Hazel led Annabeth out of Percy's tent, clearly unhappy with the task she had been given. Annabeth liked the girl, and didn't particularly like the fact that she was a burden to Hazel, but now that Annabeth had a place to hide from her mother, she could focus on locating her mother's statue. Annabeth would only inconvenience Hazel for a little while. As Hazel led her, she barked at some nearby privates to set up an extra cot in her tent. The privates scurried ahead of them.

"You make a good leader." Annabeth commented.

"Thank you your highness." Hazel did a slight bow.

"Please don't." Annabeth pleaded. "Out here, I am just another soldier."

Hazel gave her a look before simply stating, "As you wish."

That seemed far too easy, Annabeth thought as the pit came into view. She was taken aback by its large scale. Annabeth studied it and went over what she knew. One, her mother had Aracnea thrown into the pit, but she had gotten out long enough to exact revenge on Athena by stealing her statue. Did she bring it here? Was it in the pit? Annabeth was becoming discouraged at the amount of territory she would have to cover. But she wasn't about to be deterred. She'ld search every inch to find Aracnea and find out what happened to the statue. She hoped it hadn't been destroyed. She didn't think it would be, since they took the time to move it in the first place.

Hazel arrived at her tent that she was now forced to share. Hazel lifted the tent flap to let her in. Annabeth had a lot to do, but it would wait. Once the army had cleared a path, she would be free to explore. She slipped inside the small tent. Two cots lay on each side of the tent. Annabeth felt the adrenaline of the battle and hiding from her mother dissipate, leaving her exhausted. She lay on one of the cots and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I'll get us some food." Hazel commented as she left the tent

Annabeth allowed herself to close her eyes. She was startled awake when Hazel came back in with some food. The sun hung lazily over the horizon, casting a red tint across the land. " How long was I out?" She asked.

"It's probably been an hour. The line was long.' Hazel handed her a plate with some less than appetizing food.

Annabeth smiled appreciatively, and quietly ate. Hazel did her best to not stare at her, but it was obvious she was curious about her. "Is there something you would like to ask?" Annabeth opened the conversation.

Hazel blushed, "I beg your pardon, I didn't mean to stare."

"It's okay," Annabeth reassured her.

"I guess I'm just surprised that you would chose to fight side by side with the soldiers." Hazel flustered.

"How can I be a good leader if I am not willing to fight side by side with those whose I am asking to go into battle." Annabeth answered reasonably.

Hazel smiled. "I can see why Percy likes you "

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. "Percy? That's rather informal for his personal guard." She noted.

Hazel flushed bright red. "I didn't mean . . . I mean he insisted . . . I would never . . . ."

Annabeth laughed lightly. "Percy asked you to call him by his name." Annabeth guessed. "That seems like something he would do."

"You too, your highness." Hazel said quietly as she shyly looked at Annabeth.

Annabeth smiled. "I suppose so." She hadn't noticed the similarity before, and she began to wonder if she had always been like that or if it had changed since being around Percy.

"How is Percy handling his new role as Prince and Heir of Atlantis." Annabeth asked curiously.

Hazel let out a soft chuckle at the question. "Depends on who you ask. But what I do know, is that in a few weeks time he has won over the hearts of the people of Atlantis. There is not a soldier in Atlantis that wouldn't give their life for him."

"Because they know he would give his life for theirs." Annabeth nodded sagely. "Honestly, the soldiers of Athens feel the same way."

Hazel hesitated, then blurted, "Do you think he is the legend?" Hazel shyly asked.

Annabeth hesitated. "That's a dangerous question that you will have to answer for yourself. As for me, it doesn't matter whether he is or isn't. I'm friends with Percy, not the myth."

Hazel leaned back with an indiscernible look on her face. "It's getting late." She said suddenly. "I think I'll get some rest."

Annabeth quietly followed suit. But sleep was hard to come by between her thoughts of Percy, Aracnea, and the pit. She fell into a restless sleep.

To say she didn't sleep well was an understatement. She dreamt of ropes lying on the ground. She began following them. They went over a cliff, dangling in the darkness below. She peered over the side when the ropes suddenly sprung to life and wrapped themselves tightly around her. Annabeth struggled desperately against them. She could sense figures in the darkness beyond her view. She struggled harder, knowing they wished her harm. Annabeth fell roughly onto the floor. She was in the tent, on the floor, with her blanket wrapped tightly around her. She took a shaky breath and detangled herself from her covers.

It was still dark out, but there was light tint across the mountains, signaling that dawn was soon approaching. Annabeth didn't feel like going back to sleep. She dressed quietly and slipped out of the tent. She stealthily made her way through the camp by staying in the shadows of the tents as much as possible. Eventually, she made it to her destination, the edge of camp, looking over the pit. A chill ran down her spine as she remembered her dream. She took a shaky breath and slowly let it out in an attempt to calm her growing nerves.

"Battle is today." A voice said out of nowhere.

