Ch. 26 | A New Member

As Annabeth told Percy about the quest Apollo had given her, all he could do was raise an eyebrow. "'I wish you the best of luck…' Really? That's how he finished the prophecy?"

His niece made a face in response, causing the god to burst out in laughter. "Apollo really is desperate to make anything rhyme," he chucked. "Believe it or not, that's one of the better prophecies that he's spouted out over the years. He's usually so lazy that he makes his priestess do it for him—while taking all of the credit, of course," Percy snorted. "What an idiot."

Zoë smirked as she remembered some of the…special, prophecies Apollo had given her during her time as Consul. She shifted a bit in her spot on the makeshift bed that her Percy had made for her She fortunately had no lasting damage from her scuffle with the Titan, but nonetheless, her fiancé had insisted that she rest.

A sudden flash of light as bright as the sun appeared next to Percy. The heat was so intense that the front of his armor smoldered a bit, making the god frown. Apollo stood next to him in all of his glory, his perfectly white teeth shining through his frown."Hey Perc, I resent that! I'll have you kno—"

Before the god could continue his annoying tirade, Percy's eyes flashed a golden color and Apollo disappeared just as quickly as he had come. The god of heroes glanced over at Zoë who looked like Christmas had come early. "Just saw him yesterday, and that was enough as it was. Another word from his mouth and I'd have to hurt him, very badly."

Annabeth sighed, content and happy for the first time that she could remember in recent times. A comfortable silence fell over the trio, each caught up in their own thoughts.

"Our forces are currently making their way towards Greece," Annabeth prompted. She watched as her uncle tensed, but forced herself to continue anyway. "But before they reach the city, the Doors of Death must be closed. It's the only possible solution to our current dilemma." The demigod shook her head. "Lord Pluto has an underground temple in Epirus, which, as you know, is a gateway between the living world and Tartarus. If we don't close the Doors, every monster that is destroyed up here will just reform—it would be a waste of energy."

Percy nodded in reluctant agreement. He looked like he was about to comment, but he suddenly stopped. "I did not see any other member of your quest while you were dueling Iapetus. Traditionally, a group of three is sent on missions, unless the prophecy says otherwise. Don't tell me that Apollo forgot…again."

Annabeth didn't miss the 'again,' but chose to ignore it for the moment. "There is no one else that we can trust or rely on enough to join us on this quest. This task is much too important to trust a mere stranger with."

"Are you sure no one else is qualified?" Percy asked with a smug grin.

Annabeth stayed silent. She had thought about bringing a third member for a while, but she honestly couldn't imagine who she would want with her enough, especially with the danger of the quest. Could she really ask anyone other than Zoe to put there lives in such danger? They would just have total care of themselves. Look how well that went last time, she thought guiltily as she glanced at Zoë.

"Percy…" Zoë started slowly, a smile reaching its way across her face. "Would you join Annabeth and I on this quest? Of course, if that's okay with you, Annabeth?"

Annabeth beamed and paused, seemingly pondering this idea. "I don't know, Zoë—do you think Mr. Practically Primordial here can take on a few Titans?"

Percy spluttered indignantly while the two girls laughed at him.

"Yeah, ha, ha, very funny," he muttered, the smirk on his face betraying his false annoyance.

Annabeth straightened, deciding to be serious for a moment. "Are you sure you that can accompany us, Uncle? What about Typhoios? Gaia? Tartarus?"

"Typhoios is slow," Percy began, "and I last heard that he was making his way towards us, but it seems like the Babylonian gods are doing a fine job stalling him for now. If they do not succeed it will still take him a few more weeks before he becomes a real threat to us and enters Roman territory. Luckily, your mother is in the process of devising a plan, but I can do nothing to help her at the moment. Besides, I could use a break from Leroy." He looked at Annabeth teasingly. "Do you not want to spend some quality time with your uncle?"

Pretending like she knew who this Leroy person was, Annabeth shook her head, a small smile on her face. "No, it's not that. But you're a god—are you not forbidden from interfering directly with mortal affairs?"

Percy laughed lightheartedly before his form suddenly shifted. He first seemed to shrink about a foot in height. Hs appearance changed next until suddenly a young man about Annabeth's age stood before them. He was clearly still Percy, but his childlike features hid the hardened warrior just behind his eyes.

"Maybe the fates will make an exception this one time," Percy snickered.

Zoë looked affronted. "No. This…this isn't right…"

"Zoë, you old lady!" Percy said, a boyish grin on his face. "Come on, have some fun! Are you sure that you'll be able to keep up, or should I grab you a cane?" His fiancée glared at him, and he gulped, fearing the pain she would surely make him feel later for his comment."This is going to be so much fun. Maybe even more fun than following Alexander the Great around with Apollo was." He grinned stupidly at his niece, as he knew that she loved that particular story.

Annabeth stifled a laugh before her uncle grabbed both her and Zoë's shoulder. The trio disappeared in a flash, off to save the world.

Later that day Annabeth would think, Leroy, what an odd name.

OoOoO

Epirus, Greece was a beautiful place. The mountainous region of the area was enough to take anyone's breath away.

Annabeth was content. Walking alongside Percy and Zoë brought a feeling of calm to her. When she glanced over at Percy's young face she couldn't help but notice how relaxed and stress-free he looked. Maybe this quest would be a good thing after all.

The same could be said for Zoë, who looked quite happy. Spending time with her fiancé was something that the demigod knew that the immortal didn't usually get to do, what with the impending war, but here they were, committed to shutting the Doors of Death.

Annabeth noticed Percy begin to slow down as they neared a weathered looking temple. A frown momentarily covered his face, before disappearing just as quickly, making Annabeth wonder if it was actually there.

The building itself was impressive but damaged. It seemed to be crumbling in on itself, years of neglect getting the better of the once solid structure. The once beautiful marble floor was beginning to crack, and vines had curled their way up the construction.

Even so, the monument was easily recognizable as a tribute to the gods. It was a classical Greek style, with discolored pillars standing firmly before the massive entryway that was easily double Annabeth's. The place seemed to be built specifically for the comfort of a deity.

Right above the doorway a crude rendering of Hades' Helm of Darkness was inscribed. Although it looked nothing like the real thing, it was easy to tell who this temple was dedicated too.

Percy led them in, discreetly walking faster to make sure that no present danger existed as to not offend his family. Who knows what could be lurking in the shadows of this abandoned structure? he thought gloomily.

He motioned for them to stop. The god took a moment to glance around the room. After a few seconds, he suddenly strode purposely towards a seemly blank wall. As they approached, however, a small, glowing triangle appeared.

Annabeth's eyes widened."An entrance to the labyrinth."

They watched as Percy placed his thumb on the indent. The outline of a doorway began to form on the wall that soon opened with a loud groan to reveal a dark corridor. As the trio looked inside the passageway they saw that it led to a set of stairs that seemed to spiral down and down forever into nothing.

"Stay behind me." Percy said, his voice disturbingly calm. "This is the entrance to Tartarus, and even I may be outmatched in this place.

Looks like the peaceful part of this quest is over, Zoë thought sadly. With that, the three began their descent into the most feared place of the world.

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