Disclaimer: All rights belong to Rick Riordan. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made.

Rating: T for dark themes and violence

Chapter 24

Annabeth can't wipe the smile off her face as the wind blows through her hair, sea spray splashing up underneath the bow of the ship as they cruise through the Aegean sea. She glances back to see Frank smiling just as widely. Even Percy looks relieved to finally be at sea again.

Leo is a blur, running back and forth across the deck and messing with his controls. At the very front of the ship, Festus, his head and neck repaired and reactivated, opens his jaws and breathes out a burst of flames.

As it turns out, only a few weeks had passed in the world during the four months they'd been on Ogygia. Although Annabeth isn't one to give up on a problem, she has to admit defeat when it comes to trying to figure out how Ogygia's magic works.

Percy had a dream last night through his empathy link with Grover (another kind of magic that Annabeth doesn't understand) where the satyr told him about Sciron's latest target. Apparently the entire Gulf of Sidra, along the coast of Northern Africa, had been laid to waste by a particularly powerful hurricane last night.

Annabeth prays that the Argo II holds up. She prays that the magic embedded into the old wood and Celestial Bronze frame keeps them together in the face of Sciron's might. She'd seen first-hand how it wrecked Calypso's island; she doesn't want to know what it could do to them if they get caught in the middle of it.

Annabeth suddenly remembers something. She ducks down into her cabin (Leo had replaced the space where the oarsmen used to be with private cabins) and retrieves Riptide, still in its sheath from when Luke had returned it to her. She hides it behind her back as she approaches Percy.

"I know this probably won't do you any good against Sciron," she begins, "but I thought you might like to have it back."

She holds it out between them. Percy stares at it in wonder, his fingers levitating above it as if he's worried it's going to disappear. Then he grabs it and unsheathes the sword, swinging it around a bit. Annabeth takes a step back.

He looks back at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you so much. I thought I would never see it again." He slips it back in the sheath and attaches it to his belt. "It's the only sword that ever felt truly balanced to me. Losing it was like losing my arm."

"It was the least I could do." Annabeth turns back to the sea speeding past them. "How long do you think it will take us to reach Sciron?"

"Not long. A couple days, maybe." Percy runs his hand along one of the circular shields lining the railing. "I really hope this ship survives. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It runs like a dream."

She decides to take that as a compliment. "Yeah, well, I don't think I have the energy to build another ship any time soon, so please try to keep it in one piece."

Leo runs right behind them, chasing an Archimedes sphere that zips around the deck. He leaps in the air and wraps his arms around it, only to crash along the deck. A few of the sailors suppress smirks as he sprawls out on the floor.

"That kid certainly has the energy," Percy remarks. "Where did you find him, again?"

"He found us. Crashed his dragon right onto Ogygia. You should have seen Calypso. She went absolutely feral. She stomped around, yelling at him and waving her arms."

Percy grins. "Really? I can't picture that. She always seems so calm and collected."

Annabeth's smile fades as she remembers seeing Calypso and Percy together in the garden the night he returned, walking closely and talking. An overwhelming desire to know what they were talking about washes over her.

"It must have been so strange for you," she says slowly. "Being back on Ogygia after all that happened between you guys."

He looks over at her in alarm. "What?"

"The others told me about you and Calypso. About her curse and how you were stranded there for a few weeks. And she told me about you, about how she loved you more than anyone else the gods sent."

Percy grips the railing with his hands and looks away. Annabeth ignores the pain in her chest.

"I didn't love Calypso," he says. "She's beautiful, yeah, and she took care of me when I was injured and she offered me an escape from a painful future. But that's not love."

"She said you left because you were worried about your friends."

"I couldn't abandon them. They were counting on me. As much as I've thought about how easier my life would have been if I had accepted her offer then, it's nothing compared to how much I would have thought about my friends. I wouldn't have rested until I knew their fates - but if I knew their fates, then I would have regretted my choice forever. I would have just made her miserable. She deserves someone better than me."

"Just because the person who would be most compatible with her isn't you doesn't mean you're worth any less than them."

Percy doesn't say anything. Annabeth remembers part of her conversation with Calypso about Percy. "Percy wasn't an easy person to love," she had said. "He always has this sense of duty. Out of all the heroes that came to my island, none were as selfless and insecure as him."

Annabeth can see that even now, in the tension in his shoulders and his focused gaze ahead. And she can see the insecure part of him; the part of him that can't accept her telling him that he's worth just as much as anyone else. More, even.

"I saw you and Calypso talking on Ogygia," Annabeth admits. "Was that what you were talking about?"

