As always, these characters do not belong to me.

Chapter Fourteen

Annabeth hated farewells. It was why she left her home in the middle of the night when she was a girl, why she kept most who knew her at arm's length. Why would it matter if she left without saying goodbye if they hardly knew her? She let the news of her departure sink in the day before she did, the most resistant of the inhabitants to her plans being the youngest, deciding that ignoring Annabeth was the best form of protest. While it was hurtful, she could push it aside, focusing on the repairing of her armour and weapons and getting enough supplies for the remainder of her journey. She estimated it would take another four days to the Cave if she moved with haste and encountered no other problems.

After her last conversation with Percy, she left him alone, knowing he would prefer it that way. He was healing well under the watchful eye of Will and Clara, but it wasn't fast enough. She kept trying to convince herself the severing of ties was inevitable, trying to lessen the pain in her chest. The morning of her departure she got dressed and thanked Clara, leaving a pouch of coins on her worktable for her to notice later when Annabeth was long gone and didn't have to deal with awkward thank yous.

"Annabeth," Percy called out softly when she reached the entrance. She hesitated for a second, catching a glimpse of Chris and Clarisse talking by her horse, before diverting to his room.

He had a bit more colour in his face and sitting more upright, which she was relieved to see. He watched her movements carefully as she entered, Will silently leaving the room. Annabeth stood a little to the side of the doorway, unsure if she should sit or remain in close proximity to the exit. She didn't let him see that though, wanting to appear nonchalant but that did nothing to ease the tension in the air between them.

"I can't stop you from leaving," he began. "And I won't. But I want … I would ask you to consider something. I've delved into my experiences, and you've seen how it's affected me." He glanced away briefly, taking a deep breath before meeting her eyes. "I believe that the Crystal is not meant for us, for people. What do you think will happen to Luke if you delivered it to him? Or what will happen to you?"

Annabeth had no answer, which wasn't the first time he put a question to her that held her tongue. His lips quirked at her silence, as if he understood the doubts she couldn't utter, the hesitation that kept her feet stuck to the floor.

"Just keep it in mind," he said. "As you will be in mine."

Annabeth blinked at the honesty, the boldness of his words. He didn't appear embarrassed, just stating what was his truth and a truth they had both been tiptoeing around for a while. Her chest tightened, a watery smile playing on her lips the longer she looked at him, his bruised frame, laying there because of her. She moved forward, pressing a kiss to his forehead, lingering just a fraction more than one should. Without looking back, she strode from the room and the house, out towards her horse.

"There's enough supplies to get you to your destination," Chris informed her when she approached. If he heard or saw the exchange, he didn't comment on it. "Thought you wouldn't want to be stopping with the way tensions are building."

"Thanks Chris," she said gratefully, shaking his hand. "I know this isn't … thank you."

Chris nodded, stepping aside so Clarisse could say her goodbyes, which included a bear hug and a hearty slap on her back. "Don't start the fighting without me," she threatened lightly.

Annabeth grinned, glad to see at least one of them didn't judge her decisions. She gave a small bundle to the Clarisse, who eyed it with a questioning eyebrow, revealing one of the small knives Annabeth kept in her boot. "For Elora. She shouldn't have to keep using that paring knife," she added. "Might want to give it to her discreetly," she noted upon seeing Clara walked past the entrance back towards another patient.

Clarisse grinned mischievously. "Don't worry, Blondie. She'll get it."

Annabeth nodded once, grabbing the reins. She bowed her head, desperately wanting to glance back towards the house just to see if she could get a glimpse of him, but she knew she wouldn't, not from where she was standing. Instead, she placed her boot into the stirrup, pulling herself up onto Silver Mist's saddle. Looking ahead, she was about to kick Silver Mist into moving forward when Nico walked up beside her, reins in his hand and a white horse trailing behind him.

He said nothing as she paused beside her, shaking hands with Chris and nudging forearms with Clarisse on the way. He simply glanced at her inquiring face, staring ahead shortly after.

