The absence of Percy Jackson was a wound that never quite healed. It was something that lingered in the quiet moments—an empty chair at lunch, a missing voice in the hallways, an unspoken joke left hanging in the air. Annabeth and Jason felt it in different ways, but the weight of it was the same.

For Annabeth, it was the little things that hurt the most. The way she would instinctively turn to make a sarcastic comment, only to realize there was no one beside her to hear it. The silence in the library, where Percy used to dramatically complain about studying just to annoy her. The missing warmth of a hand that had so often reached for hers in moments of quiet reassurance.

For Jason, it was the hole Percy left in his routines. The way football practice didn't feel the same without his best friend heckling him from the sidelines. The way his phone felt heavier in his pocket, as if it was waiting for a call or text that would never come. But most of all, it was the responsibility—the nagging feeling that he should have done more. Should have stopped him. Should have gone with him.

Sally tried to hide her pain from them, but they weren't fooled. Her smiles were softer now, but they didn't reach her eyes the way they used to. Her hands lingered a little longer when she hugged them goodbye, as if afraid they, too, would slip away.

Jason sat on the couch in Sally's living room, staring at the framed photos on the fireplace mantel. Percy's grin beamed back at him from a dozen different moments—birthday parties, baseball games, a picture of the three of them at prom last year.

"He took the album," Sally said softly, appearing beside him.

Jason blinked. "What?"

"When he left," she clarified, voice steady but distant. "He packed light. Just a backpack. But he took his album. The one with all his childhood pictures—the ones I took, and the ones you two took together."

Annabeth, sitting cross-legged on the floor, looked up sharply. "He took it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sally nodded. "And his jacket. The one you gave him, Jason. And the bracelet you gave him, Annabeth."

Annabeth swallowed hard, suddenly feeling the absence of something she hadn't realized mattered so much. She had given Percy that bracelet last Valentine's Day—a simple leather band with a small silver plate engraved with PJ AC. It was supposed to be a private joke between them, something subtle enough that people wouldn't ask questions but personal enough that it meant something.

"He still had it?" Annabeth whispered, her fingers tracing the hem of her sleeve.

Jason exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face. "Of course he did," he muttered. "You really think Percy would let go of something you gave him?"

Annabeth didn't answer. She couldn't.

The silence stretched between them, thick with memories.

Sally sat down across from them, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "I know you both miss him," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "I do too. But I need you both to promise me something."

Jason straightened. "Anything."

Annabeth hesitated before nodding.

"Don't get lost in the waiting," Sally said. Her eyes, bright and blue like Percy's, searched theirs. "I know you're both still looking for him in your own ways. And I love you for it. But you need to keep living. Don't let the hope of finding him stop you from finding yourselves, too."

Annabeth clenched her jaw, fighting the emotions rising in her throat. "We won't stop looking, Sally," she said firmly.

"I know," Sally said with a sad smile. "And I don't want you to. I just want you to remember that Percy wouldn't want you to put your lives on hold for him."

Jason leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "He's out there somewhere," he said. His tone was different now—more certain, more determined. "And I swear, I'm going to find him."

Annabeth stared at him, something flickering in her gaze. "We," she corrected. "We're going to find him."

Jason met her eyes, and for the first time in weeks, he felt something other than emptiness. A sense of purpose.

Sally sighed, shaking her head fondly. "You two really are impossible," she murmured, but there was something like gratitude in her expression.

Jason stood up, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "We should go," he said reluctantly.

Annabeth hesitated, then moved toward Sally, wrapping her arms around her in a tight embrace. "We'll come by again soon," she promised.

Sally hugged her back, holding on just a second longer than usual. "Take care of each other," she whispered.

Jason and Annabeth stepped out into the cold night air, their breath misting in front of them. Jason glanced at Annabeth as they walked toward his car.

"He took the jacket," he muttered, shaking his head. "Guess that means he liked it more than he let on."

Annabeth gave a small, sad smile. "Yeah," she whispered. "And the bracelet, too."

