Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or any of the characters. Except Kristina.
Thinking
"Speaking"
CHAPTER 3
Previously,
"What did he mean, Zoe?" Annabeth asked.
Zoe pointed past the Golden Gate, to a single mountain.
"I must go home." She muttered.
She started jogging along the water. Annabeth, Thalia and Grover exchanged glances before following her.
"We will not get there in time." Zoe commented a few minutes later. "We are moving too slow."
"Why do we have to reach there by sunset?" Thalia questioned.
"The Hesperides are nymphs of the sunset. We can only enter the garden as day changes to night." Zoe explained.
"And what happens if we miss it?"
Zoe sighed in exasperation, "Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice; if we miss it today, we will have to wait till tomorrow evening. The meeting would be over by then. We must free Lady Artemis tonight."
"We need a car." Annabeth said.
"You're right. But where do we get one?" Grover asked, panting.
Annabeth pursed her lips. "Follow me." She picked up the pace and ran in another direction.
Zoe looked at Thalia. Thalia sighed and the three of them followed the blonde girl.
They ran for a while, then Annabeth finally stopped in front of a house.
"Annabeth..." Thalia started.
"I'm fine, Thalia." Annabeth gave her a watery smile. She knocked on the door.
A man with an old-fashioned aviator cap and goggles opened the door.
He had something in his hand which was the epicenter of his attention. It was a toy airplane. He was fiddling with it as he spoke, "Hello, are you delivering my airplanes?"
"Not quite." Annabeth spoke softly. The man's head snapped up and the object clattered to the ground.
"Annabeth..." He whispered.
"Hi dad." She smiled nervously.
He moved quickly and wrapped her in an awkward hug.
Zoe was the only one who looked confused. Thalia and Grover exchanged glances again.
After a few moments, Annabeth pushed away.
"Dad, we need your help."
"O-Of course! Come in!" He moved to the side and the four of them walked in.
"Dad! He's pulling my robots apart!" A little boy screamed.
"Matthew, don't pull your brother's robots apart." Annabeth called.
Silence.
Two boys came running out and crashed into Annabeth. She chuckled nervously and gave them both a one-armed hug.
A woman came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.
She dropped the towel in shock when she saw Annabeth.
"Hey mom." She waved nervously.
"Annabeth!" Her step-mother gave her a hug too.
Their hug was shorter, and when they broke apart, she looked at Thalia, Zoe and Grover and smiled.
"Are these your friends?"
Annabeth nodded.
"They need some help, apparently." Dr. Chase was back to fiddling with his toy airplane.
"I see." Mrs. Chase said. "Why don't all of you go to the study and I'll bring up some food?"
They all walked up the stairs and Grover's eyes landed on the huge table in the middle.
It was covered in a re-enactment of the Third Battle of Ypres.
"The German lines were farther from the river." Zoe commented, studying the battlefield.
"How do you know that?" Dr. Chase asked.
"I was there." She said simply. "Lady Artemis wanted to show us how horrible war was, how mortal men fought each other. And foolish, too. The battle was a complete waste."
"You-"
"Dad." Annabeth interrupted.
"Right, right. Sorry, dear. Now, what did you need?" Dr. Chase smiled kindly.
"We need a car. We have to get to Mount Tamalpais. Immediately."
"I can drive you all down there." He offered.
"Um, sir, it's too dangerous for you." Thalia spoke up.
He stared at her. Then his gaze settled on Annabeth. "Annabeth, I can't just let you-"
"Snacks," Mrs. Chase entered and announced. She set a plate of gooey chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and glasses of soda.
Annabeth, Grover and Thalia immediately took a few cookies, while Zoe spoke.
"Sir, I can drive; I'm not as young as I look. And I promise not to destroy your car."
"What's all this about?" Mrs. Chase asked.
"They need transportation to Mount Tam. But apparently, it isn't a place for... mortals." He said the last part stiffly.
She looked at Annabeth. "Mount Tam?"