"Did Percy ask you to do this?" she demanded.

"He didn't need to," Nico replied quietly, leaping into his saddle. "I know him better than you do. It'll ease his mind and help his healing if he knows someone went with you."

"But you would prefer to stay with Will?"

Nico smiled. "Wouldn't you prefer to travel with Percy?" he countered. Annabeth bit her tongue. "I may not agree with your goal, but that doesn't mean I can't go with you." He clicked his horse forward, glancing over his shoulder when she hadn't moved to follow. "Aren't you in a rush?"

As far as travelling companions went, Nico was surprisingly not bad. He was quiet and didn't resort to forcing a conversation, moving swiftly alongside Annabeth towards the Cave. He had a knack for detecting raiding parties and ambushes before they were in range, steering them away to avoid the lag. She was intrigued by his technique and its accuracy and while they did still encounter a few skirmishes, at least the impact to their travels were minimal.

Annabeth's estimation of a four-day travel was correct as the two of them crested the small hill, showing the looming stone-like wall before them, the crack worming its way down the centre and opening into the entrance of the Cave. Annabeth clicked Silver Mist forward, but something unnerved the horse, rearing at the prospect of having to move forward.

"It's the Cave," said Nico in his quiet voice. "The aura surrounding it, I believe. Horses won't go near."

Annabeth cast her eyes towards the surrounding trees, which unfortunately bordered the area save for the clearing at the entrance. The land was also uneven, causing many small hills and mounds like the one Annabeth and Nico were surveying from. Others could spy on the entrance for the daring few to try their luck. Without the aid of her horse, Annabeth would be exposed to an attack when she exited. Having no other choice but to continue on foot, she hopped down, handing the reins to Nico, who eyed her and then the surrounds with caution.

"If I don't come back …" she started but then paused.

Heart or head? And since when did she leave farewell messages? She knew the answer to the latter. She could picture that very answer: black hair that shone under the rays of the sun, broad shoulders that would make anyone with that physique seem tall and imposing, but he held it so that any ally could feel safe standing at his side. And those eyes. If Annabeth was a painter, she could fill the palette with all the shades of green in existence and it still wouldn't match those irises. Oh, why did this had to happen to her?

"Get a message to Luke and tell him not to attempt this, not again," she finished, staring at Nico until he nodded.

Percy would understand. He would do the same. And what they had between them … Annabeth didn't know what that was. It was too early, too raw, too … she couldn't think about that. With a careful watch on the trees and surroundings, she made her way cautiously towards the entrance, one hand on the hilt of her knife. No one interceded, no one cried a warning or encouragement. The wind whistled gently around her, the silence eery with no sign of life anywhere. The wildlife, like the horses, must sense the power emitting from the Cave and avoided it.

She was there, she had finally made it after weeks of setbacks. She paused at the entrance, glancing up at the rock face. There was something there, she could feel it. A small pulsating surge from inside. Maybe she was just imagining it but why was she hesitating? This is what she had come for, this is what she had travelled so far to achieve. Was this part of the defensive mechanisms? Or was this someone else's warning preventing her legs from moving.

Her determination and resolve had her back straightening, her head lifting. No, she wasn't weak. She could do this, will do this, even if it resulted in her death. She took a deep breath, feeling the hums of adrenaline begin to pulse through her nerves. She walked through the crack of an entrance. She paused, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. Torches on either side responded to her presence, lighting up the passageway.

Percy hadn't done it justice. The elegance of the hallway alone took Annabeth's breath away. The craftmanship and time it would've taken to produce the final result would've been years. This is what Annabeth would've loved to create one day. The stone was rare and beautiful; Annabeth doubted any other type existed elsewhere. The buttresses seamlessly moulded into the floor and roof, which spanned higher than Annabeth could see. Human hands could not have crafted this, and yet that had to, or how else could this place exist?

