All Heroes Fall

"Annabeth, we have to tell Chiron."

"I know, I just. Everyone is so happy and calm. Who am I to ruin it?" I said. We were walking hand in hand back to our cabins from the campfire. I knew I had to tell him. We needed to close the doors again. I just didn't know how.

"There may not be much calm after monsters come back to attack the camp now that they're free to avenge their death." I sighed.

"Fine. We'll go." Percy pulled me ahead to the Big House. Chiron was kneeling on all four of his legs quietly reading a book when we came to disturb his peace.

"Annabeth, Percy. How can I help you?" He asked with a smile. Wringing her hands nervously, Annebeth quickly told Chiron what had happened. As he listened. Chiron's smile morphed into a look of worry.

"We must close the doors," he said. You should leave at once. Go-" Before Chiron could finish his sentence, thunder clapped and lightning struck the sky. A puff of dark clouds descended from the sky. Standing on top of the clouds, was none other than Zeus himself.

"It seems," he began. "That we have a problem. Your foolishness may cost this world greatly. I am aware, that you are aware, so I will not drag this visit out." Zeus turned to Percy and raised his eyebrows. "The things these children would do for a son of Poseidon. My own son even. It shames me that you would rather save one life and risk hundreds more daughter of Athena." Zeus stepped back on his cloud and lifted his chin.

"Be warned. If you do not succeed in closing the Doors of Death again, we Olympians will have no choice, but to destroy you. Your mother is in agreement Annabeth. You have cost us much by this. If we cannot close them, we must make an example of you seven. If anything, think of all your friends. Was all of this really worth it, to just get all your little friends killed in the end?" He lifted into the clouds leaving the wind to attack our faces. My fault. We all agreed to rescue him. It's not my fault we kept the door open just a bit too long. Okay, it's not all my fault. Or, some of it itsn't anyway.

"It's not your fault Annabeth." Percy said putting a hand on my shoulder. "If anyone was to blame, it would be all of us. We each had our own part in this." But deep down, even I knew that wasn't true. I appreciated his effort, though. Chiron shifted his eyes to the door.

"I will summon the seven in the morning. You two, get some sleep. You leave tomorrow."

Notes