INT. UNDERGROUND ROOM

The room was empty, void of furniture, except for a large rectangular tank that stood right at its centre. Its glassy surface gleamed, though no light came through non-existent windows. It was rimmed with black plastic, as if warning of something sinister. Steam curled off the top like vapor snakes, and if one were to look lower, into the tank, he would see the tank was filled with boiling hot magic lava that hissed furiously.

Instead of bricks and cement, the crudely shaped walls were dark brown, made of soil and mud. It was pure, packed earth. No windows or doors embellished its sides— no way of getting in, no way of getting out. In other words, deep in Gaea's belly with no escape.

Within the tank, a limp body lay unconscious. Taut chains and shackles held it still, ensuring the body remained encased in the depths of the scorching liquid. The body was riddled with burns, angry red patches of skin that leaked ichor. Dark hair frizzled, floating wildly around as if engaged in a losing battle.

What was once clothes had been torn apart into rags, stained with dirt marks. The rags were held together by pitiful thin threads around his body. The purple cloak that had served as a magical armor had been reduced to tatters.

Yet the hostage looked peaceful in his unconsciousness, nature's blessed anesthetic. Perhaps he'd be dead, and wouldn't have to face the tortures awaiting him.

The room rumbled with an ancient power and crackling sounds ensued, echoing throughout the empty area. As if in response, rocks tumbled virulently from the unstable ceiling, beating into the ground.

According to scientific research, the room should have collapsed, destroying everything it held. Yet against all odds, the ceiling held, and the growl receded into a gentle hum, soil sprinkling down to the ground.

Green eyes snapped open, consciousness flowing into the mind. Nerves began to register pain etched on his skin as blisters and red marks. His breathing quickened as his mind began to comprehend the situation he was in. A race of heartbeat as he realized he was in danger. A cry of pain escaped in a large bubbled and tears reflexively peeked out of the corners of sea green orbs,

Burning.

The eyes slid shut tight, like they were trying to stem tears. And then they shot open, revealing dark purple orbs that glowed with a supernatural power.

The tank trembled as the ground started to shake. Geysers forced its way into the reluctant ground, catapulting fresh sea water into the tank with a perfect aim. The arc of water hissed, thickening upon contact with the lava. Blue translucent turned to gold-orange, and more lava filled his tank, intensifying the heat.

A bellow of white hot pain snuck through his parted lips, a primal wail, broken and frail with distress. The room grumbled, tremors running through the packed earth in response to the desperate plea. His nerves screamed, burning agony threatening to severe his very life force.

It was like the very cells in his body were undergoing simultaneous combustion, while he was unceremoniously being dipped in the Styx without a mortal anchor.

Can immortals die?


EXT. CAMP'S MESS HALL

Nico's eyes flashed open, exhibiting dark violet orbs.

Power rolled off him in maniac waves, almost tangible, almost audible. He wasn't just recharged with fizzy energy. He was almost, somehow, stronger than ever. Anna's power had fuelled him with strength like a supernatural, intensified Red Bull.

For a moment, all was silent, the calm before a brilliant storm. Anna fell to the ground with a gentle thud, the only sound reverberating throughout the area for a few miles' radius. And then all hell broke loose. Literally.

The earth split open thunderously, forming an increasing fissure that swallowed unfortunate monsters in its path. Monsters and demigods alike scrambled backwards, a cry of fear stuck in their throats and dawning upon their pale faces.

Was this another of Gaea's tricks? They were already worn thin, and there was no way they could survive, if Gaea dispatched yet more horrifying things. Frightened murmurs broke out amongst the demigods fighting for Olympus, their tones low and grim. Even Annabeth for once had no idea what to make of it.

A single skeleton hand appeared at the edge of the crevice, pulling up a skeletal body. It clawed its way up to the surface, much to the surprise of the watching monsters. And then an entire dead army followed suit, closing ranks and facing the monsters.

Nico stood, the light shield blinking out of existence around him. His eyes darkened like coals, churning with raw determination and cold fury. Death and fear radiated off the son of Hades, his eyes glinting purple with power.