Percy nods. "And apologizing. I should have made sure the gods actually followed through on their promise. I should have held them responsible. I should have - "

Annabeth reaches over and presses her hand against his mouth. "Shut up. It's not your fault. It's the gods' fault. And after we take down Sciron and save the world, you can march back to Olympus and make them fix it."

He looks at her with an amused expression on his face. "You don't just march up to Olympus," he says.

"Why not?" Annabeth raises her eyebrow. "What are they going to do? Zap Poseidon's favorite son?"

"You joke about that, but Zeus has almost zapped me before." Percy turns back to the sea. "I'm tired of trying to understand the gods, or trying to change them. If I want something, I'm just going to do it myself."

He sounds so much more confident than before. Annabeth watches him for a moment.

"You patched things up with your dad, didn't you?" she asks.

"Yeah." For the first time since she met him, he doesn't completely close up or seem awkward about talking about his father. "When I was imprisoned on Sciron's ship, I was in a pretty dark place. I was really mad at the gods, and at my father especially. Even Beckendorf couldn't talk me out of it. But my dad saved me when I needed him."

"Was it weird, talking with your dad about defeating your half-brother?"

"My dad was actually pretty cool about it. He's admitted before that not all his children represent him the way he wishes."

"I have a theory about your dad," Annabeth says.

"What's that?"

"When he's in a stormy mood, his children tend to be more violent and cruel - like Sciron. When he's in a good mood, his children are kind and gentle."

"What kind of mood do you think he was in for me?"

"I think he was in transition from a bad mood to a good one."

Percy doesn't respond. He looks like he's turning her words over in his mind. Annabeth takes the opportunity to press deeper.

"So what were you doing in the Underworld for so long?"

He frowns slightly. "I got caught by Hades. He and I have a long history. He threw me in a cell for four weeks."

"What were you doing in the Underworld in the first place?"

Percy turns away, and she knows she won't get much more out of him right now. "I had to see someone," he says. He pushes away from the railing. "I'm going to check on the crew."

Annabeth also leaves the side of the ship, heading down to the infirmary on the second deck to find Will. The new infirmary is much bigger than the older one, and Will is happily reorganizing all his tools and medicines.

"Hey, Annabeth," he says when he sees her. "Have you seen my new space? It's awesome!"

"I designed it," she answers, smiling wryly. "Glad you like it." She hops up on one of the cots and watches him for a moment. "I have a question."

"Shoot."

"Have you talked to Nico since he returned?"

"Of course. He's practically a zombie. He never admits when he pushes himself too far, so I've had some close saves."

"Did he ever talk about where he went?"

Will looks up, his face guarded. "Why?"

"I have a theory. Was he in the Underworld?"

Will hesitates before nodding. "Yeah, he mentioned going to see his father. What's your theory?"

Annabeth inhales deeply. It's all starting to make sense. The only thing she doesn't understand is why Percy was in the Underworld. She doesn't think he was lying to her about seeing someone, but she doesn't understand who he saw and for what purpose. She has the feeling it was more than just a casual social visit.

"I'll tell you when I know for sure," she promises, hopping off the cot. "Thanks for your help."

Sunset on the deck of the Argo II is as beautiful as any sunset on Ogygia. Annabeth sits with her back to a barrel and watches as the sun slowly slides down the horizon, leaving streaks of orange and red in its wake.

Behind her, she can hear Leo mumbling to himself and tinkering with his Archimedes spheres. He's still trying to finish some designs he had brainstormed on the island. Annabeth hopes that whatever they are, they pack a big punch. They're going to need all the firepower they can get if they're going to defeat Sciron.

Most of the other sailors are down belowdecks, where they're having a card and dice tournament. There's a lot of gambling involved and a lot of golden Drachmas and Celestial Bronze weapons at stake. As much as Annabeth likes the hive of activity on the ship, she also enjoys quieter moments like now.

She turns back to the book in her hand. It's an architecture book. Since renovating the Argo with Leo, she's realized how many gaps there are in her knowledge. If this is something she wants to seriously consider doing then she needs to catch up.

Still, she finds it hard to concentrate when she hears footsteps padding across the deck towards her.

Percy takes a seat a few feet away from her. He always keeps his distance these days. She isn't sure if it's because of her rejection or because of the new detached aura that surrounds him.

"It's funny," he says, staring out at the sunset.

Annabeth turns to him.

"When the sky looks like it's on fire, we love it and call it beautiful. But if the sky was actually on fire, people wouldn't stop to enjoy the view."

"I like to think it's because people aren't inherently stupid."

"Yeah." Percy smiles a little. Then he reaches into his pocket. "I brought you something. As a thank you for returning Riptide."

