6/4/16: Hey everyone, I am happy to announce that the next chapter has been published, as you can see. Hope you like it, it is actually a monster one- biggest chapter yet at over 8.5k. AN at bottom, hope you had a nice week!

Chapter 10: Undead

I ended up waking at what was a few hours after I had fallen asleep to Pax whining. I lay there for a moment, aware of her hovering just above me, but not wanting to get up yet. My clothes were luckily dried during my time asleep thanks to the heater. My heart was beating at what felt like a very rapid rate for some reason, but I could only remember a hazy dream for a possible cause to it.

Finally I opened my eyes and once I did Pax started jumping with joy, trotting halfway to the exit then turning back to look at me with an eager look on her face. The sun was just rising, the morning light filtering in through the front windows. I groaned and rubbed the sleep from my eyes as best I could, sitting up in my spot. Had Pax not been here I probably would have tried to keep on sleeping.

Feeling something cool and solid against my face I retracted my hand and came to realize it was my ring I was feeling. I hadn't noticed it last night, but I never did end up going to retrieve my sword after the storm spirits were gone, but my ring was back on my finger. Looking at the ring I was pleased that the return aspect to it seemed to be working, but as I took in the three Cerberus heads on the silver ring something nudged at my memories in the back of my mind. My heart was still beating fairly fast but all I remembered from my dream was a shroud, Chiron reading, some lightning, and a pair of haunting black eyes. Even just thinking about my dream made me feel a bit rattled.

Pax had come back to where I was from her spot by the door to try and encourage me to get a move on so I could let her out. At the sight of her pouncing onto my lap I pulled myself from my thoughts and after removing Pax from my lap, began to pack my supplies back up into my bag. Taking the time to grab myself a muffin and Pax something for breakfast from the in-house café on my way out I strode to the entrance. Pax wove herself around my feet as soon as the door swung open and bounded past to go and relieve herself. I realized as I looked at the slowly wakening city that it was probably good that she woke me up as early as she did. At least this way I could avoid a potentially troublesome encounter that might have happened had the store owner or any employees came in to open up for the day. I seriously doubted anyone would be happy to find some kid sleeping in their locked store, let alone with a dog.

My heart was still beating abnormally fast as I tensely walked down the sidewalk. Idly I took note of my surroundings. The rain from the previous day had gone but the ground was still damp, leaving slightly darker marks on the pavement and sidewalk in its wake. Pax followed me as I put more distance between us and the store, simply choosing a direction and just walking.

I seemed to collect some odd looks from passersby as they went about their morning business, off to wherever. I frankly didn't care. By my estimate I had shadow traveled over six-hundred miles, fallen out of a tree, gotten hit by a pickup, and electrocuted a few times all within the span of two days. In addition to all that there was the little part about running for my life earlier from a pack of werewolves who were now out to get me. With this new dream I couldn't remember fully there was a heightened sense of urgency and anxiety in me. Either way I figured my appearance was justified, and I silently dared anybody to say otherwise.

From my check the night before I knew I only had enough money to get myself to Miami if I were to shadow travel somewhere closer first, and Orlando seemed like the place to be as far as midpoints went. I dug around my bag and pulled out the last of my ambrosia supply, eyeing it carefully. Should I have some now to give me enough fuel to get to Miami, or go the slower way and hope I don't need it later? After a moment of deliberation I stuffed the godly food back inside and continued walking

As I continued onward I made myself pull my thoughts away from my dream as best I could. Thinking about it wouldn't help me get to Miami any faster, which was where I needed to be. I could think about it once I was there and with Chiron. Speaking of which, I needed to IM him. I was sure about that much at least. Other things about this morning I may have not been too sure about, but I knew that was the right course of action, or at least part of it. Who knows? He might have a better idea that hadn't crossed my mind to get to Miami sooner.

Mel's Bagel Shop was on my right and after peering inside the window I decided to stop inside to fill up my squirt bottle in the bathrooms. After that I climbed the fence out back to make the call and gave Pax the breakfast I snatched for her earlier now that we were stationary. I still felt on edge but I found a nice spot of sunshine that reflected off a set of wind chimes to place the call. Once I pulled out my drachma I ended up frowning at how many I had left. There was only enough left for one more call after this, I would have to make it count.

Taking a deep breath before initiating the call I waited a minute before Chiron's image took form in the rainbow before me.

"Chiron!" I called, managing to startle him enough to cause the arrow he was releasing to go flying and thump into an off target tree. He turned and once he saw me his face got brighter only to quickly dampen again.

