"The Ismenian Dragon."
Annabeth had only seen pictures of the monster, but she was certain of it. The infamous son of Ares, a creature whose teeth could grow a nearly unstoppable army of soldiers, slain eons ago in Thebes, was here.
It's scales shone rust red in the sunlight, standing out among the white snow and grey of the buildings around them. It's eyes were yellow with slits for pupils, and it's long, serpentine body writhed behind it.
The phone in Annabeth's hand felt heavy.
The Serpent's eyes narrowed. It had found a demigod.
Her own eyes darted to Thalia, who was staring up at the creature in horror, hand going for the spear that wasn't on her back.
"Shit!" she murmured, glancing at Annabeth for only a brief moment. "Do you have your knife?"
It was on her desk in her dorm. With the city being so safe, she saw no reason to carry it around. She shook her head, barely moving as the Ismenian Dragon seemed to size her up, preparing to strike.
"Nope."
"Well let's hope someone around here has weapons." Thalia muttered.
The two leapt into action, splitting up as the Dragon struck the spot they'd been standing in a moment before. Annabeth was reminded of the Hellhound as she quickly tucked her phone away, shutting it off in the hopes it at least wouldn't focus solely on her, but it was too late. The monster was somehow in the city, and it knew what she was. And this thing was recovering much faster than a Hellhound did, spinning on the spot and roaring.
Her eyes scanned the area, looking for something, anything to use as a weapon, to no avail. Even if there was a sharp piece of rubble, no way would it be Celestial Bronze. Still, she grabbed a broken piece of pipe, turning to face down the monster.
The Serpent slithered towards her, unhinging its jaw in a horrific hiss, and she did the first thing she could think of.
Annabeth dashed at the monster, her heartbeat in her throat as she plunged the pipe into its mouth, forcing its jaws to stay open.
It was way too close. She could feel the hot breath of the dragon, droplets of venom falling on her winter coat and sizzling their way through the thick material. She felt a burning sensation travel it's way up her arm and with a shout she jumped back, scrambling over chunks of broken asphalt and searching for Thalia.
Her friend was hacking away at the monster's tail, a shard of glass clutched in her bleeding palms, but to no avail.
"Dammit, dammit, dammit, just cut, you stupid thing!" the daughter of Zeus yelled, tossing the shard aside and locking eyes with Annabeth.
They were fucked without a plan.
Thalia looked hopeless. It was up to Annabeth.
She ran as much information as she could through her brain as the giant snake struggled with the pipe in its mouth. She knew its head had been crushed by Cadmus with a stone the first time it was killed. She knew it would be nearly invulnerable to an attack on the outside without Celestial Bronze.
The pipe snapped.
"Thalia! Lightning?" She shouted, a plan formulating as she caught a piece of the metal rod out of the air.
"Here?! Do you know how dangerous that is? You'd be toast!" Her friend yelled back, chucking rocks at the back of the dragon as it slithered towards Annabeth once more.
"Just distract it and wait for my signal!"
She ran.
The snake followed, faster than a creature of its size should have been able to, so Annabeth bobbed and weaved as best as she could, thanking the Gods that most mortals had cleared the area. More Demigods would be there soon, they just needed time.
"Hey! Ugly!" Thalia managed to chuck a particularly large piece of rubble at its head, and the Ismenian Dragon turned its disgusting snout towards her.
Annabeth saw her opening. She leaped onto the body of the dragon and latched on as tight as she could hold.
The monster screeched, a piercing noise that left a ringing in her ears- she closed her eyes in pain, scales scraping at her hands and knees. She could feel the rips forming in her jeans and cursed, dragging herself up the creature's neck. She had to get to the head.
The snake thrashed again and Annabeth held on even tighter. She could hear more shouting, Thalia and others- the police perhaps? She didn't have time to think about it, as the dragon smashed her up against a building in its throes.
Pain blossomed on her left side and she bit her tongue, tasting blood.
It had been so long since she had been in danger, real danger. And she was terrified, the fear pumping through her veins alongside the adrenaline. She wouldn't die here, she couldn't.
She thought about Seaweed Brain. Would he know, if something happened to her? Who would tell him? Who could reach him?
