Contents
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Overview
Percy leads blind Annabeth through Tartarus as arai swarm them to a cliff’s edge. The arai reveal a new curse from someone Percy abandoned, making Annabeth feel utterly alone and unreachable. Percy recalls the island girl he left and, despite mounting pain, attacks to keep the arai focused on him.
Summary
Percy drags blind Annabeth through Tartarus, cutting down arai and even felling black trees to crush pursuers. His chest pain intensifies, but he pushes on, determined not to fail Annabeth. The darkness thickens ahead, and he halts them at the brink of an unseen cliff.
With no safe path visible, the arai descend and form a crescent, hemming them in. Annabeth flips an attacker but emerges shaken, still blind and disoriented. A hovering arai taunts them with a collective voice as Percy struggles to keep Annabeth close.
The demons claim they did not blind Annabeth; instead, a special curse was triggered by a bitter thought from someone Percy abandoned. As Annabeth stumbles, calling for him, Percy realizes the curse makes her feel alone and forsaken. He remembers the island, cave, and quiet hospitality of a girl he left behind, understanding the source of the curse.
Unable to reach Annabeth through the arai’s interference and illusions, Percy resolves to draw their attention. Despite worsening wounds and accumulating curses, he charges the arai in fury, determined to protect Annabeth and keep the demons focused on him.
Who Appears
- Percy JacksonLeads blind Annabeth through Tartarus, recognizes a curse from someone he abandoned, and attacks the arai to protect her.
- Annabeth ChaseBlinded by a curse; then struck by a deeper curse of isolation, unable to locate Percy among the arai.
- AraiVengeful spirits who encircle the heroes, reveal and enforce curses, and toy with Annabeth’s fear and isolation.