The Rise of Gaea

Annabeth 30

     "JASON!" Annabeth screamed as Percy tumbled through the sky.

     Jason raised a hand, bracing himself, and Percy slowed. Annabeth watched with her heart in her throat as Jason caught Percy before he hit the ground. She ran over, wincing at the blood oozing from her boyfriend's chest.

     "He needs to go to the infirmary." She said, voice shaking.

     Jason nodded, looking as overwhelmed as Annabeth felt, and they walked over to where Will Solace and the other Apollo campers were prepared.

     "It's bad, you should know that." Will warned them as he helped lay Percy down on a cot.

     Annabeth quickly sat beside Percy, grabbing his hand as if to anchor him to the living world. Will cut Percy's shirt from him, and carefully mopped up the blood.

     The black mark from Tartarus was still there, but now it was joined by a similar white one from Gaea. While the mark from Tartarus was so dark it could easily be a black void, the mark from Gaea was so white it almost glowed.

     Blood trickled lazily from the center, where the sword had pierced his flesh. Will pressed a pad of gauze over it, instructing Jason to keep it firmly in place while he went to go get some nectar.

     Annabeth still couldn't believe what had happened. She had thought the plan was working, but then Gaea had fought back. She was still processing the fact that her boyfriend had destroyed both Tartarus and Gaea singlehandedly. It was a lot to take in.

     She now knew how Percy had come by his black mark - torture by Tartarus. She had been terrified when Percy was antagonizing Gaea, not realizing that he had a plan.

     She was so absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't notice Luke until he put his hand on her shoulder.

     "Hey, Beth." He said quietly.

     Annabeth leaned into him, thankful for the paternal comfort he gave her. "This is what you didn't tell us." She didn't accuse him, just let the statement sit there.

     Luke sighed. "Yes. Percy also destroyed Tartarus that way. I probably didn't see it as bad as it was, because of the Mist, which proves how truly horrific it was. Tartarus tortured him for hours, Beth. 

     Luckily, most of the monsters were more interested in watching the fight than attacking me, but I still had to fight enough off that I couldn't help Percy. I just remember hearing his agonized screams and Tartarus' cruel laugh." Luke shivered. "Percy was able to break free for a moment by charmsinging, and then he sort of... glowed."

     Annabeth nodded, remembering the same thing happening with Gaea.

     "He used bloodbending to destroy Tartarus, and even though he was completely drained, he still managed to charmsing a hellhound into holding the button for us." Luke laughed a little. "I had to listen to the 'Baby Shark' song for twelve minutes straight."

     Annabeth smiled. "How are you still sane?" she cracked.

     She rubbed Percy's hand with her fingers, still not understanding something. "But how was he able to destroy them and survive? That much energy should have killed him."

     "Maybe he was able to absorb the energy they used to torture him." Jason ventured.

     Annabeth nodded. "I'm just glad he was able to. I hope he'll be okay."

     Will came back with some nectar. "This should help." He informed.

     Luke held Percy up in a sitting position, and Annabeth gently coaxed the healing liquid down his throat. Percy's color improved, and when Will remove the gauze pad, the wound was clotted and closing.

     Annabeth kissed Percy's forehead, so glad he was still alive. His eyelids fluttered, but he didn't stir any further.

     Jason breathed a sigh of relief.

     "He'll be okay now." Will gave them a reassuring smile. "If he wakes up, get me." He hurried off.

     Annabeth squeezed Percy's hand, enjoying the sound of his even, steady breathing, when loud voices startled her.

     "Ma'am, I don't even know how you got in here, but you can't go in there." That was Chiron, and he sounded harassed.

     Then came the voice of a woman who anyone who met adored. "Move out of my way! My baby is in there!"