Nightmare flitted before minds' eyes and everyone collectively trembled, induced terror filling their insides like deadly poison. Even the Protogenoi Warriors winced as their minds filled with terrifying images. Nico hadn't even needed the Helm of Hades to disseminate fear.

Demigods and monsters alike dropped to their knees as they relieved their worst nightmares. They clutched at their heads, whimpering, trying to physically wrench the scenes away from their minds. The Protogenoi Warriors fought against the darkness probing in their mind, just barely withstanding the power intrusion.

He thrust his sword into the air with a yell, and it began. The son of Hades had struck.

The skeletal army surged forward, bones clattering against the ground with a rhythmic consistency. Demigods followed behind as they broke out of their trance, yelling battle cries that did not make much sense. A few captains had rallied the armies they led, and together, they took out the most dangerous of the monster army. They were roughly outnumbered six to one, but they had an edge over their enemies.

Let it be said that the warriors of the Primordials never loses.

Nico stopped just briefly in his charge to force ambrosia down the fallen Asian demigod's throat and helped her up.

Her gold eyes glittered with gratitude as she looked right at him, as if she could see through all the fronts he put up, all the way into his very soul. Her mouth stretched into a smile that made him feel… he didn't quite know how to express the fluttery feeling in his chest. Ten years, and she still brought out unfamiliar feelings in him.

He let go of her as a flush crawled up his cheeks and he looked away, his heart racing.

He couldn't help but think he was going to need her very, very soon.

Together, they cleared a path in the monster army, slicing monsters back to Tartarus who foolishly got in their way. Monsters snarled at them and promptly disintegrated when eyes flashed purple. Nico kept his sword out, swinging at anything that got close.

A knife shot towards Nico's unguarded side and Anna dashed forward reflexively, no concise plan in mind, but she wasn't quick enough. Kelch! An empty clatter, and bones dissolved into the ground. A skeleton warrior had stepped into the blade at the last second, and taken the sharp projectile for his Prince. The knife embedded itself deep within bones and the skeleton disintegrated.

Anna flinched. That could so nearly have ended worst for both of them. Nico shot her a look of reassurance and she exhaled heavily with relief. Right, no time to dwell on unpleasant thoughts.

They trudged forward again, leaving behind them a wake of carnage. Monster dust spewed on anyone who got close and the other monsters wisely chose to retreat, not wanting to meet the blades that killed so many of their allies.

It wasn't long before the two found the commander of the monster army. Hyperion, the Titan of Light. Also known to many as ex-maple tree. He was all of six feet and three inches tall, dressed in brilliant golden armor as if it had somehow trapped the sun's power within them.

Every inch of him glowed a harsh golden light that temporarily robbed Nico of his vision.

Nico cringed and reached for his wristwatch, wildly stabbing commands. Driven by instincts, he dove to the side, narrowly missing a killing blow. He vaguely remembered how Percy defeated this guy: something to do with a hurricane.

But Nico had no power over water, and couldn't neutralize Hyperion's power.

He raised a hand, commanding a huge slab of rock to erupt out of the ground, knocking Hyperion flat to the ground. Guard on. His power shield activated and he regained his vision, blinking hard. Still, it hurt to look at the Titan; a severe disadvantage.

A gold blade, a longer, cruder version of Anna's, swung for his head, and would have cleaved it off had two twin blades not appeared suddenly, intercepting the strike. Unlike Nico, Anna had barely even blinked when the rays of harsh light had glared upon her face.

She stared right at Hyperion, her eyes flashing with anger as she forced the blade away from Nico. The Titan glowered at her, narrowing the flaming sun discs that were his eyes. Warm dark gold eyes met harsh luminous gold ones, unflinching from the intensity; Primordial Warrior against Titan. Power-wise? Hyperion might have just met his match.

Hyperion thrust his sword forward with the speed of a deadly viper. Anna side-stepped and returned with a cross-strike that sent his sword flying right out of his hand. He dissolved into brilliant light, teleporting to retrieve his sword and returned with an attempt to slice at her torso. He followed up with a downwards jab which, fortunately, the Asian girl avoided by tossing herself backward.

