A/N: Decided on a longer chapter this week, since I've had so much free time on my hands. I might even start updating twice a month if this keeps up.

Chapter 5: Gold, Sea, and Boars

Alana

Piper calls for a door the day after Leo came back to the Library. We fill her in on what we learned and she tells us what happened in France. The Librarians are fascinated with everything Piper says, recording the location of the castle and the existence of Lady Rose and the blue ghosts for 'further research'. Piper adds that Lady Rose and the ghosts vanished as soon as her trial was over, which deflates them a little. A banging sound draws everyone's attention to a large book sitting on the center table. I'd never paid much attention to it, and neither had my Nine, though the Librarians had told us it was important. The book told them when magical artifacts started wreaking havoc and had to be removed before too many people got hurt. This seems to be one of those times, as every Librarian rushes over to the book and starts talking over each other in excitement.

Jenkins shakes his head, "Apparently they have a new mission. But the Library will continue to be at your service as you finish your quests." The Librarians begin to rush around the Annex and head out into the hallway beyond, still talking loudly. "Excuse me." Jenkins follows them calmly and leaves us alone in the Annex.

My Nine start talking quietly, but I don't pay much attention. In my mind, I am forming a picture of the coming trials. They are designed to push us to a breaking point, to push us into fear, doubt and shatter our confidence. I have every confidence in my friends, but do they have it in themselves? Does that even matter? Both Piper and Leo were so very close to giving up and they are some of the most self-sure people in the group. I feel a tap on my shoulder and jolt a little.

"Woah, daydreaming again 'Lana?" Hazel jokes slightly, concern showing in her eyes.

"Just thinking." I say. You know, we could try opening up a bit? We can trust everyone in this room. But we can't just unload everything on them, They're stressed enough. The twins's differing opinions sparks a glaring match that makes my head pound. I wince slightly, but before I know it a water glass and some aspirin are set in front of me. After downing the pills, I nod my thanks to my rescuer: Nico. Clearing my throat, I say. "We have to finish finding the rings. Um, Percy is next, and then Frank."

Percy reads his passage from the chalkboard slowly:

"The trident lies far from the sea,

Buried deeper than the roots of a tree.

The land of sun, sea and gold,

Keeps the ring deep within its hold.

Loyalty and hope will be your guide

When sorrow and regret are on the tide."

We spend a moment brainstorming. Like Piper and Leo, Percy feels a gentle tug towards one location: The Redwoods. He is also certain of another thing. "Hazel needs to come with me."

Hazel nods, "I think I have to go too. If he's going to be traveling underground, he'll need my skills."

"Then I'm going too." Frank says.

Hazel shakes her head. "You heard Alana. Your ring is next." Frank makes a face, but agrees.

Nico volunteers to go as well, he's been itching to get out of the Library for days now. We prepare the supplies and get them ready for their departure. Jenkins sets the Door for The Redwood National Park while Leo watches everything he does carefully, asking questions occasionally. Once that is done, we say goodbye to the three travelers. They step through the door and it swings closed behind them.

Frank is anxious to get his trial over with, so he reads his passage:

"The Spear guards and is guarded
By fallen warriors the ring is hid
Peace and War, now is the time to decide

Both in one, protect, provide

To find what you look for
Music calms the raging boar"

"New Rome." Frank says after a moment of thought. "I have to go to my father's temple." Both Reyna and Piper offer to go with him, but he refuses. "'Music calms the raging boar', I need a musician. There is only one person I can take." His gaze falls on me.

I smile up at Frank and nod. For this journey we don't pack much, just our weapons and a small supply of godly food and medical supplies. This time Leo works with the Door all by himself, though Jenkins watches carefully the whole time, and successfully links the Library to New Rome. We say goodbye and step through the door.

The tingling feeling in my stomach and the nausea stirred up by the instantaneous travel, is quickly quelled by the fresh California air. Leo dropped us just outside the Pomeranian Line, where we startled several Legionnaires. Terminus eyes me carefully but lets us pass into the city. I let my eyes wander, taking in the rebuilt wonders of Roman architecture.

"Leo and his team had just finished up when you summoned us together." Frank says , shifting the weight of his pack. "People here are starting to see him, and all the Greeks, better."