They both stood there for a long moment, staring up at the night sky, wondering if somewhere, wherever he was, Percy was looking at the same stars.

And if he missed them as much as they missed him.

The campfire crackled, sending flickering shadows dancing across the rugged terrain. The night sky stretched endlessly above, dotted with stars that felt both distant and indifferent. The wilderness was silent, save for the occasional rustling of leaves in the wind.

Percy sat on a fallen log, absently twirling a stick in his hands. His thoughts were as restless as the embers in the fire. Across from him, Chiron sat with his usual patience, watching him with quiet understanding.

For a long time, neither spoke. Then, finally, Percy broke the silence.

"I don't know if I can do this," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Chiron tilted his head slightly. "Do what, my boy?"

Percy let out a heavy breath, running a hand through his hair. "Any of it. Any of what's expected of me. Being…whatever I am. I don't even know who I am anymore." His voice cracked slightly, but he forced himself to continue. "For years, I thought I did. I thought I was just Percy. Sally's kid. A regular guy with two best friends and a life that made sense. And then everything changed."

Chiron remained silent, giving Percy the space to unravel his thoughts.

"I don't even know if Poseidon is really my father," Percy continued, his frustration bubbling up. "And if he is, what does that even mean? Does it change anything? Does it make me something I never asked to be?" His fists clenched around the stick in his hands. "Then there's Jason—Jason, who's not even from this planet. My best friend, and I never saw it coming. And now I have no idea what that makes me in all of this. Am I even supposed to be part of this story?"

He let out a hollow laugh. "And Sally…" His voice faltered. "She's not my mom. But she's still my mom, you know? She raised me. Loved me. Gave me everything. So why do I feel like I've lost something I never even had?"

Chiron sighed softly, shifting slightly. "Because, Percy, you are grieving the loss of certainty. You are facing truths that shake the foundation of your identity. It is not about losing something tangible—it is about losing the sense of self you thought was unshakable."

Percy swallowed hard, staring at the fire. "I love her," he said, almost to himself. "I don't care what the truth is—Sally is my mom. She always will be."

"Then hold on to that," Chiron said gently. "Blood is only one thread in the tapestry of family. Love, care, and the choices we make for one another—they are what truly bind us. If Sally is your mother in your heart, then nothing—not the truth, not the gods, not the universe—can take that away from you."

Percy nodded, but the storm inside him still raged. "And Annabeth…" He hesitated, then exhaled. "I left her. I left her and Jason and my whole life behind. I know I had to, but—" He gritted his teeth. "It doesn't make it hurt any less."

Chiron studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Percy, love is not defined by distance or circumstance. Annabeth—" he paused, his expression thoughtful, "—she is strong. And so are you. Your paths have diverged, but that does not mean they will not cross again."

Percy let out a bitter chuckle. "And if they don't?"

"Then the love you carry will remain," Chiron said simply. "And it will shape you, whether you realize it or not."

The fire crackled between them. Percy looked down at his hands, struggling to make sense of everything. "I'm scared, Chiron," he admitted. "I don't know who I am. I don't know if I want to be what everyone expects me to be."

Chiron smiled faintly, his expression filled with something that looked like pride. "Then be who you choose to be, Percy. The world may try to name you, shape you, even claim you. But in the end, only you decide who you are."

Percy swallowed, staring into the fire. The flames flickered, shifting, changing—just like him. Maybe he didn't have all the answers. Maybe he never would.

But for the first time in a long while, he felt like he had the strength to keep searching.

Percy, still absorbed in the weight of his thoughts, shifted on the log and looked at Chiron. He took in a deep breath, pushing the doubts and confusion to the back of his mind, for the moment at least.

"So… what happens next? Where do we go from here?" Percy asked, his voice thick with the uncertainty that clouded his mind. "I mean, I can't keep running forever, right? So, where am I supposed to go? What's next in all of this?"

Chiron's eyes glinted with the same calm wisdom they always carried, even when the world seemed to be falling apart around them. "The next destination, Percy, is Themiscyra," he said, his voice even, almost cryptic.