Anna drew her bow and arrow and let three arrows fly. Two hit their targets. The last got snapped in half, crushed into dust. Changing tactics, she shot at his feet, causing him to stumble. He growled, a glare fixed solely upon her. Unnoticed, Nico crept up behind him, his sword drawn.

An icy feeling filled the small of his back, forcing him to spin around with his sword raised, just in time to fend off an enemy blade. He executed a roundhouse kick, followed instantly by a slash that made his opponent stagger.

The weakened foe made a pitiful comeback that made Nico smirk as he finished his opponent with relative ease.

Kch! Blade met skin, hungrily devouring golden ichor. It dug into Anna's flesh, lusting for her blood. A muffled hiss of pain escaped her lips as she tried to defend herself. But she was disarmed, her weapon ironically used against her. A thousand frantic thoughts whistled through her head at a bullet train's speed. What could she do?

She pulsated with light in anxiety as the Titan held the blades to her skin, ready to deal the killing blow. Nico's head snapped up and his volcanic dark eyes widened as he registered the scene before him.

Shadows wrapped around Anna and Hyperion, shrouding them in sudden and complete darkness, taking Hyperion by surprise. For a moment, his light was extinguished and a sword was thrust into his knee.

Anna felt a cold hand grab her and let out a breath of relief as Nico took her away, shadow-traveling to safety.

With a roar of fury, the Titan regained his light, tearing through the darkness of the shadows. All these happened in about half a second, but already the two warriors were nowhere to be seen.

Out of the Titan's attack range, Anna crouched safely behind an obstruction, pulling Nico close to her. "Hold on to me," Anna instructed the dark demigod. "Ready?"

A decisive nod, and their fingers intertwined.

On a silent, unanimous count of three, the two demigods dashed forward. Power flowed from one to another. Nico's darkness concealed them, while Anna's powers allowed Nico to stare right at Hyperion without any discomfort. In fact, the power shield that he had activated was only hampering his view.

Strength surged into Anna, rejuvenating her. She had been running on ambrosia and Nico's strength helped sustain her.

Together, they slashed at Hyperion, drawing lines of ichor before he spun around, growling.

"Pathetic weaklings. Do you honestly think you can defeat me? I am a Titan!" Hyperion roared, raising his sword.

Both demigods ducked, missing the strike. Anna retaliated, but the Titan who was surprisingly quick on his feet for someone so large, dodged it.

Because a fight wouldn't be complete without some useless, witless trash talking, Nico fired back a retort. "If my memory served me right, a demigod single-handedly defeated your ugly face and turned it into a much better looking maple tree."

Hyperion bellowed with rage. Apparently, Nico had hit a sore spot. "That upstart ended up in Tartarus! And that's where you'll be going right after I finish you!"

Nico glared at the Titan. "I wouldn't be so sure about."

Anna glanced at Nico. Hyperion was a Titan, and there was no actual way to kill one. In fact, as far as Anna knew, only Primordials were powerful enough to kill Titans. Where were they to get such enormous power?

Anna's mind shot to her Patron Aether, Primordial of Light. He was definitely more than capable of killing Hyperion. However, the ancient laws forbade his intervention, unless he was provoked. There was no way they could bring the fight up to him; he must come to them. But how

Anna's eyes widened. There was one way. Terribly risky, but their only survivable option. Well, survivable for Nico anyway.

She gestured for Nico to reactivate his power shield before letting go of his hand with a quick prayer. The sudden lack of supply of energy made her feel lightheaded and disconnected. She caught herself before she could fall as she staggered forward clumsily.

Acting upon his instincts, Nico reached for her. She was dangerously close to Hyperion now and had lowered her sword. What in Chaos was she doing? Did she have a death wish?

Apparently she did.

"Trust me," was all she mouthed, and she stepped forward.

Right into a killing blow.

Author's Note: Okay, so this isn't my best chapter. For some reason, my head wasn't quite in it when I was writing it, as if I was half-asleep. But please review anyway so I can try to change this into a better chapter! Thanks for following!