A Reunion Between A Lost Pair

Chapter 1- The Cave

Chapter 1

Michael's POV

I'm not sure how long it's been since Ritchie left. I lost track of time a while ago. Lost track of how many books I've read, how many pages I've stared blankly at and how many times I've absentmindedly wandered the shelves, hoping, praying something new appears. I became fed up of reading a long time ago, something I never thought I'd be able to say. A child of Athena fed up of books. That's a new one.

I don't think I realised beforehand how much I was going to hate this. I think I was silently praying that I wouldn't actually be stuck here for eternity and I'd get teleported or something. Apparently not. Also didn't realise how much I was going to miss everyone. Austin. He's genuinely the most annoying child you'll ever meet, but he's got a good heart. He's a good kid. I would take any of his poor jokes to escape the silence of this room. Bri, I guess I never knew her that well but she was kind and she took care of everyone. I just hope she's still there to look after everyone. God knows they'll need it. And Ritchie... I'm still not used to the fact that when I turn around, he's not there. You'd think that after being stuck with him for years I'd be fed up of him. Nope. I'd take the opportunity to spend more years with him in a heartbeat. Not that I'll ever get that opportunity now. At this point I'd be happy to be stuck with Daveed and that says a lot.

I collapse to the floor next to the nearest bookshelf, resting my back against it. Pulling my legs upward, I rest my arms on them, one arm reaching up to drag my fingers through my hair. Couldn't have even given me a hairbrush, could they? Course they didn't. I sighed as my hand drops and I stare around the room, imagining something, anything, appearing. I'll take anything at this point. I'm so damn bored. I'm tempted to see if my sword can cut through one of the bookcases, you know, as something to actually do, but even that sounds dull.

It was then I heard a mumble. It was quiet, something you wouldn't normally hear, but in the silence of the room and my desperation I heard it clear as day. I recognised it instantly. My head had snapped up on instinct, my head spinning, eyes darting wilding, looking for its source. I would have normally darted upwards but I think I'd subconsciously I assumed it was a fragment of my imagination. But then I heard it again, much clearer this time. It was closer. This time I shot upward, running into the centre of the room. Where was that coming from? If he's come back here, I swear I'll make sure he never sees the light of day again, the idiot. I saw no one though. The entrance remained caved in; the same way it was after Ritchie left. Like how it was those many years ago with... never mind. Not going there.

Suddenly there was a flash of light near the rubble. Gone just as quick as it came. I slowly paced over, drawing my sword. It felt uncomfortably heavy in my hand. Then the light appeared again, bursting through a new found crack in the rock. It grew in size as stared at it, slowly dissolving away the rocks until no rubble remained. I could see the sunlight and the trees outside.

No, I shouldn't be able to. No, I can't do this. I backed away from the door. If I go someone else will get hurt. No, I'm not causing that again. I know I wanted desperately to go but not at that cost. I'll sit in here for an eternity before I make someone else suffer the same.

I'd backed up all the way to the stairs and began climbing them, breathing heavily, panicking that I'd already messed up. Then the light appeared again, this time dimmer. It grew from a ball on the throne I once sat. I stood still, watching, from the stairs where he once stood- before he left that is. I stood frozen on the spot, looking how he once did. The light evolved into a blurry figure of woman, emotionless.

Then she spoke, "they need you". It was said so calm and matter of factly that I believed it for a brief moment.

"no...they don't... I'll make things worse... like I did last time" I got out eventually, watching carefully as she replied.

"except this time there won't be consequences" She said, her tone yet again unwavering.

"how do I know I can trust you?" I raised my sword, pointing in the general direction of the woman. It wasn't threatening considering I was a distance away and over a fence however. Plus, she was literally light so I doubt I could actually do anything.

"I guess you'll have to, if you want to save them at least" she said finally. I stared at her, weighing my options. If she's who I think she is then, at the end of the day, I'll have no choice. I don't want her doing what she did to Percy again. She looked at me once more, "go". Then she was gone.

I'm going.