Annabeth's POV

The entire camp was in a very tense mood. The army of monsters would come in about three days. Chiron had told all the new campers about the attack and that they were to stay in the Big House for the entire battle. Most of us were polishing our armor and sharpening our weapons. We all tried to not think too much about the battle, but we couldn't. The last time we battled an army of monsters, about half of our campers were wiped out. I thought of our dead comrades. The brave Michael Yew. The courageous Charles Beckendorf. The selfless Ethan Nemesis. All of these brave souls and many more fought with us. How many more souls will be taken after this battle? And what if some of those souls taken were people who were special to me. And the question that had been haunting my dreams for the past few nights came upon me; what if I lost Percy? What would I do then? Percy was more than a friend. He was more than my lover. He was a part of my heart, a big chunk of my world. If I lost him, then what would I become? Would I ever be Annabeth Chase again? Probably not.

Percy's POV

I was in my cabin, sharpening Riptide. I was trying to get the battle out of my head, but it was no use. Too much came to my head at once. Was I prepared for the battle? could I defeat monsters like I used to? Could I protect Annabeth? So many answerless questions hit me at the same time. But one question stood out more than the others; was I going to survive this? I wasn't thinking of saving my own life. I was talking about my fatal flaw. If I died, who would save the people who I care about? What would happen if I died? What would be of my mother? What would be of my friends? What would be of Tyson? What would be of Annabeth? She was the one who I thought the most about. If I died, what would she do? Who would she lean on? Who would she go to when she needed a hug? Who would she go to when she was down? Who would she go to when she needed love? Love. That lead me to another question. What is love? Is fighting for her and trying to protect her love, or running away and abandoning everyone to be with her love? I don't get it. Then, there was a flash of light and Aphrodite appeared before me.

"Percy, what to you think of love?'

"It's… it's… being with Annabeth. And it does wonders"

"Yes, it does do wonders, but that's only a part of it. Love is a commitment. It's not just a kiss and a hug that seals the love between two people. You and Annabeth are in love because your love is two-sided. You would do anything to let her live and she would do the same thing for you. Love requires sacrifice. Love doesn't always need two people. If you sacrificed yourself for the life of Annabeth, then you are showing love to her. Kissing and hugging is the simplest form of love. But really, love is sacrifice."

And then she disappeared. Love is sacrifice. I was going to fight with Annabeth, even though if it meant that I would die. But even if I did, I would die fighting beside Annabeth and dying because of my love for her. So even if I died, I would still be happy. And for now, I would spend as much time as possible with Annabeth.

----------------------------------------Two days later--------------------------------------

Annabeth's POV

Tomorrow would be the day of the battle. Tomorrow would be when we would lose more comrades. Tomorrow would be the day that I might lose myself and/or Percy. I sighed.

I walked over to Percy and told him to come to the beach with me. When we reached the shore, I started crying.

"Annabeth, what's wrong?"

"It's just that, Percy… this might be… our last walk on the beach together… and this might be the last time I say 'I love you' to you and this might be the last time we ever kiss and-"

"Then let's make it a kiss worth remembering."

He pulled my close and our lips met. But this kiss was different. It was like he changed all his love for me into a type a type of energy and was sending it to me through his lips. This kiss was so much more passionate. This kiss wasn't about love. This kiss was more of a last reminder of what we were. This kiss was… magical.

"I love you Annabeth. I always will and I will never forget you. No matter what. I love you more than the air that supplies me with oxygen. I love you more than the sun that lights up my day. I love you more than the moon that lights the dark. I love you more than the sea. I hope that you will remember that."

"I will remember that Percy. I love you so much too. I love you more than I love architecture." That meant a lot to me.

"Nice choice of words, Wise Girl" he said and our lips met again for a short kiss.

"Percy, what if you don't make it?"

"Like what I said. I will always be in your heart."

I hugged him tightly. "I don't want you to go." I whispered.

Percy's POV

"I won't go. I'll always be with you."

I said that just to make Annabeth feel better. I really didn't want to tell Annabeth the truth. I felt really guilty when I thought about how Annabeth was going to react. I just couldn't think about it.

"Thank you Percy. I love you."

That gave me some hope. What if I thought only of Annabeth? What if I hung on, just for Annabeth's sake? Love does wonders. While love be my strength to cling on to my life and not let go? Will love be the solution to my problems? I hope it would. I was counting on Aphrodite for this one.

"I love you too, Annabeth" I said as we separated for our cabins. Tomorrow, it would be the big day. To test how far love will go.