Hey everyone! Happy early Thanksgiving! This year I'm thankful for being able to write and share Alex's story with all of you. I'm thankful for my friends, my family, my animals, and my job. My parents were affected by covid early this fall but they're hanging in there! Things might slow down a bit over the holidays but I will definitely try my best to update. This chapter is kind of short... but I have a surprise for you guys. I decided to rewrite the first two chapters of my story and edit the next four with a heavy hand. If you get a chance to go back and read them let me know! I hope you like reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Without further ado, chapter IX.

X

Alex sat quietly in an unoccupied room in Hades' Palace. Save for him, the torches beside the door, and the uncomfortable metal chair he sat on, it was entirely barren. There were no windows for him to see outside, and the walls were thick enough to be soundproof.

A shudder ran through him as his most recent memories came forward in his mind. Starting with the most beautiful woman he had ever seen floating effortlessly away from the bonfire with her golden skin and iridescent set of wings, like she hadn't just delivered a message that would ruin his life. Followed by Edmund rushing him away from the amphitheater, through the camp, and into his father's palace.

They passed by the throne room and Alex noticed it had changed drastically from when he first laid eyes on it a few short weeks ago. Rather than the glorious marble floors, it now resembled the rest of the Underworld. The floor, walls, and ceiling were all made from the same black rock that light seemingly vanished into. Where the marble columns stood were instead pillars carved with intricate screaming faces, human and monster alike. To Alex's horror, Hades' throne n ow sat on a hill made entirely of human skulls.

Bile rose in his throat. He forced himself to look directly at the man in front of him. Looking at Edmund's broad shoulders had once given him comfort. Now, he felt a strange air of animosity wafting off him like the scent of his earthy cologne.

Edmund barely made eye contact with him as he gestured into the very room Alex was now. He waved his hand and a chair appeared. "Sit. Don't leave this room." His voice was low and taut as he spoke. He left without another word, closing the door behind him.

Alex was brought back to the present as someone burst through the door. No, two someones. Sabrina and Peter stared at him with wide eyes and horrified expressions that matched the hurricane of torment taking place in his own chest. It was a good thing he'd already digested his lunch, because his stomach started flipping itself over.

"Hey," Peter said quietly. His eyes traveled to Alex's lap, where he was picking at the wound on his palm, keeping it from healing properly.

Sabrina didn't seem to notice. She strode through the room to meet Alex at his chair. She gave off her own light, and Alex saw as she got closer that her brilliant blue eyes coruscated in the darkness.

"I'm coming with you." Her bright voice was clipped. "I don't care where you have to go, or what you have to do, you are not going without me."

Alex felt hopelessness building in his chest. Her passion, or fear, over his safety led him to realize just how grave the situation was. Yet, he still had no idea what was going on.

"I don't understand," he said, cringing at how small his voice sounded. "Why did that goddess-"

"Psyche. The goddess of human souls." Peter interrupted.

Sabrina nudged him none-too gently.

Alex continued slowly, "why did Psyche direct that poem at me?"

"That wasn't just a poem, Alex." Peter said before Sabrina opened her mouth. "It was a prophecy. Something demigods get before they go on a quest."

"A quest isn't something you can get out of. The fates have already chosen you to complete this task. It's your destiny." Sabrina said rather quickly. She glanced back at the door then again at Alex. She must have recognized the terrified expression on his face because she spun around. "I'm going to give Edmund a piece of my mind. I'll be back." Before anyone could argue, she charged through the heavy door which slammed shut behind her.

A few seconds of silence passed. Alex could both hear and feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest. The sound seemed to echo through the room.

Peter knelt in front of Alex and covered his hands with his own. He squeezed until Alex stopped picking at the now-bleeding skin.

"Look at me," he murmured.

Alex complied. He'd never been this close to Peter before. His hands were rough, but warm, and the feeling of his chest pressed against Alex's knees helped calm him down. As Alex stared at his pale face, he saw that while Peter didn't radiate like Sabrina, his brown eyes shimmered with flecks of gold that caught the light from the orange flame behind him.

Despite his young age, there was great sadness etched into the crevices of his face. Behind his eyes was wisdom that only comes with experience. Alex knew Peter didn't want his pity, but in that moment his heart broke for him.

Peter raised one of his small hands to gently stroke Alex's cheek. He felt a shiver run down his body, but this one was caused by a different feeling. One he hadn't felt before.

"It's going to be okay," the sandy-haired boy whispered.

Alex felt himself leaning into Peter's touch. Lower and lower he leaned until their faces were inches apart. Peter's breath washed over his face, and he shivered again. Warmth replaced the chill of peril in his chest. His eyes dropped to Peter's lips, standing pink against the paleness of his skin. He wondered what they would feel like pressed against his.

He didn't get the chance to find out. The door groaned open, and Peter was on his feet before Alex had time to blink. Sabrina and Edmund were in a heated debate, although Edmund's voice was icy cold.

"There is no other choice, Sabrina. The boy leaves tomorrow," he said stiffly. There was no indication of what he did or where he'd gone.

"He isn't ready. He needs time to prepare!" She shouted back.

"He is the son of a primordial. He has strength inside of him not even you can imagine." Edmund gave her a menacing look that made Alex shrink back in his chair. He then turned his attention to Alex and his black eyes softened just slightly.

As the man approached the middle of the room, Alex felt a strange wave of magic radiating from him. The faint sound of rattling bones followed him, along with the not unpleasant smell of damp earth. He realized that the man must have been drawing energy from his father's palace, whether or not it was intentional. His feet moved soundlessly over the cave-like floor, with whispers of shadows billowing beneath his feet. Alex felt a longing deep within his primal self for those shadows, a voice inside of his head telling him to beckon them to his side, that they would protect him.

He steeled the part of himself that quivered with fear and stood up to meet Edmund.

"What do I need to do?" He spoke slowly to keep his voice from breaking.

"You will need to gather supplies. Food and weapons. Per camp rules, you are required to bring one or more companions. Most, if not all of your journey will be traveling through the Underworld, so pick wisely." His eyes traveled over Peter and Sabrina. His face remained neutral. "Unfortunately, I cannot help you decipher the prophecy, but I believe that the dreams that have plagued your sleep will provide clarity."

He set a strong hand on Alex's shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. "I have faith that you will accomplish the task set before you. This journey will not be easy."

Alex felt a surge of power through his body, originating at the spot where the man's hand rested. "I won't let you down."

Edmund stepped back. His casual attire seemed out of place for the solemness that plagued him. Though he spoke like he was from another time, and his demeanor suggested that he was much older than he seemed, his face was aged at eighteen. Alex still perceived him as a man. "I will meet you in Persephone's Garden at first light."

Before Alex knew what was happening, darkness overtook his vision and his mind. Cold air whipped around him, making him feel as though he were flying. When he could see again, he, Peter, and Sabrina stood in the middle of the Erebus cabin. He and Peter exchanged worried glances, though Sabrina seemed unphased.

"I'm going to the Dining Pavilion to gather food. Peter, you go to the armory and get weapons. Alex, stay here. You have a target on your back now." With that, she shimmered through the cabin door and vanished.

"See you tomorrow morning. I'll work on sifting through your dreams tonight. Maybe come up with something useful," said Peter. He quickly brushed his lips against Alex's cheek before leaving the cabin.

The spot where he kissed felt electrified. So many different feelings swirled inside Alex, making him feel overwhelmed and exhausted. The whirlwind of a day drained his twelve-year-old mind. He took a seat on his bed, relishing the feeling of the soft blanket against his fingertips.

There was nothing he could do but wait for the morning to come.