AN: I'm back! Thank you everyone for all the awesome reviews and this story is so so looong, though that's what happens when you're writing fantasy - I mean, literally anything could happen.
And to my bright is too slight - sorry if I've been causing you pain and I guess I've been making Annabeth kinda evil cos I've just been reading another fanfiction where Percy is the badguy and I'm like nooo! Because Percy is by far my favourite character and I love him so much and I can't believe that people would ever write about him being evil (actually i'm a hypocrite because i've done it before) but I'm glad you love and hate me :D
And yeah Percy still loves Annabeth at this point even though she has been so horrible and betrayed him a million times - but i think that no matter what Percy would always love her, even if he hates what she does at the same time.
So important notice:
My update schedule is every saturday evening - ok right now it's 5pm, but if you're living in america then it would be different. Gods, I want to go there soooo much - but no, i'm stuck in a freezing cold little town shivering my toes off right now. But i can promise you that every saturday i shall update and if i can i will update inbetween but Saturday in definite.
Thank you to:
Stads02
prince of the seas
my bright is too slight
verapaige01
FandomsUnite98
Joseph
S
Rosario Central
guest
for reviewing! :D
Happy reading
Atlantia
Annabeth pressed her back against a pillar as the meeting in the grand hall of Atlantia commenced. Her brother's voice rose above all others and it rang with pure note of dictatorship. None of the nobles knew that she was here, but Annabeth was curious to hear what they planned for the future of the countries or the future of the mermaids...
It had been a whole day since the end of the war, all the mermaids were locked up in the dungeons and it tore her apart in anxiety because she dreaded to think what Castor would do to them.
"- and after ten years of fighting side by side Atlantia and Athane shall make a permanent pact – "
She sighed in relief, glad that the two elfin empires were agreeing on something worthwhile.
"- by combining the fate of Princess Annabeth and Prince Triton in matrimony."
Annabeth should've been angry, yet she didn't care since their marriage wouldn't last very long. She hoped to follow Percy into starlight as soon as he died – a few months with Triton would be nothing.
"And what of the enemy?" a noble asked.
She could hear Castor's smirk even before he answered. Never before had she felt such a longing to stab a blade into his heart and watch him die slowly, drowning in his own blood.
"I want all the mermaids disposed of as soon as possible – but as for that hybrid...I'll preserve his life for a while."
Her hands clenched together in fists, a lump of fury welled up inside her. She breathed slowly through her nose, whilst she tried not to reveal her hiding place.
"The executions will take place tomorrow in the palace courtyard," Poseidon's gruff voice spoke up, though it was laced with a hint of regret.
No father could let their own son be tortured to death and as much as Annabeth hated the king of Atlantia, she felt pity for him as well.
Quietly, she tiptoed out of the hall and from behind the pillar and hurried down a long stone corridor that let in streams of light through the white marble pillars.
There was an iron staircase near the double doors of the palace that led down into pitch darkness, where she could feel loss and despair oozing from its very depths.
"Halt!"
She froze at the top of the stairs and turned around slowly to see a familiar blond haired elf dressed in light armour.
"The dungeons are forbidden to be entered by anyone," he spoke softly, as if he really hated telling her this. "Even you."
She stepped forwards with calm serious eyes. "Please...just let me see him."
"The king's orders are clear, no one can enter. I'm sorry my lady," he bowed his head with a shameful expression.
"The king has no right to make orders, he has no right to be king," she said coolly. "What would you do if it were Thalia suffering in the pits of those cells? Would you just stand there calmly and listen to her screams of pain? Or would you make the most of the little time you have?"
His face darkened. "I - I...don't...I can't – I can't disobey the king. That's final."
"At least let me say goodbye, it's all I ask of you," she whispered, holding his stare with solemn grey eyes. She understood the pain he felt and could only hope that he would relate it with her.
He opened his mouth to answer when suddenly she found herself pushed over heavily and felt his body tumble into hers. Her head crashed down onto the stone floor making her see spots fly around her vision.
"Luke!" she cried out, pulling herself from underneath him.
He lay on the floor with an expression full of agony; a pure black arrow was embedded in his right side. Thick red blood soaked into his tunic and dripped out of his armour, he was desperately trying not to scream out in pain.
Looking up with horror pounding in her heart, she met a familiar pair of electric blue eyes.
A washing line of a maid servants clothes was hung up in the damp narrow alley way. No one was around, so she figured that it would be ok to borrow the cheap little dress for a few minutes.