Her right hand was slippery with blood now and she could feel herself sliding. With a surge of strength, she pulled herself up, crawling onto its head. With a cry, Annabeth plunged the rod into the eye of the drake.
"Thalia, now!" she screamed, leaping from the monster just as her friend understood.
Annabeth heard the blast. She felt it at her back, her hair standing on end as static electricity crackled in the air. She landed on the ground hard, her ankle twisting painfully, but the demigoddess turned just in time to see the dragon get fried: lightning burst from the sky, striking the pole in a deadly bolt.
The Ismenian Dragon teetered for a moment before falling to its side. It dissolved quickly into dust and ash, leaving only its perfect, powerful teeth behind.
Annabeth collapsed, falling on her ass and breathing hard. Her head felt light, and she was only vaguely aware of Thalia running up to her, a Demigod officer beside her.
"Holy fuck, are you okay?!"
"I-I'm… I'm fine." She managed to get out. Her pants were destroyed, ripped and bloody. Palms were shredded, then there was the burning in her arm and the dull ache in her side. Her ankle was toast. She wasn't sure if her head was throbbing from the hangover or from being whipped around like a doll. Probably both.
The officer knelt beside her, digging in his pack as Thalia helped Annabeth out of her jacket. Welts and dark veins covered her right arm where the venom had melted through her clothes and she winced at the sight.
"Here." The officer held out an ambrosia square and she took it gratefully, "That was brave of you, miss. Do you have plans to join the Guild after graduation?"
Annabeth shook her head, taking small bites of the ambrosia. It tasted like the strawberries grown at camp, sweet, with sugar sprinkled on top. Immediately she felt better, though her arm would take more than a few days to recover and she was sure the bruising would cover most of her body.
"That's a shame. We could use more Demigods like you." Hhe stood, giving a thumbs up to the crew of guild members who swept in, securing the scene and scooping up the teeth.
The Guild was not a police force. It functioned solely with the goal to protect the world from monsters, accepting only the best Demigods, though even a few highly trained mortals could make it in if they worked hard enough.
Annabeth had no interest in dedicating her life to doing that sort of thing. It was a noble effort, but her dreams lay with building something permanent.
Thalia accepted the ambrosia square after an insistent "It's just my hands, no big deal!" She bent down to squat on the pavement beside Annabeth.
"You okay?"
Annabeth shuddered. "I-I'm fine."
"You're not." Thalia's eyes flickered to Annabeth's pocket. "Are you going to tell him?"
"What?" Her brow furrowed instantly. "Why would I?"
"Um, hello?" Thalia's voice was incredulous. "Your phone signal just almost got you killed! I think he'd want to know about it!"
Annabeth worried at her lip with her teeth. "It… it wasn't supposed to be here. How did it get in? Into the middle of the city?!"
Thalia shrugged. "Hell if I know."
They sat like that for a few moments more, watching the Guild clean up the streets, usher civilians back, and do what they did best. If only they had arrived earlier.
Despite the ambrosia, Annabeth could still feel how close she was to being killed. She could feel how her ankle would be tender to walk on for the next few days, how her arm may scar, how the bruises would cover her torso and be sore to the touch. She hadn't missed this part of quests, and she hadn't expected to deal with such a dangerous situation in the middle of New Athens.
There was a crowd gathering and she noted a few flashes of cameras as Thalia helped her stand upright. The cold nipped at her, but she hardly noticed, only one thought on her mind.
"Let's get out of here."
University Students Save New Athens!
Saturday morning, terror seized the heart of New Athenians as the Ismenian Dragon suddenly appeared in downtown, frightening locals and tearing up the cross section of Lowry and Broadway. Annabeth Chase, Daughter of Athena and local University student was nearby and leapt into action, accompanied by Thalia Grace, Daughter of Zeus. Together, the two students subdued and destroyed the dragon, much to the relief of the local Guild chapter, who still have no leads as to how it got in in the first place. They assure New Athenians not to be alarmed, but encourage anyone who has any tips to report them to their nearest precinct. For now, the Guild encourages all Demigods to limit cell phone usage as much as possible. Meanwhile, the city is indebted to Chase and Grace, and will be presenting them with a special honor for their valor. Chase has recently been working on getting the new Temple in the city approved on her mother's behalf- but now New Athenians are wondering if that is really what will keep them safe. Can Athena alone be enough to stop monsters from invading our homes? Or is the might of all the Gods needed to strengthen our borders? (cont. pg 12)
The newspaper was sprawled on the table between them.
