I started counting down at 162 days... NOW ITS ONLY 18! WOOT! xD Enjoy :)
Disclaimer: GIVE ME THE FLIBBING MARK OF ATHENA NOW! Uhm... Yeah, I don't own any piece of it. Please, help!
XXVIII
Annabeth
She so did not want to do this. Explaining everything her mother had told her about the mark in that dream, weeks ago? Not her idea of a good speech to give right before they went to war. Nonetheless, she had to tell them. Especially when... No, she'd save that thought for now.
She took a deep breath, "Alright, the Mark of Athena is a blessing and a curse that Athena gives to whomever she finds needs it desperately, and is worthy of all the knowledge in the world. She- well she gave it to me a few weeks ago, in the form of a ring. It's to help us with this battle, to help defeat Gaia. It should give me the knowledge and battle strategy skills to get most of us out alive."
She had one hand in her pocket, fiddling with the ring, whilst she looked at Percy. He was looking at her, obviously anticipating the punch. She wished she didn't have one, this wouldn't be easy on him... Even she hadn't accepted it yet, and she'd known for nearly a month.
Finally, Piper spoke up. "So? Annabeth, what's the problem? I mean, you have an easy weapon against Gaia, why was it so necessary to tell us all of a sudden, and why do you look so terrified unless...?"
Annabeth looked at her friend solemnly, pleading for her to understand, to not have to explain. She didn't think the words would be able to leave her mouth, but they did, "The mark drains at my life force, and my soul. It makes me moody and more irritable, soulless and cold. It will either turn me into an all-knowing heartless zombie, or it will kill me, sooner or later."
Just as she expected, Percy looked crushed, instantly. His eyes seemed more pleading than she expected hers did, for different reasons. She just wanted forgiveness, for telling him this news, and for hiding it from him.
"That's why... Oh gods, Annabeth." He said, in a choked voice, "How long did you know?"
"My mother told me about three weeks ago, she said she gave it to me the day we set sail from Camp Halfblood though... So yeah, that's why. I'm so sorry, Percy."
"Isn't there any way to get rid of it? We can find another way to defeat Gaia... We can't do it without you though." Piper asked, and Annabeth noticed that her friend had tears in her eyes.
"No, Athena said that once given, a blessing cannot be taken back. Plus, we'll need this to save the world, that's more important." Annabeth responded.
Percy walked around the circle to her, and pulled her into his arms. "We'll just have to make sure the gods give you a counter-blessing, then. They are not allowed to just kill you like that..."
"No, Perce, Mother said it has to be like this. She said it wasn't easy for her to do it, but she had to. I agree, I have to just bear with it and do my best. Personally, I'm hoping for death over mindless, emotionless zombie, myself. And all a counter-blessing would do is turn me into that zombie. Now come on guys, we need to go fight a war. I only told you this because I didn't want anyone to freak out or try to save me if.. Well if it happens during the fight."
They all winced, and Percy and Piper actually let out small sobs... Oh gods, she didn't want them to take it like this...
Jason straightened up. "She's right... Come on, we better get moving before things get worse."
At least he was taking charge. Percy wasn't going to be much use... He looked like his whole world had just come crumbling down, and that hadn't even started yet! Although, there was a sort of deterined fire in his eyes that Annabeth didn't like the looks of at all. She hoped he wouldn't go risking anything for her... He still had a war to lead.
Eventually, they were all ready to go again, and together they set out to kick some monster butt.
And... THE END!
Nah, that'd be so mean! Like HecateA's ending... Gotta love her writing. If youve never read any... Go look it up NOW! She's incredible! But she destroyed me with the end of her MoA, and if she hadn't started the sequel so soon... :D I was considering making the drive to Canada... HER CLIFFY WAS INTENSE!
Okay, Im done ranting.
