[A/N: The second to the last chapter. Sad, huh? Don't be. I might start a new story after this. Well, most likely I will be. I already have a title, actually: DARKNESS ARISING. I'm still working out the details and I might not start it immediately after this one, so you'll have to wait for it. :D

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WISE GIRL'S SEAWEED BRAIN
Chapter 29: OPEN UP YOUR EYES

ANNABETH

Traveling with a son of Hades and a daughter of Zeus, I found out, was no fun.

Nico stood in the middle with Thalia and me on either side. We held onto his hand and, like before, we were swallowed by thick shadows. I would've preferred to travel the normal way but I knew that time was one thing we didn't have. It was my enemy. With each passing second, Percy was slipping further away from our grasp.

The sensation of shadow-traveling was exactly how Percy described it: there were weird noises, my body was shuddering with cold and the skin on my face felt like it was peeling. It would've been fine, except that there was someone in our group who could summon lightning whenever she was upset.

Like right now, Thalia was too surprised that when we were enveloped with the shadows, she accidentally summoned lightning and nearly singed my eyebrows off. Nico yelped beside me, nearly losing control.

For a while, there was blackness and emptiness surrounding us until I saw an opening ahead and forced myself to travel towards the light. Nico leaned to that direction also. We were almost there when Thalia, once again, summoned lightning, blasting us off of our feet. Nico and I flew and fell sprawling on the floor, me on top of him. Thalia was thrown out last, landing on top of me.

Poor Nico, he was trying to get out from beneath our weight.

"Next time, a little warning would be nice, Death Boy," said Thalia, picking herself up.

"Yeah, well I will never shadow-travel with you again," said Nico as I helped him up.

"As if I'd want to go one more time," said Thalia.

"Good thing you don't" said Nico.

"Guys," I said, cutting Thalia's reply. "We don't have time for this. We need to go now." I went ahead and entered the Throne Room.

It's rare for the Olympians to stay at Olympus. They only come together during solstices when they hold their gathering. Most of the time they were off somewhere, doing their own things. I didn't expect to find someone inside. I had thought about it. If there wasn't a single Olympian here, I would do what Percy did last summer to get his Dad's attention. I would sit on one of their thrones.

Luckily for me, I didn't have to do that. There were Lord Zeus, Thalia's father; Aphrodite, the goddess of love; Hera, the goddess of marriage; my mom, Athena and most importantly, Apollo, the god of music, poetry, prophecy, and healing. I was relieved that he was there, wearing dark Ray Ban and listening to his iPod, but as soon as I let my gaze travel around, I felt nervousness creeping into my chest, remembering what I came here for.

Thalia walked to her father and knelt in front of him. I did the same to my mother. Nico was left standing near the door.

"Rise, child," said my Mother. Thalia and I stood up. "I believe I know why you came here, my daughter."

I nodded. "Then you know I need your help," I said. "Not yours, but Lord Apollo's." I looked over to his throne. He was still listening to his iPod, bobbing his head to the tune of the song playing. When he saw me looking, he flashed a peace sign and grinned.

"The answer is no," said Zeus.

"Father!" Thalia said.

The god of the sky turned to her. "My daughter," he said, looking at her, a smile on his lips. "You of all people should know that we respect the Ancient Laws. We cannot interfere directly to the lives of our children."

"Lord Zeus," Aphrodite interrupted. "Percy had done us a great service when he rallied the demigods to protect Olympus last summer. He deserves to be helped."

"He does," Zeus agreed. "But we cannot. The Ancient Laws clearly state that. We must follow and – "

I stepped forward, looking directly into his eyes. "How could you, of all gods, talk about following the Ancient Laws and about not interfering into our lives?" Thalia and Nico both gasped behind me. I knew I was putting myself in a dangerous position by questioning him but if no one was going to stand up for Percy and me, I was going to do it myself. "Might I remind you, Lord Zeus, that you did interfere into Thalia's life when you turned her into a tree? And here you are, talking about honoring the Ancient Laws when you yourself broke it and – "

Zeus suddenly stood up, drawing his lightning bolt. Thalia pushed me aside and blocked me with her body. "Father, please," she pleaded.

"Step away, child," Zeus growled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "I will not be talked to by a mere mortal like her!"

"Funny how a mere mortal like me was one of the few who actually saw the real threat last war," I said sarcastically. I was so sick and tired of Zeus acting all high and mighty. I got that he was the god of Olympus and he should stick to and follow the rules but desperate times call for desperate measures. If Percy's survival meant that I had to face the wrath of the god of the sky, I would do it for him.

"Annabeth," my Mother said, looking at me in disapproval. "You will not speak to Lord Zeus that way."

"Please," said Aphrodite, waving her hand in dismissal. "The girl is distraught. We must understand why she is being like this. The love of her life is dying!"

