Born a God

Chapter 17 :

Percy's POV :

Wow. How deep is Tartarus?
"Percy, it'll be a miracle if we survive Tartarus, so i just want to let my feelings out," Annabeth said looking at me, straight in the eye.

"Well, we are currently falling into a deep, endless void that would probably end never. Why not?" I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood.

"I love you, Percy. And I know that it's not the right time but I just wanted to let it out," she continued, her calculative eyes scrutinizing for any suggestive emotion in my face.

I kept my face blank, trying to ignore the turmoil flowing through my veins. Even if I had ever led her on in the past, or even suggested that I had loved her, the emotions that I had then had long past crumbled into dust.

Since.. Since someone already has my heart.

She.. she.. My memories of her were gone. Yet, I knew that I loved her. And I knew that the love I had for her was not because of surface, petty things like her beauty, but due to her courage, stubbornness and basically every single thing that made her perfect.

Ouch... A burning sensation hit my head. A migraine. Again.

*(FLASHBACK) *

A child, one of barely 10 years, stood staring at me, eyes etching into my soul.

"Percy! Dad said I have to be a virgin goddess," she cried as she burying her head onto my shoulders.

I saw all of her - her cute chubby cheeks, her hair that cascaded down her shoulders, and her small tiara that rested on her head. Realisation hit me. It was the girl. The seemingly younger version of the girl I loved was crying on my shoulders.

"Why are you crying? Love would never be able to hurt you," I comforted, looking into her beautiful eyes. Uncle would have done it for a good cause.

"Nobody would want to court me! And I won't be able to fall in love!" She wailed further, a cute blush started to crawl up her cheeks.

I raised my eyebrows and smirked.

"You like someone?" I asked.

"No! I.. I mean.. Wait. Why do you care? That's not the point." She stuttered, her face turning a tad darker.

"Come on, I'll ask uncle H if we could visit his realm." I said bending down slightly so she could climb up to my back.

She climbed timidly onto me, shyly draping her arms around my neck. My arms held onto her thighs.

"You don't mind, do you?" I said smiling at her.

"Nope! Thanks, Captain Saltwater!" She said, before kissing my cheek and giving me a toothy grin.

I ran as fast as I could to uncle's temple, with Arty happily riding on my shoulders.

Upon reaching, we asked one of uncle's many statues whether he would allow us to travel to his realm to visit Cerberus. His statue came to life.

His statue eyed us weary, before opening it's mouth to speak, "Ok, but I'll be sending Alecto with you. I don't want my brothers after me."

-

We stood in front of River Styx.

"So, what's the plan?" She asked.

"Well, Aunt Hestia had to swear to the River Styx to become a maiden goddess. So why don't we come up with something here?" I said scratching my head. I hadn't really thought through this.