A Strand Between Sea and the Stranded

by cosmomattx

An alternate version of Mt. St. Helen's eruption, Calypso's Island, and the events that follow. What if the time between Calypso's island and Percy's return was much longer? What if Calypso taught Percy something forbidden? What if the bathe in River of Styx was longer?

Mt. St. Helens

She hugged him. It happened so quickly Percy's mind lagged behind.

"Go!" she said, "don't just stand there!"

Percy nodded quickly and turned in a half sprint. He made it a few paces away but hesitated to look back in realization that he may never see her again.

It was a chilling thought but something very real that came too fast — she was already too far away.

The ground shook and Percy jumped over the edge into the depths of the volcano in one last pray to all the gods.

He couldn't feel his stomach as the world lurched. He was glued to a hard surface. His ears shrilled in a piercing sound so loud he was sure his eardrums had evaporated.

Nearly instantly he went from scalding in the heat to a flash freeze from wind-chill.

He couldn't open his eyes, for the wind rushing past was far too great to keep his eyeballs in their sockets.

Percy's stomach twisted so hard that he puked at the same time that he passed out.

He opened his eyes in a straw hut. Sunlight blinded the sand just outside, and Percy stared at the straw ceiling as his thoughts immediately hoped that this was the Fields of Asphodel. That maybe the gods had been kind to him in death, though it didn't make any sense to him.

His thoughts were quickly interrupted when a caramel-haired girl that looked much like Annabeth but with a kinder persona, appeared in the doorway.

Her smile remained warm as it cut in the sunlight.

He recognized her face. Exactly as depicted in pictures learned from a long time ago . . . of course . . she would still be alive . . he had thought it was just a legend . .

"Calypso" Percy said. She blinked slowly.

"Perseus."

"How do you know me?"

"It's not every day a son of Poseidon is born . ." she stared off somewhere outside, "the mermaids gossip about it all the time . . in fact—" she smirked in amusement, "I had to wrestle you away from one as you beached on shore. Luckily she had nearly suffocated from jumping out of the water and was too weak to pull you away."

Percy narrowed his eyes, "I imagine I would have survived regardless."

Calypso's eyes fell. "Yes . . I suppose you are right . . ."

Out of his stupor, Percy finally realized just how beautiful she really was. Almost too much . . though now he recalled she was a nymph goddess . . . Sea shells shiny like jewels pieced around her crown. Her long hair easily tumbled from the breeze.

"We – er, I mean half-bloods . . we learned that you died a long time ago."

Calypso shook her head. "Such is time, it works differently here . . they twist their words up there. 120 years I have walked, thousands of years have passed, and yet I don't grow."

"I do not . . agree with the gods." Percy said. A spark flashed in the clouds above as if Zeus had heard.

Calypso let her feet sink lower in the sand. "I know your qualms . . For a long time I thought so . . but it's better for everyone to forget . . . I have no say to turn the tides . ."

"I imagine the rest of the legends aren't so true then . . about you . ." Percy said.

She tilted her head slightly. "What makes you say that?"

"I don't know . ." Percy said, he couldn't meet her eyes. "You don't seem so . . violent . . the legends tell of a girl who lost her mind — but they speak of such for anyone that supported the titans."

"In a hundred-twenty years my time . . I have watched as the world has run cycles of wars . . I have seen death quicker than Hades himself- "

"Sorry . ." Percy said.

Calypso shook her head. She suddenly stared at his eyes for a long time before forcing them away. "The effects . . have started already . ."

Percy furrowed his eyebrows, and then realized ". . your curse?"

Calypso nodded.

Percy stepped out of the hut and let the calm of the ocean air ripple across his ankles.

"Strange . . ." Percy said. "I don't know you but . . subconsciously . . I have felt a day pass already . . . I have no choice but I do feel a trust for you."

They started walking down toward the shoreline. As they grew nearer to the water, the air got colder and the world got dimmer with every step.

Percy looked to the sky, the clouds shifted like deep dark ocean. The ocean itself was nearly black, surging against the beach. The closer they got, it seemed to crash harder against the sand.

Barefoot, she stood, only so that the water did not go above her toes. She looked back at him, "naturally it is . . difficult, to tell you that the sooner you leave, the better it is for you . ."

As Percy felt the ocean water on the soles of his feet, a strange sensation filled him. A vibration like electricity. He went ankle deep and his stomach twisted constantly and with more power. Percy backed out of the water.

"I . . don't like that." Percy said, his anxiety clawing inside himself.

"The water?"

"I can feel it . . life . . and death . ."

Percy felt a hand grab his. It was cold.

He looked at her.

She was blank. "I am only curious," she said to him.

Percy's mind raced at what she was getting at, "I don't . . think I can make you feel it?"

"Try," she said calmly.

Percy looked back at the water with a hand in his, a little more natural now. Somewhere deep down, he thought . . never had it occurred to him that perhaps it was possible...

Percy stepped into the water. Nothing happened as Percy tried to transfer the feeling through his arm.

"This wasn't some trick just to grab my hand, right?" Percy said in amusement.

"Not a trick . . . but I am not ashamed in expressing that it is comforting," she said serenely.

Percy let her hand slip out of his after a couple more minutes. He stepped out of the water again, and for another minute they stood in silence staring out at the vast ocean. Flashes of green and white blurred by, which must have been land as they teleported around.

"Has there ever been a demigod who had such a power?" Percy asked.

"None that have ever been here . . but I have heard many times that children of Hypnos can sometimes share dreams."

. . .

"How long is a day here?" Percy asked. He had tried for a good minute to calculate it in his head based on the fact she said she felt 120 years pass for . . 4500? or was it 4600? He cast the thought aside, he couldn't think about Chiron's classes right now.

"A day here is a m— . . about a week out there . . ." she said.

Percy stared at the black sand a little longer.

"How do you entertain yourself out here?" He suddenly asked curiously.

Calypso gave a half-broken smile. "Would you like to see my hobbies?"

Percy shrugged. "I've got . . some time."

They walked for twenty minutes into the heart of the small island. There was a clearing in the tropical trees. A woven panel against a large pile of leaves and branches up to the canopy above.

But then she pushed open the door. Inside, made Percy's jaw drop. It was a dome two stories tall, inside glowed by the translucence of vegetation along the ceiling. It was built in such detail, enough to befriend Annabeth instantly . . . Annabeth . . .

In one corner of the dome, baskets of whittled wooden tiles for a game of some kind lay. A large half-finished painting on canvas hung against a wooden post up above. In another corner, shelves of books, and woven chairs for every spot in the room.

"This is amazing . ." Percy breathed as his eyes traced along the smaller paintings high around the dome.

She smiled wryly, "thanks," she said softly. "Most are a bit underwhelmed."

Percy raised his eyebrows strangely. "Why? It's beautiful."

"I don't need to eat, I don't need to sleep, all I've got is time . . wouldn't you expect a lot more . . .?"

Percy studied a painting of water. It was a portrait of an ocean in a drinking glass, though it was obvious she hadn't seen a drinking glass in a very long time. The reflections weren't quite right. But the water inside of it had depth and invoked a feeling Percy thought only he knew about.

"Maybe . . if you were an artistic person," he said, and then he looked at her. The smirk was too hard to suppress at her slightly offended look.

She caught it and breathed a laugh, "they aren't very good are they?"

"The ocean part is the best I've ever seen."

"But the things I don't remember very well, look terrible."

" . . . " Percy hesitated. "No . . . " He soon turned his attention to the chairs.

"Why make more than two?"

Calypso sighed, "I was bored . . and it's nice not to carry them around. Any other stupid questions?"

It caught Percy off guard for a second before he detected the humor in her voice and he smirked. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Would you humor me in a game of Ur," she then said.

Percy eyed the basket in the corner. "Do I stand a chance against four centuries of practice?"

"Can you count to four?"

"Okay . . I can do that."

". . . and this row means our pieces are at war. They aren't safe here," she finished explaining earnestly.

Percy stared blankly at the board as he processed the entire game. "That's it?"

"I told you . . it's simple."

"But it's just luck. "

"Only if you don't know how dice work."

"I know how dice work, just not whatever these are," he said, rolling the triangular die between his fingers with dots painted on a few of the corners.

She explained how they worked.

"And there is strategy," she added.

"I feel like you're lying."

She couldn't have been lying. Halfway through the game, she had a clear 4 point advantage, and Percy kept getting knocked back to the start.

He tried to focus harder, scratching his head in frustration and trying to understand.

"This is nothing like war strategy," Percy said.

She blinked at him. "You never weigh the possibilities before making a decision."

Percy got a headache thinking about what she was hinting at. And then a memory . . Annabeth telling him about odds, and how when in conjunction they start to lean different ways.

He thought harder, trying to do the simple multiplication to find the probability of each die. His eyes closed in deep thought.

"Think any harder and you might pass out again," Calypso's melancholic voice drifted to him.

"Gah," he opened his eyes. "I almost had it!" he voiced at her, ". . . sorry . . "

"Don't apologize. You're honest in your frustrations. You don't hide your emotions very well . . It's nice."

"Yeah well . . he studied the board again, knowing it would only confuse his previous thoughts, "I hate being stupid — can you just tell me the chance for each roll?"

She raised an eyebrow, "so you were figuring it out?"

"Yeah . ." he sighed, "don't act so surprised . ." he said quietly.

"4 or nothing is one in sixteen, 2's about a half, everything else is a fourth."

Percy had her repeat it twice more before she finally won, disregarding any satisfaction he felt from learning something new.

It had become so increasingly dark inside, that he hadn't noticed he had been squinting to see the pieces.

Calypso noticed his sudden shift in situational awareness, "you are thinking it is time for you to go now . ." she said softly, the strap of her dress shifted slightly down her shoulder.

Percy leaned back on the palms of his hands. They had been facing each other, sitting crisscrossed with the game board between them.

"Is this how it usually goes? A night . . and then they're gone?" He asked.

Her eyes were steadfast glowing stones.

"Usually?" she mused. "The last to come here was 57 years ago . . . They are long gone in Hades now . ."

"So how many have been and gone?"

"Four . ." she said sadly nodding.

"And?"

"We did as we had . . and . . I . . . forget about them the best I can . . ."

Her eyes fell on the ground. Percy leaned forward across the game board and grabbed her hand, "Calypso . . I won't stay the night here with you . . . but I will stay on the island a day longer."

Calypso's eyes shot up in slight confusion. Was there hurt in her eyes as well?

"Why?" she asked innocently.

He shrugged slightly. "I want to be your friend . . if that's okay . . ?"

She smiled in a heart wrenching way he had never seen someone look before and then kissed him on the cheek. She didn't say anything, though she blinked a burn in her throat away.

"I've made up my mind . . my friends back home can wait," he nodded assuredly.

As Percy left, he turned in the light of the moon cut off by the doorway.

"Just uh . . don't rape me in my sleep — please." He said quickly.

Calypso laughed, "I may not be able to control my emotions, but I am no monster."

In the middle of the night, Percy thought many times about wading out into the ocean. He had dreams of drowning, a loss of oxygen . . the ability to breath underwater, gone. He woke twice in a cold sweat with a panicking fear that he had really lost his powers. But the water in the short coconut cup on the table across the room, he easily as ever, could raise out and flow around the room.

A few times he had heard Calypso's footsteps outside in the sand as she didn't sleep. But they never came into the hut he stayed in.

Whatever happened in the volcano, which he pieced together by now that he had been exploded out of, left him incredibly sore. The pain had only slightly subsided, and every now and then he felt as if second-degree burns were still underneath his skin . . but they should have been healed by the ocean. Perhaps phantom pains . .

Sometime before the sun came up — how that worked out here, he would never understand — Percy left the hut going across the sand barefoot in his smoldering clothes in which Calypso had sewed many of the holes shut.

She was lying face down in the sand, which would have been odd if he hadn't seen Ares do it before. The full advantages of never needing to breathe regardless of atmosphere . .

"Thought you were dead for a second," Percy said anyways.

She lifted her head out of the cold sand, " . . you've been distressed all night about something . ."

"Losing my powers," Percy said. "This island doesn't take them away . . does it?"

"No." She said, "but I often hear that the law of equivalency means those I heal get nightmares they've never gotten before . . I probably should have warned you . ."

"You healed me?" Percy said. "I thought the ocean mended me as I washed ashore."

"As much as it could," Calypso said. "You're lucky that mermaid found your left leg not far from here."

Percy swallowed, "I had no idea . . thank you . ."

Calypso sighed. "It was an honor. It's hard to use my powers on anything these days. Doing so, allowed me to sleep for a good three hours, so I should be the one thanking you for that."

"You can't get tired from anything else?" Percy said.

She raised her eyebrows, ". . no . . ." there was a fire that danced deep in her eyes.

She was lying, though Percy didn't feel like remembering what else gods could lose energy on.

"Can't you control the wind or something like that, too?"

Calypso sighed. "The Anemoi get mad when I do that too often. In my more . . rebellious times, they complained to Zeus that I nearly started a hurricane once. I disagree, that I could ever do that. But of course . . who will he believe? Me? Or the four wind gods . . ?"

"Did . . my father say anything?" Percy asked.

She shook her head.

"Don't lie." Percy said. "He sided with Zeus, didn't he? Probably crashed a tsunami here as punishment."

"Percy . . I don't resent them—"

"No." Percy said. "Because someone like you forgives . . . and they don't. No matter how many years pass . . . "

"Percy," Calypso said softly. "There's no use being mad at the gods or the fates. A thousand years won't change them. A thousand more won't. We are powerless against their ways, even the titans failed."

"Yeah, well it shouldn't be like this," Percy grunted. "anything's better than them."

A rumble vibrated across the sky. It only annoyed Percy.

"Come," she changed the subject as she got to her feet, "there is still much to see."

