"Is that up for a competition now?" Nico asked
"Hmm no." Percy said after thinking
"Oh wonderful." Poseidon groaned
Percy flinched.
"Dad this is going to hurt… a lot." Percy said
Poseidon sighed and patted Percy on the back.
My sword reappeared in my pocket…it became solid behind me.
"Not even my children or me for that matter could escape that." Hermes shook his head
Hades had a small smirk on his face.
I wasn't sure if the room was airtight…I'd be dead in fifty or sixty minutes.
"It's not airtight." Hades said quickly to his brother's glare
"Good then. Well at least for Percy." Triton said
Percy nodded.
Meanwhile, if Hades wasn't lying, some big trap was going to be sprung in New York…I sat on the cold stone floor, feeling miserable.
Hades swallowed guiltily.
I don't remember dozing off…The smell of salt air made me wonder if I would ever see the ocean again.
The sea gang smiled softly.
"We're going to the beach after this chapter brother." Triton said
"After this chapter?" Percy asked
"After this chapter." Tyson clarified
The sea gang grinned.
"I'm looking forward to it." Percy said
"Make your special blue cookies." Amphitrite said
Percy grinned and gave a hug to Amphitrite who chuckled.
Nico gave a small smile, remembering Percy's advice.
He shared a look with Percy who stared at him then smiled and nodded.
Nico cleared his throat awkwardly…
"Um Persephone?" He started
The underworld gang looked at him.
"I was wondering if…" Nico said feeling uncomfortable. Percy gave him an encouraging nod. "…if we could haveabetterrelation?" Nico said quickly
"What?" Persephone asked in confusion
Nico took a deep breath.
"…if we could have a better relation?" Nico asked
Hades and Persephone's eyes widened.
Hazel, Will, Jason, Annabeth and Percy were smiling at Nico.
"We could give it a try." Persephone said finally
Nico sighed. Hades smiled widely at the two.
"How did this happen though?" Will asked
"I gave him some advice." Percy shrugged
"Some?" Nico teased
"I gave him the same advice dad, Hermes and mom gave me and I added some of my own." Percy said
Poseidon and Hermes smiled.
Rachel's parents sat at the patio table while a personal chef…Why she'd be reading about vacations while she was on vacation, I wasn't sure.
Everybody snickered.
"Just planning ahead." Rachel rolled her eyes
"Oh come on! She should enjoy what she has. We were almost at the last summer of our lives." Pollux threw his hands in the air.
Rachel nodded.
Rachel stood at the porch railing and sighed…I only remembered the dude's name because he cut his ear off.)
"At least you remembered." Rachel snickered
"Tell him something unusual about somebody and he'll remember." Annabeth chuckled fondly
Percy grinned sheepishly,
I wondered if she was thinking about me…In fact, I'd almost fallen to my death there before.
"That's not a positive thought." Poseidon grumbled
"It's normal life. Good simple life. Jump off a monument and land in the water." Percy shrugged
"That's simple?" Triton asked
"Compared to what else happened later then yes." Percy said
Triton stared at his brother.
Over the city, a thunderstorm boiled—a wall of absolute black…Dan, though no one seems to know if it is related to the storm conditions."
"No, it's a very very very huge monster that can kill you in one second. Is that enough for it or should I describe more?" Michael said
The demigods snickered.
Wind whipped her hair. The temperature was dropping rapidly…The blast was so powerful I knew it could only be one thing: Zeus's master bolt.
Zeus smirked.
"More than 600 points, Nico." Thalia teased
Nico turned red.
"Shut up Pikachu." He said
Thalia smirked.
It should have vaporized its target, but the dark cloud only staggered backward…whole thing collapsed like children's blocks.
"Oh gods." Rachel muttered
"Hitting buildings." Tyson frowned
The reporter screamed. People ran through the streets…A fiery golden comet crossed her path… maybe her brother Apollo.
"That's me." Apollo grinned
"Well I identified well." Percy grinned
One thing was clear: Typhon had made it to the Mississippi River…I had Nico pinned to the floor of the cell with the edge of my sword at his throat
Everybody froze except Nico and Percy.
Percy grimaced.
"Sorry about that Nico. Just an instinct reaction." He said
Nico waved it away.
"That was an instinct reaction, okay but you did that when you were half asleep?" Clarisse said
"Yeah." Percy muttered
"Damn." Clarisse said
"Want…to…rescue," he choked…made retching sounds while his throat recovered.
Hades cleared his throat as well.
"Sorry Nico!" Percy said
"All good now." Nico said
Finally he got to his feet, eyeing my sword warily…he could've done it while I slept.
