I don't own any characters in the Percy Jackson universe which is rightfully owned by Rick Riodan. However, the Greek gods and/or other mythological figures are used in my imagination and well you can't claim copyright on history.

Chapter 34

Thalia intercepts in front of me when she saw I was having a hard time dodging. The spear glances off of her shield and sparks fly as a horrible screeching noise was heard.

"I really must have gotten weaker. Normally I could penetrate shields and armor in one clean thrust." Iapetus growls.

He backs up and cracks his bones. Ethan also drops the other wrapped item, which I assumed was Hades's new sword and draws his blade. He slowly advances, waiting for Iapetus to get ready. I managed to pull out my own sword as I couldn't use my bow with one arm. Thalia pulls out her bow and Nico draws his black sword.

"Brace yourselves, heroes. Today you will truly learn why I was given the name Iapetus the impaler!" He shouts.

"Because you stab people with your spear."

My arm might be useless with injury but my mouth definitely wasn't. His face twitches and he glares at me.

"I hate people who joke around when they are about to die. I will make sure you kneel and beg for mercy to let me spare you." He threatens.

"Aw, that's a shame. A lot of people tried to do that and all of them failed."

I'm sure he's a strong and fearsome opponent, after all, I'm pretty sure people don't hold a spear and get the nickname the impaler for making mean skewers. It just so happens with bigger and cocky opponents, a little trash talking gets them uncomfortable. He once again levels his spear and charges and Ethan engages Nico. Thalia is firing arrows at anyone who seems that they need help, which mostly meant me. I was managing to block my opponent's attack but every block or deflect that I made the pain in my shoulder come in waves. I couldn't even attack because his spear gave him the distance to attack me yet keep out of range of my attacks so the only real damage he took was from the arrows that he couldn't dodge. He suddenly pushes me back and I go flying out of the entrance of the cave.

"Nico, we need to get to Percy!" Thalia cries out.

Iapetus jumps down, landing so heavily that the very floor around him cracked. Thalia peaks out of the entrance firing arrows at Iapetus but he moves expertly, none of the arrows hitting home. It seemed Nico wasn't able to come down. Iapetus decides enough was enough and leaves me. Then again, I wasn't really going anywhere due to the excruciating pain in my shoulder. Thalia pulls out her own spear and raises her shield attempting to defend against Iapetus. She blocks and thrusts but Iapetus was too quick as he took advantage of the large shield and tosses her like a rag doll. She doesn't go far but I didn't know if she was safe or not. He turns and slowly approaches me. He suddenly jumps up and thrusts the spear towards my head. I just barely manage to tilt my head and the spear goes deep into the ground while cutting my cheek in the process. He struggles to pull the spear out and I grab him to stop him from leaving. I could hear the river Lethe behind me. If I could just get him into the river. Suddenly, my prayers are answered as Thalia comes running, battered, and bruised, but not severely injured.

"Thalia, a little help?"

She immediately understands and kicks Iapetus. He goes flying forward and lands with a splash into the river. Luckily the water doesn't splash onto us. Nico runs out to see what the commotion was all about. Ethan also runs out and away from us. He spots the titan struggling in the Lethe and runs. Thalia moves to kill him but I grab her leg to stop her.

"Why? He's almost got you killed. He serves Kronos. Why do you want to save him?"

"He's not a bad kid. Just in a bad position so don't kill him."

Nico runs over to me and helps me up. The titan wails and I pull him out of the water with my powers, trying to ignore the pain in my shoulder.

"Who are you? Who am I?"

"We're your friends and your name is Bob," I respond quickly taking advantage of his wiped mind.

"Injury." He simply replies and makes his way over to me.

Thalia moves to defend but I stop her.

"Put it away, he's our friend."

He makes his way to my side and taps my forehead. Suddenly, the pain in my shoulder fades and the cut on my cheek heals.

"All better." He says happily.

Nico unwraps the bandage around my shoulder and gasps.

"What's all this. And why are Percy and Thalia here?" A voice asks.

We turn to face Hades looking down at us. We immediately kneel and he looks in question at the titan hiding in fear behind me.

"Uh, that's Bob the titan," I told him stupidly.

He nods and snaps. Suddenly we are sitting in the throne room and Persephone looks at us in shock but quickly recovers her composure.

"Tell me everything now." He says calmly.

I explained everything and presented him with the blade. He takes it and inspects it as if he had never seen it before. He turns to face his wife.

"I thought I made it clear that you would not make this blade. I told you it wasn't allowed and my brothers would not let this be made. And still, you sneak around my back and defy my direct order?!" Hades yells.

Persephone cowers in the sudden outburst of her husband. Though I felt bad for her I couldn't blame Hades either. He was already looked down upon by the other gods and it was hard for him to even be noticed by them.

"Uncle, we are willing to keep this a secret. Continue forging the blade." I reassure him.

He glances at me and nods. He hands an unfinished blade to a skeleton guard and he walks off.

"I owe you three a great debt. Persephone, go and do not anger me any further."

She walks off and smiles. This seemed to be a part of her plan after all.

"Uncle, I have a request. Could you keep Bob safe and busy here in the underworld."

Hades looks at me with a glint in his eyes.

"Very well, Nico take him to my palace." He turns back to us. "Thank you. I will teleport you back to where you were."

Nico quickly turns to me.

"Consider my plan." Was all he said and I shivered.

"What plan?" Thalia asks.

"You'll see if I decide to go through with it," I answer and she gives me a confused look.

Hades snaps and suddenly I'm back at the hunters camp.

"Where were you?" Artemis asks.

"Emergency at the underworld. How come you guys weren't looking for me?"

"Because you're a big boy and you can handle yourself, seaweed brain. Now, how about tell us what emergency." Annabeth adds.

I told them what happened in the last few hours.

"This is important. I would have to tell my-"

"No, can you do me a favor and not tell your dad. Please?" I beg.

She looks at me considering one side and then the other. She then looks away.

"Fine. But only because I trust you. Don't prove me wrong." She grumbles.

Annabeth giggles and I kissed Artemis. The time for Kronos to start coming was shortening and I really needed to figure out how I was going to do things.

End of chapter 34. Sorry, it took so long for this update. I was cleaning up my previous chapters. I'll try and squeeze in 1 more update. Thanks for reading!