The House of Hades

by DescendentOfAthena

Percy and Annabeth have fallen to Tartarus, and Nico was to bring the remaining five demigods to the other side of the Doors of Death. But the trip isn't easy, and with limited time, it only makes it harder for the demigods. Not to mention other obstacles. With a perilous journey and unexpected outcomes/consequences of their every move, will the eight demigods survive...or perish?

1. Chapter 1: PERCY

THE HOUSE OF HADES

Chapter 1

PERCY

I hate you, Gaea. You too, Arachne. thought Percy bitterly as he was sucked toward Tartarus with Annabeth. He did not regret his choice of going with Annabeth, though.

As Percy fell, his life flashed before his eyes: he receiving Riptide from Chiron, thinking that it was just a pen; he killing the Minotaur; he going on his very first quest: finding Zeus's lightning bolt and his mother… Those were only the beginning. Then Percy played the last moments in his head: congratulating Annabeth on her success of finding the lost Athena Parthenos; seeing Annabeth being dragged towards Tartarus and realizing what's happening when it was too late; making Nico promise to meet them at the other side of the Doors, and letting go of that ledge. Percy suddenly felt protective of Annabeth. He vowed to make sure Annabeth was safe and unhurt even if he had to get hurt instead. He would give his life for Annabeth to be out of harm's way, even though Percy was pretty sure that Annabeth wouldn't let him do that.

Something hard and heavy hit Percy on the head, almost knocking him out cold. He blinked away the black and green spots in front of his eyes and tried to see what it was. That's when he realized that daylight was gone. It was pitch black, and Percy couldn't even see Annabeth beneath him. The tugging sensation was getting stronger and stronger. Percy felt like he and Annabeth were being sucked in by a vacuum cleaner. Not that he wanted to be a dust bunny.

Percy twisted and turned and managed to get next to Annabeth. He couldn't tell if her eyes were closed or opened. There was no noise except for Percy's and Annabeth's breathing. At least she was alive.

"Percy?" whispered Annabeth.

"Annabeth! Is everything all right?" asked Percy worriedly.

"No, I'm fine; just wanted to make sure you were all right." replied Annabeth.

"Whew! I'm glad you're okay," said Percy with a sigh of relief. " I never expected our fall to be like this. There's only an eerie silence;no screaming of monsters, moaning of ghosts, whatsoever."

"Well, I wasn't even expecting a one way trip to Tartarus! And what were you expecting, Seaweed Brain? That we'll fall by Hades's palace and say hi or something?!" Annabeth sounded annoyed and cross.

"Sorry. I didn't know this was an...uncomfortable subject for you. I guess I'll shut up to avoid causing any more trouble." Percy, however, sounded hurt and sad.

"Oh..."Annabeth didn't know what to say to her boyfriend. She was at a loss for words, and that was very rare-or did she only feel like it was rare? Percy was sad and she had hurt his feelings. Oh, what canshe do? What should she do to make her boyfriend feel better?