"I wouldn't want to kill you." Nico frowned
"I was trapped in a cell at the time. Kind of fuzzy." Percy said
Nico nodded.
Still, I didn't trust him.
"I do trust you Nico. I trust you with a lot." Percy said
Nico smiled.
"We have to get out of here," he said…"Does your dad want to talk to me again?"
Hades and Nico winced.
"That was a little unnecessary Perce." Castor said
"Yeah, I know." Percy sighed and gave a side hug to Nico.
He winced. "Percy, I swear on the River Styx…I put the guards to sleep, but it won't last."
"You did what?" Hades asked in amusement
"Put the guards to sleep." Nico said
"It's good he did." Poseidon said
"In this circumstance, yes but I don't like how easy it is for Nico." Hades said
Nico grinned sheepishly.
"I won't let anybody bad outside." Nico assured his father
"I know." Hades said
I wanted to strangle him again. Unfortunately, he was right…A whole section vanished, revealing a corridor.
"That's cool." Leo said
Nico grinned.
"Come on." Nico led the way…Nico just pointed at it, and its glowing eyes dimmed.
Hades shook his head.
"You're going to get tired though." He said
"No choice." Nico shrugged
Nico just pointed at it, and its glowing eyes dimmed…He managed to put all the dead to sleep but nearly passed out himself.
Hades felt very tired.
"Uh oh." Hazel said
"Rest back dad." Nico said
Hades nodded.
Will grinned at Nico.
I dragged him out of the servants' entrance…"How about… run?"
Everybody snickered despite the situation.
"That would be good." Annabeth said
Running with a drowsy child of Hades was more like doing a three legged race with a life-size rag doll.
Hades grimaced a little.
"Sorry Perce." Nico said
"For what?" Percy asked in confusion
"For you having to carry me." Nico said
"Lol no need to apologize. It's fine, you were tired, happens to everybody." Percy said
Nico chuckled.
I lugged him along, holding my sword in front of me…collapse from exhaustion when I heard a familiar "WOOOOOF!"
Poseidon felt very tired as well so even he rested against the couch.
"She can get you the river." Beckendorf grinned
Percy smiled and nodded.
Mrs. O'Leary bounded out of nowhere and ran circles…chased her tail just to teach it who was boss.
"Yeah you show it Mrs. O' Leary." Leo chuckled
The demigods laughed.
And then calmed down enough for me to push Nico onto her back…sounded more excited than angry, like: Can I play too?
Nico snickered.
Hades gave a small groan.
Fortunately, he didn't follow us, and Mrs. O'Leary kept running…It was a little bashed up, but Nico chewed it.
"You don't want to give him too much." Will said
"Don't worry doctor." Percy said
Will chuckled.
"Uh," he mumbled. "Better."… "With great power…comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later."
The demigods were quiet for one second before they all burst into uncontrollable laughter. Even Chiron was chuckling.
"I am definitely always going to use that." Piper said
"Same." Percy choked out
The demigods nodded.
"With great power comes great need to take a nap. That' true though." Will laughed
Nico blushed and grinned.
The gods chuckled.
"Whoa, zombie dude." I caught him before he could pass out again.
"New nickname!" Thalia said
Nico face palmed.
"You bet." Percy grinned
Jason laughed.
"Zombie dude." He snickered
Nico mock pouted.
"We're at the river. You need to tell me what to do."… Nico shook his head a few times and struggled to his feet.
Will sighed in relief.
Hades and Poseidon felt better now.
"My father will be coming soon," he said. "We should hurry."… Had thrown away as they'd passed from life into death
"Oh well we got something for that." Nico and Percy grinned and Hephaestus and Hestia.
They just chuckled.
Hades smiled.
Looking at the black water, I could think of about three million places I'd rather swim.
"Just three million?" Triton asked
"Just off the top of my head. Could think of more though." Percy said
Everybody snickered.
"Wow brother." Triton said in amusement
Percy winked.
"So…I just jump in?"
"NO!" Poseidon said
"You have to prepare yourself first." Amphitrite said
"Nico told me." Percy nodded
"You have to prepare yourself first," Nico said…I turned and found myself face-to-face with a Greek warrior.
"Achilles." Persephone said
Percy nodded.
For a second I thought he was Ares, because this guy looked exactly like the god of war…who had died from a wounded heel.
"He should've chosen a better spot." Lee shook his head
Chiron sighed.
Achilles," I said. The ghost nodded… but your weaknesses, your failings will increase as well."
"He's right there. You're going to have to be more careful. As a normal person you will be able to get hurt anywhere but with the Achilles curse you're going to have to protect that spot." Athena said
Percy nodded and smiled at Annabeth who gave one in return.
"You mean I'll have a bad heel?" I said…What really killed me was my own arrogance. Beware! Turn back!"
