Percy Jackson : Gods Annihilation

"I'm done running," she said as she walked again, stepping fully passed the carved line.

He grit his teeth, a growl breaking free as he looked at the goddess before biting out, "So be it."

...

And so he attacked, his katana held in a single wield as he closed the distance as her eyes widened but she still reacted on instinct and raised her defense. The collision was instantaneous and Percy watched as the goddess visibly grit her teeth at dealing with the pressure.

But he wasn't about to let up in the slightest. He turned the downward slash into a horizontal swipe, grinding his blade's edge against hers in a strike that could have lopped her head off but she managed to duck under it.

She then rolled with the momentum before hopping to her feet before initiating the attack herself.

He raised an eyebrow at her speed, completely surpassing what she showed when fighting the cyclops and even possibly moving faster than during their attack. Still he raised his sword to block, grunting a little at the force before shoving back and, faster than she could adjust, lashed out with a left fist nailing her straight in the gut.

She nearly folded over his fist as she spit out spittle with a gasp and was launched back into the ground, crashing a small trench until her momentum finally bled off … right back on the other side of the line dividing them. He stood silently as the dust and debris settled, watching as the goddess coughed as she turned over and slowly forced herself back up. He shook his head as he lowered his blade and spoke up, irritation dripping off his voice.

"You know, if you're going to be this stubborn to get passed me, then maybe using more power or even going into divine form would help."

Annabeth turned around again as she wiped a smug of dirt close to her right eye before looking at him, breathing slightly heavier than before but not looking at all that damaged from the blow. He had to admit, she was built of tough stuff then.

"I didn't sneak away just to be traced if I use my power," she replied as she readied her sword again.

"Then why bother?" he asked, glancing at the division between them before returning his full attention to the blonde goddess. "You can't beat me like this and I already gave you answers about your mother. Just turn back Chase," he said as he turned around himself, already on edge and wanting to go home himself.

"Percy! Wait!" she called, making him pause as he turned around to look at her even as he sheathed his sword yet again.

"You are really trying my patience here goddess," he spat angrily but Annabeth remained resolute as she looked at him. Then, with a breathe to steady out, she spoke up.

"Then, at least hear me out."

"Why?" he asked with narrowed eyes. "What more could I possibly want with you?" Seeing her familiar look as she glanced around in thought, he scoffed drawing her attention. "And don't try making offers. You have nothing I want or need," he said, 'Anymore,' he mentally completed.

With his piece said he turned and started to walk again but then he caught the sound of her approaching yet again, this time almost at a jog. Then, before her next footfall could even land on the other side of the line, he moved and in an instant, was before her. He lashed out with a kick, hitting her in the gut and knocking her several meters back.

He was breathing heavy now as his anger built. Didn't she see! He was trying to let her go, to her home and family, to answer her brother's prayer. But she just kept coming, even as she stumbled slightly and slumped her shoulders from the hit, she walked up again while looking him in the eyes. Again she got almost over the line and again he struck, an uppercut that nearly cracked her chin as she sailed through the air for several seconds before landing in a heap.

"Just stay down," he growled out as he cracked his fists from clenching them so hard.

She shook her head even as she slowly got back up much to his growing anger and turned towards him again.

"Stay back," he said through grit teeth even as his right hand drifted towards the hilt of his sword.

"Percy … please," she said softly as she kept walking.

"I'm warning you," he almost whispered, his eyes obscured by his hair as his hand clenched around the hilt of his sword.

The blonde only shook her head stubbornly even as she stumbled slightly letting Percy notice that she was favoring her right side.

"I won't run," she murmured as she got to the line, foot raised.

Then, before she could set her foot down he moved, all but teleporting to mortal and even most immortals eyes with his katana swinging. Then, his own narrowed eyes widened at the sight before him, shock and disbelief. He blinked once, twice, even going as far as thrice as he looked to make sure he was seeing clearly … and he was. Annabeth had dropped her sword, leaving herself completely vulnerable while the edge of Purgatory rested at her throat, almost close enough to kiss her skin.

His hand holding the sword was starting to tremble, looking her in the eyes as his inner turmoil grew. All he needed was to lean closer. One flick and her head would roll, one nick and his Voidice would spread, trapping and slowly consuming her until she faded leaving a hollow statue. So many was to possibly have her at his mercy … and yet he couldn't go through with it.

"Why?" he asked, his tone both angry and nearly pleading as her own eyes got misty.

"Because you weren't going to do it, in the end you're still the seaweed-brain I know," she replied.

"How do you…"

"Then why didn't you kill me the first time?" she interrupted, her eyes boring into his. "What stopped you then?"

"I … I don't know," he answered as his eyes refused to meet. In truth he knew and it wasn't for any other reason than the fact that it had been her.

In that fight he had been so focused on Artemis as the target of his hate that all others simply became extra that he instinctively fought, not really caring who they were. It had only been at the very last minute that he even noticed it was her to begin with and even then it was close.

Too close for his liking. He knew the truth just like she did and in the end both were victims even if she willingly ran and hide. It broke his heart and it still hurts at times but even then, he could not hate her. Angry, sad, and disappointed yes but never could he gather the will to hate.

"You knew what I'd done before we fell into Tartarus right?" she asked even as he saw the hint of shame in her eyes.

It wasn't hard for him to understand what exactly she was talking about and slowly he nodded only to get a sad smile from her in turn.

"And even then you still fell with me to Tartarus," she said almost wistfully with a shake of her head before, much to her alarm, stepping finally planting her foot down. The movement finally moved her close enough that the edge of his sword nicked her neck, tiny drops of ichor oozing out. "That's exactly why I need your help now."

Hearing that brought a whole new wave of anger in him as a suddenly snarled while pulling back the blade only for his free hand to latch onto her throat and easily lift her a foot off the ground, cutting off her gasp as his pupils narrowed to slits while the temperature started to rapidly lower around them.

"Is that it?" he growled as the darkness intensified. "So I was a fool for still believing in you and now you think you can just demand something of me!?" he practically roared as power coursed through him, turning his finger nails into icy claws and lengthening his fangs while deepening his voice.

"Why goddess? Why would I ever so much as lift a finger for you instead of finishing you off now rather than later!?" he bellowed, the power and ferocity in his voice booming around them as the night responded to his aggression, thickening as an almost suffocating pressure started to bare down on the choking goddess.

With another snarl he flicked his wrist, tossing the goddess aside with enough force to make her plow throw several meters of hardened earth. She coughed and groaned as she tried to sit up but was stopped as he appeared before her, his foot slamming on her chest and keeping her pinned, ignoring the pang of guilt in his chest as he watched her cough up some ichor.

Keeping the pressure high enough to make sure she couldn't move but not too much so she could speak, her spoke in a low, icy voice.

"Tell me goddess, why are you here, truly? What could possibly drive you to come alone, almost begging for my help when you know you don't even deserve my help?"

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Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.

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