Athena thrummed her fingers on its wooden surface- despite herself , Annabeth could only think about how this was the most she'd seen of her mother in years. Luke sat beside her, concern evident on his face, and Thalia stood on the other side.
"This may damage our efforts." The Goddess finally spoke, pointing to the blurry photo of the dragon. "However, this-" her finger moved to the figure clinging to it, Annabeth would recognize her own blue parka anywhere., "This may have salvaged the situation. Mr. Castellan, thoughts?"
Luke cleared his throat, standing., "Having a monster, especially one as large as this one appear in the city at this time was certainly… unfortunate," he sighed. "New Athenians will be scared. They'll want the border reinforced, and it may just be the opening Poseidon needs to win."
"Yeah, but it was a Daughter of Athena who stopped it." Thalia cut in.
Annabeth shook her head, "Thalia, you're the one with the lightning, not me."
"Yeah, and it was your plan! Without you, I'd have been dead meat." Thalia lifted the paper, shoving the picture in Annabeth's face. "If this is what a Daughter of Athena will do to ensure the city's safety, what would Athena herself do?"
Athena seemed to like this train of thought.
"That's our angle, Miss Grace. Thank you for the insight." She crossed the table, gesturing for Annabeth to stand as well, "You three have shown much promise throughout this ordeal and I am grateful for it." It was the closest a God usually came to thanking a mortal. Annabeth had been on many quests for her mother in the past, and she had come to expect little more.
"Of course, Mother."
"Now, are all your cellphones off? There have been two more attacks since Saturday, though on a much lower scale- I don't want any of you taking any chances."
The city, once thought of as a safe haven, was no longer the same. There had been a Hellhound in the subway, a Harpy uptown, and people were scared.
Annabeth's own phone was uncomfortably cold in her pocket, having been off for the past few days at her mother's insistence.
She missed him. Seaweed Brain. She wondered if he noticed her absence- he most definitely saw the papers, even if he wasn't aware it was his Wise Girl who had been in them, and she wondered what he thought of Annabeth Chase. Did he think she was brave?
Would he recognize her when they met?
"Of course they are." Thalia glanced at Annabeth meaningfully but said nothing more.
"Good." Athena strolled to the window of the conference room, gazing out over the city, "In a month, the Mayor will present you with your honors for your bravery. It would be a good time to get him on our side."
"Yes, Mother."
"You may go." She dismissed them with a wave of her hand, not even turning to say goodbye.
The three filed out of the room and Annabeth released a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Luke turned on her almost immediately, grasping her shoulders.
"Annabeth I- I was so sorry to hear you were attacked. Are you okay?" His eyes were filled with concern, and she was grateful for her friend despite the awkwardness still between them.
"I'm okay, promise," she reassured him, patting his hand with a smile. "I got ambrosia at the scene and I'm healing just fine."
He heaved a sigh, glancing at Thalia, "You too… you both should be more careful from now on."
"From now on?" Thalia's brow furrowed.
"We have no reason to believe these attacks won't stop." Luke finally dropped his hands, shoving them in his pockets., "In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they ramp up."
"But how is that possible?" Annabeth asked as they walked to the elevators.
Luke shrugged. "Demigods can usually summon minor monsters in designated areas for training. There's no reason to believe someone couldn't do the same with something more powerful if they had the right knowledge."
The lift dinged and they all stepped inside, Thalia pressing the "lobby" button as she chimed in, "Yeah, but why hasn't anyone done something like this before?"
"Something's changed. This Temple… it's bigger and more important than we imagined." Luke leaned against the wall. "Which is why it's vital we stay focused."
The trio strolled out of the elevator and into the lobby of the Empire State Building. While there was usually a line of tourists stretched out the door, it was currently a ghost town, empty as the city feared more attacks.
"Annabeth, we can meet up tomorrow to discuss what to do with that article I gave you. Thalia, stay out of trouble."
