Chapter Eleven

Nico POV (still)

As the water crashed upon us, I couldn't breathe. Water was swirling and I see an occasional figure struggling. Then the water washed off leaving me sputtering for air. I looked around and saw Grover and Water-boy. Then the visions haunted me.

I saw Bianca die, but in a more horrible way. Her screams echoed in my ears. Then that faded and I saw visions of terror, torture, and fear. Especially my own. I opened my eyes, but still saw the visions behind my eyes. I gasped as they strengthened, showing cruelty at extreme levels. I started crying. How much could my mind take?

Then a felt cold water smack my face. I looked up and saw Water-boy. He had slapped me with water. I nearly cried with joy. A familiar face! Water-boy looked at me angrily and slapped me. I realized what his message was: Get a grip! You can do this.

Then the visions faded to different, less gruesome, ones. I saw a fiery pit. Near it was a giant Doberman three-headed dog, a gray wheat field, and a serene island that had the atmosphere of a party.

Last, but no least there was a looming dark castle. An emblem of a black helm loomed above and spread. There was a gut feeling in me that knew that this was the Underworld or Hades. And I was being claimed. The visions faded, but this time for good. Felt vibrating in my hand and saw my sword being turned to a black obsidian color. I knew I had passed whatever they had thrown at me.

..oo0*0oo..

Grover POV

That hurt, I grumbled to myself. I like water, but that amount of it was ridiculous. Then I noticed my surroundings. I was in the wild. Wait a second… I was in the wild! Pan territory! Then I saw a small, well big, detail.

It was burning.

A forest fire was brewing, destroying everything in its path. I saw satyrs running and dryads screaming then collapsing as their trees burnt down. Then I was at a bird's eye-view. The whole world was in flames! Smoke filled the air and ash covered what ground fire didn't.

Tears streamed down my face. The entire world was burning and being replaced by human technology. All nature was dying. Here, I could hear screams. They were the screams of nature dying. I collapsed to the ground. Then water hit my face. I blinked away tears in confusion.

Why would there be water here? I looked up and saw the blurry features of Water-boy. I felt that he was frustrated. He took his finger and made tsking sounds. He was telling me that crying gets us nowhere. I wiped my tears away and sat up. I closed my eyes and I remembered the grassy smell. I remembered the clear sky and the feel of the wind.

I opened my eyes and saw what I had remembered. And there in the middle was a satyr. It was Pan. He smiled and put a cord around my neck. On it was a set of reed pipes. He smiled and faded. I was sad that he was leaving, but I knew I would probably, hopefully, see him again.

I saw Nico holding a new sword when the vision faded. He looked shaken up, but also more determined than I had ever seen him before. His new sword was black as night and there was something different about his eyes. Then I noticed his scent. It was the scent of death.

He smirked. "I got claimed," he said as simply as if he was eating lunch.

"Wh-who?" I asked stuttering, but I had a good feeling who it was. Please, gods, no, I prayed.

"Hades," Then Nico squinted. He walked over to the wall and there was a circle there. It was ancient with Greek symbols on it. It was split into three sections, but they were missing. Well, some were missing. The top left one had a gear piece filled in.

Hmmm… Three pieces… Three Tests?

..oo0*0oo..

Thalia POV

I groaned and got up. The first thing I noticed was that I was in clouds. Gods, I hate heights! Then I noticed I was alone. Then the last thing I noticed was there was no end to the clouds.

Whispers could be heard. They kinda freaked me out. "Who are you?" I shouted and tapped my bracelet. Aegis sprung out. "Show yourself!" The whispers intensified. Then mist rose.

I watched as the mist formed together to form shapes. I drew my sword and slashed through them. All it did was break it in half only to form back together. I stumbled back. How was I going to fight an opponent I couldn't even touch?

(A/N) August 13, 2011

I'm back from Florida! I saw pelicans, dolphins, hermit crabs, dead jellyfish (that scared the crap out of me), and seagulls! It was fun!

I had a long mental conversation with myself about this chapter. Should I put all three tests in here or not? I decided even though I wanted longer chapters I'd split it into two chapters.

Review please!

-wolfeclipse25