Ch20

Annabeth watched as Luke paced around in his room. "I can't believe they got away," he muttered before sitting down across from her. His face was tense and his eyes betrayed the unease he had in them. "Don't worry we'll take the fleece from them when they arrive."

She nodded, "Then Thalia can get healed right?" She still couldn't believe Luke poisoned her tree but she knew better than to argue. Just play along, tell him what he wants to hear then help him get to his senses.

A part of her wanted to scream and yell at him, her emotions were starting to feel like a pressure cooker sooner or later she would blow up at someone. How could he poison her tree and endanger the camp? But she knew better than to argue, Luke was all that was there between her and death.

Luke looked at her his face weary with fatigue. "We'll be a family again I promise." He grabbed her hands and looked her in the eyes. His eyes were now red with fatigue. "All three of us will be together again, it wasn't fair what happened to Thalia you know that right?"

"Of course I always wished she were with us," she said quickly. Deep down she always did think it was unfair and she often thought about how life would be with Thalia. Her heart raced, she had to play the part Luke was basically the only person who completely trusted her here and even then she doubted how far that trust would go. "It's just I'm worried about her tree being poisoned."

"Me too. Trust me I understand your worry," Luke said as he sat down and rested his head in his hands. "It wasn't easy for me to do but this is the only way. We'll restore Kronos and then heal her. Thalia will then join us I know she will."

She swallowed the lump in her throat. Thalia. The memory of her friend passed through her mind, she wished she were here, that way she could talk some sense into Luke. Her heart fluttered at the memories they had together. We can be together again in the future.

"We'll be together again," Luke said giving her a small smile. "All three of us just like the old days."

"Just like the old days," she muttered remembering the old days with her family. All three of us against the world.

"The sons of Poseidon have their tricks," Luke said as he sat upright in his chair. "But we'll win in the end I know it. As soon as they land we'll ambush them and give take the fleece from them."

She nodded, avoiding Luke's gaze. She was in her cabin when she heard about the sons of Poseidon escaping. If only we ran into each other. Yet despite thinking that she could've escaped with them while the other still wanted to remain here with Luke and help him see the light.

If I escape what happens to him? The Titan Lord wasn't exactly the forgiving type. Deep down she knew that Luke would probably suffer if she left

There was a knock on the door as a monster entered. "Lord Kronos wishes to see you both."

"We'll be there," Luke said as he got up. His brow was furrowed, his body rigid as he extended a hand to her. "Don't worry you did nothing wrong, I won't let him hurt you."

"Thanks," she muttered as she took his hand.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she walked beside Luke. They arrived at the room where Kronos's coffin was, the eerily familiar presence of the titan lord enveloped her. It was as if a weight were being pressed against her chest, Kronos's presence made her want to run and hide under some covers.

Luke placed a hand on her shoulder, she nearly jumped but looking into his tired eyes and smile she smiled back feeling reassured. He'll protect me I know he will. We are a family.

"Luke the sons of Poseidon managed to cause quite the ruckus," Kronos said his voice was anything but amused.

Luke bowed, "It was a small error. But don't worry they'll do the dirty work for us, once they get the fleece we'll take it from them when they land."

She could feel Kronos's presence, she couldn't tell if he was amused or approved of Luke's plan. Hopefully he doesn't punish us. Her stomach turned at that thought, Kronos made it very clear that he wouldn't tolerate any failure from either of them. So far she hadn't been punished but she knew better than to test his patience.

"Good. Anyway I have an assignment for young Annabeth here," Kronos said.

Her body shook under his presence. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she did a stiff bow, "What do you request Lord Kronos." The words rang hollow but she knew better than to argue. One wrong word, one wrong action and I'm dead.

"When the time comes you shall fight and slay Percy Jackson," Kronos said firmly.

Her eyes widened, "S-Slay Percy Jackson?"

"Indeed. Luke here should be able to take care of his brother with the help of a few monsters. This is your chance to prove your loyalty to me," Kronos said firmly. "Fight him and slay him if you can.

