Never Letting Go

Percy-POV

Being back in the Underworld reminded Percy too much of Tartarus. He could see the Phlegethon off in the distance and it brought back a painful burning in his throat when he remembered having to drink it to stay alive. He shook the thoughts from his head though. He was here for the Styx, to become stronger so he could protect the people he cared about.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and Rhea said, "Percy, this is going to be dangerous. We need to be careful going about this."

"I know, Rhea. I'm ready, I can handle this." He responded.

"Percy, its going to be worse this time." Athena added. "Please, with everything that just happened in the park, with what we all just saw, maybe its best you give yourself some time-"

"I'm ready, Athena." Percy said simply already heading towards the Styx. "What happened above only strengthens my decision. I wanted to protect her, and I wanted her to be happy. Now she has that chance, all of my friends do. I won't let them lose that because of another war, not if I can help it. If the curse can help them, then I'm ready for it." He heard the two stop walking and turned to look at them. Both women had a look of pity and sadness, but Rhea was close to tears.

Athena finally said, "I'm going to seek out a new trainer. I-I can't watch you do this." And with that, Athena left, walking away from Percy and Rhea with no explanation. Percy was confused; he didn't understand why she seemed so upset.

"She would never openly admit it, but you mean a lot to her, Percy." Rhea said, seemingly reading his mind. "You mean a lot to both of us. To watch you, selflessly sacrificing your chance at the life you dreamed of for others, sacrificing it so that the world may be protected…You're the greatest hero that has ever lived, Percy, and you don't act entitled to anything when you're entitled to so much."

Percy saw that Rhea was truly in tears now and reached out and pulled her into a hug. She returned it without hesitation. "I have to do whatever it takes to help win this war. If we lost, everyone I cared about would be dead, the gods would be imprisoned and tortured, and the good titans like you would be no better off. I can't let that happen." Percy replied. Rhea pulled away from him and he looked her in the eye. "You knew what had to be done in the beginning when you came to find me…I need you and Athena to be there for me, to keep me going, to keep pushing me. I need both of you to be strong with me so that we can see this through to the very end." Rhea didn't reply but Percy saw the resolve set in her eyes.

They both turned and began their walk towards the Styx…and Percy would be lying if he said he wasn't taking his sweet time towards it.

Athena-POV

Athena walked into Hades palace to find Hades himself along with Alecto the fury, Persephone, and Nico DiAngelo. Athena didn't like the crowd. There were too many people, she only wanted Hades.

"My dear niece," Hades said in surprise, "what brings you to my realm?"

"I have a…certain request of you, my lord." Athena said politely.

"Please speak your mind then." Hades said with a friendly smile. Athena noted he acted much more polite and mannered now that he was more respected…thanks to the very man who was about to take on an immense amount of pain to help save the world. A man who had already suffered too much in his life.

Athena snapped herself from her thoughts and looked at Hades, a silent plea in her eyes. "I actually think it would be a matter best discussed in private, my lord."

Hades seemed to ponder her request for a moment before he finally said, "Persephone, Alecto, my son, please leave Athena and I alone for the moment." Alecto and Persephone left without much thought, but Athena watched as Nico looked at her strangely. The boy was fairly smart, she knew that. He knew that something must be going on for her to come and seek his father out individually and unannounced. Luckily, he didn't question his father's command. When everyone was gone, Hades asked, "Now, Athena, please tell me what has brought you here?"

Athena took a deep breath and began, "Have you…have you noticed anything strange lately?"

Megaera-POV

Megaera was surprised to see her sister, Alecto coming back so soon. As soon as Alecto had landed, Megaera hissed, "What has you off of Hades backside so early?"

Alecto glared back before saying, "Mind your tongue, sister. Remember, there is a reason lord Hades put me in charge." Megaera stared hatefully at Alecto as she continued to speak, "Lady Athena came and requested an audience with Hades. She asked to speak with him in private."

Upon hearing her words Megaera fell silent. Without much more thought she took off flying away…she had news to deliver.

Percy-POV

Percy stood inches away from the Styx. He remembered the first time he was here and the pain he had felt upon entering, the terror of not being able to breathe under the water. And he knew this time was only going to be worse, Rhea and Athena had already warned him of that.

"Remember Percy, you need to pick a place to ground yourself to the mortal world. Don't lose yourself in there, you have to come back…the war's balance may very well depend on you making it back out…" Rhea said.

Percy nodded his head. "I won't fail, Rhea. I can't." Before she could worry or say anything more Percy took a step into the river. He didn't fight to stand when his foot was engulfed in pain, he simply fell face first into the river. He remembered the pain prior, but it was nothing in comparison to this. Every part of his body burned and he felt like his body was being ripped apart. He couldn't focus, he was struggling to remember where he was. That was when the panic started to take ahold of him. He was being pulled deeper into the river, but he couldn't think through the pain. He felt as if he was losing himself. He knew at this point it would be easier to simply let himself go and let the river eat him away, then at least he'd be done with everything. But he fought back anyway, holding on to what he knew he loved. He could see his friend's faces, his mother and Paul, Poseidon, Athena and Rhea. He refocused on a point of his body, the small of his back, the same place he'd grounded himself before. He was imagining himself being pulled up by a string that was coming from his back, but his mind was still blurry. Finally though, he looked up and he saw Annabeth just as he had the first time he'd been in the river. She looked just how she had at the park only hours ago, the only difference was now she was staring down through the water at him, and she looked torn. He reached for her hand, silently pleading to pull him up, but she stood there, staring at her hand.

