May Angels Lead You In

Part II

Dying

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS OR THE SONG "DYING" BY FIVE FOR FIGHTING.

Annabeth Chase sat alone on the beach at Camp Half-Blood. The sound of the ocean's melody cooed in her ears as her eyes wandered in the vast night sky.

She recently turned 19 and she had just finished her Freshmen year of college at NYU. It was evident that she had attempted to enjoy herself, and in the long run she did not regret the experience. She was also finished (finally) with rebuilding Olympus, and she had received no complaints from any of the gods. On top of all that, she was home. At Camp Half-Blood.

She should have been happy. She had every reason to be happy. So why wasn't she?

Maybe it was because she hadn't seen her father since spring break and she missed her family. Or maybe because now that she was done with the rebuilding efforts on Olympus, she would go back to spending no time at all with her mother. Or maybe it was because home didn't feel safe anymore when the broken remains of a certain hero's past seemed to haunt her more than ever.

Sometimes she thought that when Percy left, he ripped something out of her at took it with him, but perhaps her missing piece was simply Percy himself.

She hid emotions. She didn't open up to anyone anymore. She was a child of Athena, for gods' sake! Her heart could not break because her mind did not allow it to.

She lived a lie.

She tucked a loose strand of her golden, unruly hair behind her ear and stretched her legs out just enough to feel the cool waves at her feet. Then she leaned back and rested on her elbows.

To the rest of the world, this was Annabeth at peace. This was a hard-working girl cramming a little relaxation into her over-crowded schedule.

But those who truly knew her were not misled, and as Percy Jackson's faded, emerald eyes followed her every move, he was not fooled either.

This was not Annabeth at peace, this was Annabeth in thought. Her foggy expression was far too contrasting from the radiating aura he once knew, and when he squinted he could almost see the gears in her mind churning her thoughts.

He wanted to know exactly what that brain of her's was thinking about, but the sick feeling in his stomach told him that he already knew.

Annabeth's fingers laced around one of her leather, beaded necklaces. It had only three beads on it, but she treasured it as if it were worth all the drachmas in the world.

This only reassured Percy that she was thinking of him, and it made him feel guilty. Annabeth needed to forget all about him. He was stupid to give her his beads. It was in her best interest to move on... right?

"It's getting late," Chiron's steady voice shattered the silence and both the girl and the ghost turned to face the centaur behind them. "Shouldn't you be in your cabin, Annabeth?"

Annabeth glanced at Chiron before facing the ocean again.

Percy watched them, intrigued by the people who continued to live in the world that he had left.

He noticed that Chiron still had the same mighty stance and friendly features, but the his eyes seemed to tell even more stories than before.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Annabeth said, her voice soft and unfamiliar.

"August 18, I believe," Chiron replied.

Annabeth nodded and shut her eyes for only a moment, as if she were making a wish.

"August 18," She repeated, her expression still. "Sometimes, I just want to forget about everything."

Chiron starred at her. "You mustn't fret about this, Annabeth."

"I can't help it," She muttered, taking a hand-full of sand and throwing it at the ocean. "Will I be like this every year on August 18, Chiron? Will I always feel this unlike myself? Gods, I've tried to move on, but how can I forget him when everywhere I look, its like... its almost like he's there or something."

That's because he was there. Everywhere. Isn't that what she wanted?

"You have showed no signs of being unstable before, Annabeth," Chiron said.

Percy wondered if the centaur was just testing her. Annabeth was always put together, Annabeth was never unstable, and Annabeth was always right.

"I am by no means unstable," Annabeth defended. "I just... I just have a lot to think about. It's nothing new."

Chiron grinned, then he switched his gaze to the sea.

"Percy only wanted what is best for you," he urged. "If anything, he does not want you to forget about him completely."

Percy wasn't sure he knew what was best for her in this situation. Annabeth was better at making decisions. The only thing he was certain of was that she needed to be happy, and she needed to move on as far as she could go in order to do that.

Maybe she did need to forget everything about him.

"I miss him," she admitted.

He missed her more. He missed the way life was with her around, the way her smile could light up a dark situation. It sounded cheesy, but it was true.

Chiron's eyes drifted toward the ocean."Love is a tough bond to break. It can survive wars, heartache and death, I assure you," He paused as if he felt a strange presence, but he shrugged it off. "And though Love's broken bonds may bring on insufferable pain, the greatest wounds will come from what is not yet broken."

This must be why Percy couldn't go an hour without checking up on her, why thinking of the fact that he had to leave her hurt worse than dying itself, and why no matter how much he thought he shouldn't, he still loved her. At least, he thought it was love.

Annabeth fell silent and switched her gaze to her worn-out blue jeans. Since when had Chiron become such a love expert?

"There may come a time when everything is as it was, but for now you need rest." Chiron offered his hand for assistance.

"I can't sleep," Annabeth muttered. "Nightmares."

"You still need sleep, Annabeth," Chiron assured, emphasizing his helping hand.

Annabeth sighed and allowed the centaur to haul her off the sandy ground.

"Thanks Chiron," she said, yawning. She began to walk to her cabin, but she stopped to peer at the beach one last time.

"Annabeth," Chiron called, jarring her out of her thoughts.

She turned to her mentor.

"Percy didn't want you to go on the rest of your life thinking of only him." Chiron said, his tone gentle. "You promised him you wouldn't."

"I know, and I've tried to let go like he wanted me to. It's just..." she sighed. "I can't just forget about him, Chiron."

Chiron nodded. "Get some rest. You desperately need it."

Percy watched as Annabeth trudged to her cabin, and Chiron trotted to his room in the Big House.

