CH3: The dream

PREVIOUSLY:

"I am sorry sister, please forgive me." He said, a small tear sliding down his chiseled face, his blue eyes losing their mirth and happiness. He disappeared in a harsh yellow light, scorching the place around him…

NOW:

I never felt any thing this weird in my life. I felt strong; the blood gushing out of my nose stopped after Arthemis used some kind of healing magic on me. The two of them, Maxwell and Arthemis quarreling never stopped and it was starting to give me a headache.

In truth, the Cyclopes which came along with us was killed by Apollo and worked in the forges of the elder Cyclopes. I concluded that- it had no hatred towards Artemis for what her brother had caused.

"Hey, Arthemis."I called, who was still arguing with Max.

"Does this mean...I am a god?" She dint reply immediately, but had a thoughtful expression on her face

"I don't know Percy, it's hard to tell. There is just a probability- that you're just an immortal and may never die, unless father gives you different domains or the fates deem you worthy. Then you may become a god."

"Then, how would you say that I became an immortal without Zeus or the fates intervention?" I shot back. I hated most immortals, because of their attitudes and now I could never see Annabeth, forever! I felt so hallow, the sleepless night I had to go through and no one by my side to comfort me.

The atmosphere was tense, only the sound of the wings flapping and the distant sounds of monsters could be heard. "Do not worry Percy, we will figure out something." She said placing her hand on my shoulder, it was comforting gesture and my body tensed at the slight touch, but I shook it away.

"Get some rest, Artemis. We have a long day ahead of us." I said tiredly, she wanted to protest, but gave in after I just dropped my face on Maxwell's back and shut my eyes immediately. I could hear the Cyclopes communicating with max, but I slowly gave in to my sleep.

I thought the dreams would end, since I am an Immortal, but no! I felt myself being dragged in a long hallway. I walked past many rooms and kept moving straight, something was calling me. The end of the hallway stood huge doors. I tiptoed towards the door staying close near the wall. I debated whether to open the doors and move in or get out of here.

"What is wrong with me" I muttered to myself. I was starting to think a lot, these days. I touched the door which was made up of teak; my hand went right through it, causing me to fall down and somersault right back on my toes.

Wherever I was, the interior was really beautiful. It depicted immortals fighting, drinking and, you know… enjoying their time with nymphs etc. The floor and ceiling was made out of a metal I had never seen. In the middle of the room was a fountain sprouting water from a statue of some naked titan, I had never seen or heard about.

After the fountain stood huge throne illuminated by black fire in the sides, it had two huge cats…wait, it can't be! They weren't ordinary cats. It was the Nemean lion or lions.

What the hell!

Last I checked there was only one Nemean lion, where the hell did the other one come from. I slowly crept, staying close to the dark shadows. The throne was empty; it was made up of mud and precious gems which was glowing in the dark. There was a slight movement from my right, the Nemean turned to my direction and looked at me straight in the eye.

My hand instantly went towards Riptide, but the lion went back to sleep snoring loudly. A commotion outside the door made me run and hide behind the throne. I could not hear the voices, it sounded like many people were talking together.

"We should send help!" a voice said, he could be in danger. This voice sounded familiar, I just couldn't place my finger.

"No"

"Why?"

The sound of people approaching the throne room could be heard clearly. The door opened revealing a beautifully women, in her early thirties. The Lions ran up to her and started sniffing at her.

"I see you have been waiting for me Perseus!" The lady said in a silky sing song voice. I took out Riptide and uncapped it before stepping out.

"Dear me, you have grown since I last saw you!" she exclaimed.

"Percy" said the same voice who wanted to help me. I turned my head towards the door. A silhouette of the person could be seen.

"What is it, Iapetus" the lion lady said her lip quivering upward an evil smirk placed on her face.

"IAPETUS" I repeated.

I tried calling out to Iapetus, but no words came out. I tried again and again, nothing happened. I felt frustrated, the water in the fountain burst forth spraying it all over the place. The Nemean lions jumped back in fear.

