This entire chapter was built on the image of a coin that popped into my head for some reason... I am very happy to use it for inspiration to create this chapter. It looked like the Serratura from the Originals...

I love that freaking show. I have seen it like five times in a row... bar season five, which sucks...

Aaron watched with pleasure as his lovely sister dipped an arrowhead into a tar like potion, crafted by Aaron under Agnes' guidance. It wasn't difficult potion to make, crafted from his own blood, salt and several herbs that the children of Dionysius ( Castor and Pollux, sweet pudgy boys that seemed to really respect Aaron for... some reason.) were happy to grow for him using their powers. Grapes leaves were one of the ingredients so it was easy for them to grow, thankfully. The mixture, which Aaron spelled not with words oddly enough but with a surge of sheer mystical energy straight from the Earth. The Mixture turned from what looked like pesto with blood to tar... mixed with blood, signaling it was complete.

Pulling the arrow from the mixture, they all watched as the black tar like substance sank into the metal and wood, turning the entire arrow a musky black color. "Alrighty, it's done. Let's see if the spell worked." Meggy handed Aaron the arrow, which he quickly knocked onto his bow.

Pulling it back, Aaron turned to the target and let it loose. The arrow flew fast and accurate, he was a good shot, and hit the target dead center before exploding into a thick cloud of ink... ink that reeked of dead fish. Everyone, Aaron included, gagged as the stink reached them.

"That's foul, but it works. Man, my eyes are watering and everything... I guess this version of the fart arrows are working well, that will be a useful tool in battle. Especially for escape if nothing else. I can't see an archer being able to shoot me with that smell burning their eyes."

Meggy coughed. "Your not wrong, but try not to use that when we spar or I will hit you hard." He knew she meant it...

"Try the other one, the blue potion...that's the ice arrow dip right?" Charlie asked, pulling the blue potion from the stand Aaron had placed them on.

The blue potion was a paste that smelt heavily of mint and was much harder to manage as this little potion took a third of his power and a spell to manage but that made sense as it was far more potent and could cause lasting damage even if it didn't hit it's target. Aaron dipped the arrow into the potion, pulling out, watching as it charged the arrow with a cold rippling aura.

Knocking it, he let it loose where it exploded on contact with the target. A huge cloud of cold air and fog rushed everywhere, freezing the dew and leaving everything a cold mess. The cold reached them as the fog did, stripping them of any and all warmth, even Meggy who radiated heat was shivering.

"That was scary." Charlie said, frowning. "That is lethal... and would be even to other mortals. You need to be careful with that. It could also do major damage to your allies, so that means you have to be extra careful with that."

"Trust me, I know. Agnes said that on contact it causes severe frost bite to all but the most resistant of Demigods and monsters. It is a crowd killer, apparently, designed for large amounts of monsters."

"Meggy doesn't like that one much, but you should keep it on you but only as a last resort."

"That's the idea..." He would not admit it as openly, but he was as nervous as they were. That potion, while powerful, was deadly and could easily kill the kids he was trying to save as easily as the monsters he would fight off. He had to be careful. Extremely so. "Still don't tell Chiron I have these, he wouldn't be okay with them and frankly I don't have time to be weak. I need as many options as possible to protect myself and those I care for. Monsters could literally rip me apart, I need the fire power."

Both of his friends nodded with Meggy saying. " At least it is in check due to how hard it is to make. What inspired it?"

"Alabaster's spell, the freezing spell he tried to use on us. It would have been fatal. It reminded Agnes of an old spell she knew of, one inspired by Khione's power. Medea invented it actually, it wasn't one of her bigger or more well known potions but... well you see what she was capable of."

Charlie sighed. "What about the others, are they are dangerous?"

"Not really. There is a spark arrow that lets off sparks that can cause fires I guess, but only around flammable stuff, it's mostly just bright lights and sound. There also a potion that makes a sticky slime to hold your enemy fast... nothing too extreme. The Ice arrow is a last resort, as you said."

"Good... I like those better." Charlie said, looking deeply relieved.

Aaron wasn't sure how he felt about that. If this was war, he needed to be prepared, and death might just be a reality. No matter how much they didn't like it...

:::

"What's that?" Aaron felt something cold and dark as he approached his room in the Big House. His sister having separated to go work on more projects with Charlie, she wasn't with him at that moment. "It feels like the Underworld or Hades but not as powerful or potent... I wonder what it..." He slowed his approach, keeping his hands on his bracelets in case he had to draw his weapons. Stealthily, he entered the Big House and moved into his room, feeling a spidery feeling of the protective spells brushing against his skin as he did so. "Is that Styigan ice?"