He kicked the ground with frustration, but his holographic form went right through it. It had been three years, and he still couldn't get used to the fact that his form faded as time passed when he was in the mortal world.

He sat on the sand and clutched his legs in his arms. He was shaking, shivering with an exhaustion he hadn't experienced until after death.

He settled his sight on his father's turf and attempted to keep himself still.

"You're not without me," he said, his words magnetic. He starred at his pixelated body. "But I can't be what's best for you."

With a mournful sigh, the ghost of Percy Jackson vanished into mid-air, and the beach was left empty and dark, much like everything else he had left behind with it.

Annabeth barely slept that night. She couldn't. Every time she closed her eyes, images of her past raced into her mind as if running into battle.

She buried herself under her covers. She thought about putting on her magic Yankees cap. Perhaps if she were invisible, her nightmares wouldn't be able to find her.

I wish I could forget about him, She thought. I wish I had never met him.

But she knew she was lying to herself.

She glanced at the clock on her night stand and watched it change from 11:59 p.m. to midnight.

"Happy Birthday, Percy," she whispered.

Reluctantly, she let her eyelids shut and drifted to sleep.

I'm dying

Dying to wake up without you

Without you in my head again

Percy skidded to a stop on the pavement of a perfect neighborhood.

"Ow," He muttered, rubbing the new-found bruise on his forearm. He rolled over so that he laid on his back and groaned.

He had escaped from the underworld as a ghost countless times before, but it seemed as though each time was more painful; physically and emotionally.

Every time he returned to Elysium, he'd tell himself that he had to stop venturing to his old world. He needed to forget about his past life in order to enjoy his new one; one that was supposed to be painless, but for one reason or another, he couldn't move on by himself, and he had never felt more alone.

"Hey neighbor!" A young girl outside a nearby house greeted, jousting him out of his thoughts. "Where have you been?"

Percy stumbled to his feet and wiped the dirt off his battle scared jeans and T-shirt: the same ones that he had worn the day of his sixteenth birthday.

"I was summoned," he lied.

"Mortals," the girl shook her head. "Some people just can't let go."

Percy gave her a blank stare. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Well anyway," his neighbor continued. "There's someone outside waiting to see you."

Percy hesitated. "Me? Why?"

She shrugged. "Who knows, but if I were you I'd get going."

"Right," Percy agreed. "See you around, Bianca."

The daughter of Hades grinned. "Good luck, Percy. You may need it."

With that Percy sprinted to the pearly gates of Elysium, wondering just who had found their way to the afterlife.

He unlatched the gate between Elysium and the rest of the Underworld and stepped out of his home turf. He halted when he spotted a very much alive, tall, skinny kid waiting for him.

"Nico?" Percy said.

The boy turned. His skin was paler than Percy had recalled and his almond-colored eyes seemed darker. His dark brown hair sagged over his face. He was about 5'9'' and he wore black baggy jeans and an aviators jacket over his plain black T-shirt.

Percy grinned. "My, you've grown up."

Nico didn't say a word.

"It's been awhile," Percy continued. "Why exactly are you here?"

"I need to talk to you," Nico said.

Percy shrugged, "I'm all ears."

Nico's eyes met Percy's. "I came to tell you that there was a mistake."

"What do you mean?" Percy asked, not yet absorbed in the conversation.

"You weren't... supposed to die," Nico managed.

Percy laughed. "If only I had a drachma for every time I've heard that."

"I get it," Nico sighed. "What I'm saying is, you really weren't supposed to die."

Percy shook his head. "Nico, you of all people should kn-"

"Percy, just listen to me," Nico blurted, his tone harsher than before. He sounded like he was out of breath. "The Fates made a mistake. There was a hidden message in the prophecy. Everyone was so sure that you would be the hero that even the Fates missed a key point."

Percy starred at his cousin with a blank expression. "That's impossible."

"Maybe it would be easier if I showed you," Nico said.

"How are you going to do th-" Percy was interrupted by a sudden spark explosion. He collapsed to his knees as images of his life invaded his mind.

I'm dying

Dying to forget about you

That you ever lived

"Don't let your guard down!" Annabeth ordered. "In the real world, there are no breaks in mortal combat."

Annabeth had been appointed by Chiron as the new swordsmanship teacher, and she was pretty impressed with the potential she saw in the younger demigods.

"Annabeth?" She turned to group of young, battle-thirsty Ares campers. "Who do you think is the greatest modern day swordsman?"

"It's Nico, right?" A daughter of Aphrodite swooned.

"No way, it's totally Annabeth!" Her youngest half-brother said.

Annabeth chuckled.

A Poseidon camper looked confused. "But I thought Percy Jackson was the greatest sword fighter of all time."

"No, it was Luke Castellan," a son of Apollo corrected, rolling his eyes.

Annabeth smirked. "What do you guys know about Percy Jackson and Luke Castellan?"

"They were, like, the greatest heroes ever!" A Hermes camper mused.

Annabeth's hand subconsciously reached for one of the beaded strings around her neck. Her mind was somewhere far away.

"The exits are closed," she said.

"Duh!" Janus' left face said.

"Where do they lead?" she asked.

"One probably leads the way you wish to go," the right face said encouragingly. "The other leads to a certain death."

"I-I know who you are," she said.

"Oh, you're a smart one!" The left face sneered. "But do you know which way to choose? I don't have all day."

"Why are you trying to confuse me?" she asked.

The right face smiled. "You're in charge now, my dear. All the decisions are on your shoulders. That's what you wanted, isn't it?"

She thought of the prophecy. "And lose a love to worse than death." Surely that didn't mean she had to choose. Not now.

"I-"

"We know you, Annabeth," the left face said. "We know what you wrestle with every day. We know your indecision. You will have to make your choice sooner or later. And the choice may kill you."

