As always, these characters do not belong to me.

Chapter Six


"We need to talk."

Annabeth had waited patiently over their next couple of days of their travels, hoping that Percy would begin to describe his experiences with the Cave; the entire reason the two of them were travelling together. After Circe's house, they both needed some time to recover from that experience, but it was time they got back down to the business at hand.

Percy sighed deeply, facing her. His expression was serious enough that she straightened in her saddle, reaching for notebook and pencil.

"I understand it can be frustrating but if it happens again, just kick me and I'm sure I'll stop," he said.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

He looked confused. "My snoring. Isn't that what you wanted to talk about?"

"No! And you don't snore," she added, then looked away, confused. When did she notice that?

"I don't? Well, that's good to know," he said happily, smiling.

"How do you do that? Be serious one day and completely immature the next."

"Who wants to be serious all the time? It can age you by ten years, you know."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "We need to talk about the Cave. You need to tell me what happened to you."

"Today is such a beautiful day," Percy sighed, glancing up to the clear blue sky. "Why ruin it?"

Her patience waned to the slimmest of margins, the urge to punch him almost winning out. "Fine," she snapped. "How about you describe the interior of the Cave instead?"

Percy frowned in thought as the horses walked along. "A lot of it was dark but I could give it a go, I suppose," he answered. "I don't think you'd be able to map it out though."

"I can go off certain rooms," she assured him.

Sceptical, Percy humoured her, describing what he could recall as Annabeth jotted it down. She got him to be as specific as possible, asking question after question until she could picture it herself. Stopping for the evening in a grove of trees, Annabeth let Percy organise their food and the fire while she set to work sketching out his descriptions, improvising when he couldn't remember. Eventually as the night settled in and the air started to cool, Percy drifted over after checking on the horses.

"That's impressive," he stated, looking over her shoulder. "You were able to draw that from what I said?"

"More or less," she replied. "I had to add in these buttresses but going off the style that you described it seemed logical they would shape like that."

"How do you know that?" Percy came and sat down beside her, warming his hands at the fire.

"Have you ever seen a structure and wonder how they made it? Or how they styled it?" Percy shook his head. "Well, I do. It calms me, gives me something to do apart from training or fighting. I would like to build my own design one day."

"A house?" Percy saw her expression and tried to amend. "A couple of houses?"

Annabeth looked down as she smiled, shaking her head a little. "Doesn't matter. It's just a hobby."

"Why does it have to be?" he queried. "That's some serious talent. If you can take what little I could give you and create a near replica without even seeing it yourself, then why can't you have a career as an architect?"

"Once Luke has the Crystal and the Elite can control the bandits and cults, then maybe I can change my role."

Percy said nothing but she thought she heard him sigh. Moving on to sketch the entryway, Annabeth entertained Percy's notion of her being an architect. She didn't know when she started paying attention to structures. Maybe when she was living on the streets, staring longingly on rainy days to the tall pillars, holding the tiled roofs in place. To the lanterns held in intricate brackets at the entrances, guiding their owners back home. Those not rich with coin, had homely houses, roofs thatched, and walls built from sturdy timber, a warm glow and the occasional shouts omitting from opened windows.

She had studied them all from the shadows of the street, jotting down notes along with her sketches of what improvements she could suggest, what style would be better suited to their lifestyle. As she moved through towns and villages, she noticed the different styles each state and their people preferred. Some indulged in marble or the finest wood coin could purchase, while others settled for longevity. It was only then her pages slowly began to fill with her own designs of houses, taverns, inns, stables, even storage homesteads and sheds; she drew them all.

So why couldn't her hobby become something more? Because she had made a commitment to Luke and the Elites. He had done so much for her and she couldn't just abandon him for a fool's dream. Maybe that was due to her feelings, but she knew it wasn't just that. She felt as though she was part of something with the Elites. They were the family she never had and while they weren't the loving type, they were family, nonetheless. Architecture could wait, she had bigger tasks to be accomplished first.

Percy had wandered off to check the horses again, muttering something about being restless. Placing her notebook securely in her bag, Annabeth was ready to call it night when a snap of a twig had her rolling to her feet, her knife in her hand. The scavengers attempted to surround her, but Annabeth with years of training, had predicted this and knew exactly how to gain the upper hand.

It wasn't much of a skirmish, not for Annabeth. Her skills were too strong for her opponents, who appeared to grope blindly for her as she danced around them. This, this, was who she was. Not the naïve girl who got jumped from behind, not the pleading girl who went into danger's embrace because she got a little wet. She was the strong, untouchable knife wielder leaving all those who dare to attack her groaning and choking in the dirt.