Percy followed her as they walked on the outer edge of the island. To the far side he had never been to. Around a bend in the trees, and a small lagoon that shimmered pretty blue, an entrance to a cave dug in a jagged mass of rock.

They walked through shallow puddles of crystal clear water and coral to the damp narrow crevasse that they sidled through.

Though inside was barren of manmade structures, it was equally as beautiful as the dome Calypso had made. Pebbles and ore in the wall glowed. Crystals dripped in stasis from the ceiling. Many pools of water descended down deeper into the dark.

"What's down there?" Percy said.

She didn't answer only led the way by skidding and sliding down the slick rock from one pool of water to the next.

Percy controlled the water to steady his descent and soon caught up beside Calypso assisting her as well.

"Do the Fates know about this place?" Percy asked.

"No, but I'm sure if they did, they would hardly care."

Finally, the ground leveled a bit, though, still slanted toward an endless darkness . . Beside Calypso, he walked, guided only by the faint glow of sparsely lit stones reflecting on the shallow flow of water beneath their feet.

After what felt like a mile, they came to a plateau. In the center was a . . . gravestone . .

"Calypso . . ?" Percy felt a sudden anxiety grow.

"The first hero to come to this island," she turned to him in a matter of fact, "don't worry . . . he did it to himself."

"It's not marked," Percy said, "what happened?"

"He died . . trying to swim away. He had become obsessed with an idea that took over him."

"Guilt," Percy said "for loving you?"

Calypso shook her head, "perhaps . . but . . I do not think he love me . . I'm the one with the curse . . he was strange . . ."

"What happened to the other two?" Percy asked slowly.

Calypso breathed sadly, "Odysseus left after the longest time . . . When he was finally gone, I was sad for a while, until I realized it wasn't anything extraordinary of a relationship. The others weren't the best in how they treated me . ."

"Were most heroes back then mean?"

"In the ways that the gods are . . most still are Percy. It is uncommon to find a hero with a kind heart."

"Why did you bring me down here?" Percy asked.

"Because . . . I trust you in not divulging that I hide his remains here. Away from the gods . . . It is hard to keep secrets and be alone . . ."

Percy nodded but look puzzled. "Do you miss them?"

"I shouldn't . . they were not the best of souls . . but when life is so sparse . . I begin to understand the flaws in people . . . It's easier to look past it all when there is such little in life. Memories are all I have . . naturally the time where people are in them takes most of that space. I do not choose to miss anyone; I am helpless to it."

"When you healed me . . . I felt . . something . . something I have never felt before. In my dreams it was as if I was standing over myself . . what was that?" Percy asked.

"The same power I asked you to try. You felt my feelings transferred in my healing. A love for . . yourself . . in a way."

". . . how?" Percy asked. "There seems to always be side effects of magic that no one can explain . ."

"I have existed before the gods. But magic doesn't change . . Perhaps I can try to show you."

"But . . my magic doesn't affect others magically," Percy said.

"Percy, it should be no surprise that the gods and demigods do not teach of the titan's ways of magic. To keep record of such things, would be a 'danger' to history dooming to repeat itself."

"Ann— . . a teacher of mine says that the removal of history is what causes that," Percy said.

"She is wise, unlike the hardheadedness of the gods . . . now, promise that you will not tell if seen, the ways of this magic."

"How do you know if it's even possible for new aspects of my powers to show?"

"I don't . . Take my hand," she extended her fingers face up to him.

Percy did.

"Do not concentrate on the water at your feet."

"But, that's how my powers work—"

"Percy . . do not think about the water . . . think about me . ."

Percy concentrated but then shook his head. "I can't—"

"Not of that nature . . . Love . . Hate . . It expresses itself in countless ways."

Percy concentrated again.

"Not so focused now," she said.

Percy relaxed, though he wondered if she was joking.

His thoughts filled of Calypso, those eyes that looked at him on the very first day. The light of the island around her.

"Let the water follow it" Calypso said.

Percy hardly knew what she meant, but continued in his intuition. After patiently waiting, his gut relaxed. It was unlike when he controlled water any other time. This time it was unusual, a coldness like drinking a glass of water while dehydrated flushed in the back of his brain. He could suddenly feel the water beneath his feet cool in a way unlike he could usually feel. It began tracing up his foot underneath his pant leg and up his side. It streamed down his arm but stopped short at his wrist and dripped to the ground.

"I had it . ." Percy said opening his eyes.

"Yes . ." Calypso said. "Do it again . . this time think of a memory important to you, but keep me in mind still. Something of happiness, sadness, anger . . anything . . as long as it is strong. Just know that there are chances that the memory can sometimes be felt by the one affected . . me . ." she said.

"But I can't heal you — or whatever I'm doing . ." Percy said. "You're immortal."

"All the same. My skin will feel it, no matter what power you can invoke. In that way, I will know it has worked . . it will take mortality to understand exactly what that power is . . but seeing as how you can heal from water; I can't imagine it being anything else."

"Okay . ." Percy said as he readied himself to try again.

This time, as the water trailed up his body, Percy thought about long beach. A storm dark with rain violently showering under dark clouds. His mother sitting by a campfire, and the first days of school when she said goodbye to him in the small apartment in the mornings of New York. Unintentionally, he placed Calypso inside these memories as well.

As the water traveled past his elbow, Percy's eyes parted. The feeling was strong now and it wouldn't fade.

As it hit Calypso's skin she relaxed . . but her eyebrows furrowed and she froze still, her breathing stopped. The water continued up her shoulder and neck. It splayed across her cheek and a cold breathe released from Calypso's lips. Tears suddenly fell effortlessly from her eyelids. She looked to Percy as the water became thinner and disappeared in her skin and into the roots of her hair.

"Well . . " Calypso said quietly, " . . why — I never said the memory had to relate to me . . . you must understand magic quicker than even I . . ."

"Beginner's luck?" Percy wondered out loud.

Calypso shook her head. "I have no doubt, you won't have any troubles in the future . . . I felt power that rivals my own . . ." Suddenly, she furrowed her brows again . . . "Percy . . ?" a few more tears fell from her eyes. She squeezed them shut and took a sharp, shaky breath in and trembled slightly as she started to really cry.

It was so unexpected, and Percy stared at her in sudden worry. He stood there silently and then whispered, "I didn't mean to—"

Calypso suddenly hugged him tightly, her arms were like steel, steadfast, though her breathes were very low and rapidly shaking.

"Are you okay?" Percy said quietly.

She peeled back quickly collecting herself in a stiff concentration.

"Let's go," she said quietly.

The climb out of the cave took shorter than Percy expected. Percy's mind was racing. The sunlight hit like a flashbang the moment he touched sand again.

Outside Calypso turned to him, "Percy," she said in a serious tone. "I wish to be alone for bit . ."

Percy tilted his head slightly, "I will see you tomorrow?"

Calypso stood still with a far-away look suddenly focused on the sand, "yes . ."

Suddenly, she then walked straight into trees without another word.

Percy stood there, not understanding anything that had happened. He looked up the coast, he'd follow the footsteps from before to make his way back.

The next day she didn't come . . . Percy spent all day wondering what had happened the day before. Maybe it was time to go . . . he shook the feeling aside. There was still much he wanted to know, a feeling like he needed to know. A feeling like something was missing still . . So few people came here . . .

When the night fell, Percy dreamed of Camp Half-Blood. It was a regular day, he went to training, his classes, meditated in the lake for a bit.

He woke up wondering where he was and quickly regained his surroundings. It was well into morning. Three full days had passed. Or had it been four? He shook his head and went into the forest. He steeled his wondering thoughts and hesitantly knocked on Calypso's door.

About thirty seconds later, it cracked a little and slowly drifted open. Calypso stood there, no emotion in her eyes. She stepped to the side to allow him in.

"Calypso, if I did something wrong, I want to make it right—"

"No Perseus," she said. Somehow when she said his full name, it didn't seem strange. Though, she hadn't used it since he showed up on the island.

Calypso went to the small fireplace and poured tea from a pot into a clay cup. Percy thanked her as she handed it to him even though he had never had tea before.

"Please, sit . ." she said. They sat by the hearth which smoked deeply into a brick chimney.

"I was deep in thought for — trying to piece the things that I saw . . ."

"What did you see?" Percy asked. "I thought only a fraction of a memory could transfer to you . . my memories are no different than anyone else . ."

"That may be true . . But I do not think you meant to share as much as you did . . . It's not so much about what was in them that I ponder . . ."

Percy awkwardly tried to think of something to fill the silence but he didn't understand how to appeal to what she meant. Instead he looked down at the tea and took a sip. It was warm, like nectar, but bitter and numbing.

Percy's eyes drifted up a bookshelf on the wall.

"Books" he suddenly said. "You have books."

Calypso smiled wryly.

Percy realized how stupid he just sounded. "I mean — how? What are they?" He studied the spines but none of them were titled.

"I write, to fill some time. I think it has saved me from going insane . ."

Percy met her eyes. "All of them?"

She nodded.

"How did you get the materials?"

"Hermes," Calypso said. "A hero must have once put in a good word. I've received packages washing up on shore from time to time. Though, I sometimes wonder if perhaps it was only so that I would hopefully keep a record for the effects of eternal imprisonment — something as a test subject or a joke to be read—"

"Can I read them?" Percy asked.

Calypso blinked, "read them?"

Percy's eyes shifted, "er . . I am only curious . . ."

"They are mostly imaginary . . something to keep my mind elsewhere. But, yes. Read any you like."

Percy looked at the bookshelf again. There were seventeen. He took one off the shelf at random and carefully opened it. It was obvious that they were rarely opened. The pages were crisp clean. The text was written in Latin. It took Percy a couple minutes to read the first few sentences.

"Take it," Calypso said. "I don't have much use for them anymore, now that I've written it down."

Percy closed the book, but it remained in his hands. "I am not very literate in Latin . . I will need help from—"

"Annabeth Chase" Calypso said.

"You know her?"

"The merpeople speak ill of her . . I take it she is dear to you?"

". . yeah . . . she's my best friend."

"The girl with golden hair?"

Percy nodded. "She would be ecstatic to meet you . . there is much knowledge here that is kept from the world . ."

Calypso gave him a long undiscernible look.
"Hmm, you speak brightly of this friend . ." she said calmly.

Percy's eyes fell.

"I . . am curious . . about life before Ogygia," he said, changing the subject.

Calypso sighed, but began to tell him stories of her past life. She spoke of thriving kingdoms, peaceful empires with bustling city squares and forests. Nymphs, humans, and gods existing in harmony. And the violent times; conquest and genocide

When her stories were done it was well into the afternoon.

Percy stared at the painting up above, the one with an ocean in glass.

"Emotion," Percy said. "You forgot your emotions when you painted the glass . . it's too exact." His eyes turned back to Calypso who tilted her head curiously. "I can tell you were trying to remember something . . instead of making it your own."

Calypso blinked and pursed her lips, furrowing her eyes. "Hmm . . "

Percy went to the small hut that night, lighting a candle and studying the book she had written. It was about a land in the sky that didn't exist. A girl who fell from it and got lost surviving on Earth.

Percy's thoughts spilled off the pages and he started to think about Annabeth for some reason. Time was lost to him; it should have been four days here now. That wasn't too long? Right? But he wanted to see her again . . she would be angry . . a full month had passed . .

The conversation the next day in the afternoon soon returned to Percy's frustration of her imprisonment.

"I just don't understand . . how could anyone be so cruel for so long."

Calypso gave him a long look relaxing back into her woven chair.

"Would you like to know what would have happened if the titans won?" a darkness shifted in Calypso's eyes.

"Kronos would have killed everyone." Percy said. "that's what they say . . but I don't know what to believe . . ."

"Yes . . But to an extent understated everywhere here on Earth . . . not just mortals and demigods, Percy" Calypso said. Goosebumps rippled down Percy's arm. "The gods, the titans . . . a pure evil and self-consumption so great no life would exist in all universes . . . so great he would eventually kill Chaos and . . consume himself . . . Nothing would ever exist again . . . "

"That doesn't mean you should still be here." Percy said.

"Percy." Her eyes stared above his eyes at his hair. "You met my father . . Remember . . ? You held up that sky . . and I can't even begin to imagine that pain . . That pain my father goes through eternally, until he understands just what damnation Kronos means . . Yet he refuses. Until he changes his mind, my imprisonment means nothing compared to existence."

There was a sudden anxiety that increased ten-fold in Percy's stomach. A realization he was making a very big mistake now. Maybe there really was less time than he thought.

Percy's eyes fell.

"Calypso," hot lava seemed to creak out the side of Percy's eye. "Do you know my destiny?"

Calypso shook her head. "No one knows that, but you. But it is under the curse that you must leave eventually. We both know that."

"That's not what I mean. My destiny — spoken by the oracle, is . . to destroy Kronos."

Suddenly the ground shook and lightning exploded outside. Percy felt it hit the ocean, it was an all too familiar feeling.

When he looked back at her, Calypso's eyes were empty and she blinked as the gravity hit her.

"You shouldn't be here," She suddenly stood up . . rushed over to the desk on the other side of the room. A lamp illuminated a book in which she closed and spun. She shoved it into his arms. "You go. Now. It was foolish to think it was okay keeping you here this long."

Percy furrowed his eyebrows. "I can't kill Kronos. No one can."

Calypso glowered at him. "Go. There isn't time for doubt."

As they sped-walked out of the dome and to the shore, Calypso stormed ahead, not looking back to make sure he was following.

"I'll get you out of this. After it's done. After he's dead." Percy said as they ran.

"Only forces outside your control are enough for that. My life is of no importance for anything you should be concerned about."

He walked quickly with her out of the enclosure to the edge of the island. Three rafts were on shore with enormous sails made out of fabric only made on Olympus. He had remembered staring at them, wondering what they were for.

