Just a PSA, this story was intially titled "The Huntsman", however I remamed it as I disliked the name. This is a story I first wrote back in 2020, however it sucked so I've essentially reworked the entire thing. I aim to get two or three chapters out a week. Depends on how much time I have to edit. Anyway, here's chapter one. If you have any thoughts, good or bad, please take the time to leave a review. Be it praise or constructive criticism, I love all feedback! I'll be respomding to them in my notes at the end of chapters. I hope you all enjoy!

Percy:

I awoke with a jolt to the deafening crash of thunder sounding overhead, stirring me from my dream. And what a good dream it had been too. The details were hazy, but I knew it involved Annabeth, an evening out in New York and some pizza. No better way to spend the day. I settled back into my pillow, closing my eyes and pulling the covers back over myself.

For a few fleeting moments I was back in that dream. Walking through Manhattan with Annabeth, hand in hand, not a care in the world. Her dragging me to the New York Public Library, persuading me to join her in sneaking into a restricted area, only to use her Yankees cap to escape security when they caught onto us. Me, in the hotel, dragging her to come and try out the pool, only to push her in as payback for abandoning me in the library. I smiled to myself. Maybe I'll suggest we do that for real next weekend. I thought. Only a few more weeks left at camp until we go off to college, may as well make the most of them.

Zeus, evidently, didn't like that plan. The heavens opened up once more and began to scream with renewed vigour, rattling the foundations of my cabin, almost knocking me out of my bed.

"Gee, thanks, Uncle." I muttered sarcastically. "That's not annoying at all." In response, as if to spite me, three more echoes rang out, each louder and more ferocious than the first.

"Show off…" Too wide awake to fall back asleep but too tired to leave bed, I lay there, listening to the peaceful crescendo of waves as meeting the shore, trying to tune out the ever growing roar from the heavens. A cool ocean breeze washed over me, bringing with it the reassuring scent of the sea. For a moment I was back with mom at our cabin in Montauk. Mom. I need to visit her, it's been too -

The sky rumbled overhead with further fury, followed by a brilliant flash of light so bright I sensed it even with my eyes closed. Following it close behind was a thunderous crack so loud they'd have heard it all the way over in New Jersey. Evidently the lord of the skies was in a foul mood and wanted everyone to know it.

"Fine", I conceded, rising from bed, throwing the covers off my body. "I'm up!" Ensuring I said my curses to Zeus as I did for waking me up at this undemigodly hour.

I navigated my way through the bedroom in almost total darkness, relying on the regular flashes of lightning brought on by the ever intensifying storm to light my way. Just as I neared the door to the communal area of the cabin, my foot snagged a pile of clothes I'd put off moving for a few days, sending me tumbling into something solid. I felt a heat in my hands as the barnacle encrusted wall made contact with my hand, drawing blood.

Cursing to myself, I got back to my feet, kicking the pile aside in frustration. Gods. I thought. I never imagined I'd miss having the Curse of Achilles. Being invulnerable did have its benefits, one of which being, no cuts. Still, it wasn't that deep, nothing a shower wouldn't heal.

With my non bloody hand, I opener the door and made my way towards the living room in the centre of the cabin. Thankfully, with all the windows left wide open, visibility in here was decidedly better. On the couch to my left, I could see the remnants of a several days old box of monster donuts Annabeth and I had shared together. I'll clean that up tomorrow.

I made my way toward the fountain in the centre of the room. Made of grey sea rock, coral and shells, it was a perfect centrepiece for Cabin Three. Sat atop it, overlooking the whole room, was a multicoloured fish that Tyson had affectionately dubbed, "Mr Fish." Though Annabeth simply called him annoying, owing to his constant need to spout water from his mouth 24/7. Not even I could stop it flowing, Poseidon obviously had a strict vision for this fountain, one he didn't want me tampering with.

I reached the fountain rested my hand slightly atop the water's surface, closing my eyes and focusing on gradually heating it until. Slowly but surely, a rainbow formed. I smiled to myself. Despite having done this hundreds of times by now it never got old. I rummaged through my pockets and dug out a few drachma, tossing them through rainbow. After all, I might as well give my friend a tip, the gods were many things, but generous employers they were not.

"Hey Fleecy, do me a solid. Show me my brother Tyson, most likely in Poseidon's Ocean forges." I looked at the mist expectedly, but nothing happened.

"Sorry Percy." A familiar warm female voice said in the back of my mind. "I can't find him right now, he's probably just busy with work. You know how it's been lately."