Annabeth nodded.
"Well, then you better get going."
Annabeth smiled in relief.
"Right!" Dr. Chase stood up and patted himself.
"The keys are on the peg out front." Annabeth reminded.
"Right. I knew that." He said sheepishly.
Zoe grabbed a sandwich and they all headed out.
Just as they were leaving, Mrs. Chase spoke, "Annabeth. You-You still have a home here, ok?"
Annabeth smiled awkwardly and nodded. "Ok."
They all hurried to the car and Annabeth tuned out Zoe and Thalia's argument.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Sisters." Zoe greeted with a fake smile.
"We do not see any sister. We only see two half-bloods, a satyr and a Hunter. All who will die soon." One of the girls said coldly.
"No one else is going to die." Zoe's eyes hardened.
"Else?" Another girl smirked.
Zoe, Annabeth and Thalia all glared at the Hesperides.
"Go back." The last girl ordered.
"Not without Lady Artemis." Zoe said firmly. "We must approach the mountain."
"You know he will kill thee."
"Artemis must be freed. Let us pass." Zoe insisted.
"You have no rights here anymore. All we have to do is raise our voices and Ladon will wake."
Zoe glared at her defiantly, then spun around to face the sleeping dragon.
"Ladon! Wake!" She yelled.
Annabeth gasped and quickly put her invisibility cap on.
"Zoe, don't! He'll kill you; you aren't a Hesperid anymore!" Thalia protested.
"Ladon is trained to protect the tree." Zoe informed. "Skirt around the edges of the garden and go up the mountain. As long as I am the bigger threat, he should ignore thee."
"Should." Thalia said drily, "Not exactly reassuring."
"Just go." Zoe sent her a withering glare.
Grover went left and Thalia went right. Annabeth, invisibly, stayed back.
Zoe spoke to Ladon soothingly, but he lunged at her.
She dodged one set of slashing fangs, weaving through the heads to get to the other side.
Annabeth followed her, confusing the dragon immensely.
Ladon attempted to snap at Zoe's side, but Annabeth tackled her to the ground, avoiding the heads.
Zoe sent the blonde girl a grateful look, after Annabeth had revealed herself, and they ran to safety.
They all ran up the mountain and at the top of the mountain, they saw ruins. Blocks of black granite and marble as big as houses. Broken columns. Statues of bronze that looked as though they'd been half melted.
"The ruins of Mount Othrys." Annabeth whispered.
"This is bad." Zoe said. "It was not here before."
They reached the summit.
There, a few yards away, was Artemis, bound by Celestial Bronze chains, forced to hold up the sky.
"My lady!" Zoe yelled. She started running, but Artemis stopped her.
"No! Stop! Zoe, it's a trap! You must leave!"
Despite her protests, Zoe rushed towards Artemis, tears falling freely. She tugged at the chains, then stopped when she heard laughter.
"Ah, how touching." The voice said.
From behind the Mist, a man appeared. The General in his brown silk suit.
Along with Luke and a dozen dracaenae bearing the golden sarcophagus.
"Luke." Thalia snarled.
"Well, this is nice." Luke commented. "All three of us here together!"
Thalia spat at him. Annabeth's eyes were slightly glassy. Grover was nervously chewing a metal can.
"So much for old friends, huh?" The General chuckled. "And you, Zoe. It's been a long time, hasn't it? How is my little traitor? I will enjoy killing you."
"Do not respond. Do not challenge him." Artemis ordered, grunting under the weight of the sky.
"Atlas." Zoe glared at him. Even with tear marks streaking her face, she looked menacing. "Let Artemis go."
Atlas walked closer. "Would you like to take the sky in her place, then?"
"No! Don't offer! I forbid you, Zoe!" Artemis cut Zoe off.
Atlas smirked and knelt next to the chained goddess. He tried to touch the goddess' face, but she bit at him, almost taking off his fingers.
Atlas chuckled again, "You see, daughter?"