"Annabeth," the campers called, juddering her out of her memory. "Who is the greatest swordsman!"

She was nostalgic a lot lately, recalling random incidents from her past. Sometimes she wished she would stop remembering, other times she wished she could relive each memory over and over again, and pretend that Percy and Luke had never left.

"If you all don't get back to work," a gruff voice intervened. "None of you can expect to amount to any sort of swordsman."

Clarisse La Rue stood to the side of the arena, electric spear in hand.

The campers immediately resumed training.

Annabeth nodded her thanks, and Clarisse went back to tormenting the rest of the camp.

It was funny. Annabeth didn't recall ever having to choose between Luke or Percy, when she had been warned plenty of times that she would have to.

Funny how things don't work out.

There's a shade come over this

Heart that's coping with

Laying down to rest

I'm dying to live without you again

Percy could see his mother, baking blue cake and an assortment of foods to match. He saw Grover playing Hilary Duff on his reed pipes and getting excited when it sounded relatively like the actual song. He saw Chiron and Mr. D playing pinocle and arguing over the current state of society. Then he saw Annabeth, rolling her eyes and muttering the words "seaweed brain" under her breath.

He was traveling in the memories of his life, witnessing everything on fast-forward.

His movie came to a stop and an unknown scene began to play out before him. The image appeared unstable. It was in black and white and time seemed to move like it was underwater.

...

Percy was in the throne room of Olympus. He saw a collapsed Luke with golden eyes and a glowing body. Annabeth laid on the ground near him, blood trickling from her lip. Grover appeared to be doing anything he could to keep her alive.

Percy had Annabeth's bronze dagger in his hand. From the ground, Luke's skin started to smoke.

"You can't… can't do it yourself," Luke croaked. "He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can… can keep him controlled."

Percy gave the knife to Luke and closed his eyes. When he opened them, Luke was bloody and sprawled at the hearth with a circle of ash around him.

The image started to morph into something else.

Percy heard Chiron's voice say, "A hero of the eldest gods."

Percy was in the woods at Camp Half-Blood.

"You're wounded," Annabeth told him. "Quick, Percy, get in the water."

"I'm okay."

"No, you're not," she said. "Chiron, watch this."

Percy stepped into the creek, the whole camp gathered around him. When the cuts on his chest began to close up, some of the campers gasped.

"Look, I-I don't know why," Percy said. "I'm sorry..."

The campers were staring at something above his head.

By the time he looked up, the sign was already fading, but he could still make out the hologram of green light, spinning and gleaming. A three-tipped spear: a trident.

"Your father," Annabeth murmured. "This is really not good."

"It is determined," Chiron announced.

Campers started kneeling to Percy.

"Poseidon," said Chiron. "Earthshaker, Stormbringer, Father of Horses. Hail, Perseus Jackson, Son of the sea god."

Then he heard Thalia's voice, "Shall reach sixteen against all odds."

Percy was sitting at a table in the pavilion.

"Hey." Annabeth slid next to him on the bench. She was holding a huge misshapen cupcake with blue icing. "Happy birthday."

Percy stared at her. "What?

"It's August 18th," she said. "Your sixteenth birthday, right?"

Then Grover's voice, "And see the world in endless sleep."

Percy was with all of the other campers at a small park on the edge of Mt. Olympus.

He could see New York City below. In the streets, traffic had stopped. Pedestrians were lying on the sidewalks, or curled up in doorways. There was no sign of violence, no wrecks, nothing like that. It was as if all people in New York had simply decided to stop whatever they were doing and pass out.

"Are they dead?" Silena asked in astonishment.

"Not dead," Percy said. "Morpheus has put the entire island of Manhattan to sleep. The invasion has started."

"The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap," it was Annabeth's voice.

Percy was in a dark ally, watching as a 7 year old Annabeth stared at teenage Thalia and Luke in adoration.

"How'd you like a real monster-slaying weapon?" Luke said. "This is Celestial bronze. It takes a clever warrior to use a knife. I have a feeling you're pretty clever."

"I am!" Annabeth said, then she gazed at them. "You're... you're not going to take me back to my family? Promise?"

Luke put his hand on her shoulder. "You're part of our family now. And I promise I won't let anything hurt you. I'm not going to fail you like our families did us. Deal?"

"Deal!" Annabeth said happily.

Then, just like that, Percy was in the throne room of Olympus.

"I will crush you, child!" Kronos bellowed.

Annabeth was a teenager now and fighting the titan lord. "You won't," she said. "You promised. You're holding Kronos back even now."

"LIES!" Kronos pushed, and Annabeth lost her balance. With his free hand, Kronos struck her face, and she slid backward.

Kronos loomed over her, his sword raised.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. She croaked. "Family, Luke. You promised."

Luke voices said, "A single choice shall end his days"

Percy was in the throne room of Olympus still, and it was in being destroyed.

He raised Annabeth's knife to strike. Then he looked at Annabeth, at Grover cradling her in his arms, trying to shield her. And he finally understood what she'd been trying to tell him.

"You are not the hero," Rachel had said. "It will affect what you do."

"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."

Percy's whole world tipped upside down and he gave the knife to Luke, just like he had seen before.

Then he heard Poseidon say, "Olympus to preserve or raze."

Percy was standing before the gods, still in the throne room of Olympus, but Luke was no where in sight.

He turned, but before he could leave, Poseidon called, "Honor guard!"

Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door-an isle for him to walk through. They came to attention.

"All hail, Perseus Jackson," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus... and my big brother!"

...

With a jerk, the images vanished from Percy's mind. He didn't think much about the fact that he was panting on the ground with Nico standing above him looking worried.