The hallway wasn't long, maybe thirty paces at most but every step Annabeth made further towards the chamber, the pulsating sensation grew. Was it an energy of some sort? There was a dull buzzing in the air, just loud enough to be irritating. She took the last torch from its holster, holding it aloft as she entered the antechamber. This room was slightly smaller than the hallway and instead of buttresses lining the walls there were statues. Impossibly carved with exquisite detail, Annabeth looked into the eyes of the guardians of the Crystal, each standing stoically, watching the entrant. The dozen or so statues each wore different armour and held different weapons in their hands, with the only thing in common was a strange symbol on their chest plate and a round disc at their feet. The symbol sparked something in Annabeth's memory and she frowned, trying to place it but then a sliver of light shone from the main chamber ahead of her and she forgot about it.

She forgot about a lot of things as she stared at that soft glow. The torch slipped from her fingers, rolling across the stone floor and jutting out. She moved forward in a bit of daze, the pulsing quickening and the buzzing growing louder, angrier. She placed hand on the door, pushing it open with a loud creak and rumble of stone against stone. She could see it! The Crystal was just there, sitting on a stone pillar in the centre of the chamber. But it wasn't a 'crystal'. It was a round plate, a disc the size of a small shield that curved inward. It didn't matter what it looked like because it was there, she had found it! She strode towards it, smiling when she saw her reflection in its beautiful clear crystal-like surface. She reached out, placing her fingertips against it, against her reflection …

Pain assaulted her with that touch. Pain she had never experienced before. She knew not even a mortal stab wound would feel like this. It was agonising. Torturous. Not just through her body, but through her mind, cleaving it, snapping it to ribbons and then into mush and then nothing. It was indescribable. It was death. Her screams echoed throughout the Cave.


Percy

All he saw was her. The crinkle of an eye when she was frowning in concentration. A lock of her golden curled hair that escaped from its band and caught the sun. The way her callused hands held a knife, or the pencil as she brought buildings and structures to life on a blank page. And her smile. He saw her smile a lot.

Percy opened his eyes. He hated his dreams. Hated them ever since he had escaped that infernal Cave. But no more so than the time he had first seen her. Annabeth. Even thinking her name had his heart fluttering and his fingers twitching, longing to touch her, hold her. He had dreamt of her every night since their meeting in that dirty pub and it's fighting pit. They weren't complete dreams, they never were. Merely snippets and flashes of images, faces, objects, and each time he would wake with frustration and a longing he had never understood. Until he started to get to know her.

He closed his eyes slowly. How did it happen? How did these feelings grow into something? It was that kiss when she was half out of her mind from fright. It was only supposed to be a ploy, to blend in with the other couples at the festival but it changed everything. He was brought to his knees, he was hers. But she wasn't his, didn't want to be his, she was Luke's and that stung a blow that was worse than any wound. Until, there was a chance, a ray of hope, that she could have changed her mind, that her feelings were beginning to replicate his …

And then she left. Continuing on her suicide mission for him, for Luke. He hadn't convinced her. He had failed. His hope deflating as quickly as it had come. Was this better? Letting her go as he had done with Rachel or should he go after her. Should he put everything he had on her? He was never much of a risk-taker with gambling, but he had taken risks in the past for his friends, for those who needed him. She needed him, didn't she? Even if she didn't know that she did.

So why was he moping and licking his wounds like a wounded dog? That wasn't him, and it never would be. Even if she chose Luke, even if she left him again to return to the Elites after making it out of the Cave, shouldn't he do everything he could to get her there, just as he had promised? His mind raced with options, striking out those that wouldn't work, altering others, trying to find a way …

"Chris." His friend was instantly alert, leaning forward. "Can you please get Will?"

Chris took a moment to stare at Percy, before nodding and leaving the room. Could Chris know what Percy wanted? He was more observant than most people knew, Chris. Maybe he was waiting for Percy's request since Annabeth had left the day before. Will came into the room, standing at his side, his arms folded lightly over his chest. It appeared everyone knew what Percy would request.