I sighed, sadly I knew all too well. What with his new wife. Ella, his tasks in the forges, and his demanding job as the commander of Olympus's troops, Tyson rarely had time to answer my Iris messages anymore.

"That's okay." I said, biting my lip in frustration, causing the metallic taste of blood to fill my mouth. "I'll try again another time".

"Thanks for the tip though, it really means a lot to me. You're the only one who does that, you know." She said sweetly, hearing the happiness in Fleecy's voice lifted my spirits somewhat.

"You're welcome,"I said. "You deserve it after all the help you give me, I'd never remember everyone's birthdays if it weren't for you always reminding me." I thought back to a couple of months ago when I'd almost forgotten Grover's birthday, had it not been for Fleecy throwing a present through the mist at me that morning I'd never have remembered. Stupid ADHD. I thought to myself.

"Anytime." She said brightly. "Somebody's gotta make sure you Demigods keep track of your birthdays. They're rare enough as is, you guys don't get many of them, they should be celebrated properly."

"That's… morbid,"

"Hey!" Fleecy said indignantly. "I'm just saying, make the most of them, a mortal life is short. Don't shoot the messenger"

"Fair enough." She was right of course, demigod birthdays were rare, especially over the last few years. "Thank you for reminding me Fleecy, I don't know how I'd ever remember anything important without your help".

"You're welcome, Percy". Fleecy said cheerily. "You know, there's another birthday coming up very soon. A big one at that." I could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke.

"Who's?" My mind raced, I thought with Fleecy's help I'd been keeping track of them better. "Thalia's?"

"No, Percy." Fleecy replied with a giggle. "Thalia's is a few months away still."

"Who's is it then?"

"Ugh, you're hopeless. Here", she said as a small wrapped box flew out the mist, hitting me squarely in the face.

"Ow'" I said aloud before looking down, noticing the writing on the box. For Percy. "Wha-"

"It's your birthday you idiot. It's 3am."

"Oh, I forgot it was today." No one, not even Annabeth had said anything recently so it had completely slipped my mind. Not that I cared, birthdays had become a source of dread for me. An uneventful, boring one was well overdue.

"Well I didn't, Happy Eighteenth Birthday Percy". Fleecy said warmly. "Any plans for the day?"

"Well I didn't know until two seconds ago so I'm not sure." If Annabeth isn't busy maybe I can finally convince her to come rowing with me. Thinking about it, it wasn't like her to forget anything. Let alone my birthday. What gives? I thought to myself.

"I know what you're thinking, Percy". Fleecy said. "That girl doesn't forget anything, especially when it comes to you."

"No, I don't mind -"

"You do," Fleecy interjected. "But Annabeth hasn't forgotten a thing. How about you go and have a shower, you need one."

"Hey!"

"No hey. Go and get ready, birthday boy."

Get ready? I wondered. What for?

"Percy." Fleecy said bluntly. "Stop thinking, start showering. You'll find out why soon."

"Okay, okay. I'm going"

"Good! But before you do, open my present".

"Of course, sorry Fleecy I-"

"Forgot? Of course you did". Fleecy said teasingly. "Now open it".

I sat back down on my bed, present in my lap and began to open it. I had no clue what present mystical Cloud Nymphs bought for their friends but I was excited. I tore the last strands of paper off and revealed the present.

Soap.

I could hear Fleecy trying to suppress a giggle.

"Soap? Fleecy I do not smell".

"Percy, monsters can smell you from miles away. You smell".

"Wait… so does this soap suppress my scent or something?"

"No, Percy, it's just soap."

"Oh".

"Happy Birthday, Percy". Fleecy said, giggling once more as the line was cut.

Soap. Well at least it's a practical gift. I headed towards my bathroom, taking great care to avoid the pile of clothes as I cut through my bedroom. Stripping off my clothes, I entered the shower. No buttons in here, this was a bathroom built for children of Poseidon, as such everything from sinks to the showers could only be controlled by a child of the sea. I closed my eyes for a moment and willed the shower to start, flinching slightly as the shower head opened up, and piping hot water began to rain down on.

Thanks to the water, I began to unwind, all my thoughts and stressing washing away. I felt the water envelope me, coiling around me, rinsing my body off. Perk of being a son of Poseidon, the water would do all the work for me, I just had to stay still. I closed my eyes for a moment and began to drift off.

Eventually I fell into a deep enough stupor that my connection with the water waned, cutting the shower off. I awoke, sighed to myself and braced to meet the cool night air. I stepped out the shower and immediately lunged for a towel. I could, of course, simply will myself to be dry, but I liked the novelty of using a towel.