Annabeth, Thalia and Grover's eyes widened. Thalia muttered, "Daughter?"
"Yes." Zoe said weakly. "The Titan Atlas is my father."
"As I was saying, Lady Artemis likes her new job. I think I will have all the Olympians take turns carrying my burden, once Lord Kronos rules again, and this is the center of the palace. It will teach those weaklings some humility." Atlas continued.
He scanned the demigods and his gaze rested on Thalia.
"You, daughter of Zeus, it seems Luke was wrong about you."
"I was not wrong," Luke protested. "Thalia, you can still join us! Call the Ophiotaurus! It will come to you. Look."
He waved his hand and a pool of water appeared next to them.
"Thalia, call the Ophiotaurus and you will be more powerful than the gods!" Luke insisted.
"Luke..." Thalia choked up.
"What happened to you?" Annabeth asked, tears welling in her eyes.
Luke ignored her. "If you join me, Thalia, it can be like old times! The three of us together! Fighting for a better world! Please, if you don't agree, he'll use the other way!"
His voice faltered. "I-It's my last chance! Please..."
"Do not, Thalia. We must fight them." Zoe warned.
Luke waved his hand again and a flame appeared. A sacrificial flame.
"Thalia," Annabeth said. "No."
Behind Luke, the golden sarcophagus began to glow. As it did, they all saw images in the mist all around us: black marble walls rising, the ruins becoming whole, a terrible and beautiful palace rising around them, made of fear and shadow.
"We will raise Mount Othrys right here," Luke promised, in a voice so strained it was hardly his. "Once more, it will be stronger and greater than Olympus. Look, Thalia. We are not weak. "
He pointed toward the ocean. Marching up the side of the mountain, from the beach where the Princess Andromeda was docked, was a great army. Dracaenae and Laestrygonians, monsters and half-bloods, hell hounds, harpies.
And they were marching toward them.
"This is only a taste of what is to come," Luke said. "Soon we will be ready to storm Camp Half-Blood. And after that, Olympus itself. All we need is your help."
For a second, Thalia hesitated. Then her eyes turned cold. "You aren't Luke. I don't know you anymore."
"Yes, you do, Thalia! Please... Don't make me- Don't make him destroy you!" Luke pleaded.
Without a word, Thalia charged. Zoe ran towards Atlas, and making a quick decision, Annabeth ran behind her.
Despite his sickly appearance, Luke was still skilled. He dodged the girl's blows, attacking with his own swift and smooth strikes.
Meanwhile, Zoe and Annabeth weren't doing well against Atlas.
He batted aside Zoe's arrows and blocked Annabeth's dagger.
Grover was at the end, being helpful by throwing metal cans at Luke from time to time.
Atlas kicked Annabeth away, and she landed next to Artemis.
She stood up, wincing at the pain. She turned to Artemis, and her eyes lit up.
"The sky; give it to me." She spoke.
"You won't survive." Artemis grunted.
"We won't survive either way!" Annabeth slashed through the chains with her dagger, and knelt next to the goddess.
Annabeth hissed at the feeling, and exhaled. Her muscles felt like they were turning to jelly.
There was nothing she wanted to do more than let it go.
Then Artemis rolled away, forcing Annabeth to bear the entire weight alone.
Her vision blurred. She felt sweat trickling down her face and neck.
She thought about Bianca, who had sacrificed herself for their mission.
She thought about Thalia, who had once sacrificed herself so that Annabeth, Luke and Grover could make it back safely.
If they both could do that, then surely, she could hold up the sky.
Some distance away, Luke and Thalia were still fighting.
"Yield! You could never beat me!" Thalia yelled.
"We'll see about that!" Luke growled.
Meanwhile, Atlas and Artemis were fighting at such a pace, Annabeth saw only blurs.
Although, she doubted she would be able to see properly even if they weren't that fast.
Atlas pressed forward. His javelin slammed into the earth where Artemis had been a split second before, and a fissure opened in the rocks. He leaped over it and kept pursuing her. She was leading him back towards Annabeth.