Annabeth-POV

Annabeth looked around her. She was definitely at camp half-blood. She realized this must be a dream though because she remembered watching T.V. with chance just a little bit ago. She figured she must have fallen asleep. Still, the dream didn't seem bad, the camp was peaceful and nothing seemed out of place. But then she realized where she was, standing at the canoe lake on the dock. She remembered having a dream like this before, and her heart dropped. She shook her head, last time she had a dream like this, HE had been under the water. She couldn't see him, not again, not after so long. But she was drawn to the side of the dock anyway. Then she finally looked down.

Then she saw him. He looked like she'd imagined he would after three years if he were still alive. But she watched him and her heart tore into pieces with the way he looked like he was in pain. He was reaching for her, his sea green eyes pleading with her to help him. Instinctively she went to reach out for him, but she stopped as she caught sight of the ring on her hand.

She wondered for a moment if this is what the dream was about. Finally choosing to let Percy go. The last time she had this dream they had just been in a fight about Rachel and Percy had run off with Nico to go take on the curse of Achilles. Then, when she saw him, she didn't hesitate to pull her seaweed brain out of the water. But now…now he was dead. So shouldn't she let him go now? Part of her stared at the ring and wanted to leave him here, say her final goodbyes and tell him how much she loved him and missed him. However, another part of her was screaming at her to pull him out, to never let him go, no matter what. She looked back down at him and she noticed he seemed to be sinking a little bit deeper, his face seeming to start to fade away. Then she made her decision.

PERCY-POV

He had all but given up. Annabeth stood on the dock above him and he realized it was hopeless, Athena and Rhea had been right, this was worse than the first time. He was dying, fading; he couldn't find a way to root himself to the mortal world. He felt himself sinking further down and he felt his body beginning to fade. He could barely see Annabeth standing on the dock now, but his only thought was that she was beautiful and how much he still loved her. He could only pray she would be kept safe throughout the upcoming war. And with that thought he began to close his eyes.

Suddenly, he felt a grasp on his hand and the pain began to fade. His eyes shot open and he saw Annabeth clearly. She had tears in her eyes, and he could barely hear her saying, "I'm never going to let you go, Percy. Never." He felt a smile on his face just before his head broke the surface of the water.

Rhea-POV

She had begun to worry, Percy had been underwater for far too long. She long to shout his name, to try and communicate with him, but she feared someone or something over hearing her. She didn't even notice Athena until the goddess spoke. "Is he under?"

Rhea turned to look at Athena and Hades standing on the riverbanks with her. "He's been under for too long now. Athena, we have to do something." Rhea pleaded.

"I'm sorry mother," Hades began, "but it's impossible. He is on his own and at the mercy of the Styx now."

Rhea began to cry softly as Athena pulled her into a hug. "He can make it, Rhea. He's strong, the strongest man I've ever known. He won't fail." Athena said trying to comfort her.

Before anyone could say another word though, Percy himself burst from the water onto the banks. His skin was red and raw and his raven black hair stuck to his forehead. His breathing was coming in gasps, but he was alive. Rhea and Athena both ran to him and pulled him further away from the river. When they got to him, Rhea was astonished to find him laughing. He opened his eyes to look at them and said, "You all act worried but I told you I wouldn't fail."

Hades-POV

Seeing Jackson alive gave even Hades a smile. He had sensed the disturbances in Tartarus, he feared there were forces gathering again and when Athena had come to him he was relieved to know he wasn't the only one who was planning on a war. He was even more pleased when he found out Perseus was still alive. He knew the boy could make all the difference in the war, especially if what Athena had told him was true. And with the curse of Achilles now his again, Hades felt Perseus could take on even one of the Big Three themselves and possibly come out as the winner.

"Perseus Jackson." Hades said, disrupting the talking between Rhea, Athena, and Percy. Judging by Perseus' surprised look, it was the first he had noticed Hades. "It's good to see you alive nephew."

"Lord Hades." Perseus said as he pulled himself onto his feet. "Why-"

"Your cousin here," Hades interrupted, gesturing to Athena, "said you need a new instructor." Hades was surprised when Percy simply nodded with a look of determination.

"Then let's get started. What did you have in mind?" Percy asked.

Annabeth-POV

Annabeth woke up on the couch lying next to Chance, who was still watching T.V. She immediately looked from Chance to the ring on her finger. After her dream, she knew she could never let Percy go, that she could never truly be with Chance when she loved Percy so much. She silently slipped the ring off her finger and turned towards Chance. She had some explaining to do.