A second chance.

6. United

Percy

Zoe and I appeared in the middle of a giant park. Trees surrounded us and in the middle of a clearing was a stone bench. I looked at Zoe before smiling and grabbing her hand, gently pulling her over to the bench.

Zoe laughed as I pushed her down onto the bench, making the former huntress grunt in surprise as I sat down beside her. I grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto my lap. Zoe blushed furiously as I kissed her on the neck passionately. 

"Did I mention that I love you?" I whispered as I looked into her volcanic black eyes. Zoe grinned and she touched my chin, lifting my face towards her. "You've mentioned that a lot of times, my King." I smirked before gently pulling her off of my lap so that she sat right beside me on the bench. 

I looked out towards the horizon and saw that the sun was slowly setting, casting pink and orange rays of colour across the sky. I looked at Zoe only to see her eyes narrow, her hand going to the ring on her finger that contained her hunting knives. I followed her gaze to see two figures standing near the trees surrounding the bench Zoe and I were sitting on. 

I squinted, and since I had been blessed by Nyx, I was able to see quite well in the dark. The two figures were a boy and a girl. The girl had stringy brown hair, and a bandana circled around her forehead. She carried a spear that crackled with electricity. The boy had grey eyes and blonde hair, and a sword was strapped to his waist. 

My eyes widened in disbelief and recognition at the sight of the two demigods that I thought had perished during my war against the Olympians. 

Clarisse, daughter of Ares and Malcolm, son of Athena. 

Instantly, my hunting knives appeared in my hands just as Zoe's did as well. I glanced at her before nodding and reaching out, grabbing Zoe's arm just as our bodies dissolved into shadows. We appeared behind the two demigods and Zoe and I ducked behind a bush just as Clarisse's eyes snapped over to where we were standing previously. 

"What is it, Clarisse?" Malcolm asked anxiously, his hand going to the sword strapped at his waist. Clarisse stared at where Zoe and I were hiding before she shook her head and turned back to the son of Athena. 

"It's nothing. I just thought I saw something. Anyways, you know Nico went to Tartarus, right?" I nearly choked on air and Zoe's mouth dropped open in shock. "Nico is still alive!?" I hissed quietly to my Queen. Zoe put a finger to her lips and I rolled my eyes playfully before returning my attention back to the two demigods. 

"I really should keep track on who died during the war and who didn't." I grumbled as I continued to listen to Clarisse and Malcolm. "Yeah, I know. He went to visit Zeus first before he willingly jumped into the Pit. By himself, my Gods." Malcolm sighed, running a hand through his hair. 

I noticed that both of their clothes were ripped in many places and twigs and leaves were stuck in their hair. Clarisse and Malcolm didn't exactly look like they're in the best shape at the moment. But I won't kill them. I needed to see what they were up to, along with my cousin. 

"He's trying to save us all." Clarisse said firmly. "No one else would've been brave enough to jump into Tartarus by themselves. Plus, Nico is trying to see if Atlas had reformed, or if any of the other fallen Olympians had reformed as well." 

I cast a look over to Zoe, and she smiled knowingly. So that's their plan. They plan to force Atlas under the sky again so that Zeus would be free of his burden. 

"I'm just worried about him. Percy-Percy and Annabeth barely made it out alive, and they're the two strongest demigods that I had ever known." Malcolm muttered. I put a hand up to my chest and I heard Zoe exhale with mock amusement.