The meeting ended, and all the councilors were coming out of the Big House and were heading back to our cabins, all of us sporting contemplative looks on our faces, no doubt thinking of all the revelations that came out tonight.
Percy, Hazel, and Piper.
Three Demigods, friends we all thought we had lost, suddenly being found at almost the same time.
'It can't be coincidence,' I thought.
As we walk to the cabin area, I notice Leo looking at me with concern and pity in his eyes. I turn away from him and ignore the pang of hurt that was constantly ringing in my heart.
I continue the silent trek to my mother's cabin with Malcolm while thinking of how to ask him more about his encounter with Percy and Hazel. As we reached our cabin, I decided to just ask him directly. Before opening the door, I stopped and turned to Malcolm. "Meet me in my room later, Malcolm," I said. He was about to protest but stopped; he must have seen the pleading look on my face.
"Please, Malcolm, I need to know," I pleaded.
My brother silently looked at me and sighed, nodding in agreement to my request.
The moment we entered, all our siblings swarmed us, everyone hugging Malcolm. Everyone was relieved that he came back to us safe.
Bea, who took over his duties while he was away, started to interrogate him after hugging him, joining the rest of our sibling in asking him all kinds of questions about the rescue mission.
I allowed them to continue for a few minutes before clapping loudly, getting their attention.
'Clap! Clap! '
"Alright everyone! Time for bed! You can all get the story from Malcolm tomorrow!"
"But Annabeth..." argued some of the younger ones.
"No buts! Bed! Now!" I insisted. "He'll still be here tomorrow," I assured them.
After a lot of grumbling, they all went to their bunks, getting ready for the night. I look at Malcolm and tell him to clean up, then I stare at him, conveying my request to talk to him later. He nods, then heads to the showers at the back of the cabin.
I watch him till he enters the showers and heads to my room. I entered and sat down on my bed. I dropped my head to my hands as my mind reeled with all that happened today.
Percy and Hazel rescuing Malcolm,
Piper modeling for a jewelry company,
Hazel being with Percy,
Percy
Percy
Percy
I let out a sigh as my mind spirals—memories of the past, of war, and people that died. Thankfully, I was broken out of the rapidly worsening thoughts by a knock on my door.
"Come in," I call out, knowing who it was.
I smiled as Malcolm entered my room. I gestured towards the chair near my desk, and he sat on it. We both stared at each other for a while, silence filling the space before I began.
"I'm sorry for forcing you to come here, Malcolm. I know you're tired, but I must know; I need to know." I started with an apology, hoping that he would understand my need to know.
"I understand, Annabeth; I expected this actually," he replied with a small smile.
"So, where should I start?" he asked me.
"How about you start after the fight with the monsters?" I suggested.
"Alright," Malcolm agreed, closing his eyes for a few seconds.
When he opened it again, he looked at me with seriousness in his gaze. He opened his mouth and began telling the story again.
"We'll; I've already told you about the fight, so I won't repeat that." I nodded, and he continued.
"So, when they removed their helmets, I was obviously shocked."
"Wait!" I interrupted.
"How did you not recognize them? I can understand not knowing Hazel but Percy. You've known Percy as long as I have," I asked, finally.
"Firstly, it's because they were wearing helms that covered their whole faces, and the design of both their helm and armor is very different from that of both Camp and New Rome. Secondly, Percy was not using Riptide," he explained patiently.
"Not Riptide?" I asked, bewildered.
"Yes, Percy was using an ordinary celestial bronze sword. And don't ask me why Annabeth; I didn't get to ask him about that," Malcolm clarified while also stopping me from asking more.
My mind whirled with this information. 'What happened?' I asked. Riptide carried so much importance to Percy. It was the sword that accompanied him throughout all he's been through. Knowing that I wouldn't get answers, I nodded to Malcolm.
"After getting past the shock at seeing them, Percy went straight to Francis, while Hazel approached the children," Malcolm continued.
"After a while, Percy stood up, taking Francis with him. Then he told me to follow them to their place. We followed them through the woods for about 20 minutes, Percy almost carrying Francis with Hazel beside him; I was at the back," Malcolm stated before pausing with a complicated look on his face, making me worry.
"What?" I asked.
"I don't know how to tell you this next part, Annabeth; I'm worried about how you'll take it."
"Why? "I asked again.
"It's just that, when they led us through the woods. I noticed how close Hazel and Percy were. I mean, she was able to calm him down. Plus, they were almost holding hands while they led us."
Malcolm's revelations have halted my thoughts; more questions emerge from my mind, adding to the already long list of things to think about. Percy and Hazel, the possible relationship between them. the silent implication Malcolm was telling me without actually telling me. In the end, my rational mind won out.
"That's not surprising Malcolm; Percy has always been close to Hazel; she was the first one he got close to when he got to New Rome. They went on a quest together to find Thanatos."
"It's understandable how close they got, especially now if they have been together since they both vanished."
