CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
OUT OF BODY

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ANNAIS, JASON, PIPER AND Percy trekked for what seemed like hours beneath the hot sun. Surrounded by sunflowers, their budding yellow petals reaching for the sky on winding stalks, Annais felt almost suffocated by the endless field. The road waiting on the other side didn't seem worth it, nor did the God who would inevitably let them down in one way or another. Part of her wanted to turn back, but with Percy and Jason fighting to lead the charge, she knew she had no choice but to keep going.

The second she spied the highway was like taking a breath of fresh air. Momentarily, hope swelled in her chest, and she surged forward ahead of the boys to smack the sunflower stalks out of her way.

Just a few more metres, Annais reminded herself with Jason and Percy grumbling at each other in the background. Not long now, Annais.

Perhaps she jinxed them. Or maybe it was just Leo's shitty concept of geography.

"Correct my maths," Percy murmured as the four of them stared up at the sign in sheer disbelief. Bubba's Gas 'n' Grub. Then, beneath that, Topeka Exit: 40 miles. "But doesn't that mean we have eight miles to walk?"

"Yup..." Piper sighed.

Annais cursed under her breath, jaw clenching, "Oh, Leo's so dead when we get back."

"Agreed," the other girl muttered, then turned to stare down the highway in obvious dismay. "What do we wanna do?"

"Well," Jason took a moment to survey their surroundings. No one else was around. There wasn't even a bus stop as far as they were able to see. Their best bet would've been to turn back and get Leo to drop them off further down the highway, though none of them were particularly thrilled at the idea of trekking through that torturous sunflower field again. "There's no cars, but I guess we wouldn't want to hitch-hike."

Annais scoffed at that. "No shit. Knowing our luck, the first car we'd come across would have a monster in it."

For a moment, Jason's eyes darted up to meet hers, blue clashing against brown. Normally, he would've smirked at her comment, but his face remained carefully calculated, coolly indifferent beneath the weight of her stare. Annais let out a sigh of disappointment, chest tightening, and forced herself to turn away.

"We've already spent too much time going overland," Piper argued. Unlike Percy, she saw the tension between her friends as clear as day. She didn't look happy about it either, lips pursed and brows furrowed. Annais half-expected her to call them out, to see what had suddenly changed in the space of a day. But she didn't. Instead, she forcefully cleared her throat, shot Annais a we'll be speaking about this later look, then continued, "The earth is Gaea's territory..."

Jason made an uncertain sound, like an idea had come to him but he wasn't quite sure whether or not to follow through. At last, he let out a breath, declaring into the silence, "I can call a friend for a ride."

Annais grimaced the second she spotted the look on Percy's face. At the sound of Jason's voice, he had straightened up, shoulders bunched with tension. He was quick to retort, "Oh, yeah? Well, me too. Let's see whose friend gets here first."

Annais and Piper shook their heads. Boys, their matching expressions of displeasure screamed. What idiots.

They stood side-by-side, arms folded, watching impassively while Jason and Percy stared each other down. Jason was the first to make a move. With a smirk of confidence, he raised his index fingers to his lips, allowing a sharp whistle to pierce the air. Annais smirked at the sound, the movement catching his attention. For a second, he smiled, like nothing she'd done had upset him. The moment was over just as quick as it came.

Nothing happened at first. Percy had let his eyes flutter shut, concentrating on the connection between him and his friend. Annais knew it would be Blackjack, just like she knew Jason had called for Tempest, the storm-spirit horse that had chosen to help Jason at the Wolf House.

Now, it was merely a matter of who would get there first.

A rumble of thunder crackled across the blue sky. It brought a smile back to Jason's lips, a combination of pride and nostalgia. "Soon," he assured them, raising his face to the sun. His skin seemed to glow gold beneath the light, like a statue straight out of King Midas' legend. Annais' breath caught in her throat, gaze darting to the flutter of his hair in the light breeze.