Once dry I walked over to a dusty old closet that smelled like rotten coral and pulled on my orange camp T-shirt and a pair of jeans older than the Earth Mother herself. Next birthday, ask for some new clothes. I thought to myself. These jeans were suffocatingly tight. I felt my pocket. Yep, Riptide is still there. Of course I knew that it always would be, but I could never break the habit of checking.

Breaking the silence of the night, was a sudden, frantic series of knocks at my door. For a moment I questioned if it was the wind, but with the storm waning, that seemed unlikely.

I cautiously approached the front door, uneasy about the late-night visitor. Be it the Stoll brothers with another one of their late night pranks, or a monster wanting to send me on a way one trip to the underworld. A visitor this late at night could only spell trouble.

I crept cautiously toward the front door, trying to keep the element of surprise, treading carefully to not to let my late-night visitor hear even the faintest sound of my footsteps. I'd almost made it successfully to the door when-

CREAKKKKKKK

That stupid creaky floorboard! Ever since Tyson dropped his "Stick" on it, it creaked at the slightest bit of pressure. Oh well, perhaps whoever's outside didn't hear-

"Percy?" The voice of Thalia Grace asked cautiously from just outside the door. "You awake?"

"Thalia? What are you doing here?" She was still supposed to be in Zambia, working with Artemis to track down poachers.

"I don't have time to explain, you need to come with me now. It's Annabeth." Thalia urged in a tone that made my hair stand up on end in a way her zapping me never could.

I pulled Riptide from my pocket and hurled myself out the Poseidon cabin ready to face down whatever was waiting for me. I was greeted with… nothing. There was nothing out here. Nothing but a… tree.

That wasn't there earlier. I thought. Oh gods. Thalia! Not again, Zeus and Artemis are gonna kill me.

"Thalia?" I said in a hushed tone. Uncapping Riptide as I approached the Thalia trees unsure if she would, or could respond. "Thalia? Please tell me that's not you."

Silence.

"Thalia? If that's you, give me a sign." I begged.

The tree stood there stubbornly swaying in the gentle night breeze, ignoring me.. Hmm. I thought. That could be Thalia after all. Snapping me out of my train of thoughts was a faint rustling noise from behind me. Immediately I whirled around and raised Riptide.

"SURPRISE!" Several voices yelled from the darkness. In an instant all the torches by the cabins were set ablaze, illuminating the campground. I spotted Leo to my right, a waning flaming still dancing lightly in his palm. He met my gaze and gave me a wink. Tables from the dining area had been moved into the centre of the camp, on them were many blue cakes, fountains full of blue cherry coke, blueberries, blue candy. Everything seemed to be blue I noticed. Even the pizza seemed to have blue cheese on it somehow. Maybe I'll avoid that. I thought to myself. The scent of freshly baked cookies lingered in the air, reminding me of home. To the side of a table I spotted a… was that a Naiad acting as a soda dispenser? I made a mental note to talk to her at some point.

Around me, each cabin had a banner in blue writing saying "Happy Birthday Percy". Each cabin, aside from the Ares cabin that is. Written in messy red ink their banner read "Happy Birthday Prissy". I smiled to myself as I read it. I looked up, in the air were balloons, trident balloons, fish balloons, even one that looked like Riptide".

Movement out of the corner of my eye brought me looking back down as people began to step into the light of the campsite, I was met with familiar, smiling faces. Jason, Clarisse, Piper, Juniper. A few hunters donned in silver. One of them looked familiar, a butch ginger girl with a hard face and a permanent scowl. Phoebe. To her left I spied Thalia Grace resting lightly on a tree stump in the moonlight, a victorious grin painted on her face. I made a mental note to get her back for this one day.

A flurry of shadows glided in from the forests as Nico Di Angelo materialised. He nodded to me curtly before joining Will on a nearby bench. I gave him a cautious wave. Things were never going to not be awkward between us it seemed. It could be worse. I thought to myself. At least we're on speaking terms.

I continued to scan the crowd. No Annabeth. Knowing her she was either lost in a book, or invisible, standing right behind me, ready to attack… I whirled around but as I did my momentum was caught and shifted, my world spun as I was flipped onto my back, I felt a lighter weight follow me and land right on top of me, knocking the breath out my lungs. The air shimmered as a familiar, and rather smug looking daughter of Athena revealed herself.

