The holiday season is over! Which means I can get back to normal life, which includes writing for this story! From what I've seen in the reviews, you've all had a good time over the holidays. Good on you! Anyways, on with the story!

(Charlie)

Charlie did not like Tartarus. He thought that the feeling was mutual.

He and Silena had followed the monsters for what seemed like hours. It didn't help that the monsters were going the exact direction that the two legacies were going in, meaning he and Silena had to become ninjas to avoid being caught.

They took a multitude of breaks to sip nectar, the acidic air of Tartarus making him feel like he was constantly inhaling a hot pepper. Not to mention that the heat from the river heated his skin, making him shudder at the constant feeling of getting the worst sunburn ever.

The two of them trudged along, moods getting worse the longer they were there. Honestly, Charlie just wanted to rush up to the group of empousai and kill them all. He knew, though, that it was a good way to get killed.

Eventually, they came to a very large, very scary cliff. That they - of course they did - needed to climb down. And this time, Silena couldn't just fly down it. The toxic air coupled with the empousai staying close to the cliff made it impossible for her to float down stealthily.

Charlie peered over the edge, staring down at the long drop. "I hate this quest."

"I know, isn't it great?" Silena asked sarcastically, kicking a pebble over the edge.

Charlie sighed in defeat. "After you." He waved at Silena to go first.

Silena gave him a glare and stuck her middle finger up before she bent down and hopped the edge. She caught a rock sticking out of the cliff side, stopping her fall. She quickly moved her feet and other hand to hand and foot holds as she started to climb down. Charlie groaned quietly at how long the drop was before moving to climb down himself.

About half way down the cliff, Charlie felt like his biceps were on fire, which was weird. Usually, he could go up and down the lava wall at camp five times before his arms stared feeling even a little bit sore. Right now, his arms felt like they were going to fall off.

Charlie leaned his head back and panted, turning his head a little to try and spot Silena. She was about fifty feet below him and was making slow but steady progress. Her feet, however, kept slipping every time she moved them. Charlie took a couple more deep breaths as he started again, keeping his body close to the cliffside.

After twenty minutes of intense, painful climbing, Charlie's feet finally hit the uneven floor of Tartarus. He had never been so happy to be standing on sharp rocks and broken pieces of glass.

"Lena," Charlie gasped out, hands on his knees. "Check the map."

The girl nodded tiredly and rummaged around in her pack, pulling out the map of Tartarus. She unfolded it and traced the route with her finger. "We're a third of the way there."

"Do you think it's time to call for him?" Charlie asked, having finally caught his breath.

Silena thought for a moment before nodding. "I think so, yeah."

"Alright." Charlie cracked his neck before glancing up at the ceiling. "Bob? Bob the Titan? If you can hear me, we need you."

Silence encompassed the duo for many minutes before Silena gave a sigh. "If he heard you, he'll come. Right now, we need to keep moving."

Charlie nodded his head glumly as Silena put the map back in her pack and the two of them set off. As they walked away, Charlie couldn't help but look at the ceiling one more time, wondering what his family was up to in the mortal world.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

(Zack)

Zack was not enjoying being reunited with his dad. The fourteen-year-old son of Hades had been ignoring Zack since he had been rescued.

Zachary di Angelo Solace did not like being ignored.

Right now, though, he was busy staring up at his ceiling, failing hard at going to sleep. Everyone had been moved around the night after Charlie and Silena had jumped into Tartarus, Percy and Jason wanting nothing to do with the four cousins at the moment.

So, Zack was moved to be with Leo while Ethan moved to Frank's room and Nico took Charlie's bunk. Leo had initially offered to move in with Percy so Nico and Zack could bunk together, but after seeing Nico's tense stance and Zack's carefully blank face had quickly retracted the statement and moved Zack's bed into his own room.

Now it had been three days since his two oldest cousins had jumped and he had barely gotten twelve hours of sleep over that time. Honestly, he didn't know why he was reacting so badly. Logically, he knew that if anyone was going to survive Tartarus, it would be those two. They were the best and brightest out of the entire group. Emotionally though, he felt like a tornado blowing this way and that way.

His emotions cycled through being mad at his dad, feeling guilty over Charlie and Silena, then being furious with them for thinking that strolling through Tartarus was a good idea, then feeling heartbroken that two of his uncles hated him at the moment.

It was exhausting to say the least.