Get ready, Artemis spoke in Annabeth's mind.
He feinted with the tip of his javelin and Artemis dodged. Atlas's javelin swept around and knocked Artemis's legs off the ground. She fell, and Atlas brought up his javelin tip for the kill.
"No!" Zoe screamed. She leaped between her father and Artemis and shot an arrow straight into the Titan's forehead, where it lodged like a unicorn's horn.
Atlas bellowed in rage. He swept aside his daughter with the back of his hand, sending her flying into the black rocks.
Artemis gasped, then glared at Atlas.
If looks could kill, Atlas would be dead a hundred times already.
"The first blood in a new war." Atlas grinned triumphantly.
He brought his javelin down, and as quick as lightning, Artemis grabbed the shaft.
She pulled it backwards, like a lever, and kicking him and sending him flying over her.
Annabeth loosened her grip on the sky, and as Atlas slammed into her, she rolled out of the way.
The weight of the sky crashed onto Atlas's back and he shouted.
"No! Not again!" He struggled to get up and escape his old burden. But it was too late.
Annabeth tried to stand up, but her limbs felt like jelly. Grover scurried over to her and helped her up.
Annabeth's eyes widened and she turned to Luke and Thalia, who were at the edge of the cliff.
"Thalia!" Annabeth tried to scream, but her voice was weak. Even then, with all her might, she yelled, "Don't kill him!"
"He's a traitor, Annabeth." Thalia sneered. "He deserves to die."
"We-We can bring Luke back." Annabeth pleaded. Her voice was failing her. "He can be useful to Olympus."
"Is that what you want, Thalia?" Luke sneered, but the daughter of Zeus could hear the fear in his voice. "To go back to Olympus in triumph? To please your father?"
The last word was said with pure contempt.
Thalia hesitated. Taking the opportunity, Luke made a desperate grab for her spear.
Her instincts took over, and Thalia kicked him off the cliff.
"No-" Annabeth started to scream, but she didn't have enough strength left in her.
She fell to her knees, sobbing.
A minute later, Grover helped her walk towards Artemis and Zoe.
Zoe was leaning against the broken remains and groaning in pain.
An army of monsters rushed towards them, but a Sopwith Camel swooped in.
"Get away from my daughter!" Dr. Chase yelled.
"Dad?" Annabeth asked incredulously, forgetting Luke for a moment.
"Run!" He yelled, his voice getting fainter.
"A brave man." Artemis muttered. "We must get Zoe away."
The Sopwith Camel swooped down again and shot a round of Celestial Bronze bullets, vaporizing some dracaenae.
Suddenly, the moonlight brightened, and a chariot appeared, drawn by beautiful deer, and it landed beside them.
"Get in." Artemis commanded.
Grover helped Annabeth and Thalia get on board, then helped Artemis with Zoe.
Once everyone was in, the chariot flew into the sky, away from the mountain.
They flew for a while and landed after nightfall. As soon as they landed, Annabeth, who had regained a bit of her strength, rushed to her dad gave him a hug.
"Dad! You- I mean, you shot- Oh gods, that was the most amazing thing I've ever seen." She gushed.
Her father blushed. "Well, not bad for a middle-aged mortal, I suppose."
"But the celestial bronze bullets! How did you get those?"
"Ah, well. You did leave quite a few half-blood weapons in your room in Virginia, the last time you… left."
Annabeth looked down, embarrassed.
"I decided to try melting some down to make bullet casings," he continued. "Just a little experiment."
He said it like it was no big deal, but he had a gleam in his eye.
"Dad…" Annabeth faltered.
"Ahem," Artemis cleared her throat, "I must leave for Olympus immediately. I will not be able to take you, but I will send help."
She mounted her chariot, and it started to glow. Everyone averted their eyes and the goddess disappeared in a flash of silver.
