Ch15
Annabeth tossed and turned in her bed as her mind felt the familiar presence of Kronos invade her thoughts. "Daughter of Athena you will have great glory if you serve me."
She wanted to scream to curse him to Tartarus but only pain spread throughout her body. Images played across her mind tall buildings which she had built, people praising her genius styles. She was with Luke and Thalia all of them happy together.
It was all beautiful, it was her work and everyone loved it. No one could've built something that grand, not even the best architects in the world could compare to her genius. Deep down looking at those dreams she lost a bit of herself while staring at the marvels she created.
It could all be yours just don't test my patience. The glory you desire can be yours. Kronos had been doing this every night. Every night her nightmares were either a carrot or a stick. Tonight was a carrot or a dream, other nights it was her being mentally tortured.
The visions continued cities were rebuilt by her. Far beyond the imagination of petty mortals. People would worship her genius, it was all made by her.
No I won't be deceived it's all a lie. She repeated it to herself time and time again, she wouldn't be deceived even if she was slowly getting worse at resisting. The buildings she saw were how she always imagined they would.
"Foolish girl know that may patience runs thin," Kronos said coldly. "Either join me or you will suffer a fate worse than death. Continue to test my patience and even Luke cannot save you, but who knows you will see him tortured before you painfully die."
A jolt of pain shot through her body as she screamed and sat up in her bed. Taking a few deep breaths she gripped her throbbing head and went into the fetal position. I can't stay here, mother give me strength. Tears fell down her face as she scratched her red skin.
Resting on her pillow her heart raced in her chest. I can't die here I won't. But she knew deep down that there was no way out. She was not allowed out of her room without permission and monsters guarded the halls and the area outside her window with extreme diligence.
I can't keep doing this. Deep down she knew Kronos was getting tired of having her on deck and even Luke pleading for her would do nothing to stop him from killing her if the Titan Lord got sick of her. She gulped down the lump in her throat, I have to survive. I have to tell everyone at camp what is going on. My life cannot end here and if I die in vain those I truly love and care about will think I was a traitor.
She gripped her fists, she was no traitor but she knew the camp and the gods must believe she was. I have to survive right now that is all that matters. Taking a deep breath and went to the bathroom to shower. She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes and face were all red her face looked like she was hung over. A numbing sensation spread throughout her body, she wanted to break down but she wasn't going to die here.
Pride and self preservation clashed inside of her as she got ready. It pained her to do what she was going to do, but she wasn't going to just die here. Her body was numb, each step she took felt like she were walking on needles as she got ready.
When she was done she went over to her things. Taking a deep breath she got on her knees and gingerly took off her camp necklace with a pair of shaking hands. With tears building in her eyes she held each bead she had, each was a memory of the camp she saw as home. Tears fell down her face as she gingerly held each one, even the last bead.
She looked at the two tridents, symbols of the sons of Poseidon who brought back Zeus's bolt. I still can't believe I helped Luke, the entire camp must view me as a traitor now. I'll prove them wrong though. Chiron I promise I'll make things right. Right now though I cannot die.
Grabbing a tissue she cleaned the tears from her face. Luke had confessed to what he had done and swore that it was for the best but she couldn't believe him anymore. A part of her couldn't forgive him for betraying camp and the gods while a small part wanted to help him see the light.
But he is also all I have at the moment. He is confused. I'll save him, we'll go back to camp together and things will be alright.
With tears falling down her eyes she clutched the necklace to her chest. I'm sorry Chiron. I'm sorry I let you and everyone else down. I'll make it right in the future I swear, but right now I need to survive for everyone.
Taking a deep breath she carefully put her necklace into her bag and said one final prayer to her mother in her heart asking for her guidance and protection. I know you must be disappointed in me but I swear I will make you proud one day. But right now I cannot die.
Taking a few deep breaths she stood up and gripped her palms. I have to do this right. Walking over to the door to her room she opened it to reveal a large bear, "I want to see Luke," she said firmly her body shaking as she stared at the monster in front of her. The monster was ordered to take her to Luke if she wanted to, up til now she had completely ignored it.
The monster nodded and gestured for her to follow them. Her heart pounded inside of her as they passed by various monsters. I have this one chance I can't blow it up. Every time Luke came to try and recruit her they ended up fighting, she had to be convincing now more than ever.
