Chapter One of the third book, Hellfire, is now out, so here is a sneak peak. Go check out the book!

Percy's POV

Okay, so get this! Annabeth and I get to wear these super cool SHIELD uniforms! How awesome is that! Now we all look super cool.

Breakfast was surprisingly upbeat, considering the situation. I called my mom last night to tell her I was okay and that everything was fine. I didn't tell her about the whole immortal thing, or the quest. I just said that I would be home to visit soon.

Also on that immortal thing, I don't think I'm the god of anything yet. I'm kind of like Jaeden, just an immortal being that's powerful.

I guess people were also kind of excited that I was alive, considering that I technically died(not fun by the way).

Also, after I used the fleece, we passed it around and Hazel's eye is back to normal and so is Leo's leg. Everyone else who had some kind of injury was healed and everything was going splendidly.

The remaining Avengers who were not accompanying us on the quest are heading back to the Avengers tower after we leave. Tony begrudgingly gave them the keys as long as they promised not to make too big of a mess.

So anyway, we said our goodbyes to everyone and headed to Zeus's fist. Upon reaching the entrance to the Labyrinth, I held up my hand, telling our group to stop for a minute. I needed a breath. This place brought back bad memories.

I could almost see the army crawling out of those boulders, Lee Fletcher falling at the hands of that Cyclops. Pollux lighting his brother Castor's shroud.

"You okay?" Tony asked, laying a hand on my shoulder. I nodded. "We are just not usually allowed to come here because of what happened," Annabeth explained.

"What happened?" Wanda asked curiously. "The Battle of the Labyrinth," I stated simply and darkly. Wanda shivered. I noticed that the clouds were starting to blot out the sun. Not a good omen.

"We should get going," Steve suggested, also eyeing the impending storm. So I led the way. We had to rummage some boulders out of the way to make a hole big enough to fit through because we did collapse it when Kampe got crushed with rocks.

I knew we had found the entrance when I saw the little triangle. I touched it and the Delta glowed blue. The remaining rocks moved themselves and a red glow came from inside. I looked over my shoulder at my companions before forging ahead.

I looked around in awe. A lot has changed since I've been in here last. And not necessarily it's looks, but it just feels a lot more sinister. Like it means to kill us. Which was expected, but hey.

I was startled out of my thoughts when Annabeth grabbed my hand. "It reminds me..." she trailed off. "Shh," I whispered and kissed the top of her head. It too reminded me of that place.

Steve put his shield on his back and pointed ahead, in the direction we were expected to travel. He was wearing a suit that was a navy color instead of his usual spangles to blend in better and so we could have the element of surprise maybe in a fight. 'Cause come on, when Steve's getting all 'God's righteous man', you can see him coming from a mile away.

Tony was the only one that would have semi-bright colors(but I guess his red and gold would go great with the hellish colors in the maze) but he is keeping the suit on his back like a backpack type thing.

Wanda wore her usual magenta coat thing. She would use her telekineses to move obstacles out of the way, or to shield us from random flying objects or fire. We got a routine going here!

My water supply was kind of low down here so I couldn't exactly help by summoning water, but I'm still a badass with a sword, so...

Annabeth had her dagger in her hand and her drakon bone sword strapped across her back. Her curly blond hair was tied up in a ponytail and let me tell you, she looked hot in that SHIELD uniform(and I'm sure I'm rocking mine too).

After walking mindlessly for about four hours(time is weird here) we decided to rest. I could go forever(literally) but I decided to honor the mortals in the group.

I couldn't sleep so I took first watch. I mean, I'm sure I could sleep if I wanted too, but my immortal batter is still pretty charged, and I've spent the last couple weeks in bed dying and sleeping, so I'm really not tired at all.

Steve argued about my taking first watch, but I waved him off. Once they were finally asleep, I had some time to actually think about my life.

I'm immortal now, against my consent, and that means that I cannot die. The love of my life and all of my friends(looking at you Olympians. You can't die either so you're not my friends) can die and will be in Elysium while I'm sitting on Olympus or some random island granted passage through the sea like Hercules.

I don't want to live forever. I never have and I don't think I ever will get used to the changes. Sure, it's handy in a battle, but forever? Won't life get boring? Won't I stop caring about life? Mine and mortals? Won't I turn into one of those nutcases on Olympus?

I don't want that. I want to die someday and maybe go to Elysium and be with the love of my life and all of my friends(not you Olympians). I don't want to live forever.

