"So this is the Athena Parthenos," Percy commented, observing the grand statue, stepping from side to side. "It looks like it wants to smite me."
Annabeth bumped his shoulder with her own, smirking wryly at him. "Probably because Athena hates Poseidon, and any Romans. The two combined…"
"Yeah, yeah, my entire existence is a crime to her," he grumbled. "I get it."
"Annabeth, Percy," Piper shouted over at them. "Come eat with us! We have plenty of food."
"Coming!" Annabeth called back. She smiled at Percy. He resolved to ignore the darkness in the edges of her smile. At least, for now. "Come on. We should eat, and plan for what happens next."
"You always need a plan, don't you," he laughed at her, while turning to follow.
He sat down with the rest of the group, watching as they talked and laughed. This quest had made them close. Greeks and Romans together, it was inspiring.
"Alright, so, now that all of us are here, and we have an incredibly old statue, what do we do now?" Will asked. Nico's head was on his shoulder, and they seemed to be basking in each other's presence.
"Annabeth, you said in the letter that it had to be returned by a Roman leader," he spoke. "That means I have to go."
"I should go, I can shadow travel us," Nico spoke up, raising his head from Will's shoulder.
"No," Will protested, glaring at the son of Hades. "You can barely even carry yourself sometimes Nico. And now, after what you just went through? No way can you carry the statue to the other side of the globe."
"Are you doubting me?" Nico hissed, glaring right back. "I'll be fine. I'll take short trips and Percy can defend me while I rest."
"No, I'm not doubting you, I just don't want you to kill yourself when we just got you back, Nico," Will spat. "As your doctor and boyfriend, I'd hope that my opinion means something to you."
"I won't-"
"Quit it you two," Hazel said, glaring at both of them. "Will, Nico won't have to do it because I will."
"Hazel," Nico started to protest, only to shut his mouth at the glare Hazel sent him.
"No, Nico," Hazel sighed, grabbing hold of Nico's hand reassuringly. "Will is right. You're still recovering from being trapped in that jar. And besides, I've been shadow traveling for much longer than you. Lady Artemis made sure that I was consistently practicing it in my time with the Hunt. She wanted to make sure that I could utilize my consistent form of travel."
"But your place on the quest-" Nico said, only to be interrupted.
"Can be filled by you," Hazel finished. "And besides, you and Will should stay together."
"But Hazel," Piper spoke, staring at Hazel worryingly. "If you leave then Jason will be the only Roman left."
"Will?" Hazel questioned. "Your Dad is the god of prophecy. You should have some experience, shouldn't you?"
"I never had that gift, I can only heal," Will shook his head. "But from what I've learned from my siblings, prophecies are never what you quite think them to be. The Great Prophecy never stated that there had to be an even split. It never even said it had to include both Greeks and Romans. And selfishly…" he gripped Nico's hand tightly. "I'd rather it be Hazel who goes."
Percy saw Annabeth open her mouth to speak. Knowing that she would be offering, he swiftly cut her off. "Your faun," he said, looking at the one in question. "I've been told that your… satyrs are also guides and protectors. I'd rather not drag another demigod from the Seven into this, but quests usually should be in threes. Would you be willing to come?"
"Percy," Annabeth protested, shaking her head.
"No, Beth. I… would rather not mess up the prophecy. It says seven half-bloods. Even now, we're already replacing one," he said, nudging her shoulder with his own reassuringly. "So?" he questioned, staring at the faun.
Hedge unfroze at his question, and jolted back to life. "Oh yeah, of course. And once you get to Camp, I can handle the diplomacy side of things. I know people. Just…" the faun jumped to his hooves, strangely excited about being chosen for what would most likely be a suicide mission. "Just let me make some calls."
"We meet at the statue at sunset!" Percy called after him. He then turned towards the statue in question, dreading what was to come.
"You know, this is one of those times where I wish I wasn't my father's son," he sighed.
He heard Annabeth burst out laughing at his statement. "Yeah, Seaweed Brain. I don't think there could be any demigod whose father she hates more. And really," turning toward her, he could see that her eyes were staring out towards the distance, as if remembering painful memories. "I wouldn't be surprised if she just cursed this entire quest out of spite."
Percy shook his head in denial. "Nope. Nuh-uh. You are not putting that into your mother's head Beth. I've already been unlucky enough. I don't need the goddess of wisdom cursing me even more."
Annabeth just laughed even harder at him.
Despite the fact that it was at his expense, Percy could only close his eyes and bask in the sound.
They met again, at sunset. Annabeth helped Percy and Hazel tie up the rope harnesses, and made sure the statue was secure.
"I still want to go with you," she murmured, watching as Hazel finally tied the ropes around herself. "The quest-"
"The quest needs you, Beth," Percy interrupted, smiling at her reassuringly. "And besides, we'll see each other again. I know it."
Annabeth huffed, glaring as if she wanted to punch him. "You annoying optimist," she hissed, before she did something even he had not accounted for.
She kissed him.
"Be careful, Seaweed Brain. You better come out of this alive."
He snapped out of his shocked state, and laughed, grinning at her. "I think we're both too good to die here, Wise Girl."