What if Damasen didn't change his fate? House of Hades - Page 300*

/

Percy gripped Annabeth's hand. "Stay here. I've got to help him."

"Percy, you can't," she croaked. "Tartarus can't be fought. Not by us."

She knew she was right. Tartarus was in a class by himself. He was more powerful than the gods or Titans. Demigods were nothing to him. If Percy charged to help Bob, he would get squashed like an ant.

But Annabeth also knew that Percy wouldn't listen. He couldn't leave Bob to die alone. That just wasn't him – and that was one of the many reasons she loved him, even if he was an Olympian-sized pain in the podex.

"We'll go together," Annabeth decided, knowing this would be their final battle. If they stepped away from the Doors, they would never leave Tartarus. At least they would die fighting side by side.

/

Percy looked at her dejectedly, accepting their fate. She was as stubborn as him so there was no point in arguing. Annabeth wanted nothing more to jump into his embrace, safe and warm, but she knew there would be plenty of time for that in just a short amount of time.

They still had a battle to finish.

"We still have to send the elevator up so the others can cut the chains on the other side," Annabeth said.

"And then we'll be trapped," Percy mumbled.

She scanned the crowd of monsters that were staring at them, waiting to attack. They seemed to sense the demigods' despair, giving them all the time they needed to drown in it.

How considerate.

Annabeth forced herself to push her emotions away and focus on strategy. She was a daughter of Athena. If anyone could come up with a plan to survive imminent death in Tartarus, it would be her.

And, yet, no plan she conceived ended in their survival. This was going to be a fight to the death.

She looked at Percy, both of them holding back tears. She just shook her head. He nodded.

"You hold the button. I have better reach with my sword so I can keep them further away from you." He adjusted Riptide in his hand, looking at the sword for a second like he was memorizing it. "Twelve minutes?"

Annabeth nodded and stepped towards the elevator's buttons. "Twelve minutes." She turned her body so she was reaching behind her to press the button, her back to the elevator. Getting attacked from behind wouldn't do much good in getting the elevator to the surface. "Now."

She pressed the UP button, the doors sliding shut behind her and disappearing from her view as they started their ascent. She prayed to whatever gods were listening that there was someone on the other side to receive them and cut the chains, even if it meant her and Percy's definite doom.

The monsters roared when they saw the elevator take off, surging forward to attack in a stampede. It wouldn't take much for the demigods to be trampled.

Percy yelled out and another two veins exploded, dissolving the first wave of rushing monsters. The monsters behind them hesitated again.

Stop them! Tartarus roared as he easily blocked an attack from Bob. The former Titan did not look good. He was bleeding ichor heavily from a gash in his forehead and Small Bob was nowhere to be seen.

Annabeth brandished her knife as the monsters rushed in a hoard, but there were too many. They would be overrun immediately and the veins of the Underworld's rivers weren't going to stop them.

Or so Annabeth thought.

Her boyfriend had other plans.

He raised his arms and three more veins burst around him. Instead of dousing the monsters, the liquid started to swirl around him, raising him off the ground into his mini hurricane of the Underworld's rivers. Monsters immediately dissolved as they ran into him. Percy quickly moved into the crowd, leaving dust in his wake. Riptide was simply a blur as he slashed through monster after monster. Annabeth lost sight of him as he went deeper into the crowd, which worried her.

But then she remembered it didn't really matter anyway.

Thankfully, he also acted as a great distraction as basically no monsters paid any attention to Annabeth. Monsters were never really known for their brains.

A few stray monsters rushed her, but Annabeth had literally trained for years how to fight with one arm tied behind her back so she found it easy to call the skills up. Strike to kill, use kicks to keep the monsters back, slash wide arcs to keep her space. The monsters were dealt with fairly easily. Her thumb stayed planted firmly on the button.

Annabeth scanned the battlefield and her heart dropped when she heard Bob scream out in pain.

He was on the ground, his arms bent in unnatural angles. Tartarus stood over him, a massive foot planted on Bob's head. His face was gold with ichor, making him almost unrecognizable. Tartarus leaned down, his cyclone face swirling. Annabeth watched as it began to suck the life from Bob. The former Titan moaned in pain and batted at the god's foot with a broken arm but it was useless. Tartarus simply laughed.

Pathetic, he taunted, You were worthless as a Titan and now you are worthless an ally of the gods.

Bob grunted. "I may be worthless, but my cat isn't."

Suddenly, Small Bob came leaping from the shadows onto Tartarus' shoulders. It reared back before sinking its bony fangs into the god's neck.