"Allison, how are you faring?" Leave it to Chiron to be the worrying dad figure, though sometimes that is what I really liked about him. Not quite right now though. I looked away briefly, Pax was off near the trash can chasing a beetle. I turned my attention back to Chiron.

"I'm doing fine." He gave me a look, I ignored it. "I'm in Jacksonville. I took your advice and caught a bus in Charleston. After our last call I landed on Roanoke, I actually met a daughter of a Nereid there and in Charleston ran into kind of a unique ghost. Amelia ended up leading me to Pax." Chiron raised an eyebrow to ask the unspoken question of who/what "Pax" was.

In response I turned to my companion and called her over, patting my leg as I did. Pax's ears perked up and she bounded toward me, tails and ears flopping as she ran away from her beetle hunt. I scooped her up, a smile playing on my lips, and held her within view for Chiron.

"She was on the streets. I named her Pax... or possibly the little girl did. Anyway, I think she has some hellhound in her. She's really friendly though." Pax had luckily given up at her attempts to climb up onto my head and was nestling down in my arms, still nuzzling her snout into my hand though. I petted her a bit as I stood there holding her, and with it some of my previous tension started to melt. How couldn't it with Pax around?

"And she has taken to you?" He questioned.

I nodded, then added "She even bit a dracaena for me too."

"And you plan to take her on your quest with you and home to New York afterwards?" I nodded again. Chiron's face took on a certain type of look. "Allison, my dear, now may not be the best-"

"Chiron," I cut him off, knowing exactly what he was going to say. "I'm not leaving her, she is not going back to the streets. I can handle it. Pax has found me again on her own when we got separated anyway, she wants to be with me too. I am bringing her and she is going to have a good home."

I took a breath, resisting the urge to rub my face. "Alright, anyways, I called to talk about getting to Miami. I really only feel like I have enough money to get me there from somewhere like Orlando, so I'm going to shadow travel there and catch a train or something. I wanted to call to see if you had any better ideas I may not have thought of before I made the move to get there. Also I wanted to see if you had a way of possibly meeting me somewhere along the way."

Chiron thought on this for a moment, studying me. "I am unable to travel too far from where I am currently located, but I cannot think of an alternative mode of transportation. Although Allison, dear, are you sure you will have the energy needed to travel that way? If I didn't know any better, I would say you and Nicholas had been sparring... and that you haven't slept. I worry."

For some reason that comment seemed to jar me, my previous tension coming back full force and then some. "I do have the energy, and you know as well as I do that that can never happen again, so don't bring it up. It doesn't matter, it's nothing I can't handle." I said tersely back, lifting Pax further in front of me to better cover the singed marks that decorated my shirt from the night before. I clenched my fist, it hidden behind Pax, and took a breath. "Now, for Miami." Changing the topic back. "If I were to send you an IM once I got there would you be able to get away long enough to pick me up? You said you were closest to there, and I'm not keen on wandering around Miami for long."

Chiron pursed his lips, pensive. I knew he wanted to address what was making me so on edge- heck, I wanted to fully know why I was feeling this way -but he seemed to decide to let it pass for the moment. "Yes, I believe I will be able to do that. I can leave monitoring the situation down here long enough for us to meet. From there I will be able to bring you back and fill you in further on what is happening."

I gave a small tense nod. "Have you gotten in contact with Percy or Annabeth recently?" I really wanted to know if they were okay, especially after that dream. I had a bad feeling about what was coming, and it wasn't solely just from my cryptic dream.

Chiron shook his head as he spoke. "No I have not, but have faith that they are succeeding." He paused for a moment. "Allison, I would worry more about getting yourself to your destination unharmed. Those two work well together, watch each other's backs. Have faith."

I knew he meant well but that statement kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I had gone on various other trips like this in the past, he didn't have to worry. For Pete's sake, I was still in the country for this one.

My face must have betrayed some of my feelings because he continued on. "I do not doubt your ability, I just worry about how taxing it may be. You have not been on your own in a long time on a quest such as this, I fear that-"

"I didn't ask to go solo on this, Chiron." I cut him off. "I would just as well have had company, but there clearly isn't anyone around for that. We barely got a quest out as it was with that buffoon Tantalus around. Percy and Annabeth had to go into the Sea of Monsters with Tyson and I had to stay back, so I am playing backup until they get back with Grover and the Fleece. Worry more about Percy and Annabeth- they are in a sea filled to the brim with monsters that are just looking for some tasty demigod to eat. They are going after something that has been lost for who knows how long, and this is only their second quest! It doesn't matter that Percy is in his element, it's still pretty damn dangerous, Chiron." The hand that had been petting Pax had stilled and gone stiffer.

