The least important things are incredibly important- the glint in his eye, Emma's panicked face, the scream that goes on and on until I realise it's me. Emma ducks- too late. The sword pierces her shoulder, pinning her against the wall. I move, but it's too late. She crumples, like a rag-doll with its strings cut, and I know I can't help her. But then the fury begins.

I stare at Atlas, feeling red-hot anger burning deep within me like a scorching poker. Replays flash before my eyes as the rage- the pain, even- sears through my stomach. My hands tighten round my knife, my knuckles turning white with the force of the grip, as he nonchalantly flicks his wrist, and a spear appears like magic. Nico runs over to Emma, his face a panicked mess and I realise I'm on my own.

Atlas takes an attacking stance, saying nothing, his eyes goading me. He thinks it's a game, it dawns on me. He knows I can't beat him. So what to do?

I half-close my eyes, stepping from side to side, trying to find a plan. Nico has zombies, Emma can disappear- all battle. Stopping time is useless, as is time-travel: I'd just leave Nico to die. Atlas's tread is heavy upon the floor, and he twirls the spear dispassionately. Suddenly an idea hits me, and I jump out of the way, rolling to the floor as he tries a lunging jab. I've got it.

I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the constant rage that's emptying and pouring into me like an emotional paint-bucket. I can feel Emma's pain, know she's losing it, and I know I've got to hurry with this half-baked plan of mine. Atlas tries another slash across my side, but I leap out of the way onto another filing cabinet. Papers go flying as I flip onto the desk (I can flip?) and crouch underneath a shelf like a cornered rat. Atlas laughs cruelly, as I breathe out slowly and press my index finger against my left palm, trying to focus.

I gather this huge force bubbling within me, this burning desire to at least maim him, the anger that's given me new energy, and pour it out in a palm slam, nowhere near him. His laugh echoes round the tower, but I'm still concentrating deeply, and then I clench my hand into a fist.

Nothing happens at first, but a huge rushing sensation strikes me, like a waterfall pouring out of my fingers. A slow smile spreads across my face, as I suddenly glimpse misty shapes materialising. Bianca's first, with a serious, steady expression on her opaque face, pulling a bundle of arrows out of her quiver. Then a huge black boy with hands the size of mallets tosses a hammer from side to side. A slim girl with long eyelashes and cobalt-blue eyes mutters something, and fire-blue fire- spouts from her hands. I don't know them, but they smile and wave happily at me. One more appears- and this is the one which makes the tears begin to drip down my face.

It's Emma- in her ripped jeans and orange, crinkled shirt she looks the same as ever, apart from the ghostly shade around her. She smiles sadly at me, and when I glance over where she lay, her body's gone. Nico stares at the ground, probably giving his final after-life blessing. Emma takes her knife out of her battered leather belt, and turns to Atlas.

He's gone chalk-white, and uselessly waves his spear at them. But it's too late- they fall upon him, like a pack of wild lions. There's an eerie silence- then, as the foursome step back- a puff of smoke and a smell of charcoal- and he's gone.

I stare at my hands, shivering uncontrollably, even though it's warm inside the tower, and my face is bright red from fighting. The figures slowly spin, their job done- and evaporate into the thin air like fading mist. Emma is the only one who remains- and she watches me, her eyes scrunching with would-be tears. I move my hand slowly in a wave goodbye- and she vanishes too. I don't know what I've done but Nico runs to me. 'All the dead half-bloods.' He mutters. 'Quite a flourish, Jade.'

'I didn't know them- but Bianca and Emma...'

'You didn't need to. I knew them. That was enough.' He says bluntly, but his voice wavers slightly.

I wince, trying to stand up, the pain in my backbone worse than ever. I stagger against the cabinet, the room spins unnervingly, and my stagger turns into a fall. Then I collapse back onto the floor, my head cracking against the wall. Nico shouts, and grabs me. He's fuzzy- everything is. I close my eyes weakly, my head lolling back. I'm dimly aware of something being stuffed into my mouth- molten treacle tasting (Yes, whoever reviewed about Nico's mouth, yes yes YES XD) and Nico yelling at me to swallow, pushing my chin.

I gulp uncomprehendingly, feeling instant warmth spread round my chest. My brain comes out of whatever fog it's drifted into, and my eyelids quiver, then open. Nico smiles and gently props me against the wall. I splutter with the sudden feeling of warmth flowing up my throat, but cover my mouth and croak 'Thanks.'

He kneels down beside me. 'You almost blacked out there, Jade. Probably after summoning all that in one go. I slept for two weeks the first time I tried shadow-travel.'

'I wasn't aware I was blacking out, thanks for warning me.' I say sarcastically, and he beams.

'Good to see you're back to your old self.'

I rub my head, where a huge lump is forming, and can't help smiling back at him. He lifts me gently up onto my feet again, though I'm still leaning against his shoulder. We hobble over to the long marble table, and I only just begin to see the outline of a body under the sheet that covers it. I gulp, but Nico's face is set. He pulls the sheet swiftly off the table.

It's a girl's body- the same of my dream, though the face is drawn and snow-white. Her lifeless hands clutch at her stomach, where a splatter of green fluid pools round her palm. Her eyes are shut, but a smile still plays around her lips. I retch, not used to the sight of a corpse. But Nico's the expert. He sets me down onto a leather wheeled chair, and sets to work.

He presses his long index finger into the middle of her chest, and begins to chant in the strange flowing language of Ancient Greek. I can only make out some of the words- like "Father" and "accept." I sit motionless as grey smoke begins to collect around the body, and Nico stands back. A clap of thunder seems to echo round the room as the smoke increases, and I can hear a low moan (or is that me?). The fog is dense, but I can still see Nico's face, like a ghost coming out of the mist.

All at once it dissipates into the air, gone as quickly as it came. The body- Zoe, I recall, was her name- has of course disappeared, but Nico looks shattered. He rubs his eyes desperately, and yawns. I shrug questioningly, and he shakes his head. 'Nope- soul still under the sky, I think. We need to get another Titan under there- and soon. But we need to get back to camp- your job.'

I stretch out in my chair. 'Fine.' I grunt.

I get up slowly, testing my back, trying a few experimental jumps and hops. Nico follows like a lost puppy, and then I hear his footsteps stop and a short, sharp intake of breath. I lift my eyes to him, raising one eyebrow, about to come up with some kind of sarcastic remark, when I'm enveloped in a huge hug, warm and friendly as you can get.

Haha climax!!! I've just finished this writing on my bus- wow I do a lot for you lovely reviewers. There's a bunch of manic year 10s next to me screaming about Justin Bieber- as I said, wow I do/put up with a lot for you guys (PS they are horrible singers). Hope you liked the suspense and the eventual plot- I'm sorry NicoLuver4Eva, but that's my decision... please keep reading though . I'M TRYING TO GET TO 100 REVIEWS PLEASE PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING GUYS!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU ALL (EVEN THE GIRLS- WHICH MEANS NON-LESBI) !!!!!!!