Chapter 14: Percy

As the island came closer Percy could feel the power of Ares grow. The gates lay on a ridge above the beach. Percy commanded the Queen Anne's Revenge onto the shore. The hull splintered as the wood embraced the frigid sand. Percy swung over the side, his feet planting on the beach below. Annabeth quickly followed, steadying herself by placing a hand on Percy's shoulder. Despite the fury of their setting, Percy felt reassured by her touch. He turned to Annabeth and kissed her. She smiled.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"I don't know, but it just felt right." Percy responded. Together they began the climb up the beach and towards the gates.

Upon reaching the ridge the pair finally saw the gates up close. The Black Gates of Ares stood ahead of them. In Percy's opinion the gates were more like doors. Large obsidian doors. Above the gate a message was inscribed: Heroes fall to open the gate. Percy found himself shuddering. Across the doors lay large chains, linked with a great silver padlock. Percy felt a fury growing inside him. He could feel himself developing an irrational hatred for everything around him.

"Percy?" The sound of Annabeth's voice brought him to his senses. "Any ideas on how we get in?" Percy watched on as Annabeth touched the padlock. As her fingers made contact with the metal the chains lit up with an undead glow. Another message began to carve itself into the door: A blooded blade of a claimed soul.

"What do you suppose that means?" said Percy.

"I think it means that we need the weapon of a dead demigod?" Annabeth responded.

"Why a demigod?"

"Well the other message says that Heroes fall to open the gate."

"Well that isn't happening anytime soon." Percy had no intention of letting either of them die for a god. Even if that god was Ares. Especially if that god was Ares. Percy decided to try a different strategy. Drawing Riptide he paced towards the door.

"What are you doing?" said Annabeth.

"Trying a more practical method of entry." Percy raised his sword and stuck the lock. A loud ringing noise cut through the air. This only infuriated Percy. He raised Riptide again. With every strike the rings got louder.

"Percy wait!" Annabeth's cries fell on deaf ears. Percy felt as if he was in a trance. He hadn't noticed that with every strike Riptide became cracked. Each blow increased the damaged. Summoning all his strength Percy struck the lock with a blow that could have crippled a Titan. Riptide shattered. Pieces of celestial bronze flew in every direction. Percy felt a sharp pain across his whole body. Looking down he could see that the shards had pierced his body. Blood was pouring out of wounds in his chest. Dropping the intact hilt of Riptide, he fell to his knees and collapsed.

"Percy!" Annabeth screamed as she raced over. "Oh my gods! Stay calm!" Percy tried to respond, but his strength faltered. He gazed up at the sky as Annabeth desperately attempted to heal his wounds. He swallowed a piece of ambrosia. It didn't help. Percy could feel his strength fading. He could feel a cold feeling overcome his body. Breathing was becoming more and more difficult. Annabeth's voice was fading. He closed his eyes as he took a final strained breath. Percy Jackson was dead.