No reviews… *sobs* So I guess this may be the last chapter. Do you guys want me to continue this or not?

N
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Just perfect. First, our entire world goes haywire when a simple rescue mission becomes Egyptians-meet-the-Greeks day. Then, one of the said Egyptians happened to catch my heart, and that bastard Cade breaks it into a million pieces by kidnapping her. Then I get a dream of my girlfriend in deep torture by Cade/Apophis, and worst of all, here I am, in chains, being pulled by some lowlife demons, and I can do absolutely nothing to help her!

"Just kill me now." I murmured.

The lead demon turned his head around. "Not yet, my pet. First you have to meet the master, then if you're lucky, he'll kill you."

We turned another corridor, and came face-to-face with a huge set of red Stone doors. The demon ordered his men to push it open. Despite my situation, I couldn't help but stare at the doors in awe. I mean, I've seen Hades' door in his palace, decorated with pictures of death, but for some reason this one was even better than his'. Pictures of a snake swallowing the sun were engraved Egyptian style on the stone, right in the middle of the door, and other forms of death were engraved around it. There were a lot burning in fire, some being devoured by crocodiles, and even a picture of a person being mummified, alive.

The demons pushed the doors open slowly. After the doors were opened, just large enough for us to pass in a single line, the demon pushed me forward. "Time to meet the master."

Let me tell you this now: I regretted going inside. As soon as I passed through the doors, the darkness engulfed me, swallowing the light that was passing through the doors. The demons that opened it labored again to push it close. A force of unwavering fear and anger passed through me. It was like being in front of Ares, only this one was ten times worse. I wanted to kill everyone in my path. I wanted to decapitate their heads in serve them on a silver platter. I wanted to…

So, this is the son of Hades. Not much, I expected Hades to sire a child with more…substance. A voice cut through the darkness. The demons all knelt down, all except me.

"Who are you?" I called out into the darkness. Normally, I wouldn't be afraid of the dark, being Hades' son and all, but I had a feeling that my title wasn't as relevant here as it would be anywhere else. I could feel creatures lurking behind the shadows, their fangs and talons dripping with fresh blood.

Didn't you recognize me, child? I am Apophis, the embodiment of chaos, and the future ruler of your world. Bow down to me might and glory!

"Glory?" I scoffed. "What glory? Last time I checked, you were still imprisoned, right?"

Fool! Even at this moment I am wriggling free from my bonds, and when the demons finally find that last scarab I will be free! My minions, bring him to me.

The demons grabbed me by the arm. "Hey!" I protested, but their grip on me tightened even more. They half-dragged, half-carried me right into the darkness, and dumped me unceremoniously in the middle of nowhere. Somehow, I felt stronger here, as if my body was feeding on the darkness itself.

Apophis chuckled. Yes, it seems that you have found out my true nature. Hades and I are not so different, child. We both feed on the darkness. Even now you can feel the effects of my power. All of that power, and it is only a fraction of what I will be able to unleash once I escape from my prison. Join me, child, and together, we shall rule in the darkness forever!

Truth be told, I had half a mind to abandon this quest and join him on the spot. The way that I felt stronger here, it was just so addicting. Is this how Percy felt like when he was in the water? Now wonder he always took a daily swim in the lake. My Stygian sword appeared in front of me, practically humming with power. I picked it up hesitantly. The moment my hand connected with the grip of the blade, a new wave of power came to me. I am never going to say this again, but as of right now, I felt that I was even stronger than my father, Hades. "I-"

Save Sadie, a voice in my head told me. Strangely, it was that of a woman's. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I stared at the sword again. How could I even forget her? She was dying, and was begging for me to save her, and I'm just standing here staring at a sword.

Do you relent, child?

I put on an "I'm thinking" face. "Nope. My girlfriend comes first. Sorry, Apophis, but I'd have to kill you. Nothing personal." I threw my sword to where I heard the voice. It cut through the darkness, and for a while I felt the power of chaos recede. I ran straight to where I threw my sword. The darkness seemed to lighten, and I could see my blade sticking a few feet in front of me. I picked it up, and took a second to glance at my surroundings, and I didn't believe my eyes.

In front of me, hundreds of demons were picking at a huge pile of insects, using pickaxes, shovels, and wheelbarrows. On top of the pile, a lone figure directed them what to do. Upon closer inspection, I saw that familiar blonde hair, and that sadistic smile.

"Cade!" I called from below. "Come down here and let me kill you, you son of a bitch!"

He looked down at me from atop the pile. "Oh, finally Nico. How long did it take you to find me?"

Rage. That's all I felt at the moment. It blinded my other thoughts, and fueled my powers. I shadow travelled behind him, and before he could comprehend what I did, I appeared behind him and punched him in the face. He tumbled downwards, and fell face-first onto the floor. I shadow travelled beside him, and hilt-slammed him in the face so hard that I heard his jaw break.

He should have begged for mercy. He should have cowered in fear, as any sane person would do, but instead, he just grinned at me manically, like he was enjoying the pain.

