10-8-13

House of Hades coming out tonight

Everybody just have a good time!

WOOOOHOOOOO! The long awaited day has finally arrived, people! And let me start this out by saying to everyone who already has a copy in your hands, "NOOOOOOOOOOO FAAAAAAAAAAAAIR!" Actually, I might be getting a copy tonight, but I'm not sure yet :D I won't be able to read it until at earliest Saturday though since my mom has to read it first :( WHAT A WORLD, WHAT A WORLD!

Anyway!

This chapter is NOT my best. It's one of those scenes that's barely past the rough draft point, but hasn't been fully developed into awesomeness. I hope you like it anyway!

Okay, I was in a rush yesterday, so I didn't have time to personally thank everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed. So this chapter, I'm getting everyone from both chapters!

Chapter 11: Thank you TeamLeoV247 for following, favoriting, and reviewing! Thank you Hibye, Oops (my BFF :D), and Aleeta6 for reviewing!

Chapter 12: Thank you Lolz247 for following and favoriting! And thank you Guest for reviewing!

Enjoy!

~OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO~

ANNABETH

Annabeth was exhausted. After how many days in Tartarus, the lack of sleep and nerve-racking images were starting to get to her. She knew she couldn't go on much longer before she cracked completely.

She leaned wearily against Percy's shoulder as they trudged slowly along. Time and distance had no meaning down here. For all she knew, they could have walked a hundred miles already. It all seemed the same to her feet.

Without meaning to, she just collapsed onto the ground.

Percy immediately crouched down next to her. "Annabeth, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

She buried her face in her hands. A strangled, choking sound escaped from her mouth. Ever since she was seven, she had been dying to go on a quest, for a chance to see the world. Now, all she wished was that she had never left Camp Half-Blood.

She felt Percy pull her closer to him, placing her on his lap.

She buried her face in his chest and just sobbed. She was tired of acting strong for everyone around her. She was tired of hiding her emotions. She was tired of acting like a leader when on the inside, she still felt like the scared little girl who had run away from home.

"Wise Girl, what's wrong?" Percy asked, sounding slightly panicked. "Are you hurt?"

"I can't do this anymore," she cried. "I'm just so tired, Percy. So tired. When will it end?"

Percy remained silent for a moment, and Annabeth knew he was thinking it over. "After this war," he said decisively. "I will make it end, one way or another. I promise."

Annabeth tilted her head so she was looking up at him.

His expression was grim and determined, his sea green eyes flashing with defiance, like he was ready to go punch the Fates in the face in order to fulfill his promise. His oath.

"Percy," she gasped. "The prophecy."

He shrugged. "That wasn't an oath. I can make it one—"

"Don't you dare, Perseus Jackson."

He raised an amused eyebrow at her, and she realized he had been messing with her.

She punched him lightly on the arm. "Seaweed Brain," she giggled, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"Ready to go?" he asked softly. "Something's bound to attack us sooner or later if we stay here too long."

Annabeth took a deep breath. "Yeah, sure," she said.

He studied her closely. "You sure you're okay?"

She nodded tightly. "Fine."

She could tell that he didn't believe her.

He wrapped his arm under hers, and pulled her to her feet.

She slumped against him, completely exhausted. She felt she could just fall asleep right there. But nonetheless, when he started walking, she walked with him.

They staggered along for an interminable amount of time. There was no way to tell how far they'd gone, or even if they'd moved at all.

Suddenly, Percy stiffened.

Annabeth leaned away from him and gripped the hilt of her dagger, scanning the darkness surrounding them. "What is it, Percy?" she whispered.

He didn't answer.

Annabeth turned over to look at him. She scanned his face, trying to find out what was wrong. She held up her dagger for light, and looked into his eyes. His golden eyes. She gasped, and stumbled backwards. "Percy?"

He faced her, his expression deathly calm. "Hello, Annabeth Chase," he rasped. But his voice wasn't his own. It was rough and hollow, speaking like English was his second language.

"Eidolons," Annabeth murmured. "No. It can't be."

He sneered in a very un-Percy like way. "Did you really think you had gotten rid of us? Did you not remember that only the three strongest were sent onto your ship? Oh, yes, Annabeth Chase, there are many more of us. And we are not held to the oath the others swore." He raised Riptide and Annabeth scrambled to her feet, backing away from her boyfriend.

Percy turned and followed her.

Panic welled up in Annabeth's chest. She knew she couldn't beat Percy in a fight, not that she'd ever admit it to anyone. "Percy," she pleaded. "Snap out of it."

Percy snarled. "You will pay for what you have done to my brethren. Beg for mercy if you wish, girl, but it won't change anything."

"In your dreams," Annabeth muttered. She tried to think through her panic. How could she get Percy back? She dimly remembered that each time one of the boys were possessed, they seemed to go back to normal after they were knocked unconscious. How could she manage to do that?

Suddenly, she tripped over a rock and ended up sprawled on the rocky ground. She gasped in pain as the gravel pierced her hands, blood running off onto the floor. She quickly spun on to her back, and saw Percy standing over her, Riptide already thrusting toward her.

Desperately, she yanked her dagger from its sheath and deflected the blade just in time. It clanged against the rocks three inches from her waist.

She scrambled to her feet, and turned to run. Then she hesitated. She didn't want to leave Percy behind, possessed or otherwise. If she ran now, would she ever find him again? She didn't want to risk it. She didn't think she would last long without him. But then, if she stayed, she wouldn't last long with him. Life was so complicated.

She realized too late that she had stood there too long.

She gagged as something grabbed the collar of her shirt and yanked her backwards. She was roughly spun around and she found herself face to face with a golden-eyed Percy.