Surveying the fallen scavengers, she happened to glance down at her hands, coated in blood. This made her pause, remembering Percy's caution with their previous run in with bandits. Was she the monster? Did she enjoy the violence more than she should? She shook her head. Such thoughts in their situation would lead to hesitation, which could lead potentially to her own death. A flicker of movement had her assuming a defensive stance, but it was only Percy returning from the horses. She relaxed, taking note of his awestruck expression with some annoyance. And satisfaction.

"You could've helped," she stated, cleaning her knife on one of their scavengers.

Replying with a stunned look, Percy said, "You didn't appear to need it." Approaching her, he added, "Where'd you learn to fight like that?"

"You've seen me fight in skirmishes before."

"Not like that," he said with a head shake. "That was … I've never seen anyone fight like that, and I've lived with Arenians."

"They try to be too brutal," Annabeth told him with a slight wrinkle of her nose. "No finesse."

"Oh, I know but …" Percy shook his head again, unable to find words. "They tried to chase the horses away or steal them. Either way, I had to fetch them. I don't think any would be lurking but maybe we should move our camp further down?"

Despite the two of them altering watch duty for the next couple of nights, they encountered no other scavengers or bandits. The next town was large, it's stone walls looming high as they entered through the opened heavy gates with other travellers and farmers. The horses slowed to a walk as they took to the road, Annabeth strenuously declaring their accommodation be near their exit gate. Percy let her lead, entertaining the young children trailing behind them, hoping for food or coin. Annabeth kept a firm eye on her pack, ready to grab snatching hands if they ventured too close.

The inn she chose was moderately higher end than their usual choices, but she was tired, she was dirty, and she felt like spoiling herself. Percy pursed his lips as they entered the inn but kept his opinions silent. Before settling in for the night, she headed out to send a message to Luke. Shame welled up inside her when she realised how behind schedule she was.

"Don't get too comfortable," Annabeth said as she joined Percy at a bench outside the tavern. "We need to make up for lost time."

Percy, carefully slicing an apple, glanced her way with an eyebrow raised. "When did you say you would get this task of yours done?"

"Two months."

Percy laughed. "Isn't that being a little cocky? Did you factor in weather? Not to mention the welfare of your horse. Come to think of it, you were determined on travelling on foot. How on earth were you going to get to the Cave in two months?"

"It was presumptuous, I know," admitted Annabeth, skipping right past that little error in her judgement. "But he was frantic and I –."

"Am in love with him," Percy added slyly.

"Wanted to show that I'm still loyal to him," she finished through gritted teeth.

Percy snorted and sliced another piece of his apple. "I loved him too," he said quietly, looking up at her after a moment of silence. "He was my brother and we went through so much together, so I'll always have that bond with him. But think back. Has he ever gone out of his way to do something for you?" Annabeth found herself unable to answer. Percy's expression was one of understanding. "He offers so many promises, but they are as much for his benefit as they are for you."

Annabeth remained silent, trying to find a hole in Percy's statement. And yet, the more she dug, the more she realised that Percy was right. Her stomach sunk and her heart ached. Was she a fool to love him? Did that make her naïve? Luke had never expressed any feelings towards her, maybe he hadn't noticed? Or maybe he did and exploited her loyalty for it. Percy's sympathetic gaze only made her feel worse.

"It doesn't matter," she said, turning business-like. "I made a promise and I'm going to get it done when I said I would."

Percy shook his head. "That short time frame is impossible. We will get to the Cave, Annabeth. I said I would get your there and I will, but you have to lower your expectations a little."

"Fine, but we leave here first thing tomorrow morning."

"Leave?" a drunkard said as he passed them. "You can't leave tomorrow and miss the Festival of Lights!"

"The what?" asked Annabeth.

The man looked shocked. "The Festival of Lights! Our most renown holiday of the year!"

"Annabeth," Percy whinged. "The Festival of Lights!"

The man mistook Percy's sarcasm for enthusiasm. "Yes, you must stay!"

"Oh, please Annabeth!" Percy pleaded, trying to hide his smirk. "We may never see anything like it again."

"Listen to your partner, hon," the man encouraged.

"He so wishes," Annabeth glared at him. Rolling her eyes, she agreed to stay another day, if only to get rid of their newfound friend.

The Festival of Lights had the town in a frenzy preparing for the big event. Other travellers slowly entered, many families settling down to enjoy the festivities. Annabeth watched from the bench outside the tavern, a drink not far from her hand. A few daring young men eyed her from afar, those brave enough buying her another drink in the hopes of conversation. Annabeth took the drink and while some were attractive enough for her to consider relieving tension, she sent them away. Percy, having watched the last suitor dejectedly walk away, chuckled as he took the seat beside her.

