The Fourth Inheritor (A Percy Jackson/Chaos Fanfic) [Complete]

Chapter Eleven: Saying Goodbye

Chaos didn't want to admit it, but he almost wished Annabeth would forget him. It's be easier on one of them, at least. Despite talking to her for another hour, she hadn't given up the idea that they'd be ok. He hoped it was true. He knew it wasn't.

Finally, he'd said goodbye. Not just to her, to everyone. All the campers, Roman and Greek, Rachel, Blackjack, Mrs. O'Leary, Chiron, Grover and Juniper, Tyson, his father, his mom and Paul, the hunters and Artemis, even the rest of the Olympians. No one quite understood, but he was just relieved to have been able to say goodbye. It was one of the worst parts about his time in Haven, thinking he hadn't gotten to say that to them.

He didn't know what else to do. He couldn't stay here. He couldn't interact with people. If he did, he would only cause more pain. Chaos knew he would break the rules Eternity had given. He couldn't help wondering if she'd secluded herself for the same reason, watching over everything from afar to remove herself from the temptation of interference. It's what he now had to do, it seemed.

Chaos looked over the Camp a final time, taking in everything while it was in person. He closed his eyes, hiding the tears and the memories. It was time to go. He turned away, starting to walk down the hill.

Footsteps sounded behind him. Arms wrapped around him, holding him close. A heart beat so hard he could feel it against his back. "Percy."

"Annabeth." Chaos didn't turn to face her, couldn't turn to face her. "I have to leave now."

"You don't," she argued. "But, but if you do... take me with you."

At that, Chaos did turn to face her. He cupped her face with one hand, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and she smiled weakly at him. She knew what he was going to say. "I'm sorry. I can't."

Her smile wobbled and then fell away entirely. Despite it all, she looked up at him without crying. "I love you, Seaweed Brain."

"I love you too, Wise Girl." Chaos stepped back, and Annabeth let him, arms falling slowly to her sides. "Always and forever."

Annabeth nodded, tears finally spilling, making tracks down her cheeks. He'd made her cry far too many times today. "Always and forever."

The last thing he saw was her eyes, those beautifully gray eyes, sparkling with tears. Then he was gone. Back on the platform where he'd met Eternity, where he intended to spend the rest of his life as Chaos. Where he would never again be on the receiving end of Annabeth's gaze as she told him that she loved him.

"Goodbye."