Kronos's words wrang in her head, her body shook as she processed the order. Slay Percy? Yeah she found the son of Poseidon kind of annoying but in a cute way.

"Well? Will you accept my order?" Kronos asked as a monster came in and presented her with a celestial bronze sword.

She looked at Luke, his eyes were pleading for her to make the decision. "I-I will," she said swallowing the lump in her throat. Her hand shook as she took the sword. "I-I shall do as you command Lord Kronos."

"Good. Remember I do not tolerate failure," Kronos said firmly. "You may both go now."

They both bowed before leaving the room. "Annabeth I know you can do this," Luke said softly.

"Luke I've never killed anyone before," she said the blade feeling heavy in her hands. The image of Percy Jackson in her mind made her heart flutter a bit, how could she kill a camper?

"It's alright I understand," Luke said softly. He turned to her and placed a hand on her shoulder looking her in the eyes. His gaze though tired had a gleam of warmth in them. "I'll always protect you, just fight against him and if you can't deal the final blow I will."

Her heart fluttered, for a second she felt like they were back at camp discussing plans for capture the flag. "Thank you," she said softly.

"I know you aren't a killer," Luke said lifting her chin up with his hand. "But just fight him to the best of your ability. I know you can beat him if you have trouble I'll help you. I'll always help you don't forget that."

She could feel her ears turning red her heart rate beginning to speed up. "Th-Thank you," she said softly.

Luke smiled at her and patted her on the back. "Come on lets enjoy this ship before we have to act."

She nodded and followed Luke gripping the sword in her hand. I'll have to fight him. I'll have to fight Percy Jackson and try to kill him. Deep down her heart raced on what she could or should do. I could try to convince him I'm not an enemy but I can't just leave Luke here Kronos will hurt him badly if I leave.

Later that night the Titan Lord paid a visit to her dreams. His presence was cold and powerful, it was his way of showing her that she was nothing in comparison to her.

"Daughter of Athena I would like to make one thing clear with you," Kronos said his voice icily calm.

She could feel her body shake her mind was frozen in terror at the Titan Lord's presence. "Wh-What is it my Lord?"

There was a pause followed by a small chuckle. "You are an interesting girl. Luke has high hopes for you and so do I but I should make one thing clear right now about your current task.

It was as if a jolt of electricity ran through her body, the Titan Lord's presence began to press against her mind like a weight. "I-I'll do as you command."

"You are to fight Percy Jackson with all of your might and slay him," Kronos said firmly. "If I detect even the smallest amount of hesitation, the smallest amount of disloyalty, or any hint that you are trying to relay information to him it will be the biggest mistake a child of Athena has made."

She swallowed the lump in her throat as she felt a cold chill down her spine. Kronos's words were as threatening as they were firm. "I-I swear I'll serve you well," she said her heart racing in her chest.

"Oh you better. If you betray me by sending a message or trying to defect Luke will regret the day he met you," Kronos said.

"What?" she asked in surprise.

Kronos laughed. "I'll torture him for failure and if you defect he'll curse the day you two met." Each word he said was laced with a not so hidden threat.

"No please no," she begged quickly. "He didn't do anything wrong."

The Titan Lord laughed, he seemed amused. "I don't tolerate failure. I know you don't care about your mortal family and those at the camp I can just kill. Luke on the other hand is firmly in my grasps and if Thalia Grace comes back alive, she'll join him and suffer for your sins."

Her heart pounded in her chest. She could feel the sweat on her body and the tears in her eyes. "I-I swear I'll never betray you," she said half out of desperation but also to spare Luke from any torture.

"Good no prepare well child," Kronos said. "I expect the upmost loyalty from you. Do not disappoint me."

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes my Lord."

As soon as his presence was gone she felt her mind rest. I have to do this. I cannot die here and neither can I let Luke die or get hurt.

Her heart sunk, if she failed the person who was like family to her would die painfully. I have to do this. I'm sorry Percy, we may not have known each other well but if we fight I cannot lose. Tears fell down her face as she clenched her sheets. I'm sorry. I really am.