The cyclops took her above deck, her eyes squinted as they adjusted to the light. She passed by various monsters as she was led to a table where Luke sat. Taking a deep breath she approached Luke who looked surprised to see her.
"Annabeth what is it now?" Luke asked as he looked up from a map.
She gulped down the lump in her throat as she made eye contact with him, Luke was family he knew her well. "I've been thinking about things I want us to talk." Her legs shook, a part of her wanted to pass out but she forced herself to remain calm.
Luke looked surprised, even pleased as he motioned for the monsters around them to give them space as she sat across from him. "So what's this about?"
"I'm in," she said forcing the words out of her mouth. There were a million thoughts going through her head as she said it, she had to be convincing but the words were so hard to get out of her mouth. She felt numb as she said it, a part of her felt like it had died inside of her just by uttering those two words.
Luke frowned and gave her a quizzical look, "Really? You seemed adamant about not joining why the sudden change?" He motioned for a pair of pina coladas to be brought to them, she gratefully accepted it and drank a few sips to calm herself.
She sighed and gripped her armrests, calm down I have to be convincing. She looked Luke in the eyes doing her best to be firm though legs were shaking underneath the table. "It's just I've been thinking about everything. I've been thinking about my life really hard these past few days." Her mind was going haywire thinking of what to say. The drink Luke gave her managed to calm her nerves as she thought of how to appeal to Luke
Taking another sip from her drink she looked at Luke, "The gods screwed me over from day one I think about it," she said softly looking down at her glass.
"Athena my mother just gave me to my dad," She shook her head. "He didn't even want me, she thrusted me into a life where I wasn't wanted. Then at camp while I did feel accepted I always felt I could do more but was never given the opportunity."
It hurt to say those words, on the inside she wanted to cry and beg her mother for forgiveness. I'm sorry mom I really am.
Luke stared at her his expression neutral as he listened to her. Taking another drink of pina colada she sat back in her chair and looked Luke in the eyes. "We were a family," she said. "Me, you, Thalia, and our godly parents screwed us all over. I was given an uncaring father, Thalia was turned into a tree, and you have your own issues with Hermes."
Luke nodded as irritation spread across his face at the mention of his father. "However, what made us great was that we were a real family. The gods act more like a mafia in how they rule the world," she gulped as she said the words but she maintained eye contact even if her legs were shaking. "What made camp great was the campers themselves, not the gods. My home was always with those who cherished me. Luke you are my family, I may not be ready to fully trust Kronos but I can trust you."
There was silence, her hands were clammy with sweat as she gripped her chair tightly. Luke stared at her calmly, "I understand you were close with Chiron. Would you be upset at going against him?"
"He is misguided but means well in training us. I will defend my true family," she said firmly meeting Luke's gaze. "I want to keep you safe, I lost Thalia I don't want to lose you too."
For a second Luke's gaze shifted, "Fine let me take you to Lord Kronos then. Remember be polite his patience isn't infinite"
She nodded as they both got up. Forcing herself to move she followed Luke into the bowels of the ship. I made it this far but now is for the final test. Kronos is a titan I have to be extra careful. Her mind went over every word she said to Luke, her life depended on being accepted right now. I can't die. I wont die. I have to play my cards right, maybe help Luke see the light but for now I have to prove my loyalty.
Her heart pounded in her chest as they arrived at the room where Kronos's coffin lay. The sentries made way for them as they entered. Inside she felt the cold presence of Kronos as she walked in. It was if she were in a refrigerator as she stared at the coffin.
Luke bowed to it, "Lord Kronos. I've spoken to Annabeth she has seen the light and wishes to join our cause."
"Does she now?" Kronos asked his voice reverberating throughout the room. "Annabeth Chase do you really wish to join my cause?"
She gulped down the lump in her throat and bowed, "Yes Lord Kronos. The gods have always seen me as an extra. My mother forced me into an unloving family and the gods took Thalia who was like an older sister to me. I want to defend my family who is Luke."
Taking a deep breath she looked at the coffin. "I want to protect those who helped me in life."
Kronos laughed. His voice was bone chilling as it reverberated throughout the room. "You were so resolute against swearing to me before yet now you wish to do it? I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to do an act to prove your loyalty to me."
