What If (Perzoë)

Prophecy Fulfilled

Word Count: 1087

We landed at Crissy Field after nightfall.

The ride had been a long one full of suspense and grievance. Artemis doing everything in her power to keep Annabeth alive until we landed and she could try to do more. It wasn't until we landed though that we finally understood the severity of the situation.

Thaila and I helped the weakened goddess carry Annabeth from the chariot, setting her on the lush grass. The world started to blur around us in the rush to save Annabeth. Artemis and I were kneeling by Annabeth's side as Artemis started to bind the young maidens' wounds. Even though it was dark, the bullet wounds in her side and shoulder were as clear as day.

Even as Artemis bound the wounds I could see that Annabeth didn't look good. There was a pain in her eyes and her skin was this sickly pale color. It was clear to tell that without Artemis' healing, Annabeth would have been long dead. Without any ambrosia or nectar, there was nothing for me to do besides sit next to her and pray to the gods for help.

"Can't you heal her with magic?" I asked Artemis, pain lacing my voice. "I mean... you're a goddess."

Artemis looked troubled and as if she would have been sick if she wasn't a goddess. "Life is a fragile thing, Percy. If the Fates will the string to be cut, then there is little I can do. But I will try."

Artemis set her hand on Annabeth's side over the bullet holes, her hand lighting up with a silver light as she attempted to heal the wounds.

It was revealed that her effort was in vain though, as when Artemis lifted her hand the wounds were still ever-present and Annabeth was still laying on the ground, her face paling with every passing minute.

Artemis when to try again, only for her hand to be weakly pushed away.

"Don't..." Annabeth said, struggling to find her voice. "You're already weak... it won't do any good either way."

A look of understanding passed between Artemis and Annabeth before determination filled her eyes. The same look that Annabeth got when we would play capture the flag or when she was about to go into a hard battle that she was determined to win. Except for this time, pain also filled Annabeth's eyes.

It was then that I also realized another difference in Annabeth's expression. This time, Annabeth knew that she wouldn't win this battle. At this point, she knows that I had figured to out as tears started to stain my face.

"Don't cry, Seaweed brain."

"It's going to be okay Annabeth. You won't die, I know it. Please fight." I cried, even though I knew my effort was in vain. It wasn't the wounds that would lead to her death at this point, it was the prophecy running its course.

It was then I fully realized with the prophecy meant. It was not Thalia that would die today, nor was it going to be Zoe. It was going to be Annabeth, already weak from holding up the sky, and the bullets her father shot were the final blow. There was nothing anyone could do. Not even the gods. It was up to the fates at this point and it was clear their decision was already made.

Annabeth strained to put her hand in mine. Her hand was covered in blood from her wounds, staining my hand as well, although I didn't care about that at the moment.

She's the one comforting me, I thought to myself. Even in her own death, she was still the one comforting me.

"It'll be okay, Percy. Don't worry about me." Annabeth struggled to say, more tears started to run down her face. With my free hand, I dried her tears. "Don be sad. Don't b-blame yourself. It's not your fault. I'll be f-fine.

"Shhh." I soothed, "It'll be okay."

Annabeth's eyes that used to be so strong and full of determination started to go hazy and glaze over. It was clear that Annabeth was trying to stay with us, to stay with me, but we all know her efforts were in vain. There was no coming back from this one, no matter how hard she fights.

"Remember... that t-time you got turned into a guinea pig?" Annabeth tried with an attempt at humor. "Those were the days... I never admitted it b-before, but the reason why I didn't stay with them was you... I want you to k-know that."

"Yeah, I know... I know." I said, attempting to hold my composure, not for myself but for her. "I remember that. And how we let out those pirates and terrified everyone on that island."

Annabeth let out a strained laugh, coughing as she did so. "I'm so sorry Seaweed Brain. I c-can't fight anymore. I-I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Wise Girl," I said, tears silently falling down my face.

There was no stopping Annabeth's death. I have no control over that. But what I do have control over is what is happening right now. And right now, I won't let Annabeth die alone with guilt heavy on her chest.

"You can let go now, Wise Girl. I-It's okay. I'll be okay." I said, squeezing Annabeth's hand, a forced smile on my face.

Even through all of the pain that Annabeth was clearly going through, a small smile appeared on her face.

And with that, the prophecy took it's final victim, the light leaving Annabeth's eyes. Her stormy grey eyes that were always filled with so much knowledge. The eyes that showed so much passion. The eyes that showed so much emotion. The eyes that showed so much life. The eyes that will never light up again. The eyes that are now empty.

Her hand became slack in mine and I wanted to scream out to the gods. I wanted to curse the fates for making her die. I wanted to die.

It felt as if the weight of the sky was on my back again, attempting to crush me. I couldn't breathe. It was then I decided that this was worse. I would gladly take the sky again if it meant that she would still be alive and I wouldn't have to live with the feeling of losing her, but I knew that was impossible.

Nothing could be worse than this, I thought to myself. The thought immediately left as I saw the biplane land in the distance. 

Authors Note: I am SO sorry for not updating sooner. I'm not really in this fandom anymore, so the inspiration to write this is kinda non-existent. Either way though, I am going to try to update more (don't quote me on that though.) Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Sincerely, Me