The Rise of Gaea

Percy 9

   *****song credits go to Taylor Swift*****

  "Thalia? But she's a Hunter." Percy frowned.

     Luke looked thoughtful. "I suppose that is a minor snag."

     "Minor?" Percy laughed. "She's immortal with an eternal vow against boys! How is that minor?"

     Luke shrugged. "We'll figure it out. In the meantime, let's put your monster-tracking skills to work and keep going."

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    "We need to... find a ... place to... rest." Percy rasped. He had no idea what time it was, but he was exhausted, and could tell by Luke's haggard posture that he too was worn out.

     In reply, Luke flopped down on the ground. "Is here good?"

     Percy strained his senses to check for approaching monsters. There didn't seem to be any. "Yeah, it's good. I've got first watch, okay?"

     Luke frowned. "No, I can take it."

     Percy sighed. "Luke, it's better if I take it. I can sense the monsters."

     Luke still didn't look sure. "You're exhausted, Perce."

     "So are you, Luke." Percy countered. "Go to sleep."

     Luke reluctantly curled up. "Wake me if you need me. No heroics, 'kay?" he muttered.

     "Okay." Percy agreed. Luke's snores soon filled the air. Contrary to what he had told Luke, Percy could no longer sense monsters approaching. He was too tired. As he kept watch, his thoughts drifted to Annabeth. He was so glad she was safe, and not trapped in hell as he was. Still, there was the tiny selfish part of his brain that missed her, and desperately sought comfort from her.

     One memory in particular rose to his mind; in the few weeks they had spent together at Camp Halfblood, one of the youngest Apollo campers had gotten very sick. Allona, small for the age of seven, loved music more than anything. Will Solace was the only other Apollo camper at camp at the time, and he was better at medicine than music. He also had a rivalry with Drew, and so didn't want to ask the Aphrodite cabin for help. Instead, he asked Annabeth. Percy wasn't sure why she had agreed; maybe she saw herself in Allona, but she had complied.

     Percy had been astonished at how absolutely beautiful her singing was. Of course, he loved everything about her, so he was a tad biased, but still. The song had been from one of her favorite movies, The Hunger Games. Annabeth adored the complexity of the social structures and technology involved. Percy quietly sang the song to himself, trying to imagine Annabeth was singing it instead.

     "Just close your eyes, the sun is going down.

     You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now.

     Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound."

     While the lyrics hadn't quite fit the situation with Allona, they were perfect in Tartarus.

     While he sang, Percy reflected on what had happened the last time he had sung. It had been a long time ago, when his ex-stepfather Gabe had just moved in with Percy and Sally. Gabe had caught Percy singing the Baby Shark song, and with screaming and beating, impressed on young Percy that singing was for girls. Percy hadn't sung since. But Gabe wasn't there anymore. And singing made Percy feel better, like Annabeth was there with him. He felt like he could hear her voice.

     Noise made him look up, though he didn't stop, wanting to pretend Annabeth was with him for as long as possible. A Cyclops was lumbering towards him, bearing a studded club. Percy was so tired, he couldn't think straight. He decided to annoy the Cyclops by singing louder, hoping it would just go away.

     "You and I'll be safe and sound."

     He wished it would just brain itself with it's own club. Suddenly, to Percy's great surprise, the Cyclops stopped and began to bash itself in the head, before collapsing dead to the ground. At the same time, Percy felt another wave of exhaustion roll over him, but he managed to remain conscious.

     "What the Hades?"

     Percy looked over to see Luke, awake, staring in disbelief. He must have been awoken by Percy's excessively loud singing.

     Luke swallowed. "Did you just sing that Cyclops into killing itself?"

     Percy nodded sluggishly.

     Luke seemed to tamp down his confusion as he made Percy lie down. "Sleep." He said forcefully. "I'll keep watch."

     Percy was too tired to argue, and he slid quickly into a dreamless sleep.

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     "Percy, wake up." Percy opened his eyes.

     Luke looked nervous, more nervous than normal for someone trekking through the depths of Tartarus.

     "Did you get attacked again?" Percy asked, scrambling up.

     Luke shook his head. "No, it was quiet." His eyes glinted with a nervous curiosity. "Do you sing often?" he asked warily.

     It all came back; how Percy had sung Annabeth's song, how the Cyclops had killed itself, and how he has seemed to make it. Percy grinned sheepishly. "No, and I didn't think I would be so bad that my singing would make a Cyclops kill itself."

     Luke smiled. "That's not what it was. You wanted the Cyclops to die, yes? You were thinking about that?"

     Percy nodded slowly.

     "I think that as a son of Poseidon, you must have some relation to the Sirens, and can charm-sing like how some Aphrodite kids can charm-speak."

     Percy shuddered at the mention of the Sirens, but thinking of Piper's charmspeaking, nodded. "I guess that makes sense."

     Luke still looked freaked out.

     "What is it?" Percy persisted.

     Luke laughed shakily. "Well, your charmsinging wasn't the weirdest part of it all."

     "Than what was?"

     Luke's eyes were misty. "You were singing in Annabeth's voice."