Chapter XXXIII: Annabeth

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Chapter XXXIII: Annabeth

Annabeth didn't know what she was doing.

She just kept advancing into the centre of the opponent army, creating havoc.

A bull comes rushing and attempts to ram into her. She blocks it's horns with her ivory sword and ducks beneath it. She rolls onto the ground and stabs it's underside. It howls in pain and disintegrates. She keels over due to exhaustion. Those precious moments in a battle when no opponent was ready to slice your head off had to be treasured. Annabeth takes a couple of deep breaths and stands up, readying herself for the next challenge.

Percy is nowhere in sight. The only demigods she could see were Reyna, at the lead of the Roman army, chopping up a Laistrygonian giant into teeny weeny pieces. She hadn't had the chance to thank the Roman Praetor and as much as she didn't like it, she was forever in debt to her. On her other side was Jason, his shirt and hair splattered with the rainbow colours, and surrounded by an enormous number of empousa, with glares which could kill. She runs to his aid and cuts her blade across the body of an empousa.

"How did you manage to get so many angry?" She asks, while ducking from a blow.

"I killed Kampe."

"Figures..."

"Not my fault. They're sensitive."

There were roughly about a score empousa to defeat. Before Annabeth even had the chance to think about strategies to defeat them, a whirlwind came ploughing into the field, smashing the evil ladies into pieces. Percy could cause some pretty fearsome tornados but this time she doubted it was him. She had warned all the demigods to use their power to full extent against Gaia, not her army. They had armory and soldiers for that.

She sees two figures appear, tumbling down due to the force of the whirlwind. She scrunches up her face, deep in thought of who it could be. She jogs down the slope and stops in her tracks, Jason just behind her. Standing there, holding hands with a blonde and braided girl, looking exhausted and bruised, was no other than,

"Leo." Jason whispers. Annabeth and Jason, followed by the other six demigods, Piper, Percy, Hazel and Frank, Reyna and Nico, race up and throw their arms around Leo.

Leo smiles. "Well...Thank you all for this sudden welcome. I'm surprised you deserted you monstrous enemies to hug me."

Piper looks at him breathless. "You stupid, idiotic Fireboy, what were you thinking, leaving the ship in the middle of the night? We were shocked and so worried." Piper chastises him, her face flushed. "You could have died! Why didn't you tell any of us??"

Hazel squeezes out if front. "Leo, I'm so sorry about what I said earlier. I should have known what you would. I was so caught up in my problems and the war, I didn't know what you were going through. Just promise me you won't try anything suicidal again."

Leo laughs. "Woah, slow down. It's all okay now. I'm back. We're back."

All eight turn their attention to the girl. She was dressed in a pair of jeans and a white sleeveless T-shirt with a gold neckline. She had caramel hair, which was braided over one shoulder, dark almond eyes and a timeless, fair face.

It wasn't hard for Annabeth to identify her, from her endless supply of Greek mythological books. Calypso, daughter of Atlas. Annabeth had always been mentally against her, considering Percy was once in her lair of Ogygia. But she never thought she'd find the Goddess standing right infront of her. Leo had been blasted away by Khione. To Ogygia? He had met Calypso and had fallen in love with her. It explained his lovestruck behaviour after he returned, and the fact that he risked his life to rescue her from her fate.

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All the demigods stare at her, gears clicking in their head as they finally figure out the truth. The only three who look are not dazed are Hazel, Jason and of course, Percy. In return, Calypso's eyes are fixed on him, with a strangely steely look.

"This is Calypso." Leo introduces, "Calypso, these are my friends. Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Reyna, Nico, Hazel, Frank and uh, Percy."

"How did you get back?" Jason looked at him.

"We found a way to escape Ogygia. Through um, Aphrodite."

"Venus helped you?" Reyna asks, still fazed.

"Obviously," Jason remarks. His eyes direct their stare from Reyna to Leo, which clearly says 'I'm saving your butt. You've got explaining to do.'

"The things is," Leo rushes "Leo and Calypso's Auto Repair is back! And now free at your service! We brought sheets of metal, gold and silver! How can we help you?"

"I think most of us got the logic." Percy states, averting his gaze. "You've bought us some time. The tornado freaked Gaia's people out. All soldiers are at the infirmary, resting. The centaurs, giants, and cyclopes are setting more traps. You should prepare for battle. They will be back soon. With a much tougher approach."

With that, he turns back to the camp that Chariclo's army set up. Annabeth notices he's limping. There are some pretty rash cuts across his arms and his face. But the determination plastered upon his demeanour is not wavering. Annabeth is reminded why she loves him. Reyna and Nico follow him, like faithful followers. Jason gives Leo a brief fistbump and walks away with Frank and Hazel to the Romans, Greeks and ex-traitors. Piper helps Leo back to the infirmary, leaving Calypso in Annabeth's hands. She looks at the new girl.

"I know it's a bit abrupt, but everyone's nervous, and war is literally hanging above our foreheads." Annabeth reassures her, "Welcome. I'll find you a room to rest."

"You're Percy's girlfriend." Calypso states.

"Yeah." Damn. She was seriously hoping the topic wouldn't come up.

Calypso nods, biting her lower lip. "Can I fight tomorrow?"

"If you're up for it. Do you have a weapon?"

"No." She mutters, "I've never needed it."

"Take this." Annabeth fishes a dagger out of her pocket. "It's brass."

"Thank you."

They both walk in silence to the food hall.

"I'm guessing you're hungry." Annabeth turns to her.

"Yeah, a bit."

"Help yourself." She waves her arm around the place. They had whipped up a pretty good supply of food, from pizzas to cucumber salad. Annabeth caught Calypso staring at it, with her mouth wide open. They both sat on the velvet chairs and began eating. Determined not to let the awkward silence take over again, Annabeth tries to make conversation.

"So, why were you still trapped? Percy requested for your freedom as a part of his gift."

"I know he did. Somehow, the Gods still forgot, that even promises for minor Gods were important and played a substantial part in these such wars." She stated bitterly.

"How did you make it out?"

"Leo. Apparently, he met Aphrodite. She had a thing for both of us, so she assisted us in our escape. She told us to locate a concealed emerald which could transport us. That's how we found the gold and silver. All were camouflaged.

"And you've known Leo for quite some time?" Annabeth asks.

"I thought he would've told you, already."

"No, actually Piper says he didn't." Annabeth sighs, "Anyways, I was in Tartarus with Percy at that time. But I do believe he hinted at it with Percy, Hazel and Jason."

"You fell into Tartarus?" Calypso widens her eyes.

"Long story."

"Oh."

"It was tough. We came across these demons and every time you killed one, a curse was placed on you, cast by a person who sort of hated you. I got one of abandonment." Annabeth says, "No telling who the caster was."

Calypso looks away. "Well, Leo landed up on my island a few months ago. We sort of hit it off together after getting to know each other. And then he left." Calypso pauses and turns back to face Annabeth, "He's the first one ever to come back."

"How did he manage?"

"Long story." Calypso replies.

Ouch. Annabeth could hear the bitterness and sarcasm in her voice. She chose her words carefully. "You should know that Leo doesn't do a lot of sentimental promises. So, if he made one to you, and he risked his to keep it, you probably mean a lot to him. And its not easy."

Calypso tilts her head as if she was starting to observe Annabeth for the first time. "No wonder Percy likes you. You are a bit like him."

"Thanks."

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