PERI'S POV

The night progressed without any. . . sexual interruptions of the Percabeth variety. But I wish there was something to have kept me from dreaming. Anything.

It didn't start off bad - in fact, the dream had began rather pleasantly.

I was soaring above the clouds, a bright summer sun shining down on me. My arms and legs spreadeagled as my pajamas fluttered in the gentle breeze. The air was sweet and fresh, and the sky was a deep blue - more beautiful than I'd ever seen in my entire life. Everything was perfect in this dream world, and I wished I could fly here forever.

Until tragedy struck.

I felt my body heading south, breaking through clouds on my way down. The steady descent quickly transformed into a speedy plummet. The skyline fled past me so fast, tears pricked the corner of my eyes. I opened my mouth to yelp in surprise, but quickly clamped it shut. The downward pull was so strong that the gales smacked against my teeth, chilling me to the bone.

Squinting against the powerful winds, I saw brown earth rapidly approaching. My heart raced as the once bright and happy sun swept over the sky like a brushstroke, disappearing behind the barren horizon with unnatural speed. A dull moon materialized in the atmosphere, but its glow was weak and saddening. The sky grew black and murky, a shiver shooting down my spine.

I wanted out of this dream - and fast! I fisted my hair roughly and gave a quick tug. Wake up, Peri, wake up! Wake-

I crashed into the muddy earth below, knocking the wind out of my dream self. But I didn't dream-die.

Why?

I tried sitting up and pushing myself from the muddy ground, but my body remained stuck like glue.

And then I began to sink.

It was gradual at first, but soon the mud was like quicksand, swallowing me whole like some sort of dirt monster. I opened my mouth to curse, and the earth filled the newly open cavity. Since I had crashed onto my stomach, the ground was quickly overtaking me. I kicked and flailed wildly in hopes of getting free, but the resistance only seemed to drag me down faster. I swung my limbs desperately, but it was like I was in a pool of molasses.

The murky substance came over my nose, assaulting my senses with an odor so foul yet so familiar. It invaded my nostrils, but somehow I could still breathe underneath this muck. However, all I could breathe in was the rank stank.

The stench of the earth.

A low, rumbling voice sliced through my brain.

Give up, Omega-Blood. I will have you. I will kill you.

If I had breath in my body other than that filth, I would have gasped.

Gaea.

The earth went over my head, claiming me to a new world of pitch black darkness. Sleepy chuckling filled my skull.

That's right, child. What a shame such a smart girl must die.

I turned around as much as I could in the thick mud, trying to pinpoint her location. She was going to fight me here? In my sleep? In my mind?!

Gaea cackled. Foolish child. I am not yet ready to awaken, let alone fight some puny girl-

Who are you calling puny?! I shot back angrily. My fists clenched. I'm the daughter of Anastasios! The one and only Omega-Blood! If you had any brains in that sleepy head of yours, you'd be scared.

The Earth Mother only snickered. Oh please, child. You may be the "great and powerful" Omega-Blood, but you have more fatal flaws than any of the demigods.

Embarrassingly enough, I faltered. I remembered Bonnabelle explaining fatal flaws - they'd be something to kill us all one day. Different for each demigod, I recall wondering for hours what mine might be.

And now I find out that I don't have a fatal flaw. I have many.

That's right, Omega. Gaea continued. You've got more imperfections than anyone. Quit fighting me. Give in to the earth and end your pain now.

Despite it all, a light smile played upon my lips, and I shook my head slowly.

You just don't get it, do you? Pain is nothing compared to what it feels like to quit. Gaea, I won't stop until I see your head on a silver platter. And that's a promise.

I could feel her sleepy smirk dancing along the edges of my mind. As you wish, demigod. Just know, I gave you a choice. Now you will all perish.