Chapter Text
ANNABETH'S EYES FLEW OPEN. She sat up, gasping.
“You okay?” Percy was wide awake and looking at her in concern.
“Fine,” Annabeth managed. “Are you ready to get moving?”
“You just woke up,” Percy said.
Annabeth pushed herself up. She handed Percy Ariadne’s string and held the map in her hands. “I know. Let’s go. This way.”
She marched off down the tunnel, away from the waterfall room. Percy trailed after her.
“You okay? Did you have a dream?” Percy asked.
“Something like that,” Annabeth mumbled. “Which direction is the string pointing?” She glanced down at the map of the Labyrinth. Sure enough, there was a T-junction dead ahead.
“Uh, to the right,” Percy reported.
Annabeth stopped dead in her tracks. “What? But…”
“But what?” Percy asked.
She deflated. “I had a dream. We were in New Rome, but it was empty. And then we found that little girl who helps Terminus—Julia. She… she was one of those zombies Frank and Hazel told us about. And Dakota and Lavinia were there too. They said it was our fault that when Tarquin came they were all killed.” She took a shuddering breath. “And then I was talking with this girl that knew who I was and who knew about our situation. She acted like we knew each other, but I don’t recognize her.”
“One of Luke’s demigods?” Percy suggested.
Annabeth shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. I wish I did. But she told me that we should take the first left at the T-junction up ahead even if we’re tempted to ignore her advice. She claimed we’d find help if we go left.”
Percy looked at Ariadne’s string. “But it’s pointing right. That means our friends are that way. I don’t know how much time has passed in the mortal world, but it’s got to be close to the final battle, right?”
“But help,” Annabeth said, weighing their choices. “We might need that.”
“Do you trust this girl?” Percy asked.
Annabeth wanted to say no, she didn’t, but that wasn’t true. There was something about that girl that seemed so familiar and she sounded sincere.
“Yes,” Annabeth said. “I… I don’t understand it, but, yeah. I trust her.”
Percy grinned. “Left it is then!”
They reached the T-junction. Neither left nor right looked much different, but Percy and Annabeth turned down the left tunnel. They walked in silence for a minute until the corridor before them seemed to get lighter.
“What is that?” Percy murmured. “The surface? Maybe the string was wrong?”
“Oh, my string is never wrong,” someone said.
Percy and Annabeth looked up to see a beautiful woman standing there. She had long, curly brown hair and pretty green eyes that shined like emeralds.
The woman smiled. “Of course, it’s much less reliable than the eyes of a clear sighted mortal. But my string will point you in the direction you want to go.”
“Ariadne,” Annabeth breathed.
Percy blinked. “Ariadne, like Mr. D’s Ariadne?”
The goddess laughed. “Mr. D’s Ariadne? That’s a new one. But, yes, Percy Jackson. I am Ariadne, goddess of labyrinths and paths. You must come with me. I will guide you on your journey as I guided your half-brother.” Her face twisted at the mention of Theseus. “Your friends will need you and I am the quickest way.”