Okay, um, sorry for not updating? I know, I suck, and I agree with whatever you say about me. But, you know, I have a plausible reason. See, my exams were on, and I had to study for them. There's also the tiny little fact that I had a terrible writer's block and I lost all inspiration. Can you guys help me some by telling me some Giants' names and their opponents? Thanks so much!

Chapter IV – Nico

Nico noticed Percy's shoulders visibly sag. 'Oh, sue me if I want to go one minute without a monster attack!' Percy complained, while Annabeth sat next to him her body tensed, her eyes wide with fear. She looked like she was resisting the urge to scream with fear. Nico imagined that Annabeth had seen more of Arachne than she wanted to.

Athena's eyes narrowed at Arachne. The half-spider just laughed at the intense glare being sent towards her by the goddess of wisdom. Then Athena smiled at Arachne and said, 'Arachne, I wanted to make a deal with you.'

It was Arachne's turn to narrow her eyes. 'Oh, please, the last time I made a deal with you, Athena, I came off worse.'

Athena allowed a small look of smugness cross her face before it dissipated. 'Arachne, if you were to protect Percy and Annabeth (Nico noticed she called Percy Percy, instead of calling him Jackson or Sea Spawn) while they are in Tartarus, then I may just take off the curse of being a spider from you.'

Arachne's eyes widened with obvious greed before she said, 'Why would I listen to you, petty goddess, when you obviously won't keep your promise? If there's one thing you Olympians are good at, it's breaking your promises or oaths.'

Athena said, 'Ah, but if I don't, you can have whatever punishment you want, like maybe giving me a fear of spiders… or maybe making me one.'

Arachne's face lit up with evil happiness, and she said, 'Oh, yes, I agree!'

'Can you please let me talk to my daughter and Percy for few minutes, please?'

'Okay,' Arachne said, and moved out of hearing.

Poseidon, who had been very silent till now, said, 'Son, I am extremely proud of you. Not many Olympians can say that their children willingly into Tartarus. As a gift, the backpack which you have, Percy, works. It will give you food, water, ambrosia, nectar and a set of clothes for both of you. Two metres down on your north is a small alcove where you can rest and change. You will have one hour each day to tend to your wounds and rest. Use it wisely and productively.'

'No, daughter,' Athena said when Annabeth opened her mouth, correctly interpreting what Annabeth was going through. 'These gifts come with no price. Take it as a birthday gift for all the years I have not given you one. Birthday gifts don't come for a price, after all.'

'Look Mom, Lord Poseidon, I am honored and everything, but it is impossible for a gift to come without a price.'

'Sweetheart, I promise, this is a free gift. We are just messengers who give you this gift; this gift was given to us to give you by the Fates.'

Nico was astounded. The Fates themselves had given the small backpack? They themselves made the laws to not interfere, but they are only interfering. Nico was not the only one shocked though; all those surrounding him were too. Annabeth looked satisfied and a little surprised herself. It took a lot to get her surprised, Nico recalled, but how can she be less astounded than us?

'We must say farewell, demigods,' Athena said. 'To all of you,' she added looking at Grover, Thalia and the demigods on the Argo II.

'We have finished our duty here, heroes. We have to go now. You may talk for some more time. When you're done, swipe your hand through the Message,' Poseidon said. They were preparing to flash out (hey, it may be fast, but even that takes time to get you from midway between Rome and Greece to New York), when Annabeth said, 'Hold up! How many mortal days is one day in Tartarus equal to?'

Athena turned, smiled sadly and said, 'Two, my dear. I'm sorry.' Then she and Poseidon disappeared into a wisp of smoke and a sea-breeze respectively.

'Annabeth, Percy,' Nico burst out before anyone else could say a single word. 'I'm so sorry, I should have been faster. I would have been able to get you out somehow. I could have done something…'

'Look, guys, I know many of you will be blaming yourselves for us falling into Tartarus. But what you must know is we went ourselves. We wanted to go. It was the only way. If you blame yourselves, I'll kill you,' Annabeth said, gripping Percy painfully in an effort to stand up.

Everybody on the Argo II felt scared. Annabeth was about the most powerful on the ship. Percy was a very close second. Jason was after Nico, who was third. Annabeth could use her dagger absurdly well, plus she had the gift of tactics on her side. Percy was about the only one who could defeat her, and even he could defeat her once in a blue moon. Nico always lost against both Percy and Annabeth, but it was a close call. Jason would have been higher, but he was a Roman. Romans were taught to fight in a group, while Greeks were taught solo fighting.

Percy gave Annabeth a half smile and turned to the Iris-Message behind the members of the Argo II. 'Hey Pinecone Face, G- man,' Percy smiled. 'Not quite the reunion I was hoping for.'

'I missed you too, Percy,' Thalia grinned, but her eyes shone suspiciously bright. Nico was very sure that she would cry soon. 'If I hadn't missed you so much, I would kill you for that nickname.'

'Perrrrrcy,' Grover said, hopping on one of his hooves. 'Be safe! You remember how I almost went in there? You two saved me, and if I'd been near you guys, I'd have done the same. As Tyson would say, "Don't let the monsters kill you dead!"'

'I have news for Tyson,' Percy smiled. 'I'll tell you when we meet later.'

'I should cut the line now,' Nico said, every word causing him pain. 'You guys need to be in a good shape if you want to fight with those monsters.'

'Bye Nico,' Annabeth said, looking sad.

Nico stretched his hand, feeling his muscles protesting, and swiped through the Iris-Message connecting them to the friends in Tartarus.

Okay guys, I promise, I'll update next in less than a week's time. I have few more stories going. I shall update in at most a week.

Your truly,

Stella