"You'll never reach her in time," Will stated matter-of-factly.

"I'm not going to try and stop her," replied Percy. "But I have to be there. I have to … know."

He had to know if she was going to return or if, like so many others, she would be lost to the darkness of the Cave. She was strong, impossibly stubborn and as smart as her mother. Her chances were greater than most, but she had never encountered anything like the Cave before.

Will's tone softened, though it was laced with a frankness of a healer to his patient. Percy had heard the tone often. "You wouldn't be able to ride for another two days and even then, it would be only for a couple of hours at a time before the pain would be too much."

"There is a way to be riding tomorrow and full days," said Percy. "We've done it before."

Will's face hardened and paled at the same time. "No."

"I can handle it."

"A few hours, yes but with the extent of your injuries it could take up to twelve hours. It could be as torturous as being poisoned by Arachne."

Percy wondered if Will knew who Annabeth really was after hearing the reference. She wouldn't have admitted to anything, having only done so with Percy under extreme duress. Especially with how Will appeared to have been treating her; Percy gritted his teeth. Will had probably saved his life that night against the Elites when he was brutally overpowered so Percy shouldn't be mad but it was no excuse for his attitude towards her. He put his anger aside as Will continued to talk.

"There is a high chance you could die in the process of healing your injuries. I won't partake in that."

"It's my choice, Will." Percy and Will stared at each other, each assessing, each unrelenting in their position. "How long will it take for you to make it?" asked Percy.

Will cast his eyes down, sighing. "Maybe an hour," he admitted. "I will need to purchase a few ingredients and speak with Clara about the others."

"Then do it."

Will strode to the doorway, pausing when he reached it. "I will do this for you, because I know if the roles were reversed you would for me but I'm against it. My mind won't change on that."

Will's prediction of an hour was acutely accurate. Percy could hear the murmur of several voices outside his recovery room during that hour, but no one entered the room. He kept his eyes closed, feigning sleep so he wouldn't have to try and defend his decision. That didn't stop the worried glances he felt from the doorway, or the pain he still felt from his recovering injuries. He could do this; he could withstand just a little more pain. He kept telling himself that, over and over, until Will's familiar footsteps entered, Clara following.

"Will told me of your request," Clara informed him. "I don't condone this."

"Neither does he," he replied with a grin. "But he knows I will do it regardless."

Clara continued to look troubled. "I understand if it was only for minor injuries but Percy, the strain on your heart would be severe. Even if you managed to recover there could be long term effects."

"I'm aware of risks," he assured her, watching Will as he stirred the concoction. The tension hadn't left his shoulders since Percy's request.

"You'll never be able to do this again," she told him as Will placed the spoon on the table, bringing the bowl over.

Percy eyed the golden liquid, inhaling its unique aroma, his stomach already recoiling slightly. For Annabeth, he thought quietly, bringing it to his lips and taking it in two big gulps. He tried not to shudder or wince as the liquid hit the back of his throat. Clara looked worried, Will impassive as he took the outstretched bowl.

"I hope she's worth all this pain," he said bluntly.

Annabeth is worth everything, Percy thought as he closed his eyes.


"How's the fatigue?" Will asked Percy.

"I'm pretty fatigued of this conversation," he replied lightly, trying not to roll his eyes as Will gently prodded his temple, ignoring the jibe.

"Nausea? Headaches?" he pressed.

"I do have a headache," he said thoughtfully, rocking back out of Will's probing. "He's been riding beside me for the past couple of days. Constantly asking questions, never letting me rest."

"I wonder how that attitude will treat you when you're on death's door," remarked Will.

"I'm sure whoever I meet there will find it refreshing," he grinned and winked.

"And if it's Annabeth?" Percy clenched his jaw, turning away from Will's inquiring stare. "How are your ribs?" he continued.

"Fine," answered Percy in a flat voice. "They're sore but manageable. My muscles aren't feeling as weak as they did, and my hands have stopped shaking." He glared at Will as he nodded and rose to his feet. "That was a low blow."