I also feel like my immortality put a barrier between me and my friends. I could feel the tension this morning at breakfast. No one would look at me. That's when I realized that my friends are now. Not in a million years, where I'll still be around. They are right now and soon I'm gonna miss it. Their lives are fleeting moments compared to a god's. That's the problem.

Soon I'm gonna stop caring because I don't want to get too attached. And it's hard for me to say that my wise girl falls into that category too. Soon she's going to die. One day hopefully far in the future she's going to die. And I'll be all alone.

And then, gods forbid, there will be another. And another and another and another. Just affairs for the thrill of it. Because I'm trying to get over my wise girl. And Chiron will know. He'll be at Camp Half-Blood long after everyone I knew was dead and he'll teach the new campers about us. About me.

And he'll tell that half-blood that comes to camp, "You remember that legend Percy Jackson? The one that was turned into a god to save the world and his own life(that wasn't worth much in exchange for everyone else's)? You remember him? Well he's your daddy. And I'm sorry to say that just like all the other gods, he doesn't give a shit about you."

There's going to come a day where I turn into one of the shitbags up there and I dread that day. I never knew I would have to. I thought I made my point pretty clear the first time I was offered. I do not want that.

I want to die. There, I said it. Just thinking about this makes me want to die. Maybe now, maybe later, maybe someday in the future, I don't care. As long as I can die someday, it sure as hell beats living forever.

I used to be scared of death. Hell, I even looked him in the eye. But not anymore. I embrace him with open arms.

And I understand that to some, death is the definition of leaving someone behind. But the only way I would really be leaving Annabeth would be if I couldn't die. I would be breaking my promise to her. My promise that I would never leave her again. The promise I made in the darkest of times. And I don't make promises lightly, nor do I break them lightly.

And this is one promise I am determined not to break. If it's the last thing I do, I will find a way to defy the gods's gift, whether it be a curse or a blessing, and stay with Annabeth.

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Annabeth's POV

We were stumbling through Tartarus when we were attacked by the curses. Bob left us a little while ago and we were all alone. Percy was destroying them left and right, wincing and groaning after every one.

I cut one in half and suddenly my eyesight was gone. Everything went dark. "Percy!" I screamed. I got no answer. Why wasn't he answering me? I could still here all of the monsters and sounds of Tartarus, but no Percy. "Percy, why did you leave me?"

I reached out for him, but he wasn't there. Where did he go? Why did he desert me, leave me to die. I wandered around, screaming for him for gods know how long. I felt strong arms wrap around me, lifting me up, but they weren't Percy's. I started kicking and screaming again.

I was well aware that I was acting like a baby, but I couldn't help it. This place brings out the worst in people. I guess that is apparent for Percy too, seeing as he left me alone. I heard the figure that was carrying me whisper soothing things which was strange for someone trying to kill me.

The person set me down and laid a hand on my forehead. I blinked a couple times and I could see again! The hellish glare caught me off guard, for I had forgotten what hell looks like.

Turning my head, I saw that Percy was right there in front of me. At first I was angry with him, but then I couldn't get over how happy I was to see him. It felt like I was going to explode with joy in this place that sucks all happiness out of everything.

But then I caught the expression of pain in his face and my heart stopped.

"What's-what's wrong, what happened! Bob!" I screamed. The titan tilted his head and studied Percy, who was covered in blood and overall looked horrible. I moved closer and held his head in my arms, hugging him close to me and playing with his hair.

His lips were dry and cracked and his skin was pale and sweaty. He looked absolutely miserable. He couldn't even speak and his face was a constant expression of pain and torture.

Bob tried to heal him and instantly I saw the relief. But the pain was back as soon as Bob removed his hand. "Gorgon's blood," Bob said, "I slowed it down, but I cannot heal it. But I know someone who can."

Percy groaned in pain again and my heart felt like it was shattering a million times in a million pieces. I helped him stand, but he didn't last long on his feet. Bob had to carry him the rest of the way.

"Annabeth," he moaned in pain. I started to cry. "Annabeth!" He said with a little more force. I frowned. This wasn't part of the memory. "Annabeth, wake up! I'm here. I'm right here."

My eyes snapped open and I gasped. Percy was shaking me. I realized that I had been crying in my sleep. "Hey, it's okay. I'm right here."

He opened his arms and I crawled onto his lap and snuggled into his warm embrace. "You were yelling my name. What was the dream about?" He whispered. "Tartarus," I answered simply.

He didn't answer after that, didn't need to. He simply held me and rocked me back and forth, occasionally kissing me on the head until I eventually fell asleep again.

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