of half-bloods and happenings
sacrifices
.
With a jerking, shuddering lurch, the world grew still. Swords dropped from tired hands; shields rolled away from their owners. Bubbles of laughter were blown and burst as the heroes realised that it was done.
Done.
Leo fell to his knees, head in his hands, and tried to remember the last time he had felt so free.
Piper looked up at the sky, wondering if the endless blue was a sign of times to come.
Jason hunched forward in his jumper, tugging the sleeves tight down his arms as the cold air of victory seized him.
Reyna lay down on the rocky ground, closed her eyes, and began to cry.
Hazel picked up a diamond from between her feet and threw it as far away as she could, smiling.
Frank cradled his firewood, marvelling at the fact that he'd survived.
And Annabeth brought her hands to her mouth, gasping for air and trying to keep the horror inside, for though they had won and Gaea was sleeping once more, Annabeth knew better than anyone that to win a war, you had to lose a battle. She curled in on herself, not caring about the stones and sticks that dug into her sides, and felt her shoulders shake with unshed tears. She was a hero, and she was free.
But she was alone.
Percy greeted the darkness of Tartarus like an old friend. The Doors had been tricky to close; they were heavy with age and secrets, but he'd managed to do it, in the end. If he tried hard, he could still remember Annabeth's face: her smile, her princess curls, the harsh glint in her eyes when he'd told her to go, save yourself!
He sank to the ground, remembering the way Annabeth had kissed him whenever he said anything stupid.
Percy had the feeling she wouldn't kiss him again.
.
Author's Note: Something lovely and morbid to counter the last cheery Percabeth chapter. In case it wasn't clear, Percy stayed behind in Tartarus to close the Doors, and thus won the war for the heroes. On other news, though, TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF MY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. I'm so pumped. Oh yeah, so, please, please review. And standard disclaimer applies. xoxo