Jason Grace really was beautiful.

Far too beautiful for someone like Annais Min to be looking at.

Opposite him, Percy smirked like he knew something they didn't. "Too late," he said, with triumph thick in his voice. When they just looked at him in confusion, he pointed towards the East where a black-winged shadow was forming on the horizon. Blackjack.

"A black pegasus?" Piper gasped in awe. "I've never seen one like that. Well, apart from Ezra's. Eddie's like no other."

Percy's grin momentarily softened at Ezra's name. In fact, the comment completely distracted him from rubbing his victory in Jason's face. He didn't even notice when the blonde boy scowled and looked down, too caught up in his thoughts. He turned just in time to see Blackjack land gracefully in the sunflower field. Much like the group of demigods, he seemed displeased by the flowers, his hooves crushing the petals as he trotted over to Percy and nuzzled his face.

"Blackjack, you remember Annais," the son of Poseidon nodded towards the girl in question. Annais raised a hand to scratch behind Blackjack's ear, grinning when the pegasus nickered with recognition. "And this is Piper and Jason. They're friends."

The last bit, while true for the most part, made Blackjack snort like he saw right through his companion. He made another sound, stomping a hoof in a manner that was almost demanding. Percy let out a laugh, completely unphased. "Maybe later."

"What does Blackjack want?" Piper spoke up. She'd kept her distance at first, somewhat wary, but over time had made her way over to stand at Annais' side. She copied the girl's movements, reaching up to scratch the pegasus' head. Slowly, Annais pulled away, letting her take over without realising.

"Donuts," Percy said with a knowing grin at Annais. "Now, if I'm being honest, I'm not sure he can carry four of us. Three, maybe, but--"

"Oh, that's not a problem," Jason murmured, finally breaking his silence.

Before Percy could even think of questioning him, the air went cold, like Summer had suddenly shifted into Winter before their very eyes. The freezing breeze had Annais shivering and stepping closer to Piper warily. For just a moment, it was like she was back in Boreas' castle again, Jason and Piper at her side, Khione leading the way.

The reminder left her feeling even colder than the sudden drop in temperature. 

She tried not to show it, though, not as the wind began to swirl into a miniature sunflower just fifty yards away. Pushing right through the sunflowers, Tempest the spirit horse came barreling to a stop right in front of Jason, his translucent body revealing flashes of lightning in the structure of his bones. Percy struggled to hide his amazement, and Jason knew it.

"Tempest," he uttered with a pleased grin. "Long time, my friend."

The spirit horse reared his head, whinnying towards the sun. Blackjack almost immediately backed up, neighing at Percy like he couldn't believe his companion would expose him to such an animal. Annais snickered, amused, as the son of Poseidon quickly reached out to calm him.

"Easy, boy, he's a friend too," he whispered until Blackjack eventually stopped struggling. Only then did Percy turn to Jason, forcing out the words, "Nice ride, Grace."

Jason shrugged like it was no big deal. Annais knew he was really quite pleased with himself, finding pleasure in gaining the upper hand. "I made friends with him during our fight at the Wolf house," he explained, nodding his head towards Annais and Piper. "He's a free spirit, really, but once in a while he agrees to help me."

Now, here was where it got awkward.

Both boys had climbed onto the backs of their respective horses, gazed simultaneously turning to where Annais and Piper lingered on the ground. Annais spared a glance at the other girl, at the weary way she looked at the Tempest, then at the almost nervous glint that formed at the idea of being so close to Percy, someone she barely knew. It was obvious that Jason wanted Annais with him. Despite their differences, he couldn't keep his eyes off her. But Annais couldn't bring herself to give him what he wanted, to be so close to him. So she used Piper as an excuse, hating the guilty feeling that festered in her chest as a result.

"You go with Jason," she forced herself to tell Piper, prompting the other boy's face to drop. "Jackson, help me up."