Gah! Stupid cat! Tartarus stumbled backward, freeing Bob who managed to stand and stumble away. Tartarus reached back to grab Small Bob but the tiger had already scampered down the god's torso, swiping at openings in his armor as it moved. Then it moved down his leg, sinking its fangs into Tartarus' calf. The god roared and kicked his leg out, making Small Bob lose its grip.

The tiger landed on its feet a small distance away from Tartarus and immediately turned to dart away, but Tartarus was too fast. He grabbed the tiger by its back leg and picked it up, holding Small Bob in the air. Small Bob bared its fangs at Tartarus and swiped at his face.

Tartarus laughed and turned back to Bob. A pathetic companion to a pathetic enemy, he said. He grabbed Small Bob by the neck with his other hand and then pulled apart, ripping the tiger into dust.

"No!" Bob bellowed.

Annabeth cried out in anguish. After all, she had been the one to find the kitten so she felt a special connection with the cat. It hurt to see it perish in such a brutal manner.

You are next, Iapetus. Tartarus started towards Bob, each of his footsteps shaking the ground. He stepped on a monster who exploded into dust.

Talk about a bad boss.

Bob glared at Tartarus's approaching figure and then turned to Annabeth. "In my former life, I loathed demigods almost as much as the gods because I felt that you were just as responsible as they were." He shook his head. "These were never your battles. We simply used your kind as shields. For that, I am sorry. Now, it is my turn to be your shield." Before Annabeth could protest, he took off to Tartarus with surprising speed, given his injuries.

Tartarus laughed. You are more foolish than I thought. Tartarus swung a massive purple fist at Bob, who ducked under the swing. The former Titan then reached up and jabbed at the god's side, a spear suddenly in his hand. Tartarus howled in shock. Bob moved out of his reach.

"You seem to have forgotten the meaning of my former name, uncle," Bob said, twirling his new spear. The ichor-covered point glowed in the darkness.

You bring Gaea great shame. She will be delighted to hear that I have eliminated you. The two rushed at each other and fell into battle once again.

During this, Annabeth kept her eyes open for her boyfriend. She could only tell he was still alive based on the fact that monsters continued to rush in the opposite direction from her, leaving her somewhat unoccupied. The monsters didn't seem to realize the big elevators were actually the most important part, but she didn't mind.

She remained vigilant, keeping her thumb securely on the UP button. She hoped the lack of occupants in the elevator did not affect its journey.

She had counted eight minutes when she finally caught sight of Percy again.

His hurricane was much slower and smaller, indicating his exhaustion. He was slowly making his way towards her, still cutting down countless monsters. His hair was gold from monster dust and his face was covered in cuts from strikes that had gotten through the swirling liquid. She could see how pale he was under all of the blood.

When he got close to Annabeth's position, he yelled out and the hurricane flew backward off of him like a blanket, dissolving the row of monsters chasing him. The last surge of energy caused him to stumble towards Annabeth, who managed to catch him with her free hand. She wrapped her arm around his waist to keep him on his feet.

The monsters were close behind him.

"Percy, take the button!"

Percy, too exhausted to argue, scrambled to the wall and jammed his thumb next to Annabeth's. "Go!"

Annabeth released the button, taking a protective stance in front of Percy.

Three hellhounds reached Annabeth first, the largest one taking the charge in the attack. Feeling the adrenaline pumping through her veins, Annabeth vaulted herself over the monster, twisting in the air so she could drag her knife down its back. She landed in its dust, quickly turning to prepare for the next devilish dog. It came at her teeth-first so she rolled out of the way. It managed to swipe a paw across her left arm, giving her a good-sized gash that oozed blood down her arm. She turned to see the hellhound looking around confused as to where it's lunch disappeared to. When it faced her, Annabeth quickly kicked it in the nose and stabbed it in the neck.

"Annabeth, behind you!" Percy called.

She instinctively rolled to the side again, knowing to trust his warning rather than to look for herself. Just as she thought she was in the clear, the hellhound was on her. It jumped up and hit her on the chest with its two large paws, pinning her to the ground. Based on the fact that she wasn't immediately crushed from the attack, Annabeth knew it was a young hellhound. It was only the size of a large dog. One of the paws on her chest slipped, clawing down her right shoulder causing Annabeth to cry out in pain. She managed to get her free hand to the dog's neck, keeping it from biting her face off before stabbing it in the side of the head.

She wanted to stay there, lying on the ground which, at the moment, was feeling cozy. Maybe Percy would even join her and cuddle up to her so they could take a quick power nap. But then the next monster roared and Percy yelled her name in concern so she got up.

She had to keep getting up if the Doors were going to reach the surface.

