[That. Suddenly makes a lot more sense, and he exhales softly upon realizing it. It's another moment before he drops his head in his hands and closes his eyes to focus on just breathing and not completely losing his shit.]

I don't have another choice. [He doesn't. With Annabeth gone, the path has been laid clear. He knows that and he's silent again.] I have to find who's responsible, and I have to keep playing to stop the game all together.

[There's a lingering pause.] ...where Annabeth and I are from, there's always been a good chance of one of us dying young. That's just how it is for demigods. I just always thought I'd at least be there to stop it and let it be me instead. I have to keep living to bring her back, I know that.

[Doesn't make this any better, of course.] You had other people then, didn't you?