Percy Jackson: dark waters

Chapter 12

She snapped at me and suddenly, I was back at the shore, with worried Bianca looking at me. Now I am invulnerable. Great...

Percy's POV

I tried standing up, but my legs shook and I fell down again. Painful pulse shook my body. Bianca ran to me and helped me get up. I almost fell again, but she held me up. For someone her build, she has lots of strength. Don't get me wrong. She doesn't look weak, but I would classify her as sleek and fast rather than 'I could bench press you with one hand.' Her whole combat style is based on outmaneuvering opponents. 

"Are you OK?" She asked. I sensed she was worried. Hello! I just dropped into river where most people dissolve into nothingness. Of course she would be worried.

"Yeah. I just had a friendly chat with Styx. Only thing missing was a cup'o'tea and some cookies. Preferably blue." I resorted, trying to smile. I think it worked, because Bianca let out a small laugh. 

I managed to stay standing on my own. The pain was gone and suddenly I did not feel anything at all. I mean I could still get that she was touching me, but suddenly air was no longer tearing my throat and lungs apart. My eyes stopped being so sore. It felt almost not unpleasant. Well, except I was in Tartarus with little to no prospects of getting out. And Ann... She was still gone. No! I had to be strong. I couldn't let it get to me. I had to stay strong.  Time for grief would come later.

We moved a bit from the river before I fell again (face first). Bianca bent on one knee to check if I'm okay. I turned and now I was laying on my back, with her looking over me. Her face was full of worry. 

"I don't think you can walk by yourself" she said with voice radiating anxiety. 

"Don't bother. It's just not every day one takes bath in river Styx and survives. I gave up her blessing once, but guess I can't really help it. Troubles like looking for me. Sometimes I wonder if Fates really hate me or if they are just three old hags that see me as their favorite toy..." Sadly, my speech did not clam Bianca down, but instead she frantically looked around.

"Given our situation, it would be best not to anger the Fates."

"Don't worry. We are already in Tartarus. It can't get much worse." As soon as this words left my mouth, I realized my mistake, but it was too late. Bianca was looking at me with mix of fear, worry and I think a little bit of awe in her eyes. Looks like challenging fates earns you extra respect with huntresses. Or it's just with her.

I quickly stood up, drawing riptide. Just on Que, Beef head charged at us from nowhere. Seriously? Fates could be at least a bit creative. It feels like they just start running out of monsters... They get predictable, which seriously seems wrong.

Elsewhere

Artemis, the goddess of the hunt opened her eyes only to see darkness everywhere near her. She was bound to the stone floor with glowing golden chains, not able to stand up from kneeling position. She also felt really weakened. Her godly strength being sapped by the place itself. A dark, harsh voice spoke "Ah! Good. You are finally awake!"

A/N sorry for disappearing for so long, but my life is flaming hell and my emotions are really down (well, more down than usual), so I couldn't get myself to write this. I really did not want to make this part seem bad just because of my moods and also I don't believe in empty A/Ns. If I want to transmit something to readers, they at least deserve a chapter.