Annabeth POV
For three hundred years, I had researched Uranus, finding out everything I could about him. With that information, I had searched far and wide for one person: Percy Jackson. I couldn't find him on any part of the Earth, sea, or sky. Entering the throne room with Thalia, Nico, and Grover, I felt hopeless. Three hundred years of looking and nothing had turned up.
The Olympians sat in their thrones, awaiting our reports of what was going on in the search for Percy. Nico, Grover, and I were given immortality, as well as the rest of the Seven. We all searched for Percy, but I was the only one who did it day and night, nonstop. Nico had to help out in the Underworld and visit Bianca and Hazel. He was also taking part in Camp-Half Blood activities now. Thalia had her Hunter duties and therefore could not look every second of the day with me. Every year, we had an annual meeting for Percy, which usually resulted in tears, screaming, and very ragged emotions.
As I was in the middle of the report about the search in Australia, Artemis's eyes widened and she slipped away, a finger pressed to her lips. I continued after my mom motioned for me to. Australia, like North America, Europe, and South America, had resulted in no sign of Percy. I had, however, been interested by a string of corrupt demigods found dead, all over the country. Seconds later, a man in a blue and green jacket, black boots, and black pants walked out from behind the brazier, holding Artemis captive. Thalia immediately tensed. He let go, stating his business and handing Zeus a letter. I tried to identify anything about his broad, muscular, towering form, but nothing struck me as Percy-like. Except the way his walked, both confident and hesitant at the same time.
Whatever the letter said, Zeus wasn't pleased as he began verbally fighting this strange man. The man was chained up due to the letter, but in an explosion of wood, the chair fell to pieces. A section of the seat would have slammed into my head if the man hadn't blocked it with what I realized was a layer of water. It fell to the ground, evaporating. The chunks of wood fell to the ground, their momentum taken away. My heart raced as adrenaline hyped up my system. We could have gotten hurt, but he saved us. Poseidon trapped him in a water ball, positive he couldn't escape.
Less than a minute later, the water rained down, drenching everyone.
A plan formed in my head as I watched everything play out as I imagined. The only unexpected thing was that he beat Ares so fast. Surely, the god of war could beat this immortal? It was no competition. Dodging blasts of energy, I advanced towards the man. I had only seen one other person beat Ares and that was-
Sneaking up behind him, I held my dagger to his throat, forcing him to stop. The smell of the sea washed over me, drudging up painfully sweet memories. I expected him to surrender; instead, he caught my arm, twisting it around until I was forced to release my dagger into his hand. He stood behind me, holding my own dagger to my throat and a sword to my stomach. I was screwed.
Idiot. I thought, cursing myself. Shame flooded my mind as I realized I had embarrassed myself n front of the Olympians and put myself in peril to impress Mom. The mysterious man suddenly dropped both weapons, violently shaking. Perhaps Dionysus had struck him with madness or…
"You're alive!" He looked at me, but I couldn't see his eyes or any facial features. As I opened my mouth to inquire, he fell forwards, collapsing on the ground as Athena, Hera, Dionysus, Zeus, and Poseidon sent blasts of energy to him.
Hours later, he woke, wearing a straightjacket, chains as thick as my arm around his entire body, and all his weapons laid on the table. Whoever he was, we found out he was ripped, his incredibly muscular body covered with all the necessary weapons for a demigod. We stripped him of his belt, backpack, and watch, but his sword disappeared. We found a cheap pen, though.
The Olympians looked at him with pure hatred in their eyes, save for a few here and there. Ares had healed and was now fully awake, trying to intimidate him by sharpening a battle ax. I would have laughed if we weren't in such a serious situation. Someone has invaded Olympus. He groaned and rolled his head, popping his neck. His hood was still pulled over his face, leaving us in darkness.
"So, shall you tell us who you are, intruder?" Zeus demanded for the last time. The man was instantly awake. He shook his head, replying in a calm, controlled, deep voice.
"I will not betray my master. I am a loyal servant." He stated.
Servant. I thought. Wait, a pen, disappearing sword, he is a servant, the sea green colors, the deep voice-
"Thalia, pull his hood down." Zeus ordered. Thalia walked forward, glaring at him. I watched in awe as she leaned in close and audibly growled, "No one hurts Annie!"
