You Promised, Annabeth

Catalyst

The funeral pyre stood tall and solemn, flames licking the sky in a dance of mourning. Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter alike had gathered to bid farewell to a fallen hero. Percy Jackson stood among the somber assembly, his eyes fixed on the flickering inferno that consumed Jason Grace's mortal remains. His sea-green eyes were distant, unseeing, lost in a sea of memories and thoughts that churned like the waves of the sea.

Nico Di Angelo's voice, steady yet heavy with sorrow, recited the ancient rites of passage. The words floated through the air like a haunting melody, carrying the weight of loss and the bittersweet remembrance of a life lived with purpose. Percy's gaze remained fixed, his mind caught in a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.

As the words of the ceremony washed over him, Percy's thoughts drifted to battles fought and won over his many treacherous years of being a demigod. He saw the faces of fallen friends, heard the war cries that had echoed in the heat of combat, and felt the sting of bloodshed that painted the path of a demigod's existence. Memories of monsters and gods, of triumphs and losses, intertwined in a tapestry of pain and resilience.

He briefly recalled the announcement of Jason Grace's death. Word of it spread like wildfire. If no one knew his name before, they certainly knew now. Everywhere Percy walked, he could hear campers murmuring amongst hushed whispers, sobs echoing throughout the cabins and carried off into the distance. Even the wind spirits seemed restless. Many of his friends came to check on him, to comfort him or be comforted.

Percy cried at first. He felt a heartache for his dear friend and a feeling of regret washed over him. He was there as he witnessed the great Thalia Grace, formidable leader of the Huntresses, collapse from grief, cursing up at the sky which only thundered in response. She had of course only just gotten back her brother and just like that, he was gone from her life all over again.
Jason did everything right. He was the golden demigod, following orders, protecting his friends and family.

Look where that got him.

Look where that got all of his other dead friends.

Nico's voice seemed distant, a murmur in the background of Percy's mind. He saw his own hands gripping Riptide; like they had a mind of its own, felt the weight of the cursed blade in his palms. His fingers clenched reflexively, the phantom sensation of battle settling into his bones.

Jason's sacrifice, his death, should have been the focus of the moment, but for Percy, it was as if the world had blurred around him. The flames of the pyre merged with the fiery chaos of past battles, and the chill of loss mingled with the searing heat of his anger.

Unbeknownst to Percy, the seeds of his descent into madness and war had been sown. His heart, once a wellspring of courage and determination, was now tainted by a darkness that threatened to engulf him. The gods, in their relentless manipulation, had pushed him to a breaking point. Jason's death was the catalyst, the spark that ignited the smoldering embers of resentment and defiance within Percy's soul.

Even Percy was alarmed of himself.

Nico's recitation concluded, and the crowd began to disperse, their grief tangible in the air. But Percy remained rooted in place, his gaze still fixed on the fading flames of the pyre. He felt a simmering rage, a desire for retribution that burned hotter than the fire before him. He didn't yet realize that this anger, this obsession with vengeance, would lead him down a treacherous path—one that would pit him against the very gods he had once revered.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the camp, Percy's mind was a battlefield of its own. Unseen by those around him, a storm was brewing within him, a storm that would shape the course of his destiny and forever alter the balance between mortals and gods.

"Hey," Annabeth murmured, snapping him back into reality. He felt her warm hand placed gently on his shoulder, the touch loving and concerned. Percy's eyes drifted to hers. The rim of her eyes were bloodshot red, a clear indicator of the many tears of grief she had shed for the fallen hero. Percy recognized his were probably very much similar.

"Let's head back to the lake. Clear our minds." He didn't say anything, but let himself be gently guided towards the lake. The fading light of the day cast a soft, melancholic glow over Camp Half-Blood as Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase walked side by side. The echoes of grief still hung heavy in the air, the collective cries of campers mourning Jason Grace's passing resonating like a haunting dirge.

They walked in silence, the sound of their breath mingling with the rustling leaves and distant waves. The lake, a tranquil mirror reflecting the twilight sky, lay ahead like a sanctuary of solace. It was a place where Percy often found refuge, a space to clear his thoughts and let his emotions flow freely.

Arriving at the water's edge, they paused, their gazes fixed on the gentle ripples that danced across the surface. The campers' cries still reached them, carried by the wind, a stark reminder of the fragility of their existence. They were once again brutally reminded that demigods don't live long. You could be as strong as Achilles himself, but the clutches of fate would never release its grasp on you.

Finally, Percy broke the silence, his voice raw and laden with anger. "It's not fair, Annabeth. None of this is. We fight their battles, we give everything we have, and what do we get in return? Heartbreak and loss. Jason didn't deserve this."

Almost immediately as he said it, Percy clamped his mouth shut, his heart racing. He himself had no idea where that came from, but the mere thought of everything made his very soul boil and seethe in anger. Had they not done enough? Sacrificed enough? Don't they too deserve happiness?

Annabeth looked over at him in surprise, but then her gaze softened. She couldn't blame Percy as she too had felt this anger. "I know, Percy. It's hard to make sense of it all. But we can't let the anger consume us. We have to remember why we fight. We fight for the people we love and for a future where demigods can live without the constant threat of war."

Percy clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "But how can we trust them? They meddle in our lives, they manipulate us, and when things go wrong, they just... watch."

Annabeth took a step closer, her presence a soothing balm amidst the turmoil. "Percy, I understand your anger, and it's valid. But we can't let it blind us. We have each other, and we have the strength to change things. We've faced down gods and Titans before. We can find a way to make them listen."

Make them listen? He doesn't think they could ever be capable. Percy's shoulders slumped, his anger beginning to give way to exhaustion. He met Annabeth's gaze, his eyes searching for the answers he desperately needed. "Annabeth, I don't know if I can keep doing this. Every battle, every loss, it's wearing me down."

Annabeth reached out and gently took Percy's hand in hers, their fingers entwining. "You're not alone, Percy. You'll never be alone. We're in this together, no matter what. I swear on the River Styx that I'll stand by your side, through every challenge and every storm. We'll find a way to make things right. I promise."

Unbeknownst to Annabeth, her words echoed through the cosmos, imprinted on the fabric of fate. The River Styx, ever vigilant, sensed the gravity of her promise, weaving it into the tapestry of their intertwined destinies. It knew of Percy's future choices, the path he would walk, and the consequences that would follow.

She should've known better. As the Daughter of Athena herself, Annabeth of all people knew the consequences of making such promises. Breaking such a promise is a guaranteed fate worse than death itself...

But Annabeth was tired and filled with grief. Sure she was half god, but the other half was mortal. And mortals constantly make mistakes. She just could've never predicted how severe hers was.

Percy's eyes softened, his anger giving way to a mix of gratitude and vulnerability. He squeezed Annabeth's hand, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "You always know how to bring me back, Wise Girl."

Annabeth's smile mirrored Percy's, a spark of determination lighting up her gray eyes. "That's what partners are for, Seaweed Brain."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in shades of purple and gold, Percy and Annabeth remained by the lake's edge, comforting each other.
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A/N: it's been a while since I posted anything. Updates will be slow and school is about to start back up. I'm nervous as hell. This is also posted on Ao3! Hope y'all enjoyed :)