Percy's eyes met Nico's. "The prophecy…" he said in between breaths. "Luke was the hero."

Nico nodded. "Do you see now that this whole thing is just a big mess? The prophecy never exactly matched what happened."

"I get it," Percy said as he stumbled to his feet.

Nico hesitated. "Listen Percy, I'm sorry. You're the victim in all this. I'm just here because I want to help."

"Help me?" Percy challenged, still slightly out of breath. "Luke's the one who really gave his life for Olympus! Where is he now? Dwelling in the darkest part of Tartarus with Kronos?" He kicked the marble ground in frustration and turned away from Nico.

"He's currently in his second life," Nico said, remaining calm. "They believed he was brainwashed even before they realized what was supposed to happen. Luke's going for the Isles of the Bleast."

Percy cursed under his breath. "Di immortales, how could I not have known?"

Nico shrugged. "You've been kind of in-and-out of Elysium for the past few years."

Percy shook his head, dismissing Nico's words. "How can you help me now? I've been dead for three years."

"The Fates have offered you a second chance at life; your life," Nico explained. "You'd return to Camp Half-Blood for summer and decide for yourself what you want to do during the school year. You'll be nineteen, so you could go to college or do something else."

I'm dying

Dying to find a distraction

Get you away from me

"You're cute when you're worried," Annabeth muttered. "Your eyebrows get all scrunched together."

"You are not going to die while I owe you a favor," Percy said. "Why did you take that knife?"

"You would've done the same for me."

"Annabeth?" Grover awoke her from her daydream.

Hastily, she met his eyes. He was seated across from her at a picnic table in the pavilion. A young Thalia sat next to him.

The two had taken a month off from their duties and had been enjoying time at camp for over a week now.

"Hmm?" Annabeth answered.

Thalia raised an eyebrow. "You alright?"

"Of course I'm alright," Annabeth assured, forcing a smile. It was easy for her to fake her appearance when vulnerability was on the line. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well with today being the anniversary of-" Grover was interrupted by Thalia kicking his goat shins under the table.

"Ow!" He bleated.

Annabeth grinned. She remembered Grover's instability after Percy's death. He could barely finish his sentences without tearing up. Not long after Percy's service, Grover somehow found a way to come to terms with his loss. He refused to remember Percy as anything other than positive, he didn't want to tarnish the memory of his best friend.

"Guys, I'm fine, really," Annabeth lied.

Thalia stared at her for a moment. "Annabeth, Percy wasn't the only one who could see past the show you put on."

"Thalia, that's ridiculous," Annabeth said. "For one, Percy is the most clueless person I have ever met."

Grover and Thalia both chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Two, I'm not one to mope around and dwell about the past. It's over. It happened. I can't do anything about it, and I accept that. There's no show here."

"Annabeth," Grover said, his voice softer than before. "It's okay to be sad."

"I'm not sad, Grover. I'm fine," she said, coming across a harsher than she had meant.

"Annabeth mopping isn't like you, but you haven't really seemed like yourself lately. It's like... it's like your somewhere else." Thalia said.

Annabeth's gaze shifted to her hands on the table.

"I know you," Thalia continued. "And I know that you have too much pride to show yourself weak to the public eye. But we're your friends, Annabeth. You don't need to lie to us."

Annabeth wiped her eyes before any tears could escape. "Fine," she said. "I miss Percy. In fact, I can't stop thinking about him. There, I said it. Are you satisfied? Because I still feel as empty as ever."

She stood up from her seat and stormed off.

"Annabeth!" Grover called as he rose from his chair.

Thalia put her hand on his shoulder. "Let her go, goat boy," she said. "I think she needs to be alone."

"No," Grover said, sitting back down regardless. "That's the very last thing she needs."

I'm dying

Dying to reach a conclusion

So that the world can see

"You're kidding," Percy sighed, his breathing finally steady.

Nico was motionless.

"I can't just stroll back into the mortal world and act like I belong there," Percy said. "They can't erase the past."

"They could," Nico said. "But they're waiting to know if you accept the offer and to see what they think is best."

Percy ran his hands through his hair and thought for a moment.

"Percy, you have three days to decide," Nico said. "Do you understand what this could mean for you?"

"I just don't know about this," Percy said, shaking his head. "Why now?"

"I'm not completely sure, but maybe because three is the sacred number," Nico suggested. "The Big Three, the three Fates, you've been dead fore three years."

"They should have fixed this the second they knew this was wrong!" Percy shouted. "The gods are playing me, just like always!"

"Percy, regardless, the Fates have promised a long and happy life for you."

Percy was silent, considering his options and attempting remember what it was like to be alive.

For some reason, Percy began to recall the time when he bathed in the River Styx. He thought that he would burn right then and there into the waters of the Styx, but a single person kept him holding on.

"The cord," A familiar voice said. "Remember your lifeline, dummy!"

There was a tug in his lower back. The current pulled at him, but it wasn't carrying him away anymore. He imagined the string in his back keeping him tied to the shore.

"Hold on, Seaweed Brain." It was Annabeth's voice, much clearer now. "You're not getting away from me that easily."

The cord strengthened and he could almost see her face.

"So what do you say, Percy?" Nico said, jarring him out of his memories. "To live or not to live?"

Percy thought of another time, a memory he wasn't exactly there to witness.

"Percy," Annabeth said.

No response.

"Percy?" she said again.

No reply.

She moved her fingers to his wrist and searched for a pulse. There wasn't one.

"No," She whimpered, starting to sob. "No, no, no!"

She cursed the stormy sky as raindrops began to fall. "You can't take him! Not him, not Percy!"

Percy looked at Nico.

"No," he said. "I'm not taking the offer."