Chiron raised his hands in a placating gesture. "I understand that may be true, but do not discount what dangers might lay in your own path. Just... be sure to get enough rest. Maybe try on the train ride in."

At this point my squirt bottle was running out of water and the IM was beginning to grow fainter. "Fine. We're about to drop out, but Miami. Meet me there." I reiterated as the connection faded further.

Chiron had this look on his face as he watched me through the mist."Very well, and Allison? Be careful." I knew there was more he wanted to say but he just gave a solemn nod as the connection dissipated into nothingness. I sat there for a moment, Pax in my lap, thinking back on our conversation. Why did him bringing up Nick get me so agitated? I pulled up the dream from the back of my mind and thought it over again. Yeah, there can definitely be bad implications to it, but nothing was always as it seemed at first glance so I told myself not to over think it. I did make a promise to myself to work more on Chiron when we got back to Camp and this whole messy situation was over and dealt with. I knew there was still things he was hiding from me, but that had to wait for the moment.

"You ready for your first shadow travel, girl?" I asked, stowing away the squirt bottle. Pax wriggled around and I was reminded of Lyn with her kind personality and happy demeanor. Standing I slung my bag back over my shoulder and readjusted my grip on Pax, holding her tight.

"And away we go," I mustered up my energy and stepped into the shadow of the nearest trash can, focusing my mind on Orlando. Getting out of Jacksonville would be wonderful.

Immediately I felt my energy draining faster than normal, the addition of traveling with another being making itself very apparent. I hadn't done something like this since the night Percy and I got to camp with the Minotaur. I held Pax firmly as the shadows whipped around us.

I stumbled out of the shadows and crashed right into a parked car, twisting only at the last second to avoid squishing Pax. I pulled myself up off the vehicle and set Pax down. She had this wide-eyed and thrilled look in her eyes, almost akin to the look other dogs get when they are given a brand new toy. I set off in a direction that looked like it led into the main part of the city, ignoring the energy drain for the moment.

As we walked I found myself calling Pax back to me several times, for her to come away from the edges of the ponds we passed. I wasn't sure what was beneath those waters and I didn't really want to take the chance of her becoming something's snack to find out. What I did find was some leftover water in my bag though, and set it out for her in a bowl. Once she was finished I cleaned up and continued leading the way.

Walking down the streets of the further out parts of Orlando I tried to look for some sort of shop that might have maps inside so I could locate the nearest train station. Peering frequently into window displays for my search I became steadily more discouraged. None of these places looked like they sold maps. I didn't really fancy entering any of these places either if I could help it to ask for directions. Given how grubby I must have looked, and the fact that I didn't want to leave Pax unattended, I kept on walking. People were giving me odd looks as it was.

An older woman looked to be opening up her shop for the day across the street, one that sold craft supplies, so I crossed the street to try to ask for directions.

In the end, the woman had seemed a bit cranky... although if I had a kid in need of clean clothes pestering me at seven in the morning before my morning coffee I might be cranky too, albeit I already kind of was. I had really only gotten a few hours of sleep after those storm spirits. The woman did give Pax part of her bagel though, chastising me for not feeding her enough. At least she seemed to have a soft spot for animals, and gave me directions, even if vague.

We were taking a shortcut through a nice little display that was housed next to its corresponding florist shop to get to the street the woman told me about when I sensed something. It was a kind of presence around me. Immediately my fingers wrapped around my ring and I hesitated mid-stride.

"Allison Cooper," A voice said with distaste. I froze, then cautiously turned around to face this new voice. As a general rule, if someone or something called you by your full name while out on a quest, they were most likely going to attempt to in the least harm you.

The woman standing next to the carnations was in a floral print dress, had golden hair, and her multicolored eyes were fixated on me. My eyes widened at the sight of her and I quickly backpedaled, curse dying on my lips when I was stopped by the knee-high wall of a display behind me. My mind was on red alert. Out of all the goddesses...

"So it is true, a spawn of my husband reborn without his intervention. What was it he told me? Oh yes, something about the Fates being involved? Interesting." Upon seeing this new person Pax bounded up to her, most likely encouraged by sensing the woman's connection to the Underworld, but when she got within three feet of the goddess she was fixed with a look and sulked off.

"L-Lady Persephone..." My mind couldn't figure out what to say other than to acknowledge that I was in deep doodoo.

"You helped return his helm, and apparently you were the only one of his spawns to have not turned against the other demigods. Interesting indeed." Persephone was studying me, eyes looking down at me intensely, nose scrunched ever so slightly. I felt like a bug under a microscope.

"And now you are off again to help save your camp. How... noble." She sniffed, turning her nose up and crossing her arms. "You really should present yourself better if you hope to represent my husband- walking around with bloodied and charred clothing like riff-raff."