"Well," Dr. Chase sighed. "She was impressive; though I must say I still prefer Athena."
Annabeth turned toward him. "Dad, I… I'm sorry that-"
"Shh." He hugged her. "Do what you must, my dear. I know this isn't easy for you."
His voice was a little shaky, but he gave Annabeth a brave smile.
There was a whoosh of large wings, and everyone turned to see two Pegasi descending through the fog.
"Blackjack!" Annabeth yelled, smiling.
The Pegasus whinnied and trotted towards her. She patted him and he whinnied happily.
"Can you get us to Olympus?" She asked.
He whinnied again and knelt down. She took that as a yes and carefully mounted it.
Grover sat behind her, and Thalia and Zoe mounted the other.
Annabeth turned and gave her father one last smile. He gave her a kiss on the cheek, then stepped back.
"I-I know San Fransisco is a dangerous place for you, but please remember you have a home with us. We will keep you safe." He smiled a shaky smile.
She didn't answer. She only nodded hesitantly, and the Pegasi took off.
Thalia was so exhausted that she fell asleep on the Pegasus. Annabeth did the same.
After an hour or two of flying in silence, the Pegasi landed in the outer courtyard, in front of the gates of Olympus.
"I'll get you dozens of apples, Blackjack." She stroked his muzzle. "Thank you."
Blackjack whinnied and the Pegasi flew away.
Before the demigods (and Grover) could knock, the gates opened on their own.
They entered together.
Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations.
All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess were about fifteen feet tall, and very intimidating.
"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.
They noticed the Ophiotaurus swimming in a little pool in the corner.
None of the other gods said a word. The hearth crackled softly, while Zeus was staring intently at Thalia.
She fidgeted under his scrutinizing gaze, and bit her lip nervously.
"Heroes," Artemis called.
The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward them, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion on her face.
"The Council has been informed of your deeds." Artemis looked at each of them. "They know Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering of armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."
Some of the Olympians grumbled, but no one protested. And Artemis continued, "At my Lord Zeus's command, my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans cause.
Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons.
Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…"
She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?"
She looked around at the assembled gods, meeting their faces individually. Zeus in his dark pin-striped suit, his black beard neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparking with energy.
Next to him sat a beautiful woman with silver hair braided over one shoulder and a dress that shimmered colors like peacock feathers. The Lady Hera.
On Zeus's right, sat Poseidon in his beach shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. He had a weathered, suntanned face with a dark beard and deep green eyes.
Next to him, a huge lump of a man with a leg in a steel brace, a misshapen head, and a wild brown beard, fire flickering through his whiskers. The Lord of the Forges, Hephaestus.
Hermes grinned at the demigods. He was wearing a business suit today, checking messages on his caduceus mobile phone.
Apollo leaned back in his golden throne with his shades on. He had iPod headphones on.
Dionysus looked bored, twirling a grape vine between his fingers.
And Ares sat on his chrome-and-leather throne, sharpening a knife.
On the ladies' side of the throne room, a dark-haired goddess in green robes sat next to Hera on a throne woven of apple-tree branches. Demeter, Goddess of the Harvest.
Next to her sat a beautiful gray-eyed woman in an elegant white dress. Annabeth's mother, Athena.
Then there was Aphrodite, who was sitting there, the picture of perfection.
"I gotta say," Apollo broke the silence, "These kids did okay." He cleared his throat and began to recite: "Heroes win laurels-"
"Um, yes, first class," Hermes interrupted, anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry. "All in favor of not disintegrating them?"
A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite.
"Wait a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia, "This one is still a risk."
"Ah, yes." Zeus said before snapping his fingers.
In a burst of smoke, Percy and Kristina appeared next to the demigods.
Percy was swinging his sword, and Thalia ducked under it with a squawk. She glared at him, and he looked at her sheepishly and put his sword, Riptide, back in his pocket in pen form.