She nearly shoved him onto a raft as she already started generating wind from her fingertips that began to push the sail.

Tears fell slowly, though it only made her angry.

The raft started to drift slowly.

"When it's done . . don't save my father" she said sternly.

The pit of guilt and responsibility only somehow grew denser in Percy's stomach. He opened his mouth to try and say goodbye but the raft suddenly lurched and shot away from the island with incredible speed.

Percy fell to the floor and held on to the mast. The speed at which it traveled he couldn't even make sense of. The world was a blur, faster than the speed of sound. There was a rumble and Percy lurched sideways slamming heavily into the sail. The wood exploded into splinters and he was sent flying over the deep blue.

He cushioned his fall plunging at least a mile under the freezing water. His muscles strained as he tried desperately to reduce his speed. Finally, he slowed down just enough to begin rising again. He broke the surface and there wasn't land in sight.

He called for a dolphin, shark, or any creature big enough but none came.

Distraught and already tired, he began propelling himself in the direction of New York. It was evening when the land started getting bigger, and dark when he finally trudged heavily onto long island beach.

The ocean had felt strange. It didn't make any sense for the time of the year it should have been.

He didn't bother drying himself, too tired to put in the effort.

The beach was sparsely populated in the dark. A few heads turned. Voices murmured.

"Is that . .?"

"No, it can't be . . ."

"I thought he was dead . ."

As the noise level grew, and more people started to notice. Half-bloods started slowing in their tracks as their heads turned.

Grover was the first of his friends to charge him. He galloped his way quicker than the raft had though skidded to a halt in front of him.

"Who—aa PERCY!"

Percy cracked a difficult smile.

"H-how?! What happen—"

Their heads instinctively twitched right as a rumble parted in the crowd.

Percy was half anticipating in excitement, but he was sunken in exhaustion and his eyes were dead.

Her gold crown pushed through the crowd in a thumping tramp. She was dead centered on him and stormed straight at him. Fury, and darkness flashed in her baggy eyes.

Before he could begin to express rejoice, she took one last step and slapped him hard across the face. She was breathing hard unshaken in her glare.

"WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?!"

Percy's face stung badly. He racked his brain trying to figure a response, the book in his hands fallen to his side.

His voice was quiet, in fear and confusion, "Wise girl –"

She winced . . . her arm raised slightly . . . then she shrieked as she powered, striking backhand quickly against his other cheek leagues harder than before.

Percy felt a warmth burning in his face. Blood spilled down the side of his face.

She huffed several deep breaths. She looked at the book in his hand and glowered up at him. Percy wondered if she had pieced where he had been already.

"NINE MONTHS!" She yelled at his face. The silver streak in her hair seemed black.

The people standing around shifted uncomfortably as a silence had fallen in Camp Half-Blood.

Percy furrowed his eyebrows. The sky seemed to grow stormy all of a sudden. She clutched the streak in her hair with one fist.

Percy widened his eyes.

Her clutched fist trembled with it, but she didn't tear it out. Her nose only shook in anger.

"Annabeth — I —" Percy said. But two small hands shoved him back with great force.

Percy stumbled, falling back on his hands, sliding in the mud.

Her eyes were red, and shiny. She stormed away. The crowd parted again in silence as she vanished toward the cabins.

Everyone's eyes turned back to him. Many darkly, a couple in worry, others didn't know what to think; they were confused, asking the person next to them what happened.

A hand extended down to him in front of his face. It was Grover.

Percy shook his head and pushed himself off the ground.

"Where's Tyson?" Percy breathed seriously.

"He's in the forges in Atlantis."

Percy blinked, "Grover, has it really been nine months?"

Grover nodded solemnly.

Percy didn't feel like healing his face, he could feel it drip on his shoulder. His entire body was aching.

"Chiron?"

"He left months ago in search of you . . trying to find a clue. He sent the centaurs on a hunt and everything. We ran on our own trying to find you for months, fought off hundreds of monsters . ."

Percy hung his head.

"She'll come around . ." Grover said.

Percy shook his head, "I never meant for any of this." He started to move but Grover blocked him with his arm.

"Give her time."

Percy glowered. "I don't have time," he said angrily.

But Grover glowered at him darkly. One of the few times he had ever seen Grover do that. Percy broke his gaze.

"Kronos?" Percy said

Grover winced. "The stirrings get stronger every month . . . darkness is coming soon . . . but war is still a month away . . we have been preparing ever since."

Percy froze, contemplating . . and turned, starting towards his own cabin. Grover trotted beside him.

"What happened?" He said.

"The mountain spit me across the world," Percy said as if it was obvious. "I ended up on Ogygia."

Grover took in a sharp breath. "Isn't that where Calypso was?"

Percy stayed silent.

"You didn't —"

"Of course not!" Percy spit.

"Dude . . this doesn't look good."

"Why?" Percy said. "I didn't know I could come back just like that— She lied to me . . she . ." Percy grumbled in anger. "Call Chiron . . Tomorrow I train against everyone at camp. We need to be ready."

Grover hesitantly nodded. "I'll get a drachma from the big house . . and I'll tell the satyrs, the nymphs need to come out of the trees . . but Percy, Annabeth is in charge of Camp Half-Blood for now . ."

"Good," Percy said, "then she will be happy to sic everyone against me."

Inside Poseidon's cabin, Percy was restless. He stared at the ceiling running through apology after apology, scenario after scenario in his head trying to think of a way to make it right to Annabeth. Nothing would work. His eyes leaked in annoyance and restlessness. This would be the end. The only thing left to do was prepare for Kronos, and he had a feeling the Camp wasn't preparing hard enough.

In the morning, Percy opened his eyes to low sunlight. He slipped out of bed quickly, forgetting his body was aching so he tripped and fell. He quickly got to his feet and stumbled over to the sink. After healing himself, he changed and slammed the front door shut. Walking quickly across the grass to the Amphitheatre.

Grover met him soon after.

"Chiron says he'll be back in a couple days. He wasn't happy Percy . . but he says your decision is right."

Percy felt good inside, though only briefly.

"Where is everyone?"

"I tried to get them to grab their gear but no one believes me. No one wants to fight you."

"And Annabeth?"

"She stated the plan to everyone at breakfast. But I don't think they believe her either. They were only confused."

Percy groaned. He started off to the first cabin, Hephaestus'.

He knocked on the door and it soon opened by an ugly kid with rough skin. "Jackson?" he said, "what're ye' here for?" but Percy pushed him to the side and stormed inside.

Immediately heads turned rapidly as he entered the cabin because he wasn't immediately forced out by the gods. It could only mean one thing, this was serious.

A few of the older teenagers shuffled steadily out of bed in caution as Percy walked to the laziest of them, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and yanking them out onto the floor.

"What the!—"

"Hey!"

"Did you not hear!?" Percy yelled. "Get off your asses! You're first!" He said as he shoved one of the more resenting kids towards the door.

The captain of the cabin looked around the cabin and then shouted, "Get out!"

The cabin scrambled to following them out the door. It must have been rare for him to shout at them. Percy sensed the increasing fear in the teenagers and almost felt bad as they started straightening their act in half confusion and shock.

When he got to the amphitheater, Percy tapped his foot impatiently as the first kid put on his armor, the others already preparing as well.

On the side one of the kids glowered at him, "why do we have to do this?"

"Shut up." Percy spit.

Their captain smacked the kid against the back of his head and the kid twitched in annoyance but stayed.

"Attack" Percy said to his first opponent. He immediately knew he didn't stand a chance but it didn't matter.

The kid hesitated for a bit. He looked at his captain who showed no sympathy. "Remember training," the captain said simply.

The kid blinked and then focused on Percy. He charged. Percy parried lazily and then kicked the kid in the chest. He flew off his feet and slammed on his back a few feet away.

"Again!"

The kid choked breath back into his lungs but begrudgingly got back to his feet.

After pushing him out of the ring again, Percy pointed to the next kid who shakenly stepped into the ring.

Half-Blood after Half-Blood, Percy fought the camp, but it only annoyed him. After two cabins, there hadn't been anything close to an even match.

"WHAT IN HADES NAME HAVE YOU ALL BEEN DOING?!" he shouted. It was a bit hypocritical coming from himself but he didn't let them know that.

The Hermes kid he was fighting was struggling to maintain his own, barely blocking and dodging Percy's attacks, too focused on his movement to pay attention to anything Percy said, though fear filled the kid's face.

Out of the corner of Percy's eye he could see more cabins emptying out on the hill descending to the amphitheater.

He was well into the sixth cabin before he started to feel a hint of exhaustion. He was still wiping the floor with them. Nymphs on the side were tending injured campers hurriedly, for a moment it actually looked like a proper enactment of war. The Nymphs stayed silent and tended quickly from one to another. The elder one commanding other nurses and less injured campers to go and get more medical supplies.

A while later he spotted Annabeth by the big house. She stood for few seconds looking down at the amphitheater her face still dark, before turning and going into the big house.

Percy continued fighting well into the evening, informing each fighter of their flaws, not holding back from letting everyone in the camp understanding how incompetent they were. They needed this, he convinced himself. Kronos would be ruthless when his army came . .

The ones who held their own the most were a few of the cabin captains. With Ares and Athena's kids being more challenging. Athena's captain, a blond guy, being the hardest of them all. They fought for a good fifteen minutes in what captured everyone's attention the most. They were almost entertained until Percy won again.

It was the first one that Percy extended a hand to his fallen opponent who took it with respect as Percy brought him to his feet. The captain let him train with him when everyone else was defeated to show moves and techniques no one had seen before.

Clarisse grumbled amongst her cabin mates complaining with them that he had won on a technicality and that it should have been her. Most ignored her though.

"Stop" Percy said to the blonde Athena captain. Their weapons fell to their sides as they turned to see Annabeth descending to them. Like Percy, she had on no armor but looked ready for a fight. Her knife was strapped on the outside of her ankle and she stormed down in fearless confidence.

Athena's captain stepped to the side to allow Annabeth to face him, but not before telling Annabeth to put her armor on. Annabeth glowered at the captain, ignoring his advice, and stared coldly at Percy.

Percy relaxed his shoulders. "I will not fight you," he said.

Annabeth raised her ankle for a second to pull her knife from it, readying it.

Whispering broke out all around them.

"She's mad"

"What does she think she'll do?"

"Are you kidding? It's Annabeth . . She's gonna kill him."

Percy ignored the voices.

"You think this changes anything? You prove nothing," she said.

"You agreed to it," Percy said.

"Combat hasn't been the only thing we're training for," she said with her eyebrows furrowed. "Meanwhile, you . . " her nostrils flared, "disgust me."

"You speak illogically," Percy said angrily.

Annabeth twisted the grip on her knife. "You are the reason we will lose this war."

"Annabeth" the captain warned. She ignored him though.

Suddenly, a flash of her knife. It clinked against Percy's wooden sword, shaving off a splinter.

"I will not fight you," he said quietly and controlled as her ear came near. But she ignored him.

Her movements were rapid and controlled. From the outside it was a blur as the two fought. Percy parrying, and dodging more than anything. He switched his style to trying to disarm her, but it was too difficult with such a small weapon and with her adjusting to his attacks.

The fight continued furiously for a twenty minutes. Percy told her over and over again that he didn't wish to fight, so that only she could hear.

She had already cut him across the arms and chest a couple times. Some campers noticed but no one intervened. Percy hadn't called defeat. He had to think of something . . moves that he had never used against her before. Unpredictability . .

When a swipe came, instead of parrying, Percy let it graze against his chin as he pushed forward. Sacrificing the pain, he locked an arm around her waste to twist her down, locking a grip powerfully on the wrist with her knife in it.

She hissed in annoyance and bit his arm furiously, she contorted so that he hurled straight downward plummeting to the floor.

She pushed her heel into his ribs hard. Her hair hung low, shrouding her face so only he could see up at it, but something hit him in the eye and it snapped shut. Salt water. The cut on his chin closed slightly. He heard a thud as her knife hit the floor beside his face. The pressure on his chest started dissipating and she was already out of the amphitheater when Percy could see clearly again.

He got to his feet uncomfortably. Half-bloods from Ares and Athena's cabin had already begun cheering loudly. Half-bloods from the other cabins joined in until it was roaring out of the Amphitheater, enough to reach her as she headed into the U of cabins.

A wood nymph hurried over to him, nearly trying to force some ambrosia on him. He waved her away, saying he was fine, though he could feel the cuts stinging like Hades.

That night, Percy opened the book from Calypso. It was a journal, translated into Greek so that he could read it effortlessly. Percy flipped the page with excitement.

Hermes came by last week. I counted the seconds – about fifteen before he left. At first I was furious. What was I going to do with paper? But the longer it sat there, the more I felt I should write, even if I don't want to.

Life has been solemn out here. If I could die, at least I could talk to someone then. I suppose it's better than a lot of Hades

The book continued on, recounting events in history that she could only watch from afar. And her progress in developing the island.

Odysseus washed ashore today. The first hero . . He did not seem happy at first . . . but slowly he is opening up.

It has been a few weeks with him. I do not know how long he will stay but it is nice having someone to talk to. He seems to be entranced by me. I don't know whether or not I am thrilled by the idea, for better or worse. I can sense a great conflict within him. I only fear when it will end.

Years passed through the pages, and she spoke of their adventures. Telling of fun, conflicts, sex, and fights in their relationships. The good and the bad.

Year eight with him. He won't talk to me much anymore. The worries on his mind have consumed him. I only wish now that he will leave. My love for him has become for what he needs. A can't imagine spending a thousand years with someone who doesn't truly love me . . nevertheless . . I care for him all the same . .

I know every inch of this island now. I have taken to counting the stars, but I know soon I will have counted all of them. Perhaps I should give them my own names . . maybe next millennia . .