"Are you insane?" Nico questioned, his eyes wide in disbelief. "The Percy I used to know would take this offer in a heart beat."

"Yeah? Well, this Percy doesn't have a heart to beat anymore," Percy turned and began to unlatch the gate to Elysium.

"Percy, wait!" Nico yelled, rushing to his cousin's side. "You should reconsider this!"

Percy shook his head and opened the gate. "It isn't worth it."

Nico's starred at him. "Really Percy? Am I worth it? Is Grover worth it? For gods' sake is Annabeth even worth it to you!"

Annabeth. What would happen if Nico told her that Percy had a chance to return? What would she do when she found out he said no?

Percy grabbed Nico's shirt collar and rammed him against the gate.

"Do me a favor," He said. "Don't tell Annabeth about the offer. Don't say a word about you coming here. Got it?"

Nico glared at him. "Anything for you, Mr. Hero-of-Olympus."

Percy released Nico and turned his back on him.

"Have fun wishing you were alive!" Nico retorted.

Percy rolled his eyes and closed the gate on Nico, blocking out all of his problems and possible solutions.

It's the same old story

Of love and glory

That broke before it bent

I'm dying to live without you again

"Athena, fall in!" Annabeth ordered. She watched as her siblings lined up before dinner.

"Annabeth," Her half-brother and second-in-command Malcolm hurried toward her. "Have you seen Nico di Angelo?"

She shook her head. "Is he missing again?"

Malcolm nodded. "A couple of the younger Hades campers were looking for him. I figured you'd be the best person to go to, and we should probably find him before Chiron notices."

Annabeth sighed. "Gods, he can't just keep popping in and out of camp. Take the cabin to the pavilion, I'll deal with the ghost king."

Malcolm smirked before addressing the long line of his siblings. "Athena campers, let's move!"

Annabeth began her search for Nico in the woods; the kid was infamous for starting trouble in the forest. It didn't take her long to find Nico on his knees, ranting Greek prayers to his father.

"Nico?" she said.

"Di immortales!" Nico cursed before seeing Annabeth behind him. "Oh, it's just you."

She raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

Nico scowled. "I've been worse."

"You want to tell me why you've been missing all day?" she asked.

Nico clinched his fists. He was still sitting on the ground. "I can't."

"Says who?" she questioned, putting her hands on her hips.

Nico's face went bright red. "Look, I'm sorry, but I just can't talk to you about it."

Annabeth starred at him, attempting to figure him out. He was fingering the skull ring on his index finger.

"You visited the Underworld," she guessed. "Why?"

"Gods, Annabeth, just stop!" Nico raged. He knew he was a bad liar, and he couldn't stand how smart Annabeth was sometimes. And nosey. "I told you I couldn't tell you! I promised him I wouldn't tell you! So just leave me alone for gods' sake!"

"Who are you talking about?" Annabeth persisted. She blatantly had no intention of leaving.

Nico starred at the ground. "Percy, okay?" he finally said, his tone softened. "I promised him I wouldn't say anything to you."

Just then Nico was pushed by what seemed like the wind. His back hit a pine tree with such force that he left a marking on its trunk.

Annabeth drew her dagger, rushed to Nico's side and hauled him off the ground.

"Di immortales! Nico?" her tone was stern. "What the Hades is going on?"

Nico rubbed his newly-wounded shoulder. His eyes darted like a mad man.

"I can't say anything," he said. "H-He's here."

Annabeth looked around. "Who's here?"

Nico hesitated. "I can't say."

Annabeth thought for a moment before she began to understand.

"Nico, you're really starting to freak me out," she said, her hand simultaneously touched one of her beaded necklaces.

"Get used to it," Nico said. "He doesn't want me to tell you."

"Tell me what!" Annabeth questioned.

"Hold on," Nico mumbled. "He's fading."

Silence struck the forest. A sudden chill made Annabeth cringe and the woods became windy for only a moment. Then it seemed as though Annabeth and Nico were even more alone than before.

"He's gone," Nico said. "Back in the Underworld."

"Nico, explain to me what's going on!" Annabeth said, pointing her dagger at the son of Hades without realizing.

"Percy doesn't want me to tell you," Nico said. "But it looks like I don't have much of a choice."

"Why do you keep talking about Percy?" Annabeth said, she couldn't stand not knowing.

"Put the knife away," Nico said. "Gods, you two are both so aggressive. Plus, that knife gives me the creeps."

The ghost king could get the creeps? This was news to Annabeth.

She put her dagger away without questioning him, though she did wonder about why it had made Nico uncomfortable.

"I saw him in the Underworld," Nico explained. "I had to tell him about an offer, and he was just here trying to stop me from telling you."

"What offer?" Annabeth questioned. The part about Percy being there wasn't as startling. She was aware that he had visited her as ghost before, once at his funeral. It did make her sad though to think that he was just here, and she could not see him.

Nico looked at Athena's distressed daughter. "Percy wasn't supposed to die. The Fates made a mistake, and they're offering him a second chance at life."

Annabeth's jaw dropped. It was one of the few times in her life where she was at a loss of words. She didn't know whether to be more questioning or excited.

"He has 3 days to decide if he'll return to his life," Nico said. "But he's refusing the offer."

The first time you left

I said goodbye

Now there's not a prayer

That can survive

Nico had told her. He knew Nico had already told her. Nico had betrayed his word and told her against his will, and now she would remember him as the jerk that turned her down instead of the friend that would never dream of hurting her.

The truth may have stung more than anything, though it was quite simple; Percy was afraid. The boy who saved Olympus was afraid. He was scared to death of dying again.

And what would happen when he did? Would he hurt the people that he loved? Would he achieve Elysium? Hades, would he be offered yet another chance at life?

