Love Across Lifetimes

It had been two weeks since Percy passed away. Annabeth had never felt so lost.

They had been together since they were twelve. Sixty years… She couldn’t believe that he was gone. She had seen Percy fight countless monsters, giants, even Primordial Gods, but old age finally took him away from her.

It was the one foe that no mortal could defeat. Her children, Robert and Silena, had been coming by every day. She appreciated the company. She had forgotten how to function without Percy.

Today’s guest however was completely unexpected.

Annabeth came out of her and Percy’s bedroom, and stopped dead in her tracks. Standing in the middle of their living room, was her mother. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom and battle tactics, was visiting her for the first time in 40 years.

“My Lady Athena, this is a surprise.” Annabeth bowed, “May I ask what bring you here?”

“My daughter, I am sorry for the loss you’ve suffered. But do not worry, you shall join your husband soon in Elysium.

Hearing her mother tell her she would die soon should have freaked Annabeth out, but strangely it calmed her. She would see Percy soon, and in Elysium.

“That is not the only reason I came here,” Athena continued. “Both you and Perseus will have a choice when you get to Elysium.”

“A choice? What do you mean my Lady?”

“You both can choose to be reborn. This is the second time that you reached Elysium, Percy as well,” Athena said.

“The second time?” Annabeth asked her mother.

“Yes, the second time. The last life you both were in, you went by the names Perseus and Andromeda.”

Annabeth was dumbstruck. She and Percy had previously been the one successful love of the ancient stories.

“Yes, it surprises me as well that you found each other this life time as well,” Athena said answering Annabeth’s thoughts. “It seems your love can transcend lifetimes.”

“But my lady, if we are reborn, would we be demigods again? Or would we be regular mortals?”

“That I do not know. I am unfamiliar with the workings of the Underworld, but know this. If I have a chance to have you as my daughter again, I will in an instant.”

“I am beyond honored Lady Athena.”

With that, the wisdom goddess disappeared. Annabeth still couldn’t believe it. She and Percy had found each other in their second life. Could they do it again? Should they try it again?

She laid down in her bed. Wondering when she would see Percy again. She closed her eyes to go to sleep and went instantly.

When Annabeth opened her eyes, she was in the lobby of a familiar building. At first she thought it was a dream, she hadn’t been in this building since she was twelve years old. On her first quest with Percy, but then her mother’s words came back to her.

“You shall join your husband soon in Elysium.”

She wasn’t kidding when she said soon.

“Do you have money for the toll?” said a vaguely familiar voice.

She turned around to see Charon, the ferry man to the Underworld. She reached into her pocket and fished out a couple golden drachma.

Handing them to Charon she says, “Never leave home without some.”

After the boat ride, she stood in line for judgment. She was hoping she would have good judges. When she got in the room, the first judge she saw was Minos. She got nervous at that, but when Minos started, she was surprised.

“Annabeth Jackson, formerly Chase, no trial necessary. Lord Hades has expedited your process into Elysium with you.”

Relieved she walked through the door and started down the path toward Elysium. As she neared the gate, she saw a figure waiting by the gate. Maybe a gate keeper?

But as she got closer, the figure got more familiar. Then she saw wild, tangled black hair and she knew. She started sprinting, yelling, “Percy!” He started sprinting toward her.

They collided so hard they fell onto Percy. They laid there laughing, holding each other. “Wise Girl,” she heard him say. She missed his voice, his touch, his embrace.

“I missed you Seaweed Brain.” She looked into his sea green eyes.

She missed those eyes. “What are you doing out here? Why aren’t you inside Seaweed brain?”

“Because it wouldn’t be paradise without my Wise Girl. I told them I wouldn’t come in unless you were beside me.”

Annabeth felt like breaking down crying. “I’m sorry I made you wait.” She looked away from him.

He grabbed her face, and made her look into the eyes, “Wise Girl, I’d wait an eternity for you.”

He laughed and helped Annabeth up. She looked at her husband and she realized, he didn’t look like he did when he passed away. He looked like he did when he was in his twenties. She looked down at herself and realized, she didn’t seem so old either.

“Percy, how old do I look?” she asked.

“About 20, why?” he answered.

“Just making sure I don’t look like an ugly old grandma anymore.”

“Annabeth, you were always beautiful.”

“Shut up Seaweed Brain, let’s go inside.” She took Percy’s hand as they headed into the gate.

Notes