Will's smile was placid as he took his spot on the other side of their fire, lounging on his bedroll. Percy sighed and shifted, ignoring the dull protest from his ribs. The concoction, Nectar, as Will called it, though tasting terrible and causing an immense amount of pain and strain, had the after-effect Percy had been hoping for. He was able to pursue Annabeth the following day, Will accompanying him to ensure he didn't wear himself and Blackjack out in his pursuit. It meant that Chris and Clarisse had to return to the village to alert the others of the unfolding situation and the reason three of their members wouldn't be returning as promised. The colourful language that spewed from Clarisse's mouth after the realisation she would yet again be missing out on a fight even shocked Percy.

"What was it the girl gave you?" queried Will. "I didn't think she ever spoke to you."

"It's not for me," he murmured, eyeing the keepsake he kept secured in his bracer.

He fingered the end jutting out near his wrist, letting the material slip back into place. Clara's daughter was a nervous sort from what Percy noticed in their only meeting, but she gathered enough courage to approach a man she had only seen on a sick bed, demanding he give his travel companion a token. Percy listened to her high-pitched demands, a smile coming to his face, reminded of another. He wondered whether Annabeth had looked similar when she was the girl's age, that stubborn stance and the wanting to appear intimidating expression. They certainly looked familiar, which made Percy think this girl had been watching her very keenly during their stay.

It became more apparent when he spotted a knife in the girl's possession. Hanging from the girl's worn belt, he could see an 'A' carved into its hilt. So, Annabeth wasn't the only one who had left an impression, if she had been willing to part with one of her weapons. It made his smile broader when he realised how different this Annabeth was to the one he met. The Annabeth he had met wouldn't have bothered with a trivial thing as humouring an admirer. She would have scoffed and ignored her. Then again, she would've left Percy to die and joined her brethren so a lot of things would have been done differently.

The girl blushed and ducked her head shyly when Percy knelt and agreed to her request, that blush deepening when she admitted she didn't want Annabeth to forget her. He assured her that she wouldn't and would treasure her token. He didn't tell her that she may never receive the girl's token, that she may never get to see her again because he had to believe she would. If she did escape the Cave, he would bring her back, even if he had to drag her, so the girl could see her idol again.

Will shook his head as he put it together, taking a long draught of from his canteen. "You know the chance of her returning is slim," he told Percy.

"When Nico went into the marshes," Percy started causing Will to frown. "Did you give up waiting for him to return?"

"It's not the same situation," he disagreed.

"How long did you wait, even when he didn't check in when he was supposed to?"

"Two weeks," Will admitted grumpily. "Again, it's not the same or do you love her? Oh Percy, no," he added when his question was met with silence. "Out of everyone –."

"I don't know, alright," he snapped back, running his hand through his hair. "I don't know," he repeated in a softer tone.

His admission ended their conversation for the night but didn't end the swirling thoughts going through Percy's head. It was a simple question, was it not? Love or just a mere attraction? He thought of her constantly, saw her in his dreams, was that not love? But those dreams … they were a side effect from the Crystal. Couldn't they just be homing in on her images because of where he was, what he was doing? It had happened before. Could he be mistaking that for an attraction?

No. That kiss after the first Elite skirmish still had Percy's hands aching to hold her, to run his fingers through her curls, across her waist and up her back, securing her to him. If he closed his eyes, he could still feel her lips against his, remember the smell of sweat, blood, dirt and the underlying fragrance that was entirely Annabeth. It was intoxicating, that fragrance, making that ache to see her, hold her, almost unbearable. No, he was definitely attracted to her, but was it more?

Percy wouldn't have an answer to his dilemma for the remainder of their ride to the Cave, his thoughts taking on another problem. He could feel it, the pulse of the Cave, the way it sung its warning to all who dared to venture forward. It was worse than he predicted. His breaths shortened, his heart rate skyrocketed, his limbs shook, and he had to constantly keep his fear from overwhelming him. As they came closer to the entrance, Percy realised with a sinking heart that he would have never been able to go with Annabeth.

