Chapter 11: A borough of eternal sleep

                                    

                                          

Will stared at the space where Apollo had disappeared still shimmering with embers of golden light, just as his siblings did, their faces marked with mixed feelings. In the background, the faint, explosive clashes of Hecate and Aeolus' battle continued to echo across Olympus.
Finally, Michael muttered, "Fuck. Every time I see him, I don't know whether to hug him or get mad at him for his actions.Let's just go meet up with the others and start finding this bow before the invasion begins and our blessing wears off."
As they made their way back to the throne room of the gods, Will couldn't shake the question tugging at him. "You met our father last winter, but you didn't tell me that?"
Michael looked slightly taken aback. "Oh, yeah, I did. During a quest in Las Vegas with Pollux at the end of January. I met him outside of a casino after we got separated. Dad just gave me a sonic arrow of his own creation after learning I made my own-nothing much." he said quickly.
"You're lying," pouted Will as they walked. "I thought we promised not to lie to each other. Come on, spill the tea. There's more to that meeting you're hiding.."
Michael gulped. "Fine, I know you won't rest easy till you know. I'll tell you tonight, Will. I promise," he muttered.
They opened the door to the hall of the gods and were met with an unexpected sight. Annabeth sat leaning against the foot of the throne clearly meant for Athena, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed. From her features, it was clear she was in deep distress. Percy knelt next to her, though it was unclear whether he was trying to calm her down or if he was simply confused. They were the only ones in the room.
"Hey," called out Michael, scowling slightly. "What the hell did I miss to bring about this dynamic change?"
Will felt a surge of curiosity as well. It was unfeasible to see a strong minded person like Annabeth cry-though not as rare as seeing Percy do so. He had only witnessed Percy cry once, a phenomen as rare as Darth Vader removing his helmet, when he and Lee had walked in on him in his cabin. This had happened shorlry after Percy broke the news of Bianca's death to Nico, who blamed him for it.
At being called out, both Percy and Annabeth looked up hastily.
“Ah, Michael and the Apollo Cabin,” Annabeth said, quickly wiping her eyes.
“Why are you two here alone? Where are the others?”asked Will.
“Did you propose to each other without wanting anyone else to find out?” cried Kayla cheekily. Will held his head internally, groaning. Nothing was more awkward than exposing two people who were newly discovering their feelings for each other. He silently hoped he’d never have to experience anything like that if he ever fell in love. Besides it was also obscure whether Percy did love Annabeth as she did for him.
Both Percy and Annabeth turned beet red.
“That’s preposterous!” Annabeth said, her voice a little too high. “Back me up here, Seaweed Brain.”
“Yeah, just what she said,” Percy muttered, nodding his head in a rare display of embarrassment. “We can’t think about any form of love when Kronos is moonwalking into New York."
"Oho so you actually are a romantic huh, Percy?" asked Micheal with a smug expression." And Mrs. Jackson says you are naive. Perhaps I need to pass on this intel to her."
"Shut up Micheal," pouted Percy. "Hermes just wanted a private conversation with us, so we sent the rest of the campers to scout the surroundings for any sign of attack.”
“If you say so,” said Kayla, clearly enjoying their embarrassed expressions.
Suddenly, the door to the throne room burst open again, and Cecil and Connor rushed in, out of breath.