We walked up the hill to Thalia's tree, hand in hand. One day, maybe, I wouldn't get flashbacks to that first time, screaming as Luke dragged me away from Thalia. Today was not that day. I tightened my grip on Percy.
I brought my duffle bags into my cabin. But was it my cabin anymore? I sat down on my bunk, staring at the walls. This had been my home for so many years. But it hadn't felt right since returning from Tartarus. Like everything was shifted five inches to the right - everything was still there, but nothing felt like I remembered. I pulled my knees to my chest and tried not to cry. I heard someone's footsteps on the porch and looked up.
"Hey!" My brother Malcolm gave me a small, sad smile from the doorway.
"Hey." I agreed.
He sat next to me. "You ok?"
"No." I admitted. "I hate goodbyes."
He wrapped an arm around me. "You can always come back. Be a counselor in the summer, teach classes. I know I'd appreciate the help."
"I…. I'll think about it." I said softly, leaning against my brother. He helped me pack up the few items I had left here - some spare weapons and books, some photos. We reminisced and talked about everything that was worrying him about assuming command of the Athena cabin. But I wasn't too worried - he'd been the de-facto commander for a year now, while I went to Europe and then was too busy learning magic to handle all my duties. He'd do a good job - and we had a regular schedule of calls we'd start as soon as demigods could contact each other aain. I gave him a tight hug, reminded him to call, and walked out onto the green, where I was promptly tackled by my friend Milo.
"Hey!" I ruffled his hair. He so reminded me of a young Luke, with the same famous Hermes-kid grin. "Good to see you!"
"Are you really leaving?" He asked, sounding like he was pleading.
"Yeah. I am." I admitted. "But I'll try to come back to visit on breaks and stuff, ok?"
He nodded, trying to look brave.
"You've got tons of friends and family now, Milo. You'll be ok. Keep practicing that block I showed you, the one that can hold off a sword. Ok?"
"Ok." He said quietly. "I just….. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too. Here -" I handed him a cleaning cloth I'd had made with his name on it. "Remember to always take care of your gear, ok?"
He nodded, and promptly used the cloth to blow his nose. I gave him a watery grin as he walked away.
I found my sister, Maya , and my friend Livy, chatting near the lake. I sat to talk with them for a bit. Both of them had grown so much in the last year. Livy was no longer the nervous creature I brought to Camp. She had a quiet confidence - she had broken almost all her bones after being thrown by a sphinx last year, but it was like her nervousness and anxiety also broke. She was still herself, just a way more confident version of herself.
And Maya? Well, she was still a stinker. You could often find her planning pranks with the Hermes cabin. But she was a little more mature, a little more caring. She looked out for the younger campers and did wonders welcoming in scared new demigods. Maya insisted on braiding my hair for me, but I wondered if it was mostly because we both knew if we looked at each other's eyes for too long we would break into tears. I gave them each tight hugs, assured them that I would visit when I could, and got up to say some more goodbyes.
I found Jess, an Ares kid that arrived with Milo and Livy, in the practice arena. She had lost a leg in last year's war, but you wouldn't guess it based on how fast and smoothly she was fighting the practice dummy. I picked up a practice sword and came to join her, gesturing for her to spar me.
"So, when are you leaving?" She asked me as she struck at my mid-section.
"Tomorrow morning." I parried and struck back at her thigh, but she dodged and came back at me.
"Thanks for finding us and bringing us here. I really like having a home and a family." She blocked my strike and slid her sword towards me, trying to leverage her height as an advantage.
"Yeah. Me too." I broke contact, then swung back quickly, getting in a quick tap on her arm.
"You done saving the world?"
I laughed. "I hope so."
"Good. Give some of us newbies a chance, eh?"
"Oh I have no doubt you'll be saving the world all on your own." I assured her. "But I'll miss you."
She faltered and I nearly stabbed her, but stopped myself in time. She met my eyes for the first time and I saw just how upset she really was. She took a shaky breath, but emotions don't come easy for Ares kids.
"I know." I told her quietly, before she could break down. "Trust me, I know. I'll be back when I can. And your cabin will always have your back."
She nodded and dashed the tears away. I readied my blade and pointed it at her chest. "Let's see how you are doing against some rapid attacks, eh?"
She gave me a shaky smile, but nodded and prepped her blade.
When we were done, I walked to the Big House, waving to the demigods I recognized on the way there. Most were busy - prepping before the rest of the campers arrived. When I walked in, I found Mr. D playing pinochle. I sat to join him for a round.
"Huh. You survived." He muttered, though he was looking at the cards as if talking to them.
"You don't sound happy." I noted.
"Eh. Doesn't matter to me. You really all are the same."
I tried to hide a grin. "Sure. You definitely won't miss me then."
"Definitely not." He agreed. Then he met my eyes and softly added, "You were a cute kid. I do miss that."
I smiled at him - it was the closest he would ever admit to liking me, I knew - and finished the game. He won, of course, he'd had thousands of years more than I to practice. But it was a close game.