"Hello Seaweed Brain," Annabeth whispered in a tone that made me melt. "Happy Birthday." She leaned in close and brushed her lips against mine, electrifying my body in a way Thalia's lightning never could. We stayed that way for what felt like forever, but in reality was far too fleeting. Finally we separated and got to our feet, Annabeth immediately put her arms around me again before I even had the chance to dust myself off.

"I love you, Annabeth." I said as I kissed her forehead.

"I love you too, Percy." She said back instantly. It was a reflex at this point, after all we had been through together saying those three words felt natural. I looked at Annabeth and smiled, hugging her tighter and kissing her on the forehead once again as she rested her head against my chest.

"Hey Jackson. Don't make us throw you in the lake again." Clarisse huffed at me, crossing her arms as she tried her best to keep up her facade of toughness, though even she had a slight twinkle in her eye. Evidently she noticed this too as she immediately spun around and punched one of the Ares campers beside her in the stomach. "Get me a piece of steak." She barked sharply. The boy, who couldn't have been much younger than Clarisse herself, immediately sprinted away towards Cabin Five clutching his stomach. "And make it raw!" Clarisse yelled after him.

Thalia, who'd also been watching the spectacle, walked over looking amused.

"Please tell me I'm going blind and that you weren't talking to the tree Kelp Head" The color rose to my cheeks as I realised the entire camp must have seen me talking to a tree.

"Possibly." I shrugged nonchalantly. "I can never be too sure with you Pine Face." She gave me a look like she was about to punch me but then - "Come here you moron." She pulled me in and hugged me tightly. She held me for a few moments before realising she may have actually been acting too nice. "You smell like dirt." She said gruffly before punching me on the arm.

"Ow." I replied sarcastically, rubbing my arm mockingly. "You know, if I were still fourteen that might have actually hurt." I replied sarcastically.

"Watch it kelp head. Don't make me zap you on your birthday." I decided not to aggravate her further. Last time she zapped me I couldn't taste anything for a month.

"So, what's with the tree then?" I asked. "That wasn't there earlier".

"That was me", Annabeth added. "This part of camp has too many tree stumps, not enough trees".

I looked down at her quizzically. "How did you move it? That's a full grown tree!"

Annabeth pulled away from me and eyed me down in a way that made me shift my feet. "Are you saying I'm not strong enough Percy?" She asked dangerously.

"Yes, no, I… yes?" I stammered.

Annabeth's scowl faded as she grinned. "I'm messing with you Seaweed brain. Tyson moved it for me." She glanced behind me as the ground began to shake. "Speaking of…"

"BROTHER!" I heard a deep voice yell as I tasted dirt for the second time thay night, I felt like I had just been hit by an eighteen wheeler. "Happy Birthday brother!" The voice boomed again. I looked up and saw Tyson beaming from lopsided ear to lopsided ear, his one eye was as wide as it could possibly be.

"Tyson… heya I missed you too-" I managed breathily, still not fully recovered.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Tyson yelled, interrupting me as he pulled me into a hug that would make an Anaconda jealous.

"Woahhh big guy. Watch the ribs." I mumbled. But clearly my voice was smothered by Tyson's flannel shirt as he only tightened his squeeze. Finally, just before my eyes popped out my sockets I was released. Gaspinh for air I looked at Tyson as he grinned at me toothily. He'd grown a lot since I'd last seen him, he had to be well over eight feet tall by now. He was wearing an assortment of flannel shirts hastily seen together into one loud purple and brown flannel shirt fit for a Cyclops. He had a dark steel heavy duty belt strapped around his waist and on its side the most incredible looking stick on the planet. Drenched in… Was that blood? I thought to myself. No. It has to be Kool Aid.

Just as I was about to get a closer look, Tyson pushed past me towards my rapidly panicking girlfriend. She knew firsthand how deadly a thing Tyson's legendary death hugs were. "ANNABETH!" Tyson cried and lunged at Annabeth, scooping her up like she weighed nothing and lifting her high into the air. She opened her mouth to protest but just managed a low hissing noise as the air was forced out her lungs. She looked at me, panic growing. I was about to intervene but before I could Tyson released her, lowered her to the floor gently and began sprinting towards a terrified looking Nico.

"COUSIN!" He yelled. Nico, for his part, immediately burst into shadows. "Awww…" Tyson moaned before spotting the Hephaestus cabin. "FRIENDS!" Their eyes collectively widened as they began to sprint away in different directions unnaturally fast for children of the crippled god. Evidently, they too had heard the legend of Tyson's death hugs.