They paused on a ridgeline, an invisible boundary that the horses recognised and would go no further. Percy clenched his jaw, sweat forming on his temples as he leapt down from Blackjack and surveyed the entrance of the Cave. It was quiet, no other party or faction in sight but Percy didn't think they would stand in the open for all to see. He was wanting, no, hoping, to see someone else emerging from the Cave; if not emerging, then waiting outside. Waiting, he was embarrassed to admit, for him. But that wasn't her.

There was a subtle shift behind them, and Percy swivelled, sword out and ready to defend. Will, similarly, drew his bow, arrow aimed at the source of the noise. He was being sloppy. In his rush to see what happened to Annabeth, he had let his other senses slip. Chiron would be disappointed. Luckily for the two of them, their new arrival emerging from the shadows was an ally.

"I wasn't expecting you," remarked Nico, storing away his knife. "Not for another few days anyway."

"Percy took Nectar," Will explained, frowning at Percy briefly. Nico raised his eyebrows. "Against my opinion. He's lucky to be moving at all. The strain on his heart was near fatal."

Nico hugged Will quickly, the corner of his lips lifting in a half smile as he took in his partner. When he turned to Percy, that smile faded, causing Percy's heart to drop.

"How long?" Percy croaked, bracing.

Nico looked hesitant to answer, only doing so when Percy repeated his question with a harder tone. "She went in two days ago."

Percy turned away, closing his eyes in a grimace. Two days. He didn't know how long he was trapped within the confines of the Cave before he managed to stumble out, but he couldn't believe it would've been that long. Breaking down and giving up weren't going to help her get out. Could he go in after her? Unlikely, but what could he do?

"Has anyone else gone in?" he asked.

"Not that I've seen," said Nico, glancing towards the entrance. "But I haven't been monitoring it exclusively. There are at least four different factions watching along with us. Two are bandit camps, one a religious cult and there's another but I haven't been able to get close enough to them to see who they are." He gave a sideways glance towards Will, one Percy didn't miss, nor did he miss the subtle stiffen in Will's shoulders. "Another half dozen or so are coming up the ridge or set up camp not too far away."

"Luke?"

Nico shook his head. "A large encampment is settled to the east. There's a town a day's ride from the camp. Judging from the colour of the flags, I'd say that's him."

"Makes sense," said Percy bitterly. "He'll wait there while his fighters do all the work for him."

Percy pushed down his anger, staring back at the entrance. He was one of those fighters, a long time ago. His anger wasn't going to help Annabeth,

"I know you don't want to hear this," said Will, his tone careful. "But I think you need to face the reality that she's not coming back."

Percy clenched his jaw. "Just a few more hours," he declared silently.

"Perce …" Will continued, frustration biting at his tone.

"Leave then," he snapped. He faced the two of them. "I'm not making you stay."

"Your judgement is compromised. Leaving you would have repercussions none of us need right now."

"What did she do to you?" Percy demanded.

Will's eyes narrowed. "Aside from all the trouble and deaths her mission has caused?"

"It wasn't hers!"

"She agreed to it!"

Percy growled as Will scowled, hands tightening on their weapons the longer they glared at each other. Nico placed a soft hand on Will's shoulder and Percy felt a spark of jealousy. Not romantically, merely for the fact Nico had sided with Will's argument.

"Fighting each other won't –," he began but he froze. His eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't gazing at Percy but beyond him. Percy turned and was running towards the entrance before Will could utter a shocked curse.

There were times Percy recalled in his life that truly floored him. His mother dying, his acceptance at the Elites, the betrayal from his best friend, the family that he had made since, but never had he been more so when he saw Annabeth stumble from the Cave.

