Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews last chapter! :) Now, this is the part where id reply to questions/comments/concerns, but the website appears to be glitching, so I can't read my reviews yet. I'll read them all when the website is back to normal though! I can see that I got over ten reviews last chapter, which is awesome! I love you guys. :) You're the best. This chapter might be a little short because I had a band concert until midnight. (Just kidding, it was actually only 9:30.) But it was on Monday, a school night, and my teacher mare us have a big math test for Tuesday. :P Anyways, that's my story of woe. :) I own nothing but please enjoy this chapter. :)
Percy's POV
"Where'd they go?" I asked. I figured my mom would get Elysium, but where would Paul go?
"The Fields of Asphodel."
My voice was barely above a whisper, but that didn't make me any less menacing. "What?"
The emo kid shrugged. "Yeah, they were both put in the Fields of Asphodel."
"Why?" I spat out through gritted teeth. I heard the chains that kept me stuck to the wall rattle.
He shrugged again, nonchalantly. It was as if we were discussing the weather outside (like I'd know what they looks like) or the sports game last night (although it could be night right now for all i know). "I didn't bother sticking around for the whole trial. But I think it was because they both contributed to the raising of a murderer of one of Olympus's most powerful heroes and a traitor to one of our most sworn enemies." His tone didn't change. "It also could've been because they refused to renounce you as their son. Even Paul."
He shook his head in astonishment, amazed that they'd rather accept the Fields of Asphodel than renounce a criminal like me. I was also amazed, but for an almost different reason. They believed me. They were the only ones that believed me... They went to Hades, still believing me. They suffered because they believed me. They'll suffer for eternity for believing in me, all because of those arrogant Olympians.
The Olympians will suffer for not believing will anyone that believed them.
I forced my voice to sound nonchalant like Nico's, trying to conceal the rage boiling underneath my skin. "So, how's everything else up top?"
Nico took a moment to reply. "It's peaceful," he said finally. "Jason and Piper just had their second child, a girl. They named her..." Nico trailed off, avoiding my eyes.
"What?" I questioned impatiently, not caring that he didn't want to share.
Nico sighed. "They named her Annabeth," he finished bitterly, staring at me with a cold hatred that I felt in my eyes whenever I thought of the pain the Olympians have caused me.
Nico no doubt thought I was to blame for her death. His father would have it no other way. They brainwashed him and probably all my other friends too.
"Just ask Annabeth's soul! She's living it up in Elysium! Go ask her what happened! She'll tell you I wasn't to blame!" I shouted, causing Nico to flinch at the rage pouring out in my voice.
He paused, then said, "You didn't know?" His dark eyes were wide, but his mouth was pulled into a confused frown.
"What didn't I know?" I asked warily. If he said that she didn't end up in Elysium, or if she didn't remember the times before and during her death, id be heartbroken. The pit wouldn't be ready for the onslaught of emotion I'd pour into it.
"She... Uh..." Nico tried to say.
"What? She what?!" I yelled, furious that he was withholding this information from me. I had a right to know!
Softly, almost whispering, Nico finally told me. "She went for rebirth as soon as she reached Elysium."
All of my worst fears came true at once. She wasn't enjoying her afterlife in Elysium with all our deceased friends. She didn't remember the night she died. She didn't remember me. She didn't remember herself. She might not even be a daughter of Athena anymore.
First, I felt disbelief. That couldn't be true. Nico had to be lying! He had to be. She wouldn't do that.
Then, once I saw the look on his face, I started to believe his words. I felt shock. Why would she do that?
Sadness and its twin, Depression, followed. Why would Annabeth want to leave me forever? Am I really as terrible as they all say? She just couldn't bear to me near me?
Anger took their place. How dare she do this? I lost my reputation and future because I helped her! I deserve an explanation at least!
Unlike my other emotions, the anger didn't dissipate. I didn't want it to dissipate. With the red hot burning sensation it gave me flooding through my veins, making me feel more powerful than I had since my imprisonment, I loved the feeling as much as I thought I had loved her. Think of al the damage I could cause with this power, this anger.
I couldn't do anything from this puny cell though.
A pale Nico was standing in front of me, saying something. I couldn't hear his words, however, do to the pounding sound of my blood rushing through my body. It echoed in my ears, like my own personal drum beat.
I couldn't escape my cell due to the celestial bronze chains that connected my arms to the wall. I couldnt destroy the Olympians with the chains still on me. I'd have to break them.
I channeled every ounce of rage in my body into breaking the chains. It fueled me, making me stronger. I pulled as hard as I had ever pulled before.
And the chains snapped off the wall like a rubber ball flying off a paddle.