Fresh air.

I exited the Underworld through DOA Recording Studios, and strode onto the sidewalk.

It was a cool, dry night, with leaves rustling soothingly. I found a lone shadow and walked into it.

Everything turned dark gray again. I took small steps, reminding myself not to walk to far. Imagining myself reappearing from a tree near Camp Half-Blood, I took a deep breath, and stepped out.

Color flooded back into the world, and I felt dizzy. I could do this once in a while, but not too frequently.


"Nico!" Annabeth said with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Percy." I said matter-of-factly.

"Oh… okay."

I walked towards cabin three, Poseidon's cabin.

"Nico?"

"Yes."

"Welcome back! Have you considered my offer of staying here? In my cabin?"

"No thanks. I came to discuss the plan."

His face turned all serious again.

"I… I think Luke…"

"He's not Luke! He's Kronos! Luke wouldn't betray us like that!" Percy bellowed.

"Okay, fine. I think Luke – before he was Kronos that is – bathed in the river Styx. That's why he could sustain being Kronos' host body."

"He did that?"

"I think so. I've also been having these dreams. Someone, one of the Olympians have been helping Kronos."

"Hmmm… Is it Ares?"

"No. Ares doesn't have such a deep voice. The person in my dreams has a very low voice. Do you know who it could be?"

"I have no idea. Maybe you can ask Chiron? He may give you a quest."

I nodded my head, a silent agreement, and headed towards the Big House.