Okay, so I admit last chapter was a bit of a drag even I will admit it. BUT! But it was necessary. I hope you guys like this one. Oh and I am thinking of a squeal (even though this one is one isn't even half way through yet but I already know the ending) so I put a poll up on my profile to find out where Dru should go next to cause the most trouble. If you have an idea that is not one of the choice just send me a message and I'll add it. They were just the first few things that came to mind.
Darkness... her vision flared a blinding white before the darkness took over. Annabeth could make out five figures, the first four who, she immediately recognized as Percy, Thalia, Nico, and herself, were tied together struggling against the shadowy bonds. The last figure was set apart from the rest caked in dried blood and sweat, her unmistakable charcoal grey hair was plastered to her face as she screamed in agony.
"No!" Dru cried, gold flames were etched into her furious lavender eyes as she tried to break her bonds. "NO! YOU WILL NEVER WIN!"
"I don't need to win, just prevent you from swaying the tide of battle." The shadows spoke, baiting its soon to be prey.
"You'll have to kill me first."
"Then kill you, I will."
"I can't die by your hand, not even the Archangels can kill me. Not fully." Dru admitted grimly.
"Yes, yet there is the fail safe."
"The fail safe doesn't work unless I allow it too. I would rather be stuck in the Barrier than cross by anyone's hand but my own." Dru spat at the shadows.
"Perhaps, yet what of the Demigods?"
"What about them?" Dru's voice grew with worry.
"You may not be able to die, but they surly can."
"NO! THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS!" Dru's voice was commanding and enraged.
"Then you'll have to do." The shadows hissed as an invisible foe pulled Dru's head back by her long hair. The foe then turned into a shadow man and picked up Dru's twin Khopesh swords, silver fire danced on the surface of the blades. "Amazing thing Anglefire, did you know that in the hands of the Preliator's enemies the flame will change from silver to black and instead of burning her foes, it will burn her?"
As if on cue the silver flames turned to obsidian. The creature grinned and touched the black flames to Dru's chest. She hissed in pain and the creature's grin grew as it pressed the sword harder against her skin. Dru gritted her teeth trying to keep from crying out in pain, as the creature pressed the sword harder and harder against Dru's skin. Eventually, Dru couldn't keep herself from screaming, screaming the most blood curling horrific scream Annabeth had ever heard.
"NO! NO! YOU CAN'T! PERCY! PERCY PLEASE! HELP US! I... I CAN'T LOSE YOU!PERCY!" Annabeth thrashed and screamed in her sleep, bolting upright Annabeth found herself in the comfort of a familiar body. Snuggling her head into the familiar chiseled body, that smelled like the sea, Annabeth began to sob.
~0~
Percy was awaken rudely, along with the rest of camp, as the loud cries echoed through the camp. "NO! NO! YOU CAN'T! PERCY! PERCY PLEASE! HELP US! I... I CAN'T LOSE YOU! PERCY!" Annabeth's high pitched screams pierced the midnight air.
ANNABETH! Percy's mind went wild, he flung off his sheets and raced out the door without a second thought. He sprinted as fast as his body could carry him towards Athena's cabin. By the time he got there a large crowd had already gathered outside of the cabin, Percy pushed his way through not bothering to slow down. Percy saw Annabeth thrashed and screamed in her sleep, as Percy race to her side as Annabeth bolted upright. He immediately wrapped his arms around her shaking body, she snuggled her head into his chest and began to involuntarily sob.
"Shhh," he murmured into Annabeth's hair as she snuggled closer into him. "It's okay. Your okay."
"So... so much... pain." She choked out in between sobs.
"Your okay." Percy pressed, before he turned to the campers that had crammed themselves into the cabin. "It's cool guys –"
"No. Don't. Move. A. Muscle." Dru's commanding voice stopped everyone in their tracks, she stepped through the campers and took her place behind Percy her lavender eyes critically studying Annabeth. She wore the same black ribbed tank with black and white flannel pants that Percy had seen her in earlier, except her swords were out and glowed in silver flames. He noticed that the skin on her chest was cracked and blackened, like it was dead.