It startled Annabeth so bad that she nearly cut herself when she reached for her dagger. She looked to see who had spoken and found a grey haired old man. Despite his weathered face he looked deceptively strong. "Yes." She replied trying to get her heart rate under control.

"What are you looking for?" His piercing blue eyes seemed to be looking right through her.

"What do you mean? She asked warily.

"The pit. What are you looking for in the pit?" He asked almost as if he already knew the answer. Annabeth didn't know how to respond. "I only ask because you seem to be studying it as though looking for something."

Annabeth stared at him. There was something off about him. "What did you say your name is?"

"I didn't, but you can call me Bob." As soon as he said it, bells went off in her head. But she couldn't remember why.

"Bob. Are you familiar with the pit?" She followed her hunch.

Bob gave a large smile as if this was what he had been waiting for. "Very." We winked conspiratorially.

Annabeth tried to even her breathing. "Do you know if there is a statue there?"

Bob's smile turned into a frown as if this was not the question he was expecting. He rubbed his white bearded chin in thought as he looked out over the pit and then back at Annabeth. "Yes."

Annabeth felt a thrill at the confirmation of her theory. She studied Bob carefully as she phrazed her next question. "Can you tell me where it is?"

"You don't want to go there."

Annabeth studied him. "Bob, if you know you must tell me. My future depends on it."

Bob looked visibly distraught. "Not everyone knows the full legend. But I know. You must follow the path of the condemned. There you will see the last Olympian you will ever see before descending into the pit." Bob then turned sharply away from her and walked quickly away.

"There you are." Hazel's voice startled her as she watched the old man disappear within the army. "I have breakfast." Annabeth turned to see Hazel with two plates with a chunk of bread and some gruel.

Annabeth put on her best smile. "Thanks, Hazel." she said as she took her plate and followed her back to her tent.

"Someone's an early riser." Hazel commented.

"Couldn't sleep." Annabeth replied.

"We need to hurry and get ready. They'll be calling formation soon."

"Mmm." Annabeth acknowledged with a mouth full of food."

They ate quickly and dressed in their armor. Annabeth hid her hair inside her helmet. As they made their way to formation, Hazel went to go stand in the front.

Annabeth hesitated and finally said, "I can't go up there. Go ahead. I will be in the back." Hazel looked between her rightful place next to Percy and Annabeth. She then turned resolutely toward Annabeth and followed her to the back of the army. "You don't have to, I can take care of myself."

"You were put in my charge. I do not plan to leave you unprotected." Hazel said resolutely.

Annabeth looked at Hazel with concern. This might be a problem.

Poseidon came out of his tent and a hush went over the army. It wasn't long after that Percy came out. Annabeth felt an imperceptive shift. No one moved, it was just a feeling. Percy began talking. Annabeth couldn't really hear what he was saying, but she didn't need to. She could feel it. There was so much genuine honesty in his face that you couldn't help but trust him. She smiled involuntarily as she watched him. She noticed Hazel smiling at her, causing Annabeth to blush furiously. Annabeth lightly elbowed Hazel causing a snicker to escape her. Percy had finished speaking and a large shout went out from the army. He mounted Blackjack, and gave the order to march. Annabeth resisted the urge to be by his side. She did not know if they would survive this day, but she couldn't waiver now.

The army lined up at the top of the hill, where she had been just hours before. The army below looked fierce. Their rusted and mismatched armor with their equally deadly weapons of different assortments looked very intimidating. Percy gave the sign to withdraw their weapons. He let out a yell and as one they charged, all except Annabeth. Her trajectory was not forward but diagonal as she made a beeline straight for the entrance of the pit. The clashing of the armies was great and bloody. When Annabeth did enter the fray, she weaved swiftly between the fighting soldiers, only stopping to quickly dispatch of anyone foolish enough to challenge her. The battle was intense and as she fought she felt she may never get to the entrance.

A rather large soldier had singled her out and was determined to end her. His sword was large and his reach was much longer than hers. She had to get past him, but it was apparent that he was the last line of defense to the entrance of the pit. She studied his movements as she danced just out of his reach. His armor covered every inch of him with very few exposure points. She noticed a few more when his arms swung wide. If she could limit his arms she would have a chance. She developed a plan and got within his swing zone. He took the bait and swung wide at her. She dropped and rolled out of the way, then popped up and plunged her sword deep within the exposed flesh on the back of his shoulder. He roared in pain as Annabeth removed her blade, and quickly flipped her sword vertical and rammed her sword under his chin strap. His roar turned into a gurgle as he stared at her wide eyed. She removed her blade and moved past him, not even bothering to watch him crumple to the ground.

She took a quick look around to see that there was no one else between her and the pit. The armies were fully occupied behind her. She steadied her breathing and cautiously moved forward.

She heard someone shout, "Your highness!" She turned to see Hazel in the thick of the fighting, but she was also trying to get to Annabeth. Annabeth gave her a sorrowful look, then turned and walked toward the entrance.