A web of fates | Percy Jackson and the Olympians

XIII| crashed funeral

Never in a million years but Daphne ever think that she'd attending the funeral of Percy Jackson. But here she was.

The camp seemed deserted. It was late afternoon, but the archery range was empty. The climbing wall poured lava and rumbled all by itself. Pavilion: nothing. Cabins: all vacant.

It was strange to see camp so quiet. No screaming. No screeching. Gossip spreading around like a virus, infecting everyone and anyone.

But not today.

Why? Everyone was at the amphitheater.

Smoke was rising from the amphitheater; Chiron making an announcement. Daphne was barely paying attention to him, her mind elsewhere.

Theo and Oliver stood either side of her, on Theo's other side was Annabeth - crying so much her eyes had turned red.

The sympathy Daphne Evans felt for Annabeth Chase in that moment was immeasurable, the daughter of Athena was suffering. More so than anybody else at camp.

Percy Jackson was Annabeth Chases source of annoyance and comfort. It had been cruelly ripped away from her.

"— assume he is dead," Chiron said. "After so long a silence, it is unlikely our prayers will be answered. I have asked his best surviving friend to do the final honors."

They were all looking forward, watching as Annabeth took a long green silk burial cloth, embroidered with a trident, and set it on the flames. They were burning Percy's shroud.

Annabeth turned to face the audience. She looked terrible. Her eyes were puffy from crying, but she managed to say, "He was probably the bravest friend I've ever had. He..." Then she saw something. Her face went blood red and Daphne thought for a moment that they may of had to call Mr. D and claim she had been driven into madness. "He's right there!"

Heads turned. People gasped. Daphne's heart stopped beating for a moment as a grin found her face again, tears glossing over her eyes.

"Percy!" Beckendorf grinned.

A bunch of other kids crowded around him and clapped him on the back. Daphne heard a few curses from the Ares cabin, but Clarisse just rolled her eyes, like she couldn't believe he had had the nerve to survive. Chiron cantered over and everyone made way for him.

Whilst people did that, Daphne shook out of her frozen state and rushed towards the boy, hugging him tightly.

"Well," Chiron sighed with obvious relief. "I don't believe I've ever been happier to see a camper return. But you must tell me-"

"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Annabeth interrupted, shoving aside the other campers.

Daphne stepped aside quickly and thought she was going to punch him, but instead she hugged him so fiercely she nearly cracked his ribs.

The other campers fell silent.

Annabeth seemed to realize she was making a scene and pushed him away. "I—we thought you were dead, Seaweed Brain!"

"I'm sorry," Percy said. "I got lost."

"LOST?" she yelled. "Two weeks, Percy? Where in the world -"

"Annabeth," Chiron interrupted. "Perhaps we should discuss this somewhere more private, shall we? The rest of you, back to your normal activities!"

Without waiting for them to protest, he picked up Annabeth and Percy as easily as if they were kittens, slung them both on his back and galloped off toward the Big House.

"I hope you know I'm coming!" Daphne shouted after them, already heading to the Big House.

*•*