Percy frowned, genuinely confused. "Themiscyra? Is that… some kind of… city?"

Chiron smiled softly at the question, his expression a mixture of amusement and patience. "It is an island, Percy. One that's hidden from the mortal world, and even from the gods, to some extent."

Percy blinked. "An island?" He thought for a moment. "So… are we talking like a secret vacation spot, or…?"

"Not exactly," Chiron said with a faint chuckle. "Themiscyra is the home of the Amazons."

Percy raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Amazons? Like… the warrior women?"

"Yes," Chiron confirmed, his tone serious now. "The Amazons have lived there for centuries, in isolation. They are a society built on strength, honor, and a deep commitment to their ways of life. It is a place steeped in tradition and history, and not all who visit leave unchanged."

Percy couldn't help but feel a bit of apprehension creeping in. "So, it's like a whole island full of them? Amazons?"

Chiron nodded slowly. "That's right. And while there is a leader, one who rules by birthright, it is important to note that the island is not as simple as it may seem." He paused, his gaze thoughtful. "The current leader's daughter is someone you might encounter while you're there."

Percy tilted his head. "Wait, so there's a leader's daughter? What's she like? How old is she?"

Chiron's expression softened at the question. "She is a warrior in her own right. Her name is Reyna." He hesitated, as though deciding how much to reveal. "She is almost your age, Percy. Fierce, intelligent, and loyal. But, her role is different from what you might expect."

"Different how?" Percy asked, intrigued despite himself.

"Her mother is Hippolyta," Chiron explained, his voice almost distant as though recalling something from far away. "Hippolyta is the true leader of the Amazons. Reyna is… a leader in her own way, but she is not yet the one to rule Themiscyra."

Percy's brow furrowed in confusion. "So… Reyna is a leader, but not the leader? What's the deal there?"

Chiron's gaze met Percy's. "In the Amazonian culture, leadership is more than just being the strongest or the most skilled. It is about legacy, duty, and the respect of your people. Reyna is a strong and capable leader in her own right, but her mother holds the official title, and there is much expected of Reyna before she can take on the mantle of leadership."

Percy took all of this in, still feeling a little uncertain about everything. Themiscyra sounded like a place where nothing was ever as simple as it seemed. "So, if Reyna's not the leader, what's her role there? I mean, what am I supposed to do when I meet her?"

Chiron's eyes twinkled with something that almost seemed like amusement. "You may find that your paths cross in ways you least expect, Percy. Reyna has a keen sense of judgment and might see something in you, just as others have before her."

Percy leaned back slightly, absorbing everything. He was starting to understand that wherever this journey was taking him, it wouldn't be simple, and Themiscyra sounded like one more puzzle in a world already filled with mysteries.

"Do you think she'll be able to help me with everything I'm trying to figure out?" Percy asked, a hint of hope slipping into his voice despite his usual guardedness.

"Perhaps," Chiron replied quietly, his tone almost reverential. "But remember, Percy, there is a difference between receiving help and finding your own way. The journey is yours to take, and what you seek is not always something others can give you."

Percy let the silence stretch between them as he turned his eyes to the fire, watching the flames dance in the night. There was so much he didn't understand yet. So much that was still hidden from him. But Themiscyra was his next step, and whether he was ready or not, he had no choice but to face it.

And as Chiron stood up to leave, Percy couldn't shake the feeling that his encounter with Reyna would be a turning point in more ways than one.

The weeks had turned into months since Percy's sudden disappearance, but the absence of his laughter, his jokes, and his presence never fully faded. It was as if a piece of the world was missing, leaving a void that neither Jason nor Annabeth could fill. They both continued with their lives, each carrying their own quiet grief, but each silently moving forward, hoping that one day, they would have answers.

