The Rise of Gaea

Annabeth 18

     "We're here!" Nico called from his lookout point. Annabeth deserted her conversation with Hazel and Frank to dash over to the rail.

    There it was. Camp Half-Blood.

     However, it was not as she remembered. The welcoming green expanse was surrounded by the grey steel of war machines.

     "Octavian." Reyna shook her head angrily. Annabeth started, not having realized the Roman praetor was standing beside her. "I told him not to advance." She gazed out over the camp. "Although, you do have a very nice camp. Different, but nice."

     Jason steered the ship down into the lake, trying to hit the water as softly as possible to avoid making Hazel sick. Still, a splash and a lot of rocking around happened as the Argo II settled into the water's embrace, and Annabeth heard Hazel gag. The ship glided into the waiting dock, and

     Annabeth listened for Leo's comedic remark; something like 'WE COME IN PEACE, AMIGOS!!", but then she remembered he was gone. He and Percy depended on her to unite the camps and fix the gods. Annabeth took a deep breath.

     Campers flooded from their cabins, and down to the docks, mouths gaping and arms waving excitedly.

     "Jason, take Piper, Hazel and Frank and unload the Athena Parthenos. Hopefully Octavian won't be expecting us, and won't shoot you down." Annabeth ordered.

     "What if he does shoot?" Jason asked, worry glinting in his eyes.

     "I think my mother's statue has a few tricks up it's sleeve." Annabeth reassured.

     Jason nodded, and hopped below deck.

     "What about us?" Thalia asked.

     Annabeth turned to her with a small smile. "Well, I doubt you want to fly with the Athena Parthenos."

     Thalia raised an eyebrow.

     "So," Annabeth continued, "You, Nico, Coach Hedge, Reyna and I are going to speak with Chiron, and then get to the border. You know the plan." She unhooked the gangplank; it unfolded with a clatter onto the wooden dock.

     Reyna strode down it like it was a runway. Nico followed her like a shadow, Thalia close behind, shouldering her silver bow. Coach Hedge clip-clopped after, obviously excited to see Mellie.

     Annabeth brought up the rear, trying not to look at the water where she and Percy had first kissed as a couple, the beach where they'd watched the sunset, the fields they'd chased each other through...

     A lump grew in her throat as she felt the now familiar empty space beside her where Percy belonged.

     Chiron waited for them in the forefront of the sea of campers. "Annabeth." He smiled at her, his eyes warm. "We have much to discuss." Then he looked around in confusion. "Where is Percy?"

     The crowd of demigods behind him murmured in agreement.

     The lump in her throat swelled. "He fell into Tartarus." Annabeth choked out.

     Gasps of horror and disbelief rippled throughout the throng; Annabeth saw Clarisse turn white with shock, the smiles disappear from Travis and Connor's faces, and the twinkle leave Chiron's eyes.

     "What?" he asked hoarsely. "And Leo, too?"

     Annabeth shook her head. "Not Tartarus, no. But he's still missing."

     Nico stepped forward. "They're both still alive." He said quickly.

     "Why are you here, and not trying to rescue them?" Drew asked, flipping her silky black hair over her shoulder.

     Annabeth clenched her fists, trying to convince herself that she had made the right decision. "We're here because we can't rescue them without the gods' help. And to restore the gods, we need to make peace with the Romans." She replied evenly.

     There was a loud creaking noise behind her. Annabeth turned to see the Athena Parthenos being lifted from the Argo II by Frank the dragon, and a hassled looking Jason.

     Chiron's jaw dropped. "Is that..."

     "The Athena Parthenos? Yup." Thalia shaded her eyes as everyone watched the statue fly over camp and land on the hill. 

     As it landed, a beam of light shot upwards from it, and then faded.

     Annabeth, Thalia, Nico and Reyna pushed their way through the dumbfounded crowd of demigods. Coach Hedge had disappeared, probably off to see Mellie. 

     They ran past the cabins, and over to the boundary. Just beyond, the Roman fortifications gleamed through the trees.

     Grinning, Jason somersaulted through the air to meet them. "Ready, Reyna?"

     Reyna did not look ready. "I swear, Grace, if you drop me..."

     Jason landed, and raised his hands, causing Reyna to rise up above the trees.

     Thalia shuddered. "I'm so glad I'm not up there."

     Annabeth elbowed her, trying to keep a straight face.

     Nico watched Reyna go, his face grey. "If they shoot her down..." he trailed off threateningly; a hand drifting to his sword.

     There were shouts from the Romans, which were quickly silenced as Reyna began to speak in Latin. Unfortunately, Latin did not come naturally to Annabeth.

     Jason was listening intently. "She's explaining about our quest, and why we need to work together." He reported.

     Long minutes passed, filled -to Annabeth- with unintelligible gibberish. Then a cheer came from the Roman camp, startling her.

     "They've agreed!" Jason said triumphantly.

     Then, a single voice cried over the others, this time in English. "No! We will not work with this Graecus scum!"

     "Octavian." Jason sighed.

     There was a clang, and a cannonball came slicing through the air towards the lone praetor hovering in the sky. 

     Jason appeared stunned, unable to do anything but watch, wide-eyed.

     "REYNA, NO!" Nico shrieked wildly, disappearing into shadow.