The man jerked around, protesting loudly, "No!" We watched, startled at his reaction to revealing himself. A strong gust of wind blew Thalia backwards, causing her to land lightly on her backside, a few feet away.
"Zeus! What are you doing?" Hades grumbled, looking furious. Zeus was incredulous.
"It wasn't me! It was him." Zeus swore, glaring at the man. Thalia stood, moving forward once more. This time, a wall of water surrounded the man, shutting everyone out. Zeus glared at Poseidon, Hades looking at his two brothers with an unbelieving quality.
"Poseidon! Do not protect him!" Zeus demanded. Poseidon held his hands up in innocence.
"It's not me, it's him!" Poseidon shouted, but even as he denied this accusation, the man disappeared in a cloud of fine Mist. Poseidon blocked the ability to travel, causing the man to become solid again. He landed on his feet, cursing. He clearly wanted to leave, but couldn't, as Poseidon was blocking off his access.
"How can you Mist Travel?" Poseidon demanded, looking at the man, stunned.
"I only want to leave. I am like Hermes for my master. I am his messenger. I mean no harm." He declared, edging towards a window. He probably didn't realize that if he jumped he would plummet thousands of feet.
"But you have caused too much harm already." Hera snapped.
Percy POV
I was desperate to leave; if I didn't get out, I would revel my identity or fail my mission. Pleading, I explained that I was only a messenger.
"But you have caused too much harm already." The venom dripped off of Hera's words. I knew that I wasn't leaving without fighting now. Poseidon was keeping me from Mist traveling, so I would have to break out of Olympus.
"Then you leave me no choice." I remarked, slowly making my way over to the window. Only Annabeth seemed to take notice. My heart suddenly ached, sending a dull pain through my entire body. Shutting out the emotional pain, I watched the Olympians.
"And what are you going to do? Beat all fourteen Olympians, as well as two of the most powerful immortal demigods and the best strategist, save for myself? It is an impossible feat – merely defeating Thalia and Nico would be impressive."
"Oh, that I know for sure. All fourteen Olympians at once? No one could do that except maybe Typhoon and the older divine beings." I assured, brushing my hand against the window. It would open, but with some considerable force. Zeus clenched his fists, the subject still store that he almost lost to the Titans and Typhoon had it not been for my father and us demigods.
"So," I attempted to keep the conversation up, my voice light and airy, "how is the hunt for your hero, Percy Jackson. That's his name, isn't it? Any news, any leads or such?" I wondered, curious about my own search.
"How do you know about that?" Annabeth growled, narrowing her eyes at me. Of course, she couldn't see my eyes or expression, but I smirked.
"Everyone in the mythical world knows about that. It was a huge topic nearly three hundred years ago. There were some great magazine sales containing information about Percy. "Daughter of Athena Lonely on the Hunt for Jackson, Son of Jupiter Making a Move?" Was my favorite, hands down. It was obviously fake to anyone with half a mind, but hilarious." I joked, unexpectedly pissing off multiple people.
"Jason isn't trying to date Annie! He's engaged to Piper!" Thalia growled, electricity cackling across her skin.
"I wasn't trying to say he was, just making a joke. Besides," I explained, pausing, "I know Annabeth would never do that to Percy." Even to me, my voice sounded tender, a hidden message betraying me.
"And why do you care?" Grover bleated, trying to protect Annabeth, cutting the silence like a knife. I took the blow from my best friend lightly, brushing it off.
"I don't. What goes on – or went on, for that matter – in Percy's life, doesn't concern me." I reassured, flicking a speck of dust off my uniform and pretending to be bored. Apparently, that didn't fool Aphrodite.
"And yet, you have strong emotions towards almost everyone in this room, especially Annabeth." She interjected, looking at me with suspicion. "His hood…" She muttered.
"Will one of you demigods pull down his hood?" Aphrodite asked, looking sweetly at Nico. He pulled out his Stygian Iron sword, advancing towards me.
"You have to learn how to withstand her charm speak, Nico. Honestly." I huffed, rolling my eyes. He glared at me, his dark eyes flashing.