"Keep watch," she told Sebbie, whilst she un-pegged the thin fabric from the line and pulled the dress over her head.
In any other scenario, Thalassa wouldn't have been seen dead in a dress – even one as simple as this. She tied the headband around her hair and picked up a dirty basket of laundry that was for some reason lying on the ground outside.
Her quiver of arrows was hidden beneath her light brown cloak that was frayed at the end and her bow was covered neatly by the folds of the fabric.
"All ready?"
"Yep, let's go."
She met Sebbie's eyes and noticed that they were lacking the bright spark they usually held. Thalassa smiled encouragingly, feeling his sadness and apprehension. "It will all be over soon."
"Soon," he muttered, leading the way down the cobble path.
They headed up the white steps of the Atlantian palace but were stopped by the two guards. Something about them seemed familiar, but she couldn't think what. Her head started to hurt as if a long forgotten memory was trying to resurface.
"Hang on, I've seen you before," one the guards narrowed his eyes at her but he didn't seem to make any connection.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken, sir. I am a new serving maid in the palace – though maybe you have seen me around at the market or in the streets somewhere," she replied in a light respectful voice.
He still didn't look satisfied. "Huh. And who is this?"
Thalassa looked down at Sebbie reassuringly. "This is my nephew; he is practising to be a servant."
"Just let them in for goodness sake," the other guard groaned.
The other guard huffed and stepped sideways to let them in the grand palace. The architecture inside was truly beyond compare with the high soaring arched ceilings and finely carved furniture and statues that lined the walls.
There was something about this place...she had a feeling that she had been here before. A distant memory...yet she couldn't quite understand what it was.
Sebbie nudged her gently and motioned his head towards two elves that stood talking at the top of some iron stairs.
The stairs...
Another stab of pain burned into her mind. There was a glimpse of rattling chains and long grey passages...prison bars and – and...
The memory stopped.
"There," he whispered.
It was the princess, Thalassa could tell by the description Naera had given her. Honey blond curls that cascaded down her back in a stereo typical princess like way.
There was a tug at the back of her mind and a bead of sweat dripped off her forehead. It felt like there was a force field guarding all her memories of her life before. She was so close to unlocking them, all she needed to do was shoot a single arrow...
Thalassa didn't know why her hands were trembling so much; she had never had trouble with killing until now. Shoot the damn arrow she chided.
She hid behind a pillar and notched a pure black arrow.
Something was stopping her from firing it. All of her senses were screaming at her to put the bow down, but she didn't understand why. What was she doing that was so wrong? How was killing this one princess so bad?
Sebbie looked up at her with confusion; his eyes told her that it was ok to back out. Gods...she was going to kill his mother...no, she couldn't. This was Sebbie's mother. Every child needs a mother and here she was, about to kill her best friend's mother.
A cruel voice blared into her mind. "Kill her! Kill her and I will return your memories, do not waste another second or it will be too late."
The hairs on the back of her neck prickled and she took in a deep breath, thinking about the memories she longed for.
"I - I...don't...I can't – I can't disobey the king. That's final," the elf stuttered to the princess.
There was something about his voice, she should know it...she remembered it from somewhere.
...
"Thalia! You're alive!"
"Elves can't die, silly," she replied light heartedly.
"I – I thought y-you were d-dead," he stammered, his red eyes looked at her with emotion. "You were s-so still for so l-long."
She hugged him back, letting him finish crying.
"You saved me..." he said with wonder.
"It's what friends do, don't they?" she told him. "Get some sleep, I'll be alright."
...
Thalia...the creature in the memory said Thalia. The name was so familiar. But the elf here was not the strange little beast from the newly awoken memory.
"Kill her!" Naera hissed into her mind.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she opened them again and pulled back the string slow and steadily.
"At least let me say goodbye, it's all I ask of you," the princess spoke softly, unaware that an arrow was aimed at her heart.
The arrow was a blur of black as it raced through the air.
Time slowed down and her eyes suddenly locked on a pair of pale blue eyes. For a split second the elf stared at her as if he could not comprehend what he was seeing. His eyes flickered to the arrow and he immediately pushed the princess over and took the arrow for her.
Time unfroze and with a clatter, the elf fell onto the floor writhing in pain.
"Luke!" the princess screamed.
"Kill her!" Naera repeated.