Percy grinned and offered her his hand. It didn't feel right beneath Annais' touch; too rough, his fingers too short. Annais came to regret her decision as she watched Piper settle behind Jason. He was already looking at her, jaw clenched at the curl of her arm around Percy's stomach. He turned away when he saw her looking back.

With that, they set off on their way. Annais' heart dropped to her stomach as Blackjack took flight, soaring over Jason and Piper's heads and down the road. What would've taken ages to walk took only a matter of minutes with the assistance of Jason and Percy's friends. Still, Annais found herself breathing a sigh of relief when Blackjack's hooves safely planted themselves in front of the thirty-two-mile marker. She was quick to slide off his back without waiting for Percy's help, merely watching Jason lower Piper down by her waist.

"Well," she said, clearing her throat with a pointed cough. "Where should we start looking?"

"I don't know," Percy sighed, then angled his head towards Blackjack as the pegasus whinnied. "You're right. No sign of the wine dude."

"I beg your pardon?"

Instinctively, Annais reached for her weapon, clinging to the hilt of the blade like it was an extension of her arm. She probably would've stabbed the unfamiliar man in front of them right through the stomach had Jason not stepped between them. She forced herself to pause then, to observe who'd appeared out of nowhere.

Thirty at the most, he wore a wide-brimmed hat made of straw and curling grapevines. The hue matches his purple short-sleeved shirt tucked into a pair of brown khaki shorts, white socks pulled to his knees. All in all, he wasn't much to look at. If Annais didn't know any better, she would've thought he was some random man trying to grasp on to the feeling of being young, but the problem was that she did know better. This unremarkable man was Bacchus. Annais Min had almost stabbed a Roman God, as if that would've helped their case against Camp Jupiter...

"Did someone just call me the wine dude?" Bacchus echoed in a distasteful drawl. His gaze lingered on Annais' weapon, nose scrunched up. "It's Bacchus, please. Or Mr Bacchus. Or Lord Bacchus. Or, sometimes, Oh-My-Gods-Please-Don't-Kill-Me, Lord Bacchus."

Annais hated him already.

"You look different," Percy commented, looking the God up and down. "Skinnier. And your hair is longer. And your shirt isn't so loud."

The more she observed him, the more she recognised Mr D. Well, that would be if Mr D lost his warped sense of fashion and spent a few decades out in the mortal world. She wasn't sure if she liked the change, or if she preferred the old version of him, the one she was comfortable in despising.

"What in blazes are you talking about?" Bacchus scoffed at Percy. "Who are you, and where is Ceres?"

"Uh... what series?"

"I think he means Ceres," Jason couldn't resist correcting the Greek boy. "The Goddess of agriculture. You'd call her Demeter." With that, he turned his back on Percy, lowering his head into a respectful bow. "Lord Bacchus, do you remember me? I helped you with that missing leopard in Sonoma."

For a moment, Bacchus stood in silence, clearly surprised by Jason's admission. With an awkward cough, he nodded. "Ah... yes. John Green."

Annais smirked as Jason, red-faced, corrected him. "Jason Grace."

"Whatever. Did Ceres send you?"

"No, Lord Bacchus," he shook his head. "Were you expecting to meet her here?"

"Well, I didn't come to Kansas to party, my boy," Bacchus snorted like he should've known that already. "Ceres asked me here for a Council of War. What, with Gaea rising, the crops are withering. Droughts are spreading. The karpoi are in revolt. Even my grapes aren't safe. Ceres wanted a united front in the plant war."

"The plant war," Percy echoed, trying not to let his amusement show. It sounded ridiculous, even to Annais. "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny assault rifles?"

Just like Mr D would have, Bacchus' eyes narrowed into a dangerous glower. "Have we met?" he demanded.

Percy's lips tugged into a mirthless grin, the expression almost challenging as he said, "At Camp Half-Blood. Annais and I know you as Mr D. Dionysus."