"I was just giving back what already belonged to you," Annabeth says, but she accepts the little drawstring bag he hands her. She opens it and pulls out a red coral pendant on a leather string.

"It's from my father's palace," Percy says, reaching up and scratching his neck. Annabeth holds it up to the light and examines it, pretending she doesn't notice how nervous he looks.

"It's beautiful," she finally says. "Though I imagine it has nothing on your father's palace."

"Here."

Annabeth hands him the pendant and turns around, sweeping the hair off her neck. He secures the clasp, being careful not to touch her. She feels disappointed as she drops her hair and turns back around.

"Thank you, Percy." Their eyes meet for a moment and she tries to share her gratitude through the look. After a few seconds, he looks away.

"You never told us what the information was that your father gave you," Annabeth says. "How do you plan on defeating Sciron?"

"I'm going to fight him."

"You're bringing a sword to a gunfight, Percy. He'll unload an entire round into you before you take a step with those pistols of his. That's not to mention his power of the seas with the pearl."

"I have a plan," Percy insists. "I may not be able to counteract the pearl's power, but it doesn't take away my own power. My control over water is in my blood. It's part of who I am."

"That doesn't sound like much of a plan."

"Sciron has an army," Percy continues, ignoring her comment. "Not a large one, but still an army. Sea monsters, a handful of sailors, and himself. I'll go after Sciron. I need you and Frank to lead the attack against the army, buy me enough time to defeat him and take the pearl."

"You don't have to be a one-man army, Percy. You shouldn't fight him alone."

"Anyone else would be a liability. As strong as our powers are, anyone caught in the middle would be torn apart."

He has a point, but Annabeth still isn't confident in his strategy. Unless he knows something she doesn't…

"There's a sailor's superstition about red sunsets," Percy says, breaking the tension. "A red sky at night is supposed to signal good weather for the next day."

"I thought you didn't believe in sailor superstitions."

He shrugs. "I'd like to believe this one."

Annabeth would like to believe it, too. Because deep down, she has a feeling that something very bad is going to happen tomorrow.

In her dreams that night, Annabeth travels back in time to Ancient Greece. She's standing in the middle of an army on a beach at night facing a city with imposing walls before her. A horn is blown, and the army surges forward.

The gates open up for them, men in similar armor heaving the wheels and waving them forward. How they got into the city, Annabeth isn't sure. The soldiers rush into houses and slit the people's throats in their sleep. It's a few minutes before anyone wakes up in time to sound an alarm, and by then hundreds are dead already as the army begins pouring into the city.

A few hastily dressed and armored soldiers from the city rush out to face them, but they're crushed swiftly. The city stands no chance.

As the soldiers kill, they also burn. Annabeth stands in the middle of the chaos, wondering why she's here.

One soldier in particular stands out. He's handsome, with dark, curly hair. Unlike the other soldiers, he doesn't wear any armor. He cuts through the enemy soldiers easily, swinging his sword this way and back.

An archer from a distance fires straight at him. Annabeth watches in amazement as the soldier stares the archer in the eyes as the arrow comes sailing towards him. He doesn't move, and the arrow flies straight into his chest.

Instead of impaling him, the arrow glances off. The soldier's expression doesn't change, but he wades right back into battle. Annabeth begins to notice as other soldier's swords and spears and arrows also glance off his skin. Nothing is able to hurt him. He's invincible.

He fights his way into the palace, leaving the rest of his army behind. He cuts through the royal guard quickly, though he pays no attention to the fleeing ladies of the court.

In the courtyard, a finely dressed man with a silver crown upon his head faces him, an arrow knocked in his bow and drawn tight. The warrior stares at him, his face expressionless.

"You killed my brother," the prince says. "You have destroyed my city and scattered my family. By the power of Apollo, your days will end here."

The soldier raises his sword and charges. The prince lowers his bow at the last minute and releases. The arrow flies down and strikes the soldier's heel. Instead of glancing off, it sinks straight through. He stumbles and falls at the prince's feet, his sword clattering out of his hand.

A wound like that is painful, but not typically deadly. But even as Annabeth watches, the unstoppable warrior bleeds out. The prince takes his sword and flees as the sounds of fighting grow nearer.

She wakes up with a jolt, trying to shake the image of the horrible war out of her head. She knows that story. It's the story of the Trojan War. The prince was Paris of Troy and the soldier was Achilles.

That happened thousands of years ago, though. Why is Annabeth dreaming of it tonight?

She tries to settle back into her hammock, but for once the rocking of the waves doesn't comfort her. It just reminds her of the enemy they have to face. And although she doesn't understand why, she can't get the sight of Achilles' body out of her mind.