Unlikely Heroes

Chapter 24: A Piece Of Night

Bright white-yellow eyes stare at us with disdain. Her dress is black with bright star-like shapes swirling in it, sometimes even a cluster. It is as if her dress gives birth to new stars. Golden items adorn other parts of her dress, and chalk white skin pears through in places. She is beautiful, but her sheer power and displeased mood that radiates off her makes her terrifying.

Annabeth seems too stunned to say anything, not that I am in a better state. I feel like an insect compared to her. What did we get ourselves into? I am not so sure about not dying anymore. The woman's scrutinizing gaze goes over Annabeth first, and as it goes over me. By the gods, do I feel pathetic suddenly. It is as if I do not matter in the slightest. Her eyes narrow as she sees me, maybe a bit of confusion in them?

"You're the child Zagreus brought to me. Something is happening inside you. I warned him that something of the sort could happen," she says, walking to towards me. "W-what...?" I ask softly. Annabeth seems confused about what is being said, her eyes darting between us.

"Curious. You feel nothing," she says as her hand reaches for my forehead. "W-what are you going to do to her? D-do not h-harm her... please?" Annabeth asks, trying to firm, but is failing miserably at it. My heart is beating with delight that she is so brave for me. But I fear it will anger Nyx.

"Be silent, mortal. I barely tolerate you, do not anger me," Nyx warns her. The gaze Nyx is sending is making Annabeth shrink on the spot. Nervously, she stands there like a scolded child. Please, be safe, my Annabeth.

The cold fingers of Nyx touch my forehead, her gaze fixed on me. It is as if she is looking into me, trying to understand or search for something. It is hard to understand Gods, but Nyx is unreadable for me. Slowly, but surely, Nyx raises an eyebrow in surprise.

"Very interesting, your mortal half is dying. Is this why you came here? To stop my power that is inside you from destroying your mortal part?" Nyx asks me. "I-I'm d-dying?!" I ask in utter shock.

"If you were fully mortal, you would be dead already. It is the first time this happening to a Half-Blood. The piece of Darkness I put into you acts differently from what I have observed in mortals. I am not sure what will happen to you. But death is very well possible," Nyx explains neutrally as her fingers are still touching my forehead.

"I can remove it, but you will die instantly. It has fused too deeply with your being. It will take around five years before your mortal part is fully destroyed," she says as her fingers leave my forehead. Annabeth looks ready to cry her eyes out as she hears it, some are already leaving her eyes.

"B-but the O-Oracle said that I-I will change, not d-die..." I mutter softly. "My children said that through the corpse? Hmm, I suppose that is possible. I am not certain into what, child of Hades. In any case, you'll find out in five years." My saddened gaze goes to Annabeth. She looks devastated as she is looking at me. "Love, I am so sorry..."

"How touching. I will entertain you here no longer. You are allowed to leave with your lives," Nyx says as she is turning around. "C-could you send us back, please. I beg of you, we won't survive in Tartarus..." I plead to her with the best of my abilities.

Nyx looks briefly at me and Annabeth over her shoulder. "Very well, as a favor to Zagreus. But never call on me again, mortal. Only my children may ask for my help. Not even those little children you call Gods are allowed to call on me," she says, and with a wave of her hand we are sent through the shadows back home. It takes but a second as we're dropped right back into the library.

A teary eyed Annabeth crawls towards me, and soon enough her arms go around me. "A-Aileen... I will always love you," she whispers softly, her voice sad and wavering. "I could die..."

"We promised to each other, Aileen. This won't make me waver from it. If you die, I will find you in the Underworld and get you back! You hear me! I'll drag your ass out of there!" She says defiantly, tightening her grip around me as her lips crash on mine. I am brought to tears, I clutch Annabeth desperately.

"Thank you, Annabeth. I promise, I will make you happy," I take a deep and calming breath, "But let's think for a moment. Let your brain work for me again, Annabeth," I say with a soft smile. Annabeth nods a bit as she wipes her tears away.

"Well... ahem, everything has come to pass except for the last sentence. 'When peace has come, you will be changed forever and fill an abandoned role.' That means I can at least rest easy, because you won't die. But I have no clue what is meant with peace or the role you will take. What I do know is that the peace will come in five years. I guess it means we... have to wait," she says, but still her arms are tightly around my arm.

"Alright, we'll get through this. No need to panic. We have made it this far, I mean... fuck me, we talked to Nyx and survived!" I say with a chuckle. It brings a soft smile to Annabeth. "I guess so... but be careful, lovely girlfriend of mine. I don't want to lose you. We promised each other to stay together. I won't let that go unfulfilled. A-and I-I want to give you my first time!" She blurts out.

I look with wide eyes at Annabeth. That... was bold. My heart can hardly stop pounding in my chest. I can't describe how much my love is soaring for this blond, tanned girl. Her eyes look watery, pleadingly at me. It is not out of desperation, I can only see her eyes twinkling with love for me. How much better can she get?

"I'll gladly give you mine, but only in the right way. And when you're absolutely sure and comfortable with it, okay?" I say while kissing her nose. A soft smile is sent to me. "Okay, better make it special."

"We're talking about me here! Of course, I will. It also seems like we're past curfew..." I mention as I point to the clock. "Why not that too... let me crash in your cabin. We should also inform Chiron and mister D about everything tomorrow. They may have some advice." With that, we both went to bed and hoped everything will work out.

Authors Note

Hey everyone,

This pretty much was the prelude to appearance of Percy. That means will start going into the fight against Kronos. Hope you have enjoyed the backstory of Aileen. Let me know what you'd like to see and your opinion of the progress so far.

Winter