As Annabeth made it outside, she stared at the scene. It was a lot to take in. Hazel was in the middle of fighting an armored man. The man wore golden armor that the sun seemed to shine off of. Hazel and the man were engaged in a deadly dance.
"Hey wise girl," Percy said. Annabeth's eyes widened, and she turned to look at Percy. He was covered in sweat, but there was a grin on his face. Annabeth wanted nothing more than to grab Percy and kiss him. Instead, she looked back at the battlefield.
A black blade appeared out of the man's shoulder, and he hissed. He turned swinging, and Nico rolled under the attack. Annabeth spoke, "Situation."
"That's a Titan named Pallas. I think your mother destroyed him or something, but we need to destroy him now," Percy answered, and he pointed. Annabeth followed his movement and saw that Hylla was laying on the ground unconscious. "That was Nico's fault. She is alive but probably concussed. Where's Reyna?"
"Inside with my mother," Annabeth answered. She hefted the labrys and saw Pallas turn towards them. Upon seeing the weapon, his eyes lit up. Then, he rushed forward with a battle cry. Percy moved forward to intercept him, and Annabeth moved with him.
Pallas swung at Annabeth, but she blocked the blow with the hilt. Percy stabbed his sword into Pallas' side, and the immortal roared in pain. Hazel's blade appeared out of his throat a moment later. Another blade appeared out of his chest. Annabeth hefted the labrys and swung it. She watched Pallas' head hit the ground.
"Well, that was a lot easier than I expected," Percy began. He slowly turned his sword back into a pen and pocketed it. Percy turned and kissed Annabeth gently. She kissed him back and then wrapped her arms around him.
"I can't believe you lied to me," Nico muttered as he walked by them. He looked at Annabeth. "Where is Reyna?"
"Inside," Annabeth answered. Her gaze moved towards Carmina. She was laying on her back and struggling with the chains around her wrists. Hazel slowly made her way towards Carmina. A small sigh left Annabeth. "How did you know we needed help?"
"It's a funny story actually. After we messaged each other, I talked to my mom. She told me to come help you. I was on my way back to Camp Half-Blood to get Nico, and he messaged me. When you said that everything was fine and Reyna was at her house, Nico knew you were lying. We met halfway, and we shadow traveled here," Percy said.
"I wasn't trying to lie. I just didn't want him rushing here," Annabeth whispered. Percy gave her a look. Annabeth sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. "We should check on Hylla."
"Yeah," Percy said. He pulled away and moved to Hylla's side. The queen of the Amazons wasn't moving. Annabeth made it to her side and knelt down by her. Annabeth stared at the ground and sighed softly.
If Reyna and Hylla had just asked for help at the beginning, none of this would have happened. They would have gotten the labrys back and returned it. Instead, they went on a journey not only across the country but to Puerto Rico as well. All of this could have been avoided if Reyna wasn't so prideful and thick headed.
Annabeth listened to Hylla's steady breathing. There wasn't any pain on her face. Percy spoke, "We gave her some nectar."
"Good. I think she just needs rest," Annabeth said. Her eyes moved to the labrys. She looked at Percy. "Can you hold onto this? I'm going to get Reyna."
"I won't let it leave my sight," Percy promised. He gripped the weapon and studied it quietly. Annabeth glanced at Hazel, and it looked like Hazel had put Carmina to sleep. The daughter of Pluto looked up at her and gave her a small nod and smile. Annabeth returned the smile and walked back towards the building.
Combined, they had easily handled the threat. Annabeth just wished it had been like that from the beginning. She wished that Reyna trusted her enough to just tell her about the labrys. They could have gotten a jump start. Instead, they were forced to confront Bellona after the insane goddess had tortured her own daughters.
As Annabeth made it halfway down the stairs, she met eyes with her mother. Athena was halfway up the steps. The goddess spoke, "The labrys must go back to Zeus."
"They're going to want the labrys to go to Hades," Annabeth began. Her mother gave her a harsh look.
"It will not go to him. It does not matter what debt they may or may not owe," Athena stated.
"They shouldn't owe anything," Annabeth argued. Part of her wanted to grab Nico and Hazel and march down to the Underworld with them. They could convince Hades to leave the daughters of Bellona alone. "The things that their mother did is not their fault. They shouldn't be forced to suffer for it."
"Why do they have to make up for what their mother did. Hades can't hold a grudge against them," Annabeth said. She met Athena's eyes. "Does Zeus really need the weapon? He has his master bolt, and if he got the labrys back, Poseidon and Hades would feel threatened that he has one more item of power than they do."
"It should go back to the museum, back to neutral ground. It should be locked away so no immortal can be harmed by it. What Bellona did to you should never be done to another immortal," Annabeth finished. She studied her mother. "Please don't give it to Zeus. It will only cause more issues."