He didn't know, but he was certain that he didn't like to think about it.

The fact remained that Percy's afterlife was not painless, it was bruised with the longing to return to his old world, the only world where he had ever felt at home.

"Percy?" Silena Beauregard appeared in his living room door. "You okay?"

Percy sat up on his couch and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" his sarcasm sounded sad.

Silena sat down next to him on the couch. "I heard about the offer," Silena said. "And that you're refusing it."

Percy sighed. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

The daughter of Aphrodite shook her head and hit him with a pillow.

"Ow," He muttered.

"Do realize what you are doing to Annabeth!" Silena raged. "I mean honestly, Percy do you think you continue to wait here for Annabeth to die?"

"I-I'm not waiting for Annabeth to die! And besides- that isn't as cynical as living, knowing that everyone is going to suffer all over again." Percy reasoned, startled by Silena's anger. She was never a mad person.

Silena rolled her eyes. "Typical of an egotistical male to make things complicated."

"It's already complicated," Percy said. "I didn't need make it that way."

Silena sighed as if she were trying to calm herself down. "Percy, let's face it, you don't belong here, not yet. So why do you keep acting like this is where you're supposed to be?"

Percy hesitated.

"I could barely live for a few days when Charlie died. I can't imagine how Annabeth has made it this long without going insane." Silena said. "And now that she knows that you refused the offer, she's probably heartbroken!"

"It's not like we were ever more than friends," Percy said, his voice quite. "I'm not even sure if we have... anything."

He thought about his last moment alive. He told her he loved her. She didn't reply.

Silena laughed. "Oh, Percy. Could you be any more clueless? Everyone knew that you two were destined for each other, and you are! If fate had worked out correctly, I'll bet you too would have had a happy ending."

"Happy ending," Percy muttered. "Yeah, right."

"Think of how romantic it could be!" Silena mused. "Percy, you must go back and make things right with Annabeth! It's fate!"

Percy didn't move.

"My advice to you is to follow your heart." Silena pursued.

"That's your advice for everything, Silena." Percy pointed out.

"True love conquers all," She said, blatant to Percy's previous comment. "So let it!"

Percy rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious!" Silena said, rising from her seat and heading toward the door. "Gods, I don't know what we're going to do with you until the deadline."

Percy shrugged. "I've already decided."

"Oh, don't be so stubborn!" Silena retorted. "Just keep what I said in mind, and listen to your heart!"

"Ghosts don't have hearts..." Percy muttered.

Silena stuck her tongue out at him and before shutting his door and leaving him to dwell in his own problems.

Dying

Dying to die just to come back

So we can meet again

Annabeth wrapped her arms around her knees and sat alone at the head of her bunk in the Athena cabin. It was pitch dark besides the light of a single lamp on her nightstand. She didn't bother to show up to dinner after her encounter with Nico.

She heard knocking on the cabin door and against her better judgment said, "It's open."

Thalia entered the room and turned on the lights.

"Annabeth?" She said. "Why are you sitting in the dark?"

Annabeth shrugged.

Thalia sighed and sat down in a chair next to Annabeth's bed.

"Are you okay?" Thalia asked.

Annabeth nodded.

"Look Annabeth," Thalia said. "I heard about Percy's offer."

Annabeth was still.

"Listen Annabeth, I know you're upset, but it's Percy. He has heart and everything, but when it comes to stuff like this he's just not entirely there." Thalia's voice was calm.

"He isn't stupid," Annabeth retorted, her tone quiet and steady. "He knows the rewards and consequences that could come out of this. Besides, Percy's been known to surprise people. I won't give up on him."

"Annabeth, the deadline is in two days," Thalia reasoned. "I don't think he's intent on changing his mind."

"Come on, Thalia, it's Percy for gods' sake," Annabeth argued. "His fatal flaw won't let him refuse the offer. This is his home, after all. I don't get why everyone believes him when he says that he's just going to leave it here when he has the chance to come back."

"Annabeth, listen," Thalia said and the two locked eyes. "I don't want you to give up hope. I'm hoping he comes back too, but Percy has said that he's not coming back. I don't wanna see you get hu-"

"You would say that!" Annabeth snapped. "Now that you're a huntress! You're being taught to despise men, even Percy!"

"Do you honestly think I don't respect Percy?" Thalia defended. "That I don't respect the kid who gave his life for Olympus? Percy is my cousin, and I care about him, but I don't want to see you get your hopes up when he doesn't acc-"

"He will accept!" Annabeth interrupted.

Thalia sighed. "Then hypothetically speaking, what if he doesn't?"

Annabeth grasped Percy's camp necklace. "Then nothing will change."

Thalia shook her head. "You're like a sister to me, Annabeth. I hate to see you get hurt."

Annabeth was silent again. She was a lot lately, and it was unusual for her.

Her eyes were downcast. "Then stop watching."

Dying

Dying to say what I always

Always should have said

"Percy... Percy get up!"

Percy's green eyes flashed open and he saw a young man with startling blue eyes and short blond hair. A scar rippled across his face.

"You," Percy huffed. He sprung out of bed, sweating and heavily breathing. In an instant Riptide was in his hands, ready for battle.

"Percy, it's okay," Luke said, holding his hands up as if he was trying to show that he was innocent. "I'm in Elysium, aren't I?"

Percy paused for a moment, then he capped Riptide and put it back in his pocket. "Oh my gods, Luke I'm so sorry. I-I never even kne-"

"Hey," Luke said. "It's alright. I understand. But I'm not here to talk about me, Percy, I'm here to talk about the offer."

Percy couldn't help but to be on his guard with Luke. After all, one of his last memories had been of Luke's body stabbing him, leading to both of their deaths.

