Third Person

The entire Athena Cabin, as well as all of the counselors and mortals, were all gathered in the War Room. Plans were being tossed around, and when one flaw was seen they were tossed to the side. It was so busy people almost didn't notice the small group of people huddled in a corner with tears in their eyes. Almost. 

Oliver Queen noticed the small group. He noticed the unusually quiet Son of Poseidon. He noticed the Huntress standing guard with a hard look on her face, daring anyone to question it. He saw the tears in her electric blue eyes, threatening to spill. He noticed the shaking body of the scary genius. Her curly hair tangled in her hands. Her head buried in her boyfriend's chest.

The three strongest people in this camp were breaking down in front of his eyes and he had no idea what to do. He knew he couldn't ask if they were okay because he always hated when people asked him that. He couldn't say he was sorry because he had no idea what he was sorry for. And he knew that saying absolutely anything would cause an outrage, he didn't know this person. How could he comfort them if he didn't understand them?

Eventually, everyone in the War Room got in an argument. They were taking sides and screaming at each other. No one could get a real word in. It looked like it would end in one side attacking the other with no mercy. The chaos was so intense they barely felt the waves of anger coming from the corner of the room. 

But one by one they felt the tremors underneath their feet, heard the cracks of thunder over their heads, saw the wind whipping around the Big House. And one by one they were silenced in awe by the sheer power that began to envelop them. 

"ENOUGH!"

Annabeth Chase's scream made the bravest of them all cower in fear, the daughter of Athena held everyone's attention.

"All you're arguing about is the best way to be killed. None of you are even considering using our biggest asset. And this isn't like last time! This isn't just a war against Kronos, this is a rescue mission. He's had one of our own in his clutches for years. He's had a hero trapped with him and we're not even thinking of how we can help him. But you wouldn't understand. NONE OF YOU EVEN KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE BESTED BY HIM!!!! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW WE FEEL!"

The tears poured down her cheeks, the emotionless Thalia Grace released a heartbreaking sob,  they held each other in a heap on the floor. Mourning one of the oldest members of their family.

"You mortals will follow everything that we say, you follow OUR plans. Don't make your own, you have no idea what we're dealing with. Romans, you fought in a small battle against the Titans. We respect you, but once again this is something bigger than any of you have ever been through. This war is going to be won through the plans of the veterans of the Titan War, the friends, and family of Luke Castallen. Because whatever happens he will be found, and he will be saved. Understood?"

"Yes, Percy."

"Just..just go to bed I guess."

The group of people streamed out of the Big House until only a few remained. 

Percy's POV

Usually, in times like this, I would crack a joke or hand out a sarcastic comment but I couldn't even offer a reassuring smile. The walls I held up began to crumble as the reality dawned on me. My worst nightmares were returning, Kronos, Luke dying in front of me, Annabeth in danger, the world coming to an end. All of it being my fault.

Maybe I really am the monster in this story. When the last of the campers left the room I finally released a ragged breath and watched Annabeth sobbing at my feet. How could I be so naive to believe that we were finally safe? Finally free?

"Percy?"

The whisper tore me from my thoughts.

"I, uh, just wanted to, um-"

"Oliver don't. Don't say you're sorry. Don't say you understand. Because you don't. No one understands a fucking thing!"

"I know. That's not what I was going to say. I was gonna say that, um, I'm here for you. For all of you."

With that my uncle left the room. Leaving behind a silence so large it could swallow the three of us whole. And I broke.

I fell on the floor in a heap with Annabeth and Thalia and cried with them. We finally allowed our barricades to fall in the comforts of each other. We cried for what felt like forever until one by one we fell asleep on the ground.

My eyes snapped open to a blinding darkness. Malicious laughter seemed to encompass me.

"Hello?"

More laughter.

"Who's there?"

"Don't you remember me?"

"Show yourself!"

An even darker figure stepped from the shadows. I squinted and saw her silhouette against the dark.

"Oh, come on Perseus. You know who I am."

"Nyx."

"Ooh! I knew you'd recognize me."

"What do you want from me? Do you want me to beat you again?"

The darkness growled at my remark, "Oh, please. I let you go. Otherwise, you wouldn't stand a chance against me."

Is that true? No, it can't be. Why would the primordial of darkness and night and evil let me off the hook? Why would she release me from the pits of Hell?

"I think we both know the answer to that question darling. It's quite obvious, really."

I shook my head, she's crazy. She has to be. 

"Keep denying it all you want. But, if you don't say it I will."

I kept my mouth shut, she's crazy.

"Fine. It's because we're the same you and I. We destroy things, you and I Perseus Jackson, are darkness. We grab the light in our hands and we crush it like glass. You just have to stop fighting it and we could rule the world. You could have everything you've ever wanted! Freedom would finally be yours. Isn't that what you really want? To be free from the god's control. I can give that to you! I can give it all to you!"

"No, no, NO! We're nothing alike!"

She chuckled, "Say that all you like, darling, I'll see you in a bit!"

I woke up gasping for breath, my nails had dug into my skin and blood slowly dribbled down my hand. Nothing Nyx could have said could be true. I can't be like her. When I looked down again I finally realized that Annabeth was no longer on the ground. The spot she had been had gone cold.

"Annabeth?" I whispered, careful not to wake Thalia.

I crept out of the Big House, "Annabeth?" 

I walked all over the camp and couldn't find her anywhere. My mind began going to the darkest places. I began to hyperventilate when I saw the outline of a person sitting at the end of the dock.

I sprinted down the hill and onto the dock until I saw the moonlight bouncing off of her golden curls.

"Annabeth?"

She whipped her head around and quickly had her knife at my throat. Her calculating grey eyes gave off a glare so harsh I began to shiver. When she finally noticed who I was her eyes quickly softened and instead she gave me a bone-crushing hug.

"Hey, Wise Girl."

"Hi, Seaweed Brain."

"We're gonna get him out of this you know that right?"

"I-I do. But, please promise me something."

"Anything for you."

"Don't kill yourself trying to do it, okay? It's not going to be worth it if I lose you."

"I promise, Annie. As long as you make me the same promise."

"I promise. And don't call me Annie."

I chuckled.

"Can we change the topic, please? Perce' I can't remember the last time it was just you and I, talking. When the world wasn't ending, when the only thing we had to worry about was you managing to pass senior year of High School."

I smiled at my Wise Girl, her hair was a mess after sleeping on the ground, her eyes bloodshot from the tears, her shoulders sagging, and her body cut up and bruised from the previous fight. She couldn't look more perfect in my eyes then she does now.

"You're beautiful."

Her cheeks flushed up and she looked down at her hands. I took them in my own and guided her to the edge of the dock.

"You're amazing and beautiful and strong and I couldn't live without you. You, Annabeth Chase, are my entire world and I love you. I have no idea how I even gained your attention, what I did to deserve you. Thank the gods for you Wise Girl."

I lifted her chin until her eyes met mine, as I gazed into those gorgeous grey eyes the world seemed to light up again. That's when I kissed her, I felt everything make sense again. The fireworks that exploded in our kisses made everything perfect again.

She gently pushed against my chest until we stood inches apart, breathing apart.

"You didn't give me a chance to respond, Kelp Head."

Her laugh sent my heart beating faster.

"I love you so much Percy Jackson. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and I am so glad that I found you. I will love you for eternity."

We kissed again, and the world disappeared.