Annabeth hugged Percy closer and cried tears of relief onto his shoulder. It was over. Gaea was finished, never again to return. She was truly as dead as an immortal goddess could be.

Of course, the price had been much too high. Percy and Annabeth had traveled through Tartarus for four long weeks, nearly being driven to the edge of their sanity. They had spent so long down in that hellhole that they almost started to become part of it.

And the demigods that were gone had been counted as part of the price. Everyone had thought that Percy and Annabeth would be the sacrifices, and they almost were. They had been chained to an ancient stone table, and as their deaths were seconds away, a battle had ensued. The demigods and gods combined fought valiantly, but no war has ever gone without taking it's toll.

Hazel and Frank were gone. In Elysium, no doubt. Reyna had been killed as well. She had died defending Piper, a most strange twist of events, but nonetheless true.

It had all been so hard, but never in the years to come would Annabeth forget what Percy did for her.

He had stayed by her side. He had followed her wherever she led, and he never let go of her hand. He protected her when she was too weak to fight, and he let her sleep even when it was her turn to take watch.

He refused to leave her when Gaea had them in her grasp. He had held on to Annabeth until the monsters knocked him unconscious, dragging him away. When they were chained to they stones, Percy had kissed her forehead and held her hand the whole time.

When she had been injured, he carried her all the way to the healers and wouldn't go back out to fight until she was on her feet again and could come with him. When she was scared, he knew without any words being exchanged, and kissed her for good luck.

After all, Percy loved her. She had learned that much over the past few months. He loved her more than anything, and he knew she loved him. A love such as this was impossible to describe to anyone. It was a feeling that could not be explained. It's passion just had to be felt to understand.

Annabeth loved Percy. If she hadn't, she wouldn't have taken the knife for him. Percy loved Annabeth. He had proved it when he fell with her into Tartarus. He loved her, and not for a moment would he forsake her.

-Rebel