Okay, this will be my last update in a long time...:( I know, i am SO sorry. But i seriously have so much to do that it is not funny. Tomorrow, i leave for soccer camp, which is overnight at a university. I have that until Tuesday. Wednesday is the Fourth of July, which means i will be out all day doing God knows what. On Thursday, i go to Maryland. On Friday, i go to Boston. Then i go back to Maryland the following week, then drive back home. I am sorry, but i will try hard to update, but don't expect me to.
If anyone watches Man v. Food, you might have seen the episode where he had to challenge at Chick and Ruths Delly in Annapolis Maryland. I went there i few days ago on a trip to visit family... food was amazing So many famous people had been there! I did not take the challenge. It was to eat a three pund burger and a six pound shake. I could hardly eat my tiny Reuben and shake i shared with my dad. And i did go to Nando's:) Yippee! I got new track shoes and AWESOME soccer neon socks:)
Quote of the Day: I don't go looking for trouble. Trouble usually finds me- Harry Potter
Book of the Day: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan! I loved this book almost as much as i loved PJO! It was really good... i don't feel like typing, cause i really need to go pack, so ***** five stars! Fantasy/Mythology! First book in the Kane Chronicles!
Happy Reading!
Chapter 54
Piper
It was impossible.
Piper felt her knees go weak, but she stayed upright, grasping the doorway for support. Everyone else had shut up. They were all staring at the people brought back to life.
Piper glanced at Annabeth again since she had gotten super quiet. She wasn't crying anymore, but her face looked really wet, and some of the hair near her face was damp. Now, she was trying to form words. Her mouth was moving, but no sound escaped. She was in too much shock.
Piper turned back around, and locked eyes with Silena Beauregard. The former counselor for the Aphrodite cabin had a smile on her beautiful face and was nodding a bit, like she understood their confusion. She was grasping the hand of Beckendorf, who was staring at Leo. Beckendorf really looked like a son of Hephaestus. He was huge a full of muscle and covered in burn scars.
Luke's eyes were flickering between Percy and Annabeth, as if he were searching for answers.
Finally, Frank was the first one to speak. "Who the heck are you guys?"
"Oh, yeah," Silena said. "You don't know us. But we know you. My name is Silena. And this is Luke and Charlie."
"Only Silena can call me Charlie though… you can call me Beckendorf."
"Why aren't you all dead," sputtered Percy. "I saw each one of you die and-"
"Save your breath, Perce," said Beckendorf. "We'll explain that to you. We're here to help. And judging from the fact that you all were asleep when we found you, it looks like you'll need it."
"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Hazel. She looked frightened and cold, like something terrible was happening. It was as if she knew exactly what was going on, and didn't seem too happy about it.
Luke spoke her thoughts. "You understand, don't you?"
Hazel nodded, her eyes scanning everyone else's, trying to see someone who also understood. Piper even shook her head when Hazel looked at her. She was stumped.
But Annabeth seemed to know something too, but she was too creeped out to say anything. Her face was a mixture of knowing, questions, alarm, and maybe even a hint of disgust.
Luke, Beckendorf, and Silena walked to the doorway, stepping around the demigods, and walked down the hall to the ladder and climbed up. Before they could completely leave, Annabeth had reached out to touch them, see if they really were real. And judging by the fact that her hand did not go through Luke, they were real.
Jason said, "What do you understand, Hazel?"
Hazel opened her mouth to answer, but Annabeth beat her to it. Her voice shook. "I have a hunch. I just hope I'm wrong." (A/N: Yeah, I took that from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
Percy and Piper took the lead as they went after the three people who were supposed to be dead. Piper didn't know that much about them. She knew that Luke had been like a brother to Annabeth and had been one of the reasons Kronos had come back. He had killed himself to save Olympus. But other than that, she knew almost nothing.
Silena had been the counselor before herself. She had been an unwilling spy for the Titan's, but ended up dying to save the god's. Charles had been her boyfriend, the counselor for the Hephaestus cabin. He had died on a quest with Percy when he sacrificed himself to blow up a cruise ship full of monsters.
The three were on the deck when they reached the top. Silena was absently picking at her fingernail, while Beckendorf was standing next to her, staring intently at them. Luke was sitting down, his back against the edge of the ship, his head resting in one of his hands.
"So…" Jason started. "Why are you alive?"
They approached them slowly, taking in the sight of them all. Beckendorf spoke up first. "Right. We all died last year at around the same time-"
"It's the Doors of Death, isn't it?" blurted Annabeth.
"Yeah…" trailed Hazel. "That's what I was thinking."
"Well, you were thinking right. The Doors of Death play a major role in why we are here today and not in the Underworld. Actually, us three were in Elysium together."
"That's right," Silena piped. "Charlie was first, then me, and finally Luke." Luke grunted in agreement.
"What about the Doors of Death?" she wondered aloud. Then she looked around, realizing what she had said.
"You see, the Doors are still opened," Luke said. "Even though Death has been released, he is still trying to gather up all of the escaped spirits."
"But, I thought they were closed," Annabeth stuttered. "When I almost died, I saw the Doors, and they were sealed tight!"
"You're right and wrong," Charles told her. "They are closed in the Underworld, so no more spirits can escape. But the original ones in Rome are still opened. They too need to be closed for all of the spirits to go back to the Underworld. But the escapees can still be killed and not reformed. "
"That's confusing," said Leo.
"Life's confusing, but you still got to deal with it."
"That sounds like one of those Confucius sayings," mumbled Frank.
"We all escaped once the Doors had been opened. We are not here to fight or anything, just to give some helpful advice and whatnot. We have some very important stuff that you all need to know before you reach Rome."
