Thalia's Loss

Chapter 1

Another quest. It wasn't a surprise, really, getting sent by the gods to retrieve something again. Although, having to find Zeus's lightning bolt for the second time was a bit of a surprise.

"Maybe Zeus should just stop losing stuff." Percy suggested as the trio hiked up the hill. "Percy, this trip is hard enough as it is, let's try not to anger any of the gods this time." Annabeth said, checking the map as she talked. "Grover, are you sure this is the right way?" "Absolutely! Look, the cave is just up ahead!" Their satyr friend replied, already at the top. The demigods ran up the rest of the way. At the other end of the valley, a large cave sat in the base of a mountain. "Let's go! Percy and I have exams this Friday!" Annabeth said, leading the way down. "I still think we should get a pass from those." Percy muttered, following her. Grover laughed as they descended back down the hill.

"Here's another question." Percy said, "Shouldn't Thalia have lead this quest? She's probably the best demigod to handle stuff like the lightning bolt." Annabeth nodded, "I've been thinking about that. Maybe Zeus just wanted to give you a hard time." "Wouldn't be the first time." Percy replied.

The cave loomed in front of them. Percy uncapped his sword, the faint light doing little to light the way as they entered. "Are we sure we can even trust Hypnos?" Grover asked. "He hasn't exactly been the most reliable god in the past." "Maybe not, but he's the only source of information we had, so we don't really have much choice." Percy replied. "Everyone stay alert, just in case." Annabeth added.

Ahead of them was a larger cavern, a faint blue light shining from it. Annabeth braced her hand around her dagger. Entering the cavern, the trio stopped, surprised. There, right in the middle, sat the lightning bolt. Tentatively, Percy walked forward and grabbed it. Silence. "If I'm being honest, I kind of expected something to happen-" Grover started.

Then the cave entrance started closing. A giant boulder was slowly moving in front of it. "Run!" Percy yelled. "Go! Quickly!" They ran. Out of the corner of his eye, Percy could see shadows moving around beside them, in all shapes and sizes. "Faster!" Somewhere behind them, a woman was laughing. A terrifying cackle that made Percy's skin crawl. Grover made it back into the valley. Percy and Annabeth were almost there. The entrance was almost closed. They were going to make it.

Then the spear was there. It came flying from the shadows, black as the darkest night. Grover screamed as it went straight through Annabeth's chest. She gasped, then collapsed. "Annabeth!" Percy yelled, panic shooting through his body. Rushing forward, he threw the bolt aside and caught her in his arms. "Percy!" He heard Grover's voice shout before the entrance shut completely. From the light of his sword, Percy could see Annabeth's eyes. Dark. Cold.

Lifeless.