Thalassa notched another arrow and aimed it at the princess with trembling hands. Blurs of colour were filling her mind; a pounding headache was starting from all the memories that were trying desperately to resurface.
Her electric blue eyes met the princess' grey ones.
The princess froze at her with her mouth slightly agape.
Thalassa pulled back the string. This felt so easy...if she just let go then her memories would return and then she could find her family. Yet her conscience was battering her mind telling her to stop.
The face that stared at her was strikingly familiar.
"Thalia?" the princess breathed, stepping forwards tentatively.
Thalassa held back a scream as another streak of pain slammed into her skull. Everything about this place was recognizable and it frustrated her because she couldn't think why.
"My name is Thalassa," she growled.
The princess just stared at her; tears were forming in her eyes.
"No... It's you. It has to be you," she stumbled forwards as if she couldn't see the arrow that was being pointed at her. "Don't you remember me?"
Thalassa grimaced, wishing that her memories would return.
"No. But if I did it would be with great loathing."
The princess' face was almost as grey as her eyes; it was the face of a person who was staring at a ghost. "It's me, Annabeth. I'm your best friend - don't you reme - "
"I am not your best friend," she spat, her fingers loosening on the string. "For if I was, then I wouldn't be sending you to your grave."
"No," she whispered. "You're wrong. We grew up together – in Athane. You are the daughter of Zeus, the Duke of Athane. Someone has taken your memories...I was your best friend...I am your best friend."
"Listen to her Thalia."
Thalassa whipped her head to focus on the elf that was on the floor, pressing his hand to his side in pain. "I'm not called Thalia and I don't know any of you."
The elf stumbled off the floor and held her gaze. "You do know us...don't fight the memories. Can't you see who you really are?"
"Don't listen to them, they are lying," Naera whispered into her head.
"This is who I am. My name is Thalassa and that's not going to change."
"Let the arrow go," her mistress commanded.
The elf staggered up to her, but the move didn't seem threatening. She turned the arrow so it pointed at him, but the action felt entirely wrong – like she was about to destroy a small defenceless kitten.
"Drop the bow Thalia," he told her. "Remember the promise? You said you would always be here for me."
...
"We will have to stop there for supplies and another horse," she said, leading them down a small trail through the long cricket infested grass.
"Poor horse," he muttered sadly.
"Poor horse," she agreed. She squeezed his hand comfortingly, making him look up at her and beam. "You know, if we don't find a cure at Atlantia, I'll still always be here for you. I promise."
The goblin sniffed, his eyes opened wide at her. "Promises," he murmured. "So many promises...you don't have to keep any promises for me. We haven't even known each other long."
She gripped his hand tighter. "It doesn't matter about that. You're my friend and friends don't break promises."
...
Her eyebrows creased and her hearing felt distorted, where the loudest sound she could hear was her own heartbeat.
"That...I can't remem...no, it's a lie. It's not real," she backed away slightly, wanting to get away. Far away from here.
"You've been a good friend," she whispered softly to him, though she knew that he couldn't hear her. "It's going to be hard saying goodbye...I can't imagine life without you. You've got such a unique heart – I'm...just going to miss you when you go. Don't ever change."
"I won't."
She jumped in alarm. "You've been listening the whole time?"
He opened his eyes, which were now a light purplish colour. "Yes. Didn't you want me too?"
"Uh..."
"It was nice what you said," The half goblin, half elf cut in. "You're a good friend as well."
"You still weren't meant to listen," she pointed out, glaring at him.
"Then why did you say it right in my ear, then?"
"It wasn't in your ear."
"Was!"
"Wasn't!"
"Was!"
"Wasn't!"
"WAS!"
"WASN'T!"
"Can you buy me some chocolate?"
"No! It's night time," she folded her arms.
"But I'm hungry! Pleeeeese?" Luke gave her big eyes.
"The shops won't be open."
"Yes they are! They stay open all the time in Atlantia – so please can you buy me some?"
She sighed. "Only this once."
Thalassa's eyes flickered. "You...you're the goblin?"
The thudding increased in her brain and her bow dropped to the floor.
"Pick it up!" Naera screamed, only intensifying the pain.
The elf smiled a small smile, though his face was growing continually paler as he continued to lose more and more blood.
Thalassa turned her head to look at the princess again. For once, she was completely speechless, all her memories and thoughts were crashing down on her so that she hardly make any sense of them.
"Thalia! No! Please, hold on!" was that Annabeth?