Odysseus left. He finally told me he had a wife somewhere out there. If he had told me any sooner, I would like to think I would have kicked him off the island myself. I also fear that I might not retain that power. I don't understand how anyone could do such a thing. As his remaining presence continues to fade, my mind becomes clearer, and I know now that my love was influenced heavily by magic. I am happy now that he is gone.

She talks of her books she began to write. Wildlife, monsters and magical creatures, she explains in explicit detail. Drawings of flora, and observations. It was a kind of obsessiveness Percy had seen before in Annabeth's free-drawn blueprints.

Another hero showed up on the shores yesterday. It had been so long I had forgotten that he would come. He had his fun with me . . and left this morning . . not another word . . .

Now I know just how bad this punishment is. I will never have the ability to say no, will I? No name . . . just a face.

Percy cried as he read through the next hundred pages. Some of the days now were heavily detailed and closer together, though not much happened. Her accounts of trying to escape the island only to be sent injured back in the middle of the island, the gold blood, soaking back into herself whole again. Days spent laying emotionally still in one spot.

A vile anticipation for the next hero stung in Percy's chest. And it finally came.

Today, another is here. His words are kinder than past generations. Though I can see right through his conflicting emotions. He's more distant . . he's easier to love. Alike the last, he won't tell me his name . .

I trained myself for many years to change my routines, to avoid things I will regret later. But it's hard with him . . to remember these things. His kindness is more believable when it comes. We've shared love, and I hope and pray to the stars that this is a good man. That somehow, he can stay.

It's been one day again . . I found him on the sand, his life left hours prior. A foolish man. I would have allowed him to leave on his own. I should have known he hid his secrets. I can only blame myself. He was steadfast in his decision for this one. Eager to rejoin the world in something of fear of me or perhaps guilt. I cannot know.

Many moons pass. I admit that I have contemplated a few times to attempt welding myself shut physically . . . today I tried . . . I don't know if it's because I'm not confident enough or that my heart isn't in it as much as I think. My immortality proves itself though . . There has to be a way to bend the rules . . . Nevertheless, it wasn't long before the burns healed.

It's not that I don't want to feel, just that I want it to . . mean something that is real . . a part of me that waits for that will never let me do this to myself.

The decision to side with titans or gods has long since faded. So I guess the fates have won . . . I would congratulate them if I could. Though, the world seems adamant to lead to war. I no longer want that. I have heard the bloodshed too much from the creatures around the world.

The titan's promised peace in my time . . No one seems to keep promises . . . I try not to indulge myself in resentment for the titans and the gods. I only hope that this endless trouble will end. I have only my own life to fear for now . . .

I have taken upon myself to decide that I do not wish to die anymore . . . Life is easier if I can live with it. I am grateful I have found this. There are many things I have begun to enjoy again.

After another hundred pages, Percy stared at the next few pages, the writing was darker and a little smeared from not drying quick enough.

Perseus of Poseidon washed ashore broken today. I tended to wounds and saw a darkness crawling in his mind. I have a fear that festers as he lays unconscious in the old home. Will he be just like the worst one . . or worse? A part of me wants to push him onto a raft and send him away immediately . . but . . . a child of Poseidon . . the mermaid that fought me said his importance was too much for me . .

He stays there these three days later, still unconscious. I don't wish to explore his mind for what horror I may see. I can only wait until he wakes.

Perseus is the first to know who I am. He looks at me in ways I haven't seen before. Perhaps not love at all . . an accustomed way . . . relaxed, patient, and curious . . I feel my love trying to break out and I'm trying hard not to let it control me. I have fallen too hard for things like this before. If anything, this could be the most manipulative of man I have ever seen.

Why does he stay . . if not to persuade me? He hints he is disinterested in feeling my skin . . He found interests in my passions . . but for what? I don't know if this is a great evil or something far from it. And the way he spoke when accepting to play games . . it reminds me of girlfriends I had in Mesopotamia . . .

I made a grave mistake in showing him the remains of the unnamed. Greater in showing him magic. Emotion rarely reveals itself quite as strong as that. Yet with him, as soon as the water touched my skin, I started to see not just the memories that were possible to transfer. New things I never knew were possible filled my mind. Though it could be anger, sadness, or lust, it was however; melancholic and warm. I saw cold storms and warmth of fires in quiet places, beautiful color exploding across horizons, a walk along train tracks in autumn, a woman I can only imagine as his mother; smiling at him. He showed me images of myself that couldn't exist; sitting on logs around a campfire, traveling with him around the world, and witnessing the most special parts of his life. Another girl was there; someone that matters above all to him. Some of these memories he held my hand like an older brother, in others . . . he hugged me like I was his mother . . .

I see clearly his feeling of me, but emotion — I never knew it could be this strong . . in anyone . . or anything . . especially not for those only known in a week . . .

The girl in his life he cares for, and his friends . . this is the first of which I wish to be a part of . . there is an unspoken happiness in it . . a kind only found in good people. It is good to see it again . . . My heart aches, to the point it hurts more than weapons in war . . I can't stop thinking of —

It ended there. Percy flipped but the remaining pages were blank. He sat there deep in thought. It was quickly interrupted by laughter from a cabin nearby. Percy shook his head in irritation.

He went out the door, not caring for the harpies in the dark of the moonlight. Thankfully, none were in the way as he walked straight into long Island sound. He sat in a bubble for a while as it warmed up in the cold sea.

A few water harpies swam up and flourished their naked bodies at him, but he did not give them the attention they wanted, and soon they swam away in annoyance.

He thought about the curse that kept Calypso trapped. Nothing could break that in his power. The only person he knew that knew about curses was Annabeth . .

He contemplated it. It was a dumb idea. To pass the time, he willed water outside his bubble to assist the creatures on the ocean floor. Before long the water had started glowing, and Percy looked up to see the first light of the day peaking over the horizon.

After a few more minutes, Percy shot out of the water onto one of the docks.

"Jesus Christ!" A camper flinched nearby. His friend looked at him strangely. "What? My mom was Christian."

Percy ignored the scare he caused and went up the hill to Athena's cabin. He knocked on the door. He heard a mutter inside by a boy and soon the captain cracked the door open slightly.

"Is she here?" Percy asked.

The captain glanced back inside, and lowered his voice to a whisper, "yeah, but she doesn't want to talk . ."

Percy nodded.

"What happened between you two anyways . . ? She's been crying all night . . the others haven't noticed but I can tell . ."

"I don't know . ." Percy said. "Just . . can you tell her I'm going into the forest to kill the Son of Python . . I need to train."

The captain raised an eyebrow, "sure. Are we fighting again today?"

Percy gave it some thought, "no . . I don't want to fight her again."

The captain smirked. "See you around," the door closed.

Percy didn't immediately go into the forest, he found Grover by the wood nymphs, giving them a song.

"Any word on Chiron?" Percy asked.

"He should be here any—"

As if on cue, a snap sounded deep in the forest, they turned, a low rumble of hooves approached rapidly. They looked at each other. He appeared around a tree deep in the forest, he was in the suit and tie he wore from teaching history classes, and his hair had recently been combed though was now shaking freely.

"Perseus dear boy," he said as he came to a trot. With one arm he effortlessly placed him on his back. "Where have you been?" his voice was serious but lacked any accusation.

"Ogygia," Percy said seriously, "Chiron, we're running out of time."

"Understatement of the millennia," Chiron said. "I will not ask why you stayed so long—"

"I did not try too!" Percy said.

"Did I say a thing?" He said. "Calypso is a powerful goddess, many have stayed longer — according to them, against their will . ."

Percy shook his head but soon noticed they were galloping up Half-Blood hill.

"Where are we going?" Percy asked.

"Time is running short. We have only a month's time for you to get dunked in the river Styx, the sooner the better—"

"Wait — hold on!" Percy said.

Chiron turned his head, "Annabeth did not tell you?"

Percy shook his head, "I thought bathing in Styx was a death wish for Half-bloods?"

"She is not speaking to you . . ? I will have my word with her when I get back." He said as they were soon speeding across the landscape at unnatural speeds.

"Won't I die?" Percy asked again.

"That is up to you," Chiron said. "But I know you are strong enough to resist evisceration."

"How?"

"It is our only chance at stopping Kronos."

"Well that reassures me . ." Percy said sarcastically.

They rode in silence for a while. The skyline of New York City was already in view.

"Chiron . . are curses really eternal?"

"There . . are ways of breaking them . . but that is old magic . . ."

"How does one learn of old magic?"

"What are you saying Perseus?"

"Shouldn't we know everything . .? Old and new? Ancient fighting techniques? Everything we can to fight Kronos?"

"Calypso has manipulated you, child."

"She hasn't" Percy said. "From what I know, not all old magic is evil."

"And what do you know of old magic?" Chiron said darkly.

Percy stayed silent.

"I will not argue with you, on the merits of what should and should not be . . . You are stepping forth a foot into territory that will cast you into the depths of Tartarus should the gods find you talking of such things."

"I'm just trying to understand; You always told us the more we know, the better—"

"While true, not all things will ever be known. It is simply impossible. Bring your attention to the things that matter."

He stopped suddenly and the world went from a blur to a sudden stop. The front doors to DOA Recording Studios. A few mortals glanced their way but the mist must have been manipulated to make him look like a kid in the back of a pickup truck or something as a dude a few meters away bared his teeth and yelled out, "yeah-ha-ha right on brotha!"

"You remember Achilles?" Chiron said.

"To think of a single spot . . and anchor it to reality," Percy said. It felt like answering his questions in history class again.

"Do not lose your faith, child . ." Percy slid off the centaur's back. Chiron tossed him a bag of drachmas, "pocket one for the call back. Good luck."

Percy turned to the glass doors in newfound anxiety. Not for going into Hades — he was more prepared now than he was the first time — Only, Styx . . he shook his head, trying not to remember the horrors he had learned about for years.

At the front desk Charon wrinkled his mouth sickly,

"You again? Eager to die . . again?"

Percy placed a handful of coins on the counter. Charon eyed them narrowly, licking his teeth, "straight to business this time — I like that. But—"

"It's all I got" Percy said, though it was a slight lie.

A growl burred deep in Charon's throat but he scooped the coins onto the other side of the desk into a drawer and pulled his keys off a hook behind him.

They descended into the elevator, which felt even slower than the first time.

With a comical ding, the doors slid open and the familiar raft awaited them. Before he stepped in the boat, Percy paused.

"Where can I find the fates?" He said.

"Do you think I babysit them?" Charon growled.

"Never mind," Percy said. He hid his annoyance as he went into the boat. He'd have to find them himself. Maybe he should bathe before he found them . . Percy ignored it, avoiding the fact that he was procrastinating.

When the boat finally stopped, Percy got out and immediately the boat started drifting away again. The dark flashes of freezing temperatures and scalding hot air irritated Percy. He shivered. He walked the gravel path to the DOA gate. While in line, Cerberus bounded over and it took all Percy's might to not reject the human sized tongue engulfing him in a grimy lick.

While awaiting to die, Percy searched the endless cavern for the Fates, a pit in his stomach surged as he spotted one flying around the stalactites in the ceiling. For the first time in his life he was excited to see one. He wouldn't have to the pass through the gates after all . .

He called out to it and its head snapped a complete 180. Soon the Fate bulleted toward him. The other two noticed their sister and joined in from the darkness. They crashed their talons into the obsidian ground splintering it into shards, sharper than glass.

"Enjoy your trip to Calypso!?" cheered the one in the middle "come to get your revenge?" it cackled.

Percy shook his head. One of their heads lurched around like a snake as if to strike, Percy immediately flicked the pen cap off his sword. It hissed.

Another leered at its sister, "there is no point in killing for no pay." Percy relaxed a little.

"Calypso has payed enough . . she is reformed . . let her go." They joined each other in laughing hysterically.

"And why should we do that?" the center squinted at him snakily. Percy realized he had no money to offer . . nothing . . what could they even want . . an idea, one that chilled him to the bone . . .

"I . . . will plunge to the deepest of Styx for hours . . . to entertain you," Percy said. The middle grinned real slowly, baring its teeth,

"Pain . . yessss . ."

"He will most certainly die" the other said.

"Is it a deal?" Percy glowered.

The middle Fate narrowed her eyes again, trying to catch a glimpse of deception.

"Ten hours." Percy's stomach dropped.

"Six."

"You will not bargain with me boy!" it hissed. Spit scalded Percy's skin. They could see the fear of their offer plaguing through Percy which only excited them more.

"Swear. Upon. The. River. Of. Styx." Percy said.

"I swear upon the river of Styx!" it said quickly.

Percy said the same, not nearly as excited.

"Extend your arm" Percy nearly froze as he knew what was coming. This was no time for negotiating any longer. Percy's arm shook violently as he raised it forward. Talons wrapped around it and his body flung around, he heard distorted hysterical laughter. He was suddenly flung hundreds of meters, the dark of the underworld and buildings flashed by. Fires of different heat waved passed him. He fell deeper, watching as the fates chased after his tumbling body in laughter.

Boiling water hit his skin and he immediately screamed. He could see as their excitement increased tenfold. He plunged deep into the river. He couldn't breathe, his whole body in pain. Quickly he racked his mind, the small spot on his neck below his chin. He concentrated desperately on it. Water was leaking out of his eyes and he felt his mouth open in terror out of his control.

He fought to stay conscious, his eyes rolling back as every aspect of his body felt on fire. His heart beat quickly and irregularly, his insides felt as though they would soon come vomiting out of his mouth.

Ten hours . . it wasn't possible . . .

Thoughts of wishing to die came no later than only five minutes in but Percy quickly cast them aside. He had to focus. Now was the time to accept that it could be eternal. For all he knew, that's how long it would feel.