Kristina dropped her book and stared at everyone, agape.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kristina POV
I was happily reading my book – ok, not happily, I was very bored – when suddenly, I disappeared in smoke and reappeared next to Annabeth, who was blinking owlishly.
I looked around, and saw huge people sitting on equally huge thrones. We were surrounded by them.
The book slipped out of my hands and my jaw dropped.
"Holy-" I was in shock.
Are these the gods? Oh, I see Dionysus.
The one in the middle – I'm assuming it's Zeus – glares at me along with who I figure are Athena and Ares.
Suddenly, the room darkens. There's a rumbling and a man on a huge black and epic looking throne emerges, legs crossed, casually leaning on the armrest.
"Hello, family." He smirks.
"Hades," Zeus growls.
"Oh, how are you, little brother?" Hades asks, as if he didn't just arrive in a dramatic fashion. "Long time, no see, huh?"
Holy shit, Hades is a badass!
"What are you doing here?" Zeus growls again.
"I was under the impression that I was allowed to visit Olympus during the Winter Solstice. Was I wrong?" Hades asks innocently.
Zeus scowls at him.
"As I was saying," Ares says. "These three," He points at Thalia, Percy and I, "are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we have them here-"
"Ares," Poseidon interrupts, "They are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."
"Nor my daughter." Zeus says, "She has done well."
"Or my daughter." Hades threatened.
"She has done nothing to prove herself." Zeus argued.
"But my other daughter has." Hades growls. He opens his mouth to say something else, then glances at me and stays quiet.
Which reminds me; where is Bianca? She couldn't have died, right? I mean, Zoe's still alive. So, she should've lived too... right?
Athena clears her throat and sits forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But there is a security risk here with the other three."
"Mother!" Annabeth protests. "How can you –"
Athena cuts her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and both my uncles, Poseidon and Hades, chose to break their oath not to have more children. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods… such as Thalia, Kristina and Percy… are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."
"Right!" Ares grins. Then the words sink in. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you calling-"
He starts to get up, but a grape vine grows around his waist like a seat belt and pulls him back down.
"Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighs. "Save the fighting for later."
Ares curses and rips away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?"
Dionysus gazes down at us wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?"
"I do not pass judgment," Athena says after a moment. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."
"I will not have them punished," Artemis says firmly. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favor, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."
"Calm down, sis," Apollo speaks. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."
"Don't call me sis! And I will reward them!" Artemis snaps.
"Well," Zeus grumbles. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"
A lot of nodding heads.
"Good." Zeus snaps his fingers, and there's dust flying from the corner of them room.
That's probably where Bessie was.
"And now, the demigods?" Athena prompts.
Zeus's eyes drift to his daughter, Thalia.
Athena continues. "You, Thalia Grace, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says."
"You have to trust them," Annabeth speaks up. "Sir, you have to trust them."
Zeus scowls. "Trust a hero?"
"Annabeth is right," Artemis speaks. "However, I may have a solution. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."
I know what's coming.
After a few hushed words, Artemis turns back to us.
"Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus." Artemis fixes her gaze on said girl. "Will you join the Hunt?"
Annabeth smiles at her and squeezes her hand.
"I will." Thalia announces.
Zeus rises, eyes full of concern. "Daughter, consider well-"
"Father, I will not turn sixteen tomorrow." She speaks firmly. "I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again."
She kneels before the goddess and speaks the words I remember from Bianca's oath. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men…"
Artemis accepts her, there's a subtle silver glow around her and I there's something different about her. I scrutinize her, trying to find what the difference is. There's something... almost... fresh about her.
One at a time, Thalia hugs each of us; Zoe, who smiles welcomingly, Percy who blushes, Annabeth who looks ready to cry, and Grover who looks ready to pass out.
Then she hugs me. "I'm sorry, Kristina." She murmurs.
"For what?" I ask, a feeling of dread washes over me.
She just smiles sadly and walks to Artemis's side.
"These two are still dangerous." Dionysus points at Percy and I.
I feel betrayed. After all that effort to make him like me!
