Life and Death Don't Mix

Chapter 13

        The sun was beginning to rise, causing most campers to still be sleeping, or just waking up. I walked through the middle of the camp, looking at all the destruction that had befallen the camp. Trees had been burned down, building destroyed and ruble in piles as they started to fix the camp back up.

I looked in front of me, seeing the big house coming into view. I quickened my pace, hoping not too many campers had seen me. When I got inside, I was greeted by the worried voices of Annabeth and Percy.

"There had to be something we can do. No one has heard anything from her. I cannot contact her through Drachmas, either." Percy told Chiron.

"Please, Chiron, we have to do something. She stayed behind to help, now we have to help her before its too late." Annabeth said, her voice sounding hoarse and like she would start crying any second.

"That is exactly why I can't allow you to go. I cannot send more people into Tartarus. We will only have to wait." Chiron told them.

I knew he was right. If I had not made it, there would be no reason to come in and find me even if they wanted to know for sure. They could not risk their or others' lives so that they could find me. I was happy that they had not forgotten about me and that they were still working on trying to find me after all this time.

"But Chiron-" Percy began

"You know he is right, Percy," I said, walking into the room. "There is nothing you can do."

"Shut up, you are not helping."

I let out a giggle as Annabeth had tears falling from her eyes, and Chiron just stared at me in pure amazement. I could see Chiron glancing at my crown. I looked back at Percy, who still had his back to me. I could see his slowly tense up as if he realized what was happening.

"Angle?" He spoke slowly, turning to face me, "Is that really you?"

I smiled at him, "Yes."

Percy and Annabeth both ran over and hugged me. Annabeth cried into my shoulder while Percy looked me up and down for injuries. Annabeth stepped back and began lecturing me about how I was reckless and that I need to be more careful.

Percy stopped Annabeth by asking me what happened. When I did not answer, they both glanced at each other before looking at me again.

"Angel, what happened to you?" Annabeth asked.

"Why don't you gather everyone for breakfast, and I will tell you all there." I said, "It is a long story, and I need to talk to Chiron about something first."

They both left after some hesitation, leaving Chiron and me alone. I explained what I learned in Tartarus and how Zeus told me I was his daughter before declining me a goddess. Chiron did not talk as I explained, but his mouth hung open as he could not believe what I was telling him. Once I was done, he asked me some questions before heading to the dining hall so that I could explain to the campers and my friends.

Chiron walked to the front, waiting for all the campers to be quite so that he could begin.

"As many of you know today, we welcome back Angelica Ray. She was a part of the quest to defeat Gaea but stayed behind in Tartarus to release the doors of death."

The campers began to clap for me as I walked out beside Chiron. Some of the campers quite down, seeing the dress and the thin crown on my head. Chiron clapped his hoves on the ground silencing the rest before looking to me.

"She went through a lot and would like to share what happened." 

"Thank you," I told Chiron.

He nodded before backing up to his seat. I began to tell the campers about what happened in Tartarus and who I escaped. I could see the shock on everyone's face, especially Percy and Annabeth's. I explained how Zeus questioned be when I was on Olympus and how I had told him everything.