The pain didn't subside, and he could see pale red above the blur of fates still hovering there. As time droned on, soon they left. It wasn't long before they came back. A way of tracking time for it was too much to think about. Every now and then they would fly away only eventually to come back, their bodies shaking in humor.

Percy's vision had gone dark, his scream ripped his vocal chords apart. Faces started to appear, and he had no idea if they were real or not. No one could be swimming down here.

He called out for his mother, which soon became anyone he had ever cared about. On the shore far above, a golden haired blur stood barefoot on the beach. Percy stared at it, frozen in agony. His gaze did not break for a second as he convinced himself of it being her . .

A voice, light . . it sang an echo through the river. The fates made no notion that they heard it. Percy hung on to the voice for life. The world started fading and Percy felt himself falling deeper into a pit miles below the surface. All the same, he focused on the now speck of gold in the distance. A single dot in pitch black. The fates had long since disappeared.

His imagination ran wild as a glowing string drifted in the murky liquid, connecting from his chin to the golden speck in the distance. Maybe it was only the string now, and not her, but Percy didn't care anymore. He only focused on her.

Dreams flowed through Percy, enough to steal pain away though his eyes remained open.

"Percy" she said.

They were sitting in a small diner, somewhere in the countryside. Percy turned to see her serious gaze beside him. Her eyes stormy and bright in the golden sun as it sat on the horizon, streaming in through the window so it blinded him as he turned.

"Are you going to let me out?" She questioned.

Percy looked down, they were in a booth by the table. Percy moved out of the way but his eyes were still glued to her. As she got out of the bench she looked at him quizzically.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Her voice was soft.

"I don't know . . . " Percy's voice escaped, "I just think . . ."

She froze, "Percy?" she became increasingly worried as Percy started to scream again. She rushed forward to him but before she could get there he was pulled away. The dream had quickly faded and he was in the river again, staring up at a blur in the depths as all the pain returned.

He held on to hope in agony until the next one came.

"Oh ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety nine bottles of beer!"

Percy heard Grover's voice in his right ear and Annabeth's to the left. Grover shoved him in the shoulder with his forearm and Annabeth dug her elbow into him to sing as they rode in the back seat of his mom's car through the mountains.

Percy turned to see Annabeth singing at the same volume as Grover, though he hadn't ever seen her sing before. She glanced at him once as they continued singing. Percy stayed silent and enjoyed watching as the leaves went passed through the back windows.

A darkness tugged at Percy's stomach and his head drifted down onto Annabeth's shoulder. Her voice paused for only a moment, so little that it was almost like she hadn't. Percy began to tremble his face against her shoulder trying to hold onto the warm shirt as pain started to return but it dissolved again.

He would almost rather the dreams didn't come so he wouldn't have to feel the start of the pain again when they went away.

It was a very long time before the next one came. So long Percy thought that he had died at least five times slipping in and out of states of subconsciousness.

When the world faded again, he opened his eyes to rain pouring in a torment. He was standing outside a cabin on long island. Through the window, he could see Annabeth writing in her journal on a desk. The glow of the lamp did complement in illuminating her face.

When she noticed him, she jumped and closed her book, soon glowering at him. She got up and opened the front of the door her head came out.

"What are you doing seaweed brain! You almost gave me a heart attack! Come on!"

Percy slowly drifted over to her, the door closing on the violence of the rain. It was warm in here. A fireplace crackled by chairs and a sofa by the windows.

Annabeth dusted off drops of water from him, unzipping his jacket to pull his arms out.

"Will you dry already!" She complained at him.

He simply stared at her.

She shook her head, "you're impossible," she grumbled

"Annaabehtthhh" Percy muttered.

She furrowed her eyes at him. He never called her by her name.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

Percy fell back into the door, the knob twisting into his back. She reached for him but the door opened and he stumbled backwards further into the rain.

She reached for him in concern but her hand fell short again, grabbing at the air. "Percy!"

Her voice became an echo. Percy felt cold, numb. There was no feeling in any part of his body. At the bottom of the river he stared, frozen. The river around him turned into stars. Outer space and Chaos. Invisible faces he couldn't see, but could sense, were moving around in the infinite void between stars.

Breathless. . . His heart had stopped, and he waited for a long time holding on to hope that it would start again. He felt himself suffocating until the pain from no oxygen eventually became just as much as it had been before.

The tether to earth started to tug at Percy and he lurched forward, as though hanging from a noose. The depths of Hades surrounded him and he started rising to the surface. At first Percy thought it hadn't been long enough. The surface came closer. Annabeth was on the beach reaching her arm down just above the surface. Percy reached for it and grabbed on tightly. He was pulled out of the river and he fell flat on the black sand.

He felt marks in his hands but there wasn't a hint of pain. He raised his head and stumbled back, nearly falling back in before he was swung around. It was the Fate. He flung through the air in another free fall. He breathed rapidly.

The flap of wings chased beside him.

"You should be dead!" it hissed.

Percy groaned a long moan as he hurled toward a wall up the river of Styx. Hot air rushed passed at fifty miles per hour

"Calypso is free to leave," she grumbled. "I heard the Galapagos were a great place to die!" She then cackled as she flew away.

Percy thought his ribs cracked as he hurled into the ground. His body flipped several times and he kept his neck down, trapped in a ball. He smashed over rock and dirt the pain vacant.

Percy slowly got to his feet. He was on a ledge narrow and far above, against the ceiling of the underworld. Behind him, a ladder a mile long, went upwards. Percy regained his composure and started climbing the icy rungs.

After two hours of climbing, a narrow tunnel led sideways. Percy very annoyed with the Fate, started crawling through the claustrophobic space. A pinpoint of light came down from the top of the pipe, and Percy pushed upwards. The manhole cover thudded open. Immediately he was met by more blinding light. Light from a street lamp. Cool air hit his face, and it felt like heaven to breath outside air again.

Percy pulled himself up over the edge. He was in central park. He rose to his feet. Luckily no one saw him as the place seemed deserted, save for a grumbling hairy man who droned around. Percy kicked the manhole cover back into place and whipped his head around trying to figure out which direction Long Island was.

He felt his pockets. The drachmas were gone.

Fucking shit.

The Galapagos islands were possibly the least convenient place they could have stranded Calypso, no doubt intentionally.

Percy hailed a taxi. On the drive back to Long Island, Percy called his mom.

"Percy! Oh my gods! Where have you been!?"

Percy explained everything that happened.

"Ohh . . Percyyy . . !" She sighed, "Chiron called. He said you were on another dangerous mission. But he had faith you would return . ."

Percy told her that he had come back from the river of Styx, which caused her to take a sharp breath in and there was a long pause.

"Where are you now? You know you're not supposed to use phones!"

"I know! But what are they going to do mom! Half of the underworld won't challenge me now . . I just . . I had to call — also I'm in a cab and I don't have any money."

He heard her laugh on the other side. "Give the driver my number . . I miss you . . ."

"I know . . . " Percy said. "It's . . " he didn't want to break down now — "it could be the end of the world . . . " his voice became quiet as he tried to control his emotions. "You used to always say, 'calm down, it's not the end of the world.'"

"Well . ." his mom's voice sounded harsh in the crappy taxi speaker, "you're calm now . . . so I suppose it was a good thing."

"I'm coming home . . after all of this . ."

"How's Annabeth?" She suddenly asked.

"Mooom," Percy complained.

"Okay, okay . . I love you . ."

". . . love you too," he paused a second longer and then hung the phone on the back of the seat.

It wasn't much later when Half-Blood hill came into view. At the top he looked down to see Chiron pacing the porch of the big house back and forth.

Percy sprinted through the barrier and breathed in cleaner air. He sprinted down the hill and noticed Chiron turn, a small relax of his shoulders as he came closer.

"It is done?" Chiron asked.

Percy nodded. "It's the spot on—"

Chiron held up a hand. "Don't tell me. The less that know, the better."

"How are they?" Percy said bringing their attention to the Half-Bloods across camp who were now training hard under Chiron's leadership again.

"As good as we can hope for . . " he sighed. "Get some rest . . we have weeks of training ahead of you."

"I look forward to it," Percy said. And it was the truth. He needed someone willing to teach him for once.

Percy noticed Grover bounding over to him weaving around campers sparring with each other. Percy met him halfway.

"What took you so long? Isn't Styx basically at the entrance."

"I got swept downstream," Percy said. It technically wasn't untrue.

"Oh . . Annabeth went into the forest. Just thought I should let you know."

"The forest?" Percy said quizzically, "why?"

"I don't know! She just ran in there last night — according to some of her cabin. I told the wood nymphs to keep an eye on her but they said she's going deep in there."

Percy grumbled, "she's an idiot."

"I thought you were going to be nice to her?"

Percy shook his head and grumbled, "she thinks I'm in there. Probably wanted to steal my kill before I could." Percy started running and he forgot that Grover would follow. Grover would be terrified of what was deep in the woods. "I told her captain I went to fight Python's son."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because I actually was . ." Percy said, "until Chiron changed my plans."

"You think she's okay?"

"Should be. I can't beat her in combat . . she's probably just trying to find me to rub it in my face."

"That doesn't really make sense. She would just come out with its trophy to do that."

Percy opened his mouth to argue but he was right. Worry filled him. He only concentrated on not tripping over roots as they went deeper into the dark of the forest.

Grover blew into a round wooden whistle. An instrument used to ward off the monsters of the woods. Percy always doubted it worked, though all the nymphs had them whenever they did more passive activities in here.

They searched for hours after they hit the wall on the far side.

"Are you sure she's still in here?" Percy said. "Maybe she came back and no one noticed."

"Nah" Grover shook his head. "I sense she's still here."

"Since when could you sense anyone?" Percy said.

"Since when could I not— did you hear that?" he said in concern. His ears pointed straight up.

"Alright dude," Percy smirked a laugh, "whatever."

"No." Grover said. He blocked Percy from moving to keep it silent.

Something faint in the distance. It was her. They looked at each other and then started sprinting. The branches tore past and twigs snapped for their lack of caring to be silent anymore.

"Hey!" Her voice sounded again.

They followed it to a thick moss-covered area. She was in the ground between bramble.

"Fucking perfect," she spit when she noticed it was him and Grover. Percy ignored her annoyance when he noticed a deep gash on her leg, dark and red to the bone.

Grover approached quickly with him but soon lurched sideways upon getting a closer look at the wound.

"What the hell were you thinking!?" Percy breathed as he dropped down next to her. She hoisted herself with her arms trying to move but lacked the strength to do so.

Percy went to pick her up but she shoved his hands away.

"I got it!" She grunted through gritted teeth. Their eyes met for a split second and Percy glowered.

"Get over yourself." He tore the fabric of her jeans around her wound. Ambrosia couldn't fix this . . nectar couldn't fix this . . .

Annabeth seemed to read his mind, "just get Chiron." She then turned to Grover, "Grover. How do you feel about amputation?"

Grover's eyes went wide and he shakily turned to her.

"Stop," Percy said, "we're not going to cut your leg off." He turned. "Go get Chiron!" he said. Annabeth growled as Grover gladly started sprinting through the trees on the trek back to camp.

Percy glanced at her eyes which refused to come near him. He stared at the wound.

"I know you know I was on Ogygia . ." he started.

"Gods" she shook her head, rolling her eyes, "I don't give a shit what you did! You left us. We were worried for months!"

"I know that now . ." Percy said quietly, "will you please for the love of Athena . . just let me be your friend again!"

She grimaced and her face became angry, she spoke through gritted teeth, slowly in her shaken pain. "I hope. You drown. in the river of Styx."

He stared at her eyes which held the same fury they did the day he came back. Water leaked out her eyes, though he knew it was only from the pain.

She doesn't know that's where I just came back from.

Percy slowly turned his eyes solemnly to her wound again. Without thinking much, he placed his hand against her open wound and was met immediately to a shout of anger from Annabeth. She jerked furiously to try and hit him but he leaned away, keeping his hand on the wound. He ignored her remarks and put his other hand in the creek running between the mossy roots and stones.

The memories somehow came easily. High school. The skate park. Playing soccer in an empty field. Watching crappy 80s movies. Many of these memories, he didn't have, which made him feel slightly uneasy, for only a moment.

Traveling to the seven wonders of the world. Walking the streets of Tokyo. Biking around streets he didn't even recognize. The dreams in the river of Styx came flooding back to him.

The water was spilling on the wound by now, though Percy hadn't noticed. Annabeth's insults and shouts had stopped a while ago but he didn't notice that either. Her breaths remained as shaky as ever.

Percy wiped his eyes, not realizing he was crying until his face was dry again.

He looked down to see her leg was clean, nearly perfect, and a major contrast to the other leg which was dark and grimy from dirt.

His eyes twitched up and met hers. She still looked as angry as ever, but he figured for different reasons. She looked down and Percy let go as her leg jerked away.

She remained still, sitting there for a moment. She was about to get up when the sound of Chiron came galloping through the trees.

"Annabeth—" his voice cut off when he noticed her extraordinarily clean leg. Percy could tell from his look that he immediately knew what happened.

Grover did a double take and looked to Chiron, "sir, I swear I—"

"Grover," Chiron said calmly. "Help her back to camp."

"Yes sir" he said, quickly stumbling over to Annabeth who started getting to her feet herself. She pretended to lean on him. Grover's inaudable questions came streaming out his mouth as they made their way through the trees.

"What are you doing?" Chiron said to Percy in a low voice.

"What do you mean what am I doing? I just saved her life!"

"No. You saved her leg."

"What difference does it make?!"

Chiron glowered at him.

Percy took a deep breath in. "You don't understand . . no one has to know . . ."

"Except for them?" He raised an eyebrow.

Percy shook his head in irritation.

"The gods" he started slowly—

"I don't give a shit about the gods!" Percy said.

A darkness flashed through Chiron.

"You are starting to sound like Luke," Chiron warned.