After several moments of watching Hephaestus campers run screaming for their lives I turned my attention back on Annabeth and smiled.

"Thank you for this. You have no idea how much this means." I said as I put my arms around her once more. She grinned, kissed me on the cheek and led me towards the mysterious tree that wasn't Thalia after all. "So, where'd you get the tree?" I asked. "It doesn't look like the ones that grow around here." It really didn't. This tree radiated life in a way I've never felt before. It didn't look that dissimilar from a regular tree I'd see around camp, but I could tell it was special.

"My mom gave it to me." Annabeth replied. " It grew from a seed from the tree of Hesperides."

I looked at her quizzically, eyebrows raised.

"Yes, that tree of Hesperides Percy."

A million thoughts raced through my mind. Why did Athena give it to Annabeth? So she could become a god? What does this mean for us? Do I have to eat fruit now?

"I've been doing some thinking, Seaweed brain. About us. About our future."

Uh oh. That's never good. What does that mean? I thought to myself.

Annabeth continued. "I've spoken to Reyna. She found a place for us to stay while we're at college at Camp Jupiter. She spoke to Hylla and arranged for a safe place where she could keep it for us. And one day…One day… Not now… Gods… Not even anytime soon… But one day." She steeled herself. "I'm gonna eat one. But only if you do too." She said quickly, quashing any doubts I had that were threatening to surface.

I looked into her eyes and I saw the fear in them. It was the same look I had the night I thought I'd lose her to the Hunt. I've already turned down godhood. I thought. But this isn't the same. One look in her eyes and I knew what I would do.

"I want you Percy. Now and forever. I know that's cheesy but it's the truth. I just…. I just love -" I cut her off with a kiss.

After a few moments I broke it, but kept my forehead pressed to hers. "I love you too, wise girl."

"So that's a yes?" She said expectantly, her shoulders dropping as she relaxed slightly and in its stead she gave me one of her doe eyes looks she knew I couldn't say no to.

"When do we go?" I asked.

She gave me a smile that made everything else go away. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow we start our new life. That's if you want to, of course." She said. It was clear what she wanted me to say.

"Fine." I said. Feigning reluctance. "But don't think this means I'm gonna start eating apples on a regular basis."

She smirked and punched my arm playfully. "When you're immortal you can eat whatever you like. Until then I'm keeping my Seaweed Brain healthy." She said jokingly. My Seaweed Brain. My. I like the way she said that.

"Yours? I asked nonchalantly.

"Of course. You're mine, Seaweed Brain. And I don't plan on letting you go anytime soon." Annabeth said as she grabbed my hand reassuringly and pulled me towards the festivities.

We walked around for a few minutes before I spied the rather reluctant looking Naaid acting as a Soda dispenser. The sugary blue liquid pouring out of her hands into the cups of sugar addicted campers. Within seconds I was one of them. I allowed the cup to fill to the brim. After all, I was the son of Poseidon. I could control any liquid on the planet so what's one little cup against me. I looked at Annabeth and grinned cheesily.

"Tonight… We feast!" I said sluggishly. Raising the cup above my head and spilling soda all over my shirt. "Oops." I said sheepishly as Annabeth and the Naiad giggled at my clumsiness. My orange Camp Half Blood t-shirt was now an ugly red that ironically now simply said Camp Blood.

"Fitting…" Annabeth muttered into her cup as she tried not to laugh again. Behind me I heard a strange sound that sounded like a weird blend of splashing and laughter. I looked over at the giggling Naiad and she immediately blushed. "Sorry Perry." She said looking down in embarrassment.

Annabeth snorted. "Perry? You mean Percy?"

The Naiad looked up, confused. "No? Lord Dionysus told me specifically to call you by your name. Perry Johansson. He said people are always forgetting your name and he said he didn't want you to feel forgotten on this special day. Your eleventh birthday."

Annabeth almost choked on her drink while I turned a crimson red that almost rivalled my shirt. I looked at her for held but she simply looked down at her drink, ignoring my silent pleas.

"He was pulling your leg." I muttered. "My name's Percy Jackson not Perry Johansson. And do I look eleven?"

"No Lord. You most certainly do not." The Naiad said. Looking me up and down in a manner that immediately made me uncomfortable. Annabeth noticed this too and glared at her.

I quickly tried to change the topic. "So how did you end up as a soda fountain for my birthday party?"

