𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐜𝐡𝟓|Don't worry, there's only about six quests to complete

Disclaimers: These are not my characters or original ideas; they belong to Rick Riordan

Annabeth

I was so tired of this. More quests? The same quests? Percy said what I was thinking. "Located and taken the golden fleece back to camp? Yeah, been there, done that. Tick. Found and freed Death? Tick. Defeated Queen Dirt face? Tick." he said.
"I agree with Percy all the way," Leo said, folding his arms like a little kid.

Apollo sighed, "I'm sorry - there's nothing anyone can do. I'm surprised Gaia hasn't taken over the world yet. I think it's because I don't think the fates have let her. They're giving us a chance. However, we need the seven, again."

Furious as I was, I decided to restore order when the room exploded into protest. "We need a plan. We need a quest to retrieve the fleece, as well as ours. Do we have any suggest-"
Then suddenly, Rachel's oracle powers kicked in and she began to speak a prophecy.

"Four young demigods must go,
To the twisting corridors below,
To find the one who stole it before,
To destroy the camp, or restore."

Rachel collapsed and Grover prevented her from falling off her chair. I think I knew what the prophecy meant. It was talking about the Labyrinth. Everyone looked around and eventually settled their gaze on Chiron. The centaur sighed and asked, "Do we have a quest leader?"
"Me."

I drifted my eyes to the voice in the corner of the room. It belonged to the boy with messy dark hair. He had pale white skin and looked goth-like in dark clothes. Nico Di Angelo.

"I had a nightmare," he said, looking around warily. He told us of what had happened in his dream and I let my thoughts wonder. The blurred figure. Gaia.

I also wondered about storm or fire, in the prophecy. We had come to the conclusion that it would be Jason or Leo, but Percy can create storms as well. I glanced at him and he squeezed my hand. It'll be fine.

And what about the Roman camp? How are they affected? They don't have their boarders down, so I wondered how the beautiful cities would be affected. Gods, Annabeth, stop it. Stop overthinking. You'll drive yourself crazy, I said to myself.

"This is why I want to lead a quest. I'm done being a follower. I'm sick of Gaia manipulating us. And most of all, I'm finally starting to feel like I belong here. I'm not letting that go now." Nico finished, daring anyone to question him.

"I believe this is a good idea," Chiron said. He glanced at Apollo, who nodded. "And three more?"

I ran this through in my head. Nico was strong. Really strong. But he was really impulsive and didn't think. The team would need a balance.

Rachel was now awake, whispering to Apollo for reassurance.

"I have to go," Rachel sighed, "You've all guessed what the prophecy means, right? Twisting corridors below? You know, don't you Annabeth? I've been there before and so have you."

I sighed. "Yes," I said, "You have to go to the Labyrinth. Rachel is the only one who can navigate it."

"But I thought the Labyrinth collapsed after Daedalus died?" Piper asked.
"A lot of it, yeah, but large parts are still going, still moving - he was never in complete control," I said nervously, "This means it's even more unpredictable than before..." I muttered.

Two more people volunteered then. They were two of the last people in that room I would've expected.

"I want to go too." This came from a blond, bright eyed boy. Will Solace. "I want to do something worthwhile, y'know? Besides, who else is supposed to look after Nico?" Nico scowled.

This was good, at least. Will tended to think more about his actions. A good balance in the group. Never thought I'd see an Apollo kid sign up voluntarily to go underground, though.

"I... I know I said I'd never go back there. But I'm done with running. I'm with Di Angelo. I'll go on this quest. Let's get that fleece back," said Clarisse.

_____________

We burned the shrouds that very night. There was eight in total. Five of my siblings scouting the tree and three deaths in battle. I let tears fall down my cheeks as I stared at the flames and the smoke wafting up into the sky.

______________

After, we'd made a rotation of who would patrol the boarders. Groups of twenty that would call people waiting in back up if they needed help. Everyone else would sleep.

I found Nico as he headed to his cabin and I went up to him. "You leave tomorrow?" I asked. He nodded. "You've done a brave thing. The right thing. No one will judge you if you back out though," I reminded him. His eyes narrowed. Okay, that was a bad idea.

"I'm not ten anymore Annabeth. You don't have to treat me like a little kid," he said angrily.
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried... go get some sleep. Good luck."
His eyes flashed but then softened, as an afterthought.
"You too," he said. The son of Hades walked back to his cabin, the shadows grabbing and grasping for him as he walked.

___________

I found Percy in his cabin and we sat down. "Another quest? Gee, I've lost count," he said, smiling at me.
"I know. But at least we're still here. Still together," I replied and he hugged me when I sat on the bed, leaning against the wooden wall.

"Goodnight, Wise Girl."

"Goodnight, Seaweed Brain."

I fell asleep to the smell of sea salt, in his arms.