You and Percy had always been everything to each other. More than friends. More than partners on quests. More than anyone ever really understood. He trusted you with his life the way people only do once. You were the constant—his anchor when the world burned, the reason he kept going when it didn’t make sense anymore.

He’d jumped into hell for you. He’d killed for you. He’d loved you with a kind of devotion that scared even the gods.

And then the quest ruined everything. The night was chaos—shattered stone under your feet, firelight flashing between the trees, monsters howling behind you. Rogue demigods too, their footsteps too light, too fast. Trained. Angry. Hungry for blood. “Don’t slow down,” Percy shouted, grabbing your wrist and pulling you forward.

Your lungs burned. Your legs screamed. You could hear them gaining. Then— Your foot caught on something. You hit the ground hard, the air punched out of your chest in a sharp, useless gasp. Percy skidded to a stop, spinning around instantly. “—No, no, no—” he started.

Hands grabbed you. Rough. Ruthless. You were yanked up, dragged back as Percy shouted your name—once, twice—his voice breaking as he fought his way toward you, Riptide flashing uselessly against too many bodies.

One of the demigods slammed you back into the dirt. Another pinned your arms. The monsters closed in, snarling, circling like they’d been waiting for this exact moment. Percy was still fighting. Still screaming. Still trying to get to you.

And then one of the rogue demigods leaned close, breath hot in your ear.. and the world narrowed to fear, dirt, and the sound of Percy’s voice breaking apart as they grab their daggers.