Chiron nodded.
"He got arrogant after the curse. That's what led to his death." He said
"Percy could never get arrogant." Pollux said
Percy smiled.
"I know that child." Chiron said gently
He meant it. I could hear the regret and bitterness in his voice…taken on the powers of the greatest mortal hero, Achilles. He was invincible.
Hermes winced.
"I have to," I said. "Otherwise I don't stand a chance."
Everybody sighed. They knew there was a point there.
Achilles lowered his head. "Let the gods witness I tried…River Styx will burn you to ashes. You will cease to exist."
"Wonderful." Katie said sarcastically
"That's intense." Frank said
"It felt like that too." Percy said
Poseidon grimaced.
"I don't suppose you could tell me Luke's mortal point?"
Everybody snickered.
He scowled. "Prepare yourself, foolish boy. Whether you survive this or not, you have sealed your doom!"
"He really is arrogant." Thalia scowled
"Tell me which hero of the past wasn't? Except Perseus." Percy snorted
"Let me see… Hercules is an arrogant jerk, Theseus was an idiot and arrogant and now Achilles' arrogance caused his death. I don't know much about Orpheus. Wow." Thalia said
"Perseus was a good dude." Percy nodded
"Yeah, your mom picked a good name." Triton smiled
Percy grinned.
With that happy thought, he vanished. "Percy," Nico said, "maybe he's right.
"This was your idea though." Travis said
"I know but after listening to Achilles, I was a little nervous though I knew that this was the only way." Nico said
"I know, but now that we're here—"…you'll be the child of the prophecy after all.
Hades sighed and grimaced.
"I wouldn't want anybody to die that way." He said
He didn't look pleased about that, but I didn't care…lot more dignified than, like, my armpit or something.
"Why are you caring about dignity right now?!" Annabeth yelled
"Sorry! Though I thought it would be well defended as well but it happened already now…" Percy said
I pictured a string, a bungee cord connecting me to the world…Now multiply that pain times fifty.
Poseidon yelled at the top of his lungs.
Percy, Triton and Tyson kept their hands on his shoulders. Will helped them out a little.
The demigods flinched. Chiron winced and immediately continued.
You still won't be close to understanding what it felt like to swim…jelly and I fell face-first into the current.
Poseidon's legs started shaking.
"Will?" Percy asked
"Ice packs." Will said
Nico nodded and raced out of the throne room. He got a box full of ice packs. Hades looked at the box.
"Here." He swallowed
Will smiled and took one icepack and put some elastic.
"Tie it on the forehead." He said
Percy did that.
Will, Triton and Tyson kept some on the legs and hands.
"Chiron please continue." Nico said
Chiron nodded and continued quickly.
I submerged completely…I finally understood the panic of drowning
Triton and Amphitrite grimaced.
Poseidon gasped for air.
"Oh shit. This is not good." Will said
Chiron continued.
Every nerve in my body burned. I was dissolving in the water.
Poseidon gave an extremely loud yell.
"Will!" Percy said in panic
"I'm doing what I can Percy." Will said gently
Apollo got up and went to Will.
"It's gonna be fine soon dad." Percy said
"It'll be fine dad." Triton and Tyson said
Hades got up and helped out the demigods. Nico and Percy smiled.
"Chiron." Hermes said quietly
The centaur continued.
I saw faces—Rachel, Grover, Tyson, my mother, but they faded…my soul was being ripped from my body.
Poseidon was yelling and crying by now.
"Oh crap." Connor said
"I can't do anything." Will said this time
Percy looked at him.
"It's the fates' curse. Only ice packs can help." Will said apologetically
Percy nodded. Triton, Tyson and Amphitrite grabbed ice packs and covered Poseidon in them.
I couldn't remember who I was…Remember your lifeline, dummy!
"Wonder who that could be." Thalia smirked at Annabeth
Annabeth and Percy blushed.
Suddenly there was a tug in my lower back…"You're not getting away from me that easily."
Annabeth and Percy smiled at each other.
The cord strengthened. I could see Annabeth now…I reached up and took Annabeth's hand.
The demigods nodded. Each and every demigod was very worried for Percy and his father.
Suddenly I burst out of the river…body had been broiled over a slow flame.
Poseidon calmed down a little but not much. Will still kept the ice packs on him but Poseidon was more calm and conscious now.
I looked around for Annabeth, though I knew she wasn't here…Apparently, I smelled really interesting.
Poseidon had calmed down now. Everybody sighed in relief and went to their places. The sea gang gave him a hug.
"Thank you Will." Percy said
"It's totally fine." Will smiled.