"Er, I apologize..." I said hesitantly, trailing off. Part of me wanted to ask her just how she expected me to keep my clothes fresh and clean while out on a quest, but I didn't. I knew if I did I had a 99.99% higher chance of being zapped.

Persephone studied me for a moment more, I shifted uneasily. She then let out a kind of 'humph' noise, nose still crinkled. The snap of her fingers caused me to jump. Suddenly I was wearing a whole new set of clothes: a floral print shirt and new shorts. It felt like some of the grime that had collected on me since Lyn's had been washed away too.

"Oh, um... thank you, Lady Persephone." I seriously did not want to offend this goddess and get turned into a flower or some other kind of fauna. I could just imagine her doing that and leaving me somewhere for eternity.

Persephone waved her hand dismissively. "If you are to represent your father and the Underworld, and by extension me, then you must be presentable." She sniffed. I just nodded dumbly, completely at a loss for words.

After awkwardly looking at each other for a solid minute- it was awkward to me at least -Persephone spoke up. "I am sure you are wondering why I am here?" She prompted. My mouth had stayed firmly shut to avoid saying something wrong. My heart was racing. If you are the child of a god who has a spouse, you never want to come into contact with said spouse. Golden rule for demigods.

"Yeah- er, yes. I mean no disrespect..." I started carefully, measuring my words. "But you are one of the last goddesses I would expect to want to appear before me.

"Hmm... yes. Normally I would rather not bother with one of you spawns, but my husband requested I meet you here."

"Oh..." Thanks dad.

"I am no messenger," She said, her distaste over this whole thing very evident in her voice. "But he insisted I bring you an item that will help you on your journey. It also just so happens that I have a task that needs completing. If you complete this task to my qualifications, you will receive this item. If not, you will not receive this item, but I do believe this florist's shop is a bit lacking in the sunflower department."

Inside my head my mind was buzzing, trying to figure out just why Dad thought it would be a good idea to send the one goddess that would probably enjoy it the most if I were to suddenly combust. Then my brain focused in on the stipulation she made me and her thinly veiled threat. She had a task for me. My stomach dropped with dread. Persephone would probably send me off somewhere to get me severely maimed, or killed... again. Then if I did actually manage to come back alive I might just be turned into a plant if things weren't done exactly to her liking. Persephone was never fond of Dad's demigod kids. Sure I could understand why, but this was almost parallel to Hera sending Hercules on all those labors, hoping he would get himself killed in the process. No, this was exactly like that.

"What can I do for you, then?" I almost didn't want to ask the obligatory question for fear of her answer.

Persephone studied me for a long moment before speaking. "There is a cemetery north of here. There is a nymph with whom I am friends. There have been disturbances at the cemetery, her tree is located within. You will fix these disturbances." I seriously didn't like how she was explaining this supposed issue as disturbances. There was a kind of malicious sparkle in her eyes that made me want to just shadow travel out and head for the hills. It was clear that Persephone had a representative to watch me as I completed her task that would be reporting straight back to her. Despite that, I knew I had to face this.

"How long do I have to complete this?" I forced out.

She looked me over again. "Midnight tonight. You will go to the cemetery at sundown and there you will complete your task. You will either prove yourself worthy as a child of my husband and the Underworld, or you will fail. You are not permitted to use your weapons while you are there either. I do not care what you do with your time until sundown, but you will be there this evening. Oak Grove Cemetery." And with that she vanished from existence. I let out a previously pent-up breath and flopped down onto the wall behind me.

"Playing with fire..." I muttered to myself and ran an anxious hand through my hair. This was bad. What Dad was sending me did interest me, but the larger, more sane part of me, was still trying to calm down from a near panic attack from seeing the goddess only six feet in front of me. The goddess children of Hades feared most, standing six feet away. What was dad thinking? I groaned and looked up at the sky. "Why..."

Sitting there for a few minutes recollecting myself I finally hoisted myself up, now resigned to the fact that I was stuck in Orlando until this was over. One way or another. If only I hadn't asked that woman or came near this shop. I called for Pax and she followed me out, her previously despondent demeanor she had gotten when Persephone made her scamper away slowly fading. My feet practically dragged as I walked down the street in the direction I had originally been heading. Technically I could just walk away, if I wanted to be a flower. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad? I shook my head. I had roughly eleven hours to kill before I had to do whatever crazy task Persephone had cooked up for me... without my weapons.

On our walk through the outskirts of Orlando Pax somehow procured a tennis ball- probably from someone's lawn we had passed. She trotted alongside me merrily, carrying it in her mouth, tail wagging, oblivious. Sleep would need to happen if I wanted to hope to be up until at least midnight, maybe later, probably fighting things. I couldn't run forever on the few hours I had under my belt.