Percy blinked. That was exactly like something Luke would have said.

"I will ignore this time, for the fact you were in Styx today . . but I did not teach you to push against the gods. You are better than that Percy."

"I just . . don't understand . . ." Percy said "I can only heal — how is that bad?"

Percy felt Chiron's hand on his shoulder.

"Power leads to power, which leads to more . . just be careful . . . I know I can not stop you. Nearly all of Half-Bloods can't . . . I just don't want to see you go down that path."

"I don't care about power!" Percy exhaled. "If I had it my way no one in the world would have magic, including the gods. They would be like us . . I just want the war to be over . . ."

Chiron sighed. "War will come . . unfortunately, we do not live in fantasy where such things don't exist. It will come . . as it always has . . We end the war, to prove we deserve peace . . and it will be given to us when we do—"

"I freed Calypso," Percy suddenly confessed.

Chiron took a deep breath.

"I know . . . Do you think the gods didn't notice when the barrier exploded and she was sent halfway around the world?"

Percy hung his head. "I couldn't stand it . . ." he said. "She deserves a life better than anyone else."

Chiron rested his hand against a tree deep in thought.

"Zeus is not happy."

"Figures," Percy retorted. Chiron opened his mouth but stopped and stared at Percy for a while.

"Search inside yourself," He said. "With every possibility . . every consequence . . . Do you really believe you made the right choice?"

Percy met his eyes which were steeled straight. Percy never knew a time in which Chiron asked him such a thing.

"Yes . ." Percy said. "If it turns out I'm wrong . . . I'll drown another day to put her back."

Chiron's eyes shifted, "I thought you were lost . . " he whispered.

Percy shook his head.

"You should have died . . ." Chiron voiced his thoughts.

"I don't know how . . . but a part of me knew I would come back."

Chiron had a distant look in his eyes.

"I must speak to the gods about this."

"But—"

"They will not punish you . . as far as anyone on Olympus knows, they wouldn't even know how. No. This is something else . . ."

Chiron then held up his bow above his head.

"Don't disappoint me," Chiron said. And then there was a blinding flash of light. A beam which dissipated into the heavens above. Chiron was gone. It was now, that Percy realized how tired he was from the spell.

Morning came and Chiron hadn't returned, though the sky had thundered loudly all night . . .

Percy ate his breakfast slowly alone at his table, even though hunger gnawed at his stomach. He didn't once look to the Athena table too depressed to care.

He left his plate to an insult from a harpy but he was well on his way to the water. Underneath the surface he beckoned Rainbow, the hippocampus, over.

"What is it boss?" it asked him nervously, twisting its head.

"There's a girl, on the Galapagos Islands. Caramel hair. Her name is Calypso . . Can you bring her to America?"

The hippocampi shuddered uncomfortably. "u-uhh, I dunno, I don't think I can make it that far with a person on my back."

" . . what about just to Ecuador then?"

"Which one is that?"

"The closest land . . you do know it's in Ecuador . . right?"

"Gotcha, uhh . . ."

"I'll get you fifty watermelons after. Just remember to go through Panama."

Rainbow neighed in joy and soon was speeding away to the Atlantic.

How am I gonna get fifty watermelons Percy thought to himself.

The last thing Percy expected when he launched himself onto the dock was for Annabeth to be standing there at the beach, tapping her foot impatiently.

When he came to her, she started walking toward the stables.

"Hurry up," she said.

"What's going on?" Percy asked.

She ignored his question and continued to the stables. Blackjack was waiting outside, saddled up and eyeing the two.

"What's happening?" He asked.

"I don't know" Percy said.

Annabeth hopped on Blackjack's back and Percy hopped up behind her. She then turned to look at him.

"What?" she said. Her eyes scared him as they always did.

"I was . . talking to Blackjack . . ."

"Ugh," she faced forward and flicked the reigns. Blackjack hesitantly began running and jumped high, the horse lurched and the ride became smooth as they ascended over the pine atop Half-Blood Hill.

The wind rushed past, the smell of rain and lemon. He closed his eyes as they glided through the sky.

They went right over New York City. Around buildings and low over the rooftops.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?" Percy asked again.

Suddenly the Pegasus started to slow and glided down into an alley in Hell's Kitchen. Percy slid off Blackjack's back onto the pavement behind Annabeth. He followed her anxiously to what looked like a standard apartment.

She's gonna kill me in an abandoned room and dump my body in the dumpster – wait – she can't kill me.

Annabeth stopped in front of room 205 and jerked her head to the door at him.

Percy slowly approached and rang the doorbell. Percy's shoulders slacked immediately when the door opened.

"Mom!" He said, and rushed forward embracing her. "You didn't tell me we moved!"

She gave him a warm smile. "Well . . when you're not buying beer and refried beans all the time, it's about time isn't it?"

The apartment wasn't much bigger but Percy didn't care, it was miles better than the memories the old one held of Gabe. Stairs to the right led up to a second floor with two rooms on either side of a hallway. The room on the ground floor joined with a kitchen. Small, yet cozy.

"Hello Annabeth" Sally said with a bright smile.

"Hey Sally" Annabeth said politely in emptiness.

"Would you like to come inside?"

"I'll just watch the horse if that's okay . ."

"Of course!" Ms. Jackson nodded to her and then looked quickly back to Percy as they went inside. When the door shut, she blew out a jet of air. "What happened between you two?"

"Mom, it's nothing!"

She gave him a low look.

"It's . . complicated," he said.

She broke and hugged him again. "I was worried sick about you! Chiron called from somewhere really bright!? I nearly threw my bowl of cereal at the tv!"

"He wanted me to come home?" Percy asked.

Percy's mom rolled her tongue nervously. "He says . . well — it doesn't matter now . ."

Percy shook his head. "Whatever it was, it wasn't true!"

She sighed, trying not to look worried. She was hiding something though, but Percy didn't want to push.

"How about a movie tonight? Get our heads out of the clouds. Hmm?"

"I don't know . . " Percy glanced to the front door, he couldn't see Annabeth's silhouette through the shades anymore.

Sally smiled wryly. "Complicated how?"

"Moom—"

"You upset her? Or what?"

"I don't know!" Percy shrugged. "She won't talk to me no matter what!"

She raised her eyebrows, "sounds an awful lot like love"

Percy felt his cheeks burn, "It's not like that!"

Sally glowered at him, "Perseus . . you are not leaving until you invite her inside."

Percy sighed. "I can't . ." he threw up his hands in defeat, "what do I say!?"

"Be honest with her!" she urged, " I don't know? Just try!"

"I have!" Percy whispered.

"Clearly not hard enough," She shoved Percy toward the door. Percy breathed in annoyance but quickly went out the door stopping on the front step. The door closed behind him quickly. Annabeth looked up from the sidewalk a few feet away. He walked around into the Alley. He waited and a minute later she had trailed behind.

"I can't do this," Percy said, turning around to face her.

She stared coldly at him.

"I don't know what you want me to say. Wi— . . . You know I'm stupid! . . . You know I'll never figure it out! . . . You won! . . . okay . . ?

She looked down slightly but her expression hadn't changed.

"After the mountain exploded I ended up on Ogygia," He continued. "Calypso healed me. She taught me how to heal. The stupid fucking magic that the gods are arguing about right now!" He pointed to the sky. "I thought I had only been there for a few weeks . . . I understand even that was far too long . . I should have come back the second I landed . . . I'm sorry."

Her eyes shifted back up at him. "How dense are you Seaweed-brain?" she said quietly.

Percy threw up his hands, "I don't know!? I already told you I'm stupid! Can you please just tell me what the hell is going on!?" Percy tried hard to keep his tears back, his throat burned, somehow the invincibility didn't change that. "Can't we just be friends again—"

Suddenly Annabeth hugged him. It was a tight hug, one Percy never expected. The sudden change stopped his heart for a minute. She held tightly for a very long time. It worried Percy.

He wanted to say something but nothing felt right.

She parted back with modestly downcast eyes.

"Thanks for healing me . . ." she said emptily.

" . . . thanks . . . for pulling me out of the river of Styx . . ." Percy said.

A few moments passed and then Annabeth's eyes moved up. "What?" she said quietly.

"Oh . . right . . . I forgot to tell you about that . . ." he said and then smiled nervously.

"Styx . . . " she furrowed her eyebrows as if what he had said didn't sound odd, "I need to go back to camp."

"Oh . . okay . . ?"

"I'll pick you up tomorrow," she said emptily.

Percy watched as she hopped onto Blackjack and thundered down the alleyway disappearing around the corner.

A window opened from the second story and a middle aged man leaned his head out.

"HEY CUT THAT OUT! SOME OF US GOT NIGHT SHIFTS YOU KNOW!"

Percy slowly walked backwards, flipping the guy off and around the corner, back into the apartment door.

"Well?" his mom asked with a long look frozen in a wince. No doubt from the sound of the Pegasus leaving.

Percy nodded. "I think we'll be okay."

She sighed a breath of relief. "Good."

That night in his new bedroom Percy thought about the alleyway over and over in his head.

Percy woke to the smell of bacon, he sunk his head lower for it was better than heaven.

He was almost asleep again when he heard Annabeth's voice muffled through the floor. He practically fell off the bed as he became wide awake. He quickly showered in a minute and dried at the same time that he wrestled some clean clothes on.

He thundered down the steps quickly to spot Annabeth sitting at the bar, lazily cutting into a blue pancake. She had been there a while . . .

His mom looked up.

"About time! I can only entertain for so long. Luckily I got enough embarrassing stories . . ." She held up a pancake with the spatula, a questioning eyebrow.

Percy stood on the side of the bar as Sally filled a plate for him.

"You dripped toothpaste on your shirt" Annabeth said nonchalantly, pointing at his chest with her fork.

He glanced down, "I'm uh . . . " he glanced at his mom who was hiding a smile as she flipped a pancake, "It's a new look," he said confidently.

"What? Melted Ice-cream cone with hair?"

He heard his mom stifle a short laugh.

"Don't side with her!" he complained.

His mom shook her head, "go change your shirt, then."

Percy sighed . . . "after breakfast"

Annabeth snorted, "what? you're gonna get syrup on it, too, huh?"

"No . . but now I will — only because you said . . and I don't care what you say! Ha!"

"Whut?" Annabeth said, half a pancake stuffed in her mouth. "I don't even want to begin to understand your logic."

"How's Grover doing?" Percy's mom suddenly asked.

"Good . . I think . ." Percy said. "He's focused a lot more than he used to be . . . "

"I hate to admit, even if he left shards of pop cans in the carpet, he certainly livened up the place . . ." Sally said.

"Yeah . ." Percy said with a sigh. "I wish he was comfortable flying . ."

"I probably shouldn't keep you two very long; I know how much you guys like camp."

No Percy thought. Camp this year had been anything but good. Thinking about it only filled him with dread.

They eventually said good-byes, Annabeth even politely waving as they left out the door.

On the flight back to camp Half-Blood, Percy dreaded breaking the silence.

"So. . . what did you two talk about?" He said.

"You," Annabeth said plainly.

"... really . . .? Percy said, a fear lurched through him suddenly.

"No. She asked me about my parents and hobbies and stuff."

"Oh . . sorry. . ."

"It's fine . . I said I don't get along very well with my stepmom . . she obviously wasn't surprised by that."

"I'm gettin' sugar cubes when we land right?" Blackjack suddenly said.

Percy jumped on the inside, he forgot too easily that Blackjack could talk.

"Yeah . . ." Percy sighed in response to both of them.

"When you healed me . ." Annabeth said. Ice started gripping Percy's insides. "Those places . . the pyramids, and Stonehenge . . . everything . . ."

"Yeah?" Percy said. His mouth was dry.

"Have you seen them before . . .? Why did I see them?"

"I . . don't know. Aren't those the places you want to go?"

". . . I suppose, if I had time . . . but Tokyo and Vancouver . . . I never told you about those."

"Were those places you wanted to go?"

". . not before . . but . . . I think I want to . ."

"What else did you see . .?" Percy said slowly.

Annabeth didn't answer. When the pegasus landed and they dismounted, she looked at him.

"You mean the cabin . .? And that diner in the middle of nowhere . . ? And your mom's car?"

"Yeah . . " Percy said nervously. He gulped.

"I don't understand them . . why are they so . . vivid?" she asked seriously.

"Just . . strange dreams I had . . I guess . . ." Percy trailed off.

"Hmm," Annabeth hummed shortly, leading Blackjack into a stall and began unstrapping the saddle.

"I'll take care of him," Percy said, starting on the straps on the other side of Blackjack.

She sighed in gratitude, ". . he kept messing up my hair with his wing."

Percy chortled. "Sounds like some extra sugar cubes for you, bud."

Annabeth rolled her eyes, "I better get the training dummies set—"

Suddenly there was a loud explosion outside.

They whipped their heads, "Is that coming from—" Percy started.

"The woods," Annabeth said.

TBOTL Attack on Camp Half-Blood

In the recovering days after the defense from Zeus' fist, Percy walked into the Big House. Chiron was standing in front of the blazing fireplace inside.

"Zeus has promised not to harm you in your use of old magic, for siding with the gods on this day." Chiron turned. "However. Until Kronos is destroyed, I'm afraid he isn't entirely convinced of your disposition."

"And the other gods?" Percy asked.

Chiron looked down.

"They have many qualms . . your father is conflicted . . . Athena is . . conflicted . . ."

"Can I begin training?"

"Yes."

The next few weeks, Percy followed the same routine: training from dawn to late in the afternoon. Annabeth helped him with Latin every other day, though she was as standoffish and distant as the first year of Camp Half-Blood.

"We should hang out, all three of us today," Grover said to Percy in the evening. "We could play volleyball."

"3 player volleyball?" Percy said. "I've never really played."