"Love you Wise Girl." Percy said
"Love you too Seaweed Brain." Annabeth smiled
A few people snickered at the book.
"Red human." Leo said to Percy
Percy stuck his tongue out at him.
"Do you feel stronger?" Nico asked. Before I could decide what I felt, a voice boomed, "THERE!"
"Well at least Percy took his dip." Hermes said
An army of the dead marched toward us…I didn't want them hurting my dog.
A few people smiled. Percy loved his dog.
Plus, I was tired of Hades being a big bully. If I was going to die, I might as well go down fighting.
"You just came so close to dying." Hazel said
"Oh well." Percy shrugged
I yelled, and the River Styx exploded…smoke coming off their bronze helmets.
"Whoa." The Stolls said
"If this amazes you then just see what happened next. No offense dad." Nico said
"None taken." Hades said
"So he can control the Styx too." Triton said
"He's too powerful." Zeus said
"Shut up Zeus. You aren't going to kill my son." Poseidon said and glared at him
Zeus glared but settled for grumbling.
"It makes more sense to control the Styx but none of them come under my domain." Poseidon muttered to Triton
Triton nodded.
"I think we should read on." Triton muttered back
Poseidon nodded.
The redcoats lowered their bayonets…A hundred muskets fired at me, point blank.
"PERCY!" The demigods yelled
"I'm fine guys." Percy chuckled
All of them missed.
The demigods' mouths hung open.
"Holy Hera." Connor said
I crashed into their line and started hacking with Riptide…It was an arc of pure destruction.
"WHAT THE HECK PERCY?" Travis yelled in amazement
"That's very good punk." Ares said
Percy grinned.
"How was it like?" Jason asked Nico
"Just amazing. Like it was just indescribable. He actually looked like one of the most powerful demigods in the world." Nico shook his head
Everybody stared at Percy.
Percy turned red.
I broke through the enemy line and leaped into the black chariot…the tip of my sword was poised right over his face.
Ringing silence.
Everybody stared at Percy. The demigods' jaws had hit the ground. Some gods looked at him in amazement and some in horror. Hades looked a little embarrassed.
"He is too powerful." Hera said
"You. Will. Not. Touch. My. Son." Poseidon said through gritted teeth
"Percy you just-with a sword you just-." Chris said, at a total loss of words
"You just fought an army of hundreds and a god." Clarisse said
Percy swallowed and shifted uncomfortably.
Chiron stared at his student. He was very powerful. He decided to continue reading and find out more.
Silence. The army did nothing to defend their master…I had destroyed them all.
"Holy dad!" Connor said
"You just destroyed an entire army by yourself." Reyna said with amazement.
"That was…it was just. I don't know what to say. It was very cool and intense." Frank swallowed
Percy fidgeted.
Hades swallowed. "Now, Jackson, listen here…."…I figured a sword in the face wouldn't feel too good.
Hades grimaced and gave a slight glare to Percy.
"Just because I'm a nice person," I snarled…leaving me holding empty black robes.
"At least you could tell him about the trap." Ares said
Hades grimaced.
I cursed and got to my feet, breathing heavily…Every muscle in my body ached
Poseidon grimaced in pain.
Triton's mouth was still hanging open. Tyson nudged him and he closed it.
I looked down at my clothes…Not a mark on me.
"That's awesome." Travis shook his head
Nico's mouth hung open. "You just…with a sword…you just—"
"Did something extraordinary." Triton said
Percy looked sheepish.
"That's what I said." Chris grinned at Nico who grinned back
"I think the river thing worked," I said.
"You think?" Jason and Thalia asked
Percy grinned sheepishly.
"Oh gee," he said sarcastically. "You think?"
A few chuckles.
Mrs. O'Leary barked happily and wagged her tail…watched as it swirled away, dissolving in the current.
"Hmm. That's interesting Percy." Hades said
"What?" Percy asked
"Putting the robes in the Styx." Nico said
"Oh okay." Percy said
"Go back to your father," I told Nico…He'll hate me now. I mean…even more."
Hades winced.
"I don't hate you a bit, you know that right?" he asked Nico and Hazel
Hazel and Nico nodded and smiled.
Hades gave the two of them side hugs.
His ears turned red. "Percy, I told you I was sorry…You're the only person who might be able to get him to listen."
Nico chuckled.
"That worked." He said
Hades chuckled this time.
"Good job Nico." Percy nodded
Nico smiled.
"That's a depressing thought." Nico sighed…"To get this war started. It's time I found Luke."
"Done." Chiron said
"Beach time." Triton cheered
The sea gang cheered and went off.
"Anybody wanna join?" Percy asked, his head popping in from outside.
The demigods cheered and went with him. The gods chuckled and went along with them.