Annabeth had always known that life would move on. She just hadn't realized how much it would change without Percy by her side. College applications had been a new and difficult task to tackle, and for her, it was about choosing something that mattered. She wanted to study architecture, design buildings that would stand for years to come, create something lasting that she could be proud of. She had long known that her future was filled with possibilities, but there was an overwhelming sense of unease, as though she was about to step into an unknown world, one that didn't involve Percy.

Jason, on the other hand, was taking a different approach. He had never been one to make decisions based purely on logic, so when it came to college, he was leaning toward something more grounded, something that would keep him close to home. He had applied to a local college, one with a solid communications program, but he was more interested in working for a newspaper company. It wasn't just the idea of writing or reporting that appealed to him—it was a way for him to be close to the action, to hear about everything happening in the world, especially anything that might lead him to Percy.

Annabeth had caught onto Jason's reasoning early on. He was using the excuse of wanting to write for a local paper, but she knew it was a cover, a way for him to listen, to find out if there was any trace of Percy out there. She never called him out on it, though. Neither did Sally, though she could see it just as clearly as Annabeth. But sometimes, pretending things weren't obvious was the only way to keep moving forward.

Late one evening, Annabeth was sitting on the porch of her house, a notebook resting in her lap. The autumn air was crisp, and she could hear the distant sound of cars passing by. Her mind was still on her future, on the architecture programs she had applied to, but every time she thought about the next steps, she found herself distracted. The world felt smaller without Percy in it.

A door creaked open behind her, and Annabeth turned to see Jason, his silhouette framed by the light of the hallway.

"You thinking about colleges again?" Jason asked, stepping outside and leaning against the railing. He'd been doing this a lot lately—talking to her as if nothing had changed, as if Percy hadn't disappeared and their lives hadn't been forever altered.

Annabeth nodded, giving him a small smile. "Yeah. It's all so much, you know? I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. I mean, everything's different now. I keep wondering if I'm doing this for me or if I'm just trying to move on."

Jason sighed softly, his voice quieter than usual. "I know what you mean. It's hard to move on when it feels like Percy might just walk back through that door any second, right? I keep thinking he's gonna turn up somewhere." He paused and glanced down at his feet. "It's like… if I don't keep looking, then I'm just giving up."

Annabeth's throat tightened, and she nodded in understanding. "Jason, I—"

Jason held up a hand, shaking his head. "I don't want you to worry about me. I'm doing okay. But… I'm gonna keep looking, Annabeth. I have to. I don't know any other way."

She could see the determination in his eyes. She knew it wasn't just about school for him. It was about Percy, about finding his friend, his brother, and bringing him back into their lives. Annabeth couldn't blame him for that, but it hurt, knowing that Percy's absence had become such a constant weight for them both.

That night, like many before it, Jason sat on the roof of his house. The wind ruffled his hair, and he pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders, trying to ward off the chill of the cool night air. His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it for now, his focus on the darkness beyond.

Some nights, it felt like he could hear everything—voices from miles away, whispers on the wind, the beating of wings in the trees. Other nights, the sound was just… there. Just waiting for him to listen, to catch the faintest hint of Percy.

Tonight was no different. Jason closed his eyes, tuning out the usual night sounds and focusing on something else—something more elusive. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a small part of him still believed that if he just listened hard enough, he would hear Percy's voice, maybe even something as simple as his laugh.

But tonight, all he heard was the wind.

Frustration burned inside him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He couldn't let it consume him, not yet. He just had to wait. He had to trust that eventually, he would hear what he needed to.

The next morning, Sally invited both Annabeth and Jason over for breakfast. She'd been trying, though none of them ever said it aloud, to keep some semblance of normalcy in their lives. It was becoming more difficult, though, and everyone could feel it.

Annabeth and Jason sat at the kitchen table, their plates of pancakes untouched for the moment, the warm aroma filling the room, but none of them had much of an appetite.

Sally broke the silence. "You both have college plans now, don't you?" she asked, her voice tentative, trying to steer the conversation into a neutral space.

Jason gave a soft nod, though his eyes were distant. "Yeah, local stuff. I'm thinking of working at a paper too. Something in communications. I think it'll help me keep my ear to the ground."