There on his bed, just sitting there, was a coin that looked exactly like a Drachma only it was made of a blackish ice that radiated the power of the Underworld.

"Agnes, what is it?"

He heard her gasp for a moment as she looked through his eyes. "That, my dear student, is powerful magical artifact and a gift I presume is from Hades. It is Stygian Ice, you are right about that, but it is enchanted for a one and done transportation. I knew one of his daughters he gifted one of those too. I see a letter next to it, so I would check before touching it."

Nodding, he did as she suggested and approached the literally damned object, grabbing the small letter next to it.

Aaron Michael Mathews

His full name, written in perfect calligraphy, was written on the front of the letter. The ink was a dark purple and very pretty, and it radiated a small subtle magic he couldn't identify. Carefully, Aaron slowly opened the letter and saw the same calligraphy drawn onto the page.

Dear Aaron,

In return for you aid with my children and your oath of secrecy, I have decided to grant you this boon. As Agnes has no doubt told you, this coin is made of Stygian Ice and has the power to teleport you once. It will shatter upon use. However to use it, you will have to sacrifice a great deal of energy, which due to your mortal form will render you deeply drained and possibly at risk of great harm.

Use it only in a moment of great need.

However know this, it can only transport one other person along side you. It will transport you and that person to a safe place, the safest place nearby or where your magic is anchored. In your case, as you live at Camp Halfblood, it will transport you there most likely. The magic will rush you through the the shadows, which is always risky for anyone not of Underworld blood.

Also, you should know that the magic of the Coin is now linked to you and cannot be separated by any magic weaker then my own. That includes the Olympians bar my Brothers. It will return to you until it is shattered, much like Riptide does to your brother. I would also advise you do not channel it's power, for it contains pure Underworld magic which is fatal to mortals.

I hope you appreciate it, Something I am almost sure you will do as you are the kind of person to actually show gratitude.

Your Friend and Benefactor,

Hades.

P.S. This letter will disintegrate after you read it.

To Hades' word, the letter crumbled into nothing, almost literally evaporating in Aaron's hands. "Well that was nice of him... and this is very, very interesting. An out if I am ever overwhelmed... with my killing one of their people, I imagine I might be on the enemies shit list and that means I am in danger. This will keep me and Meggy alive."

Agnes' powerful magic followed her voice, leaving him cold. "But at great cost, the energy for this kind of magic is intense especially for someone not of the Underworld like you. It is even more if you use it to teleport others. Be very, very careful."

" I will." He stored the coin in his pocket, it's cool power flowing through his clothes and into his skin. "Wow, that's weird."

"Very, you seem to have made a very good impression on Hades, a rarity among rarities. I would try to not take advantage of it, less you turn that favor to hatred."

Aaron shuddered. "There are very few things that would scare me more then pissing off Hades."

"It should scare you, his power is immense. Only Zeus and Poseidon are stronger, and even then by a small margin. In many ways he is more dangerous, his army is infinite and everlasting, he has every dead hero at his disposal. He would win any war with his family, should it come to that... never undervalue or underestimate his power."

"I don't plan on it... so, tonight we work on channeling individual spirits?"

"Yes, prepare for pain and annoyance, for both are found in serving the dead."

"Great."

"What's great?"

Aaron jumped, turning with sword out as he faced the sudden sound behind him, only to freeze at the sight of his younger step brother, Percy Jackson. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

Percy smiled. "They have today off of school so I thought I would come to camp a day early. I missed this place... wanna spar?"

"Sure, let's go."

As they went, Percy turned to Aaron. "So, what is great?"

"Nothing, just talking to Agnes. She was giving me some... details about the Dead I channel."

Percy nodded, looking a little uncomfortable. "How can you not get creeped out channeling the dead?"

"I'm not sure, I just don't. I mean, due to their connection to me, they might as well be normal people. They aren't empty as the rest of the Spirits of Asphodel. They're pretty decent, at least Agnes is no matter how sadistic she can be. I haven't met the others yet but that's changing tonight."

"Really? How?"

"Tonight I learn how to channel their powers, specific spirits and channel their knowledge and power. It won't be easy but it will be there for me to learn."

"Sounds fun." Percy sighed. "Are you sure it's safe?"

"As safe as anything in this Magical world. I got it Percy, don't worry. Now, let's speed up so I can kick your ass."

Percy snorted. " As if."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was beyond fun to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.