Chapter Twenty-Five: Nobody's Game

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Disclaimer: I don't own HOO or VE

Chapter Twenty-Five: Nobody's Game

As Polyphemus shook Annabeth back and forth, Skye and Chase whipped out identical invisibility caps and put them on. Creeping behind the monster, they stabbed him in the knees.

Polyphemus fell to the ground and Annabeth reappeared. She fell to the ground, her eyes going glassy and a gash on her forehead.

Suddenly another figure appeared, and Tyson appeared behind the giant. "Tyson!" Percy yelled.

Polyphemus started to stir. "Tyson, go get the fleece," Adrian said.

Tyson glanced at Percy, who nodded. Tyson waded through the man-eating sheep, coming back with the heavy golden fleece.

"Ok, time to go!" Addie said as the Cyclops started to stir. The group ran across the bridge, Clarisse carrying Annabeth like a sack of flour. But when they turned to the other side, Polyphemus was right behind them, lumbering across the bridge. He roared.

Percy sawed at one of the ropes, and Adrian slashed at the other. The Cyclops fell into the ravine, roaring the whole way.

"It's chill," Adrian said when he saw Percy's look. "He deserved it."

"Not all cyclops are good cyclops, brother," Tyson said.

Clarisse put Annabeth on the ground, and Percy rushed over to her side as they draped the golden fleece over her. He held her hand as the color returned to her face, and Skye shared a smile with Addie.

Gabi and Adrian shared a look, then beckoned the rest of the group a ways away. "We found a way to get home," Adrian said. He held out the fixed Immortie.

"How?" Gale gasped. 

"Adrian and I working together are strong enough to get it to work," Gabi said. "It just kind of fixed itself."

"Hey," Percy said behind them. He looked at Adrian's sword. "Where did you get that?" he asked. 

Adrian sheathed the sword, and Percy gasped when it turned back to a pen. "It's the twin of Riptide," he said. "The truth is... I'm a distant relative of Poseidon."

"Really?" Percy looked pleased. 

"But we need to go home now," Calypso added. She looked over at Annabeth and Clarisse and Grover and Tyson.

"I can call you some hippocampi," Percy said. "They'll take you anywhere you want to go."

"That would be great," Skye said.

They made their way down to the beach. "Get back safe," Gabi added, casting one last longing look at her parents before they climbed aboard their ship. A row of hippocampi was waiting for them. They all climbed into the water, Gabi swimming beside them and holding onto their manes.

"Wait!" Skye said. She glanced at Adrian. "Can we talk?"

Adrian held out a hand, and she climbed behind him on his steed. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she took a deep breath as he rode a little ways to the side.

"I'm sorry," was the first thing she said.

"Why are you sorry?" Adrian's eyebrows scrunched. 

"Because I handled everything poorly," Skye put her head in her hands. "I should have just asked for some space instead of pushing you away. Because," she took a deep breath. "I do love you." 

Adrian's eyes widened. "Don't say something you don't mean," he said.

"No, I mean it," Skye insisted. "I'm in love with you."

Adrian beamed, and then he leaned forward and kissed her. "I'm in love with you too," he said.

In the distance, Addie, Chase, and Gale were whooping. Gabi smirked at her brother.

"So what now?" Adrian asked.

"I don't want to wait anymore," Skye said. "I've spent so much time punished myself and you; do you just want to get married?"

"What?" the rest of the group had moved closer now. Addie's mouth was wide. "Are you sure?"

"Why not?" Skye asked. "I don't need a ceremony or anything. And my best friend, my brother, and my son are here. What else do I need?"

"I can officiate," Chase volunteered.

Adrian held out his hand and concentrated. After a moment, two metals bands flew out from the sea. Addie came over and held her hand over them and manipulated the metal until one was a gleaming silver band with a pattern of waves and the other a slim gold band set with color-changing diamonds set around a deep, deep blue sapphire. 

"You can say your vows now," Chase said.

Adrian took a deep breath. "Skye, I've loved you forever," he said. "You're so strong and kind and brave, but you're gentle, too. I love how fierce you are, and I promise to make sure our love is as fierce as possible." he slid the ring onto her finger.

"Adrian," Skye said. "I love you so much. You've stuck with me through everything, you've always believed in me; you're so strong and kind and amazing, and the most compassionate man I know. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life by your side."

She put the ring on his finger. "With the power vested in me," Chase decreed. "I declare you husband and wife!"

They kissed, and Chase suddenly groaned, gripping his head. "What is it?" Calypso asked.

"My memories changed," he said. "I think... I think I have an older sister."

Callie nodded. "I'm remembering too. Thalia; that's her name. But we call her Lia."

"That proves we can change the past!" Addie said. He glanced at Skye. "We can change the future," he said.

"We should probably hurry," Gabbi glanced at the Immortie. "But how are we all supposed to go back to our respective timelines?"

"I have no idea," Adrian admitted.

"There are multiple Immorties," Skye said. "We could find some in our timeline."

Chase nodded, and Gabi reached for the Immortie in Adrian's hand. As soon as they were both touching it it began to glow, and an orange light opened in the water beneath them, drawing the water into it.

"Here goes nothing," Addie muttered, holding her breath.


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