"I'm doing it because I respect the gods. People who don't often end up dead, like-"
"Luke? Yeah, well, you lose your respect for the gods eventually. It took me a hundred years just to have to start to fade, let alone lose it fully." I growled quietly, so only the people closest to me – Nico, Thalia, Annabeth, and Grover – heard.
Nico finally reached me, raising his sword. "Just pull down your hood." He demanded. I shook my head once, a sad smile on my face. "I'm afraid I can't do that, buddy." I declared, watching as he moved his blade slightly.
"Too bad. Lower your hood or I will kill you." He growled, moving the tip closer to my chest. I made no effort to deflect the blade or stop it. Nico pressed it against skin, the ice cold iron drawing no reaction. Normal people would have winced and drawn backward.
"I'd like to see that." I whispered, taking hold of the flat of his blade and yanking it backwards, pulling it out of Nico's grasp. He looked shocked. Clutching the blade, I handed it to Nico, the hilt open for him to grab.
"Try that again, and I'll actually defend myself." I grumbled, watching as he carefully plucked the blade from my grasp and maneuvered back to the group of immortal demigods. Nico was taller, broader, but still lean. His dark hair fell over his nearly-black eyes, contrasting sharply with his pale skin. Nico Di Angelo was dressed in black jeans, a black shirt with a skull and crossbones, and black converse. His dark attire fit him perfectly. I was sure he was somewhere between sixteen and twenty.
Thalia looked the same as I last saw here, except maybe she looked a bit older, probably wanted to look like an eighteen year old or twenty year old instead of sixteen. She wore a Green Day shirt, black skinny jeans and combat boots. Her Hunters jacket was partially covering the shirt. Her hair was long now, her blue eyes filled with hate. Hate directed towards me. I thought.
Annabeth – I couldn't even describe Annabeth, it pained me so much. She looked twenty, with her long, curly blond hair, high cheek bones, a button nose, and her beautiful, fierce gray eyes. Gray converse hi-tops, light skinny jeans, and a Camp Half-Blood tank top were the clothes that she wore. The ring glinted in the firelight, standing out against the tan skin of her left ring finger.
We grew up. I realized, suddenly feeling crestfallen. Guilt and pain ate at me, causing me to bow my head in shame. Looking down, I saw I was missing my belt and watch. Scanning the room, I saw them on the table near the chair. Walking over to the table, I felt everyone's eyes watch my back, but no one dared to blast me or shoot me.
Strapping the watch to my wrist, I adjusted it to the correct size and picked up my belt. To put it on, I would have to take off my jacket and that's not going to happen, because my hood would be down. Throwing the belt over my shoulder, I sighed, my shoulders slumping.
"Listen, I'm sorry for fighting with you guys and messing with you. I really just wanted to complete my task and head home, watch a movie with my friend, and relax. It was nice to see all of you, but it's getting late and if I fail it will be my first failure." I paused as I scooped up my backpack. "So, I am just going to go, okay?"
The gods looked shocked, their fury dying down.
"This will probably be the last you'll see of me, anyway." I said morbidly. It pained me to think it would take another three hundred years just to see Annabeth again.
I threw open the window, standing on the ledge and looking at New York City below me, spread out like a hectic quilt. No one moved or made a sound as I prepared myself to jump off, gathering control of the wind currents. One thought stuck with me, so I spoke it aloud.
"Don't look for Percy – you won't find him." I called towards Annabeth, without looking at her. Turning around, I felt it necessary to look at her before I added, "He loves you." Annabeth looked stunned, a tear trickling down her cheek. Similarly, one tear streaked down my cheek.
"Wait," Annabeth called, sounding hesitant. I didn't turn around, knowing if I did I would never leave or do something stupid.
"Percy!" She screamed, causing me to instinctively turn around and look at her. Her gray eyes widened and she gasped, running towards me. I cursed, barely dodging Annabeth's outstretched fingers.
"I'm sorry." I shouted, leaping out of the window. Pressing my arms to my sides, I hurtled towards the ground before pulling out of the dive sharply. Without looking back, I knew everybody watching from the window, observing me as I disappeared into a cloud and moved towards Lord Uranus's kingdom.
Annabeth. My heart shrieked, louder the call the further I moved from her.