There was a house that looked to be under construction coming up on my right. Nobody appeared to be around to see so after double checking I walked onto the lawn and led us into the house. The whole place smelled of sawdust and paint, but it would do. After a quick sweep of the house before I settled myself down I deemed it safe and set up shop in an upstairs room. Pax had dropped the ball with a hopeful look on her face at my feet. You could only go so long trying to avoid looking at those puppy-dog eyes without caving. She got her wish a few minutes later when I settled down to rest and tossed it idly for her to play with. The night ahead of me was not one I was looking forward to. I was positive that Persephone had assured my death the moment she said I couldn't use my weapons.

Rhythmically tossing the ball for Pax after she brought it back ended up almost lulling me to sleep where I was sitting. That was until something shocked me awake, that is. Pax had just appeared from the shadow of that paint bucket carrying the ball I tossed down the hallway. I did a double take. Did she just shadow travel? Pax trotted back to me and dropped the toy at my feet, looking very proud of herself.

"How did you- you just... you did, didn't you?" I stuttered. "I have a shadow traveling dog... Nick would be so jealous." I said to myself in disbelief. Pax... shadow traveling... just wow. Nick for some weird reason, just like Percy, loved shadow travel. Apparently he liked the rush of it all and I couldn't begin to count the amount of times he had said how much he wanted to be able to do it himself. In response to that I would always bring up how not that many people could practically fly. He would just stick his tongue out at me.

I smiled at the memory. Somehow I felt this stunt was connected to that look she had in her eyes after I brought us to Orlando. Maybe that had been her first time shadow traveling and she just wanted to test it out for herself? Who knew. She did seem significantly more tired after she came out of the shadow though, only going after the ball a few more times before settling in to sleep. That seemed like a good idea, sleep was definitely calling to me, so I followed her lead and set down my bag as a pillow and drifted off, ring grasped in my fist.

By some miracle I was able to get nearly a full night's rest uninterrupted. It was almost like the universe knew I would really need all the energy I could get for this task ahead. The sun was getting lower in the sky, closer and closer to the horizon when I woke. Soon it would fade out of sight. If I had to guess I would say it was around six. My stomach growled at me but I told it to shut it before sitting myself up to collect my things, I would eat later. I looked down at my weapons, thinking about how I seriously didn't want to walk into some place Persephone told me to go and do some unexplained task without at least being able to use them. Even though I really wasn't looking forward to what was coming next, I needed to get walking nonetheless. There wasn't really a choice in the matter for me. At least if I did indeed not use them she couldn't call penalty and turn me into a flower... hopefully. She might just do it anyways.

By this point Pax was already up and after lingering for as long as I could I retraced our steps back to where I met the goddess. Once I hit the florist's shop I went north, just like how Persephone had directed.

The closer we got the less I had to actually look for the place, I could just tell we were nearly there. Call it a child of Hades thing, we kind of got that very cheery sense that notifies us if we are close to someplace like where I was heading. Wonderful, I know. It was just about sunset now and my ring kept being turned around in my hand as the distance closed.

Oak Grove Cemetery was a nice place, flowers lined the rod iron fence that enclosed the property and there were neat paths among the graves, spotted with the occasional mausoleum. Sure enough, just as its name would suggest, there were oak trees too. Some of the larger trees were playing host to Spanish Moss that draped down from their branches. I reluctantly slipped my ring back onto my finger and stepped up to the gates. The fleeting thought of wondering if being a flower could really be so bad pushed aside I pursed my lips. Forcing down the urge to run, I entered the gates.

Cautiously I walked through the cemetery, keeping a lookout for anything and everything as I went. Persephone had never specified exactly what these 'disturbances' were, I was in the dark on that one. I was pretty sure I would be able to tell what they were though once I saw them, sadly. As I passed I read some of the various epitaphs, thinking that maybe one might stand out. None did.

The night sky was already out in full, I had lost track of just how long I had been wandering around. Logically speaking in any normal circumstance, I knew I shouldn't be as jittery as I was in a place like this, with Persephone involved... that changed the game.

It was at the south side of the cemetery where I picked out a light and some shadowy figures moving against the walls of a mausoleum. The consistency of the shadows from the light source were flickering, almost as if from firelight. Given its size, it looked like it could be coming from a few matches, or maybe a lighter. I had to pause. That didn't make any sense- since when did monsters bring a lighter with them when they went to hang out at their local graveyard? Grant it, there were some monsters that were very fond of flames, such as one Cyclops Nick and I ran into. We later dubbed it 'Mr. Pyro' after our encounter, but that was years ago. Fire was associated with other monsters too, but I seriously doubted the chimera or even the bronze bulls would be giving off that little light. Both of those types of creatures should be already handled right now too.