Using all her will power and strength, she clutched her hand.
"Annabeth..." she said, though her own voice sounded distant.
Annabeth gripped her hand, but it felt like she was pressing fire to it.
"Kill him," she groaned, trying to hear what she was saying. "Kill Percy, please. That's all I ask."
"I c-can't..."
"Do it," she breathed, her eyes trying to focus wildly. "Please...Annabeth. Remember? We're b-best friends...please, just do it."
There was silence, but she felt hot tears that weren't hers, dripping onto her face.
Everything was a blur, she couldn't see.
Everything was on fire, she couldn't breathe.
"Annabeth, please...just one last favour...promise me..."
She heard a gulp, and a sob.
"I promise."
Her back hit the pillar as she stared wildly back and forth between the two elves in front of her. She had died...she remembered dying. She remembered the pain but she also remembered the heart warming friendships she had experienced. She remembered the tears that Annabeth had shed when she could only see stars and the falling snow around them.
"Luke, I have to go back to Athane," she said gently, her heart breaking at the thought of leaving him.
All at once, Luke broke his trance. A sudden spark lit up in his eyes...she noticed one dominant emotion...desperation.
"You're going? So soon?" he sounded shocked.
She nodded, feeling guilty. "I have to get there before it gets dark, my father will be wondering where I am."
Luke bit his lip slightly, he looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't.
"I'll miss you so much," Thalia added, hugging him.
"Me too."
They broke apart and she climbed back onto her horse, picking up her bag of supplies with her.
"Thalia...I-I..." he trailed off.
"Yes?" she said curiously.
Luke lowered his gaze to the floor. "I just wanted to say..."
"Yes?"
He looked back up at her nervously. "It doesn't matter."
"Luke?"
And her eyes opened for the first time.
The memories fell into place, but she didn't try to stop them. She just gazed into Luke's adorably innocent face and his pale blue eyes.
They stared at each other silently, both wondering how this was possible. That they were breathing the same air, standing in front of each other with three little words longing to be said.
"You're back," he reached out and hugged her gently. "You're actually back."
His voice was so full of awe and happiness, it made her smile widely. All her anger was forgotten, the pain had ceased as she relaxed into the warmth of his arms.
And then suddenly it was over, she felt herself being ripped away from his arms and flung into the pillar behind her with such force it made the marble crack.
The hallway was full of swirling shadows that were getting faster and faster by the minute. Thalassa choked as the darkness wrapped around her throat, blocking off her breathing.
"Let her go!"
Someone was yelling in the pit of shadows below her.
"You disobeyed my orders," the menacing voice of her mistress curled in her ears.
She felt herself being thrown across the hallway as if she were a broken toy. With a struggle she sat up and glared viciously into the eyes of her mistress.
"Your orders are nothing but pure evil," she said in a low growl, barely able to contain her fury. "What kind of monster are you, that you would make me kill my best friend – that you would take every memory from me and bring me back from the dead?"
Naera shrieked in rage and the shadows whipped around her faster and faster. "I am the queen of shadows, I am your mistress and you are nothing but a slave to my commands."
"I am not your slave and I hold no more loyalties to you," Thalassa spat, rising up from the ground. "Evil has no place in this world, I can assure you that even if you kill me now – you shall never live on forever."
"Then that's where you are wrong, because what can defeat me? I have the power to raise the dead, I have the strength to destroy this entire planet, you are nothing but a disposable pawn in this lifelong game of life and death."
Naera laughed shrill and high pitched with her voice echoing into the high arched ceilings. Thalassa held her hands to her ears as the sound waves crashed louder and louder into every corner and crevice.
Through the muffled sound, she saw a blur of green, weaving throughout the broken tables and furniture. It happened so fast, she could hardly believe her eyes.
The laughing suddenly stopped and the shadows withdrew from the room – letting the sunlight stream in once again. A woman with a face of chalk lay in the hallway, with a bloody arrow implanted in her skull. The feathers were dark green, but the owner was gone.
Fatigue washed over her and all she saw was a blond haired elf leaning over her with an expression of pure worry. He was trying to tell her something, but her ears were still ringing from the deafening laughter.
Darkness flooded in her vision and she felt a soft hand under her head before her breathing became relaxed and steady.
Sebbie ran away down a deserted path with his grey eyes full of tears and remorse. Thalassa wasn't his best friend after all, she had her other life now. She had her other best friends.