Annais stumbled back as Bacchus suddenly winced and clutched at the sides of his head like someone had struck him in the back of the skull. For just a moment, his whole body seemed to morph. His stomach pushed against his shirt, which bled from purple to a sickening leopard-print pattern. A beard grew down from his chin, greying despite his immortal status. The new look seemed to enrage him, for Bacchus -- or Dionysus -- let out a shout and bared his teeth at them.

"Stop that," he shouted, features slowly morphing back to Roman. "Stop thinking about me in Greek. Do you have any idea how hard it is to stay focused? Splitting headaches all the time. I never know what I'm doing or where I'm going. Constantly grumpy..."

Annais snickered, unable to smother the sound despite knowing it wasn't the best idea to mock him. "That actually sounds pretty normal for you," she commented, catching sight of Percy's amused smirk.

Bacchus' eyes narrowed, nostrils flaring. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and Annais found herself actually happy to see him angry. Sure, they needed him to help them, but there was something comforting in how familiar his actions were. She felt at home again. "If we know each other from that other camp, it's a wonder I haven't turned you into a dolphin, or worse."

"Trust me, it was discussed," Percy said. "I think you were just too lazy to do it."

Annais grinned. "Lazy. That's Dionysus for you."

Something in Jason seemed to snap. He whirled around to face her, shaking his head in disbelief, but Annais refused to cave in just because he was angry with her. If anything, she returned his glare ten-fold, wanting him to say something. Anything was better than distant stares of longing when she wasn't looking then silence when she was.

"Look, Lord Bacchus," Piper spoke up, prompting the God to round on her next, glowering in warning. "Uh, sorry to trouble you, my lord, but we actually came here to get your advice. Please, we need your wisdom."

Bacchus didn't respond at first. The tidal wave of charm-speak was obvious, washing over each of them like ice over fire. If Bacchus recognised the power, he didn't make it obvious. "You're well-spoken, girl," he said at last, letting out a sigh. "Advice, eh? Very well. First, I would avoid karaoke. Really, theme parties in general are out. In these austere times, people are looking for a simple, low-key affair, with locally produced organic snacks and--"

Annais should've known it would be too good to be true. The only thing on this man's mind was partying and drinking, even in a different form. He was of no use to them.

"Not about parties," Piper cut in, then sheepishly smiled when he paused to frown at her interruption. "Although that's incredibly useful advice, Lord Bacchus, we were hoping you'd help us on our quest... well, quests..."

When Bacchus remained silent, she filled the chasm with an explanation. Their voyage to stop the giants from awakening Gaea. The Mins being given the task of guiding them, though why, they couldn't be sure. What Nemesis had said to them back in Salt Lake City; that in six days, Rome would be in ruins, a distant memory. Annais failed to hide her surprise when Piper finished with one last unknown bit of information. That Piper had seen Bacchus in her knife, offering her a silver goblet.

The words seemed to surprise the God, too. "A silver goblet?" he echoed, popping the top of a Diet Pepsi can and raising the metal to his lips.

Momentarily distracted, Percy commented, "You actually drink Diet Coke."

Bacchus sneered. "I don't know what you're talking about." Still, Annais caught the flash of Dionysus again, threatening to break through his Roman form. "As to this vision of the goblet, young lady, I have nothing for you to drink unless you want a Pepsi. Jupiter has put me under strict orders to avoid giving wine to minors. Bothersome, but there you have it. As for the giants, I know them well. I fought in the first Giant War, you know."

Percy snorted. "You can fight?"

Annais smirked. "Fight is a strong word for throwing empty Coke cans at your enemies."

Bacchus snarled. In a flash of gold, his drink transformed into a five-foot staff wreathed in ivy. At the top was a pinecone. Annais recognised it as a thyrsus, and so did Piper. The daughter of Aphrodite was quick to step between the Greek demigods and Bacchus, knowing that the God was one step away from attacking them.

