*It's my birthday! :D*

Chapter XXX ANNABETH

"Annabeth, Percy!" the other demigods screamed from the edge of the precipice.

Annabeth stared up at her friends and felt a funny feeling in her chest. All these people had risked their lives to get her and Percy back. And they'd all just met only recently. And that was when Annabeth realized something; this quest was going to succeed, no matter what. No matter what Gaea threw at them , they would fight.

She shook her head to get out of her reverie and started climbing, Percy right beside her. Years and years of climbing the lava- rock wall at Camp Half Blood came back to her now. She forgot about everything else besides getting to the top. Unfortunately, most monsters could climb also. One reached up and clawed Annabeth's free leg. She stifled a shriek and gritted her teeth together in pain, grabbing another rock and climbing higher, out of its reach. She and Percy worked together, bolstering each other up.

There was still hundreds of feet to climb. They hadn't even reached halfway.

Annabeth's muscles felt like they were on fire. Her shoulders screaming in protest, and she suddenly lost her grip on on of the rocks. Slamming into the side of the cliff, Annabeth almost blacked out from pain. She was clinging on by one hand. Percy leaned down and grabbed her elbow. heaving her up after him.

"There is no way you are dying on me." he said through clenched teeth.

They spotted a narrow ledge and scrambled over to it, balancing precariously. Annabeth looked around wildly for a way out. The monsters were getting closer and closer, hissing and screeching in glee. Gaea had probably told them not to kill Annabeth and Percy, but that most certainly wouldn't stop them from mauling them.

Percy jumped, as if struck by an idea. He stared up at the gap and spotted Jason.

"Jason, could you possibly fly down here and get us?"

The son of Jupiter nodded and jumped over the side, using the air to support himself. He swiftly came down beside them and offered them both an arm.

"Come on." he said to Annabeth.

"We don't have much time."

She clung to Jason's shoulder and he wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her in place.

"Percy, you next." Jason advised, holding out his other arm to him.

But Percy was backing up, shaking his head resignedly.

"You won't be able to carry us both."

Annabeth quickly released her hold on Jason and crossed her arms stubbornly.

"Well then, I'm not going either."

"Yes, you are, Wise Girl." Percy ordered, green eyes flashing.

Jason was looking back between them, obviously wondering what he should do.

"You can head back up now, Jason." Annabeth told him.

"Yeah, and bring Annabeth with you." Percy countered.

Annabeth whirled around to glare at him.

"I'm not leaving you alone down here!"

"Yes, you are." Percy said calmly,

"Now, just let me kiss you already."

Percy leaned down and pressed his mouth against her gently. Annabeth was already crying, realizing this was the last time she'd ever kiss him. Because there was no way she'd be able to convince Percy of anything else. In his head, this was the only course of action. Loyalty was his fatal flaw, they both knew that. Percy would give up the entire world to save a friend. Annabeth just never thought he'd actually have to.

They broke apart and Percy leaned his forehead against hers.

"I will love you until the gods themselves die, Annabeth Chase." he breathed.

Jason put her arms around her and started rising up, his blue eyes miserable. They all knew what a sacrifice they were making. It was only when they starting rising higher and higher that Annabeth started to panic.

"Seaweed Brain!" she cried hoarsely.

She tried to fling herself out of Jason's grasp to get back down to Percy but he held on with an iron grip. Annabeth stared down at her boyfriend who was gazing up at her, waiting for the monsters to come and get him. Percy looked content. Happy with the choice he was making. Their eyes meet and Percy gave the mischievous grin that always got him branded as a trouble maker; the smile that Annabeth fell in love with over five years ago.

"Percy!" she sobbed brokenheartedly.

With that, Jason dragged her and himself over the precipice. The rift in the ground closed off and Annabeth threw herself on top of it, beating it with her fists. But there was nothing she could do. Nothing, mortal or godly, could retrieve Percy Jackson now. Her Seaweed Brain was gone.