But at the same time, he felt like he was 12 again, and Luke seemed like he could be the big brother Percy never had.

"How are you here?" Percy asked. He remembered that Luke was supposed to be in his second life.

"I'm not sure," Luke said. "I don't even remember anything before now, besides when I told Hades I would try for Isles of the Bleast. I was suddenly at the gate to Elysium, and that di Angelo kid was just standing there. He told me someone wanted me to talk to you. Then about the offer. I know this is a gods' work, but I have no idea which one. Either way, they want you alive again."

There was a pause before Percy said, "I can't take that offer. His eyes wouldn't meet Luke's.

"Why? Because you think you're making things better for everyone by staying dead?" Luke said. He sounded wise, but exhausted. "You think that this is where you're supposed to be, but it's not. This isn't your fate. You're only hurting the ones that love you more by turning it down. And if you ever cared about Annabeth or Grover or anyone for that matter, you wouldn't let them suffer through this."

Percy's eyes shot up to meet Luke's. "You can't be giving me this lecture right now," He snapped. "You're an expert at hurting people that love you."

Luke saddened. The scar on his face made him look defeated. "Percy, I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt anyone. Kronos, he had me under his control. I swear to you if I had gotten the chance, I really would have resisted."

Percy thought about the vision of Luke stabbing himself in the throne room of Olympus. Why was he yelling at Luke? Luke was the hero. Luke saved everyone.

"I know you would," Percy said. "I'm sorry, Luke."

Luke sighed. His eyes looked distant. Then he seemed to snap out of a trace. "You know you need to go home, Percy."

"If I go back, we relive everything over again. It was hard enough the first time. It's better to just be finished where it's at." Percy said.

"Percy," Luke said, his eyes almost teary. "If I had the chance to go back and see Annabeth and Thalia... and even my father, and live a long, happy life with them, and make up for all of my mistakes... I'd take that offer."

"That wouldn't make me much of a hero though, would it?" Percy said. "Returning as if I hadn't suffered? Like it was all okay. It seems like the easy way out."

"Every other hero that died like us would envy you. They'd think you were stupid for not taking it." Luke reasoned. "The way I see it, you're a coward if you stay here. You want to stay because you're afraid of what will happen when you die again."

That made him think of Annabeth.

"You run away from things when you're scared. You're a coward, Percy Jackson!"

"Look, Percy, I can't make the decision for you, but I think you know what you need to do." Luke said. "You deserve to be happy again, and whatever happens, you are still a hero."

Luke was almost out the door when Percy called, "Luke, wait!"

Luke starred at him.

"I'm no hero," He said. "You are."

Luke shook his head. "I'm wasn't the only hero, Percy, but I was the only one that was meant die." He faced Percy one last time, nodded, and left the house.

It's a strange emotion this

But there's still hope in this

As long as there's a breath

I'm dying and I can't live without you again

"Annabeth, wake up!"

Her eyes darted open and she awoke to Malcolm hovering over her bunk. She was sweating and shaking; the result of yet another Percy nightmare.

"She lives!" Her brother Malcolm laughed quietly. Then he got a good look at her. "Are you alright? You were screaming in your sleep."

"I'm fine," she whispered, respectful of her sleeping siblings. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and rubbed her eyes like they held some sort of remains from her most tragic dream yet. "When did I go to sleep...?"

"You decided to take a nap at about noon today," Malcolm said.

"Gods," Annabeth said. "What time is it?"

Malcolm glanced at his wristwatch, "11:45 p.m."

Annabeth cursed. She all but leaped out of her bunk and sprinted out the cabin door, leaving her brother clueless in the dust.

"Percy!" Annabeth called once she reached the beach. "Percy!"

She heard no response, nothing but hectic, crashing waves and the sound of thunder in the distance.

Annabeth ran out to the shoreline. "Deadlines almost up, Percy!" She said. "Where are you!"

No reply.

Furious, Annabeth kicked the sand below her feet.

"Percy, please!" She begged. "You said you were always with me!" She couldn't remember when she had heard him say this, but she was positive that he had.

No response.

She shook her head hopelessly. "Well, where are you now? Where's the hero of Olympus now?"

Thunder boomed and she could hear the thrashing of the ocean waves even louder.

She glanced at her wrist watch: 11: 49 p.m.

She raced into the forest. She wasn't sure how long or far she ran, but she didn't care. She couldn't even tell where exactly she was, because it was pitch black.

When she finally paused, she collapsed to knees.

"Personal loyalty," Annabeth muttered as hot, angry tears streamed down from her swollen gray eyes. "The one thing that got him killed could have brought you back to li-"

Before she could finish her sentence, a hellhound appeared from what seemed like no where and hit her. She flew backward and landed flat on her back, helpless.

She realized that she was defenseless. She was no longer in the safety of the camp's borders, and she was without her knife or her Yankees cap. She had never felt more ashamed of herself.

The hellhound leaped on her and held her wrists to the ground with its paws, creating manacles of it's own sort.

Annabeth struggled under the weight of the monster. She attempted to kick it off of her, but it barked so close to her face that it could have bitten her nose.

The monster's claws dug into her wrist, and she cried out. It slashed at her face, and she could feel blood trickle down her neck.

Her vision blurred and she could barely make out the beast hovering over her.

This is it. She thought. I'm dying.

It's a strange emotion this

But there's still hope in this

As long as there's a breath

Percy sat on his couch, his legs crossed. It was silent with the exception of a single clock; the sound of time flying by, time he would never get back.

What was he doing? Sitting on his couch, like nothing was wrong. Like he belonged in this lonely cottage.