Thalia rolled her eyes, "What do you think I've been doing?"
With a smirk, Luke waved to the two of them and left the building. Thalia whirled on Annabeth immediately.
"What are you gonna do?"
"About…?" Annabeth tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"Your boyfriend!" Thalia's voice held an unsaid "duh!"
"He's not my boyfriend!" Annabeth protested, face growing red, "He's… well he's… I don't know. And I don't know what to do about him either."
"Have you talked to him?"
Annabeth shook her head, "No I… I haven't found time to turn on my phone. It doesn't exactly feel safe anymore."
"Gods, he must be losing his mind if you're really that close." Thalia brushed some spiky hair out of her eyes, "You should reach out, let him know you're okay."
"Right…" Annabeth sighed., "Ugh, this whole thing has just shown me how out of shape I am."
Thalia shrugged, "I mean we don't train that much anymore… if you want, we could start going to the gym maybe a couple nights a week?"
Annabeth barely had the time between school and campaigning, but she found herself nodding. "Yeah, that would be smart. Want to start Friday?"
"Sounds good to me." Thalia pulled her hat from her pocket, tugging it over her head, "I'll… well I guess I won't call you, but I'll be around. Let me know if you need anything, yeah?"
"Of course."
They parted ways.
It was only when Annabeth reached her dorm room that she felt comfortable finally switching on her phone, watching the notifications pour in. She glanced around nervously, before turning to the messages.
9:08AM SEAWEED BRAIN
morning wise girl! 3
holy shit did u see the news?
12:32PM SEAWEED BRAIN
hey
what r u up to?
11:45PM SEAWEED BRAIN
im beginning to get a little worried, wise girl
are you okay?
i miss you.
7:45AM SEAWEED BRAIN
i couldnt sleep last night
theres been more attacks
youre okay, right?
please be okay
There were more like it, and guilt gnawed at Annabeth as she scrolled through all of them. She should have checked in earlier.
They texted every day for the past couple months- of course he'd be worried when she suddenly disappeared! She would feel the same way if he suddenly stopped responding. In a flash, her thumbs were flying across the screen:
3:54PM WISE GIRL
I'm so sorry Seaweed Brain
3:54PM SEAWEED BRAIN
OH THANK GODS UR ALIVE
3:54PM WISE GIRL
I wasn't allowed to have my phone on the past few days
Of course I'm alive!
I'm safe, don't worry.
3:54PM SEAWEED BRAIN
fuck
shit
i should have figured
but give me a warning next time!
i...
i didnt know what to think!
3:56PM WISE GIRL
I know, I'm so sorry.
I promise I won't disappear again.
What about you? Have you been safe? There's been a lot of attacks…
And your phone is always on
3:57PM SEAWEED BRAIN
im fine wise girl
i can handle it
just...
ugh i want to ask u to keep UR phone off but
how would i talk to u?
i feel so selfish
3:57PM WISE GIRL
Don't worry about me.
I can make my own decisions, I'll be okay.
I've always been a tough girl.
3:58PM SEAWEED BRAIN
i believe it
just be careful ok?
i dont know what id do
if something happened to u
3:59PM WISE GIRL
Likewise.
She bit her lip.
4:00PM WISE GIRL
Did you see that girl in the news who defeated the dragon?
4:00PM SEAWEED BRAIN
oh man yeah
crazy
do you know her?
4:01PM WISE GIRL
Something like that.
We've been acquainted.
4:02PM SEAWEED BRAIN
no way!
small world!
Annabeth froze.
Had they met?
4:02PM WISE GIRL
You know her too?
4:02PM SEAWEED BRAIN
barely, haha
Her heart was beating out of her chest. He knew her. Which meant she probably knew him too.
4:03PM WISE GIRL
Very small world.
Do you think we've met?
4:03PM SEAWEED BRAIN
its kind of a huge campus
its not super likely
but hey
i hope we have
Her mind buzzed with faces, people she barely knew, people she had classes with- which one of them could he be? She stared down at her phone for a moment. Was he worth the risk of keeping it on? In a moment, she decided yes.
4:04PM WISE GIRL
Me too.