Chapter 2

IT

Archie was terrified. Not only was he scared of any large amount of water, but even his ancestor Achilles feared the Styx. And there was a secret entrance to the Underworld in Olympus High. The Styx flowed in the Underworld, so New Olympia would probably be the first place to be flooded.

"This will be easy," Harry said, "we just have to get down there and clog it with a really big boulder."

"It's not that simple," Hera replied, her voice with a hint of annoyance.

"Duh," Theresa said, "It's not like it ever is that simple."

"The chamber with the leak," Hera continued as if Theresa had never interrupted her, "is most likely completely flooded by now. And Charon said that when shades fall into the river Styx, they turn into some sort of monsters, so it would be best if you stayed out of the river, because by now there are plenty of shades who have fallen in. And besides..." she broke off, and then waited for a few seconds before saying, "no, never mind. Please, get Athena. I need to talk with her."

Atlanta got up and ran out of the room at an inhuman speed.

"The rest of you, Hermes has something to tell you."

They all left the room, heading towards Hermes' office.

Atlanta entered Hera's office. Athena followed close behind her.

"OK," Hera said, "now go to Hermes' office, he has something to tell you."

"OK..." Atlanta said. She left, but then when she was just outside Hera's office, her curiosity got the better of her. She hid behind the door and listened.

"No," Athena said, "it's too dangerous. We have to send them away. Not even they can defeat the Serpent. And what about the Shade Serpents? Besides, it wants Archie."

"It does not want Archie, that's just rumor," Hera said, but she sounded uncertain.

"No, Hera, when I confronted it, I saw in its eyes, the cold ang-" she broke off and shouted in a rage,

"ATLANTA! I know you're still there! Leave at once!"

Atlanta immediately got up and ran.

Archie pulled open the door of Hermes' office. Hermes was sitting in a chair at his desk. When the door opened, Hermes spun around in his seat.

"Hello," Hermes said, "I have arranged for you to be put on a luxury cruiser! How do you like that? Sounds exciting doesn't it?"

"Yeah," Atlanta said, running in the door, "it sounds awesome!"

"Well too bad!" Hermes said, "you're actually getting a small yacht."

"I hate you!" Atlanta said.

"Well, what did she tell you?" Hermes asked, "Hera won't tell me a thing!"

"Hmmm..." Jay said, "she just told us about monsters that shades turn into, but she wasn't letting on exactly what kind of monsters."

"I over heard something about Shade Serpents..." Atlanta offered.

"Oh, yeah, Shade Serpents, nasty things. Best to stay away from them." Hermes said calmly.

"When did you 'over hear' this?" Archie asked.

"Um... Well... You see..." She couldn't think of an excuse, so she told the truth. "I was spying on Athena and Hera." She expected a scolding, but Archie just said:

"Hear anything else interesting?"

"Athena said something about 'the serpent', said she confronted it, and said not even they could defeat

it. Oh yeah, she also..." she broke off. She was going to mention the part about it, what ever that is, wanting Archie. But she didn't want to scare Archie.

Athena came in at that moment. "Your boat is ready," she said, "follow me." Then she grabbed Archie and said, "be careful."

"Why?" Archie looked surprised.

"Because, IT is alive. And IT wants you."

Sorry, short chapter! Well, I hope ya like it! Please review!