"That's good." I reply, my mind elsewhere. Keeping us separate was a good idea on the Gods' part, we needed to create and sustain our own cultures. But now, I can't help but feel that dividing our forces this way will be a hindrance later on. I stick the thought on a back burner as Frank picks up his pace. He practically runs into Mars Ultor's temple, skidding to a stop on the polished floors just before the statue. I come into the sacred ground about a minute after. "Damn, Frank. What's the hurry?" I ask, trying to catch my breath. Maybe all those days lounging in the Library weren't such a good idea.

Frank's eyes are locked on the statue of his father. "He was trying to warn me. I should have seen." He says.

"Warn you? About what?"

Frank whirls around, holding a paperback. He tosses it to me.

I flip the book around to read the title. "The Art of War? What does that have to do with this?"

"Mars gave it to me when we were in Canada. 'Read up.' he said. 'This book could save your life one day.'"

I hold up a hand, halting him. "You think that your Guardian is San Tzu? And that Mars gave you the book to prepare you?"

Frank nods.

In that instant I see how scared he is. If his trial is like the others, his fear could kill him. I can't let that happen. "You are one of the best strategists and one of the best warriors I know. You can do this. I know you can."

He takes a shuddering breath and turns to face the statue again. It's eyes glow red and a part of the base crumbles, to reveal a long, dark and very narrow tunnel. Frank walks forward without hesitation, while I fight an internal war. You have to go. He needs your help. But I can't. It's . . . Just a tunnel. A way to get to a destination. And Frank needs you. Right okay. I can do this.

My feet move agonisingly slow, that is until Roma snatches the controls from me and drives me forward. Greca gives her sister the stink eye, but Roma shrugs. Do you have another idea to keep her moving? I take back control of our body from my Roman side and continue to walk with conviction, into the dark.

My breathing is heavy, my chest tight but I keep walking. Frank glances back periodically, but I flash him a smile and he keeps moving. In an attempt to quell my anxiety I look at our surroundings, try to forget about the tons of earth above my head. The tunnel is slowly sloping downward and has a slight curve to it. The walls are plain dirt and set with iron sconces, shaped like boar's heads. This sparks a hint of apprehension.Will the boars come alive and attack us?Well considering it's Mars . . .Mrph.

I slap a mental hand over Roma's mouth. Thankfully the tunnel widens and the ceiling soars above us. The resulting space is about as big as a small theater, the ceiling only 10 or so feet above us. My hold on Roma's voice slips and she smirks evilly, hinting just enough at horrors to come that I soon have to fight Greca's fear. Roma, stop scaring Greca and shut the hell up! I shout in my head.

While I was dealing with my inner turmoil, Frank surveyed the space. "These doors are pretty big. Hannibal could fit through easily, even with his kevlar vest on. The ground is smooth, no loose material or rocks. Slight pitch towards the center of the room from the exterior walls." He mutters, glancing around at each aspect. But when I look at him, there is no anxiety, not in his face or his eyes or his body language. Looking even closer, lowering my gaze into the Mist, I can see his aura, a little something I learned during my months of solitude. It flickers like a fire, a warm burgundy, sort of red-brown color. It shines brightly with courage, not a trace of fear. That gives me strength.

Despite his confidence, Frank explains that we are at a disadvantage. "We are in an unknown place, one that could be riddled with traps and sneak attacks." He suggests that I take an archer's position atop one of the giant arched entryways. He will stay below and draw the attack, whatever it may be, using his animal forms. I scramble on to the ledge with a helping hand - er, trunk from Frank. I crouch into the shadow created by the lack of light and notch an arrow. Frank kneels down in the middle of the room, human once again, and waits. After a minute, the room rumbles and I press against the wall, hoping not to get hit by falling rock. The son of Mars barely moves, even when a stalactite crashes to the floor mere centimeters from him. He keeps his eyes fixed on one of the doors, the one opposite mine, even though an enemy could come from any of the five different tunnels. A snuffling sound starts to echo down two of the tunnels, to Frank's 10 and 2. In a simple motion he stands and holds his sword, a wide gold blade, in front of him.

The snuffling beasts stay in the shadows of the tunnels, their glowing eyes the only things visible. Frank turns slightly to watch the creatures and I follow his movement with my eyes. A man's voice reverberates around the chamber, it's source and language unknown. Frank doesn't respond, but turns away from the glowing eyes in the other tunnels to face the one opposite me. A shaded figure stands tall and wide in the door, but other than that my archer's eyes can't see much. The shape of his shoulders and hips are odd, armour perhaps? And that jutting shape near his waist is a sword, but not one I recognise. The hilt is smooth, no ridges or grips and no pommel on the end. What is most disconcerting is his eyes. Even from this distance I can tell they aren't natural. There is no light of them, no sign of life. Are these the dead eyes of a Bone Warrior? Or is San Tzu just as crazy as Juan was?

