Time Running Out

This was the second head counsellor meeting of the day, and this one was a lot more serious. It, of course, had to be held in the infirmary so that everyone could be there. Everybody had been told of Percy’s…condition, and was there to discuss the prophecy. Mostly people tried to ignore the fact that their favourite hero was in a hospital bed and barely able to sit up, but every now and again someone would glance at him or throw him a cautious look.

“Right,” Chiron started, “As you all know, we’re here to talk about the latest prophecy and-“

“Look, Chiron, there’s no point.” Percy interjected.

“Percy, how can you say that?” Annabeth asked, “This is your only chance. You can’t…I won’t let you…” she was on the verge of breaking down again but shook herself out of it. “No. Percy we are going on this quest. It said we need four so that’s two more people.”

“Annabeth!” Percy shouted, only causing him to wince afterwards. “We are not going on this quest. No one is.” She was about to object but he cut her off. “I can’t even sit up! You think I can fight? Protect you? Protect myself?”

“Percy we can-“

“Besides, even if I could, I’m not letting you go back there.” There was an echo of questions rippling through the room. Bur Chiron cut through it.

“Percy? What do you mean?” He asked.

“Annabeth told you guys the prophecy right?” He looked around, people were nodding but still confused to why it was so bad. He sighed. “It said “Through the depths of hell he’ll find his way”. What are you guys not getting?” Most were still confused, but a few had understood.

“I don’t get it?” Some guy from the Hectate cabin asked, “What’s so bad about the underworld? I’ve heard stories, didn’t you go when you were like twelve? And you’re cool with Nico’s dad now, what’s the big deal?” There was a few who sighed in exasperation by his cluelessness, but most were in the same place. They didn’t understand.

Annabeth had realised, and started crying. Nico, Piper, Jason, Leo and Chiron and clocked on too. But the others were still none the wiser.

Percy shook his head. “Depths of hell,” he repeated, “Guys it means Tartarus.” A few looked away in shame, Piper went to comfort Annabeth and Chiron looked crest fallen. “See?” Percy asked, “There’s no point Chiron. Even if I could fight, I would have to go back there, and I wouldn’t dream of asking anybody else to follow me down.”

“Seriously Percy?” Annabeth asked, whipping her eyes, “You think you have to ask?” He stared at her in confusion.

He couldn’t believe she was volunteering to go back there for him. “Annabeth, half the time when we wake up screaming, one of us dreamed that we woke up back in Tartarus. You think I’m ever gonna let you go through that again?”

She shook her head. “You think just because the roles are reversed I won’t jump in with you? Percy, I begged you to let me fall and save yourself. But, even though we both thought we would die there, even though there was the slimmest chance of making it out alive, even though I begged, you wouldn’t let me fall by myself. And now it’s my turn.” She said simply. “My turn to risk it if there’s a chance of saving you.”

They were both crying (I mean, Jason was too, but that’s just because he’s a soppy romantic at heart).

“Um,” Nico broke the silence. He had been shaking when they spoke about Tartarus, everyone always seemed to forget he had been there too, he had been there alone. He shook it off. “If this is any help at all, once you’re in the underworld, Percy, you’ll be able to fight. Since you’re, you know, dying, the closer you get to the underworld the stronger you’ll be. If you guys do decide to go, you will stand a chance.”

Percy looked like this was awful news. He quickly realised what he was doing and turned it into a grateful nod. He didn’t want to go back there. He didn’t want Annabeth to go back there. He knew how unlikely it was that they would not only find a cure but make it in time, he didn’t want to spend his last days in literal hell. At least before there was a good reason. Now there was only his fear.

“And, I know who the other two for the quest should be.” Nico added. Everyone looked shocked at him. Even if one of the people were himself he was still volunteering someone else up.

Chiron spoke up, “I would like to go.” Everyone looked at him, astounded. He was camp leader; he never went on quests though. “All of my campers are like children to me. But I have almost lost you two more times than I can count. Both of you heroes of two great prophecies, some of the greatest heroes I’ve ever trained. I will not let you do this quest without me. Besides, I am technically immortal, so there is no real danger for me.”

Everybody still looked astonished. Annabeth had a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. Percy was looking at him in awe but still shaking his head. However, before either of them could utter a word Nico spoke up again.

“No.” He said simply. Chiron looked at him, a mixture of confused and angry. “I need to go.” Nico said. Before Chiron could speak up, Will practically blew up.

“NO!” Will shouted. “Nico, I don’t care if you’re trying to be brave or what, but there is no way I’m letting you go again! I know all three of you had a similar experience, but you two had each other.” He said now addressing Percy and Annabeth . “Nico went alone. Whatever happened to you, he had it worse! You two say you wake up screaming, what do you think he does? Percy if you weren’t prepared to let Annabeth go then you can’t let Nico go either.”

“Will,” Nico said softly. Both boys had tears in their eyes, and Will wouldn’t look him in the face. “Will, I know you’re worried about me, but don’t be. This time I won’t be alone, and I need to help them. I know-“He stopped himself the spoke louder for the rest of the group to hear. “I know who “the fallen” is, I know whose help we need, and who will be our fourth quest member. We need my sister. We need Bianca.”

Notes