He wrapped his free arm around her waist, but this wasn't a loving embrace. He had sucessfully pinned her arms to her sides.

He smirked. "Prepare to die, weakling," he snarled.

"Percy," Annabeth whispered, looking him in the eyes. "Please."

His face remained expressionless as he brought back Riptide for the final blow.

She struggled, trying to free her arms, but Percy's grip was like iron. She stared at him, trying to see right through his golden eyes to the real Percy she knew was in there. "I love you," she whispered.

Annabeth saw confusion flicker across Percy's face. The sword paused midswing. He blinked hard. When his eyes opened again, Annabeth almost sobbed. They were their usual beautiful sea green.

"Annabeth?" he asked in confusion. Then he noticed his arm restraining hers and that he was holding Riptide about a foot from her throat.

His expression changed to horror and he dropped the sword like it was on fire. He collapsed to the ground, holding his head in his hands.

Annabeth knelt down next to him.

"Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods," Percy cried repeatedly, rocking back and forth on his heels.

"Percy," Annabeth said.

Percy looked up at her, his eyes wide and filled with horror. "Annabeth, I—" His voice cracked. "I almost killed you." He covered his face in his hands once more. "I'm so sorry," he said. "I can't believe I…oh gods."

Annabeth lifted his chin and pulled him forward into a kiss. She pulled away after a couple of moments and stared into his horrified green eyes.

"It's fine, Seaweed Brain," she whispered. "I know that wasn't you."

"But I could have hurt you," he stammered. "I—I could have killed you!"

"But you didn't," Annabeth pointed out. She lifted his chin with her finger. "Hey, it's okay," she said softly, though she was still shaken. She reached out and hugged him tightly.

Percy hesitated, then hugged her back.

"I love you," Annabeth whispered. "And no eidolon will ever change that."

"I love you too," Percy said. "And even Hera can't take that away."

He stood up, uselessly brushing his filthy jeans.

Annabeth hauled herself up beside him.

"Let's go," she sighed.

He nodded tiredly.

Once more, they pressed onward, though Annabeth was starting to wonder if it was really worth it.

She looked up and stopped in her tracks.

Percy stumbled next to her at the unexpected pause, almost dragging them both to the ground. "What is it?" he asked, his eyes darting around, looking for an attacker.

Annabeth stared in awe at the sight in front of them. "Look," she whispered.
Percy looked up and gaped slightly.

A giant door rose up about a half mile ahead, made out of pitch black granite. Dim light shone through the too big entrance, and she realized that the door frame was big enough for two doors, meaning that the other door must be outside.

"The Doors of Death," she murmured. "We made it. We actually made it."

A huge grin broke out on Percy's face, the first time Annabeth had ever seen him really smile since they landed in Tartarus.

"Of course we made it, silly," he said jokingly, jostling her playfully with his elbow. "We're together. And when we're together, there's nothing we can't do."

Annabeth returned the shove, a smile slowly making an appearance in her face. "That sounded so cheesy, Seaweed Brain," she giggled.

Percy hooked his arm more tightly around Annabeth's waist. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

Together, they began the walk to the Doors.

Annabeth saw a noticeable spring come to Percy's step as they once again headed for their goal. She held back a little, an unpleasant thought that she had pushed to the corners of her mind coming to the front.

Percy seemed to notice her lack of excitement.

"Aw, come on, Wise Girl," he said, a smile still on his face. "What's wrong? We're going to get out of here."

Annabeth nodded slightly. "I know. But the thing is, Percy—"

"Hold up," Percy interrupted. "Annabeth, I know what you are going to say. Listen, this is not an illusion. I can feel it. The illusions we had only happened when the white mist was here, remember? We should be fine."

Annabeth nodded, acknowledging his point. "That's not really entirely what I was thinking about," she said softly.

"What is it?"

Annabeth chewed at her lip, not meeting his gaze. "Well…you see…the Doors have to be closed on both sides."

Percy nodded, though he still didn't seem to get it. Oh, the Seaweed Brain.

"So, there has to be demigods on both sides," she continued.

He nodded again.

"What's going to happen once the Doors are closed?"

Percy froze in his tracks as he finally understood what she was trying to tell him. He turned so that he was looking directly into her haunted grey eyes. "Annabeth, let's not worry about that right now. We found the Doors. We survived Tartarus. We'll worry about it when the time comes, all right?"

Annabeth nodded, but she wasn't convinced. "We should probably keep moving," she said finally. She glanced over her shoulder and her heart stopped. "It's back!" she squeaked, and started pulling him away.

The mist was chasing them once more, silky white tendrils oozing across the ground and walls.

Percy glanced behind them, and his gaze widened. His expression became absolutely terrified, and he put on an extra burst of speed.

Annabeth knew that however bad the images were for her, they were ten times worse for Percy. His fatal flaw was just too easy to use against him.

They staggered forward as fast as they could, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as they walked towards the Doors of Death. Someone would have to stay behind. When they reached the Doors, he would probably have to say good bye to Annabeth forever. The problem would be getting her through the Doors and outside withought her getting back in. He was jolted out of his thoughts as Annabeth tripped over a rock, sending them both tumbling to the ground.

He quickly pulled her up and wrapped a supportive arm around her waist, practically dragging her along as he moved forward. The mist was gaining. His throat closed in fear and he picked up the pace, striving to avoid the horrible mist. Already he could hear the tortured screams of his friends and family as the mist drew ever closer.

~OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO~

So what do you think? I know, TOTALLY not my best, but drop a review anyway? Remember, enough interest and I'll come back and fill in the gaps!

Two or three more chapters, and I'm sad to say that that's all that I've written. I'll come back when I have time! Promise!

TODAY IS "HOUSE OF HADES"! WHOOOOOOPEEEEEEE!