Chapter 12: Obtaining the Unobtainable

Annabeth was still walking weird when we got downstairs to the exhibit. Grover and Nico were already waiting for us. They each gave Annabeth a sympathetic look as we passed. She was leaning on me and I had my arm around her shoulder. I never should have put her through so much pain.

"If that Sphinx doesn't give us that stupid sword this time, can I stab it Percy?" She asked me

"Hon, if that Sphinx doesn't give us the sword then I personally will murder it and send it down to Hades for a visit."

Yet again we went up to the Sphinx and hoped for the best. Grover was shaking with fear again as well.

"I see you have brought me the married couple of the big three, son of Hades. Nice work indeed. Now for your reward please take the Boy King's Sword." The Sphinx handed Nico the sword. It was just how the goddess described it. It was magnificent.

"So does this mean we are free to go now? Can we get on with our quest, or do you plan on putting us through more pain?" Annabeth asked the Sphinx.

"My dear child of Athena, I find pleasure in pain. I'm sure you know this. But my orders stand. If you solve the riddle then you may leave unharmed with the sword."

"Fine what is the riddle?"

"I am large as a mountain, small as a pea, endlessly swimming in a waterless sea. What am I?

"Annabeth do you know this one?" I looked at her because I had no clue and judging by the look on Nico and Grover's face it would seem that they couldn't guess it either.

"An asteroid of course." She rolled her eyes.

"Now young Satyr it is your turn."

"Hold it! I thought that if we answered the riddle we could leave." Annabeth yelled out.

"You may leave dear, but your friends cannot until they solve the riddle or guess wrong."

"Just get it over with Grover."
"Close to the words of life stay I, but I wither, wane, grow, and die…what am I?"

"A pressed leaf, your Sphinxness." Grover stuttered and mumbled out.

"That's it! Can't we just go? Annabeth has been through enough. Grover is terrified of you and Nico and I are getting annoyed fast."

"So son of Poseidon, what is the moral in this lesson?"

"Spinx's are bitches, the gods were amused by our marriage, I had to rush Annabeth into something that she was clearly not ready for, and you need to visit Hades."

"My dear child, I was sent by Hades to delay your journey. Pleasant trips to your four and you are free to go."

"Let me at her, I can take her." Nico and I had to drag Annabeth out of the museum kicking and screaming. We went outside to call the boy king back.

Since Grover hated ghosts we sent him to go get all of our stuff. We figured that by the time he was done we would be. Actually it was Nico's idea. I'll give him credit for this one.

"You have found my sword son of Hades. How could I ever thank you?" The boy king spoke softly.

"By telling us how to redefeat Kronos."

"Very well, son of Hades please open the chest." Annabeth gave him the Book of the Dead with his key in it. Nico took the key and turned the lock. It open, and green smoke came out of the chest.

"Put my sword in it son of Hades." Nico laid the sword into the chest.

"Do you have the sword of a fallen comrade with you?" I gave Nico Charles' sword and he laid it next to the boy Kings.

"Now close it and lock it back. Throw the key into this pit when you are done and it is destroyed forever. When you get to the river Styx you must decide which demigod will lose their strength to the river."

"Wait a minute, you are telling me that the river will work the opposite of what it did to me?"

"Yes, and if you go into the river this time Percy, you have just sacrificed your life. Instead of an Achilles heel where you are vulnerable, the river will give you one place on your body that is invulnerable."

"My quest Percy, I'll do it. You aren't sacrificing your life just for this." Nico looked at me.

"You'll be weaker than you are in some ways though."

"I'll do it then."

"How about hell no!" I looked at Annabeth as if she told me she wanted to have tea with Kronos.

"You have now until you reach the underworld which one of you should be chosen for the pain of the river. But Percy, I am no god. I can tell you what to do. This is my advice. To Annabeth losing her virginity would her hurt her far more than this. And you wouldn't be losing anything, instead gaining letting her dive in. She wouldn't be able to battle as hard as she could leaving her in safety. Nico is stronger than her in the long run. This chose that you three make is going to determine the fate of the world. So choose wisely." He then disappeared into the mist and faded away.

"I'm leaving the choice to Nico. This is after all his quest."