Chapter 7- An Immortal Rescue

Percy charged at the monsters. He glanced around at his friends. They were ready to die for him. They had come down here to rescue him, because he had been arrogant. He would not let them down. He raised Riptide towards one of the monster's head's, ready to slice it to pieces.

Before any of the demigods could attack, the Arai turned to dust in a flash of silver. Standing over the wreckage was Bob the Titan, in his janitor's uniform, his silver speared broom clutched in his hand. Percy noticed the person standing next to the Titan. She had flowing black hair, Roman armor glittered on her chest and she held a golden sword.

"Reyna!" Jason yelled in excitement.

"PERCY!" Bob yelled and charged towards him. He buried him in a hug.

"B-Bob" Percy struggled. "C-Can't breathe"

Bob stepped back, silver tears flowing from his eyes. "Bob missed you Percy"

"I missed you too big guy" Percy choked back tears. It was so good to see the Titan again. He wasn't sure he would even be alive. Percy had thought Tartarus had finished him off.

"How did you... how did you survive?"

"Tartarus spared my life" Bob said. "This was Bob's punishment. Rotting in self-pity. Knowing I couldn't save..."

Bob choked up. Percy patted his hand, trying to comfort him. "It wasn't your fault. Besides, Annabeth is alive"

"ALIVE?!" Bob roared. "Where?! Where is Annabeth?!"

Percy noticed the other demigods giving Bob nervous looks. "Quiet down Bob. We don't know her exact location, but we know she's down here"

"How does Percy know this?" Bob asked.

"Nico told me" Percy said. "He can sense when someone dies, and his dad confirmed it. Annabeth isn't dead"

"Nico is powerful" Bob agreed. "But, does Percy know where to start looking?"

"I was kind of hoping you would know"

"Bob doesn't know where Annabeth is being held" the Titan said. "Although, Bob did see Nyx taking her somewhere, when we were at the doors"

"Nyx?" Percy frowned. "Why would Nyx-"

He was interrupted when Reyna called them over. She still looked the same to Percy. The same grace, the same poise, but she seemed more worn out. He figured being a lone Praetor was difficult.

"Shouldn't we get out of here?" Reyna suggested. "Is there somewhere safe, preferably close by?"

Percy nodded. "The Shrine of Hermes is on our way. We can rest and have some food"

"Food?" Frank said. "Am I glad to hear that"

Leo snickered. "You're that hungry huh?"

"Hey!" Frank complained. "Turning into a dragon burns calories. Besides, you should have brought Festus along"

Leo looked shocked. "I'm not bringing him to Tartarus! He's been through too much"

"Oh, stop bickering you two" Hazel interrupted. "We should get to the shrine, and fast"

"I agree" Nico said. "We don't want to get caught off guard, again"

Percy glanced at Bob. "Lead the way"

Bob trotted off in the darkness. One by one, the demigods followed the Titan through the heavy mist. Jason hung back near Percy.

"Hey, I'm just asking this, but... can we" Jason started saying.

"We can trust Bob" Percy said, with a finality. "He saved my life two years ago. He's a good Titan"

Jason nodded. "You two do seem awfully close"

Percy didn't respond. He knew that Jason understood. He understood what it was like to have a friend you could rely on. Bob was going to be a saving grace here.

"Brrr" Jason shivered. "Is it always this cold here?"

Percy smirked. "You should have seen it two years ago. I'm glad I had Annabeth back then"

Jason smiled and patted Percy on his shoulder. "We'll find her. We'll get out of here, together"

Percy admired Jason's confidence. He wished he could be that brave. He wished he could be a leader.

"Hey!" someone interrupted his thoughts.

The two demigods jogged to the front of the pack. "What's up?" they both said, in unison.

"We're here" Reyna announced.

"Finally!" Frank yelled out loud. "I'm starving. Where's the food?"

"On the Altar Canadian man" Bob grinned. "They have peanut M&M's! Yippee!"

Bob rushed over and grabbed the half-eaten pack of M&M's. Jason stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Don't ask" Percy said, holding back laughter.

The seven demigods and the Titan surrounded the Altar, enjoying the food from Camp Half-Blood. Percy glanced around the place. He felt at home, eating with friends, laughing together. It almost felt as if he had never left camp, almost.

"Wow!" Leo exclaimed, licking his lips. "This steak tastes exactly like the one in Camp"

"That's because it is" Percy explained. "When we give offerings to the god's, some of it comes here too"

"I just wish they had some shrimp gumbo" Hazel grumbled. "But the pizza's good too"

"This will be adequate" Reyna said. "Titan" she called out to Bob.

"Yes, scary lady?" Bob said, nervously.

"Is this place safe from prying eyes?"

"Yes, it is"

"Good" Reyna said. "We can rest here for a few hours. Then, we have to get going"

Percy sighed. "Guys? Before anyone goes to sleep, I have some news. He stared at Nico, pointedly. Nico glanced upwards and dropped his hotdog.

"Um yes" Nico cleared his throat. "We do have news"

"Well?" Frank asked. "What is it? Don't tell me it's bad news"

"Unfortunately, it is" Reyna said. Everyone stared at her.

"You know?" Percy said, shocked.

Reyna nodded. "Kronos is back"

xxx

Piper sat beside Chiron as he rested on his wheelchair. Being taken over by the Lord of Time must've been exhausting. As soon as Reyna's sword had flashed, warning her, Piper had been teleported back here. She understood that she couldn't go down there, but she was worried about Jason. She hoped Reyna had gotten to him in time. Of course, she was worried about her other friends too, but Jason was the first that came to mind. She sent a silent prayer to Aphrodite, asking her to keep her friends safe.

"Uhh" Chiron groaned. "What happened?"

"Chiron!" Piper squeaked. "Are you okay?"

"Fine child" Chiron said. "Just a little tired. My head, it hurts"

Piper applied a fresh wet cloth on Chiron's forehead. "I have some bad news"

"Bad news?" Chiron raised an eyebrow. "Did the Stoll brothers exchange my fake feet for leggings again?" He glanced downwards.

Piper sighed. "Something even worse. Kronos has returned"

"What?!" Chiron shouted.

Piper heard footsteps outside the Big House and someone burst through the double doors.

"I left you two in here for two minutes!" Will shouted. He approached Piper, brandishing a medical glove. "What did you do to my patient?"

"Jeez!" Piper said. "Calm down Will. Just because Nico's not here, doesn't mean you can start slapping people with gloves"

Will turned a shade of crimson and hid the glove behind his back. "I'll leave you to it then" He turned promptly and walked out.

Piper approached Chiron. "Keep your voice down. We don't want the whole camp to know, do we?"

"How is this possible?" Chiron put his head in his hands. "I for one thought the threat of the Titan's had passed"

"Don't worry" Piper reassured him. "He doesn't seem strong; he can't hurt anyone yet"

Chiron sighed. "You don't understand child. If Kronos is back, that means someone is helping him regain power, someone immortal"