"I got hops. Two against me."

"I'm sure you'd smoke us still . . beach volleyball then."

"Alright, but you gotta tell those nymphs not to touch my legs, that shit freaks me out."

"Okay, you're inviting Annabeth then."

"What? That's your thing?"

"How is that my thing? I gotta train with Chiron for a minute. Besides, she'll say no if I ask."

Grover groaned, "fine."

After a quick sparring match against the centaur, Percy ran to his cabin to get swim trunks on.

Grover was in the sand glancing at the water every few seconds. He helped him set up the net, forcing the water back a bit so the nymphs couldn't bother them.

"Who's our fourth?" Annabeth suddenly said to his left.

Percy glanced and flinched a breath in, not used to seeing her in a swimsuit, "It's just us against Grover. You're not very good either, right?"

Annabeth shrugged, "why?"

"Cuz I suck"

"Aww, sorry I beat you at everything."

Percy rolled his eyes.

"Ready?" he said to Grover on the other side of the net, holding the ball.

Grover served and they commenced the most depressing game ever played. Grover could jump high but his side range wasn't good in the slightest. Annabeth kept spiking the ball against him.

"Bro," Percy said beside Annabeth, "You're almost as bad as me." Percy then ducked under the net and joined Grover's side.

"It's the sand, man. It's gonna be in my fur for weeks."

"What!?" Annabeth threw up her arms at Percy changing teams. "You have water advantage."

"Does it look like it's been helping me? You keep stealing my hit!"

Annabeth glowered at them but hit the ball.

The sides were a bit more balanced now, but . . . Annabeth continued to win.

"Dude, stop looking at the Nymphs tits. We gotta beat her." Percy shot a whisper at Grover beside him.

"Was not!" Grover said. Somehow, they started to do a little better from that point on.

"Match point!" Annabeth said, sticking her chin out.

"Alright we just gotta win 4 in a row," Percy said to Grover.

They hit the ball back and forth twice. But then Grover made a false call and jumped toward Percy's side. Annabeth took the opportunity to smack the ball away from them.

"No!" Percy said. He willed the water to shoot up from the shore and slap the ball back, earning them a devious point.

Annabeth threw up her hands. "That's so unfair! I won!"

A jet of water suddenly hit the side of her face.

Grover started laughing. Pure rage filled Annabeth and Percy covered his own mouth. A slob of wet sand hit Grover straight in the forehead and he bleated, stumbling back.

Annabeth sprinted forward through the net and leaped toward Percy, tackling him knee first.

Percy twisted to get away and used the damp sand to slide into the water.

Grover flicked the sand off his face and turned his anger to Percy. "That was all you! You want a hoof sandwhich?!"

It became all out warfare between the three of them, sand and water pelting each other. Percy tackled Grover which earned him being sent seven feet into the air from a kick to the chest. Grover then somehow had coaxed a nymph into pulling Annabeth's legs out from under her as she sprinted at him. She put him in a headlock for that.

They announced a truce a little little later as they grew tired and the dark of dusk came fast.

They sat on the sand reminiscing of the quests they went on. Percy never felt better, with their minds away from Kronos for at least tonight. They joked and it was almost like it used to be . . but then Percy heard a high pitch sound and turned at the water. A Nymph had shouted to get his attention. Rainbow emerged from the depths.

"Rainbow!" Percy said, he shuffled to his feet and ran down the beach with Annabeth and Grover.

"I dropped her off at La Chocolatera boss . . — tried to convince her the best I could to stay put. But I don't think she understood me."

Percy glanced at Grover and Annabeth.

"Alright did . . . they . . say anything?"

"You know I can't understand human. She's lost. But very curious from what I can tell."

"Okay . . thanks anyway. I'll bribe Steve from Demeter's cabin to get you those watermelons."

Rainbow neighed and plunged back into the sea.

"What was that about?" Grover asked.

"Ever since the attack, I've been having Rainbow on the lookout, on the search for news from sea around the world." Percy shrugged, "call me paranoid." Percy didn't like the stare Annabeth was giving him now.

She knows I'm lying. Maybe it's better now I tell her . . .

At the crack of dawn, Percy went to the stables, preparing Blackjack for another journey.

"Thank Poseidon. Finally . . It's cramped in here," Blackjack said.

Maybe this was a terrible idea — No — it definitely was. But Percy had a feeling this would be the only way he could solve the unspoken schism between him and Annabeth. Or at least understand something for once.

He had tried several times to contact Calypso via drachma, but Iris seemed more interested in stealing from him then letting the connection go through.

It was better this way anyways, he didn't need the gods hijacking the call and listening in on everything they said. Maybe it was better to just ignore her. Let her figure out the world in South America . . but . . . she deserved a normal life.

He had finished tightening the third strap on Blackjack's saddle when he noticed Annabeth come out the door of her cabin.

Percy ran up the hill, coming up beside her and grabbed her arm, leading her to the stables.

"Kelpshit! I am not in the mood for a prank right now!"

"We're flying with blackjack," he said.

Annabeth put a hesitating little pep in her step. "What? I haven't even eaten breakfast yet. What's the rush? Where are we going?"

He turned, "my turn to leave you in the dark. It's only fair."

Annabeth grumbled a sigh.

"We'll eat on the way," he said.

"And what if I don't want to go where we're going?"

"Right," Percy smirked, "like you haven't been aching to get out here, too."

She jabbed him with her elbow.

"You're not that hard to read." Percy said.

"Weren't you the one who said, and I quote, 'I don't understand you'?"

"Mm, shut up."

They were speeding away from New York. The whole time, Percy just wanted to know what Annabeth was thinking behind him. He kept looking back to see her staring below as the world passed by.

He made Blackjack land at a random burger joint on a highway exit outside the city. No signs of monsters anywhere. They must've been all saving up for the war against Kronos. Percy prayed his thanks to the gods that he remembered to put cash in his pockets that morning.

"Here or to go?" asked the cashier when he ordered their food. Percy looked to Annabeth.

"Hell no." Annabeth said bluntly at him.

"Here," Percy said to the cashier with a smile.

The restaurant was mostly empty. A few older men in cowboy hats were in the corner booth.

"That's a mighty fine horse you got there!" said one to Percy. Percy thanked him politely with a nod. Percy sat across from Annabeth at a booth by the window.

Neon lights ran along the ceiling around the bar. A retro jukebox was lit in the corner, playing a song Percy had no interest knowing the name to.

Percy leaned back in his bench, gazing out the window with his arms crossed and feet on the bench beside Annabeth as they waited for their food. He couldn't think of a thing to say.

"This place kind of looks like the one from your dream," Annabeth suddenly said.

Percy's eyes froze, he breathed a laugh, "yeah . . it kinda does . . ."

Annabeth leaned her face against her right fist, wriggling her toes to the song, "I'd have to be sitting over there though, which would be pretty unnatural," she said like it was a fact.

Percy turned his attention away from the window, "Who else was there?" he asked, trying to play off his discomfort.

Annabeth's eyes drifted to the table in thought, "I can't remember . . all I know is you were about to faint . . or did . . just . . . the one in the car . . . . I –"

"Here we are," the server suddenly said. A tray of two burgers and fries landed on the table. Percy straightened up, excited to finally eat. He hadn't had a burger in technically years.

"Do you really skate?" Annabeth asked.

"Yeah, I lost my board though when Goode blew up . ." he then raised an eyebrow, "didn't you see me on the pipe when you were spying on me all of my second year?"

"I wasn't spying on you!"

"Psh . . yeah right, I'm pretty it was textbook definition, you creep."

"Chiron put me on it! Private investigating is a real job you know."

"Is that what you were doing in the tree outside my bedroom window?"

Annabeth flicked a fry at his face, "eww! No! I wasn't anywhere near you that morning!" Her nose burned pink.

"Surre," Percy said, picking up the fry she flicked at him and ate it.

She scrunched her nose, "you're impossible, that touched the table."

"Sue me."

After Annabeth was done eating, she waited patiently for Percy to finish as she stared out the window. A train was passing by endlessly long.

"I wish we didn't have to go back to camp" she said quietly.

Percy stopped chewing, "What?" he said with his mouth half full.

Annabeth's eyes flipped back at him, "how long is the trip?"

Percy swallowed, he had forgotten, they still had a long way to go. He took Annabeth's wrapper and cup onto the tray.

"Let's go," he said.

"I thought you would be pretty adamant on knowing where we're going, by now" Percy said about an hour later as they sailed across the land.

"I figure it doesn't matter," Annabeth said.

It was a while before any of them said anything again. By noon Percy figured they were somewhere above Florida.

"I'm pretty tired," Annabeth sighed, "do they put Z-Quil in the burgers now?"

"Take a nap, we're not gonna be there for a while."

"And fall off the horse?" she complained.

"Why do we always get called that? We're nothing like them" Blackjack grunted.

. . .

"I don't mind . . " Percy said, ignoring Blackjack. His cheeks turned red and he immediately regretted opening his mouth.

He heard a disgruntled sigh of annoyance from Annabeth. The wind-chill bit at his skin and face, which only made him curse himself for not remembering to take goggles.

The saddle creaked a little. Percy squinted at the light of the sun that now shone in his eyes from above.

Two arms moved slowly around Percy's waste. So slowly, that he didn't even notice until Annabeth leaned against his back. The warmth of her cheek seemed to burn straight through him and out his chest.

An hour passed, and Percy thought she would have fallen asleep by now. She spoke tiredly, "Were you ever going to tell my about the river of Styx?" Her voice vibrated through Percy.

"Yeah . ." Percy said. "later . . I just don't feel like sharing it with anyone yet . . ."

" . . . was Charon a prick again?"

"Not really. I must've caught him on a good day . . opened the elevator pretty quickly after I paid him."

. . .

"Cerberus gave me quite the drench though . ."

"hmm . ."

"I have to say . . . I don't feel invincible . . ."

. . .

The remaining hours passed as the sun had descended halfway down the sky.

"Almost there, Boss" Blackjack said.

"Okay"

Percy placed a hand on Annabeth's clasped arms for minute, reveling in this feeling . . . It wasn't time to wake her up.

Blackjack started to descend on a peninsula. Crystal blue waters crashed against the shore.

Annabeth woke with a start when the hooves hit the ground, trotting, and slowed to a stop. Cold air suddenly surged against Percy's back as she scooted back, her arms slipping away.

Percy threw his leg over and he fell off onto the ground, wobbling a bit from its solid nature.

Percy held up a hand. Annabeth rubbed her eyes "egh" she breathed but took his hand and eased off Blackjack.

That's when he noticed her in the distance. Down by the shore. She hadn't seen them fly down. She was sitting on the rocks, staring out across the ocean.

The side of her face was dirty, a stark difference from how she always kept it perfect.

Annabeth looked where he was staring. "Who is that?" she said raising her hand to block the evening Sun.

An eel squirmed a thousand laps through his stomach. Percy tugged on her arm to get her attention.

"Wise girl, there's something I need to tell you."

She narrowed her eyes.

"When . . when I was in the underworld . . . I made a deal with the fates."

Annabeth's eyes froze and her eyebrows furrowed.

"What?"

Percy blinked several times in concentration as he tried to control his anxiety. "I told them if they broke a curse . . I would stay under for six hours . . an exchange of pain for . . . — they told me only if I remained under for ten . . . I accepted . . ."

"Percy—" Annabeth said. She blinked hard. "Who . . is that?" she demanded.

"Calypso . ." Percy said.

Annabeth stared at him in a resentment like he just kicked her nonexistent puppy.

"You. Brought. Me. Halfway around the world—" she glowered.

Percy grabbed her arm, "Wise girl—"

She yanked her arm away.

"Just listen to me! I need your help." Percy explained everything, of the magic and Chiron. Of the arguments between the gods. "She doesn't want war. The past people in her lives treated her like garbage — she deserves better than that. If there's anyone who can help her adjust to this world, it's you. I know you don't like her but please—"

"Tell me," Annabeth said in her glare. "Do you love her?"

Percy winced in confusion, furrowing his eyebrows hard.

"What?"

Annabeth suddenly shoved him in the chest. She shook her head in anger. "Tell me!"

"No! NO!? What does that even mean!?"

Annabeth blinked through a tear and shook her head to the horizon. "what is wrong with you?" she sniffed.

"What's gotten into you?" Percy asked quietly. "What do you have against her?"

Annabeth didn't answer, only stared at the parking lot in distain.

Percy snapped his finger towards Blackjack who took off from the ground and flew into the sky. Percy started walking down to the beach, leaving Annabeth to decide for herself if she would follow.

Percy tried to replenish his face as he made his way to Calypso. She must have noticed the argument, because she was standing now steady in her gaze looking between him and Annabeth up on the outlook.

"Perseus," she said with a polite smile.

"Hey . ." Percy said. There was no way he would fake happiness in his voice.

Calypso glanced up behind him.

"She is your love?" Calypso asked.

Percy's face turned pale pink, "Uh—uhm – she-e's my friend."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to assume—"

"It's okay . . . so . . how was Rainbow?"

She looked at him quizzically.

"The hippocampus" Percy said quickly.

"Oh . . wonderful!" Calypso nodded. "I will admit it took a day before I realized he was trying to tell me to mantle."

"I tried to call with drachmas but . . the gods . ." Percy said.

Calypso nodded. "Perseus?" she glanced up at the outlook again.

Percy nodded.

"May I speak to this Annabeth in your life? The look she gives is one I have not seen in a long time . . but I am familiar with all the same . . ."

"What do you mean?" Percy said half eagerly. "Would you mind telling me? I don't know what I did! I swear she doesn't know you. I thought—"

Calypso gave him a disappointed look but started up the beach to Annabeth. Percy went to follow but Calypso raised a hand. "Stay Perseus . . I must speak to her alone."