"We're only fourteen." I speak up, stealing Percy's lines. "If this prophecy's about one of us, that's another two years."
"Two years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena states. "Much can change in two years, child."
"Mother!" Annabeth exclaims.
"It is only the truth, daughter. It is bad strategy to keep them alive."
"I vouch for the boy." Poseidon stands up, his trident materializing in his hand. The scent of sea water drifts in the air.
Everyone turns to Hades, who drawls, "I know no one gives a damn about my saying, but I vouch for my children."
Zeus thought about this. "All in favor?"
A lot of hands went up.
Dionysus hesitates, but after glancing at me, scrutinizing me for a few tense moments, raises his hand.
Ares and Athena abstain.
But everybody else… "We have a majority," Zeus decrees, "And so, since we will not be destroying these heroes… I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"
Even though Percy and I did nothing, we were invited to the party. Or the gods just forgot about us. Could be either.
Now, there are parties, and then there are huge, major, blowout parties. And then there are Olympian parties. If you ever get a choice, go for the Olympian.
The Nine Muses crank up the tunes, and I realize the music was whatever you want it to be: the gods can listen to classical and the younger demigods hear hip-hop or whatever, and it's all the same sound track. No arguments. No fights to change the radio station. Just requests to crank it up.
Dionysus goes around growing refreshment stands out of the ground, and a beautiful woman walks with him arm in arm—his wife, Ariadne. Dionysus looks happy for the first time.
Nectar and ambrosia overflows from golden fountains, and platters of mortal snack food crowds the banquet tables. Golden goblets filled with whatever drink you want.
Grover trots around with a full plate of tin cans and enchiladas, and his goblet full of double-espresso latte, while he mutters something like an incantation: "Pan! Pan!"
"I made the right decision, I hope." A familiar deep voice says from behind me.
I turn, and I see Hades standing there.
"Father." I smile. "I won't let you down."
"I hope not."
There's an awkward silence.
"Where's Bianca?" I ask.
"Bianca, yes." He looks uneasy, which makes me narrow my eyes.
"Father, where is my sister?"
"She- You should ask the daughter of Zeus you seem to be 'friends' with."
"Why 'friends'?"
"Not many want to have anything to do with my children." He explains, sounding just a little bitter. "Those two, however," He looks at Thalia and Annabeth, "don't seem to have a problem with you being my child." He sighs. "I should be going now. Goodbye, daughter."
With that he's gone with a puff of smoke.
I blink, then I narrow my eyes. He did that on purpose! He evaded my question! Damn my ADHD.
I want an answer, so I walk over to Annabeth, who's currently talking to Thalia.
"Kristina! Hi!" She smiles at me.
"Hi Annabeth." I smile back. "Sorry to interrupt, but where is Bianca?"
Their smiles slip. They exchange looks, and Annabeth looks ready to cry.
"I'm so sorry." Annabeth's voice cracks. "She- I tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen."
"What happened?" I ask, tears creeping into my eyes.
She tells me the story. "... I had a plan, but she wouldn't listen to me. I- I'm sorry."
She hands me Bianca's bracelet, and the figurine that caused the whole thing. Hades's figurine. I grip them tightly.
Thalia wraps an arm around Annabeth, who has tears in her eyes.
I- no. She can't be dead. No no no. I promised. I promised I would keep them safe. Annabeth promised. Zoe promised. Bianca promised.
I clutch my head. "You promised." I whisper to myself. "You promised you would keep her safe. You didn't. You let her die."
"Kristina..." Annabeth starts, but a roaring in my ears drown her out. I take a shaky step back as she reaches for me.
"You promised." A tear fell.
This is all your fault... a voice whispers in my head.
This is all my fault! I scream back.
I need to get out of here. I can't be here anymore. I picture Camp Half-Blood and fall into my own shadow.
I appear in Hermes cabin. Thankfully, it's empty right now. It's dinner time.
