Alex

"Here," Hades handed each of us one of the pearls exactly like the one Dylan had used when he escaped a week ago. "Crush them under your foot, and pictured Hell in your head. Make sure you stay focused."

I nodded in understanding, rolling the white shell around my hand absentmindedly. I shrugged on my backpack and looked at my-now five quest mates. "Ready?" They all nodded. I took a deep breath and stomped on my pearl. "See you there."

I kept all my thoughts on Hell, just like Grandpa instructed and sooner than I realized, my bubble popped and my feet hit solid ground.

I looked around me. The whole place reminded me of an over exaggerated theme park. Almost every building was made of an old looking type of wood, devil's horns stuck out from the tops of doors like antlers.

The whole place was laugh inducing.

"Not how I pictured Hell." Jake joked from beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

I laughed, "No, definitely not." I heard a few more pops behind me. I turned to see my twin and friends all on the ground on top of each other. I laughed even harder.

"Not. Funny." Maija grumbled as she climbed out from under James.

I rolled my eyes. "Please, you liked that position."

She hit me. "Perv. Where are we going anyway?"

"I have no idea." I muttered.

"Hey, what about here?" Nate called, pointing at a map a few feet away. "It's a cave on the northern side of the town where it meets the forest. It's called 'The Devil's House'."

"Of course they name it that." Jake commented. "Well, I think we should take a short break before we go meet with the devil."

I raised an eyebrow. "You want to take a nap?"

Jake stared at me with a blank stare, kinda like that one emoticon; -_-. "Ha ha. Very funny. I meant sight seeing. We're in Hell! How many people can say that?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "No. We're meeting his beast head on. Nate! Lead the way!"

Nate stood stiff and saluted. "Yes ma'am!'

"Don't call me ma'am." I scolded.

"Yes sir!" He turned around and started marching down the road towards the woods. My eyes followed the oh so familiar circular pattern in my head for the second time within a minute.

"Well come on." I urged my friends as I followed the son of Hades. Snickering to themselves, they obeyed.

Our 'trip' was made in complete silence as Nate navigated us through the town using a smaller paper map he picked up at the larger one. The cave was at least a good fifteen minute walk from where we popped in.

"We're here." Nate's voice cut through my subconscious. I looked up and tore my eyes from the spot on the ground I had them trained on.

"You guys ready?" I asked, repeating myself from earlier, though I got the feeling this wouldn't be as easy as crushing a rock under our feet.

Maija came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. "We're here for you, right by your side the whole time."

I nodded, confidence coming to me. I took a calming breath and snuck in slowly, pressed against the cave wall. The element of surprise was all we really had right now.

This cave was much larger than I originally thought. We had to go through several twists and turns, each time the ceiling go just a little bit lower until I was on my knees; still surging forward, my friends right behind me just like they promised.

Finally, I saw the flicker of light behind the next turn, the roof also seemed to slope up which I was grateful for. I held up a fist to motion them to stop while I peeked around the corner.

Confirming the light, a large fire burned in the middle of a room that was easily bigger than anything we had passed as of now. On the wall to my right, there was a platform of sorts where two figures sat, talking. A third outline laid behind one of them, probably asleep. At least I hoped so, a drowsy opponent is better than a wide awake one.

Next to the fire was a type of sarcophagus; it reflected the light of the fire to a point where it was eerie. Leaning against it, was a woman. She was close enough to the fire that I could see her profile as she talked. This woman was beautiful, clearly goddess material. She was wearing a white blouse and dark pants. Her shoes had wings sprouting out of them, making the Nike symbol seem out of place. Her brown hair was pulled into a pony tail that flowed elegantly down her back, stopping just under her shoulder blades. She was talking to a familiar white haired heart-breaker.

I growled in anger at his profile, slightly happy he looked nervous. I turned in my place to lean against the wall. I motioned all my friends to huddle together so I could talk to them. "Dylan is right around the corner. I think Kronos is in the sarcophagus next to the fire."

"So what? We just charge in yelling?" James asked, somewhat sarcastically, somewhat serious.

"No," I whispered, peeking around the corner real quick knowing there wasn't a change but wanting to check anyway. "No we need a plan."

"What do you suggest?" Nate asked.

Making sure not to make too much noise, I pulled my backpack from behind me to my lap. After a few seconds of rummaging through it, I found what I was searching for. I produced a beat up old ball cap. "We go old school."

They all shared confused looks. I put the hat on my head and watched as they all stared at where I use to be sitting in shock. I smirked. "You're invisible!" Maija whispered in awe.