Stumble was being generous. She could hardly stay on her feet. Knees and palms scrapped the ground as she struggled away, her chest heaving with uncontrollable sobs. Percy, if it was possible, quickened his already blinding speed towards her. She stumbled again but this time Percy caught her, sinking with her weight to the ground. His heart, already pounding loudly, lurched at the sight of the blood trickling from her nostrils and ears, even the corners of her eyes were red, though her tears had washed that blood away. She looked exhausted, crumbling into Percy as he held her, her dry sobs continuing to rattle her body.

The hilt of his sword was digging into his hip, his left leg was caught awkwardly under his body and he had an itch forming on his nose but none of that mattered because she had returned, she had escaped! Percy's eyes raked over her, checking for any further injuries, relieved when there wasn't any, concerned when she looked so thin, so frail from two days under torturous conditions. How much damage had she sustained? How much of the Annabeth he had grown fond of had been shredded, peeled and torn away in that cursed Cave?

Nico and Will were behind him. He could sense that but even he couldn't ignore the sound of a surprised sucked in breath. He looked up and then to beside Annabeth, almost recoiling. She had done it. She had fulfilled her mission. The Crystal, which never was a 'crystal', but a golden dish made of a material Percy never knew nor cared to know, lay beside the two of them, slipping from Annabeth's fingers when she fell into Percy's arms.

"Perce," said Will, crouching down on the other side.

He held his hands out placatingly, edging closer but Percy snarled and drew Annabeth and he away, not trusting him to treat her just yet. Will seemed to understand, withdrawing and rising to his feet. Percy could hear their murmurs but didn't care what they were discussing, not when the girl in his arms was stirring. Her sobs had stopped, and he could see she was taking deep breaths to get back some control. Her eyes stared in front of her, at Percy's chest, before making their way up to his face, taking in every detail, slowly losing their glassiness.

"Are you real?" she asked. Her voice was so soft, so weak, so fatigued. It crushed him to hear.

She brought a shaking hand up and her fingers brushed his cheek, to assure herself it wasn't one of the Cave's mind tricks. He leaned into her touch, pressing her palm against his cheek and jaw. He closed his eyes, revelling in the sensation of her touch. His smile was watery but hoped it was consoling. He brought one of his hands up, brushing a stray lock behind her ear, gently caressing the side of her face after.

"Yes, I am real, and I am here," he told her, squeezing her gently. "As are you."

She closed her eyes and collapsed against his chest. Percy held her close, his cheek pressed against the top of her head, taking deep breaths as his relief settled.

"Thank the stars that guided her home," he said gratefully, briefly lifting his eyes to the sky as he repeated a fisherman's wife's blessing his mother used to say.

He had forgotten those words for the longest time but holding Annabeth in his arms, he knew exactly how his mother felt all those times he would come home late, banged up and bloodied or stumbling and passing out before he reached the threshold. How she would worry, and he would always joke and brush the incidents aside. He closed his eyes, feeling the familiar ache of pain and loss. He missed her terribly.

Percy turned his attention elsewhere, his eyes falling on Nico, whose expression was grave. His knife was in his hand, his eyes scanning the trees in-between gazing at the ground beside Percy and Annabeth. He followed his gaze, his stomach churning at the sight of the Crystal. How she managed to control … He despised that object, despised it above everything else. And yet, there was something, odd. He couldn't put his finger on it, but it felt, different, not the same as before.

"Percy …" Nico said, eyes continuing to search for threats.

"I know," Percy replied. With a grunt and a bit of manoeuvring, he rose with Annabeth in his arms, gazing around for the first time. He looked at Will, his jaw set in a hard line. He would need to check Annabeth over, make sure there had been no permanent damage from her experience, but they needed to get a safe distance away from the Cave first; and Percy needed to get his anger back in check. He spoke to Nico instead, gesturing to the Crystal with a nod. "Grab that but cover it with something first. Don't let it touch your skin."

With a glance at Annabeth, he walked them away from the Cave, hoping it would be the last time he would ever step foot near it.