Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase: Parental Approval [Completed]

5: The Quest Begins

PERCY:
Knowing Athena, it shouldn't have been a surprise that the test started that night. We were transported into a dark realm that smelled like burning charcoal and hurt my eyes with a dark, bloody red. The ground was a dusty and brown, and every so often, dust would rise of the ground. The realm was silent, an elaborate plot to confuse us, as Annabeth would say. She looked at me and sadly smiled. 

"Just like Tartarus." I could tell she was scared and was trying to lighten the mood. I was scared too, just too much of a coward to admit it. 

"It's okay, Wisegirl. We can get through it." I nodded my head at her and she nodded hers back. I knew the element of surprise always worked when it came to attackers, so I decided to pretend that I was unfocused. "By the way, Annabeth, those pajamas look so hot on you." She was wearing a tank with a Camp Half Blood t-shirt and small, loose shorts. She blushed and nodded again, instantly knowing that I was just trying to change the subject and appear distracted. 

I felt inside my pocket for Riptide, and with a sinking realization, the sword had disappeared. The smirk wiped off my face. "Um... Annabeth?" I asked, becoming increasingly worried by the second. 

"Yeah?" With one look at my face, she became worried too. 

"I don't have riptide..." I admitted. She stared at me for 10 seconds before running up to me. She stuck her hands into my front pockets and back of the shorts I was wearing. She continued to frantically searched before making a small whimpering noise. 

"How is that possible? It follows you around and appears in your pocket!" She freaked out. 

"It's okay. Do you have your dagger?" Of course she wouldn't have it, if I didn't have it, then she wouldn't-

"Yes, I have it."

"What?" I asked. "Oh come on!" I slapped my hand on my head.

"Percy, I think this part is teamwork. We have to work together with one weapon."

I nodded my head, looking down. "Okay, we need a game plan." 

"Alright," she started. "I was thinking it would come out from behind those cliffs over there." She pointed to a cluster of rocks standing about 200 feet from us. They towered over us, 100 feet in the air with sharp, jagged points. I nodded my head and looked around for some more ways the monster could attack us. 

Or it could just appear out of no where and start to attack us, like it did. I jumped out of the way as it clawed the air, literally where my face had just been. The monster landed on the ground near us, dust rising into the air. I stood in place as Annabeth kept her spot. We were on either side of the animal, and when it reappeared, it hesitated for a moment before going after Annabeth. I sprinted after the rogue hellhound and jumped on its back. 

"Percy!" Annabeth shouted. "Remember, they're easily fooled! It'll get confused if we disappear!" I held on as the hound tried to pounce on Annabeth. I tightened my hold as I thought about what she just said. She didn't have her cap to turn invisible. 

"I don't understand! What do you mean?" I screamed back. 

"Percy! It's figurative! Help me on his back!" I couldn't see her anymore, so I just held my hand out to the air, clinging on the furry animal to balance myself. I felt her fingers slip in between mine and I wrapped my hand around hers, momentarily letting go of the monster to help her up all the way. She sat behind me and I half-expected her hands on my waist. I guess I only get that reaction in my dreams.  

The hound stopped, confused at its clawing in mid-air. It went on all fours again and started to growl. At that moment, Annabeth handed me her dagger and I grabbed it from her hands. I placed the dagger on the left side of its neck. I sliced through the skin until he disappeared.Thank god I didn't see its face. He probably would remind me too much of  Mrs. O'leary.

The monster disappeared in a poof. Annabeth and I landed on the ground, coughing as more dust made its way into our lungs. "Well that wasn't so bad," I said. I turned around to face Annabeth and kept a watch behind her just in case another monster came. 

"Trust me, Perseus. It's about to get worse." Athena's voice rang throughout the cave before Annabeth could answer. My head started to feel murky and my eyes drooped. I felt dizzy as my back started to hit the ground. The red rocks melted into a room and I could faintly make out a couch and fireplace. The last thing I noticed was Annabeth's absence. I took one final blink before completely blacking out.