Chapter Text
“Drachma for your thoughts?”
Percy startled. He looked away from the glittering surface of the ocean to look over at his girlfriend who had walked up right next to him, leaning on the ship’s railing. “You look like you’re glaring a hole as deep as the Mariana Trench.” Annabeth continued. Percy turned his gaze back to the horizon and sighed, “Just reminded of some stuff I guess.”
They had been sailing for a while now, on the way to Mykonos. They were all still recovering from the storm that Kymopoleia threw their way. Percy was still personally recovering from the poison that Polybotes used on him. He hated just thinking about it.
A lot had happened since their return up until now, but for some reason, it was his (rushed) conversation with a certain son of Hephaestus, when they went to catch the screaming goddess of victory, that’s been crowding his recent thoughts.
Sure, it was in what was most probably a life or death situation with those aggressive Nikettes, but that’s not important. It just hadn’t completely left his mind.
Annabeth hummed in acknowledgment and started rubbing his arm gently, “Do you want to talk about it? I mean, you have been very lost in your thoughts lately, Hazel was getting worried.”
Ever since Tartarus, Percy and Annabeth would constantly get lost in thought, memories of the pit flashing through their eyes at every reminder. With no proper time to settle down back on the surface, the couple took every free opportunity they could, together. Sometimes, they would talk, either of what had happened in the past few weeks or just their lives in general. Other times, they would just bask in the comfort and silence of each other’s presence. Today, it seemed as though his thoughts were getting to be too much as Percy took a deep breath.
It also didn’t help that Percy almost died just a couple of days ago. Underwater. That really messed with a son of Poseidon’s brain.
“It’s about Calypso.”
Percy felt Annabeth tense beside him. He knew that this topic was still a bit sensitive to her, even after they had talked about it before Hera took him away, albeit very briefly. After all, the volcano incident was not a very pleasant experience, for him and the people that thought he was, well, dead. Percy continued before she could start asking any questions, “You’ve probably figured it out already, what with that brilliant brain of yours,” he paused as Annabeth smiled lightly before continuing softly, “Leo he...he was there. You’ve heard about it, right? The Khione incident.”
Annabeth nodded, “You’re thinking about last summer, your request from the gods.”, it wasn’t a question. Annabeth knows Percy well enough to know that he’s most likely blaming himself. Rubbing his arm again she said, “It’s not your fault, you know.”
Percy shook his head, “I failed her.”
Annabeth cocked her head to the side, “It’s not your job to tell Zeus to keep his word. Even if it was, you fought in a war, you were recovering.” she chuckled bitterly, “You were taken away and forcefully put to sleep. You had no memories...what I’m trying to say here is that it’s not your fault.”
Percy closed his eyes, “Well Leo didn’t think that.”
“Leo doesn’t know what you’ve been through. Come to think of it, no one else on this ship really understands what you’ve accomplished. And you used past tense.”
Percy ignored her and whispered, “Calypso doesn’t think so either.” Before Annabeth could retort, he held her hand desperately, “The arai. She cursed you. And it’s my fault.” Annabeth froze for a short second before quickly pulling him into a hug. She knew immediately what he was talking about.
“Percy, you didn’t abandon anyone.” Before Percy could open his mouth, she kept going, pulling away slightly to look at him directly in the eyes, “Listen to me. You couldn’t have known how she was feeling. You can’t blame yourself for what happened. She was the one who cursed me, not you. Besides, we made it out, didn’t we? Seaweed Brain, you are a great person, you know that? You don’t have control over everything, but you always find a way to make things better.”
Annabeth knew that Percy didn’t fully believe her just yet, but it was enough for now as he tightened his arms around her and murmured, “Thanks, Wise Girl.”
They eventually pulled away from each other but didn’t let go of each others’ hands. “Let’s go see what the others are up to, yeah?” But before Percy could lead Annabeth down to the mess hall, a wave of darkness washed over the Argo II. They both heard the footsteps of the rest of their friends running up to the deck before a voice was heard throughout the ship.
Perseus Jackson, Annabeth Chase, you have angered us and Mother Night! We will destroy you!