The plan had failed, but he couldn't decide whether that was good or bad. He hated that his mother had left him alone to fight in the war and the fact that she hadn't visited him in the past ten years. But he understood now that she had been trying to help the elfish nation and things like that were more important than her son.
He ran on until he could run no more and finally curled up by a wall of rocks, next to an iron barred door.
He promised himself that he wouldn't interfere with Thalassa's life anymore...she wasn't even called Thalassa. It was Thalia now. She wouldn't want him tagging along with her friends and as much as it hurt him, he concluded that it would be better to let her go.
Sebbie looked at the horizon and golden sun that was slowly falling behind the soaring mountains in the distance. He had never felt so alone.
He never gave his father a second chance and he wasn't prepared to give his mother a second chance either. A second chance. Who knows...maybe a second chance would work out after all.
However, the war was over now and his father was imprisoned. How would it be possible to free him?
His eyes lingered on the rusty hinged door that led into a tunnel in the hillside. No one was guarding it...
He pulled on the bars, but they were stiff and wouldn't open. Sighing, he squeezed his eyes shut and let a flow of magic surround the lock. With a screech, the door opened into an unwelcoming passage way that immediately made his spine tingle.
Slowly, he followed the tunnels, biting his lip as he went. Bones were lying on the ground, they were half eaten by rats and other vermin. They looked old, some were even buried into the walls as if the tunnels used to be wider and then they eroded away again.
He walked on for what felt like hours, until he heard loud harsh voices that echoed through the walls.
"- yer got those whips fer me?"
"Yeah, you want them now or later?"
"Now, it's time to have a little bit of fun."
Another voice spoke up, but this time it was female. "If you dare harm him – "
A loud booming laugh cut her off. "Like you can do anything, sweet cheeks. Your threats mean nothing behind those bars."
There was a hiss. "Get your filthy hands off me."
One of the elves hissed in pain "Look 'ere, Joe, the creature bit me."
"The whips are always here."
"Nah...I've got a better idea."
Sebbie narrowed his eyes and pulled an arrow out of his quiver, in a split second it was notched in his bow and ready to fire. Smoothly, the arrows flew towards the elves and stabbed into their necks, splattering blood all over the walls. They didn't even have time to scream.
Ignoring their bleeding bodies, he pressed his palm to the lock of the prison door and opened it with magic.
"You're free to go," he said hurriedly.
The brown haired mermaid inside stared at him in suspicion. "Who are you?"
"A friend," he swiftly replied. "Do you know where the rest of the prisons are?"
She nodded, though she still stared at him uncertainly. "Why are you helping us?"
Sebbie shrugged. "I don't want to see a whole nation slaughtered by the hand of the elves. You're execution is tomorrow – I overheard the King of Athane in the meeting. We haven't got much time."
Her lips lifted up at the sides. "We can never escape – all the mermaid's magic has been taken from them. It will be impossible to get through all the guards."
He shook his head. "Your magic was never truly taken away from you – the king only disabled your power. With the right spell you can get it back."
"Yet to perform a spell, you will have to use magic."
Sebbie smiled. "That's where I can help you."
The mermaid looked interested now. "Go on."
He hesitantly took her hand and passed a flow of energy through their fingers, he shut his eyes and a language fell from his tongue that he had never used before. A bright green light flared up behind his eyelids, when it dimmed down he opened his eyes and exhaled in relief when he found the mermaid's sea green aura shining normally again.
"You speak the language of the mer?" she asked with disbelief. Her blue eyes bore into his critically.
"I'll explain everything later – go and free all of the other captives and remember the words I just said. The elves won't be prepared for a surprised attack."
"Of course," the mermaid stared at him with eyes glowing with respect. "May I ask your name?
"It's Sebbie."
With that he bowed his head and then sprinted off down the tunnels with the chains rattling as he raced past.
Every time he passed a prison cell, he did the same thing again but he was really trying to find his father. The catacombs were becoming so confusing and disorientating, he was beginning to lose his way.
The tunnels all looked the same, with the empty chains and the dust swept at the sides. He slowed down and shut his eyes, trying to find a sense of familiarity. A weak beating heart and a pale green aura came to his mind.
He followed the trail until he found a single cell where a shadowed figure sat, chained to the wall.
"Father?"
The figure looked up and Sebbie smiled in relief as he saw his father's green eyes.
"Sebbie?"
Sebbie grinned and unlocked the cell with a simple enchantment.