I nodded if they could see it or not. "My mom gave it to me right before we left. She said it might come in handy on our quest."

"So what are you going to do?" Jake mused.

"I'm going to go see what they're talking about." I said, looking around the corner again. "It might help." Before they could protest, I stood and crawled through the opening. I stood and stretched, sighing in satisfaction when my back cracked.

I knew they couldn't see me, but I still walked slowly so my feet didn't make too much noise. I stood at the end of the sarcophagus, a few feet away from the woman and settled in to listen.

"What's taking him so long Aunty Nike?" Dylan whined. I placed my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. He still called her 'Aunty'! But Nike explained the wings and the Nike symbol on her shoes. I was surprised though, I thought Nike was on our side.

Nike shrugged. "How should I know. I don't keep track of my brother." Brother? Dylan shifted between feet nervously. "Look kid, I heard it doesn't really hurt that bad anyway."

"Have you taken Kronos' spirit before?" She shook her head no. "Then you don't know."

"You don't have to snap, I was just trying to make you feel better." She snarled back.

"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous, and dad taking so long is not helping!"

As if on cue, a voice called. "Calm yourself, my son." Zelus walked out of the fireplace.

"Finally." Nike deadpanned.

Zelus waved her comment off and ran a hand over the sarcophagus. "It is time, my son, to fulfill your destiny."

Dylan gulped noticeably. "Yes father." Zelus unlatched the coffin, Dylan step forward and gripped the sides; gulping again.

Nothing seemed to happen for a long time, everyone in the room-and my friends behind the wall-held their breath as they waited for something to happen. I was glad I inherited the Poseidon trait for larger lungs when underwater or I would have been blue in the face.

I fell back on my butt in surprise when Dylan suddenly screamed out, falling on the floor a few feet from me, withering in pain while Zelus laughed. Nike backed away, hands up and eyes wide with fear.

"Don't forget boy," He said quietly, his eyes flashing around Dylan's body. "Your weak spot, right below your ear." He leaned down and tapped it. Dylan's chest arched, his hands came up to claw at his head, like he was trying to pull the spirit out.

I crab walked backwards, not being able to tear my eyes away from the sight in front of me, until my back hit the wall. I scrambled into our out-cove and pulled my cap off, breathing heavy. I looked around at everyone, they were all scared at the sight they had just witnessed. Witnessing I should say. Dylan's tortured screams still filled my ears no matter how much I willed or wished them to go away.

"We have to help him." I whispered. "At least disable the others while he's..." I couldn't force myself to finish the sentence.

Jake squeezed my hand. "What are we going to do?"

I was beginning to hate that question, but I took a deep breath and forced myself to focus. "There are five of them, Nike, Zelus, and three others. I need you guys to distract them while I take on Dylan."

"I'll take Zoey and we'll handle Nike." Maija said.

"I got Zelus." Jake offered.

Nate nodded once. "Looks like we got the last three bro." He told James, who nodded in agreement. Nate shifted his gaze on me. "Let's go."

I grabbed my cap and crawled out once more, ready to take on my demon ex-boyfriend.

"What!" Zelus growled when I hit him in the head with a rock. "How did they get here! You were suppose to be watching them!" The two figures I saw talking earlier cringed under his glare. "Don't just stand there, handle them!"

The two jumped from their platform, one turned around and hit the other in the stomach, effectively waking them up. When they stepped into the light, I only recognized one of them and just like Nyx- I was surprised to see her standing in front of me.

Dark brown seemed to be a common theme with goddesses, her the short cut locks framed her flawless face as she approached us, ready to fight. Deep brown eyes glared a hole in my head. "Nyx." I breathed.

"Glad you remember me." She smirked. I flashed back to when I was on Olympus, about to go up on stage.

I stood behind stage, quietly tuning my guitar when suddenly someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to face a woman with short cropped brown hair, a few inches taller than me. "Good luck kiddo." She said with a warm smile.

"Thank you." I responded politely.

"Nyx," I took her outstretched hand. "Well, like I said, good luck." She turned and walked away.

I laughed to myself, finding the encounter a bit strange. I went back to my tuning, but when I plucked the string, I noticed not only did it prick my finger, but the guitar turned from its original bright blue to dark purple. The same shade as the highlights in Nyx's hair.

I wiped the small pool of blood off my finger and shrugged it off. She was probably just trying to make the instrument look cooler. When I tried to continue, the string pricked my finger again. I hissed at the repeated puncture.