The monsters were definitely toying with her. They came at her one at a time, letting her just barely win the fight each time so she was fatigued before throwing the next at her. The monsters suddenly seemed to realize that there was an infinite number of them and only two demigods. It wouldn't be long before Annabeth simply collapsed and the monsters moved in for the final kill.

Cyclops, dracaenae, harpies, and telekhines were thrown at her seemingly endlessly. Her arms were dripping blood from defensive wounds, making her knife slip in her hand. She couldn't see out of her left eye from a punch from a cyclops. All she could taste was blood and monster dust. Her muscles ached and cramped, the acid air of Tartarus crippling her respiratory system.

Percy had to simply watch, unable to help as one wrong vein burst could kill his own girlfriend.

Annabeth knew she was not going to make it much longer. It had only been two minutes by her counting but it felt like two hours.

She was saved in the worst way possible.

Watch, my children! Tartarus' voice interrupted. All of the monsters immediately turned to the god, even the one attacking Annabeth. She quickly slashed through it before turning herself.

"Bob!" she cried out.

Tartarus had the former Titan by the throat, his feet dangling in the air. Bob's spear was in his other hand. His swirling face was slowly sucking at Bob's life force.

You Titans are foolish, believing you are stronger than Mother Gaea. You couldn't even beat a sixteen-year-old boy! Tartarus laughed.

"I was fifteen," Annabeth heard Percy say behind her. Running back to his side she noticed he appeared more alert, slowly gaining his energy back. They swapped positions again to give Annabeth a rest, her taking over the button once more. Percy stayed at her side. They couldn't help but stare in horror as Tartarus held Bob like a doll, his purple arm not straining under the weight.

Had he gotten bigger?

"Not… Titan… I… am… Bob," he choked out, punching at Tartarus' arms in vain.

Oh, Iapetus. The Lethe ruined you. I will put you out of your misery.

As quick as lightning, Tartarus stabbed Bob with his own spear straight through the stomach. The point jutted out of his back, shiny with ichor. Tartarus pulled out the spear only to shove it forward again. Bob's mouth was open in a silent scream. The god yanked out the spear again, this time dropping Bob's limp body to the ground. His head lolled to the side, and, for a second, he and Annabeth made eye contact.

I'm sorry, his eyes read.

Tartarus crouched down by his face and grabbed it, forcing Bob to look at him. Your demigod friends are next. You have failed, he hissed. Tartarus stood and his face turned to Percy and Annabeth. Gripping the spear with two hands, he drove it straight down directly into Bob's throat.

Annabeth could hear the sickly sound of Bob choking around the weapon. There was a pool of ichor around him. His body slowly fell to dust, dissolving away for what was likely the last time.

Thirty seconds left.

The thought suddenly came into her head as her internal clock kept working despite the trauma in front of her. She whispered the information to Percy. He nodded.

Tartarus's eyeless face watched Bob dissolve away before looking at Percy and Annabeth.

Gaea wanted me to bring the Saviors of Olympus to Greece as a personal sacrifice, but I think I will keep you to myself. Tartarus started to walk towards them. My one act of defiance. With his increased size, he was reaching them fast.

They had nowhere to run. The button burned under Annabeth's thumb.

Twenty.

No monsters came at them, leaving the two at the mercy of the god of the pit. Percy tried to burst veins under Tartarus' feet, but it was useless. It was his blood, after all.

Ten.

Tartarus reached the edge of the crowd of monsters that surrounded the demigods. He walked on them, the monsters scrambling out of the way to avoid being crushed. Many were unlucky.

Five.

He took one last step towards them, crushing another group of monsters under his iron boot. He was towering over them, growing larger by the second. He twirled Bob's spear in his hand lazily. It looked like it was painted gold with the amount of ichor on it. It was destructively beautiful.

Four.

Gaea will be pleased to know her greatest threats were killed at the hands of her brother, Tartarus taunted. He was the size of an apartment building, similar to Sally's in New York City.

Annabeth wondered what she was doing at that moment.

Three.

"Percy, I love you," Annabeth said, her heart pounding out of her chest, taking one last look at Percy alive. He was covered in ichor, blood, monster dust, dirt, grime, and everything in between. Yet, his green eyes shined and he had never looked more handsome.

Two.

Percy grabbed her free hand and squeezed tightly, smiling softly at her.

"I'll find you in Elysium, Wise Girl. I love you."

One.

Tartarus held the spear like a baseball bat. Despite his non-existent face, he seemed to be smiling. He swung the spear at them. With his strength, Annabeth knew they would die on impact.

Ding.