"Cut them a bit of slack, Annabeth," he told her, accepting her free drink, sipping it and grimacing at the mead. "Takes a brave soul to walk up to you when you're scowling like that."

"I'm not scowling," Annabeth argued, finishing her cup.

Percy simply laughed, catching the attention of a few females standing nearby. "You're too closed off," he told her. "Too secretive. We have some time, tell me about yourself?"

"There's nothing to tell."

"Encontré. There's never nothing." Percy waited, adding when Annabeth looked away. "Look, I'm not a judgy man –."

"People say that and when you do bring up personal things, they get this look …" Annabeth looked down at her cup, clenching her jaw.

"Did you sleep with your cousin?" he asked sympathetically.

"What? No!"

"Oh, you hate sweets," he deduced.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Wait, I got it!" he exclaimed, clicking his fingers. "You pickpocketed an elderly lady."

"Of course not," she snorted.

"Then what are you worrying about?" he asked with a smile, taking a drink.

"Did you do all of that?" she asked curiously.

"No, no, I don't have cousins." He frowned. "Well, I might. But I don't know them. There was that one girl from that sea tavern that had black hair like mine …" Annabeth smiled at his worried frown, huffing a small chuckle into her cup. She looked up to see him smiling at her reaction. "You are allowed to enjoy yourself, Annabeth."

Rolling her eyes, Annabeth ordered another cup, watching as the sun slowly set and the excitement build around them. The moon was full, the torches lining the roads were lit and the festival got underway. Percy grabbed Annabeth and dragged her into the centre where all had gathered. Music was played by a merry band, urging all to dance or clap their hands along with the tune. Percy raised a questioning eyebrow when others around them partnered up to dance, smiling and shaking his head when she refused.

They moved along, sampling small delicacies from all areas of the country, which surprised Annabeth. While she was happy with smoked lamb and a delicious drizzled sauce almost causing her to groan in longing, Percy favoured a seafood vendor, who was more than happy to talk to Percy endlessly about his fishing expeditions. After tasting a rather flavour-filled fish she hadn't heard of, traditional fire breathers entered the small platformed stage, twirling long staffs and flails. The master, altered from booming loudly at the crowd and tossing powder towards the swirling fire patterns, changing the colour of the flames and delighting the crowds as the fire breathers steamed green, red and orange flames towards them.

Annabeth was enjoying herself. Maybe it was the atmosphere, the way the children, so carefree, laughed jubilantly and danced with their friends or family, or the street food, cooked to perfection, or even the amount of mead she had consumed, either way, she found herself smiling. Percy caught her smile, his own mirroring hers. There was something different about his smile, or maybe something different about him but Annabeth found herself wanting to lean towards him, to run her hands through his messy hair and see those beautiful green eyes … wait, what?

She'd consumed too much mead. She looked away, embarrassed by her thoughts. The fire breathers had finished their performance, and everyone was urged down towards the river for the finale of the festival. Amused at the eagerness in the small faces around her, she focused on them instead of the man at her side, though she was very conscious of his presence. She couldn't deny he cut an impressive figure but there was more to someone than their appearance. If she thought about his little annoyances, maybe then she wouldn't be trying her utmost to not look at him.

She glanced around as they passed the outer buildings, figures in the shadows catching her eye. She paused a little, letting the crowd take her further along. There was something about their demeanour that appeared odd. There had been a few of the locals either too drunk to move or simply had seen the festival enough over the years, keeping to the taverns to enjoy the celebrations afterwards with the others. These two, which she determined on closer inspection, moved with a staggered purpose, stopping near buildings and alleyways before heading to the next one.

Bounty hunters? There was no doubt they were looking for someone. Bounty hunters prided themselves on working alone; the man next to her the exclusion. Mercenaries then? The way they were searching was more than just a regular civilian searching for a friend or a parent searching for their child. The first of the lights exploded in the sky, causing Annabeth to jump and glance up. It was beautiful. The array of colours they had managed to combine was incredible as the spark raced high into the sky, exploding into bright blues, reds and greens, the awed crowd vocal in their appreciation.

Annabeth happened to glance back over to the figures as another light ball broke apart in an orange haze, illuminated all, including the two figures. A man, the taller of the two, was watching the crowd, flinching a little at the voice of his companion, a woman, with jet black hair, a scowl darkening her already black eyes. She was pale and thin under her cloak and strangely familiar to Annabeth. Dread laced through Annabeth when she saw the woman point a clawed finger to her companion. She realised who they were and who they were hunting for; her.