Pax seemed to notice the light, I could tell because of the way she picked up her pace as she trotted along.

"Pax, come back here! You don't know what that is." I hissed quietly. The last thing I wanted for her was to get hurt on some suicide mission I was sent on by a vengeful stepmother. Pax was good though and came back to walk alongside me.

Are those voices? I could swear I detected voices, and not adult voices. What the heck did she set up for me? Once I grew closer I realized the situation.

Five teenagers- three girls and two boys- dressed all in black and leather gear with eyeliner and chain accessories were gathered around something on the ground. Two of the girls appeared to be wearing black lipstick too. I then heard the clinking of glasses and I felt my face drop, the pieces falling into place. Are you serious? A bunch of angsty teens hanging around and drinking in a graveyard at night? What was this, a setup to a horror film? This had to be some kind of joke, but there they were, clear as day. I dropped my attempts at approaching quietly and marched over to them.

"Hey, you lot! What do you think you're doing?" I called out sharply. Their raucous laughter died at the sound of my voice as they all turned to me. I realized that to them I must have been a funny sight to see- some tiny thirteen-year-old in floral print with her puppy, yelling at them in a cemetery at night to get out of their hangout spot. The teens all shared a look for a moment, silent. Then I guess they couldn't hold it any longer and burst out into even louder laughter than before. One of the boys went so far as to be doubled over laughing.

Just as I was about to tell them to continue to laugh it up I suddenly became acutely aware of something unsettling. It was as if the earth was writing under our feet. It was then that the first skeletal hand broke free of the confines of the ground behind the teens. That hand was quickly followed by several more of its friends.

"You've got to be kidding me..." I deadpanned. What was this, Night of the Living Dead? Leave it to Persephone to raise a bunch of skeletons for me to fight off without my weapons, and while making sure these numbskulls didn't get themselves killed.

The teenagers laughter only broke when one of the girls let out an ear-piercing scream, a skeletal hand latching onto her foot to pull itself out. That scream was like a switch being flipped, the teens immediately looked to see what caused their friend to scream. I couldn't be sure what they were seeing through the Mist, but it was obviously enough to make them drop what they had with them and take off running. At first they briefly floundered to get out of the array of skeletal hands cropping up at their feet, beverages sloshing out onto the ground and abandoned spray paint cans clattering down in their wake.

Once they got free they didn't even slow as they barreled their way past me, on the contrary, they seemed to just pick up more speed now that they were out of the way of the rising skeletons. As it was I had already started backing up myself- these skeletons were armed. Swords, knives, a mace, spears, and one even had an actual pitchfork with it. Aren't the villagers supposed to be chasing them with the pitchforks? I slung off my backpack without looking and dug out Pax's new tennis ball.

"Pax, fetch!" I turned sharply on my heel and threw the ball for all I was worth over the hill and she barked happily, running after her toy. I couldn't let her get caught up in this soon to be fight, and I was glad those teens had enough sense to get the hell out of Dodge. These skeletons were not happy skeletons here to share a cup of tea. No, they were clacking their teeth at each other, drawing their weapons up from the ground where they had been laying when they were crawling their way up from the earth.

I knew this was bad, I was not very good or well versed at the power set this issue would require, and I had the feeling Persephone had planned it that way. Fudge... The skeletons seemed to finally notice they were not alone at this point. Like a whole synchronized unit of possessed dolls, their heads all turned at once toward me and I knew in that moment I had to at least attempt it.

"STOP! I order you to return to the Underworld!" I ordered as commandingly as I could muster, taking a bold step forward and squaring my shoulders. The response I got was a rusty knife thrown at my head. I easily sidestepped the knife but this just confirmed that these guys wouldn't be as easily dealt with as I had dared hope.

The skeletons started to advance on me, hoisting their assorted weapons. I longed to be able to whip out my knife or something and knock some heads. I clenched my fist. Stupid Persephone. Who knew what might happen if I went against a direct order and took any of my weapons out. I had a feeling that nymph friend of hers would be jumping to tell her if I did that.

I backed up further, eyes firmly locked on the skeletons, mind scrambling for solutions. It was stupid really, I should have been able to avoid it, but I was so focused on the skeletons that I stumbled backwards over a low tombstone. That one act was the trigger for them to clatter their teeth with renewed vigor, like a battle cry, and charge. I cursed mentally, and probably audibly, and clambered to my feet again. I raced off in the direction the teens had vanished in, collection of very pissed off skeletons at my tail.

