Styxeland, Erebus

Percy

Percy glanced around. Nothing but shadow, gloom, and darkness lurked. The drakon oddly lurched forward, then with a mighty groan, it fell towards the River Styx, dissolving into darkness and shadow. Percy reached into his pocket, where Riptide was waiting. But before he could even move, another ax swung towards Annabeth, hitting her in the skull with its handle, knocking her out. "Annabeth!" Piper cried, rushing forwards, ambrosia already in hand.

"Don't move another inch," a harsh voice barked. Piper froze. Percy did too, though his stance was tense but ready. The others did the same. Harry backed into a tree.

"Right. Now, all of you, drop your weapons," the voice commanded. Percy could tell it was a male. They dropped their weapons in unison.

"Wand too," the voice said. Harry dropped his wand regretfully.

"Who are you?" Percy demanded. If he could just...

"HA!" the voice replied. "Demigods. Rude, ignorant..." he trailed off, as if he was getting off track. "Now. Listen carefully. You are to do as I say,
or-"

"Who are you?" Percy repeated, trying to summon confidence.

"I'd be Jax." The voice seemed amused. Jax stepped forwards, emerging from the gloom.

He was muscular, strong, tall. Humanoid, as far as Percy could tell. But his eyes were bloodred, his skin purple and black, while black smoke curled off of him.

"Now, I'm trying to help you." Jax said.

"You just killed-" Harry started.

"You trust that old snake?" Jax asked ruefully. Harry fell silent. The answer was obvious.

"At least I trust the snake more than you," Percy fired back. "If you are helping us, then-"

"Well, I wouldn't call it helping. More like mutual cooperation," Jax reaffirmed. "Besides, I hold a grudge. She'll be fine." He nudged Annabeth's arm with his foot.

"Right. Mutual cooperation," Nico muttered.

"Now, get packin'. We're moving. Someone bring the girl." Ajax stooped to pick up their weapons. "C'mon! Quickly!"

Percy gingerly picked up Annabeth. She was groggy.

"A... a... Odd-"

"No TALKING!" Jax roared, seeming slightly nervous. Annabeth obliged, though her eyes wildly scanned Percy's face, as if he was missing something.

"Right, so where are we going?" Percy asked.

"No need for you to know," Jax shot back. "Right, get moving!"

And they ventured into the unknown, their back facing the River Styx.