Chapter 17: Memories

The Firstborn…I admit that few things can make me feel fear, however the firstborn, or Primordial, do. They were the first hunters, the responsible for everything. They discovered Enlightenment, and were perhaps the most powerful users of it. The stories say they shaped the world, that they created mountains and flooded seas with Enlightenment. Not much is known about the Firstborn, but I was able to recover a scripture from before even the ancient Roman empire. It read only one phrase, and until this day it gives me nightmares: There is only Power, and there is always Pain.

Poseidon's Notes, Page 19, The Firstborn.

Annabeth closed the door of the rooms she had been given with a shaky sigh. Her back slammed against the door, and slowly she slid to the floor and hugged her knees. Gods, she had been terrified.

She had tried to make conversation with Thanatos, tried to at least get the man to say something. The only thing the man had said was 'I'll be watching you' before he left, leaving her shaking in fear at the glimpse of his Enlightenment.

"Does he know?" Annabeth thought with fear, but how could he? Her mission was secret, only she and Luke knew about it, well, and whoever had given the mission to Luke. She wasn't betraying them, she kept telling herself, she was merely protecting Percy. That was her main quest, and everything else was secondary.

Yes, protecting Percy was what she had sworn to do, and it didn't matter who she had to face, Annabeth Chase never failed.

She reached to her pocket and picked the Golden Ring she held. She thought about what she was to do with it.

"Within Underworld, there is a great fortress, my love." Luke had told her before she left, "Tartarus, I trust you know of it?"

"Yes, the great Prison. I have always wondered what secrets it holds."

"You won't need to wonder long, love. I have been given a personal quest by someone with major influence. The Threat of something greater has begun to set within the Pantheon, and I fear that more and more tensions rise every day. Hades, may you forgive me for saying this, is not to be trusted. Zeus is convinced he is in league with the Titans, as he has refused to leave Underworld and bring his armies to Olympus."

"That's madness, Luke, why would Hades betray Olympus?"

"Zeus says that Hades is bitter over what happened with Poseidon. Ever since their fight, they have never been close again. They stopped talking years ago, and Zeus also thinks it's too convenient that his Symbol of Power has been stolen just as Tartarus has been broken into."

Realization set upon Annabeth.

"What are you implying?" she asked, "That Hades broke monsters out of Tartarus to create a diversion while, what, he stole Masterbolt?"

"Few people know Symbols of Power as well as Hades. The House of the Dead is as ancient as Olympus itself, the oldest of all the Major and Minor houses. They hold secrets that we can only dream of possessing." Luke held her face in his hands, "I hate to ask you this, my love, I really do, but you are the only person who can do it."

"What is it, Luke?" Annabeth asked, her eyes staring lovingly at his.

"If Hades really is a traitor, if he really stands against us in this coming war, then something must be done."

"I can't kill him, Luke, he is a Lord!"

"I know, shush love, I know…no. There is another way." Luke handed her a piece of paper. "Within Tartarus, deep into its guts, there is a weapon. They say that it was the weapon that Jupiter himself wielded when he took down Saturn, the leader of the Titans of old. It is said it was forged before the time of the First titans, the first Symbol of Power ever created. If Olympus is to have a chance, against the Titans, Hades, or whatever enemy comes, that weapon is the key."

"Why is this so important?"

"I don't know." Luke sighed, "All I know is that the Pantheon fears that weapon, hence why it is hidden within Tartarus itself. If you can find a way to secure it, we can hold Hades at bay, we could even hold it against the Titans! Without Zeus' Masterbolt, and with Hades uncooperative…we need every advantage we can get, love."

"I…Luke…this is madness, Hades would never—"

"WE MUST FIND IT!" Luke suddenly yelled; his eyes wide however, as he realized what he had done, and quickly hugged Annabeth. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. My love, Annabeth, Light of my life…It's just…I've been so worried about saving everyone…it's the only way Annabeth..."

"W-what do you mean, Luke?" Annabeth asked with horror, "We are strong. Olympus is strong! New Rome has Hunters too, and the Pantheon—"

"The Pantheon is…not to be trusted, not anymore." Luke looked almost pained to admit it. "Zeus' paranoia has made it unstable. Hades' secession from it has created a bigger rift between them than they admit, Lord Hermes has told me himself, and with Poseidon on the horizon…you saw what happened when Zeus tried to have his son brought in chains. They defied him, Annabeth, for the first time in…what, fifteen years? The council defied Zeus to his face!

"He is no longer fit for his seat, Annabeth, his power falls between his fingers like water from a river. If we are to stand against the true threat that is coming, we cannot have this fragmented leadership…no, the Pantheon is supposed to be composed of the strongest hunters, and led by the strongest of all. Zeus is no longer fit for his position."

"Luke…are you saying—"

"Annabeth, listen to me." He grasper her face once more, "Everything I do, I do it for the safety of Olympus, for us. I have been in contact with some…people. When the moment comes, they will support us. We can dethrone Zeus, and together we can lead Olympus against our enemies! I'm not saying we must kill Zeus, no, he's too powerful for that, all I'm saying is that now is the moment to be as strong as ever. The only way to do so, is with something they don't expect, a weapon that will help us quell the fires of Olympus, quell the fires in the Pantheon, and unite us into a single, powerful army. That is the weapon I need you to find, and once you do…I want you at my side when we lead Olympus into the new age of Enlightenment."