"Wait...what are you doing? You're not allowed to be here," his father backed away into the wall.
"Who cares? I'm rescuing you and the rest of the mermaids."
His father's face paled. "But...no, that wasn't the plan. The mermaids will destroy all civilization – I have to let the elves win."
Sebbie's expression darkened. "So you're just going to let all the mermaids die? Just like that? What about your mother, what about me?"
"What do you mean?"
It was painstakingly obvious. "You think that you're doing this for the better good. You think that by sacrificing your life you can save thousands of elves."
His father nodded in understanding.
"But don't you see? Don't you understand that I don't want you to die. My mother has abandoned me, I'm an outcast to the rest of society. If you go I'll have no one."
Sebbie watched him hopefully.
"You could not imagine the chaos that would follow if the mermaids were allowed to live," his father whispered hauntingly.
"But at least I won't be alone. I'd rather let the mermaids rule on earth than wander for the rest of eternity alone," Sebbie stared pleadingly up at him. "I'm giving you a second chance, it's the least you can do to take it."
There was a long silence.
"Then what are we waiting for?" his father said, with a new light shining in his eyes.
Sally stretched out her fingers in her freedom. Energy crackled down her arms in blinding streaks of green. Her mermaid army was following her, like a dog on a lead. Up the iron staircase with a soft thud, until she opened her eyes to the light that streamed in through the pillars at the top.
The grand hallway of the palace of cracked and dented, as if there had been a very recent battle. On a small scale of course. Though nobody was around as she led the army through the corridors of the palace, her head held high with authority.
A group of soldiers suddenly saw her, yet they didn't even have time to raise the alarm. Their ashes were now scattered on the stone floor, their swords and shields lay in a wreckage around the hall. Sally stepped over the armour and smirked as she flung open the doors of the grand hall, focusing her eyes on the wide eyed faces on the other side of the room.
Soldiers rushed towards her, but none of them could withstand the force of the mermaid army. They suffered the same fate as the ones in the corridor.
The long blond haired elf drew his sword, whilst narrowing his fierce grey eyes at the army. The nobles around him unsheathed their swords, although Sally could already sense their fear.
She approached them all slowly and mockingly until there was only a few feet between them.
"My lords," she bowed her head in a smooth cynical voice.
A black haired elf stepped forwards, his eyes wide and pleading. "Sally – "
"I have no time for your worthless banter, Poseidon," she snapped, locking her eyes on his. "This whole war is based on your deeds."
"You were the one that lied – "
"I never lied. You only saw what you wanted to see. Face it Poseidon, I am the same person you met all those years ago. You were the one that thought I was a monster – all because I have a tail and fangs. What is it really that makes a monster?"
Poseidon backed away with his head hanging with shame. "I'm truly sor-"
"Don't say that, don't ever say you're sorry if you don't mean it," she fired at him. Energy crackled up her body. "You have your own family, you have your own wife and your own son. I have my family and that's all I want for a family."
"No – you don't mean that. I am sorry Sally. Truly sorry. Please, just spare my city. Spare us all. Let there be no need for bloodshed."
"It's too late for that, for the bloodshed shall never stop."
Poseidon paled. "There must be some other way – maybe we can negotiate on something."
Castor raised an eyebrow at that comment. "Negotiate? Are you mad, Poseidon? We shall kill them all, there is no need for negotiating."
Poseidon laughed coldly. "Then, my good friend, your hatred clouds your mind. For if we do not negotiate then we will fall at the feet of the enemy – they have already overpowered us. Our soldiers are not prepared for another war, we are trapped in this very hall."
"You're a coward," Castor said, spitting down at his feet.
Poseidon ignored him and turned to face Sally, who was tapping her foot impatiently. "What do you want from us?"
Sally smiled at her success. "Simple. I shall let you keep your little kingdoms, as long as you give half of the earth to the mermaid empire – "
"Half of the earth?" Castor hissed in fury, his face was red form humiliation.
"Yes," she said calmly. "Unless you want my army to plough this entire kingdom where it stands."
Poseidon nodded quickly. "Is that all you ask?"
"No, my last command is that every beginning of every month, you shall give us ten elves – I don't care how you do it, but I shall meet you at the border for them."
"You're sick," Castor spat.
With a smooth manoeuvre, Sally grabbed his collar and held him up in the air by his throat. Her talons started to dig into his neck, making blood trickle down into his tunic.