I sit on my bedroll and sob. Bianca's dead. She's gone. I'll never be able to see her again.
I hear a click and my breath stops. My head snaps to the door.
I wipe my tears away hastily. The door opens.
It's Travis.
I sigh and place my forehead on my knees, tucking them in my chest.
"Kristy? What's wrong?" He sounds concerned.
"Bianca's g-gone." I sniffle.
"On the quest?" He sits next to me.
I nod, tears falling freely.
"I'm sorry." He wraps me in a hug.
I accept it gratefully. I tell him about it and he simply listens, not once interrupting.
It feels good to talk to someone, honestly.
The door opens again, and I jump away from Travis. He frowns, but turns to the newcomer.
"Travis, Kristy, is everything alright?" Connor asks, his brow furrowed in concern.
"We're fine, Connor, thanks for asking." I manage a shaky smile.
"Hey, do me a favor will ya?" Travis speaks up. "Keep Nico busy for a while?"
Connor nods and closes the door behind him.
I place the heel of my palm on my eyes. Wiping the tears away, I take a deep breath.
"I guess I'll have to tell Nico now, huh?" I mutter.
"Yeah..."
I start getting up, then remember his reaction in canon. I sit back down.
"In a while."
Travis chuckles lightly. A small smile spreads across my lips.
I let myself fall back and I stare at the ceiling. I feel myself zone out. I do nothing to stop it.
After a while of drowning in my own thoughts, I snap out of it.
"I should go." I sigh, hauling myself up. "Thanks for listening, Travis."
"Anytime," He grins. I can't help but smile.
I head out and search for Nico. I find him and Connor playing Mythomagic.
"I win!" Nico throws his cards down and a grin splits his face.
"Ah, shoot." Connor grumbles. He catches sight of us, and says, "I'm gonna go now."
Nico is confused till he sees me. His eyes light up and he waves at me enthusiastically.
I giggle at his antics, then remember Bianca. My smile fades. Nico rushes to me and rambles, "Where were you? You just disappeared all of a sudden! I searched everywhere but I couldn't find you! Did you-"
I cut his ramblings off by placing my hands on his shoulders. "I need to tell you something."
He tilts his head in confusion. I guide him away from the campers and near the arena.
"Bianca... she's gone." I say softly.
"Gone...?" His voice cracks.
"She's dead." I lower my gaze.
"H-How?"
"Quest. She sacrificed herself."
"No." He clutches his head. "No. Th-That's impossible. She p-pr-promised me. She said she would come back!" He yells the last part.
The grass around us starts turning black and wither.
"Nico-" I try.
"You let this happen!" He yells at me, stomping the ground. The earth opens, and three zombie skeletons appear.
I wave my hand dismissively, and the earth snaps them up with a crunch.
"I did not let it happen, Nico di Angelo!" I yell back. He freezes at my sudden outburst. "You think I wanted my sister to die? To kill herself so that the others could survive? I made her promise she would be safe! I made Annabeth promise! I made Zoe promise! I trusted them." I fall to the ground, tears gleaming in my eyes again. "I trusted them, Neeks. They did nothing to stop her."
I feel tears falling from my eyes. Nico hesitantly steps towards me.
"I'm sorry for saying that." He sits next to me. "It wasn't your fault," Tears fall from his eyes and his voice falters. "Sh-She's really gone?"
I nod shakily. I reach into my pocket and hand him the figurine. "She wanted you to have this. The only figurine you don't have."
He stares at it. "It's H-Hades."
I nod again.
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I'M STILL ALIVE! Hey guys, I am back! Holy shit, it's been so long since I last updated, I am so sorry!
I know this chapter is shorter than my usual ones, but I wanted to start the 'Battle of the Labyrinth' in a new chapter.
Shout out to Laksha, who constantly asked me when I was updating, motivating me to write.
I hope I'll be able to update sooner from now, but let's see.
Well, that's all from my side!
Fav, Follow and Review!
Bye!
Kristina...
