PJO/HoO Chapters in Annabeth's POV

The House of Hades - The Curses of the arai

Scene from: The House of Hades - The cliff tops out of the black forest

[Annabeth's POV]

Annabeth wasn't sure what to feel when the shriveled hag demons drew nearer. A small part of her felt somewhat relaxed, as if she were glad that the monsters were closing in for the kill. Of course she was definitely afraid of them, but at least this gave her mind something to focus on. Traveling through almost pitch blackness in nearly utter silence anticipating an attack around every corner, but not receiving one, had nearly driven her beyond the corners of her mind.

But she shouldn't let her fear get the best of her. At least Bob was with them.

"Back off." Percy stabbed at the nearest arai, but she only snarled.

We are the arai, came the strange voice, wafting all around them not seeming to come from any particular monster. It was as if the entire forest was alive with the voice. You cannot destroy us.

Annabeth drew closer to Percy, and pressed against him protectively. "Don't touch them," she warned. "They're the spirits of curses."

"Bob doesn't like curses," Bob agreed. Small Bob the Kitten that perched on the Titan's shoulder let out a frightened squeak and ducked inside the shadows of the Titan's coveralls.

The demons took another step forward, and Bob swept his broom outward in a massive sideways arc, forcing the monsters back, but almost immediately they drew forward again like a black wave.

We serve the bitter and the defeated, said the arai. We serve the slain who prayed for vengeance with their final breath. We have many curses to share with you.

Percy seemed to be contorting his thoughts together. He almost looked like he was going to be sick. But he calmly looked back at the arai. "I appreciate the offer," he said. "But my mom told me not to accept curses from strangers."

The arai closest to him surged forward, her talons leveling out to their full extent, gleaming in the light of Percy's sword. Percy sliced through the air, and she broke into dust, but right when she dissolved into the shadows, Percy stumbled back as if socked by an invisible force.

Annabeth didn't know what had happened, and was about to call to him what was wrong, when Percy suddenly clapped his hand to his sides, where his fingers came away glistening red.

Annabeth saw to her horror, blood seeping out from the left and right sides of Percy's chest, as if an unseen sword or javelin had run him through from the side.

"Percy, you're bleeding!" Annabeth cried, only to realize that statement wasn't entirely helping. "Oh, gods, on both sides."

Percy breathed heavily, staring down at his wounds as if trying to recall. "Geryon," he murmured. "This is how I killed him."

Annabeth remembered their time at the ranch during their journey through Daedalus's Labyrinth. She and her friends were held captive by the infamous, triple-chested, Texas cow-herder, Geryon, while Percy cleaned out the cattle-rancher's fire-breathing horse stables. When Percy returned, he and Geryon battled inside the monster's cabin, but Annabeth hadn't seen the battle due to being tied and gagged outside. She only heard the scuffles and screams inside as the two of them fought; and a few minutes later, Percy walked out with the rancher's cowboy boots. He later explained that he miraculously was able to kill Geryon, by grabbing a bow and arrow set off the wall, and shooting Geryon from the side, the arrow slicing through all three of his chests at once.

The spirits hissed and snarled. More of them leaped from the black trees, their eyes darting between them maliciously.

Yes, they agreed. Feel the pain you inflicted upon Geryon. So many curses have been leveled at you, Percy Jackson. Which will you die from? Choose, or we will rip you apart!