Annabeth was conflicted. Her loyalty was to Olympus, to the Pantheon and those who sat there. To her mother, her friends…yet what Luke was saying…

Zeus was growing paranoid, and if the Pantheon was divided it would only be a matter of time before he lashed out and fragmented it to the point of no return. Poseidon was causing ripples, just when they needed to be united, and Hades…Hades had always been secretive. Could he be working with the Titans, against Olympus, against the man whom he once called friend?

Annabeth prided herself in her smarts, in her ability to see through plots and to read people. She trusted Luke, and she trusted herself. If the Pantheon fell, Olympus would follow, and with it New Rome and all its inhabitants. The titans would win. Who better than to lead them than her and Luke? Her brain had been praised by dozens, calling her smarter than even Athena herself! And Luke, arguably one of the most powerful Hunters alive…with her as the shield, and he as the sword…

They would be unstoppable. They could really build something that would last a thousand generations!

"What do you want me to find?" Annabeth asked, determination fuelling her.

"A Scythe." Luke smiled at her, "Just that. It's hidden deep within Tartarus. I hear that it can shift itself after a common object. Here." He gave her a ring. "When you find it, tap the ring to it, and it should conceal itself. When we see each other again, we will hold enough power to stop the children sitting in the Pantheon and unite us against the threat, the real threat."

That caught Annabeth's interest.

"Real threat? Luke…is there more…?"

He looked at her with a strange expression, pained even.

"I…can't tell you. But when I was out there, in our last mission I saw…I saw things, Annabeth, signs. The Titans are just but one layer, the true enemy, the real enemy hides somewhere behind all this chaos. I don't know if the Titans are working for them, or if they're an independent threat, all I know is that we must win against the Titans, unify Olympus, and enter a new Age of Enlightenment. Only then will we be ready for what is to come."

Annabeth hugged Luke, and Luke answered with a kiss.

"Whatever happens, Annabeth, whatever happens today or tomorrow or the following day…know that you are and forever will be the light of my life. Follow your heart, and trust your mind."

Annabeth's mind returned when she saw the crumbled piece of paper next to the ring. Opening it, she saw a drawing of the weapon she was looking for. It was large, almost 6 feet tall, the blade of the scythe seemed dark, jagged, and almost…angry looking, it had a smaller scythe on the opposite side, the size of a hand mostly. Underneath it, the words Domination were written, and for some reason, a shiver ran down Annabeth's spine.

She wanted to believe that Hades was good, that he wasn't planning on attacking Olympus, or that he at least would help them. Nothing had suggested that as of now. Apparently, the Horsemen were preparing to engage an army of the Titans, and Hades seemed to be glad to see them, but…could she really take the chance?

He had been interested in Percy, too interested. Was it because of Bianca? But how could he know? He used to be best friends with his father after all…were they in contact? Was Hades working with Poseidon?

The thought horrified her.

No, she needed to keep Percy alive. She had promised Chiron to do this, and besides, if Luke was right and they needed to…heal Olympus, Percy would be paramount for that.

She sighed once more, thinking on what to do, when suddenly a rainbow appeared in front of her.

"Annabeth?" the voice came from the other side.

"Luke." Annabeth sighed in relief, and soon enough the face of her boyfriend appeared.

"Annabeth, are you alone?"

"Yes."

"Are you in Underworld?"

"Yes."

"Good." Luke smiled, "I miss you."

"I miss you too." She smiled back.

"Have you learnt anything?"

"Hades seemed to be preparing to engage a group of Monsters near the entrance of Underworld, aside from that, he doesn't seem to be preparing for a war against Olympus."

"You've barely been there, perhaps these preparations mean something else to the right people. Tell me, is there a man by the name of Zagreus amongst Hades' trusted?"

Annabeth thought about the boy who seemed to resemble Percy.

"Yes." She said, "he's one of his…what did he call them? Horsemen."

Luke's eyes narrowed in hatred.

"Do not trust Zagreus, Annabeth." Luke said darkly, "Don't trust any of his 'horsemen', but be very aware of Zagreus. That boy is dangerous, very dangerous."

"Is…is he the one who gave you your scar? You…mentioned it was another hunter."

"Yes." Luke said, "Why do you think it was?"

Suddenly, the thought of Hades being a traitor did not seem too far off.

"Why…why hadn't you told me?"

"Because I didn't want to worry you." Luke said, "I…look, Zagreus is dangerous. His Enlightenment and Nico's are similar, but Zagreus wields it better. He also was trained by some of the best weapons masters while he attended Olympus, and some say he can even give Hades a run for his money. Keep your eyes out for him, if there is one person whom Hades will send to do his dirty work, it would be him, and if he suspects anything…"

"He will kill me." Annabeth realized.

"I can't lose you Annabeth, not you. Come back to me."

"I love you, Luke."

"And I love you too, now, I must go, we are being chased."

"Stay safe."

"You too."

Luke waved, and the rainbow dissipated.

Annabeth walked to the bed and sighed as she jumped on it. She seemed to have been doing that a lot today. She thought on all that was on her shoulders, and she felt uneasy at all that was coming her way. It was up to her to keep Olympus together, her and Luke. Soon, they could bring Percy, and he could bring Bianca, and…

That was too much to think about. For now, she needed rest, and soon enough she would begin looking for a way to save her people.