Chapter Text
The war with Gaea was over, and it had changed everyone.
Leo had been gone for weeks, but when he returned with Calypso, life went back to normal. Well, as normal as it could be in a magical summer camp for Greek demigods. Towards the end of the summer, before the Romans returned to Camp Jupiter, the gods declared a ceremony, to honour those who died in battle, and to celebrate the Heroes of Olympus!
Percy and Annabeth were on an evening walk, trying to get in a bit of peace before the ceremony. At first they were just talking about the gods ‘gifts’ and what they would ask for. “I think it would be considered blasphemy if you denied immortality again seaweed brain” Annabeth laughed. Percy cheekily scowled “They better not ask, or I will soak Zeus in sea water” They both giggled. It had been so long since they were alone on a date.
But the bliss was soon interrupted, as a group of monsters approached! “Di Immortales” Annabeth whispered. The group was made up of some of the deadliest monsters they had faced: at least 5 hellhounds, a couple cyclopes, and 3 empousai. “How did they get into camp borders?” Percy whispered, as he uncapped Riptide, the blade glowing in the gloomy night. “They must have been summoned!” Annabeth answered as she unsheathed her Drakon-bone sword, a keepsake from Tartarus. A million thoughts went through her head, why would someone summon these things, who summoned them, did they summon any more, where would more monsters hide, should we warn the rest of camp, how would we warn them, as she slashed and stabbed monster after monster, until the duo was surrounded by a pile of golden dust.
They were both pretty badly wounded, Annabeth assessed, and they would need some ambrosia and nectar. “Come on” Percy was the first to speak “Lets head to the Infirmary before we ask any questions. And yes, wise girl, I can hear the gears turning up there.” He gestured to her head, and tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace.
As they limped towards the infirmary, Annabeth spotted 2 of their friends, Jason and Piper, chatting. “Look, Jason, I am sure the monsters will have killed them by now. You can finally be the strongest hero at camp.” Piper said, as she put her hand on her boyfriend’s shoulder. “You’re probably right Pipes, I just don’t want to be caught having summoned those monsters in to camp.” Jason said as he turned around “Oh gods! Percy! Annabeth! I swear it’s not what it looks like!” He exclaimed “We didn’t even know you were there!” Piper said, in shock, probably wondering how much they’d heard.
“Probably best you didn’t.” Annabeth said, as she pulled Percy into the infirmary. They grabbed some ambrosia and nectar, then snuck out of the back door, before Jason or Piper could try to talk to them.
At dusk, the pair were standing at Thalia’s tree, both deep in thought, their stuff in bags at their feet. “So, wise girl” Percy started “Look, seaweed brain,” Annabeth cut across him, “I think we need to make a promise” she stared into her boyfriend’s beautiful sea green eyes “Okay,” Percy agreed “We are never going to come back here,” Percy spoke, with resentment and hurt hiding under a facade of confidence, “And we are never going to be the gods’ pawns again” Annabeth nodded “And, Percy, we are going to raise our children in the mortal world, away from the messed up, crazy family!” “Yeah” Percy replied, as they began to walk away from camp, holding hands and their bags, deep in thought about their future.