Heroes of Olympus Series. Annabeth Chase X Male Reader Story

We Do A Kickflip Out of the Abyss

(Y/N)'s POV

As (Y/N) looked at his aunt. There was something he was immensely annoyed at himself for. It only occurred to him when Akhlys stood up and he caught a waft of her scent. He had woken up, got dressed and left the mansion. Like a moron.

He shouldn't have skipped breakfast, or supper? He didn't really know what to count it as. Anyway, he had forgotten to eat anything, which was very helpful to him now, as he had nothing to barf up, but he knew he would come to regret later. He was already starving.

(Y/N) extended his hand, "Gimme." Akhlys regarded him with her sunken eyes, for a moment it were as if she couldn't see him, but soon the thin lips of the goddess curled upwards. Something told (Y/N) it wasn't because she was happy to see him.

Across her knees lay an ancient shield—a battered circle of wood and bronze, painted with the likeness of Akhlys herself holding a shield, so the image seemed to go on forever, smaller and smaller.

"That shield," Annabeth murmured. "That's his. I thought it was just a story." "Oh, no," the old hag wailed. "The shield of Hercules. He painted me on its surface, so his enemies would see me in their final moments—the goddess of misery."

Annabeth looked at (Y/N), whispering, "I thought Oiyzs was-" He silenced her quickly and muttered, "There's a little bit of cross over. Misery, sorrow. They both claim a bit of both" "Is there? What's the difference" Annabeth mouthed, not even vocalising the words, but it was enough.

"The difference." Akhlys said, rolling her tongue so it came out like a hiss. She coughed so hard, it made (Y/N)'s chest hurt. "Oh, there is a vast difference my dear." She said, (Y/N) tensed, taking a step back to put himself firmly between Annabeth and his aunt.

"Sorrow is fleeting, it comes and goes. You know of it, yes. Lost loves and such. But misery, true misery? Of that you know little. Perhaps I will show it to you, if this boy ever so much as takes that tone with me again." She shot a glare at (Y/N).

"Sorrow is for children. Brave children who cry and wail when their parents die." Her eyes glanced at (Y/N) with a glimmer of malice. "It is prideful, noble to feel sorrow. Sorrow wanes as people regain their sense. Take back control."

"PATHETIC!" Akhlys spat, literally, a black tar like substance frothing from her mouth. "True misery is rarely found and never sought, it is debilitating, and prolonged suffering. Chronic and crushing, one may never be free of it."

"There is no nobility in misery, girl. No pride in overcoming it. Even those who do may fall deeper into its depths once more, escaping it forever is a rarity as scarce as mercy in Tartarus. It is pure, and perfect suffering. It is mine!"

"As if Hercules knew true misery. It's not even a good likeness!" "What's his shield doing here?" (Y/N) asked, hoping he wouldn't have to fight that guy down here. The goddess stared at him with her wet milky eyes. Her cheeks dripped blood, making red polka dots on her tattered dress.

"He doesn't need it anymore, does he? It came here when his mortal body was burned. A reminder, I suppose, that no shield is sufficient. In the end, misery overtakes all of you. Even Hercules." "A lovely thought. So about that death mist?"

(Y/N) inched closer to Annabeth. He tried to remember why they were here, but the sense of despair made it difficult to think. Hearing Akhlys speak, he no longer found it strange that she had clawed her own cheeks. The goddess radiated pure pain.

"We need it to hide ourselves." He reiterated. The goddess sneered. "Hide you?" Akhlys made a gurgling sound. She was either laughing or choking to death. "Why would I do that?" "Like I said, Nyx has ordered you to-"