"But that's the thing, Annabeth! It's been 7 years since Percy went away. We don't know what happened to him or to them during that time."
"Whatever happened to them is not our concern, Malcolm! Not yours. Definitely not mine. After what I've done, I don't have the right to even think about that kind of thing with him!" I exclaimed.
"The most important thing right now, Malcolm, is to get as much information, understand what's going on about them, and make a plan on how to approach them," I explained, hoping he would drop that line of thinking.
Malcolm sighed and thankfully relented. He continued to tell his story, describing the house they were taken to.
"The house, or rather the mansion, was a 3-story mix of brutalist and minimalist design, with the entrance facing the woods and the back facing the lake, mostly composed of wall-to-ceiling glass walls."
"The outside was the color of gray cement, while the inside was a combination of gray, black, and off white. It was beautiful, Annabeth, in a utilitarian way."
"When we arrived, Percy led us through the solid black wood doors that opened up to a wide-open living area with a double-height ceiling. One wall was completely made of glass looking over the lake. While straight through the door is a dining room, to our right is a set of stairs to the upper floors."
"Percy placed Francis on one of the couches while the rest of us followed suit. Oh! I forgot to tell you guys about the nymphs!" Malcolm suddenly exclaimed, startling me.
"Nymphs?" is asked him, lost.
"Yeah! When we got in, we were welcomed by 3 nymphs who Percy introduced as their companions. But I think they were servants." Malcolm cleared,
'Servants? ' The concept intrigued me. What could have happened that would allow Percy to have not one but three nymph servants, I thought?
"So, when we got seated, I asked them if the place was safe; we were in the middle of the woods. With two Demigods of the Big Three," Malcolm continued. I nodded at his question. It was a logical question. Something I would have asked too if I were the one there.
"It was Hazel who answered me; she said that the house, along with a large swath of land including the entire lake and river, was protected by a border like the one we have here at camp."
My eyes widen at what Malcolm shared. He noticed my shock and nodded.
"Yeah! I felt the same," he said while nodding some more.
"She also told me that the border not only protects their land from monsters and immortals, but mortals that end up near the place are repelled away by a spell that Hecate herself cast. In addition to the spell that alerts the residents of any possible intruders."
I was left in awe; the place Malcolm described sounded much like camp, only on a smaller scale.
"After explaining, Hazel stood up and left with two of the nymphs saying that they would return with some medical supplies, while the third one also left but came back quickly pushing a cart with water and glasses for us. Hazel returned not long after with the nymphs carrying boxes of medical supplies."
"Together with Percy and Hazel, they began to tend to the wounded of us. Namely Francis and me. After they were done, Percy told one of the nymphs, the one with red hair. Rose, I think her name was, to get 2 of the guest rooms ready. As she went upstairs, Hazel turned to the 2 other nymphs and told them to get dinner ready for all of us."
"Is that why you think they were servants?" I asked Malcolm.
"Yeah," he admitted. I nodded at Malcolm.
"After all the nymphs were gone, Hazel stood and told Percy that she would be freshening up, and Percy nodded at her."
"As she walked toward the stairs, Percy called out to her, 'You fought great today, Hazel!"
I smiled at that, Percy as still the same kind guy I knew. unaware of my thoughts, Malcolm continued.
"Then Hazel looked back to Percy and replied that she had a great master. Then she did something that surprised me more than anything that already surprised me that day," Malcolm added cryptically.
"What? What did she do?" I asked for like the thousandth time tonight.
Malcolm was obviously conflicted, but he pushed through.
"She smiled at Percy." I was about to say something, but he cut me off.
"But it wasn't a kind smile, Annabeth; it was the kind of smile those girls from the Aphrodite Cabin have when they look at Percy back then."
"You mean," I started, but again, I was cut off.
"Like how Selina would smile at Charlie before both of them would disappear for a few hours."
Malcolm was quiet after that, gauging how I would react. I knew deep down that Percy would not wait for me, not after what I've done. I expected this kind of thing would happen. I'm actually happy for him and for them.
But at the same time, my heart was breaking, but not from anger. But from envy and jealousy.
Me, the one that hurt Percy. Is feeling envious of Hazel? Jealous of what she now apparently shares with Percy. I once again wish I could have taken back everything. But I know I can't, so I school my expression and bury the turmoil running rampant inside me. Then I look at Malcolm and encourage him to continue. I can dwell on my thoughts later.
Malcolm stares at me for a few moments before continuing. "After a while, Percy asked the satyr Peter what happened. Peter told him about how he found the two kids in an abandoned building. How they have been homeless for a few months now."
"Percy approached and kneeled in front of the two boys and asked them if they were brothers; they weren't, by the way. Then he asked if they had been told what they really were. At this, the two boys turned to Peter, who nodded at them, and then they told Percy that they had been told by Peter."
I once again smiled at that. "He's still great with kids," I murmured.