Percy stopped in his tracks suddenly feeling helpless. He watched in stress as she climbed the rocks to a very uncomfortable looking Annabeth.

Percy cursed to himself, pacing in the sand. Like a puppy being ordered around. He got mad at himself.

He watched nervously as they began talking, biting his nails.

Calypso was spilling many words to Annabeth, meanwhile Annabeth stared at her, at the very least attentively.

And then . . . Annabeth started to cry. Tears fell harder though her face was still, more tears than Percy had ever seen her before. She continued to meet Calypso's eyes and nod as Calypso spoke to her.

Percy ran hands through his hair. What could Calypso possibly be saying to cause this?

Percy couldn't stand it anymore. He hesitated several times trying to force himself not to run up there.

But then . . something extraordinary happened . . Annabeth embraced Calypso, sobbing into her as Calypso rubbed her back.

Percy breathed in and out and looked to the ocean. He needed a way to vent his confusion. If there was one thing he didn't understand, it was girls.

Percy waded into the ocean.

When he finally emerged, Calypso and Annabeth were standing on the beach. They had been waiting for him.

He looked between the two of them.

"I appreciate the concern" Calypso said to Percy. "But I have been to all of Earth before. I think I can manage. My conversations with your friend . . have been of comfort."

Percy furrowed his eyebrows, he looked to Annabeth who was blank, no indication.

Suddenly Annabeth stepped forward and hugged Percy.

"I'm sorry" she whispered in his ear. "I was wrong. . ."

When she broke away Percy was only left more confused.

And then Calypso hugged him briefly.

"I am eternally indebted to you," she said. "Your sacrifice at Styx was very brave . ."

Percy looked to Annabeth again. His eyes shifted down and he suddenly started walking up the beach away from the two in his puzzlement.

His mind was fried, and he wished he could just be gone from all of this.

I should be happy . . I came here to understand her frustration — to help Calypso . . . He heard Annabeth's footsteps behind him. What could they have possibly talked about?

Blackjack descended from the clouds and trotted through the parking lot to him. Percy's emotions were deadened as he jumped onto the horse, though he didn't understand why. He hated feeling like this . . it was illogical . . part of him hoped they would become friends . . this . . what even was this . . . ?

He pulled Annabeth's arm as she rose onto Blackjack. She didn't question him about anything anymore, which only heightened his confusion once again. As land, sea, and clouds cascaded by, Percy numbly spoke,

"What did you guys talk about?" he said calmly.

Annabeth sighed. She wrapped her arms around his waste and leaned against his back as the last of sunlight finally faded and they flew in the dark. "I don't feel like talking Seaweed Brain" she said quietly against his back.

A warmth filled Percy and though he didn't understand it, he relaxed that this felt genuine.

The following days of Camp Half-Blood, Annabeth seemed . . normal again. Though, she didn't mention Calypso. Any time he tried bringing it up she got a far away look in her eyes and shook her head.

The Battle of Manhattan

Percy twisted and parried, controlling the water around him. The darkness of night made the armor of enemies glint in moonlight.

His muscles vibrated in shock from so many clashes of his blade against blade. Back to Annabeth's back, they fended off hundreds of monsters and traitors.

A scream pierced the air. A pain stabbed upwards through Percy like a spear only it burned like Styx.

He whirled and a thunder broke from his lungs, his mind clouded as he swung his blade with tremendous force. A blast wave exploding, causing silence as the air tasted like salt. The shockwave expanded further than the tops of the buildings. For a moment all the rain suddenly stopped. Quickly as it disappeared, the sound of the rain burst into everyone's ears again as it poured down.

The head of a demigod thudded to the wet asphalt, decapitated. He recognized it . . Ethan Nakamura.

Annabeth lay twisted on the ground sputtering breaths as she shook in pain.

The rain became a shield, swarming around Percy as he ran to Annabeth, scooping her off the ground and sprinting inside.

"NECTER NOW!" He shouted in blind worry. A painting fell off the wall of the lobby and shattered on the floor. He heard footsteps scurrying about but his focus was only on Annabeth in his arms. He panicked internally beyond consciousness. A sickly green wound gutted beside her naval, Percy tried to trick his mind into thinking it could be anything else.

Her eyes were shaky but stared locked in his as she breathed rapidly.

"Seaweed Brain" she breathed in worry.

"You'll be okay" he said. His voice sounded distant. There was no confidence in it, only fear.

As he set her down, he immediately tried healing her but it wouldn't come. The happy thoughts were impossible which only made him growl in frustration.

Nectar. She almost drowned in it as it was poured into her mouth. Two cups much more quickly than Camp Half-Blood would ever allow — she breathed some relief as she fell back against the pillow her face now sweating profusely.

A hand pushed his shoulder and a nurse's face was close to his, yelling into his face to deal with his shock.

"SHE'LL BE OKAY" it shouted at him. But it could have just been an illusion for it was gone a second later . .

His eyes drifted down slowly, Annabeth's hand was white-knuckled as it grasped painfully tight to his. Percy was knelt by her, though he hadn't remembered kneeling. His thoughts were blurry as he lowered his head against her stomach. He wasn't sure if he was crying or it was her blood against his face as he passed out.

Percy was in his room. Morning light was warm through the blinds on his windows. He had only been here once before . . the new apartment his mom had moved them into.

Percy opened the door slowly to the staircase downstairs. It was nearly silent. And then he heard the sound of a cereal box shaking.

Percy walked down the steps, turning the corner. It didn't seem like anyone was home. He turned the next corner to the Kitchen.

Annabeth was pouring milk into a bowl of cereal. She screwed on the cap and glanced at him to acknowledge his presence. She put the milk back in the fridge and turned around but Percy blocked her path. A smirk played on his lips.

Annabeth smiled playfully. "Percy?" she said quietly.

He moved closer, trapping her in the U shape of the counter. Her eyes darted everywhere sometimes locking at his.

She backed slowly but her back hit the counter and stopped. He grabbed one of her wrists softly and then the other as he moved closer.

She squirmed and chortled with her mouth closed, trying to hide a smile as her eyebrows quivered in strange amusement.

"Percy!" she laughed suddenly. "what are you doing?!"

Percy smiled at her. "I don't know . . I just wanted to make you feel uncomfortable . . " he said moving only a little bit closer to her.

Annabeth's shakingly quizzical expression started to fall apart. Her breaths became shallow, and Percy could feel them against his neck now as her eyes danced every which way . . waiting . . .

Percy opened his eyes, or at least tried to. His right eye was slightly glued shut and he rubbed it until it would open. A hand was resting on the back of his neck. He looked up to see Annabeth's eyes closed, her mouth slightly parted, deep in sleep.

He looked down to see her hand still in his, clutching his thumb.

He raised his head some more and immediately regretted it because Annabeth opened her eyes. She winced slightly, and then her eyes locked on his.

"You're still here . ." she breathed.

"Where else would I be?" Percy's voice was sore, and sounded like sandpaper.

She smiled slightly, though she looked a little sad . .

"When I went into the river Styx—" Percy started.

Annabeth started laughing her eyes wincing shut, "why tell me now . . . of all times?" she breathed.

Percy stared at her eyes that opened again.

She started to stifle her laugh and her eyes shifted between his.

"On my neck . . Under my chin" he said and went to point but Annabeth raised her free hand placing it above his collar.

"Here?" she asked.

"Up a bit."

She moved her hand,

"there" Percy said. But all the while, her touch had been warm.

Annabeth grazed her thumb back and forth over the presumed spot and Percy swallowed, taking a long blink to enjoy her touch. There was kindness in her eyes.

"When I was under the water . . I saw you . ." he said quietly.

Annabeth's eyes froze on his neck and looked up.

"You were standing on the shore . . . the whole time . ."

Percy blinked several times.

"I fell . . away from existence . . . "

Annabeth's eyes started to well.

"I knew I was supposed to think about this spot the whole time — but . . I knew the only way I could make it through . . . was to only focus on you . . ."

A stream slid down Annabeth's cheek into the pillow. Her thumb shivered against his neck.

"Those dreams . . the ones I showed you . . . I had them when I thought I had died . . every time . . ."

Annabeth shakenly took in some air. Her hand moved up to his cheek. Percy lifted his hand and closed it around her wrist, feeling more the warmth against his face. Her thumb pressed against his lips.

"I feel this Annabeth" he said quietly.

She closed her eyes as tears streamed out silently.

"Why?" she whispered.

He didn't say anything. Her eyes opened slowly still underneath pools of water.

Percy forced his eyes downward, the bottom half of her shirt had been cut away. A shiny, slightly less green gash was still there. Percy looked around and back to Annabeth.

"I'll get you some water."

Annabeth's hand slipped down his arm as it returned to her side. Percy rose to his feet, most of the energy was gone.

"Percy" her voice was quiet.

"I won't be long" he said. Percy slipped out of the room, he soon found the hotel kitchen and filled a cup with water. He was about to leave when a thought crossed his mind. It caused him to hesitate for a second before making his way back to Annabeth.

She took the water graciously. Soon some sweat started to appear on her face again.

Percy slid his arms underneath her. Her eyes shifted rapidly. "Wha—"

Percy lifted her and started towards the exit.

She sighed, "well . . this is humiliating . ." she breathed.

"It's about time," Percy said.

She shook her head letting it relax back, nearly upside down. She took a deep breath of fresh air. The streets of New York were drenched in blood, monsters and heroes.

The war raged on far away on the bridge. He hoped in his heart with everything that they were winning . . it was too much to think about now.

Percy trudged to the side of the bridge.

"How do you feel about swimming right now?"

Annabeth closed her eyes.

"It's gonna be cold" she said.

"You're more worried about that than the two hundred foot drop?"

"Three hundred twenty" she said.

Percy smirked and shook his head. "You won't feel a thing," He met her eyes. "Do you trust me?"

"Just jump" she said and preemptively shut her eyes tightly.

Percy stepped up to the side of the bridge and took a deep breath, he lowered one side of Annabeth so that he could hold her parallel to him. She held tight with her face buried in the side of his neck. Percy fell backwards off the bridge.

Cold air ripped passed them. It wasn't long before there was sudden silence. A bubble surrounded them decelerating into the depths of the water.

Percy extended a finger to the wall of the bubble. Annabeth started breathing again,

"That wasn't so bad . . ." she said quietly against his chest.

"Be still" he whispered calmly. "I need to focus . ."

Annabeth breathed a short laugh but pushed the side of her face deeper against him.

The water started traveling up his arm. Percy pressed his lips against her temple.

The first day of Camp Half-Blood. The casino. The waterpark. An embrace underneath the sirens . . filled with more emotion than she knew . . Every memory with her. Every look filled with gut twisting emotions. Golden hair turned away from him at the Athena table at lunch. A face downcast, biting her lip as she focused on a blueprint in concentration. Stormy eyes with a depth of Chaos. An arm leaning into his side, filling him with a guilt for being obsessively in love with his best friend. Dreams he could only show halves of . . .

Percy opened his eyes. His lips parted from her temple. He caressed her stomach with his fingers, to feel not even a scar. He knew his face was burning more than the river of Styx, but he didn't care, for it had healed her.

Annabeth's breathing had dimmed. She had fallen asleep.

The Defeat of Kronos

Luke lay lifeless on the floor. Percy capped his sword and it shrunk out of Luke's armpit into a pen.

Percy turned to see Annabeth staring at the remains of Luke with a sad empty look on her face.

She turned to Percy and hugged him.

It was cut short as a flash of light blurred his vision and she disappeared.

Percy was on Olympus, under the towering gods. Zeus stared down at him from his throne blankly.

After discussion of his success in defeating Kronos, Zeus cleared his throat.

"I will not grant you immortality, for your use in old magic. But . . I will not punish you if you wish to use it from this point onward."

Percy blinked.

What kind of reward is that? Not that I even want immortality.

"Very well." Percy said, though he kept glancing at his father and Athena who were in a rapid and poisonous argument in Latin, so that he could not understand.

When conversation and arguments died down, and he had spoken to his father, Percy was halfway back to the double doors of entrance when a woman's voice came from behind him.

"Perseus," Athena said. Percy turned, she was only now slightly taller than him. Behind her, the gods were gone.

Her demeanor was sharp, and her look of resentment still lingered, though differently.

"Your quarrels with my father are not my own," Percy said. "If this is about Annabeth, I do not wish to hear it."

Athena narrowed her eyes, "But you shall hear it all the same," she said sternly.

Percy blinked and breathed a tired sigh, "I am too tired for your hatred," he said with his eyes closed.

"My daughter has faith in you," Athena said. "The goddess of Ogygia irritates me with stories of old . . and of you. My business is in the heavens — though you will obey my daughter . . . or feel my wrath."

Percy furrowed his eyes and nodded slowly. He instinctively then whipped his head away as Athena returned to true form and disappeared.

Wait . . did she just . . approve? No . . not disprove?

Percy shook his head to himself.

Percy sat down for a short break when he finally made it atop Half blood hill from his trip back from the Empire State building.

Camp Half-Blood was bustling with celebration, sorrow, and exhaustion.

He couldn't wait to trudge down, take a warm shower and fall asleep for at least two days.

He was not joyed, however, to be met with long speeches at the pavilion. He forced himself out of nodding away several times.

He pushed through conversations with Chiron and Dionysus, trying his best to pretend to be alert.

Finally . . he could rest.

Percy leaned against the frame inside his cabin, lazily ripping off bits of armor piece by piece. In the shower, his head hung low and he gulped down sips of water as it ran past his lips, not caring one bit.

He shuffled over to his bed and fell face first into it. Immediately he was out.

Percy opened his eyes in darkness. He had heard a creak in the floorboards. He turned, not seeing anything. Realizing he didn't care, he fell back asleep.

Warmth and lemon filled his nose, something spilled across his shoulder, silky and smooth.