"Oh, what a mighty weapon," she breathed out in exaggerated awe.

Annais rolled her eyes at the compliment, but fortunately for her and Percy, Bacchus seemed to take the bait. "Indeed," he agreed, nose pointed in the air. "I'm glad someone in your group is smart. The pinecone is a fearsome tool of destruction! I was a demigod myself in the first Giant War, you know. The son of Jupiter himself. Of course, that was long before I invented wine and became an immortal. I fought side-by-side with the Gods and some other demigod... Harry Cleese, I think."

"Harry Cleese?" Annais echoed incredulously. At the same time, Piper muttered a polite correction, "Do you mean Heracles?"

Bacchus shrugged. "Oh, whatever. My point is, I killed the giant Ephialtes and his brother Otis. Horrible bores, those two. Pinecone in the face for both of them!"

Annais and Piper seemed to come to the same realisation at once. In an instant, both girls had turned to each other, Annais with wide what the fuck eyes and Piper with a nervous frown. She took the lead for once, both of them knowing that Annais had done too much to anger the God. He wouldn't listen to her, no matter how serious she tried to be with him.

"Lord Bacchus, those two giants, Ephialtes and Otis..." Jason and Percy turned to them then, both obviously confused. Piper merely smiled, breathing out the question, "Would they happen to be twins?"

"Yes, twins," he nodded, slowly but surely losing interest in them. Any moment now, he'd decide it was time to take his leave, Annais knew it. Therefore, they needed as much information from him as they could get.

"Then that must be why we're here," she commented, to which Piper nodded with a sense of eagerness, adding, "You're part of our quest."

"I'm sorry, my girl," Bacchus shook his head. "I'm not a demigod anymore. I don't do quests."

Annais rolled her eyes, arms folded across her chest. She went to retort but was cut off by Piper taking a pleading step towards him, momentarily forgetting who he was and what he could do. "But giants can only be killed by heroes and Gods working together," she pointed out, as if that would be enough to change a stubborn God's mind. "You're a God now, and the two giants we have to fight are Ephialtes and Otis. I think... I think they're waiting for us in Rome. They're going to destroy the city somehow! The silver goblet I saw in my vision; maybe it's meant as a symbol for your help. You have to help us kill the giants."

"My girl, I don't have to do anything," he retorted, to which reality seemed to return to Piper. Her face went pale, smile dropping. "Besides, I only help those who give me proper tribute, which no one has managed to do in many, many centuries."

"Tribute?" Percy echoed the word with wariness. "What kind of tribute...?"

"Nothing you could handle, insolent Greeks," Bacchus scoffed at him and Annais. The daughter of Hades wasn't sure if she should be offended or not. The petty part of her wanted to rise to the silent challenge, to prove him wrong and revel in it. The other part of her, the logical voice in her brain, scolded her for being so fucking dumb, even in her own thoughts. A thing like that was only asking for trouble... "But I will give you some free advice, since this girl does have some manners. Seek out Gaea's son, Phorcys. He always hated his mother, not that I can blame him... He didn't have much use for his siblings, the twins, either. You'll find him in the city they named after that heroine... Atalanta!"

Piper frowned, unsure if he meant to mistake the name or not. "Do you mean... Atlanta?"

"That's the one," he nodded.

"But this Phorcys," Jason piped up, clearly uncertain. He hadn't said much since Piper took over, merely listening and taking the information in. Annais wondered what he thought of it, what he wanted to do. "Is he a giant? A titan?"

Bacchus laughed like the question amused him. "Neither. Seek out the salt water."

Seriously? A riddle? Annais thought, scoffing to herself. That was the last thing they needed in a time crunch.

Percy seemed to agree, for his brows furrowed, voice light as he pushed on, "Salter water? In Atlanta?"

"Yes," Bacchus nodded with an air of impatience. "Are you hard of hearing? Look, if anyone can give you insight on Gaea and the twins, it's Phorcys. Just... watch out for him."