"I will handle it how I see fit," Athena stated. She turned and walked up the stairs. Annabeth sighed and made it downstairs. She stepped into the room. Her eyes moved to Bellona's body, but she quickly focused on Nico and Reyna.
Nico was gently pouring nectar into Reyna's mouth. There was clear worry on his face. Annabeth walked towards them and knelt down. Nico didn't look at her. He just cradled Reyna's head and studied her.
Annabeth wanted to apologize for lying to Nico, but she knew that he wouldn't appreciate it. He didn't want to hear it. All he wanted to do was take care of his best friend. Annabeth spoke softly, "Let me carry her."
"I can handle it," Nico muttered. He slowly made it to his feet and tried to pick Reyna up. The effort of trying to lift Reyna showed on his face, and Annabeth quickly helped. A small groan escaped the praetor, and her head lolled forward.
"She's going to be fine," Annabeth promised. Nico didn't answer. "Let me carry her."
Nico looked at her and seemed like he wanted to argue. Instead, he helped her shoulder most of Reyna's weight. Annabeth wrapped one of Reyna's arms around her shoulder and picked her up bridal style. A soft groan escaped Reyna, and her head rested against Annabeth's chest.
"It's over, "Annabeth whispered softly. "I'm sorry about what I had to do to your mother, but she gave me no choice. She was going to kill you and do terrible things to me. I'm sorry. I really didn't want to destroy her."
Annabeth knew it was for the best, but that didn't make her feel any better. She sighed and made it up the stairs. As they made it outside, she saw Athena was standing off to the side and watching with crossed arms. Her gaze seemed focused on Percy, but Percy had positioned the rest of the demigods between him and Athena.
Hylla was sitting up, and Hazel knelt by her. The two seemed to be talking quietly. Upon looking up, Hylla tried to stand. Hazel stopped her. Annabeth made it to their side and laid Reyna down.
"At our house, there is a secret entrance to one of the Amazon bases," Hylla began. She glanced at Nico and Percy. "The boys won't be allowed though, but we can get medical attention for Reyna. And, I can figure out what to do about Carmina."
Hylla glanced behind her and seemed to study Athena. The goddess studied her back and spoke, "What do you plan on doing with the labrys?"
"She doesn't have any plans for it," Annabeth answered. Hylla looked up at her, and fury burned in her eyes. Annabeth just looked at Hylla. "The labrys is going back to the museum. It is the most fair solution."
"What if it is stolen again?" Athena questioned.
"We all swear on the River Styx to not steal it," Annabeth answered. She stood straighter. "There is no need for Hades or Zeus to have this weapon, and they should both swear on the River Styx that it will stay with their mother. And, Hades should release Reyna from her debt."
"You ask much of the gods," Athena nodded. "Yet, you haven't done anything to curry their favor."
"She doesn't have to," Hazel interrupted. Her eyes moved to Nico. "The two of us will talk to our father about this, and you should talk to yours, Lady Athena. If the weapon is back at the museum, they can both keep an eye on it and will not have to worry about the other getting it."
"If the weapon is stolen, the two will blame each other," Athena stated.
"Unless they swear on the River Styx not to steal it or send someone else to," Percy said. Athena glared at him. Percy shrugged. Annabeth gently took the labrys from him and walked towards her mother. She held the weapon out.
"I know you see the wisdom in returning the weapon and taking the vow. I can trust that you will do what is right," Annabeth said. Athena didn't say a word, but she did nod slightly and take the labrys. Annabeth looked away, and when she opened her eyes, her mother was gone.
Annabeth turned back towards her friends. Hylla was sitting by Reyna and studying her sadly. Nico spoke, "I'm not leaving Reyna alone, even if you take her to the Amazon base. You will let me in."
"Rules state that I can't," Hylla muttered. "I am not about to break protocol for a boy."
Nico looked like he was going to say something, but Hazel grabbed his shoulder. Hazel spoke, "Reyna needs immediate medical attention. As soon as she is back at Camp Jupiter, I will message you. I promise."
"Fine," Nico said, but he didn't look happy. Hylla slowly stood, and Hazel helped her. Annabeth gently picked Reyna back up. "As soon as she is awake, message me."
"I will," Hazel promised. Annabeth glanced at Percy. He moved to her side and kissed her cheek.
"Try not to get into another end of the world scenario," Percy whispered.
"It wasn't exactly an end of the world scenario. It was more like a chance for another war to start," Annabeth whispered back. Percy gave her a look, and a smile came to Annabeth's face. "I'll be careful. I promise."
"Good. I think I'll let Nico sleep for a few hours. Then, we'll head back to New York. I'll try to make it back to my family before they realize I'm missing," Percy said. Annabeth smiled. She kissed him one more time, and he pulled away.
Annabeth adjusted her grip on Reyna and looked down at Reyna. There was pain on Reyna's face, and she was pale. Annabeth looked at Hylla, and the queen of the Amazons gave her a nod. Annabeth spoke, "Lead the way."