other don't you"

Percy, who had his arm around Annabeth, replied

"You betcha! Wise girl and I...we go way back. I can't remember what life was like before I met her. I just remember it wasn't great."

Annabeth dug her head in his arms. She felt the same way, she also couldn't imagine what life without Percy would be like. Well she can remember, and it was one of the most painful times in her life. At least with Tartarus, they were together. Loh Shim retorted,

"You say that now, but in two years. You're still high school che. I don't know anyone who's still together from high school."

Percy started to get angry.

"Hey we ain't any high school couple. We went from Olympus and Tartarus together...LITERALLY. I'd put my life down for her."

Annabeth really wished Percy didn't say that. Demigods put their life on the line everyday. The thought of Percy dying, especially because of her...it was too sickening to think about. Loh Shim smirked,

"You think that now, but when you graduate..who knows. College is a major decision. Are you really going to give up opportunities for your high school sweetheart."

Perch getting angrier, retorted

"We already made up our decision! We plan on studying in New Rome together."

Annabeth interrupted,

"Well I'm not so sure about that"

"Annabeth?"

"It's just who knows what'll happen when school ends. There's a lot of different choices. I don't want to cut them off just yet."

Annabeth regretted looking up at Percy. He looked like she just stabbed him in the heart. His face then went from hurt to fury. He yelled at Loh Shim,

"This is all your fault. Why do you have to hurt other people. Just because you're a bitter, pathetic, old vagrant, doesn't mean you can make us all feel how much of a loser you are."

Loh Shim drew a murderous glare.

"Hey, watch your words kid. All I did was give you some advice. Not my fault your girlfriend doesn't want to throw away her life 'cuz of you."

"That's not true!" clarified Annabeth.

The liquid from the chalice's started to rise. This isn't good. Annabeth tried to quell Percy's rage.

"Percy! Don't!"

"Listen to your girlfriend kid. Don't start something you can't win."

Suddenly the liquid dropped back in the cup. Annabeth was relieved. But then she noticed he was looking up, stunned. So was everyone else. The whole room went silent. Loh Shim confused asked,

"What the hell is going on?"

He then looked above his head, and for once he shut up. Above his head was a hologram. A Peacock. The symbol of Hera. Annabeth was blown back. This isn't possible. Holograms only appeared when gods claimed their children. But this...this doesn't make any sense.

All of a sudden one of the kids yelled,

"Blasphemy!"

All the demigods then pointed their weapons at Loh Shim.

End of Book 1