Sally looked at him closely. She knew what Jason was really doing. She knew he was still searching for Percy in his own way. But instead of confronting it directly, she smiled faintly. "That sounds nice, Jason. I'm sure it'll be a good experience for you."

Annabeth placed her fork down and met Jason's gaze across the table. She could see the exhaustion in his eyes, the way he was holding onto his resolve, refusing to let go of the belief that Percy would come back. But she wasn't sure how long either of them could keep pretending things were normal.

"I've been thinking about architecture," Annabeth said softly, though her voice wavered a little. "I want to design buildings, create something lasting. But it's hard, you know? After everything that happened, sometimes it feels like I'm doing it just to… just to keep moving. But I think it's what I want."

Jason smiled at her, his expression genuine but tinged with sadness. "You'll do great, Annabeth. I know it."

Sally added, her voice almost a whisper, "You both will." She paused, her gaze drifting to the window, as if seeing something far beyond their kitchen. "You know, Percy would be so proud of both of you."

Annabeth bit her lip, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. "I hope so."

The day Annabeth was set to leave for the prestigious university had arrived. The morning air was crisp, and there was an unmistakable sense of change in the atmosphere, a quiet excitement mixed with sadness. Annabeth had been granted a full scholarship, and as much as she had worked for this moment, it was bittersweet.

Her father, Frederick, was trying to hide his pride behind his usual calm demeanor. Her stepmother, Helen, stood beside him, her arms around their two twin sons—Bobby and Mathew, who were already trying to act like adults, but Annabeth could see their nervousness in the way they shifted from foot to foot. Jason, Sally - though she still felt like something was missing—had all come to send her off.

Annabeth felt a knot in her throat as she glanced around the small group gathered outside her family's house. The space had never felt so full, and yet, in some ways, it also felt incredibly empty. Percy wasn't there. He should have been. He should have been the one teasing her about her new university life, cracking jokes about how he was probably the only one who would have trouble with campus food. But he was missing, and that fact had loomed over every conversation, every hug.

Her father was the first to speak, pulling her into a warm embrace. "I'm proud of you, Annabeth. You've worked hard for this," he said, his voice thick with emotion, though he kept it hidden behind a firm smile.

Helen stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Annabeth in a more delicate embrace. "You're going to do amazing things. Don't forget to call," she said, though her words were more out of habit than any true expectation.

Bobby and Mathew, their faces slightly flushed, both gave Annabeth quick hugs. "You'll do great. Don't forget us little guys!" Bobby grinned, and Mathew nodded, trying to act like he wasn't a little sad.

Annabeth smiled through the tightness in her chest. Her family was all there, but it felt incomplete. There was one person missing, one person who should've been here with her—her best friend, her love. But he wasn't.

As she turned toward Jason, her smile faltered for a moment. He was standing a little apart from the group, his hands shoved into his pockets, his eyes downcast as if he were deep in thought. She walked over to him, her steps light but with a weight she couldn't shake.

"Hey," she said, nudging him lightly with her shoulder. "I'm not leaving forever. I'll be back before you know it."

Jason turned to her, his expression unreadable at first, then softening as he met her gaze. "I know," he said, his voice steady but tinged with something she couldn't place. "But it's still weird. You're going to this big place, and… I guess I'm just not sure what's going to happen next."

Annabeth nodded. She knew he was thinking about Percy, just like she was. It had been months since Percy disappeared, and though they had all tried to move forward in some way, there were moments when the emptiness seemed to press down harder than ever.

"I'll keep in touch," Annabeth reassured him, though she knew that no amount of phone calls or texts could truly bridge the gap between them. "You'll be fine. I know you've got this whole 'journalist' thing covered."

Jason managed a small smile. "Yeah, well, someone has to keep an eye on the local news for any sign of Percy, right?"

Annabeth's throat tightened at the mention of Percy's name. "You've been doing that for months, Jason," she said softly, her eyes meeting his. "I know you haven't stopped looking."