It wasn't the glorious fight that I'd hoped for. Instead, I beat him up like a rag doll, and by the time that my head was clear enough for me to stop, Cade was already lying with his back down on the floor, his face contorted in a half-agonized, half-amused expression. He was badly bleeding from the cuts on his arms, legs, face, and chest. His nose was twisted at an odd angle.

I stomped on his outstretched hand, breaking his fingers. I picked him up, threw him to my side, and sent him crashing into the pile of insects. I shadow-travelled to his side, held him by the collar, and pointed my sword at his bloody face. "You better tell me where Sadie is, Cade. Or else we're gonna do this all day."

I felt another presence materialize beside us. I turned my head to the side, just as a pole swung directly for my head. I was knocked backwards, straight back into the awaiting darkness.

Apophis laughed. "Well, that was too easy."

Beside him, Cade grunted in pain.

Apophis looked at the pile of insects. Am I free yet?

"Nearly, my lord." Cade groaned.

Cursing, I got to my feet. I picked up my sword where I dropped it, and charged.

Apophis outstretched his hand. Tendrils of darkness shot out, and entangled me. In no time at all, I was wrapped in a cocoon made from darkness, completely helpless, with me at Cade's and Apophis' mercy. I struggled to get free, but the darkness seemed to devour me of my energy, as I felt myself weakening every second.

Do not struggle anymore, son of Hades. I'd hate to kill you. Even though I absolutely hated it, he was right. I stopped struggling.

Then, one of the demons appeared beside him, with something glowing in its hand. "I have it, my master. You shall be fully free, at last!"

Apophis dragged me closer. He took the glowing thing out of the demon's hand, and shoved it in my face. Do you know what this is, demigod?

"I don't know, your mama?" I taunted.

Apophis started crushing it with his hand, and the glowing thing that I'd realized was a scarab started squirming. This is Ra's form of Rebirth, Khepri, and the one that he used as my prison. Now, begone!

With one final squeeze, Apophis crushed the scarab. The ground rumbled. The pile of scarabs started collapsing on itself, and a figure rose from beneath it. It had a long a body, with red scales. My eyes widened as I realized who that was.

"Apophis."

Apophis released me. Finally, after all these millennia, free at last!

His form started to flicker. Then, it turned into a wisp of smoke, and was absorbed into the snake. A loud, evil laughter echoed throughout the entire room. This is my true form, demigod. Bow down to me! He demanded. Cade, despite all the pain, got down on one knee and said, "I live to serve you, my lord."

I rolled my eyes. What a loser. I slammed the hilt of my sword on the back of his head, and the son of Apollo fell like a sack of potatoes.

I stared Apophis down. He only chuckled in reply.

Before I kill you, Nico, I will give you the pleasure of meeting my wife.

Another form appeared beside him in a flash of light. It was small, lithe, and strangely familiar. As the figure floated down, I was able to make out certain features: blue eyes, caramel-colored hair.

I realized who that was. Before she even got down, I tackled her into a hug. "Sadie! It's me, Nico! Don't worry, I'm here. I'm here. You're safe." I felt tears flowing down my cheeks, but hey, let's see if you don't cry when you see the love of your life again after being kidnapped for so many days.

To my utter disappointment, she didn't hug back in return. She just stood there, as still as a statue. I released her from the hug, but kept her at arm's length. Her skin was as flawless as the night before she was taken, not like the one I had seen in my dreams. She was also wearing a black gown, which, despite the situation, I found quite cute. "Sadie? It's me, Nico! Don't you recognize me?" I asked, trying not to choke. She stared at me with those blue eyes that I've loved ever since I first saw them, but this time, they were blank, and glazed over, and without the usual fire present in them.

Apophis laughed at us. She does not remember you, demigod. She only serves me.

"You bastard! You brainwashed her!" I accused him.

I suppose you could call it that. Sadie, my dear, please go to the mortal world and check in on how the siege on Olympus is doing.

I hugged her protectively close to me. Nobody, not even Apophis, orders my girlfriend around. Her skin felt as soft as a baby's. "Wait, what siege?"

Sadie struggled to get free, and completely ignored me. "Yes, my lord." She bowed down, not even looking at me, and disappeared in a flash of golden light.

A pool of water appeared before me. See for yourself, demigod.

A couldn't believe what I was seeing. A mixture of monsters and demons were circling the Empire State building. I could make out dracaena, Cyclopes, Hellhounds, and Centaurs. The demons were the usual ones that we fought, and right in the middle of them was Sadie. It was like the battle of Manhattan again, only this time without enemy demigods. I started to wonder what happened to the mortals, but then I saw them.

Hundreds, thousands of bodies were lying on the street, covered in their own blood. A few of the monsters were feasting on their bodies, which almost made me throw up. Campers were circling around the Empire State building in a final defensive line, desperately keeping out Apophis' army.

Do you see now, demigod? I have done what that foolish Titan has never done. I have taken Olympus into siege, and Olympus shall fall by my hand. The First Nome shall suffer the same fate, and finally I shall rule this world and plunge it into eternal darkness!

I just stared at the pool, and for the first time in my life since Bianca's death, I felt like all hope was lost.

That's it. Do I still continue? I apologize for the very confusing chapter 18 that I posted, again. Just tell if this story sucks so I can stop.