"What do you want me to do?" She asked. A part of her knew this would probably come but it didn't stop her from shaking on the inside.
"First Luke here has told me you were close with my son Chiron. You are to tell me everything about him and how he runs the came and anything I deem useful," Kronos said. "If you ever tell me a lie I'll punish you severely."
"I will gladly tell you anything," she said though she wondered if she knew anything of value that he didn't know. "What else do you need?"
"In the future I will ask you to do tasks to prove your loyalty to me," Kronos said his presence was suffocating but she focused her mind on Luke to keep herself sane. "If I order you to do something you shall do it with the upmost loyalty. If I order you to kill you are to execute my order faithfully do you understand?"
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Y-Yes sir," she said softly her body shaking. Kill someone. She had never taken a person's life before yet she was in no position to argue with the Titan Lord.
Luke stood to the side though his gaze seemed softer, she swore she even saw a smile. "Well done now then repeat after me this oath," Kronos said.
She gulped and nodded and repeated the words. "I hereby reject the Olympian gods and swear loyalty to Kronos lord of time and king of the titans," she was glad she felt numb the words came off of her tongue easier though she still had a few lumps in her throat. She wanted to cry yet at the moment she couldn't afford to appear weak. "I will see that he rises from Tartarus and swear to fight and train in his army against his enemies. When the time comes I will see the thrones of Olympus raised and turned to dust."
I'm sorry mom. Her body shook, she had just renounced her mother and was now officially against her. She wanted to break down but only felt a numbing sensation inside of her.
"Good child," Kronos said as the sarcophagus rumbled. "I am one step closer to becoming whole again. Now then child I have some questions for you and do not lie to me for I'll know."
"What do you want to know?" She asked softly.
Kronos then asked her a variety of mundane question such as how the camp operated and other details. "Does Percy Jackson know of the great prophecy?" Kronos asked.
She shook her head. "Not that I know of. Neither him nor his brother now of it."
"His brother?" Kronos laughed. "Looks like my son had his pirate boy defend his son."
"What do you mean?" She asked politely.
"Chris Caspian is a fake identity. He is really Poseidon's immortal son Chrysaor," Kronos said. "A tough opponent but no one will stand in our way."
Chrysaor. She vaguely remembered hearing about him, something about being the son of Medusa and that he hunted ships around the Mediterranean and owned a pair of dice that were in the Big House.
"Now then you will work with Luke, don't take his missions lightly. Right now our target will be the golden fleece." Kronos said. "Assist him in everything and train hard to prove your worth."
"The golden fleece?" She asked in surprise.
Luke nodded, "To restore Kronos and Thalia's tree." Luke shifted where he stood and avoided her gaze guilt washing over his face.
"Thalia's tree?" She asked. "What happened to it?"
"It was poisoned," Kronos said. "A cruel fate for a girl like here."
She noticed Luke shift and the realization hit her. No he couldn't have? Though at that moment nothing surprised her anymore. No don't argue. I have to play the part. She swallowed her anger and avoided Luke's gaze.
"The gods just left her there to rot slowly," Luke said gripping his fists. "Don't worry as soon as Lord Kronos is healed we will use the fleece on Thalia and heal her. She'll join us and we'll be a family again."
"Anyway child do not disappoint me," Kronos said. "I expect perfection. You shall train well here and become stronger to fight for me."
"Yes Lord Kronos," she said with a bow.
She exited the room with Luke, "Did you really do it?" She asked softly holding in the anger inside of her.
"I didn't want to but it's the only way to free her," Luke said softly. "I didn't want to hide it from you but I know we will have our family together again. It is the only way to free her."
"Together again?" She asked.
Luke looked at her and smiled, it was an honest smile. "Yes Annabeth. We will be a family again. I know you must hate me and I deserve it but I'm doing all of this for us."
She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Us?"
"Us," Luke said placing a hand on her shoulder and looking her in the eyes. "I really need your help now. You are the only person who I can trust."
She could feel her face redden, "I can't do anything."
"Oh nonsense you are the smartest daughter of Athena that I know," Luke said with a soft smile that melter her anger. "I know you can help me, I would greatly appreciate your wisdom. Anyway come on lets train."
She could feel her face redden. Looking into her eyes she saw the same friend she always knew. I know you are a good person deep down Luke. I swear I'll help you see the light.