He shrugged, though it wasn't a casual motion. "I have to keep trying. You know I can't give up on him. We can't."

Annabeth nodded. She understood. She felt it, too, that relentless hope, the belief that somehow, in some way, Percy would come back. But deep down, there was a fear that maybe, just maybe, Percy wasn't coming back.

Jason continued, his voice quieter now. "And you... you'll be okay, right? I mean, I know you're going to do great things. But this… it's a big change. You're going to be so far away, and I don't want you to feel like you're alone."

Annabeth gave him a small, wistful smile. "You'll always be with me, Jason. No matter how far away I am. You're my best friend."

Jason's lips twitched into a half-smile, and he looked away for a moment, trying to hide the faint hint of emotion in his eyes. "Best friends forever, right?"

"Forever," she echoed, her voice soft.

Behind them, Sally had been watching, her expression a mixture of pride and heartache. She walked over to Annabeth, her arms open for a tight hug. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. I know it's hard, but you're going to do great things out there."

"Thanks, Sally," Annabeth said, her voice breaking for a moment. "It's just... it feels so weird. Everything's different now. I can't stop thinking about him, and how he should've been here with us."

Jason glanced at Sally, his own emotions clearly evident. "I know," he said quietly. "We all miss him."

Sally's eyes flickered with unshed tears, but she quickly blinked them away. "He'll always be a part of you, Annabeth. You'll carry him with you."

"I know," Annabeth said, swallowing the lump in her throat. "It's just… hard."

Jason looked at her one last time, his eyes lingering for a moment before he spoke, his voice low. "I promise, Annabeth, we'll keep looking for him. No matter what. We won't stop. I won't stop."

Annabeth nodded, her heart heavy with a mix of sadness and hope. "I know you won't," she whispered.

Helen, Frederick, and the twins called for everyone to gather for a final photo before Annabeth left. The air felt thick with unspoken emotions as they posed, but Annabeth's mind was elsewhere, her heart split between the excitement of her new future and the painful longing for the past she couldn't bring back.

As they stood together, Jason's hand brushed against hers, and in that brief touch, Annabeth felt a fleeting moment of comfort—a connection she would carry with her, even as she stepped into a new chapter of her life.

And as the camera clicked, capturing the moment in time, Annabeth couldn't help but wonder if she would ever feel whole again without Percy beside her.

But for now, she had to go. She had to take the first step toward something new, something she hoped would eventually make sense. She didn't know when Percy would return, but she held on to the hope that, one day, he would find his way back to them all.

Annabeth parked the car in a secluded corner of the lot, far from the bustling streets. She glanced around the quiet, isolated space, then reached for her phone. The screen lit up with the familiar number, one she hadn't dialed in years. Her hand hovered over the keys for a moment before she pressed the call button. The line rang twice before it was picked up.

"I'm here," she said, her voice steady, but there was a hint of something unspoken in the way she spoke.

Without waiting for a response, she hung up, her hand lingering on the phone for a moment before she dropped it into a nearby trashcan. Her gaze lingered on the discarded device for only a second, as if saying goodbye to something that no longer mattered. She turned away, her heart beating a little faster as she entered the small café.

The dim lighting inside was a stark contrast to the bright, wide-open spaces she had just left behind. She found an empty corner table and ordered a coffee, letting the warm cup rest between her hands. Her thoughts were a chaotic mess of what had been and what could be—memories of Percy, of Jason, of all the questions that had no answers.

She was halfway through her drink when she felt a shift in the air, an unfamiliar presence across from her. She didn't need to look up; she already knew who it was.

A woman sat down, her movements graceful and deliberate. Annabeth looked up, meeting the woman's eyes. Her breath caught for a moment. The grey eyes staring back at her mirrored her own, the same intensity, the same quiet knowing. The woman had shoulder-length brown hair that framed her face in soft waves. Her expression was calm, with a hint of something warmer—something almost maternal.

"You made the right decision, Annabeth," the woman said, her voice smooth and warm, though there was something underneath it, something guarded. "The world could use talents like yours."