/

"They should be here by now, shouldn't they?" Jason asked, pacing back and forth in the cavern. Everyone stood around the doors, waiting for the elevator's arrival. With each passing second, their hearts collectively fell into the pits of their stomachs.

"It's Tartarus, Jason," Nico said gently. "We can't predict anything."

The son of Jupiter huffed and continued his pacing, his sword in his hand.

Hazel didn't have the nerve to tell him she didn't feel any life force in the elevator. She made eye contact with her brother and she knew he felt the same thing. She hoped it was a trick of the pit. Frank came over and sat next to her on the rock she was perched on. He took her hand and she could tell he was shaking. He was on the verge of tears.

Ding.

Their heads shot to the elevator. The UP button glowed green, teasing them. Jason rushed to the controls, slamming his hand into the button.

Everyone stood as the doors opened. They formed an arc around it, their weapons at the ready. Black smoke poured out, obscuring the demigods' vision for a second. They all coughed and waved their hands in front of them to clear the air. The smoke cleared enough for them to see inside of the elevator.

It was empty.

Hazel couldn't control the sob that left her throat. She could hear Frank gasp next to her.

"Where are they? They're supposed to be here?" Leo asked urgently. He stepped towards the elevator, but Frank grabbed his arm, shaking his head.

"That means they're…" Piper trailed off, covering her mouth with her hand as she started to cry.

Jason dropped his sword and cursed loudly. He walked to the nearest wall and slid down it, his head in his hands.

Hazel looked at the open elevator doors in shock. They had started to shudder, the chains holding it in place.

The chains.

She looked at Nico again, only to find him already looking at her. He nodded.

"We have to cut them," she squeaked between sobs. "The chains. We have to cut them." She reached for her spatha, but Frank grabbed her arm as well.

"Hazel, if we cut the chains, they'll be stuck down there." He looked panicked.

"Yeah, why can't we go down there? It has a DOWN button too!" Leo pointed out, gesturing at the elevator with his free hand.

Hazel shook her head. The pit in her stomach was too deep, too empty.

"It's too late," Nico choked out. "They're gone." His face was completely blank.

Leo's whipped his head back and forth between her, Nico, and the straining elevator. Tears were falling silently down his cheeks.

Hazel turned and buried her face in Frank's chest, hoping Annabeth and Percy were able to have their final moments together. He squeezed her tight. She sobbed loudly.

Jason stood abruptly and marched towards the elevator, scooping up his sword as he did so. His eyes looked murderous. Frank tried to stop him, but Jason simply shoved him off. He slashed through the first set of chains.

"They died so we could close the Doors. They did their job so we have to do ours." His voice was void of emotion. He moved to the other set and slashed through the other set. "I am going to rip Gaea apart with my bare hands," he muttered.

The Doors quaked and then disappeared in a flash of black light and a burst of energy that cracked the ceiling.

Hazel stared at where the doors had been. Any possible chance of their friends' survival was now gone. They were completely gone.

Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase were gone.

It didn't seem possible. They were so powerful, so experienced, they seemed untouchable. Hazel had thought Percy was a god when she first saw him, for Jupiter's sake. While she didn't know Annabeth as well, she only had to see the daughter of Athena in one fight and Hazel knew she would never be half as good as Annabeth was. The two were the strongest demigods to ever live, Hazel was sure of it.

And they were just gone.

The cavern around them shook and a chunk of rock fell from the ceiling and exploded against the ground, sending debris all over. A support column started to crack and the entire cavern moaned in protest.

"Everyone, grab hands!" Nico commanded.

The group quickly got into a circle, Hazel desperately clutching onto Nico and Frank's hands. As the cavern started to dissolve into shadow, Hazel could only envision Percy and Annabeth, surrounded by the horrors of Tartarus as they fought until the end.

Hazel had failed them. She wasn't fast enough, not skilled enough. Had she been more efficient, they could still be alive.

I'm sorry.

The world faded to black.

/

* = The page number is based on an online PDF I found of the book since I don't have it at college with me.

Wow, this is the most depressing thing I've ever written. I literally almost teared up when writing it. This story started with the idea of the count down scene for Percy and Annabeth, and then I made the rest of the story around it. I just imagined it like a movie where Tartarus swings the spear, the screen cuts to black, and then just ding in the darkness before showing Jason pacing.

If this made you sad like me, just remember it's not canon :')

I recently updated my main story, I'm Here: The Reboot so check that out!

Let me know what you guys thought of this chapter in a review. I'm actually really, really proud of this one so I'd love to hear what you guys thought. I tried to keep it as accurate to the book and mythology as possible so I hope it shows. Also, let me know if you have any recommendations!

Sorry for any errors, blah blah blah. See y'all soon.