Heroes with Wands

Chapter 45

Annabeth

I watched in horror as Percy held on to me with all his strength, a single hand gripping a ledge. The spider silk still tugged at my ankle. I wailed in frustration.

The depths of Tartarus, hot and dark and screaming with the shrieks of monsters, awaited below us. Hermione pointed her wand at the spider silk and shouted a spell. The silk rope snapped. I could've sobbed in relief.

Once I was detached, Nico reached down. I heard Percy yell, "If we fall, Nico, you have to make sure they make it to the House of Hades! Promise me you'll lead them there!"

We were too far down for Nico to reach. "I-I will," he croaked. If Percy was talking like that... things didn't look good for us.

"Percy, you can't hold the both of us," I sobbed. "Just let me go." I saw in Ginny's eyes the pain she felt at hearing me say that. She was a good friend and a brave hero; if we didn't make it out of Tartarus, she would be the one to stop the war.

"Never," he promised. "We're staying together. You can't get away from me that easily." I blinked back tears from my blurry eyes.

"As long as we're together," I whispered. "As long as we're together."

"No," Ginny seemed to refuse to believe that Percy and I were going to fall into hell. She hadn't known us long-only a few months-but I could tell from her face she thought she owed everything to us.

Everyone looked at her. Hazel, Piper, Thalia, and Hermione had tears in their eyes. From the looks they gave Ginny-especially Thalia, who'd known Percy and I long enough to know that there was always hope-they knew there was no saving us.

"Ginny, we can't-," began Hermione.

"No," Ginny still refused. "Percy's barely holding on there. He could fall at any minute." She turned around to see Jason, Ron, Leo, and Frank watching her curiously, the mini statue in hand. I couldn't help but wonder where Harry was. "But we can't let that happen."

She pointed her wand at me. I was too awe-stricken to really decipher what was happening as I stared at her in disbelief.

"Asendio!"

I shrieked as I released Percy's hand and rose into the air. What was she doing?! My heart pounded furiously, and Ginny brought me to a spot on the ground next to Thalia.

For a moment, I was completely and utterly stunned. Then I folded myself into my best friend's arms and cried. I wasn't even embarrassed of crying. Thalia just held me and rocked me gently, whispering soothing words.

Percy was still struggling. I wanted to go and save him. So, so badly. But I couldn't stand. Luckily Ginny shouted the same spell and he rose, grunting, and collapsed in a heap on top of Jason.

"Aw man," gasped Jason, wrapping Percy in a bear hug. "I thought you were a goner there for a second."

"Me too," Percy gasped. "But right now, we just need to focus on getting out of this hellhole."

Percy helped me up and held me in his shaking arms. We all rushed out of the cavern as the last of the weak floor crumbled to Tartarus.

I looked up at him through bleary eyes. "You saved me. I could've fallen into hell, and you could've fallen with me, but you didn't even care."

His green eyes darkened with confusion as he frowned and said, "Of course. I love you. Why wouldn't I?" I shook my head, tears making everything around me blurry. He put his arm around my waist and held onto me.

The cavern where I'd seen the legion was cleared. I guessed it was the wizards' doings. "I suppose you met my angry Roman friends?" I offered.

"Angry Romans?" Piper laughed nervously. "That's why they seemed to hate you so much."