Annabeth didn't flinch. She had expected this. She knew what she had walked into, knew who this woman was. But she didn't speak it. Not yet.

Instead, she set her cup down and met the woman's gaze with an unwavering steadiness. "I'm here, like you asked. But I'm not doing this for anyone but myself."

The woman smiled faintly. "Of course. I don't expect you to do this for me. This isn't about me, Annabeth." She paused, looking around the café, as if making sure no one was listening. "It's about what you can offer the world. The kind of skills you have... they're rare."

Annabeth didn't blink, didn't let anything show on her face. "Skills like what?"

The woman leaned in just slightly, her voice dropping lower, like a shared secret. "We work with a... specialized group. A government organization, you could say. We focus on things the normal world doesn't know about. Things that aren't supposed to exist. People, situations... supernaturals, if you will."

Annabeth didn't react to the word. She had long stopped being shocked by the things the world kept hidden.

"And you want me to join you," Annabeth said, her voice steady as she leaned back in her chair, studying the woman's expression.

The woman nodded, her eyes never leaving Annabeth's. "I've watched you. You're brilliant, Annabeth. You have the mind of a strategist, the wisdom of someone older than your years. You could be invaluable to us. You could do great things if you choose this path."

Annabeth felt the weight of the words settle in her chest, a mix of curiosity and skepticism swirling within her. "And what exactly would I be doing?"

"Think of it as using your talents to protect the world. You would be working with us, investigating and dealing with things most people can't even imagine," the woman explained, her voice unwavering. "Things that need someone with your intellect, your ability to see patterns, to understand what others miss. You're already skilled, Annabeth. This is just the next step."

Annabeth's mind raced with possibilities, but something nagged at the back of her thoughts. She had questions. She had doubts. She knew this woman's offer wasn't a simple one. It wasn't just about using her talents for good. It was about something much deeper, something more hidden.

But Annabeth didn't ask those questions. She didn't ask about the organization, about the people they worked with. She didn't even ask the one question that she was dying to know the answer to.

Instead, she let the conversation flow, knowing that what was unsaid between them spoke volumes. "And what about the things I don't know? The things that could be dangerous? What happens then?"

The woman's lips curled into a knowing smile, as if she'd been waiting for that question. "That's part of the reason we need you. You'll be able to make those decisions, Annabeth. You'll have the wisdom to know what to do."

Annabeth's eyes narrowed slightly. "You know a lot about me. Too much."

"Everything I've learned has been to understand you better," the woman replied calmly, her expression unreadable. "But I don't need to know everything. I'm not asking for your whole life story. I'm asking for you to trust me—trust that what we're doing will make a difference."

Annabeth remained silent, weighing the decision. She could feel her heartbeat quicken, the weight of her past—the unanswered questions, the mysteries surrounding Percy, Jason, and herself—pressing down on her. She didn't know everything, but she knew one thing: she couldn't go back to the life she had before. She couldn't go back to the uncertainty, the fear of never knowing what happened to Percy, of wondering what the future held.

Her gaze flickered briefly to the side, then back to the woman. She already knew what she had to do. "What do you want me to do?"

The woman smiled, a small, approving smile that reached her eyes. "We'll start with the basics. We'll give you the training you need, and then you'll be ready for your first assignment. I know you'll succeed."

Annabeth felt the knot in her chest loosen slightly. She wasn't sure what she was walking into, but she knew it was a step forward. It was the right choice—for her. "I'll do it," she said, her voice calm but resolute.

The woman's smile softened, and there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes, something that Annabeth couldn't quite place. For a moment, the woman looked at her with an almost unreadable expression, as if measuring something important.

And then, in a quiet voice, she finally said, "I'm proud of you, Annabeth. You're making the right decision."

Annabeth's heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, she blurted out the word that had been on the tip of her tongue the entire time.

"Mom."

The word hung in the air between them. For a brief moment, neither spoke, and then the woman's eyes softened, her expression shifting to something tender.

"Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm your mother."