"What do you mean?" Jason questioned.

When Bacchus didn't immediately respond, instead turning his face to the sun, Annais knew they had run out of time. She sighed, arms falling to her sides as the God gave them a look, almost accusing... "It's unlike Ceres to be late, unless she sensed something dangerous in this area. Or..."

"Or what?" Annais pressed as a soft breeze pushed through the wheat. The shiver ran down her spine like fingers tracing along her skin, sweet but poised in a way that was ready to strike. She inched closer to the nearest person, Jason, in the hopes of soothing her nerves.

It didn't help that Bacchus was so calm, so unphased by the danger that was coming when he said, "Or a trap. Well, I really must be going now. And if I were you, I'd do the same."

Despite their shouts of protest, he didn't stop to say anything else before shimmering into golden mist and disappearing in the wind. His last words were a mere echo, barely spoken before he departed. Something was wrong. Now more than ever, Annais could feel it. She was quick to reach for Jason's hand, to slot her fingers through his.

"Bacchus is right," she said, Piper nodding in agreement. "We need to leave, now--"

Too late, someone cooed, in a voice that Annais failed to recognise.

Much like with Bacchus, she was quick to reach for her sword, but the familiar weight of it did nothing to comfort her. Despite hearing the voice clear as day, there was nobody in sight, no one she'd physically be able to fight. It hit her then that this was Gaea; the wheat blowing in the breeze, even the breeze itself. This was something Annais Min wouldn't be able to conquer no matter how hard she tried. The thought terrified her more than she cared to admit.

Welcome to my party, Gaea murmured, with an amused edge to her crooning voice. What did Bacchus say? Ah! A simple, low-key affair with organic snacks? Yes... For my snacks, I only need two; the blood of a female demigod, and the blood of a male. Piper, Annais, my dears; choose which one of you shall die for me, and choose which hero will join you.

"Gaea!" Jason shouted, bristling from the clear threat. He had his sword raised already, practically itching for a fight. Unlike Annais, he hadn't realised the inevitable. "Stop hiding in the wheat! Show yourself!"

Oh, such bravado, Gaea's cackling voice mocked. But the other one, Percy Jackson, also has appeal. Choose, girls, or I shall do it for you.

"You're insane," Piper screamed, her terror obvious in the tremor behind her words. "I won't choose anything for you."

Would Annais do it? If offered the choice between her and Piper, would she be able to give up her life for the other girl? Would she be able to look Percy and Jason in the eyes and go: him, he's the one I want to lose?

Annais? Gaea cooed, expectant. You know what to do.

But she didn't, and Gaea was beginning to run out of patience. When Annais hesitated, Jason sat up, a gasp of terror falling from his lips. Annais instinctively turned to him, to the hand gripped in hers, and suddenly felt like she was standing arm-and-arm with a ghost.

This wasn't Jason anymore, Jason Grace with his soft smile and blue eyes that made her feel safe. This was Jason Grace with a sinister smirk, with golden eyes prepared to shed blood. She tried to pull away but his grip was like iron chains.

"Jason," she breathed out, a faint whimper following when his nails dug into her skin, sharp enough to cut through the first layer. "Jason, let me go, please--"

She didn't expect the punch against her throat, the sudden loss of air as she landed on her knees in the dirt. Her sword clattered somewhere behind her as he descended towards her, weapon raised, going right for her heart--

"Jason, stop," Piper cried out, horrified by his senseless actions.

For a second, he froze, a flicker of him returning beneath the icy exterior. Annais saw it, but couldn't bring herself to stay close long enough to try and push through. Instead, she scrambled away, gasping frantic breaths of air as she ran her fingers over the tender skin of her neck, and Jason fell back into his wrath.

Only this time, his anger was directed at someone else; Percy.