"Something we cannot do something about," said Zeus.

"Oh, please," said Aphrodite. "Snap your finger and the boy will be saved."

"Aphrodite," said my Mother. "You know we cannot do anything to save the boy. He is in the hands of the Fates now."

Nico stepped forward. "No," he said nervously. "Percy is being blocked by someone powerful." All the Olympians, with the exception of Apollo, looked at him. "Someone powerful enough to conceal him from the Fates, someone with power to cut the connection between his spirit and mortal body."

"You see," said Zeus, motioning to Nico. "Your friend is beyond help."

"He's not," said Nico. "He can still be saved if someone with equal power interferes and break the magic surrounding him." Nico looked at me, his eyes apologetic. "Percy's mortal injuries can be easily cured with a god's power. The real trick is to severe whatever kind of power was holding him back. I could feel it, Annabeth, and even I have to admit that it's pretty powerful. For it to be stopped, at least two gods have to work together."

I took in an oxygen-deprived breath. So even if I managed to convince Apollo to help, I would need another one. Asking for one Olympian's help is like next to be impossible but asking for two? That won't happen.

Then I noticed Aphrodite looking at me in sympathy. I remembered my conversation with her and how she flat-out admitted that she was rooting for me and Percy. I pushed Thalia aside and knelt in front of her. "Lady Aphrodite," I said, my voice shaking. I had never begged anyone for help, but if that was what I had to do, I would do it. "Please, help Percy. I'm begging you. I will do anything but please help him." Tears had welled up in my eyes again. I didn't care what I was doing anymore. All I cared about was getting her help.

Aphrodite shrunk into a normal size and helped me to stand up, holding my arms. She smiled at me. "Of course I will, Annabeth."

"You will not, Aphrodite," said Zeus. "You will stay here and wait how things turn out."

"And what, Lord Zeus?" I asked, stopping Aphrodite from speaking. I didn't want my one ally to be convinced that she couldn't help us. "Will that bring satisfaction to you when a demigod who had shown you up dies? Percy was our leader when he protected your home, or have you forgotten about that? Are you so high and mighty that you won't even step down from your pedestal to help someone who had been there to service you from the very beginning without asking anything?" I looked around, meeting each of their eyes. Apollo was still absorbed with his iPod that he didn't notice what was happening. I didn't even try to hide my disappointment when I met my Mother's eyes. "Percy had always been there doing what you needed him to. He put what Olympus need in front of himself and now that he's the one needing you all, you're just going to turn a blind eye to him? Maybe the demigods who fought alongside Kronos last summer had rational reason. Maybe you, Lord Zeus, is no better than the Titans. "

Zeus snarled and was about to blast me to smithereens when there was a sudden flash of light and a tanned man with shaved beard, green eyes and black hair appeared. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts and flip flops.

Percy's father. Poseidon, god of the seas. "How is my son?" he asked, approaching me, his eyes showing worry.

"He's dying, Lord Poseidon," I said. Then Nico told him about the powerful someone blocking him and how we could help him. "Lady Aphrodite had already agreed to help but we need another one."

"That someone is me," he said.

"You will not," said Zeus, shrinking into human size and facing Poseidon. "The boy is your son. You cannot help him. You must follow the Ancient Law."

"I'd like to see you stop me, brother," he said. He then grabbed by arm and led me to the door.

There was a spurt of light and I was blasted sideways. When I looked up, I saw Poseidon holding his trident in front of him. Zeus was crouching forward, as if ready to attack. Or he had already made his move.

Poseidon's eyes had a look in them that was beyond angry. "You dare attack me, Zeus?" he roared. "I did not question you when you interfered with your daughter's fate so do not stop me from helping my son." I could see he was preparing to attack but I quickly stood up, ignoring the shock my body was experiencing.

"Lord Poseidon, please," I said, blocking him. "Your son needs you. Enough of this."

Slowly, he lowered his trident. He glared over my shoulder at his brother. "Just this one, Zeus. I will let this pass."

Just then, I heard someone getting up from behind me. It was Apollo. He was grinning from ear to ear. "Uncle P!" he said, clasping Poseidon's hand. "Why are you here?"

"To help my son," Poseidon replied.

Apollo frowned. "Why? What happened?" I quickly filled him in on everything, telling him how badly Percy needed help. When I was done, he said, "I will help."

"I'm already helping," said Poseidon.

Apollo placed a hand on his shoulder. "I understand you worry about him, but you should respect the rules, Uncle P. Percy is your son. You can't help him. But don't worry; I will."

Poseidon nodded. "I'm thankful, Apollo."

Aphrodite smirked impatiently behind me. "Are we going or what? The boy needs us now!"

Thalia and Nico walked to where we were. Poseidon, Apollo and Aphrodite stood near us. Zeus was glaring. "This will have consequences."