More and more of the skeletons were cropping up in my path as I ran, crawling up from the soil around me, gradually enclosing me. Persephone was probably somewhere laughing right about now. A couple of the original batch of skeletons had managed to catch up with me. Because of this I had to chuck my backpack off to the side, conveniently striking a rising skeleton in the head and sending its skull rolling, and dodge the swings of their weapons.

Between weaving myself around their strikes I got an idea and started to work my way behind one of the skeletons. I had to dodge the arch of its bent sword but I was able to get to where I wanted to be.

I pressed my hand to the back of the skeleton's skull and focused my energy. This had to work, otherwise I would be as good as gone. I willed the skeleton to return to the earth with all my might, focusing as best I could with a small army of skeletons steadily surrounding me.

Under the palm of my hand the bones of the skeleton started to rattle. There was then a flash of black light centered around its skull and my hand and it broke apart in seconds, crumpling to the ground. I snatched the sword it had been using out of the air and swung around me in a wide arch at the skeleton coming up on my back. The bones from the broken skeleton were getting reabsorbed into the ground. My energy levels had taken a dramatic drop but now that I had a sword, I stood a chance. Persephone had only specified my weapons in her ultimatum, she never said anything about the ones I might be able to get my hands on while I was here.

The skeleton that had been approaching from behind me hadn't had the time to back off once I got the sword, but now the skeletons nearest me hesitated, teeth clacking in agitation upon seeing two of their comrades fall. The sword was bent and unbalanced in my hand but it was my best bet at getting rid of these guys.

I started dancing my way around their strikes as best I could, wincing in pain as one of the spikes from the mace cut me above my eyebrow. I had to shake my head a few times as I fought to get the blood out of my vision.

When the skeletons broke apart after I would cut them in half with the sword they thankfully returned to the earth. So far there were no signs of them reemerging. I was jostled around a lot but I took down seven more in a short time frame, giving myself a brief moment of rest now that the ones closest were back in the ground. More skeletons were rising though, this made me really want to curse Persephone out for this crazy idea of hers.

I chopped the head off the last skeleton in my immediate area and watched as its remains, bloody mace and all, were absorbed again.

"I did not sign up for this." I growled, looking around at the swath of skeletons before me and swiping clear my vision again. There was some clear space around me before the next wave would be within fighting distance. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, zeroing in my senses on the ground. I could sense the skeletons as they grew closer. There was a wrenching in my gut and I opened my eyes to see a crack rapidly carving itself into existence in the earth. Skeletons were falling into the void space, the crevice forming a barrier between us.

I was panting now, all of this way more exertion than I was used to. I was very thankful for that sleep I was able to get earlier. It seemed as though they had stopped rising and there were only about twenty left on the other side of the crevice. Make that nineteen, one was stupid enough to try to jump and only succeeded in getting itself down into the pit.

After heaving a deep breath I stabbed my sword into the ground, striking my hand out in the direction of the remaining skeletons. Go big or go home. If Persephone wanted me to prove myself, then I would do just that.

Concentrating hard on the skeletons with my mind I put all my will into getting them to return to where they came from.

Sweat was dripping off my face and my hand was shaking. I squeezed my eyes shut. It felt like my stomach was taking another blow from Chester's blade. I fell to a knee, only keeping myself propped up by gripping tight onto the handle of my sword.

With a yell the skeletons one by one broke apart and melted back into the ground, weapons following behind them. I could hear the sounds of their bones clattering against the ground and a few tombstones as they disappeared. With each one more energy drained away and I felt myself growing rapidly lightheaded, nearly emptying my stomach. I had to see this through, I couldn't leave any left. Persephone wanted a show and I was done with her game.

As the last bones from the final skeleton went away I closed the crack I had opened in the earth. I gasped, opening my eyes. Everything was kind of fuzzy but there were no more skeletons. I almost keeled over right there, throwing a hand out to steady myself, but I was smiling despite that. I had done it, I sent them away. The bent sword I had been using was next to sink back down before I slumped over onto my back, pushing the blood away that was threatening to mar my vision again.

What I needed right now was about a week's worth of sleep. It was tempting to just fall sleep right there but I stayed awake, giving myself a number of minutes to gather myself again. In that time Pax had come out from wherever she was hiding after the fight broke out and sat herself down on my stomach, a bone in her mouth.

Finally, after many minutes, I pulled myself up and went to collect my bag, digging around in search of my ambrosia. I went and swallowed what was left of it, which wasn't a lot, but I needed it to get back to the florist shop in time. Pax's tennis ball was lying next to my bag when I got there. I stuffed it in and sent the bone she had been carrying away. People would not be fond of seeing bones aboveground in this place, or anywhere for that matter.

