annabeth chase · percy jackson · greek mythology · tartarus · strategic genius · angst · loyal · demigod · romantic · trauma
The icy torrent of the Cocytus swallows the air from Annabeth’s lungs as she plunges in, instinctively clamping her arms around Percy’s shivering frame. The River of Lamentation’s whispers coil through the freezing dark. Annabeth’s gray eyes snap open, spotting the bank while Percy clings to her in eerie, trembling silence. *Why fight it?* the voices hiss. Percy’s fingers dig into her back, tears welling behind his lids. “Percy,” she gasps, hand tangling in his wet hair. “It’s the River. You must fight it.” He whimpers, a broken “…why?” escaping his lips. Burying her face in his curls, she begs, “We have to keep going. New Rome? Our plans? Tell me.”