They reached Tartarus without any problem. They stood by the end of the pit, shivering in the chill that emanated from the pit. Tom's prediction had been correct. Nico had wrapped himself in a blanket because of the cold. Tom didn't know why, but the charm he placed on Nico was effective for only ten hours now, and it was still getting shorter. It disturbed him that there was something he didn't know.

Jackson gritted his teeth and carefully lowered himself into the pit. There was a rope tied onto everyone's waist except Hermione so they were linked together. It was decided that Percy would go first, Harry second, Nico third, Thalia fourth and Tom the last. The end of the rope was tied onto a rock by the entrance. Hermione was staying behind so she could pull them out with a Hovering Charm if anything happened. The rope had been strengthened by Tom, so it wouldn't break easily. It was magic rope that Hermione had bought in Diagon Alley, which could lengthen according to their needs.

Nico wasn't crying now. He had gone numb. Numb for everyone abandoning him. Numb for everyone not caring. Nothing could shake him up now.

Looking at the unknown depths of Tartarus, he decided to treasure every member of his family more than ever and never be the annoying little boy that is wild about Mythomagic.

Not all will return the same.

Well, I certainly thought bitterly.

Line break

Percy looked down into Tartarus. They had been climbing for two hours and haven't come across anything. It was so dark that he could barely see his own fingers. Something made him nervous. Four children of the Big Three were the tastiest monster treat ever and the delicious smell would spread far and wide. Swarms of monsters should be upon them now. But there was nothing.

Above him, Harry shouted,'Roll call!'

'Jackson!'

'Safe and alive!'

'Grace!'

'Still okay, but do you have a charm for fear of heights?'

'No. Di Angelo!'

No response.

'Nico! Nico di Angelo! Are you there?' Percy could tell from the tone of Harry's voice that he was starting to panic. In fact, Percy himself was clawing at the walls, trying to climb up and check.

Tom's voice joined their discussion.'Don't tell me Nicky is missing.' he begged.

'Did I mention I hate the nickname Nicky?'

They froze. Then the scolding started.

'You had me worried for a moment! Do you have any idea how worried we have been-'

'Why in Tartarus didn't you answer us? You know perfectly well that we are worried about you-'

It went on for ten minutes until Nico finally said,'Can you continue your scolding later? I got a headache just now and was on the verge of fainting. I didn't hear you. In fact, if you continue nagging my headache would get worse and I won't be able to answer the second roll call.'

A headache? But it only has been eight hours since Tom last renewed the charm!

'Nico,' said Percy using the voice that would be suitable for a funeral.'Is the poison getting stronger?'

Nico's reply came swiftly,'I'm not on the verge of dying, and stop treating me like a sick little child! I'm perfectly okay. For Zeus's sake, it's just a headache!'

Percy ignored Nico's rants and asked Tom to renew the spell.

They continued climbing, until Percy's feet touched a ledge. He felt it with his foot and found that it was a corridor. His hand accidentally brushed against a switch and torches blazed to life.

Testing the corridor gingerly to make sure it could hold his weight, he signaled to the others that it was okay. Carefully, they alighted.

Thalia scanned the place. 'Something's not right. It doesn't feel right. It's too easy.'

Right at the end of the corridor, was a plant growing in tangled vines on the wall. An apple made of Stygian ice glittered on a vine. The cure was right in front of them.

'I hate to admit it, but you're right,'Percy said.'It's too easy.'

Thalia gave him an evil look that scored full marks.'You go and get it. Then take it back here. We don't have much time. He only has a day left.'

Percy gave her his super You Are So Going To Regret This look and stormed in the direction of the cure. He plucked it off the vine and held his breath, waiting for some kind of trap to spring out.

Nothing.

He skipped back towards Thalia, waving the cure and grinning jubilantly at her.

Then everything went wrong.