In a quick motion, the figure throws his arm out and the animals charge at Frank. As they burst into the light, I see that they are indeed boars and, remembering Frank's passage, I sing the first thing that comes to mind, one of the many Greek campfire songs. The pigs squeal and halt only inches away from goring Frank. I keep singing as he vaults over the beasts towards the figure in the door. I can not help, I can't even move from this spot or the boars will attack.

Frank attacks the figure and slowly backs up to pull him into the light. This is not San Tzu. It is a bone warrior, dressed in what appears to be samurai armour. It chatters its teeth at Frank, goading and taunting him. I watch, still singing and holding onto my ledge like a lifeline, as the creature turns and makes a tactical retreat. Frank follows him, not even sparing me a backward glance. Great teamwork Frank. Run off into the unknown and leave your only backup up here by myself, surrounded by wild boars, with no way down. I can only hope he comes back unharmed and keep singing.

Frank

Follow me or the cavern will collapse on your friend. The master of war wishes to meet you. The words of the Bone Warrior echo in my mind as my steps echo in this maze of tunnels. As I feared, this place is a labyrinth. The tunnel branches and twists back on itself too many times to count. That's his play. San Tzu wants me disoriented and separated. It was too late to reconsider, all I could do was continue to follow the Bone Warrior. Alana's voice, echoing through the caverns, is a constant reminder of what I have to fight for. Given what Leo and Piper said, her life will be forfeit if I fail. The Bone Warrior continues on its path, around and around in these identical corridors. Alana's music is but a memory now. Finally the tunnel widens and the ceiling soars. I am alone, the warrior having disintegrated into ash as soon as I entered.

"Ah, you have finally come. I was beginning to think that the prophecy was a sham." A rich voice, with hints of a Chinese accent, echoes around the room.

"So you knew I was coming?" I ask, eyes fixed on one spot on the far wall. There is a relief there, a dip in the stone wall. There sits, upon a wide stone pedestal, San Tzu, the Master of War.

He stands and walks towards me. "Of course. After my recorded death, the Master's Guild sent me here to guard the Ring of the Spear. They told me to watch for you, the one who would seek the ring. I have seen others come forth and claim the other Rings in recent days. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Though you are not entirely what I expected."

I snort. "I get that a lot."

He nods, laughter in his eyes. "I guess you do. Now I assume you want the Ring?" He gestures and another Bone Warrior comes forth, holding a dark wood box. He takes the box from the undead warrior, and watches as it also crumbles to dust. San Tzu sighs, "Pity. They are my only company down here. Unfortunately, they never last very long."

I do not notice the dust of the warrior. The dark wood in his hands has my attention, I can not look away. My breath stills, anticipation building. Open it. My mind begs. Open it!

The master of war opens the lid, revealing a signet ring, just like the others, the top emblazoned with a single spear and a rounded shield. I feel a pull in my stomach and take an involuntary step. "Ah, so you feel it. The power of the Ring. That is a good sign, as is the presence of your friend. She's the Greco-Roman, yes? A Daughter of Apollo? Very good."

I shake myself mentally, raising my eyes from the iron ring to meet his gaze. He looks at me as if he expected my reaction, the possessiveness I feel. The ring is calling to me, like the others said. Still, it isn't mine yet. "But I'm guessing I can't just take it and leave. I have to complete the trial."

He nods somberly. "It will be fair though. But it is difficult. Your mind will be your greatest enemy, as will your body. You may not survive."

I bark out a laugh and receive an odd look from San Tzu. "I'm sorry. But, really, do you know how I spent last summer? The threat of death is nothing."

The master of war looks on, his eyes watching me like an oddity at a traveling fair. "Very well. The trial begins."

After those words, things became hazy, without focus. I am fighting creatures, bone warriors, great stone animals. There is the warmth of blood on my hands, paws, feet. I do not know how long the fighting goes on, how many foes. But San Tzu's eyes are always on me, widening in shock as I scream battle cries and fell his greatest warriors. Something bubbles up in me, a force, an anger that could not be cooled except by the touch of iron against my skin.

The final enemy destroyed, I approach San Tzu, eyes fixed only on the box in his hands. "I am the One of War. The Ring of the Spear is my birthright. I am Frank Zhang, Blessed by Mars, the Wielder of the Gladius Pax, the Animus Warrior. You will not keep the Ring from me."

But the War Master held tight to the box. He sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, I will. You have not passed the trial, warrior. I told you that your mind would be your enemy, but you did not realize the type of enemy it would become."

I snarl like a wild animal, lunge for the box. San Tzu side-steps me quickly and before I could redirect my movement, I slam face first into the stone. The impact jarred something inside and the anger is swept away. My mind clears.

"Frank Zhang, you must realize that your position as The One of War does not mean you fight battles. It means that you will stop them, keep your people safe and secure, away from the terror of war. There will be times when this side of you will be needed, when the Greco-Roman demigods will need and want their terrible and fierce General, but not always. You have proven your fighting ability to me, but not your ability to set aside anger and let the peace live. Because of this, I cannot let you have the ring."

I stand panting, head against the cool stone. The fury, the anger, had left me shaking and weak. The first wave beings I had fought had had no interest in peace, I knew that for sure. As soon as they saw me, they drew their weapons and attacked. But the second wave… they weren't armed, never fought back. They asked for peace, and I didn't listen. I barely gave them time to reach their weapons before I cut them down. "What have I done?"

The War Master turns me away from the wall. "You are a son of Mars. War is in your blood. As it was in mine. But it is not your duty to look for War, only to be ready when it comes."

"I failed." I say numbly.

"Sometimes, the only way to learn is through failure." Without another word, San Tzu sets the box in my hand and disintegrates into a pile of ash.

"Frank? Is that you?" Alana's voice rang out. I turn to see her only a few feet away. "Where have you been? " Worry colors her voice.

Blinking, I held out the box. "I got it Alana. I don't know how, but I did."

She seems shocked. "And it took you two days?"

"What?"

She approaches, gently laying a hand on my shoulder. "Frank, we came down here two days ago. You ran off, following the Bone Warrior. I waited for you, even after the boars disintegrated. Eventually I came back to the surface and got together a search party. We've been looking… " Her blue eyes water slightly.

"I'm sorry, I . . ." I choke on my words. How do I explain what happened, what I did? "I'm sorry." I repeat.

She sniffles a bit and took my hand. "Come on. We're getting out of here. I hate these damn tunnels."

Hours later, I sat back with the others in the Library. The others had practically attacked me when I came through Door. They yelled and wept, but were relieved that I was alright. Now though, they were asking what happened and I hesitated. Wondering. Would they still trust me? Still want me in the close knit group? Taking a deep breath and taking a risk, I tell them everything. Better for them to know who I am, then be blissfully unaware that I could hurt them one day. As soon as the last word left my mouth I stand and start to walk away.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Flinching I turn back to face Annabeth, her hands on her hips. "I thought…"

She stares me down."Don't you dare leave. What you did was terrible, but it wasn't your fault. It was the trial. How can we hold it against you?"

Jason steps up to be even with Annabeth. "How many times has that ferocity saved us? How many of us are still here because you have that within you? Like San Tzu said, it is needed sometimes."

I look at each of them in turn, "So I'm not being kicked out?"

Alana meets my eyes. "Never. We need you Frank. All of you. Even your anger."

Percy

Redwood National Forest California

A few days earlier…

Our arrival in the Redwoods went well enough. The woods were quiet, even though it was the middle of the day.

"Shouldn't this place be swarming with tourists, or something?" Hazel says.

I shrug. "It could be that whatever my Guardian is has closed the park, like how Leo's put the town to sleep." Then I feel it. A pull, a tug, like how the ocean calls to me but stronger. Down, I think. My ring is down. "Hazel, are there any tunnels nearby?" I say, breaking a small bit of conversation between siblings.

The Daughter of Pluto closes her eyes. I imagine she's stretching out her senses feeling the earth, feeling how it shifts and bends and sweeps, like I do the water. "No tunnels, but there is a cavern, deep below us, reinforced with metal, iron or steel perhaps?" She looks up, eyes questioning.

"That's where we need to go." I say.

The petite girl ushers us back and with a sweeping movement of her hands, a hole is created. She jumps down and waves at Nico and I to follow. Hazel makes a tunnel that is wide enough for us to walk single file and tall enough so we don't have to stoop. Every few steps Hazel moves her hands or feet, making the earth move. I stand directly behind her, letting the Ring's power pull me towards it. We spiral tightly down into the dark, our headlamps providing only enough light to see a few feet ahead. The two children of the Underworld seem at ease, almost comfortable. But even as the power of the Ring calls me forward, something else, something more primal is telling me to run.

"Percy? You okay?" Nico says behind me.

"Yeah. I'm good." I deflect. "We should be right on top of it Hazel."

She kneels and places a hand on the earth. "Yes we are. On top of the cavern. The drop isn't far. We should be fine jumping down." Nico and I step back and, with the same sweeping movement, Hazel opens a five foot hole into the cavern below.

Nico sets his pack down, removing a coil of rope. I help him tie it off and let it fall into the space below. Nico tests the knot, then fearlessly leaps down into the dark, his headlamp spinning in wide circles as he takes in the room. "It's clear."

I follow quickly, then Hazel. The room is massive, wider than several football fields. I walk a few paces away from the rope and my companions, unaware of them calling my name. "Something's wrong." I say, hearing the echo. "Can you two sense anything down here except us?" The brother and sister share a look of What the hell is he talking about? but do as I ask. Almost instantly their brows furrow.

"Nothing," Hazel says, opening her eyes.

"Not even a trace that anything has ever been down here. It's completely abandoned." Nico adds. I can still feel the Ring's power, so teasingly close.

"Percy? What's going on?" Nico says, hesitatingly placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Not sure. The Ring is close though. That way." I point off into the gloom.

"Then we go that way." Hazel says resolutely, picking up her bag from where she had set it and marching off in that direction, leaving me and Nico scrambling to catch up with her.

After a few minutes, we come across a hallway of sorts, lined with chambers of different sizes. At my instruction, we peek into them one at a time, waiting for something, anything to appear.

"This is worse than that horror game Leo made us play. The one about the possessed robots? I keep expecting that crazy fox thing to jump out from nowhere." Hazel remarks.

Nico chuckles, but they receive only silence from me. Something is wrong, very very wrong.

Percy. "What was that?" I spin sharply, startling my companions.

How could you? I spin again, my ears deaf to the shouts of concern.

I trusted you. She died because of you! A scene appears before my eyes. Nico, younger, bright eyes filling with tears. The instant after I told him Bianca was dead.

I hate you! He screams and the scene fades. I am left gasping for breath, emotion rushing over me. Regret, pain, devastation. I fall against the wall, noticing for the first time that Hazel and Nico have disappeared. I will have to face this alone, like the others did.

I only get this brief reprieve before another memory rushes over me. It too is filled with regret, with pain.

You caused this. Zoe Nightshade glares venomously at me from her deathbed.

Why did you leave us? Mom, Paul. More and more, so many that my head spins. I can't make heads or tails of it any more. Pain, sorrow, regret.

Your Fault! Your Fault! Your Fault! Your Fault! The spectres screech. My fault, it was my fault. The voices still chanting in my head, I fall to my knees and scream. I scream until I have no breath. With the last whispers of air, a croak escapes me. "It's my fault."

Warmth.

Come back to me, Seaweed Brain. Annabeth.

I forgive you, Percy. Nico.

We're just glad you're back. Mom, Paul. A chorus of friends, family. Their hope, their faith in me. A voice, smooth and peaceful and unfamiliar, echoes.

It's not your fault. Did you ask to be born a demigod? Or to be a Child of Prophecy? The Fates are tricky, but They are kind. They give you nothing you cannot handle, you meet no one whom you cannot befriend or defeat. Like it or not, Perseus Jackson, you are Chosen by Fate. You and the friends who wait for you, you are all Chosen for a great task. Alone you will fail, but that is why The Fates have brought you together.

I open my eyes, blinking. My cheek is pressed to the floor of the cavern, my body aches. The headlamp I wore is cracked and broken on the ground, but now the cavern is brighter, not by much, but enough to see. Easing myself up, I look around. That had to be my trial. Emotional breaking point, just like the others described. Did I pass? I stand, scanning the floor around me for a box, a glint of metal. Nothing. I failed. My hand comes up to rub my jaw. Something cool touches my chin. Sighing at my own stupidity, I pull my hand back from my face. A band of steel, carved with dancing waves, holds a perfect little trident.

"Percy!" A shout, feet against stone. Hazel hits the floor, no doubt scraping her knees, and wraps me in a hug.

"You made it!" Nico, a half step behind his half-sister, gives a sigh of relief. "You disappeared. Did you defeat the Trail?"

I chuckle, showing them the signet ring. "Only four more." I state.

Hazel leads the way back to the rope, fidgeting nervously. Nico and I try to calm her, but she makes no response. Once we have reached the surface once more, we make camp and riffle through our packs for provisions. Over the fire, Hazel seems distant.

"I read my passage before we left the Library." She says. It's the first time she's spoken since picking me up off the ground in the chamber below.

"Do you want to go after your ring?" Nico asks.

She nods. "I think we need to go to New Orleans." She notes our odd looks and repeats the six lines:

"The glyph lies in a grave full of hate
In a city destroyed by Kate
Masons built the tomb that hides the ring
Find the stone that does Sing

Honor the dead to take what you need
But beware if you take from greed."

She buries her head in her knees after that, refusing our every attempt to coax more information out of her. Nico and I eventually fall asleep, leaving Hazel to her own thoughts.

Hazel

New Orleans, Louisiana

Morning, Next Day

When the boys woke this morning, they soundlessly packed up the camp and put out the smouldering fire. A few times they glanced over their shoulders at me, worried, but said nothing. Nico extended his hand to me and I grasped it tightly, like he was my only anchor in a hurricane. Instants later, we stand in a manicured park, empty except for a few startled birds. Percy makes a face at the heat and humidity, obviously trying to make me laugh. But being back here has stolen all my joy. Even though the town has shifted and grown in the decades I've been gone, and faced Neptune's wrath to boot, it is too familiar, it hold so many memories. Sammy, my mother, those wretched schoolchildren. I can feel their presence here, weighing me down. Just get it over with, I tell myself and let the pull of power lead me.

We cross the streets, not yet clogged with traffic and tourists. I weave through old and new buildings, not daring to look for fear of seeing an old tormentor's ghost standing in a window or doorway. The ring pulls me continuously, never ceasing in its call to me. Find me. I am yours. Your birthright. The ring whispers gently in my mind, drawing me closer and closer. I stop only when I feel a hand on my shoulder. Looking up and around, I realize that Nico has stopped me, just before the iron gate of a cemetery. I would have slammed face first into the bars if not for him. I glance back at him sheepishly, and he smiles. For the first time since entering the city, I find a small measure of peace.

A short climb, jump and tumble later, the three of us are walking reverently though this city of the dead. We walk politely, staying on the paths and whisper quietly to one another.

"So we're looking for the grave of a Mason? Is that a first name or a last?" Percy says, reading some of the stones as we walk by.

"Or it could be mason, as in someone who laid brick and stone. One of the mausoleums, maybe?" Nico starts to drift towards one of the larger structures.

I shake my head at them both. "That's not it. 'The stone that does Sing', with a capital S. Like a name. And mason…. Like a Freemason. We're looking for a grave of a Singer, with the eye of the Freemasons." Following the pull of the ring, we arrive in the oldest part of the cemetery. Patiently and with as much respect as possible, we fan out and look for the grave.

Percy calls out after only a minute, whisper-shouting, "I think I found it!"

With quick steps, Nico and I join him at the grave of a Neil Singer, proud member of

the Freemasons. The pull of the ring is very strong here, this has to be it. Kneeling near the grave, I spread my senses into the earth, searching and reaching for my ring. There. A passage. My ring is down there, but where is the opening? I follow the path in the earth up to the surface. Here, the grave. The stone is a door of some kind.

I must have said the last bit aloud because Nico kneels next to me to inspect the marker. Percy watches the area, for mortals and monsters. With a grinding sound that sets my bones on edge, the stone slides away to reveal the passage. I drop down first, then Percy and Nico. As soon as my brother passes through the opening, the stone slides back and seals us in. None of us panic, simply reach for our flashlights and head lamps. Once the way is properly lighted we continue on.

"Why is it that we always end up underground? Why can't the rings be somewhere nice

for once? Like a well lit beach house?" Percy's voice echoes gently and so does Nico's laughing reply. "What fun would that be?"

But as the echoes clear, I can tell something else heard them too. Nico stiffens and I know he feels it too.

He meets my eyes, "Run."

Our lights bounce and spin wildly, the only true heading we have now is the pull of my

ring. Creatures of darkness and bone, graveyard wraiths, leap out at us, shrieking loudly and obviously intent on killing us. Every time I cut one down, it reforms in minutes. We can't beat them like this! Nico calls from behind me, yelling in Greek. Dark purple-black magic swirls around us, and the wraiths start to revert back into bones and graveyard soil.

"Whatever you're doing Nico, don't stop!" Percy cries out. But already my brother's face is pale and glistening with sweat. This power he's using is draining too much of his strength, he won't be able to keep it up for long. Whirling around in my head are those same haunting words that lead us here. Honor the dead to take what you need, But beware if you take from greed.

"Honor the dead." A spark lights in my mind. That's it! "Drop your weapons. We have

disrespected the grave sites and must pay a price." I say, and drop my spatha. Nico's blade drops immediately, but Percy holds on to Riptide and is attacked again. The wraiths pull the blade from his hands and drive him to his knees. We are pushed towards him, also forced to kneel.

"Nico." I whisper, "We need to make amends. Any suggestions?"

He nods, "Food and prayer. And silence." He glares at Percy, who shrugs and grins sheepishly. With the undead eyes on us, we empty our packs of the rations we have left. I really hope they like trail mix. The food is set near the wraith's feet, then hands are folded in silent prayer. Nico mumbles what I assume are Greek death rites, Percy's eyes are squeezed tightly closed. After a final discrete glance to my friends, I bow my head and wait.

The feet of the wraiths shuffle against the stone, moving left to right. After a few more

minutes, there is a sound like breaking pottery. I glance up and find the last wraith is crumbling back to dust. I find my feet and spread out my senses once more, as the boys gather what remains of our food. The ring is ahead, another three hundred yards, then right. Checking behind me and catching two familiar faces, no more, no less, in the light from the head lamp, I start to move forward again.

In sober silence, three sets of feet continue down the tunnel. It widens and leads us into a

small room, just big enough for the three of us, and the Guardian of my ring. The Guardian stands, robed and cloaked, only a few steps away. "Hazel Levesque." It's voice is familiar, haunting and smooth. "I should have known it would be you." The hood is flicked back, revealing the appealing face of Death.

Nico steps in front of me. "Thanatos. You can't take her. I won't -"

The dark spirit holds up a hand. "Peace. I was not summoned to bring her back to the Underworld. Not this time. I have come to ascertain if she truly is the One of Wealth. Step forward Pluto's daughter and speak." The whole world falls away as, with a simple wave, a bright ring appears over Death's palm. It spins lazily, calling out to me. Say the words and claim me.

I open my mouth, ready to speak words I know to be true, when a deceptively cheery

ding echoes in the space. With a grimace Thanatos pulls out his tablet, his list of souls. "I thought I set this to silent… Oh." His eyes lift from the screen and look sadly on me. "It appears my earlier statement is no longer true." His hand closes around the ring, drawing an involuntary whimper from me. "Hazel Levesque is to return to the Underworld. She is not the One."

Nico's desperate cry and the ring of Riptide being drawn fall on deaf ears. Death will not

allow them to stop this. Fury rises in my stomach. How dare he! "I am the One of Wealth." I say, drawing Thanatos's attention. The walls of the chamber shake as I speak, gold and other buried valuables wiggling their way through the walls to fall at my feet. "I am the Reborn, the Rider of Arion, the Treasurer of the Greco-Romans. I am the Wielder of the Diamond Blade! I will not leave my people when they need me."

Thanatos smirks and presses the ring into my palm. "I pray you never will have to. This will not be the last time you see me Hazel. But the next time will be far in the future. Your life is your own." With a flash he is gone but the ring of brass remains. My Trial is over.

Annabeth

The Library

Same day

Rubbing my eyes, I translate another practice sentence out of Greco-Latin into English. Jane ran through the field-

"Alana! Iris Message!" Piper calls, tossing a coin through the mist. Turning in my seat, I greet Nico from through the rainbow. "Hey. Leo'll get the door open in a moment." Hearing his name, Leo jumps up and giddily starts working the controls to the Back Door.

Hazel comes into view. "We're not in the Redwoods anymore. We made a little side trip to New Orleans."

"What for?" Frank asks, obviously worried.

"My ring was here." She says simply. In the background I see the faint gold glow of the door opening and Leo waving at them.

"Come on in and tell us then!" He calls, voice echoing as we hear it twice. Percy drops the mist of water, breaking the connection, and the trio cross the doorframe. "So, what kind of trouble did you three get into?"