Zack finally sighed in defeat and sat up, resigning himself to yet another night of watching the stars instead of sleeping. He stood up and padded out of his room, dressed in nothing but a cotton T-shirt, plaid pajama bottoms, and comfy socks. He ran a hand through his hair as he silently walked up the stairs, the deck quiet as he walked across it.

He leaned his arms on the rails and stared over the edge. Jason, Piper, and Frank hadn't noticed him yet, while Hazel was so busy at the helm, Zack doubted she'd notice anything that wasn't trying to blow her up. Leo, Zack knew, was in the engine room, while the other six were asleep, or at least trying to get to sleep.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Jason turning his head to stare directly at him with an unreadable expression. Zack clenched his jaw, waiting tensely for his uncle to come over and pick a fight.

Jason walked over and stood next to him, putting his hands on the railing and leaning on them. The son of Jupiter sighed heavily as he stared out at the neverending sky.

"I'm sorry," Jason said quietly.

Zack went rigid and turned to stare wide-eyed at his uncle. Jason continued to look over the side of the ship. Zack kept his mouth shut out of fear that if he said anything, Jason would instantly retract the apology.

"When I heard that Silena had jumped, I-I didn't know what to think." Jason kept going, getting choked up the longer he continued. "The only thing running through my mind was "How could she?", I didn't stop to think about why you all came to the past. I blamed you for my own daughter's choice and that was wrong. Zack, I hope you can forgive me. I don't want to lose a nephew I just grew to love."

Jason finally looked at him, blue eyes shining with guilt and regret. Zack sniffled loudly as he nodded his head. Jason gave a small smile as he tugged him into a strong hug, stroking his hair softly. Zack snuggled into the hug, feeling a weight being lifted off his shoulders.

"I know it's going to take a while before we're back to normal," Jason said, kissing the top of Zack's head, "but everything is going to be okay."

Zack sniffled again before he raised his head. "You're gonna have to talk to the other three, y'know."

"I know," Jason murmured. "Later, though."

The two hugged for a long time before Zack pulled back, discreetly wiping his eyes. Jason smiled at him before tossing an arm over his shoulder. "To be honest with you, I don't know why I reacted so strongly."

"I know," Zack muttered, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "I almost reminds me of Atl-" Zack straightened abruptly as his brain finally made the connection. "Son of a bitch!"

"Language!" Jason chastised immediately.

"Sorry," Zack said quickly. "But I think I know why everyone is going off the rails lately!"

"What is it?" Jason asked with a concerned look.

"It's Atlas! Remember when we explained Atlas and Hugo's powers to you and we told you about what he did to you and Aunt Piper?" Jason nodded at Zack's hurried question. "Well, it started out a lot like this. Your guys' emotions bounced around wildly all the time."

"And you think he pulled the same stunt now?" Jason furrowed his eyebrows.

"I do," Zack said firmly.

"Alright," Jason clapped his hands, "then let's wake the others up. I want my emotions to stop acting like a pinball machine."

Again, sorry for taking so long. Now that my life has calmed down some I should be able to start pushing out chapters faster. Thanks for reading!

Guest (1) - I might turn it into a running gag, like the two of them get called a couple constantly only for them to start yelling denials at the top of their lungs. Would that be fun to read? Idk, I didn't mean to make it seem like Charlie and Silena were gonna get together. My plan was (and still is) for them to just be incredibly close, like twins almost. It'd just be a tad bit weird if the two of them got together, for me at least. Love you too btw, lol. I do not do that tradition actually. I've also never heard of it before, so thanks! I love learning new things! Thanks for reviewing! Bye!

aaquater - I know, isn't it great? Y'know, I don't think Tartarus would be too happy about the place becoming less dark and terrifying. With the map, it took me like an hour to come up with it, lol. No, they aren't relying on them for directions but for the moment both groups are moving in the same direction, meaning Charlie and Silena have to be careful.

EspeonAuraGirl55 - When do I ever get a chapter out on a regular basis anymore? Lol. Yeah, it was kinda short. Mostly because I had no clue how to end this chapter. You're correct, it is what Percabeth used to stay alive, five points to you! My holiday was great indeed! See ya!

ZebraGirl202 - Thank you! I plan on it!

MoonLight22oa - Thanks! I'm glad you like it! How'd you like this chapter? I UPDATED, DON'T WORRY!

Guest (2) - Thanks! Hope you continue to like the story!

Moonlight22qu - I UPDATED. ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!?