"Find me!" the brown haired women said waving her hand at me. I felt myself losing conciseness, before I was shaken out of my dreams with a red eyed Arthemis looking at me with worry.

"BOB" I screamed, why was this happening to me!

"Perseus!" Arthemis called, "What's the matter now." she sounded concerned, her hair was messy and out of place.

"Nothing! That concerns you."

"Why were you screaming? Was it a dream? It's not normal for us immortals..." Arthemis would have con-tuned, if I would not have stooped her.

"That's, enough. ARTEMIS! Stop pestering me." I shouted and closed my eyes again, trying to fall asleep. But I couldn't get the face of Iapetus out of my head.

He had given his life for me to escape, was it really him. I have seen him fight against Tartarus and no one could survive against a primordial in his own domain, right?

If he is alive, I should at least help him get out of this place and show him the stars. Maybe attain for my sins for abandoning him and letting him stay here.

"How much further are we from any rivers?" I said my voice felt a bit gruff and loud, but clean and clear has a crystal. Max tilted its head at me; he rolled his eyes and gave a piercing scream that shattered my very sensitive ear drum.

I clapped both my ears from the sound, "only few more hours" the Cyclopes said telepathically has he was building something in his hands. It looked small and yet very delicate.

The sensory organs in my body were tingling; I could smell the pungent air which was suffocating me. But now it had reduced from the previous time I had fallen with Annabeth, was it because of immortality?

I felt myself being jerked back.

'Boom'

came the noise as Maxwell was now travelling at the speed of sound, I averted my eyes and looked down as I couldn't see a single thing in front of us and on top of that, my eyes were felling a bit blurry. I still couldn't adjust to the new things that had taken place inside my body.

The surrounding view changed from black to endless red blood clouds that hung in the horizon like the previous time, the cold black river Cocytus could be seen below has it passed like the Amazon River twisting and turning.

My muscles tensed as I heard the dozens heartbroken voices again, I tried to stand up, but a hand placed on my shoulders brought me back as I shook my head clearing my mind form those voice.

"Do not let those words consume you, fight it LORD!" the Cyclopes said in an agitated voice as he looked at Artemis and kept staring. The next thing that happened made my heart stop.

Arthemis was standing at the tail of Max and was looking down at the river and then just jumped all of a sudden. I just learnt one thing; we should get a parachute next time we fly bird airway.

I ran on max, but it felt like running on a sponge and took a leap of faith and got an extra momentum from his wings. I could feel my eyes burning as I was dropping so fast that Arthemis was approaching close very quickly. The only problem I had was that I dint know what to do after I caught her.

I so wish my dad could control the air, just then an idea struck me. It was totally impossible but worth a shot. I took in a deep breath closing my eyes then pictured myself in a miniature hurricane and pulled all the power from inside my gut.

What I witnessed after I opened my eyes could be described in only one word 'cool'. The hurricane had encrusted me and levitating, it was a bit hard as it was vertical than horizontal. It took me seconds before I got hold of Arthemis hand just in the nick of time, but soon I lost my control over the hurricane and was rattling down towards the cold water of Cocytus.

Just as we were about to plunge into the water, Max came below us and we landed safely on his back. I was so glad to see this guy, expanding his wings we were taken in an up draught of air.

I relaxed my aching muscles. I heard the shallow breathing of Arthemis as she had fallen asleep. I on the other hand sat up straight folding my legs. The strong air had stopped and I knew we had landed close towards the river.

I jumped down and landed close to the river of broken voices, I tried controlling the current, but that's when THE VOICE STARTED "Come closer, you will be reunited with me." Annabeth voice said. She sounded, so broken and vulnerable.

I took a step into the water and felt a cold chill run across my back. The voice of my friend Charles Beckendorf came this time, "You abandoned me Percy. I taught we where friends" Those very words sent me down, what did I have to live for, there's no one there for me or will miss me...

A/N: DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW. I HAD SOME PROBLEM WITH MY THESIS SO COULDN'T UPDATE, ALSO CHECK OUT MY OTHER STORY WHICH I HAVE UPDATED. HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOYED!