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Hazel wasn't sure how she would do it.

Yes, she knew she could create the tunnels as she had done it plenty of times. But tunneling to the Underworld…?

"Hey. You alright?"

Hazel looked over to see Nico giving her a worried look. She smiled.

"Just a bit nervous. But I'm fine, you don't need to worry." She assured her brother.

"You're my little sister, Hazel. Of course I'm gonna worry." Nico teased with a smile given only to his sister, ruffling her curly hair.

After packing their gear and checking they had everything, Annabeth, Piper, Jason, Leo, Hazel, and Nico left Camp Half-Blood while leaving Frank and Murtagh to keep watch and protect it. The six demigods managed to catch a ride and were currently on their way to... wherever it was Nico was taking them.

"Are you sure you can do this Hazel? It's a long way to create a tunnel there, especially since it would have to be big enough for the six of us to walk in." Piper repeated the frequently asked worry. "Plus your time there-"

"I'll be fine guys. Seriously. I'm a lot stronger than I was before, I'm a big girl now." The daughter of Pluto assured with a small laugh.

"We're not doubting you, Hazel." Jason told her. "We just don't want you over-exert yourself and get hurt."

Hazel smiled.

"I will be fine." She repeated, touched by her friends' concern. She yawned. "I'm gonna take a nap though, just in case."

Hazel leaned her head against Nico's shoulder and her older brother wrapped his arm around her shoulders, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Annabeth smiled at the sight. She remembered how only a year ago Nico would barely let anyone get close to him, let alone touch him. Yet here he was, holding and caring for his sister like a big brother would. Back then Annabeth would have never thought he would be so brotherly or friendly to anyone.

'He really changed.' She thought to herself. Then she thought of everything that had happened since the war. 'Then again, I think we've all have quite a bit.'

It was after about 15-20 minutes of Hazel's sleeping, Annabeth's musings, and Leo and Piper's friendly bantering when Nico finally announced that they were getting close. He gently woke Hazel and they all checked they had everything. He had the driver drop them off at a small grove.

It was really hot out that day, even by New York standards, so the park was empty as people would rather stay inside the cool buildings. Annabeth, Hazel, Jason, Leo, and Piper followed as Nico led them over to a large grove where they were blocked from view.

"Alright. Here should be good." He decided. "Hazel? Care to do the honors?"

Hazel stepped forward. She took a deep breath and rolled her wrists before thrusting her hands towards the ground. There was a large rumble and the ground shot down like a hammered nail, a giant tunnel about 6 feet tall and about 5 feet wide forming in the ground. It went down about 30 feet before they lost sight.

"Here you go!" The daughter of Pluto announced.

Nico stepped into the tunnel, sliding down on his feet. Hazel went next, Leo following after and lighting the tip of his finger like a candle. Piper then followed Leo, Jason after. Annabeth looked up at the sky; the sun shone brightly as if saying goodbye.

She sighed and slid down the tunnel after her friends, the opening sliding shut behind her.

== Ω Ω Ω ==

The tunnel went on for about 30 feet before reaching the end.

Hazel would push her hands forward and the rock would shoot forward like a spring. She did so about nine times, stopping for a small break here and there until finally, instead of creating another tunnel, the stone burst open and led to a large underground cavern.

A large cavern where Amira stood waiting.

"Amira!" Hazel exclaimed as they entered and saw their friend. "We've been looking everywhere for you! Where have you..."

She trailed off when Amira drew her sword, pointing the purple blade to them in a challenge.

"Who is your best warrior?" The Alagaesian demanded. The demigods looked at each other.

"Apparently I am," Jason said as Hazel gestured him forward.

"I challenge you, Jason Grace, to a duel. A duel from which only one of us shall live." Amira challenged, voice strong.

Jason's blue eyes widened at her words.

"What?! N-no! No, I'm not gonna fight you, Amira." He protested. Amira narrowed her eyes.

"Atra du deloi rïsa framvír nosu." She chanted.

(Let the earth rise before us)

Her hand glowed and the demigods wobbled as the ground rumbled. A giant wall of stone suddenly shot up from the ground, blocking off Amira and Jason from the others. The son of Jupiter stared at the stone then back to the purple-haired teen in shock.

"Wha-? How did you do that?" He stuttered.

"Did Nico not explain to you?" She asked, holding up her hand. Jason's blue eyes widened when he saw the Primordial's mark glowing faintly on her wrist.

"You really did it. I wasn't sure if I actually believed until now..." He trailed off, his voice barely audible.

Amira frowned but inside she was crying. She didn't want to fight Jason and she knew from the duel they had when they first met that she was better than him. She could just shake her head.

Then suddenly, quicker than a snake, she swung her sword at Jason.

He jumped back with a shout and barely managed to avoid the purple blade. He quickly drew his Gladius and raised it to block the next strike. Then Amira was attacking. She slashed, spun, stabbed, moving so fast that Jason was barely able to follow and was put on complete defense.

The two battled for what seemed like forever. Jason gritted his teeth as he blocked her overhand but instead of pushing her back, he kept their swords locked.

"Amira what are you doing?!" He demanded.

"I had thought it to be obvious: I am sparring you." She explained, also slightly out of breath. Jason narrowed his eyes as he noticed several things:

One, Amira had said sparring instead of dueling or fighting, even though sparring was totally different.

Second, she wasn't as tired as she showed; she was breathing hard on purpose.

And third, she hadn't used her magic yet even though she'd had multiple chances.

Jason frowned. He shoved his sword against hers and she stumbled back. Using her momentary stumble, he launched himself forward with a deadly slash but Amira raised her sword and blocked him. She continued to block as Jason attacked, her now going to defense, but the Roman was quickly tiring. He wasn't used to fighting someone who could go on for so long. Amira seemed to have an unlimited supply of energy. Then he noticed as well that she wasn't using all her strength.

'She's holding back. But why?' He thought as he gritted his teeth.

He continued to drive her back until her back was pressed against the stone wall. He slammed his gladius down and their swords locked together. Jason looked into her purple eyes and saw there was a message: there was something she was trying to tell him but he couldn't read her.

"Amira please stop!" He pleaded. "I don't want to fight you!"

"And you think that I do?" Amira responded, their swords still locked. They both relieved some pressure so they weren't using all their strength but Jason still pressed hard enough to keep her from moving.

"What do you mean?" The demigod asked confusedly, hearing the pain in her voice.

"Do you think that I want to fight against you?" The Rider replied, voice shaking. "You all helped me when no one else would and protected me when I was in danger. I do not want to bring pain to any of you."

"Then why are you?!"

Amira pushed hard against Jason's gold sword and sent him back. She didn't attack again though; she stood with her sword raised but stayed where she was. Jason didn't attack either, waiting to see if she would try anything.

"Because I have to. I cannot deny my command. I am so so sorry Jason but I- I cannot resist him." Amira confessed. A tear slid down her cheek and she quickly brushed it away.

"Have you tried or do you just go along with what he tells you? Did you think about the fact that maybe he might try to turn you against us or did that not once cross your mind?" Jason demanded, his hand tightening around his gladius despite the tears that threatened. Being the first to meet the Alagaesian, he felt hurt and betrayed the most.

Amira opened her mouth to answer but the stone wall she created exploded before she could. Rocks and stones flew everywhere as it was blown apart like it was bombed. Jason managed to shield himself from the debris but a stone flew at Amira before she could move, hitting directly on her temple.

The world went into slow motion.

Amira momentarily lost her senses; her vision went fuzzy and she could feel herself falling but it felt like she was moving in slow-motion. Her side finally hit the ground and her body was sent sliding across the rock but she felt only numb. Her ears were ringing and her vision was black.

Then after what felt like forever, her senses started to return. They came surprisingly fast: a faint white dot appeared in her vision that widened and grew brighter. The ringing in her ears began to fade and she heard people's voices and footsteps getting louder.

"Amira!"

Someone called her name but their voice sounded miles away. Her hearing was fuzzy but she could make out what they were saying and she knew who it was.

"Leo?" She muttered, barely audible.

"Oh gods, are you alright? Are you okay?" She heard him calling out. Her vision started to clear but it was slow.

"Leo." She whispered.

"I'm right here," He told her.

Amira's vision and hearing were close to completely cleared so she could see his worried face looking down at her. She remembered her oath and her heart was crushed as she realized what she had to do. What she had to have him do.

"Leo I… I need- you must do something for me." She quickly told him.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I… I need you t-" Amira froze.

"Amira?"

"I am so sorry." She apologized beforehand, knowing what was about to happen.

The urge to attack came again, much stronger than before. Amira's body moved on its own and she rolled from Leo's grasp, flipping up to her feet. She had lost her grip on her sword when she fell and it had slid a little across the ground, her dagger having fallen from her belt as well.

Amira reached her hand out to grab either and managed to grab her dagger but two pairs of hands grabbed her arms before she got a firm grasp. They forced her back, the sudden movement causing her to lose her grip. Amira saw it was Nico and Annabeth holding her as they pressed her up against a part of the stone wall that remained intact.

She struggled and pulled against them with all her strength, upset that she was still too weak to use her magic, but she was fighting against two half-gods who had had years of training. She struggled again though, trying to break free.

She managed to get one leg free and kicked Annabeth onto her back, sending her across the ground. She saw Jason run over so she swung her leg against the back of his knee and caused him to trip, using his momentum to knock him into Nico and send them both sprawling. Amira saw Piper reach out to grab her but she instead grabbed the demigod's wrist, throwing her over her shoulder in a perfect judo flip.

The purple-haired magic-user then bolted to where her weapons had been thrown. Hazel saw and ran after her but Amira dove and got hold of her dagger first. She flipped up to her feet, spun around, and grabbed her former friend in one smooth move.

The five half-blood froze where they stood when Amira pressed her dagger against Hazel's throat.

"Nobody. Move." She commanded, her voice hard. No one moved.

Amira had just taken down six demigods in ten seconds! And right after getting knocked unconscious!

The fear in Hazel's golden eyes was clear. The daughter of Pluto didn't move a single muscle. The Alagaesian kept her dagger pressed against her neck, arms locked behind her with her other arm. The dagger wasn't pushing hard enough to cause Hazel any pain but was still enough to prevent movement.

"Amira, what are you doing?" Piper asked carefully, her voice demanding an answer.

"You say nothing," Amira told her sternly, well aware of her charmspeak.

Piper opened her mouth but she pressed her dagger against Hazel's neck harder, causing the Roman to wince, and Piper quickly shut her mouth. Amira's purple eyes scanned the six demigods carefully, making sure no one would make any moves.

"What are you doing?" Annabeth asked, repeating Piper's question. "We're your friends, Amira. Why are you hurting us?"

"When will you learn that I do not want to!" Amira told them, pain more than evident in her voice and eyes. "I do not want any pain to come to any of you!"

"If you don't want to hurt us then why are you fighting against us?" Jason shook his head.

"I- I cannot stop myself. I wish that I could not but I must."

"What are you talking about?" Nico frowned.

Amira shook her head and reached her mind out to her secret helper.

'Do you remember what we discussed?' She asked.

'Yeah. I remember.' The mental reply came quickly and clearly, to the half-elf's surprise. 'But are you sure you want to do this? There's no doubt that this is going to end really badly.'

"Amira, please. We don't want to hurt you." Annabeth repeated.

'I know but he cannot know what we have planned.' Amira answered. 'I do not know when he is watching. He could be now and if so he must believe I am faithful to his wishes. I need your help. Remember that this is only for a short time. We shall make everything right after.'

"I do not wish to either." She answered out loud.

'Alright... I'm trusting you.' Amira heard the reluctance and uneasiness in her helper's voice.

helper's voice.

"Let Hazel go, Amira. I don't want to hurt you but I'm willing if I have to." Nico told Amira, voice and eyes hard.

"I wish I could but I have my orders. I no longer have a choice." Said girl told everyone.

The Alagaesian held back a frown as she felt something weird change around her. It was as if the air was slowly turning into a cloud of thin, misty smoke. It wasn't a dramatic change but just enough for her to notice. She said nothing of it as she seemed to be the only one who noticed.

'It will be alright. Are you ready?' She mentally asked.

'Yeah, I'm ready. Now?' Her helper replied.

'Now.' She agreed.

"I… I have never been more sorry in my entire life," Amira told her former friends, voice shaking with emotion. She removed the dagger from Hazel's neck, causing the others to relax slightly, but she didn't sheath it. Instead...

Amira stabbed the dagger into Hazel's chest.

Screams were drawn from five pairs of lips and the young girl gasped when the blade entered her body. Slowly, her golden eyes began to dim.

"HAZEL!" Nico's broken heart was filled with horror and raw pain as tears fell from his wide eyes.

Amira removed her blood-covered dagger and Hazel's limp body crumpled to the ground. A sob escaped her lips. Out of everyone she knew in this world, Amira wished it had been someone else; Hazel had always been so sweet, so kind to her. She had already hated herself before but now the hate was multiplied.

Tears fell and cries were torn as they saw their friend's now lifeless body on the ground.

Hazel... the youngest and sweetest of their small family…

Nico suddenly rushed at Amira. Fury flared bright and hot in the son of Hades' eyes and Amira quickly sheathed her dagger and grabbed her sword. She took a deep breath then raised her sword to block.

The former Rider pushed his sword back but he continued his attack, slashing and stabbing and swinging at her as he tried to find a way past her defense, his raw anger fueling his energy.

Amira was surprised by his strength but said nothing and focused on the danger present: she was told about the metal Nico's sword was made of, how it would completely destroy and absorb her soul from just one touch, so she made it a top priority to not let it touch her. Whenever Nico seemed to be tiring, he would see Hazel's crumpled and bleeding body and attack again with new strength as the need to avenge his sister burned.

Amira felt her senses tingle and turned in time to block a deadly downward strike from a familiar dagger. The fury in Piper's eyes was close to the same as Nico's, anger burning bright. Amira gritted her teeth as her concentration and skills were tested, blocking two extremely-skilled adversaries at once. She took a step back, giving her a split second pause in which she used to draw her dagger again. Now with a blade in both hands, she continued to fight.

From the corner of her eye, Amira saw Jason and Annabeth itching to join the attack. They stood beside Leo as he knelt by Hazel's bleeding body, searching desperately for a pulse even though they all knew there wouldn't be one.

Despite her usual high-energy level, Amira was quickly tiring. She clenched her jaw; it was now or death.

'I am tiring quickly. Are you ready for the next phase of our plan?' She mentally asked her helper. The reply came quickly in the affirmative. 'Alright, on my mark. Three,'

Amira ducked to avoid a slash.

'Two,'

She pushed against the weapons.

'One,'

The sword and dagger came flashing down.

'NOW!'

This time Amira didn't block. Instead, she dropped her sword and dagger and pulled her arms to her chest. The two blades sliced into her,

But Amira disappeared.

Nico and Piper stared in shock as the Alagaesian faded, their blades passing through the air. There was nothing left: not a single purple hair or drop of sweat remained. All traces of the Rider were gone into thin air.

"What the-! What just happened?! Where'd she go?!" Nico exclaimed with wide eyes.

"I- I don't know!" Annabeth replied, equally dumbstruck. "She was right here a second- *gasp*- HAZEL!"

Piper, Annabeth, Leo, Jason, and Nico spun around but could only watch in shock as Hazel's lifeless body too disappeared, leaving no trace that either girl had ever been there.


MWUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!

And that concludes the twenty-third chapter of A Strange and Different Land!

Thank you all for reading and I hope you chose to continue the story. Please feel free to leave a review. Criticism, advice, compliments or corrections are welcome.

Have a good one and I'll see you later!