Somehow I made it back to the florist in time. Along the way the cut above my eyebrow had healed and the weight in my mind lessened thanks to the godly food. With each step I kept telling myself that I was just getting closer and closer to being able to sleep.

Persephone was waiting for me, leaning against the half-wall studying me as I approached. I figured that the slightest twitch up of her eyebrow meant she could possibly be the vaguest bit impressed I hadn't gotten myself killed. Her nose wasn't crinkled either. Very encouraging. That, or she was mad I didn't die... fifty-fifty chance.

I stopped a few feet short of her and waited for her to speak first. She scrutinized me under that multicolored gaze for a few more moments before reaching into the pocket of her dress and pulling out a small drawstring bag, tossing it to me. I hastily caught it and opened it to see what was inside.

"Pomegranate seeds?" I asked with a bit of strain in my voice, looking up to her. I had done all that for some pomegranate seeds?

"From my garden in the Underworld." She explained. "You will know what to do with them when the time comes and you are in dire need of them." She stated plainly. I looked from the seeds to her and back, trying to piece it together through my already half-asleep mind. Dire need? What, do I like eat them if I'm in trouble and they poof me somewhere else like the pearls? I didn't like her phrasing in that either.

I did the safe thing and said, "Thank you, milady."

Persephone gave me a curt nod in return. She looked pensive for a moment before she spoke. "The weapons your father gave you, they are yours. It does not hurt to change their form on occasion. As the owner, it is within your abilities." I raised my eyebrows and looked at my bracelet. Change their form? Like make it a pen or something? Then I thought to why she was even bothering to tell me this in the first place.

"Er-"

"You will know when the time comes." She said and I could almost swear I registered the barest hint of pity on her face as she said this. She then snapped her fingers and disappeared.

Cautiously I closed the bag of pomegranate seeds, hiding it safely away on my person. If that had actually been pity and she phrased it as 'dire need', then I would prefer them to be with me at all times. A small part of me questioned if they could be poisoned or not but I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

I sighed, rubbing a hand down my face. "Alright, come on Pax. Let's find a place to sleep."

Pax followed me as I led us back to the house we stayed in earlier in the day. In the morning I would get myself a train ticket, but I seriously needed to sleep first. Before I could do that though I made sure to check the house again for any monsters camping out. Luckily the coast was clear.

Laying there I was exhausted but unable to fall asleep. Something was stopping me. Call it curiosity niggling at my mind, but it was what Persephone had said about my weapons. Finally I couldn't ignore it any longer and pulled off my necklace, holding in my hand, staring down intently at it.

"Bracelet." I said.

Nothing happened. Maybe I had to concentrate and picture what I wanted in my head or something, not just say a keyword. I stared at it again, pulling up a picture of a bracelet in my mind. "Bracelet." I said again quietly, focusing on the object in my hand.

I nearly jumped when it started to morph, becoming smaller and turning into a bracelet. When it was finished it looked like an empty charm bracelet, no charms linked to the chain. My mouth was agape. How had I not known this before? It could have come in handy in the past in times where I needed to hide the necklace, the Camp Half-Blood inscription liable to give me away.

Slowly I slipped on the bracelet, then tried activating it like I did my sword's bracelet. My trusty knife appeared in my hand, plain as day. A smile grew on my face. If Kronos told Luke about this weapon's hidden form then he would be in for a surprise. I threw my knife experimentally, lodging it into some plywood across the room. Pax was asleep at this point and didn't stir. I flicked my wrist and the bracelet appeared on me again.

"Okay, this is awesome." I almost laughed despite my need for sleep. After owning this for all these years I was only just finding this trick out now. I went on to test it out on my sword, trying to turn the bracelet into something else. The only thing it changed into was another kind of bracelet- a braided leather type one. I switched it back to its regular form and leaned back onto my makeshift pillow. Of all the people to tell me about this, Persephone being the one to do it was too bizarre.

AN: Hope you had a nice week, mine was busy but I enjoyed it. Let me know what you think 'bout this update/chapter, it ended up being a long one. Also thanks for understanding and being so nice about the delay, it is really nice to see :) Hope you have a nice week! P.S. I knew I forgot something last night- if you didn't get to see the temp. chapter 10 note saying how this one would be late, next week's one will probably be a little late too. Posting day, Friday, is literally graduation day so will be a bit occupied, along with the next day. I am also doing a bit more revisions than normal on that one, but it is shorter than this one so won't be as long to revise. As a brief note on here to A. Mellark's daughter: Terima kasih banyak! :)