Origin ~ Percy Jackson

Prologue

I kept procrastinating on this, sorry.

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Annabeth was paralyzed in fear.

Tartarus had Percy pinned down but she could still see his sea green eyes staring back at her. The same eyes that had the crazed look in them when he almost drowned Akhlys in her own poison. She could never get that image out of her head. Percy was dangerous, maybe... maybe it was best if he stayed here.

The doors were right behind her. Just a few steps and she could go back home...

She was shaken out of her thoughts when Tartarus laughed. A dark humorless laugh that chilled Annabeth to the bone. He grabbed Percy by the hair and forced him on his knees.

Look at your puny demigod friend, the god said to Percy. His voice seemed to come from all around them and echo from nowhere. What do you think she will choose?

Percy's whole body shook. A huge gash spread diagonally across his face. Blood trickled down his face and neck soaking his already bloody shirt. 

"Anna-" He doubled over, blood spilled out of his mouth as he coughed. He was pulled back up harshly. A cry of pain escaping his lips. His eyes locked with hers, he was pleading with her. His eyes conveying the words he didn't dare speak.

'Help me'

Annabeth closed her eyes trying to gather her thoughts. It didn't help. All she could think of was the image of Percy poisoning Akhlys and him bloody and battered in front of her. If she hadn't said anything, if she hadn't been there, Percy would have killed her. 

Times running out demigod, Tartarus called out, annoyance clear in his voice. I am granting you the opportunity to leave, I promised my dear Gaia one of you but I would have a problem killing you. 

The internal battle inside raged louder than ever. However, in the end only one side can win. She had made a promise and she intended to keep it. Even if it meant making a sacrifice for the greater good. She spared one last look at Percy before she backed into the elevator that would take her back home. 

She didn't know what she was expecting him to do. The betrayal was clear in Percy's eyes, but the moment was fleeting. He maintained eye contact with her as the doors closed, his face betraying no emotion. 

Soon, the only thing that she was staring at was the silver panels in front of her. Annabeth suddenly felt weak as she processed what she just did. Her knees buckled and tears welled behind her eyes but they refused to fall. 

"You made the right choice, my child," a voice said from beside her. It was feminine and soft. The kind that seemed to lull you to sleep with just a few words.

Annabeth didn't bother to raise her head from between her legs. She was too tired and it felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. 

"How can you be so sure?" she asked, her voice slightly muffled.

"You have to trust me," the voice replied. "Do you trust me?"

"I do," Annabeth said, finally looking up. The figure beside her had been dressed in a black robe, covered from head to toe, a black veil over their face. "But there is something you're not telling me."

"Soon, child." Amusement clear in their voice, "All in due time."

Right at that moment, the elevator shuddered to a stop and the door slowly opened. There in front of her stood the rest of The Seven. She stood up shakily, her legs felt like jelly beneath her. She took a tentative step forward, her knees gave in immediately. Luckily, Frank caught her before she fell to the floor.