He didn't hesitate to turn his back on the girls, to climb onto a whinnying Tempest's back with his sword ready and waiting at his side. Percy was quick to rise to the challenge, heading towards Blackjack and prompting the pegasus thirty-something feet down the road.

"One will die," the son of Poseidon promised in a voice that definitely wasn't his. This time, when he blinked, his eyes were deep and hollow, shimmering just like Jason's.

"I will choose," Jason responded to the boy.

"No!" Piper cried, but it was no use.

The boys charged at each other, forcing Annais to think quickly. Dropping her hand from her neck, she yanked hard on Piper's arm, the two tumbling back into the wheat as metal shrieked in protest. Behind them, Jason and Percy had collided, their horses making sounds of protest but not fighting against their companions.

Despite feeling incredibly dazed, Piper pushed herself back up, screaming at the top of her lungs 'stop it!' over and over until it worked. For just a moment, Jason froze, allowing Percy to gain the upper hand. Jason landed in the dirt, sword lost somewhere on the side of the road. Percy descended off Blackjack's back, the animals disappearing into the fields as the son of the sea God bore down on a stunned son of Jupiter.

"Percy, Jason's your friend," Piper commanded. "Drop your weapon!"

Of course, he didn't, and that angered Jason. The blonde boy swung at him with a roar of rage, bronze and imperial gold sparking once more. Above them, thunder clouds rolled in, allowing lightning to crackle and sizzle under Jason's command. He used it to strike down Percy, missing but pushing the boy several feet away. Pleased with the upper hand, he charged, mocking laughter something that Annais was sure she'd have nightmares over for days.

Well, that would be if they got out of there...

"Jason, stop!"

One more second, and Percy Jackson would've been dead. Jason knew it too, for he turned towards Piper with a disappointed shake of his head. "I cannot stop," he exclaimed. "One must die."

Once again, a familiar cold shiver ran down Annais' spine. Like someone knocking on a door, begging to be let in, only to come face-to-face with about a dozen chains and deadbolts. The reactive rage that consumed her definitely wasn't her own, but rather than lashing out and spilling Piper's blood across the wheat stalks, she let it channel into her voice when she shouted, "Who are you?"

Jason smiled, teeth bared like a bloodhound. "We are the eidolons. Can't you feel us in your head?"

Annais shuddered, hands raising to her temples Every movement, every breath, didn't feel like her own despite the fact she knew they were. What was this? Had she been possessed too? Would she even know? Did the boys--

"Eidolons?" Piper repeated with a frown. "You're... you're some sort of ghost?"

Jason smiled again but didn't answer. Instead, he turned his attention back to Percy, beginning to say 'he must die' just as Percy Jackson's leg swept out and knocked Jason onto his back. The sound the blonde-haired boy's head made on the ground was sickening, the crunch of snapping bone. Annais wanted to do something but felt frozen.

Perhaps this was her version of possession, watching and waiting, rooted in place while her friends died.

The next few moments happened in a blur.

A sudden shadow swept overhead, and for a moment, Annais wondered if it was Blackjack returning. But upon hearing the sound of Ezra Min's voice, she realised it was anything but.

The next thing she knew, Ezra was laid out across the dirt, blood staining the soil a nauseating maroon. Above her stood Percy Jackson. He still had some of her blood on his sword.

"What have you done?" she cried, just as the gold in his eyes flickered back to green.

She didn't hesitate despite the horror, the cold realisation that settled on his face as the spirits left his and Jason's bodies behind. She grabbed her sword, smacking the butt of it into the back of his head again and again until he crumpled into unconsciousness. Piper ran over fearfully, pushing her back despite Annais' urge to continue until Percy's head cracked open like an egg. Piper muttered something about calling for Blackjack and getting back to the ship, but Annais couldn't bring herself to turn her eyes away from where Jason had moved to put pressure on Ezra's wound.

There was blood seeping into the earth.

On complete accident, they'd already started giving Gaea just what she wanted.

Now the question was who would be next?