"In Rome," Silena continued. "You will need to close the Doors of Death so that the monsters and escaped spirits can return to the Underworld or Tartarus. Many of them are part of the Giant army, and Death can't find them all. I mean, he still hasn't even found us yet. And we've been out of the Underworld for about five months now."
"Five months?" demanded Jason in disbelief. "Why haven't you guys tried to contact us sooner?"
"The time wasn't right," Luke said. "Timing is always key."
"And most likely, not all of the monsters will disappear, but maybe a good chunk of them would be nice. Remember, 'Foes Bear Arms to the Doors of Death'." This will not be the last time you will see the Doors, but you seriously need to prolong the…" Charlie trailed off, chewing on his lower lip. "I can't tell you guys everything, but if you can close them for a short period of time, you should be fine, I think. One person cannot fight for two weeks straight. It'd be suicide."
"Yeah," Silena agreed. "Now, when you reach Rome, which is extremely close right now, maybe thirty minutes away, you will want to leave the ship by the ocean. The Basilica Nova is in the heart of Rome. It would not be very stealth like nor wise to fly into the heart of the city and let all of the monsters get a clear view of you."
"The Doors of Death are in the Temple of Saturn," Charlie said.
"You're kidding me?" Hazel said. "The Temple of Saturn? Didn't he just try to kill us all last year?"
"Oh yeah," said Leo. "Saturn is the same person as Kronos. Gods, Greek and Roman confuse me."
"Seems like a fitting place," grumbled Percy.
"Yeah," sighed Silena. "And once you all split up-"
"Split up?" Annabeth practically screamed. "What do you mean split up?"
"Things are really bad in other places too, you know. Even though Rome may currently be the worst, there are still the Camps that are in trouble. Didn't you guys have some dreams about them?"
Some of them nodded, others just looked understanding. "Eurymedon is launching attacks on both of the Camps," Luke said darkly.
"If it were me, I'd send two of you to Camp Half-Blood, and two to Camp Jupiter. The other three should stay here and fight. Two against the Doors of Death, and one must face Eurymedon alone." The three of them all turned to Annabeth.
"Me?" Annabeth gulped. "But I thought you could only kill Giants with the help of a god."
"True, but don't you already have the help?"
Something snapped inside of Annabeth, and she whipped out the arrow Cupid had given her. It seemed like it had happened so long ago. "I do," she said numbly.
"Good. Now, I think you guys should prepare to land. Percy, you do your Poseidon thing," ordered Silena. "Luke, Frank, Jason, help him with whatever. Annabeth and Hazel, collect the weapons and supplies, make sure that the cannons are loaded."
They all scurried off as they were told, and then only Silena, Beckendorf, Piper, and Leo were left.
"Leo, can I have a word?" asked Beckendorf. Leo looked kind of scared, but nodded and followed him.
Now all that was left was the two daughters of Aphrodite.
Silena's face was lit up by a smile. "You are so wonderful, little sis."
This small outburst shocked Piper. "Uh, thanks. You're pretty amazing too."
She shrugged. "Amazing people know how to survive, and look at me now. I'm supposed to be dead."
"But you saved everyone!" Piper cried. "It's because of you that the Titans are gone."
"I suppose I am one of the reasons. But you are so much more important than I was ever destined to be. You have a huge destiny, a huge part to play in this war. You and Leo both."
"Why is your boyfriend talking to Leo?"
"Leo's destiny comes a short bit before your own. Beckendorf just wants to give him a few bits of advice." Silena looked around, making sure that they weren't to be overheard. "Just between you and me, your boyfriend, that Jason kid, is perfect for you."
Piper blushed. "We aren't dating."
Silena gasped. "You're kidding me. You two were made for each other."
Piper didn't know what to say. She just shrugged. "That's what everyone keeps saying."
"Because it is true. Love is so strong, Piper. There have been so many wars about love and loss. But, I sound like I'm from some sappy poetry book. I would just like to say good luck."
To her surprise, Silena stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Piper, giving her a hug. It was so sister like that Piper really wished she was still alive.
Silena pulled back. "I am so glad you're the head counselor and not Drew. I really hated her. You know, you should start wearing some make up. Shy Honey is a perfect tone…" Silena stopped when she saw the look Piper was giving her. "Okay then, never mind. Good luck." Silena turned to walk away, but Piper had one more question of her own.
This question had actually been on her mind ever since Jason had died on their quest. "Does, does it hurt? Dying?"
Silena smiled sadly. "Quicker than falling asleep." (A/N: Yes, I know. I am just full of Harry Potter quotes today :). That one was from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.)
Beckendorf and Leo joined them. Leo looked startled, unable to form words, but Beckendorf had an easy going expression. He grasped Silena's hand, and then called, "Luke!"
Luke walked up to them, and the seven demigods of prophecy huddled around them. Luke gave Annabeth a small hug and then shook Percy's hand. The three waved at them. "Maybe next time." Luke looked around. "Good luck with the war you guys."
They turned around, looking out over the edge to the ship. "See you all in another time," they said simultaneously. Then they sprinted before anyone could say another word.
They jumped over the side of the ship. The seven of them gasped and ran over to the side.
No one heard any cries or screams in the cool nighttime air. The stars shone bright above them like mini little suns. When Piper looked down, she was afraid she would see blood stains and dead bodies.
Yet nothing was there. There were no traces of what had just happened. To think, they could have stayed up here and lived, maybe for years. But they had known it was not their time to be up there with the living.
Quicker than falling asleep.
Maybe she had been right.
Wow... this story will be ending soon... kind of... maybe.
Thanks for all of the lovely reviews:) I am starting a new story... it is a supernatural romance!
So, this time, as you review, i would love it if you also clicked the box that says, Author Alert, so that you can check oout my new stories that i have coming for the PJO series! REVIEW AND ALERT ME AS AUTHOR!