If Malcolm heard me or not, I don't know, but he just continued, "Then one of the kids asked Percy if this was the safe place they were told about. I was about to answer them, but Percy beat me to it. He told them that this was not the safe place, that this was his home. That the safe place was camp, a camp for our kind where we train to protect ourselves and others like us."
"Then Percy stood and patted both the boy's heads, promising to help get them to camp. He returned to his seat, and I took that as my chance to ask him where he has been and what happened to him the last 7 years."
I sat up straight upon hearing that, my mind focusing on Malcolm. 'Finally', my mind cried, answers for questions that had haunted me for so long.
"Percy smiled at me first and I thought he would not tell me anything but he finally spoke up. He said that after the war with Gaea, after he rejected godhood again in favor of better recognition for the minor gods, more support for us demigods and Hades and Hestia's throne be given back to them. He was called back to Olympus after 2 days. He met Lord Zeus, his father Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades at the council room. He said that it was explained to him that the Fates have decreed that a reward must be given to him or the fates shall be the ones to decided what his reward will be. Percy said that he was also warned by Lord Hades to not take this lightly, for if the fates decide for him there will be no fighting it, and that he will be forced to live with their decision."
Annabeth was once again left speechless. 'Why is it always him?' she thought.
"Percy said that the three gods actually started arguing as to what to reward him. He said that Zeus mentioned how Ares and Aphrodite wanted to force godhood on him. His father wanted him to be sea god and be a general of the forces of Atlantis, something Zeus opposed vehemently while Lord Hades wanted him to marry his godly daughter Melinoe."
"The arguments only stopped when Lady Hestia suggested for them to actually ask him what he wants. Percy said that he asked for time to think and it took him 2 days to make up his mind. He said that he went to his mother, who gave him advice that helped him come to a decision."
"What was his wish, Malcolm?" I asked, no longer able to wait.
"I asked him if his wish was that place, but he said no, saying that when he returned to Olympus he was meeting with Lord Zeus, Poseidon, and Mom," Malcolm said, smiling a bit.
"Mom?" I clarified. "Yeah, Percy said he was also surprised by mom being there."
"Anyway, when he got there, he told them what his wish was. He said that his wish was safety and freedom."
"Safety and Freedom?" I repeated.
Malcolm continued, "Then he said Mom asked him to elaborate, and he explained that he wished for safety from monsters and freedom from the god's meddling."
I nodded at hearing that; if anyone deserved such a reward, it would be him.
"He said that the Gods were silent for a bit until his father told him that his wish was something that was out of their power to grant. Then mom explained that if such a wish was possible, then they would have granted it to all of their demigod children since ancient times."
I found logic in my mother's words, but I also know that this was Percy. Logic was something that did not work for him.
"Percy laughed when I asked what happened next; he said that before Lord Zeus could deny him that, he reminded them that this was his wish and that it was up to them to find a way."
Only Percy would be so brave to do that. I thought.
"Then mother asked Percy to give them time to think, so he left the throne room and sat at a nearby garden for a while until he was called back. He said that when he returned, the whole council was present." Malcolm suddenly stopped there.
"And then?" I urged him to continue.
"That's it; that's as far as he got. Before Hazel returned and informed us that dinner was served, Percy stood and led us to the dining table, and we never got back to talking about his wish or the council's decisions," Malcolm said apologetically.
I sighed heavily; I was so close to learning the truth about Percy's disappearance! But I swallowed my irritation and urged Malcolm to continue; I was sure there was more.
"We were led to a dining table that can seat 12 people, I think. The three nymphs were present, and they served us as we sat down. They also sat down after they had filled our plates, and we began to eat. As we were eating, I noticed Percy and Hazel were whispering with each other, but I didn't hear what they were talking about, but I think it was about what they were going to do with us."
That was very possible given the situation.
"After eating, Percy told all of us that he would be driving us to the city the next day, that he would drop us off the airport. I told him that we did not have any money for that, but he just said not to worry about that, so I let it go. We were then led by the nymphs to our rooms. Peter and the kids shared one room while I shared the other with Francis."
"The next day, like he said, Percy drove us to the airport and gave us money for the trip; he also advised me to IM camp, which I did; the rest you already know."
"It's a shame you didn't get to hear what the reward was," I said after a bit of silence.
"Yeah, but for a wish like his, I believe it would have required a price from him, or at the very least a condition." Malcolm theorizes, and I agree.
"Thanks Malcolm! I'm glad you came back safe. You can take a rest now." I dismiss Malcolm.
I walked him through the door and closed it behind him.
I drop back on my bed, my mind running through all that I've learned today.
The answers I got only increased the questions I have.
My mind went through all the possibilities the future now holds for me.
The possibility of meeting Percy is something I never thought I would have.
The possibility of going to his home, his possible relationship with Hazel, the nymphs that live with him.
The reward he asked for.
And many other questions that flood my mind.
But one thought managed to dominate my mind.
The thought of finally being able to meet Percy,
And asking for his forgiveness.