Apollo nodded. "I will face my punishment when I get back, Father. But right now, I need to do what humans are looking up at for us to do."

"You may do as you please, Lord Zeus," said Aphrodite. "But right now, we have to do the right thing."

"Close your eyes, children," Poseidon said. I made an eye to eye contact with my mother for the last time before obeying the god of the seas. In a second, I felt a weird sensation like my body was being pulled from a hundred directions.

As soon as I felt it, it disappeared. I opened my eyes and saw that we were at the corridor leading to Percy's room. The demigods were all surprised to see who we had with us. Luckily, Samantha, Sally and Paul weren't around.

Clarisse met us halfway. "Where are they?" I asked.

She understood who I was talking about. "They went out to grab some food."

I nodded. Poseidon, Aphrodite and Apollo went ahead on their own and went inside Percy's room. I was about to follow but Apollo stopped me. "It would be better if you just stay here. This might not be good for a demigod." He saw my expression and smiled at me. "Don't worry. Consider him cured." With that, he closed the door behind him.

Clarisse took my arm and made me sit beside her. She looked at Chris. He nodded and went to where a vending machine was. When he got back, he handed me a bottle of water. I looked at him gratefully and drank. I didn't realize how thirsty I was until I finished the entire bottle.

Sally, Paul and Samantha came back, holding sandwiches. They handed each camper. Samantha walked to where I was and asked, "Where were you? The Clarisse girl said you're looking for help. How did it go?"

"They're inside with him right now," I said, giving Sally a meaningful look. Sally exhaled a sigh of relief and held Paul's hand.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Just then, the door of Percy's room opened. Apollo, Aphrodite and Poseidon went out. They were looking worried. My heart skipped a beat. "How is he?" I asked.

Aphrodite smiled at me. "He's fine now."

"But we discovered something dangerous," said Apollo.

"Apollo," said Poseidon. "We would not talk about this. The thing that matters is that my son is safe."

Samantha's eyes widened. "Your Percy's dad?"

Poseidon smiled at her. "I believe you're his friend," he said. He then turned to me. "We shall be going. There are things that require our immediate attention. As much as I hate to be in the presences of my brother again, this thing cannot wait."

I nodded, my heart feeling light. Percy's okay now!

"Thank you," I said, looking each of them in the eyes. "Thank you for sticking up for me and for Percy."

Apollo grinned. He then whispered to me. "Don't worry about the mortals. Uncle P had manipulated the Mist. They would think Percy was never in any danger. Well, his parents are the only ones who'll know the truth." He then winked at me.

"Take care of my son," Poseidon said to me. Then he leaned and murmured. "I saw the bite marks. Was he that good?"

My face burned. "Poseidon!" Aphrodite scolded. "Do not embarrass the girl." She then looked at me. "Good luck, Annabeth. Remember that this is only the beginning."

I nodded. Together, the three of them vanished. As soon as they disappeared, I went inside the room, followed by Sally, Paul, Thalia, and Nico. The rest tried to follow but Clarisse stopped them.

Percy was looking relatively okay now. The glow of his skin was back. The bruises on his face were already fading, but his leg was still on a cast. I had to wonder about that for a moment until I realized they left it that way intentionally. It would be too suspicious if Percy didn't receive any injury. His car was crushed, after all.

I sat down and took his hand in mine. His eyelids fluttered open. I gave a gasp when I saw his eyes. I thought I would never see them again. Of course, I cried. Percy tried to speak but he was still too weak. "Sorry . . . nothing happened . . . was following you," he managed to get out.

"Shh," I whispered, combing the hair from his forehead. "It's okay. I know the truth now."

"Annabeth . . ."

"Please, just rest," I said, kissing his hand. "You have to rest."

"I love . . ." he said but he fell asleep again before he could finish.

I kissed the side of his lips.

"You are love," I whispered.

SAMANTHA

I waited outside Percy's room.

His cousins, Thalia and Nico, went out together with Sally and Paul. The girl, Clarisse, who basically threatened to beat me up a while ago, wasn't as bad as I thought. She was actually pretty cool. She told me that she used to dislike Percy but she eventually armed up to him, though she said that if I told him about it, she would run me over with her motorcycle.

I heard the door open and saw Percy's cousins and parents going out. I smiled at Nico and he smiled back, his face red. I thought the kid was cute.

I stood up. "Can I see him?" I asked.

"Sure," said Sally.

I went inside.

Annabeth was sitting beside Percy when I came in. He was still out but I could remember that the doctor said that he would be fine. That there wasn't any serious injury, except for his broken leg. The doctors called him lucky, seeing how much ruined his car was. It was practically a miracle that he didn't die.

Annabeth looked up and smiled at me. She looked exhausted. "Hey," she greeted.