"Lumen." She spoke softly as a ball of light appeared and grew in her palm. "Break into two teams, advanced fighter only. Follow the light to the intruders. Remember, easiest way to kill them; gut the heart then decapitate." The camper quickly filed out with Clarisse taking charge along will her boyfriend Chris as they broke the advanced fighters into two teams. The large glowing ball of light broke into three smaller balls, two leading the combat teams, one staying behind.
"What –" Percy was about to ask, yet stopped abruptly when Dru made a slashing signal to her throat effectively shutting him up. The ball began to glow brighter and brighter causing Percy to avert his eyes as he shifted his body to block Annabeth's line of sight. As quickly as the light had flashed a blinding white it disappeared leaving them with just the cabin light.
"Room's clear." Dru announced.
"Clear from what?" Percy asked as he shifted himself to face Dru, holding the silent Annabeth in his arms.
"Sanhelli."
"Again?" Percy asked in disbelief.
"It... it was in my nightmare." Annabeth said weakly, Percy kissed the top of her head while he ran his fingers through her blond curls.
"Nightmare dream for you... nightmare reality for me."
"Pain. So much pain... how can you stand it?" Tears formed in Annabeth's stormy grey eyes making them appear almost black. Percy pulled her closer, trying to calm his girlfriend. Dru stayed silent, not exactly sure how to answer Annabeth's question.
"What happened?" Percy asked fiercely.
"Dream projection." Percy blinked in confusion, so Dru continued hoping Annabeth caught enough that she would not have to repeat herself. "It was just a dream, or at least just a nightmare... for Annabeth at least. It was reality for me. The Sanhelli create a scenario and then pull me into it subconsciously, their magic allows them to do damage not only to my mind but body on a subconscious level that can been seen physically."
Dru glanced down a the dry and cracked black skin that covered part of her chest. "What happened?" Was all Percy managed to say.
"Demonfire, the opposite of Anglefire. If I didn't have a slight percentage of demon in me I would be dead."
"He said in the hands of your foes your own weapon can be used against you. Why?" Annabeth asked.
"Anglefire was a gift, yet to every gift the PTB gives me there's a catch. Mine was that to have Anglefire you also have to have Demonfire."
"PTB?" Annabeth asked.
"Powers that be. My word for all the Gods, Angeles, and Forces that are believed in and create the Grand Design."
"What is that?" She asked.
"Percy can fill you in later, he overheard my little... chat with Athena." Annabeth looked up to meet Percy's eyes which seemed to say, I tell you everything once you feel better. I promise. Annabeth nodded and wrapped her arms tighter around him. "Speaking of which, I need to go have a talk with an old friend. Do me a favor Percy?"
"Sure."
"Take Annabeth back to your cabin and watch her. If she has another bad dream, wake her up and yell my name into the sky. If I'm not there within twenty second feel free to use some of your more... colorful Ancient Greek to let me know it's important." Before Percy could respond Dru's figure faded away and she was gone.
Silently Percy stoop and scooped Annabeth into his arms, she did not protest as he carried her to his cabin. Gently, Percy laid Annabeth down of his bed, turning to turn off the lights Annabeth caught Percy's forearm in an iron grip. "Percy don't leave."
"I'm not going anywhere," Percy kissed the top of her head, picking up a small bouncy ball Percy throws it against the light switch, effectively turning off the lights. With Annabeth's hand still firmly clasped around his forearm Percy climbed into his bed and wrapped his arms Annabeth protectively.
"I was so scared Seaweed Brain." Annabeth whispered.
"Shh... it's okay. You don't have to talk about it." Annabeth turned slowly to face Percy, making sure she stayed in his arms.
"What did Dru mean when she said you could fill me in later?"
"I overheard her conversation with Athena and demanded some answers. I'll tell you later Wise Girl, now get some sleep. Gods know you need it." Annabeth looked up into Percy's sea green eyes, they were filled with concern. Gently pressing her lips against his, Percy returned with the same gentle touch. When they finally broke apart Annabeth nestled her head into Percy's chest and closed her eyes. In the final moments before she drifted off into sleep Annabeth could feel Percy's arms pull her in close and the loving words 'My Wise Girl' whispered into her ear.