"Lord Dionysus chose me himself". The Naiad replied proudly. "He said I was perfect for the job."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"My name is…" The Naiad started, a deep purple blush darkened her cheeks. "Coca."

"Ohhh. That's a… Unique name. I like it though."

"Thank you Lord." Coca said. Fluttering her eyelashes and edging forward towards me. "I'm glad you like it." She was uncomfortably close to my face. So close I could smell the sick sweet smell of soda now.

Annabeth, who was seemingly done with her drink after all came over and wrapped herself around my left arm, she leaned in and whispered in my ear, she was close I could practically feel her lips. I looked down at her. She mouthed to me. "Let's go now." And she began to pull me in the direction of my cabin.

"It was nice to meet you, Coca." I stammered flusteredly.

"Yes". Annabeth added. "See ya Pepsi!"

"Coca". The Naiad replied, looking hurt.

"Whatever". Annabeth muttered.

"I'll see you round!" She gave me a sad wave and turned to fill another camper's cup with a scowl.

"It's a bit too early to sleep, don't you think Annabeth?" I asked, stopping right outside my cabin door.

She rolled her eyes and dragged me inside, slamming the door behind us. "Yeah well I'm not planning on sleeping Seaweed Brain." I looked her in the eyes and saw the mixture of nerves and hunger that lay beyond their grey exterior.

"Are… Are you sure we should?" I stammered, nerves getting the better of me.

"We're eighteen Seaweed Brain. We don't need to worry about Chiron anymore." Annabeth whispered as she pulled me in the direction of my bed.

"It's not Chiron I'm worried about…" I said. "If your mom finds out she'll probably turn me into a Percy sized Hellhound treat. That's if I'm lucky."

I looked down at Annabeth who was eyeing me expectedly, then the bed, then Annabeth again. Suddenly I didn't care. I wanted this. We waited long enough. We locked eyes and I knew she understood.

"Then we better make tonight worth it..." She whispered. "Now let's get you out of that shirt…"

Hours later we were curled up in bed together. Laying together just listening to the waves. It was much more enjoyable now I wasn't alone. I watched as Annabeth slept on my chest, as peaceful as she was beautiful. I love you. I thought to myself as i watched her. Tomorrow we start our new life together. She began to snore lightly. Her little flutters of breath tickling my chest. Gods, she's adorable. Eventually, as I listened to the peaceful sound of her breathing I drifted off.

I awoke hours later in an empty bed to the sound of screaming.

"Get help!".

"Where's Chiron! Get Chiron now!"

I stumbled out of bed and walked over to the door. I was too tired for yet another prank on the same day. As I stepped out I heard the familiar voice of Thalia Grace screaming out at me. "Percy! Help! It's… Oh gods… It's Annabeth."

"Come on Thals. I'm not falling for that twice in one day -" I turned the corner and stopped dead in my tracks. The earlier serene and joyful campground had been completely washed away. The banners, still adjoined with my name hung lifeless from the cabins. The tree Annabeth had planted had died. No, died wasn't the right word. It hadn't rotted, it hadn't fallen apart. It was just empty. The colour had been replaced by a blueish tinge of grey. It was simply gone. It was nothing more than a shell now. A memory of life.

Pain, hopelessness and misery hung in the air, so strong I wanted to fall to my knees and cry. I could smell it in the air. I felt a void grow within me, a void so deep that all that I was was replaced by one thought. Why. Life was so pointless, why try so hard when it all ends in pain. Why drag it out. Why even try.

"PERCY!" The sound of my name snapped me back to reality. "Percy get over here. Help!" Thalia cried desperately.

I looked over at her, she was at the base of the tree, kneeling over the still figure of a woman, holding her hand. Thalia's eyes were streaming with tears.

"Percy, I-" she started. "I'm sorry, I came out and she was like this. I don't know what to do".

Blood roared in my ears as I approached, every step felt like an eternity, my feet got heavier as I drew closer.

I reached her and everything stopped, time itself seemed to freeze, my world stopped spinning. Around me I could hear the screams get more frantic as more campers came streaming out their cabins, I ignored them, nothing mattered anymore. My world ended here. The ground began to rumble, cracks forming in the ground, winds began to howl. I heard screams, whether it was the wind or the campers, I didn't care. All I saw was grey, a cold, lifeless grey. Eyes that had once been so full of life, so many thoughts, hope and dreams. Eyes that were a gateway to such an incredible soul. Now there was nothing beyond them, all they held was my reflection.

There was no hope, no dreams, there was nothing left. I was looking into the empty eyes of the daughter of Wisdom.