I found Chiron in his room, packing his bags, which surprised me. "You're leaving?"
He turned to find me there. "Annabeth! What are you -" His shoulders sagged. "I suppose you are here to say goodbye."
I nodded, feeling tears already press on my eyes. "Yeah. Are you -" I pointed to the bags. "Mr. D hasn't exiled you again, has he?"
"Oh gods, no, Annabeth. I am attending….." He rubbed his chin, "I suppose you would call it a task force. Other gods, other pantheons, discussing the threats that could end all the worlds."
I couldn't help but notice he said 'worlds' plural. I raised my eyebrow. He did the same. Clearly we both knew the other knew more than they were saying. I wondered if I had the patience to make him speak first, but I doubted it. He was immortal. He could definitely out last me.
"My cousin has mentioned other gods." I admitted. "And I have a few friends that seem to believe in Egyptian magic."
He chuckled. "Annabeth, my dear, you seem to think I have no notion of what you've been up to. Yes, I am aware you are now a practitioner of Egyptian magic. It's been interesting to hear of your progress - it hasn't been since the Byzantine empire that anyone has attempted to have a Greek demigod learn Egyptian magic. And the last few exploded."
"What?" I yelped. "No one warned me of that!"
"Ah, well, yes. It was a rather…. Unfortunate experience. They began to burn up, the way demigods will when they have too much ambrosia, but it was….. Different." He decided, clearly whatever had happened was bad, even by immortal-centaur standards. " I'd rather not say more. You have already progressed beyond their abilities, so I presume the danger is also mostly gone. Just…. Be careful using strange magic, hm?"
"I will." I promised, though I made a note to talk to Sadie and Carter about ensuring I did not explode.
"Good. I never doubted you would." He patted my shoulder. "And as for your cousin, yes, I am aware that Magnus Chase is also a demigod. I didn't know of his existence until your father wrote to me for help months ago, or I would have told you about him. I swear that on the River Styx. I would never keep such a thing from you."
"I believe you." I told him. "You've always tried to be honest with me. But is there anything he should know? He's going on this crazy dangerous quest -"
Chiron shook his head. "No, my dear. I don't know anything else that can help him. We could try to send a demigod team to Europe, maybe help with the battle, but mixing pantheons can get messy. I predict it would complicate matters more than assist. And I believe we will have our own troubles here soon enough."
"Do you know when? We are supposed to leave in the morning, but if it's soon -"
Chiron smiled at me. "No, I suppose it will take Apollo quite a while to return and make a plan. I wouldn't worry, my dear. Demigod communications should return to normal soon, and we can summon you back with pegasi if we must."
"Ok." I sighed. "I don't want to leave. I feel like I should still be here, helping you prepare."
"Do you think Malcolm will steer us wrong?"
"No, but -"
"Do you not trust me and my decisions?"
"No, but -"
"Annabeth, you have done more than enough. You are ready for the real world. Please, go on. Live your life." He pulled me into a tight hug. "I still remember you as the little girl who wouldn't stop asking questions about what the world was like. Go. Find out. See the world. I promise you, I will be here when you want to see me."
"Promise?" I cried softly into his shirt.
"Always." He stroked my back. "You are my daughter in everything but blood. I will always be here for you."
When we were done reminiscing it was time for dinner. I sat at my table - just Maya, Malcolm and I for now. The others would come soon, but I couldn't wait for them. Not if I wanted to get to New Rome and see my other friends before the Norse apocalypse might happen. After dinner, I found Nico and Will hanging out at the pavilion and took a seat across from them. Will was putting Nico's hair into several tiny ponytails, which I could only assume meant Nico had lost some kind of bet.
"I'm not doing any more goodbyes." Nico said casually, wincing as Will tugged at his hair. "It's stupid. I'll see you again, dead or alive."
It was hard to fault that logic. "Fair enough." I admitted with a grin. "It's been good fighting with you. Thanks for getting the statue back."
"Not sure I'd do it again." He admitted.
"You will never do it again." Will threatened. "Or so help me, I will dye the entire Hades cabin pink and glue permanent glitter all over your face."
Nico stared at Will, likely wondering how serious the threat was. He seemed to find that Will meant it and assured him he would no longer attempt such dangerous shadow-travel.
"I'll miss you two." I announced, before the boys could get into a squabble.
We stayed and talked for a bit, before Will got called away to assist in an accident with the climbing wall. I knew they could handle it alone, so they left me there, staring at the sky above the pavilion. The stars were out and shining brightly. It felt so peaceful, so right. Like it had for years before, watching the stars and safe at Camp.
"Hey." Percy slid next to me on the bench. He wrapped his arm around me, kissing the top of my head. "Hard day." He commented.
"Very." I agreed. "Tomorrow too."
"Yeah. You think life's going to get easier?"
"I don't know." I admitted, leaning against him. "But I know it's a lot easier with you."