Alternatively

A Shot In The Dark

"Watch out!"

She dove out of the way as a wall came crumbling. "Get the amulet!"

"I'm working on it," he panted, ducking out of a ceraste's range.

They had been locked in a stalemate for so long, the afternoon wearing out to amber sky. Sweat drenched her back and stung open wounds, her tank top straps digging into the tender flesh. Her shoulders were blistered and her throat ragged as smoke billowed up and around. Navigating the recently demolished school yard was proving tougher as time pressed on, her ankle threatening to give when she landed from a jump over debris. It was the same ankle that wasn't quite given proper care to in Tartarus, though, so terrain shouldn't be left entirely to blame. Her grip tightened on her sword at the thought, a swift swing decapitating a serpent creeping too close.

"Focus, Annabeth," she muttered, scanning the playground gone battlefield.

For as much carnage that littered the broken pavement, there were just as many creatures still alive with snapping jaws and hissing maws. It was slightly overwhelming, but she was determined to use the situation as proof that they were not yet veterans. You can't take her out of the ring so soon.

Percy collapsed into a kneel beside her, shoulders hunched as he surveyed from her spot. "It doesn't like the water."

"The kobalos?" she squinted at the sprite across the way. "Think you can corral it over?"

"No problem, but I'll be out of commission for a few."

"I'll just have to watch your back, then, huh?"

His lips quirked up into that devilish smirk that crackled in his eyes. "Would be appreciated."

The ground rumbled, pipes straining as Percy pulled for the water coursing under the city streets. She hacked away at the horned snakes that slithered and writhed around them, clearing a good two feet around her boyfriend as he worked his magic.

She eyed the deformed creature swinging the amulet around, the jewels glimmering darkly in the golden sun. It had been stolen from Circe's island, a weaponized charm that multiplied a desired subject indefinitely. Somehow, it and the goblin like sprite ended up in the Upper East Side, just as she and Percy met up at the train station. Not exactly her idea of a relaxing Tuesday. Nonetheless, blades were drawn to combat the latest threat.

As water burst from the grates and manholes in the street, the kobalos shrieked and hopped helplessly to avoid the waves. They pushed it close to the duo, sweeping up both decomposing and living cerastes in their wake. Fires sizzled out and Annabeth lunged forward to grasp the sprite by its jacket. Upon contact, its expression melted into something sinister.

"Wanted this?" it dangled the amulet by the chain.

She grabbed for it, but the creature gave a smile that froze her movement.

"Play nicely, mortal."

"I haven't killed you yet, I'm being fairly generous," she said through gritted teeth as the prickly feeling in her arm traveled to her torso.

"And for that," it launched the amulet over head. "I'll return the favor."

The binding spell cut out and she dropped the kobalos, whirling in time to watch the necklace clatter at Percy's feet. Her stomach plummeted as he bent to scoop it up, a white light exploding from the jewel and sending them both tumbling back.