He knew he had died too soon. He had always felt like it was not meant to be. He just didn't want to sound whiny, like every other young boy or girl that died young, not like a hero.

Then again, he wasn't the hero he thought he was.

None of it made any sense. The Fates? Messing up? Offering him a second chance at life? Garbage. That's impossible. But it had happened to him. He could not deny it.

He thought about his mother, how awful it must have been for her to witness her son's funeral. To see her son's dead body. Sure, immortals had seen plenty of their children die, but mortal parents shouldn't have to.

His mind drifted to Chiron. Someone who had seen so many heroes just like him die too soon. Did it even phase him?

Then Grover. His best friend. How was he doing? Percy had been so worried about Annabeth he barely even had time to even think about poor Grover.

Annabeth. He loved her. Love in that context was such an unfamiliar word to him, but he was sure of it. She was always on his mind, and he remembered all of the close calls she had with death, and how everyday he was so grateful to see her alive, because the thought of her not being there was unbearable.

He looked at the time. 11: 49. He had until midnight to do what he knew he had to do.

He jumped off of his couch and sprinted out his front door without looking back. He barely acknowledged his perfect neighborhood as he ran through it. He didn't even bother to say goodbye to any of his friends. Time was wasting. He unlatched the pearly gates and left Elysium, because he knew that Heaven was really any place with Annabeth Chase in it.

"Okay," He yelled abroad. "I accept the offer! Take me home."

At first nothing happened. He began to think that the Fates had changed their minds, and he felt like screaming.

However, in an instant, he was somehow traveling through a strange vortex. He felt like he was flying, so fast that everything around him looked like blurred figures.

"Go home, Percy Jackson," Said a woman's voice. It sounded almost magnetic. "And live happily. But beware, danger lies within the forest."

Abruptly, he fell into his bunk in Cabin 3. He felt the mattress below him, as if making sure it was real, and he sprung up. He looked in the mirror. His skin was tan, his eyes green, his hair dark, and shorter than how he was used to it. There was stubble on the lower part of his face, like a 5 o'clock shadow. He definitely wasn't 16 anymore.

Then he remembered what the voice had said. Danger. In the woods.

Please, he though. Don't let it be Annabeth. But he had a sick feeling that it was.

He sprinted out of the cabin.

Once he reached the woods, he struggled through the trees.

"Annabeth!" He called. "Annabeth, where are you?"

The search was hopeless, he could barely see through the pitch black night and all he could hear was the sounds of creatures stirring in the forest.

Thunder boomed and tiny rain drops began to fall from the sky.

"Di immortales!" He cursed as he punched the nearest pine tree so hard that he left an imprint of his fist. He had never been so frustrated, angry and sad at the same time. He had no idea who or what was in danger.

He wanted to curse the gods, Zeus in particular, but he knew it would only make things worse.

"Athena," He mumbled. "Help me."

Like a miracle, he heard a scream coming from outside the camp's border.

He ran faster than he ever had.

I'm dying and I can't live without you

They say when you die, your life flashes before your eyes, but all Annabeth saw were memories of a dark haired boy with sparkling green eyes and an innocent grin.

"If you do say so yourself, I suppose you have a plan, wise girl?"

"Can't we work together a little? I mean, didn't Athena and Poseidon ever cooperate?"

"We're a team, remember?"

"I'll get us back to the ship. It's okay. Just hang on."

"Annabeth, don't... Look, I need to tell you something. I couldn't stand it if... I don't want you to-"

"If I was going to pick one person in the world to reattach my head, I'd pick you."

"Don't I get a kiss for luck? It's kind of a tradition, right?"

"When I was at the River Styx turning invulnerable... Nico said I had to concentrate on one thing that kept me anchored to the world, that made me want to stay mortal..."

She was blinded by memories. It was like watching a movie all about her life, only all of her favorite scenes with Percy. The last memory confused her because she wasn't sure it had actually happened, but for once she didn't have time to think. She was living the last minutes, maybe even seconds, of her life.

She could barely see the monster; only a black, fluffy blob standing over her. The figure slashed at her neck this time. She was dizzy.

"Stop stalling," Annabeth croaked. "Just get it over wi-"

All of the sudden, the hellhound was hit by an unknown force and was sent spiraling into a pine tree to her left.

She could barely process what was happening, but she could see a man with a beaming sword. He stabbed the monster, and like magic it turned to dust.

The man hurried to her side. She could only see that he had dark hair and tan skin and he was wearing tattered jeans, an orange T-shirt and a black jacket. His sword seemed to have disappeared.

"Oh gods," She heard him say. "What have I done?"

His voice was all too familiar.

She felt a warm drop of liquid crash down on her forehead; a tear.

She wanted to speak, but her mouth wasn't working. She wanted to tell him so many things.

He checked her wrist for a pulse. Then he put his jacket on over her like a blanket. Did he think she was dead?

He picked her up off the ground and carried her bridal style.

I'm dying and I can't live without you again

Percy knew that he would have to hurry to the Big House if he wanted Annabeth to have any chance of surviving.

He couldn't stand that she was in so much pain. He could barely make out any of her facial features through blood, and her wrists were both cut and bleeding. It was all his fault.

"Percy," She mumbled in a voice that sounded nothing like Annabeth's.

He jerked. He then had the slightest bit of hope that she would make it through this disaster.

He gave a slight nod and said, "Yeah, it's me. I'll get you to Chiron. Just please hang in there, okay?"

"I-I'm sorry," She managed. Her voice was a whisper. "I love you, Percy."

She blacked out in his arms.

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long! I must have been working on this forever.

Sorry, this story's a little rough too.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the first part! It's incredible how nice everyone is! :)

Review, but still no flames please. Any sort of ideas are welcome!