A Quick Note: Hi, it's Rose here in place for the author of this flashy flash fiction! Please give all credit to Kelpie (she/they), Asteria_Thalassari. Today's excerpt is from I'll See You Again When I Escape, a fan favorite among the Community. This story features Percy's struggles as he attempts to free himself from Tartarus- alone.

This excerpt is perfect for this month's theme, which is Found Families, because of Percy's desperate attempts to make it home.

Will he make it out unscathed, will he make it out at? Find out by reading the rest of the story! I've taken the time to link the chapter in the comments, but feel free to give them some support by reading the rest of the story.

Excerpt from I'll See You Again When I Escape

By Kelpie, Asteria_Thalassari  (she/they)

Percy's POV

Percy backed away as the psychotic goddess cackled manically. She raised her hands, her lips curving into a menacing smirk.

He raised his sword, prepared to fight, but it never came. Akhlys simply raised her hands, almost casually.

"This should be easy."

Percy hissed in retaliation. Laughing wildly, she thrust her hands forward. He stumbled backwards as the plain erupted, liquid rushing from the poisonous flowers.

"You see, Perseus, I am also the goddess of poison. Let's see what my domain can do to a newly ascended sea godling."

Why did she keep calling him back godling? Monsters had used it before to mark him as a half-blood, but the way she phrased the word... and newly ascended?

Backing away from the slowly advancing tide of poison and the manical primordial, he felt the tug of the pit again. He inched forwards, sure that he had no chance of survival.

Streams of poison trickled towards him, caging him in. All of his instincts were screaming at him to run, but Percy was frozen in place by his own fear.

This was the end. He was going to die here, in Tartarus, alone and afraid. He was never going to see his Wise Girl again. Annabeth.

Annabeth.

Annabeth.

No. This wasn't going to be his demise. He promised her he'd see her again. He'd promised Nico he'd see him on the other side, he'd promised his mom he'd be back for Christmas. He wasn't intending to let them down.

At least not without a fight.

There you go! Is Percy gonna make it out of Tartuarus and back to Annabeth? Find out by reading the rest of this story, I'll See You Again When I Escape. It's a completed work and takes around two hours to read. Once again I'll link it in the comments.