I unhooked my neck strap to switch guitars, but when I turned around, they were all the same. I ran a hand over all their strings, coming back with several of the, now familiar, little holes. I spun around, trying to find her.

When I finally did, I saw her talking to Zelus. At the same time I looked at her, she turned to meet my gaze. The corner of her mouth twitched up in smirk and she turned back to her conversation.

I never thought twice about it, it seemed like a stupid prank, actually, it still does. Just as I broke out of my flash back, Nate sent a ball of fire at the goddess in question. She became preoccupied with defending his attacks. The two others, another female and a male, joined in to help defend against him and James.

Zelus growled and moved to help, but Jake slid in front of him. "Going somewhere?"

I didn't pay attention to what was going on around me when I caught glimpse of my biggest challenge. The once beautiful green orbs, now a sharp, calculating gold. "Hello my dear." Dylan, no, Kronos said as he advanced towards me. His stride was different, an overly confident stride in his own more timid place. "I have waited all week to eliminate you."

"Ditto." I snarled with more confidence then I thought I had.

Dyl-I mean Kronos took a lazy look around the cave. "It's a little crowded in here," He commented. "Why don't we take this somewhere more private shall we?"

I had hardly processed what he said when the world started spinning, literally. Lights and colors spun by at warp speeds. I fell, not being able to stand any longer, but when I expected to land on rock, I hit grass.

I ran my fingers through the short, soft blades; mesmerized by the feel and smell. "Look familiar?" I snapped out of my stupor and looked up at him. I registered his words and looked around.

Suddenly I realized where I was. "We're in the strawberry fields at camp. Anyone could find us here!" I gasped.

"Not at the moment, after all," Dylan/Kronos gestured to the faintly lit camp. "The campfire is much more fun. Wouldn't you agree, my dear?"

I jumped to my feet and willed the plants to wrap themselves around his ankles. They bent to my will and he was hanging upside down by his feet a second later. "Don't call me that."

Kronos laughed, it sounded exactly like it did in my dream and I cringed at it. "Delightful!" He lifted his hands and torched the weeds, flipping to land on his feet. "This should be fun." He sent another wave of fire in my direction. Panicking, I put out my hands in defense.

When I opened my eyes, I was surprised I wasn't burnt. Kronos snarled in annoyance. "You are stronger than I thought, but I will not underestimate you- Alex! You have to-" Dylan's voice cut through Kronos' rant. Just as he was starting to talk however, Kronos snapped his mouth shut, moving his neck like he was cracking it. "I apologize about that. The new ones always try to fight. Now, where were we?"

"You were shooting fire at me." I said sarcastically.

"Quite right." Kronos mused, walking in a relaxed circle around me while I followed him with my eyes. "But fire gets boring don't you agree?"

"No," I laughed. "I'm a pyrotech, I love fire." Just as I said the last word, I sent the biggest fireball at him that I could generate within the few seconds but he stepped out of the way.

"You know, that could have hurt me?"

"That was the point." I seethed on how easily he dodged my attack, like he expected it.

"And what if I sent something at you that had the potential to hurt you? That wouldn't be very nice now would it?" Kronos continued walking around me.

"Like you would care if you hurt me."

He stopped and pretended to contemplate what I said. "You know what? You're right, I don't." With that he sent three more attacks at me. The first two I managed to dodge, but I think that's what he wanted, because the last one hit me straight in the chest.

I flew back several feet from the impact and landed hard on my back. I scrambled to my feet so he couldn't hit me when I was down, but feel to my knees when I felt the overpowering dizzy sensation. It felt like a pro wrestler was squeezing my head.

"That was a nasty fall," Kronos walked lazily towards me. "Hope it doesn't effect your ability to fight." He kicked me in the stomach as he said the word fight. I gripped my lower abdomen in pain, curling up into a little ball; like that would help make it any better.

"You're so weak." He snarled in disgust. "Just like your father."

"My father," I managed, "Is not weak."

Kronos laughed his cruel laugh. "Who do you think 'killed' me in the first place!" He paused and looked down on me. When I only waited for him to continue, he kicked me again. "Who!"

"My mom." I gasped.

"Your mom." The Titan above me repeated. "She had to fight the one she loved, just like you. But you know the main difference between her and you? She could. You're a disgrace to your family name. You can't do anything right." I cried out when his foot made contact with my head from behind.

Suddenly I felt his breath on my neck. "I'm going to make an example of you."