Chapter 21 is here. Okay, so I'll be keeping up the regular updates. I got over the writers block and have up to chapter 28 written. The next couple chapters might be a little short but I have a surprise for Chapter 24 that I hope you'll enjoy. Anyway, Enjoy!

I was in a state of shock the whole way back but I played it off by using the sun as an excuse. "It can't be eight." I argued. "It's so bright out."

"It's Alaska." Jared said. "The sun stays out longer in the summer."

I shook my head, a little awed but more so about the girl I saw. When Jared walked inside I stood on my toes and whispered in Raymond's ear. "She's here."

Raymond pretended not to hear me but I saw him tense slightly as we walked in. And I knew why, this was it, we could end this. I was determined to end this tomorrow.

As if that thought made everything real time seemed to speed up, anxious for tomorrow. We settled down in the living room for the night, discussing everything in whispers. Figuring out what monsters Gaea would send after us, if the girl would cooperate with us, if we could destroy the monster, who her father was, because I was sure her mother was mortal from my dreams.

"You said she could control metals, and oil and such, right?" Jessica said in a whisper and I nodded. "Well, what god controls all of that?"

Surprisingly it was Daniel that gave us that answer. "Pluto. He's the Roman equivalent to Hades. He not only controls the dead but everything under the earth, all of the precious metals."

"Great." Raymond said. "We're helping a Roman, I'm not surprised she's in league with Gaea."

"A half-blood of the eldest gods shall reach sixteen against all odds." Jessica whispered. "Pluto is one of the eldest gods. And – and our prophecy. The chosen they must release. Do you think it's her?"

I looked at Raymond, if it was her, what would happen to Raymond? "I don't know, maybe."

Raymond looked nervous.

"Maybe she's chosen for something else." I said hopefully, doubt in my voice. Raymond shrugged, looking nervous and . . . relieved? Why would he be relieved?

Then I realised, maybe he was relieved because he wouldn't have that prophecy on his shoulders, but . . . if he wasn't the child of the prophecy, what would happen to him?

"It doesn't matter." Raymond said. "And that might not be the case. She could be the child of a minor god for all we know. But whatever the case we have to save her, or else the world ends."

"We have to release her." I said softly. "It says release, not save."

Jessica pondered that, twirling a strand of her hair that escaped her braid and finally shrugged. "It'll come as it does. We just have to be prepared for anything."

I nodded. "So . . . how did the conversation go with your dad?"

Jessica looked at the ground. "He bought us all tickets to Vancouver, the train leaves the day after tomorrow, around night time."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "So it happens tomorrow, our quest finally ends."

I looked around, I honestly never expected it but they were my friends, I couldn't imagine life without them. Jessica, beautiful like any daughter of Aphrodite, but also smart and brave. Raymond, powerful like a son of the big three but also gentle and caring. Daniel, gods, I never imagined any demigod could survive to have children; he was brave, compassionate and caring. I never imagined that I'd ever have such good friends, and I hoped that whatever tomorrow brought I wouldn't lose them.

"So . . . what happens after this?" Daniel asked.

No one answered. What would happen after the quest? Would Daniel just head back to Vancouver and us to camp to help fight a war? And then . . . my warning. I ran over it in my head. The only lines not completed were the last to, the part about the cage and returning. I wasn't too eager for the next step.

"We'll just have to see what happens." I said softly.

Everyone nodded and we all curled up on the floor together in one ball, ready to spend one more night with them before the end.

. . .

I woke up first, which was a relief. I never would have heard the end of it if I didn't, although I was stuck in my spot. Raymond was using my legs as a pillow, cuddling with Jessica. She had her back to his, Raymond's arm draped over her and his face buried in the crook of her neck. I was lying on my back with something sorta soft under my head, but when I turned my head to the side I realised it was Daniel's arm and I blushed. He was curled up in a ball beside me, one arm partially under his head and partially under mine. When I had turned my head it brought us face to face, our foreheads touching.

I blushed deeper but I found myself studying his face, he looked so peaceful when he slept, younger then he really was. I noticed him starting to wake up so I quickly sat up.

I stared out the window and saw the sun streaming through cheerfully, like it didn't care that it might be our last days on earth.

Mom. I thought. I know the Gods have no power here but the Mist is still fine and dandy here so maybe you can hear this prayer. I want you to try and protect my friends, please. I'll get locked in a thousand cages if that's what it takes, but I can't lose them to.

I sighed softly and then I heard someone walk in. I looked over my shoulder and saw Jared looking at us with a soft smile. "I'm off to work today." He said. "Do you have any plans?"

I nodded and smiled. "We're going to go look around, maybe check out some of the train schedules. Show Jess and Daniel around. Thank you for your hospitality."

"It was my pleasure." Jared responded. "In case you're wondering it's around noon. You guys sure are heavy sleepers."

I blushed a little, wondering if he saw me cuddling with Daniel. "Yeah." I said with a smile. "Thanks for letting us sleep in."

"Your teenagers." Jared said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I'd expect no less."

I laughed and he smiled, heading out to work. I gently took Raymond's head off of my lap and got up to bathe and change into the clothes left out for me, smiling at the note saying I could keep the dress. I slipped on the light grey dress, tying my hair back in a ponytail, I hummed as I cooked a small meal and ate, then headed to wake the others up.

First though, I took out my camera and posed by each of them, making a silly face and snapping a picture. I stifled a giggle as I looked at them before putting it in my bag. Then I kicked everyone awake.

They all shot up and I smiled. "Morning sunshine's." I said, slapping my hands together. "We have a big, big day today so get ready."

I got a pillow in the face for my efforts.

"Alright." I said, shaking my head and tsking. "I guess I'll have to save the world myself then."

That got them up.

It took us ten minutes to get ready and go outside. We instantly headed to the shack but no one was home, I wasn't sure if I should be relieved. We walked around, Raymond and I were pointing out the landmarks. I smiled as I saw Raymond and Jessica smiling and holding hands. They deserved to be happy.

When Daniel spotted the first monster we headed to the woods so the mortals wouldn't see us fighting them. We headed straight into an ambush.

Cliffy! Well, kinda I guess. Anyway, be back in 4 days with Chapter 22!