The Final Quest ψ; Blood of Olympus & Percy Jackson Fanfic༄

XV: FRANK

"Next stop, Mount Pelion!" Leo's voice rang over the enchanted speakers as we were all getting ready for a restless nights sleep. As if we needed him to remind us. Tommorow, it was win or lose. Everything depended on it. The world depended on it. Which was odd, 

The group had somewhat relaxed when we established that the most ominous part of the prophecy, the part about 9 going somewhere and 8 coming back, had already passed. We had lost Percy, but rescued Calypso, which left us with 9, then we headed towards Mount Pelion. On the way, we lost Nico and Reyna, to return to America, leaving us with 7, then found Percy, bringing the grand total to 8. 

Even so, I couldn't help but think of the worst as I slipped on sweatpants and a worn t-shirt. Percy, Annabeth, calling out for help as they fell into Tartaraus, while I watched, helpless. What if something like that happened again, and I froze up like I did then? I cannot put into words how many times I pictured myself turning into an eagle, or dragon, or even a pegasus, and saving them both. What if Hazel was falling, and I just watched?

As if I called upon her just by thinking her name, there was a small knock on the door, and a slight figure slipped behind it. She shut the door and turned around, and a smiled. She looked so beautiful and fierce, even now, in her pajama pants and tank top. I flushed for a moment realizing that I still only had on my sweatpants, exposing my entire upper half was bare. I still hadn't gotten over being so much more muscular after I had gotten the blessing of Ares when we were in Venice, and my own strength still surpirsed me, like when I pulled a chair out from the table in the main hall, or squeezed Hazel's hand. She, however, hardly seemed to mind, running her small hand down my stomach. I took a deep breath, and wrapped my hands around her tiny waist, taking in all of her, knowing if could very well be my last night together with her.

I had no doubt that this same thing was happening all around the ship right now. Leo and Calypso, Jason and Piper, Percy and Annabeth, all desprately clinging on to this last night with all they could. Tommorow, everything would be different. Thinking about them made my anxiety grow. If any one of us was lost, no one would ever be the same. We were a family.

As if thinking the same thing, Hazel buried herself deeper in my arms, and I rested my head on her hair. Remeber this moment. I thought to myself.

"Are you ready for tommorow?" I asked, then mentally smacked myself for asking such a stupid question.

"I don't think anyone is." She replied, "But we'll do the best we can. We always have."

My heart lurched. "Hazel, if something happens in that mountain tommorrow, can you promise me you'll try to get underground, if theres no way our plan will work, will you at least save yourself?"

"Deal." She said, half frowning, "If, and only if, you promise the same thing. I mean it. If shit goes down, turn into a dragon or something and get out of there."

I nodded, but I knew I could never do it. I was a son of Mars, and I would fight until death. I would give my life for anyone on this boat, and I would never leave anyone behind.

"I promise."

"Then so do I."

"And... Hazel?'

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"And so do I."

"Say it." I said, breathing her in.

"Frank Zhang, I love you." She said, and I smiled.

"Go get some rest. The fate of the world depends on it."