The Missing Demigod [ HOCHB 1 ]

Chapter 9 || Annabeth

"Gaia," Percy said. "The Titan of Earth."

Annabeth shuddered. Gaia; she'd heard that name before. She knew it wasn't anything good, to say the least. "What is she going to do?" Annabeth asked.

"Short answer: she's gonna destroy everything. Long answer-"

"I think that's enough context," Evan interrupted. Annabeth was in shock. "You mean...she's going to..." She began whispering. "...get up...?"

"What?" Christian asked. "Gaia...is Earth. No exaggeration. So if she awakens, and, let's say, stands up..." Percy motioned his finger across his neck to symbolize We're pretty much dead.

"How do we stop her from doing that?" Adrian asked, a concerned look on his face.

Percy shrugged, "The original way; just... defeat her...? It's not like we could ever destroy her."

Annabeth shook her hands around quickly. "Where are you?!" Percy sighed upon hearing that and looked down for a bit, then back up. "Tartarus."

Annabeth and Evan gasped.

"Wh-where is that?" Adrian asked. "As a matter of fact - WHAT is that?" Annabeth clapped her hand over her mouth in fear. "The deepest, darkest part of the Underworld," Evan said, not daring to look at anyone. Annabeth figured he couldn't bear showing fear.

"It takes the form of an abyss... then a wasteland, filled with monsters, and suffering. It's used to imprison the most powerful beings-well, evil beings in Hades's realm...including..." He gulped and hesitated.

"The Titans."

Annabeth was frightened beyond understanding. Suddenly, the rainbow-y mist began to dissipate. Iris's voice could be heard, saying, "For five more minutes, please insert another drachma."

Annabeth cursed under her breath in Ancient Greek. "Percy, the message is fading!"

"Don't worry!" Percy said. "You know how to find me, I'll -"

"Percy!" Annabeth exclaimed, and the mist faded.

The group stood there in silence for a bit. Eventually, Annabeth heard a squeak from the other side of the fountain. She quickly darted around to see a boy with dark, deep tan skin, long dark brown dread-locks to his chest, with golden yellow tips, brown eyes, a red jacket, black T-shirt, khaki jeans, and a pair of Black-Red-and-White Jordan Ones. He was shaking-full-on quaking-his eyes full of fear.

"Uh...are you...okay?" Annabeth asked awkwardly.

The boy looked like he was in his own world, staring into the air. He was shivering, and Annabeth soon realized he was mumbling. "Fury... school... danger..."

Annabeth turned to Adrian, Suba, and Christian, and their faces were horrifying. Adrian and Christian exchanged a look. "G...Gloryus?" Adrian asked.

The boy perked up, and looked at Adrian. His eyes widened and he jumped up. "ADRIAN!" Annabeth was beyond confused. "Glo, how'd you get all the way over here?!"

"Who is this guy?" Evan asked.

"One of my best friends, Gloryus, or Glo," Adrian said. He turned back to Glo. "What happened?"

"I got woken up in the middle of the night, chased by this...fury. The things we learned about in History class...?" Glo said.

Everyone's eyes widened. "You're...a half-blood?" Annabeth asked.

"What the heck is that?" Glo asked. Annabeth and Evan glanced at each other, and Evan shrugged. "But-" Glo added, "I did discover this."

Glo opened his palm, and his hand lit on fire. Adrian, Suba, and Christian jumped back in surprise. "And, when I ran off that night... Something weird happened. There was this...flaming hammer symbol above my head."

Annabeth and Evan perked up. "Hephaestus," Evan said. "You're the son of Hephaestus." Glo raised an eyebrow, "Like...the Greek god? The craftsmen god?"

"Yeah, and fire, don't you remember?" Suba asked rhetorically.

"You have to come with us," Adrian said. "It won't be safe for you alone out here. We could get to camp!" Annabeth thought for a while. "I guess...it's reasonable."

Evan interrupted, "We're getting off track-don't we need to find this Peter Johnson guy?"

"Percy Jackson," Annabeth corrected, "and, yes. We have to get moving." The others reluctantly moved along, and Annabeth noticed Adrian and Christian conversing.

"I think you'll...need this," Adrian said, handing Christian a familiar triple-bladed katar. Christian's eyes widened, and he took it slowly. "Thanks."

"Y'know, I think I've got a name for it," Christian said. "Turbo." Adrian just smiled, "It's good to have you back."

Annabeth wasn't too optimistic about going back to the Underworld. After the run-in with Hades, she didn't think it was too much of a good idea, but when it came to Percy, she'd do anything.

"We meet again, Hollywood sign," Evan said. Annabeth plunged down into the flight of stairs without hesitation, followed by the others.

The group wasn't excited to see the familiar black marble and grass, and the gray and silver sky, and the souls of dead people and souls being tortured for eternity.

Annabeth took a deep breath. "Half-Bloods, prepare to see the worst place anyone could ever be."