Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews last chapter! :) You guys rock. Anyways, don't have a ton of time cause I had a TON of homework. (It's only been a week! :/) So I'm gonna just do a quick thing about reviews before jumping into "news". Ok: I had a lot of fun reading those reviews about people's reactions about Luke! I think Greekgodsrox had the most humorous one. ;) At least, I found it funny because I'm the dream crusher. It probably wouldn't be funny to a normal person, but I took pleasure in crushing your dreams. ;) Mwahaha. Anyways, here's something IMPORTANT! Woah, IMPORTANT, that's so crazy, I know. (I'm hoping people look at it cause it's in all caps, underlined, and italicized). Here's the IMPORTANT info: I'm gonna be on vacation for a couple days! I won't be able to update again until... Next Thursday. Which is September 8 (I think). Anyways, that's what was IMPORTANT. Also, don't forget about that poll I have up! Vote if you care! (And you have an account. I'll forgive you if you don't.) :) Anyways, I own nothing but please enjoy this chapter! :)

Percy's POV (I was tonna do Nico, but couldn't think of what to say, so I decided not to torture you)

He sighed, suddenly looking older than his physical age. "It's a long story."

"I have time."

Luke looked at me out of the corner of his eye for a moment, probably trying to decide if I was telling the truth, if I honestly wanted to hear his story. I tried to keep my face as open and honest as I could, and I was finally rewarded by a small nod of his head.

"Alright," Luke said. "But get comfortable." He paused for a moment to let me rearrange my limbs, then started his tale.

"After my death, I was sent to the Underworld to be judged. The judges ended up agreeing in my favor and sent me to Elysium. I was overjoyed, and spent most of my time there walking around, trying to find the heroes that had died in the Titan War so I could apologize. I found Charlie and Selena, Bianca diAngelo, and countless others.

"After a while, Zeus seemed to realize i was in Elysium. He threw a temper tantrum (as usual) and demanded that Hades put me in the Fields of Punishment. Hades refused, saying I had been a hero in the end, and that I had redeemed myself. Zeus would have none of that, and to make sure Hades agreed, he threatened Nico's life should I remain in Elysium.

"Hades cast me from Elysium, although I could tell he was torn up about it internally. Instead of sending me to the Fields of Punishment, however, he sent me to the Fields of Asphodel. I stayed there for several years. Zeus never found out because everytime he would ask, Hades would show him a false soul that resembled me suffering in the Fields of Punishment.

"Hades pitied me and the terrible afterlife I was given, so he let me keep my memories while I hid in Asphodel. Which turned out to be disappointing for me, because I was the only one. I was alone, a solid face wandering amongst millions of shadows."

Luke paused for a moment, lost in memory. "I'm not quite sure how long I was there. All I know was that i was wandering at the edges of Asphodel when suddenly an African-American man came up to me and offered me a new home, a home where I wasn't forgotten and lonely. I accepted, and I've been here with Chaos ever since."

I frowned. "Then how'd you know this was my room?"

Luke shrugged. "I didn't until you walked in. I heard that Chaos had invited new warriors to join our cause. I figured I'd meet them, so I decided to come to this room and wait for one of the warriors."

"And if a woman walked through those doors?"

He grinned. "I'd cross that bridge if I came to it."

We laughed. After a moment, our laughing slowly died down. "You know, Luke," I started, "I'm really glad you're here."

The son of Hermes frowned, a reaction you don't usually expect from people after you confess that you appreciate their presence. "Why? Is that sarcasm? Mockery?"

"No! I'm honestly just glad to see you again."

He scowled. "Why? I've almost killed you countless times, almost killed your family and friends countless times, and attempted to take over Olympus, therefore destroying your way of life and your childhood."

Well, when you put it that way... I shook my head. "That doesn't matter. In the end, you saved me, and everyone. And I thought we parted on better terms, almost friends. Or, if you want, friends."

I felt super awkward saying it, but it had to be said.

Luke looked like he had just been socked in the face. "You'd-you'd really want to be my friend after all I've done? You're really g-glad to see me? This isn't all some cruel trick?"

I shook my head. "No, man, I really want to be your friend." I grinned. "Awkward bro hug?"

Luke grinned back. "Awkward bro hug." Then, still kneeling on the ground, we awkwardly hugged.

After an uncomfortable moment, we separated. Luke said that he'd see me again at dinner, but he had some things he wanted to do beforehand. I wished him farewell, then collapsed onto the fluffy mattress I had been given on my bed.

I didnt even even realize I had fallen asleep until I found myself been roughly awoken. The lights had been flicked on, blinding me even with my eyes closed. Then whoever had disturbed my peace rolled me off my warm, soft mattress. I landed on the floor with a heavy thud.

"Ow..." I groaned, trying to ease the pain in my entire body while still going to back to sleep. After a moment, i realized that I couldn't get both, and since the pain was preventing me from sleeping, I figured I'd do something about that first.

I opened my eyes, trying to prepare myself for the blinding lights, only to scream in (manly) terror. Less than a foot from my face was Zoë's face, staring down at me. Her black eyes stared deeply into my green ones, and I was afraid she'd be able to see into my soul.

"I was worried," she said finally, drawing away. Immediately I found myself missing her warm breath on my face and the scent of pine that followed her.

"About?" I managed to grunt out.

"You. I knocked several times, but you didn't answer. It made me worried. I had to bust the door down just to get in!"

My eyes attempted to find the door. There it was, leaning sideways, only one of the hinges still attached to the door.

"Why roll me out of bed though?" I gasped out, still trying to get all the air back into my body after it had been knocked out.

Zoë blushed. "I panicked. I thought you were dead. So I flicked the lights on and attempted to roll you over to examine your body for any injuries. But you're heavier than you look, and I couldn't hold you up. That's how you ended up on the floor. And then I was worried that I had made you worse, which is why I was leaning over you."

"Makes sense," I said shortly.

Zoë bit her lip. "So, I came in here originally– before knocking your door down– to tell you that it's dinner time. Were going to meet a bunch of other people, a special because-we're-new kinda thing. And they definitely want you there. I'll give you a couple minutes though."

She left, and I laid on the ground for another minute or two, thinking. If Luke was here, was anyone else I might know?