Disclaimer: So the PJO and HoO are not mine, super obviously.
Author's Note: Reunited! and Drama!
25. Annabeth
After I kissed Percy goodbye, I ran to Zoey. I felt in heart something heavy and dark like back in Tartarus. I wanted to stop and cry hugging myself, but I had more important matters at hand. Whatever could wait.
Polybotes was at close, but his back at me. I could sneak back in the houses to find Percy's youngest sibling. I was a stealthy as possible as I entered the little empty cabins. From far, I could see veterans creating a line to protect the city or what remained of since it was Polybotes who drew a lot of damage with his fists. He pounced and kicked with a smile on his face. He was having fun creating havoc and despair.
In the third house I passed, I found little Zoey dead with eyes wide open in surprise. A sword had her pinned to the wall. I felt my eyes with tears. She was too young to die so sudden and gruesome. I closed her wide open eyes and kissed her little forehead. I feared of doing the same for Cora or Derek.
Then I looked closely at the sword. It was similar to Percy's. I grabbed it pulling it out of Zoey's body and catching her at the same time in my arms. I put Zoey down on the floor. I wanted her to take somewhere safe and bury her, but it was impossible right now. I could only hope to return later for her.
I examined the blade. It had the trident engraved in the hilt. I guessed it was gift from her father. I looked at her as I wiped tears from my eyes. Zoey wasn't expecting to be murdered by her own sword. I wondered who did this. The whole situation reeked of betray. I was angry. Possibly, a Roman killed her because she was a daughter of Neptune and legacies of Poseidon and immortal children were involved in this confrontation. I felt almost glad that my mother didn't have any demigods children here or they would probably face the same fate as Zoey. I understood that Romans were scared and they feared us, but to kill a little girl like that. It just seemed too much.
Suddenly, I saw dust coming to me as Polybotes crashed a nearby house. I coughed as I turned. I saw Polybotes getting near and hid inside a house. I picked through the window and I saw him grabbed Zoey and ate her. I covered my mouth with my hand. I wanted to cry of terror. Polybotes ate the girl, then he sniffed as he was looking at something with his nose. He moved to my direction and I knew he smelled me or Percy's blood like Chrysaor.
I ran with all my remaining strength. I knew he would find me but I needed time to think in a strategy. I needed to put as many distance as possible hoping for someone to get here on time. I prayed for my mom or Poseidon's help.
As I turned in a corner in the lonely little street, I stumbled with a body. I got up quickly ready to run again when I really looked at the person.
"Apollo?" I said confused.
"Niece" said Apollo smiling brightly. He was wearing armor and helmet. He looked somehow normal, not a God at all.
"Why are you here? Did my mom send you?" I said confused and he gave me a cold smile just like Artemis did once before. I gasped as I touched my pregnant bandaged belly. "Have you come to destroy the one too? Leave my children alone" I said angrily ready to fight him if I had to.
"No. I came to help the home of my children" said Apollo calmly. I tried to nod but it couldn't.
We stared at each other for a couple of seconds before I lowered Zoey's sword which still remained in my hand. "Why are they not here: my mother or Poseidon?"
"They are arguing against the rest of the Olympians. Your children had provoked quarrel for years. Your mother and Poseidon have been protecting you against the rage of Zeus all this time while you lived in Alaska" said Apollo and I knew he was saying the truth but I couldn't believe it.
"I didn't know. I thought they didn't care about us anymore, or maybe Alaska was too far for them" I said.
"Well, they do care. They would do a lot for their children, just as you and Perseus" said Apollo and I nodded. I heard Polybotes' steps getting closer, a minute or two far.
I moved my hand to try to reach for Apollo's but I only got half-way. I felt my eyes pricking with tears and pleaded with all my heart. "Please, I know it's not my right to ask for this. Please, protect my children too. They are innocents. They didn't choose to be born with this curse"
Apollo moved his head to the side and talked emphatically. "A sacrifice is required. I believe you know what I mean. That's the only way to please Zeus and balance it all"
"Who?" I said afraid of what was running inside my head.
"You will know when it's time" said Apollo and his hand touched my shoulder, supporting me and somehow comforting me.
"Like Luke?... I get it now. Last hero's breathe saves the heir against Olympus' wrath. I was wrong all along" I said and wiped my tears.
"Sorry" said Apollo sadly. He really meant it.
"Please, make sure they don't hate this… outcome" I pleaded once more hoping for the happiness of my family.
"It's up to Perseus, but I will do my best"
"Thank you"
"I wish for a different outcome. I like you and Perseus, also your daughter Cora" said Apollo with an eerie tone as he said my daughter's name.
"Why are you really here?" I said.
Apollo shrugged and said "For my children, I told you already"
"And?" I said raising my eyebrow.
"Don't worry. Everything will work out" said Apollo and ran back to battle.
Before I could reply or run behind him, I saw the shadow on the giant over me.
"Tasty snacks. I finally found you" said Polybotes as I turned to stare at him scared and petrified. I ran away between the dark little alleys and narrow streets deeper into the city. "Run, tasty snacks. You cannot escape from my nose" He laughed.
I created as many distance as I could. I heard him trashing the houses behind me. I didn't dare to look back.
"Tasty snacks, where are you?" yelled Polybotes with an eerie childish voice making my body shiver. I ran faster and I crossed with a death end. I was trapped.
Before I could go back, Polybotes's hand took me just like back in Alaska.
"There you are" said Polybotes putting his nose closer to me smelling me "Tasty salty sweet snacks". In less of two seconds, my brain formulated a plan to gain some time.
"Do it. You know the blood will heal you. Can you savor it? Tasty salty sweet, a whole mouthful" I said daring him. "Or you can eat me just a little part of me, just a little limb, a taste for later, savoring one arm first, maybe finger by finger" Polybotes stared at me thinking my words and shook his head.
"Nice try. I know you plan. Once I put your arm close to my mouth, you will hurt me with the toothpick you call a sword. You are not the first to try" he took Zoey's sword right from my hand and stabbed it right in my lung missing my heart for one inch probably. "That's better, still breathing but weak. I like my food as fresh as possible" I yelled in pain as loud as my lungs let me. I felt the blood entering my lung and I would drown in minutes. I felt so ashamed as my plan didn't work out. If Percy saw me, he would be worry but at the same time amused of my error. (A/N: Sorry, she made a mistake, finally)
"Annabeth!" yelled Percy. I opened my eyes with difficulty and saw him, the gorgeous sea-green eyes that I love. Right behind, my children were running together yelling "Mom!" Both seemed to be fine and barely hurt. Thank the Gods!
"Release her. She wasn't part of the deal" said Derek once he and Cora were in front of us.
Polybotes laughed shaking me in his hand but I was getting weaker to fully register his movements. The blood in my lungs was making me coughed red drops. I closed my eyes. I felt so tired.
"You should know better, sea legacy. Never trust in immortals" said Polybotes playfully and I opened my eyes one last time and smiled at my loving family. There were so many things I wanted to say to each one of them, specially Cora and Derek. I wanted to hug them, to wipe their tears, to tell them ithat I never meant to say that I didn't want them. I love them so much.
"I love you all" I whispered looking directly at the beautiful sea green eyes of Percy.
The blood was running down soaking my clothes and possible dripping in the ground below my feet. I felt my heart beating frantic and then slowing down. I heard their voices calling for me but I couldn't lift a finger now. I didn't want to leave them, but I was ready, at peace of this outcome. I could only hope Apollo keep up his word. I hope for Percy's good heart and nature to make things right. I hope for Percy to forgive me for choosing for him. I hope for Percy to save our remaining children. I closed my eyes. I was so weak to keep them open.