Percy’s first instinct would probably have been something like yelling Get in line! but the familiar voice had frozen him in his tracks. He saw exactly why he reacted that way when the darkness cleared and on the deck were two demon grandmothers with bat-like wings and glowing red eyes.
He gripped Annabeth’s hand in a death-grip. She didn’t mind as she was doing the same to him. Memories of dark trees and gorgon’s blood flashed through his mind. Memories of Bob.
He jolted as he felt someone rush past him. Before he knew it, Percy had grabbed Jason’s arm as he pushed past him.
Jason looked at him alarmed, “Perce what--”
Annabeth shook out of her stupor and hissed at the crew, “They’re the spirits of curses. Kill them and you get whatever anyone has cursed upon you!” Her voice shook a little. Everyone immediately took notice of this and stopped before moving to form a group around Percy and Annabeth, who were both visibly shaken.
Leo kept his gaze toward the monsters. He gripped his flaming hammer before yelling out, “7 to 2! We can easily take you hags on!”
The arai ignored him, clearly only focused on the couple in the center of the group.
We heard your call! We have come! We will have revenge in the name of Night!
Percy looked at Annabeth while the rest of the seven looked at them in confusion. “I can take them,” Percy took Riptide from his pocket and immediately uncapped it. “There’s no other way to get rid of them. Someone is going to have to get cursed.”
Annabeth grabbed his wrist, “No! You can’t! We don’t have anyone that can heal you if anything like that happens again. At least let me take the other!”
Before he could respond, the two demons closed in. Frank immediately reacted. He shot his arrows with great aim, but before they could hit the monsters, a dark wave of energy knocked them out of the air.
Percy yelped as the energy pulsed through the ship. “I don’t remember them being able to do that!”
Everyone staggered back warily. Annabeth cautiously eyed the demons, “I don’t think it’s their doing.” She gasped, “It might be their mother’s protection.” She jumped back as another pulse of energy came at them.
Percy was confused for a moment. Their mother? “Who--” His eyes widened as he remembered the arai’s words. Mother Night. Nyx.
The two creatures redirected all the advances of the demigods, including Leo’s flaming hammer, Jason’s electricity, and even Frank’s eagle form. Piper’s charmspeak only slowed them down, not completely stopping them. Not even Hazel’s attempts with the Mist were working, the darkness too strong. It wasn’t long before the demigods were scattered around the deck, all pushed back by the weird protection of the arai.
The demons continued moving forward, straight for the two demigods in the center of it all. The demigods all quickly realized that the arai were here for Percy and Annabeth, and Percy and Annabeth only. Probably carrying a specific curse made for the couple.
Annabeth tugged Percy back, barely missing the arai’s claws. “Percy, we’re going to have to be the ones to kill it.”
Of course, Percy preferred he kill both and bear whatever curses they throw at him. Instead of saying anything out loud, he just grunted in agreement. He knew Annabeth wouldn’t let him get both, so he kept this idea to himself.
While he was forming a plan to get both demon grandmothers, one of the arai lunged straight at them. In an instant, Percy was in front of Annabeth, slashing it down with his sword. This time, there was no dark pulse of energy, as if Percy was made to kill it.
Annabeth braced herself for any sound of pain, any sign of a curse, looking at Percy in horror, but nothing came.
In her worry for her boyfriend, she had not realized how close the remaining one had gotten to her. Luckily, her drakon bone sword was ready in her hand. She began to swing with determination, ignoring the demon’s bared fangs and extended claws, ready to strike it down.
Before her sword could hit the wrinkly skin of the arai, a bronze blade stuck out from its chest. The monster shrieked in surprise, slowly melting into dust. Annabeth looked up in alarm. Her alarmed eyes met intense sea green ones before a bright light blinded everyone, carrying all seven occupants of the Argo II away.
Have everything you’ve ever known be told to your world!
Feel everything you’ve ever felt from the beginning of your life!
Bear the curse of Mother Night, revenge for making her a fool in front of her own family!
Bear the curse of the Pit, you shall not escape the pain this time!
Perseus Jackson...
A voice cackled in the distance.