"Go!" Jason roared.
Just as planned, the four of us surrounded the three 'things', and for the first time, we took into account what the 'things' really are; chimera's. It has the head of a lion, the body of a goat, a blood caked mane, and a ten-foot-long diamondback snaked-headed tail which grows out of its shaggy behind. The chimera secretes deadly venom released through its bite and unfortunately it also breathes fire. It's the offspring of Echidna and Typhon; the mother and father of all monsters. It finally all makes sense who the final boss in this war is going to be; who is really behind this war. They are seeking vengeance on the death of Gaia and rising up.
As a memory flashed inside my head, I looked over to Percy and exclaimed, 'Percy! You remember our first quest together?'
Percy looked back at me and scoffed, 'You mean the one where I was accused of stealing the lightning bolt.'
Ironically in a place like Tartarus I managed to release a little giggle. 'Yes. The 'things' are chimeras, just like the one we fought together with Grover. This means Typhon and Echidna are behind all this, which also means we are going to have to get through them if we want to save everyone.'
The whole group gasped, like they all knew exactly what they were in for. 'Okay guys, just aim for the throat and watch out for the tail and the fire that comes out of its mouth. Go!'
As we swished and slashed our swords chaotically at the chimeras, Piper went down, but rolled away from the incoming blow of one of the tails, while Jason slashed a line from the chimera's nape to the end of its back. The monsters exploded into yellow dust and covered Jason with half of it. He quickly moved to Piper and pulled her to her feet. Percy and I focused on one chimera, while Jason and Piper were already at the second one. The chimera spat venom out of its tails and aimed for my eyes, but Percy deflected the shot with Riptide and in one quick movement, he maneuvered around the swerving tail and forced the tip of riptide into the monsters neck. Seconds later, it was nothing but a cloud of yellow dust. We looked over at Jason and Piper, to see their monster running away, probably to deliver the news.
As I gripped my knees and tried to recover my breath, I felt a warm, familiar hand on my shoulder. I looked up at the figure and saw Percy's sea green eyes staring into mine. His smile sincere and his eyes fixed onto my face, as reading my thoughts. He pulled me in for a deep, meaningful hug and whispered into my hair, 'You must be more careful wisegirl, that venom would have blinded you.'
I gripped his waist and gave him a quick, heart-felt kiss and then laid my head in the crook of his neck. I looked over his shoulder and observed Jason and Piper. They had their arms wrapped tightly around each other and their foreheads just touching. They were having a peaceful moment; their gazes fixed on the other. Jason and Piper are such an inspiration and were really one of the reasons the Greek and Romans reunited; because from them, they saw that love is the most powerful emotion and that nothing can come between such a fierce connection between any two people. We should be making love, not fighting, especially in a time like this, not when everyone, including the mortal's lives, is all at stake.
I was brought out of my thoughts, as I felt Percy's index finger playing with one of my loose curls. He gave me his usual lopsided grin and I gave him one back. I slipped out of his embrace and walked over to my two other friends, who both seemed to be quite calm.
'Good job guys, I see a good place for us to set up camp, so just another ten minutes of walking okay?'
Jason replied, 'I'll take the first watch.'
Percy responded, 'I'll take the second watch then.'
After ten minutes of walking, we found a good spot to set up camp. We ate a little of our small package of food and water. As said, Jason took the first watch, while the rest of us tried to get some sleep.
Percy and I laid on the ground, with my head resting on his chest. Like a song, I was listening to his heart softly beat in my ears and I found myself quickly falling asleep.
"Percy just let go of my hand."
"No! We are staying together. You are not getting away from me. Never again!"
"As long as we are together!"
"Annabeth!"
"Percy!"
'Annabeth!' I felt hands lightly pushing me awake. I opened my eyes and shot up.
'What?'
Percy grabbed my hand and pulled me up off the ground. He wiped the sweat of my forehead and yanked me into the direction of Jason and Piper.
'Can't explain, but we have to go now! We got news from the other group and its not good! Comon!'