Annabeth froze, unable to breathe. It was not true; it could be possible. How was she here? How could she had known? She couldn't feel her legs, her arms, her vision tunnelled, and a high pitch squeak flooded her hearing. Wait, was that her? She was hyperventilating. Was something calling her name? Couldn't be. It was not possible. She had been careful. She couldn't think, she was shaking from head to foot and the woman was coming ever closer. She had to get away, she had to flee, why wasn't she? How did she find her? How did she find her?

Her legs, driven by her adrenaline, raced to the closest shadows, but she was blocked. Walls, walls everywhere. She was trapped. Was this it? Was this how she died? What was that? Was that her? No, there was green. So much green. She found her. She found her after all the precautions Annabeth had taken. Green. Wait. Green eyes. She didn't have green eyes. Percy had green eyes. Percy?

"Annabeth! Breathe! Annabeth! Who found you? Tell me what's going on! Please, Annabeth! Focus on my voice. Focus on me."

She steadied her breathing, enough for her to realised she was repeating the same thing. 'She found me. She found me. She found me'. Percy held her gently, keeping her fearful gaze on him. She was shaking violently, unable to see her but Percy was there, and he wasn't leaving. She struggled with her words, but she eventually said her name with a shaky voice. The name that struck fear into all like Annabeth.

"Arachne."

Percy frowned, glancing back towards festivities then to her. "The Mother of Spiders?" he asked.

Annabeth flinched and nodded, her terror rising just at the name. She needed to leave, she needed to get out. Couldn't Percy see that? Why weren't her legs moving?

"You're Athena's daughter?" he queried, his eyes widening when she nodded frantically. He stood back a little from her, stunned by her revelation. Weird. He nodded then, nodded and appeared to store that information aside. He made her focus on him again. "I know you want to leave, and we will. She won't get to you, not while I'm here but I need you, to tell me, what to do next?"

Was he stupid? They needed to just run and get as far away from this stupid town as they possibly could. They could sneak away easily enough, or could they? Arachne was steering well clear of the crowds, instead circling them, certain that Annabeth would be lurking in the shadows. If they tried to leave now … she would find them. No, the only way they would get out is to …

"We have to blend in with the crowd," she stated in a weak voice.

"There's my girl," Percy praised. He took her hand and she didn't even flinch. "I'll be at your side the entire time. Are you ready?"

Percy wasn't being stupid. Forcing her mind to focus on a problem had briefly abated her terror. While the fear continued to grip her, it wasn't as constricting as before. Percy led her back into the crowd, as the light show in the sky was reaching its crescendo. He kept moving through the people, who, fixated up at the sky, were happy to let the two of them brush pass without incident. Arachne appeared on the other side of the crowd, making them pause and Annabeth's breathing hitch. Percy faced her, his body blocking Arachne and her minion from Annabeth's sight. He gently coaxed her head up, locking his eyes with his. Focus on me, he told her silently.

The crowd cheered around them, causing Annabeth to jump. She tried to take calming breaths, but she could feel Arachne moving closer towards them, towards her. The finale of the Lights Festival ended with a display so bright that it was almost as though the sun had risen. She could see Percy clearly, his worry hidden so well that only the tension in his shoulders gave his true emotions away. Applause followed the cheers and couples, even strangers embraced, kissing each other in what must have been a tradition for the festival.

Annabeth would have reacted a whole lot differently if she had not been so focused on Arachne. She would have no doubt given Percy a serve and then would proceed to punch him wherever she could reach until he apologised for the violation. But she was terrified, her head scrambled from that fear and she did nothing but accept his lips when he pulled her closer and kissed her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered whether he kissed her to seem part of the townsfolk and their strange tradition or to somehow snap her back into some sort of clarity of thinking.

When he broke away, he glanced into her eyes, looking a little puzzled. A sound snapped his focus and he carefully guided her head into his chest. Heart racing again, she buried her face into his neck, his arms automatically encircling her. He even swayed them lightly, really selling the loved-up young couple to anyone who was watching or passing.

"She has to be here!" Arachne hissed. Annabeth trembled as they brushed past the two of them. Percy hugged her tighter in response, his hand brushing her cheek to obscure her face from onlookers. "The source was reliable."

"But, Mistress, would she really be amongst, these people?" the big man grunted.

"Probably not," she admitted. "If she's anything like her mother, they would consider this a waste of time. I can sense her!" a frustrated Arachne snapped. "She can't be far."

Their voices drifted as they moved through the crowd. Annabeth was still trembling as the crowd slowly made their way back into the town and it took Percy three times to get her to focus on what he was asking her to do. It took all her willpower after she slipped into the darkness and out of the town into the nearby forest to wait for Percy to collect their things instead of using her adrenaline to run as fast as she could northward. She sat herself down against a thick tree, her head in her hands when she wasn't brushing away her tears.