SOPHIE
The next morning, Percy is actually out of his bed. He's smiling slightly at the edge of the lake, tilting his head and chuckling every once in a while. He's probably talking to the fish. I wonder what made him leave the infirmary?
I sit down next to him, and he smirks. A wave splashes over me, and I sputter. "Percy! What was that for?"
He just laughs. First time I've heard that in about a week. I missed it, the clear sound of joy, not completely happy, but happy enough.
I smile, unable to stop myself. "What got you out of bed?"
He grins. "Heard your conversation last night. When are they coming?"
"Percy! That was supposed to be a surprise." He shoots me an annoyed look. I groan. "We I.M-ed them. They're coming tomorrow."
His face breaks into a huge smile and he falls backwards into the water. "Perfect. Just what I need. Some time with my old friends."
And there he is. Percy is back in business, folks.
TIME SKIP
The shadows collect and spit out four people. Percy somehow senses it, because immediately he's out of the lake, and starting a group hug. I hang back, not wanting to intrude, but he pulls me and the other elves in. Somewhere in the middle, Nico grumbles, "Percyyyy. I don't like this."
Percy laughs. "Suck it up, Ghost King." He squeezes him tighter. Nico harrumphs.
When we all finally untangle ourselves from each other, we're all laughing our heads off. There's something hilarious about being with friends, even if nothing remotely funny is happening.
Kaylie has paired up with Linh again, squealing in delight as she uses her hydrokinesis. Tam and Nico are standing in the shadows, whispering to each other and snickering occasionally. Will, Marella, and Wylie are competing to make the brightest light, but Will keeps healing everything around him. Biana is flickering in and out of sight, disappearing and reappearing in random groups. Marella is laughing, trying to catch her with a forcefield. Stina, Keefe, Percy, and Dex are all talking under the Panakes tree. Fitz and I are watching everyone else.
Everyone seems so carefree. There's no one we need to defeat anymore. Of course, there are still problems but nothing too drastic or world-changing. Everything is better now.
Percy makes his way over to Nico, Keefe and Dex trailing behind him. He leans down to whisper in his ear, and Nico grimaces. He whispers back, looking slightly frantic. Percy droops. Nico sighs, looking sympathetic. Then he has an idea. He yanks on Percy's arm, dragging him back under the Panakes. Percy yells back at Dex and Keefe not to follow, then leans in to listen to Nico.
ANNABETH
Elysium is utterly perfect. The buildings are all extremely well built, and pretty much everyone I know is here. I've already reconnected with Luke, and Silena, and Beckendorf. The campers have taken over the entire Underworld, and no one can stop the Stoll brothers when they team up with Leo and those red-headed twins. The only thing missing is Percy.
Percy. Gods, I miss him so much. I know he misses me too. I am keeping an eye on him, or that Seaweed Brain would tear down the world.
When I hear a summoning from someone in the overworld, I don't answer it right away. I'm working on this design for a temple to Bob and Damsen that I could put in the middle of one of the Elysian temple hills. It has beautiful arches and columns, and even a statue of Small Bob. But then the call gets more insistent. 'I summon you, Annabeth Chase!' It rings in my head until I can't ignore it. I groan and lift my hands towards the ceiling. "Εγώ, κυνηγάω, απαντώ στην κλήση." (I, Annabeth Chase, answer the call. Google Translated)
When I open my eyes, I'm in a field with a very nicely designed purple castle in the distance. I hear a gasp behind me, and I whirl around.
There are two of those boys, the elves. One with red hair and periwinkle blue eyes, the other blonde with ice-blue eyes. And standing behind them…
Percy. He's there. Staring at me with those ocean eyes that I love so much. They have a twinkle of hope, so unlike every other time I've seen him, through an Iris message. He's smiling as his eyes fill with tears that he refuses to let fall. "Annabeth," he breathes. My name sounds like music from his lips.
A tear falls down his cheek and he rushes towards me. I hurry to solidify myself so he can touch me. His arms surround me in a passionate embrace, the warmth making me feel the safest I've felt in months. His eyes are screwed shut, almost not believing what is happening. Then they flash open, and he takes my hand in his. "I thought I wouldn't see you. Nico said it wasn't possible."
I smirk at him. "I'm Annabeth Chase. I always do the impossible."
He laughs, looking more delighted than I've ever seen him. There is still an undertone of sadness, but he is happy. And that is enough.
Nico shivers, and I feel myself return to the underworld for half a second. When I come back, Percy's face is panicked. When he sees me, he relaxes. Nico sighs. "Percy, I can't hold her here much longer."
"Try."
Percy's voice is pleading, almost desperate. I narrow my eyes. I hate hearing him sound so defeated.
Nico takes a deep breath. "You have ten minutes," he says, closing his eyes.
Percy turns back to me, and in a rush, explains everything that's happened the past six months in a concise 90 second summary. Then he sighs. "Annabeth… I've missed you so much."
I smile and stroke his cheek. "I missed you too, Percy." I frown curiously. "Are you going back to Camp?"
He shudders. "No. Too many bad memories." He smiles hopefully at me. "I was thinking I could stay here? Maybe learn a bit more about my mom, and see if I can figure out my elf-y powers."
I feel the corners of my mouth tug upwards into a smile. "I think that sounds like a great idea. Did you really think I'd discourage you from learning?"
He lets out a short laugh. "Never, Wise Girl. How's Elysium and everything?"
I gasp, and tell him about the temples I've been designing, and how everyone is, and what they all want to say to him, and 'Oh my gods, you really should come visit!' But my excitement fades when I realize that Percy is looking at me sadly. And I realize that I'm talking about something he can't come to until he dies. And he has something to live for now.
"Oh, Seaweed Brain…" My voice fades out. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so insensitive."
He smiles, his eyes sad. "It's fine. The ten minutes are probably over soon."
He's right. I can feel Nico's control of my soul flickering. I rush to kiss him, his lips melting into mine, just like we used to when I was alive. I pull back and smirk sadly at him. "See you later, Seaweed Brain. Don't let it be for a long, long time."
And I disappear back into the Underworld.
PERCY
As Annabeth disappears, I let a couple of tears fall. Then I take a deep breath in and evaporate them before turning to my friends. "That was Annabeth. She is- was- my girlfriend, and the most amazing person I've ever met."
Keefe's gaze pierces mine. Then he nods. "You're right. She does look like Sophie."
I smirk and wink at him. He blushes, obviously feeling my glee at his embarrassment on the air.
We all talk more about my former life, and their lives, and what we'll do in the future, until finally the sun goes down. We wave at each other and part ways.
I lay under the Panakes tree, listening to the melodies that seem to weave through the air. The flowers bounce in the breeze, and I can see the stars through the foliage. I whisper up at them, "Bob says hello."
Annabeth's visit definitely helped. I feel more human than I have in a long time. I hadn't realized how much I missed her until she started ranting about architecture. That's my genius girlfriend for you.
And as I look up at the stars, I can't help but smile. I have friends now, friends who care about me and will watch my back. I have so much to learn about my mother and myself. An entire new world to explore.
I know that I will have to heal. From Tartarus, from my friends' deaths, from my mother and Paul's deaths. But I know I can do it. I'll be alright.
I am happy.