"Watch what you say, because I will not hesitate to strike you down right now for your arrogance," she growled through her elongated fangs.
She could see the reflection of her glowing blue eyes in his. "Am I understood?"
He didn't reply.
Sally dug harder into his neck, piercing the skin and slowly started heating up his blood.
Castor let out an ear piercing scream as fire raced through his veins.
"Am I understood?" she repeated evenly.
"Y-yes."
She dropped him to the floor with disgust. "The start of the next month is in five days and I expect to see ten elves by morning light. Send them on a boat off the west coast and I will return it by sundown."
"How do we know that you won't attack us again?" Poseidon asked with sadness in his eyes.
"I give you my solemn oath I won't wage war unless I am provoked," she gave him a fanged smile.
"Then it's a deal."
The two shook hands firmly, before dropping it as if it were a poisonous snake.
The new law was announced to every soul by the next day, causing uproar amongst the elves. Yet there was nothing they could do about it, apart from continue with their daily lives as best as they could.
This was the first day of the choosing.
250,000 elves in today alone would take a stone from the sorting bowl in the middle of the courtyard. If a red stone was picked, then that elf would be taken away to the west coast and then be sailed over to the land of the mermaids.
Never to be seen again.
"It's barbaric," Annabeth muttered, watching the elves lined up in the courtyard.
She herself was not allowed to take part in the choosing, since she was too important to lose.
"Yes, it is barbaric isn't it?"
She turned her head slowly until she met the eyes of her brother.
"Because that's all the mermaids are – barbarians," Castor clenched his fists on the ledge of the balcony.
She didn't reply.
His presence was already starting to make her feel uncomfortable.
"What do you want?" she said in a low voice, wishing that he would leave her alone for once.
Castor shrugged. "I just came to say that you are going to be married to Triton next week. I've planned everything for you – maybe it'll help you get over the death of that hybrid..."
The blood drained out of her face.
"Death? What death?"
Castor looked surprised and then suddenly sympathetic. "No one told you? In the escape of the mermaids – your little lover boy was the only one that didn't make it out. He didn't have the heart to kill one of my soldiers so obviously...I think you can guess what happened."
The way he said it so...so callously made her hate him even more, with every fibre in her body. Her plan she had promised to herself...the plan that she would follow Percy into starlight had gone. Thalia was back and Annabeth would not leave for the world. Her best friend had returned and it was not something to take for granted.
She felt an urge to push her brother off the balcony and lean over to see what would happen, but instead she turned on her heel and rushed away. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. She kept repeating the mantra in her head, promising that she would honour Percy's memory for the rest of eternity.
Running into her chambers, she found Thalia still lying unconscious on her four poster bed with Luke curled up next to her like a small child. Envy sparked through her, but she immediately shook the emotion away because she knew that she should be happy for them both.
But how could she when her own heart was already torn in half?
Luke stirred as she walked in the room, he opened his blue eyes of innocence and smiled at her, but it soon faded when he saw her expression.
"What's wrong?"
Annabeth slumped down on the bed next to him, bringing her knees up to her chest. "Castor told me that he's dead."
She didn't have to explain who it was she was talking about, since Luke knew already.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her in a brotherly motion. She couldn't help but wish that it was Percy's arms, she craved for him so badly it felt she was burning slowly from the inside.
The first few tears escaped as she realised that she would never ever see him again. An eternity of life... it would be a never ending torture. "It's not your fault."
He was silent for a moment. Annabeth tried desperately not to cry, she didn't want to ruin Luke's happiness. Her torture continued as the clock ticked steadily on her mantelpiece. She missed her home in Athane, every second in the Atlantian palace felt sickening. The whole kingdom felt wrong...it felt too perfect.
"You have no idea of how lucky you are," she mumbled quietly.
He hugged her tighter. "There's something else on your mind, isn't there?"
She stiffened. "How can you tell?"
Luke smiled sadly. "I don't know, maybe it's the way you keep fidgeting or the way you look away whenever I meet your eyes."
Annabeth sighed, wondering if it was the right place to tell him or even if he was the right person to tell. But she was begging to tell at least one person, it was plaguing her constantly.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," Luke said quickly, flushing with heat. "I mean, it must be personal – "
"No, it's fine. Maybe I should tell someone," she took a deep breath, her heart raced unnaturally.
He waited for her reply.
"I think..." her voice caught in her throat. "I think...that I'm pregnant."
