Who I Truly Am

Ch. 24 *Edited*

Annabeth POV:

I can't believe I almost fell in love with a primordial. Mother had told me to get close to him, so I did. It ended up being a little too close. I sit at my desk in the Athena cabin, going over plans for the coming war. Should archers go there? No here would be better. Actually, I should scatter them, have some up in trees, in bushes, and the rest can line up right there. We'll have the healers stock up the infirmary with the materials they need and set up a larger area with cots. The older campers will train the younger ones in their skills and powers. My cabin will research battle strategies and train.

"-eth. Annabeth!" I jump and turn my head, hand going to my knife, well where it would be if I still had it.

"What Malcolm?" I snap. I see him flinch. "Sorry I-"

"Three wars in three years," Malcolm sits down on a chair next to me. "It's crunch time, we don't have much time to prepare. Jason had a dream, they're attacking within the week."

"Is that all? I need to get back-"

"You need a break, go chat with Piper, take a nap or something. I'll take a look at your notes," Malcolm practically pushes me out of my chair. I catch myself before I can fall fully, and walk out of the cabin.

The sudden light burns my eyes as I survey camp. When was the last time I was outside? I look around for anyone possibly trying to sneak off or get out of training. I walk around camp, not knowing what to do. I see someone walking off and follow them. Nico and Will walk through the sea of people and pick up a body. I spot Piper on the edge of the crowd and walk up next to her.

"Who got hurt?"

"Percy. He attacked a monster it looks like, but he has a stab wound," Piper shrugs.

"I can see that. Who stabbed him? If it was-"

"Probably, they both headed towards the arena after you tried to talk sense into them, and-"

"And ended up fighting, Percy heard a scream, distracting him, and he got stabbed."

"Damn, I thought I knocked some sense into them! I should've known!" I feel a pair of eyes on me. Clearly Jason's. I whip around and stare at him. I take a step forward, and he takes one back.

"Annab-"

"I gave them a warning, Piper!" I continue towards Jason, Forcing him to back up against a tree. "If I had my sword right know I would-"

"Annabeth! The Hephaestus cabin and I made something for you!" Leo laughs nervously. I narrow my eyes at him.

"Can it wait, Valdez? I'm busy right now."

"No, it can't. Come on."

"This better not be some sort of prank, if it is I'll make sure you never have kids," I turn back towards Jason and point at him. "I'll deal with you later."

Leo guides me towards the forges. He opens the door to reveal a bunch of kids working on all sorts of weapons.

"Can you bring CBIG-18 up!" Leo yells over the noise. Harley waddles up with something in a leather sheath. "I present to you, oh-so-very-wise-but-hotheaded Annabeth Chase! Your new knife!"

Leo takes the dagger out of its sheath, it's an almost exact replica of my old knife I'd lost in Tartarus. The

only difference is the handle and the slight difference in color in the blade. Leo kneels down, placing it in the palms of his hands. I take it in amazement.

"We-" Leo starts.

"-I-"

"-Harley here took inspiration from the description of your old knife, and made a new one."