"Hi," I said, sitting next to her. For a while, we both just stared at Percy's sleeping form. Then I gathered enough courage to say, "I'm sorry Annabeth. If it wasn't because of what I did, Percy won't be here now. This is all my fault."

"No," she said. "This all began with me. I love Percy too much that it blinded me."

"Me, too," I admitted. "I love him so much that it clouded my judgment that night. I wasn't thinking straight that night. I wanted him. No, I needed him. I thought that if something happened between us, he would want to be with me. But no. Even drugged and drunk, all he ever thought about was you. That's how much Percy loves you."

Annabeth looked at me. "I'm sorry that you have to go through this," she said, taking my hand. "You're a good person, Samantha. I know that you're going to find someone to love you the way you deserve to be loved."

I looked at Percy's face. "I wanted to hate you so bad at the beginning, Annabeth," I confessed. "You're the only one Percy can talk about. You're all he can think about. I would give up everything to have the kind of fights you two are having. You may fight and get angry at each other, but when it's all said and done, you'll be back into each other's arms, where you rightfully belong." I wiped the tears from my cheeks. "I'm so pissed when I see you the first time. I wanted to despise you, but I couldn't, you know why?" I nodded to Percy. "Because of him. I love him and I couldn't do that to him."

Annabeth hugged me. "I'm sorry, Sam," she said.

I hugged her back. "Don't be, Annabeth. Percy belongs with you. You belong with him. I didn't really see that until now." I broke away from our hug. "You're so lucky to have someone like him in your life."

"Everyone's been telling me that," said Annabeth. "But I think it's because most of them mean that he's good-looking." We chuckled.

"I feel sorry for them, then," I said. "They can't see Perce for who he really is. His looks aren't what make him special. It's how he can move people. Before I met him, I was afraid to love. I always think that people will just end up abandoning me. But because of Percy, I'm now brave enough to take the risks. I'm now brave enough to feel pain to feel love. All because of him."

Annabeth didn't answer. She just kept on holding Percy's hand. For some time, we just watched him sleep and for a moment, everything felt right, even when I had to see Annabeth constantly kissing Percy's hand. It was right, because no one was getting hurt anymore. Except for me. I could take it, because that's the only thing left to do.

I wasn't aware of falling asleep. I was roused when I heard Sally screaming in joy and Percy yelling in pain. "Ow, Mom! Still sore! Ow!"

I looked up and saw Sally hugging Percy. She was crying. Paul leaned down and kissed Percy's forehead. He looked uneasy but pleased. "I'm so happy you're okay now, son."

Percy grinned. "Thanks, Paul." He looked around and saw me. "Sam . . ." I waited for him to get mad at me for what I did. But he didn't. Instead, he took my hand and looked me in the eyes. "I'm so sorry for everything I said. I didn't mean any of it."

I hugged him around the neck, careful not to hurt him. "Don't apologize, Perce. It's me who has to say that."

I heard the door opening. I looked up and saw Annabeth holding a tray of food. I didn't notice she was gone. I quickly disentangled myself from Percy, embarrassed. Annabeth smiled at me. "It's okay," she said. She dumped the tray at the bedside table and took Percy's hand. "How are you feeling?" she asked him

I moved aside and watched them.

"Alive," Percy said. "Ananbeth, I need to tell you something. Sam and I – "

Annabeth put a finger to his lips. "I know the truth now. Just stop talking and rest."

"But – " he began but Annabeth silenced him with a kiss. Beneath all the pain I was feeling, I was happy. Happy that Percy was okay now and that he and Annabeth were back together. When Annabeth broke away, Percy said, "Okay, but I have a request."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Fine. What is it?"

Percy was grinning. "When I get out of here, will you dress up as a nurse and give me a sponge bath?"

Annabeth blushed, while Paul, Sally and I laughed.

It looked like things were okay now.

I came back to the hospital the next day. I had time to think during my time alone and I had made my choice. Too many people had been hurt. I knew I had to move on, with my life and from Percy. And the only way I'd be able to do that was if I leave.

I entered Percy's room and was glad to find he was alone, sleeping.

I sat on his bed and took his hand. I knew it would be the last time I'd be able to do that. I wanted to burn the memory of his skin against mine. I kissed the back of his hand and took out the note I prepared for him and placed it under his pillow.

I stood up and kissed his forehead, muttering my goodbye. "Farewell, Perce. My love."

I went out and fixed my eyes ahead. Life has only one course: forward. I had to move forward and leaving was the beginning of the next chapter of my life.

I closed my eyes, and in my mind, closed this part of my life.


[Last one - Chapter 30: THE HAPPY ENDING, SORT OF

PLEASE READ: Hey, guys. Please check out a story I posted. Well, it's actually only a prologue but it's one of the novels I'm working on. It's called OPERATION BLACK SYRINGE. Please check it out and tell me what you think. Thanks! :D]