They slaughtered them. Every last hero's throat was cut. The ground was stained red with the blood of the greatest warriors in history.

My father was last. He had not struggled, hadn't cursed or pled.

My enemy paused. "Well," he said. "You're as brave as I thought. You know, you're one of the braver heroes I've met."

My father shrugged. "I'll say goodbye now," he said. "I'll never see you again."

"Oh, no, I'm sure we'll meet in the afterlife," my enemy laughed.

"We won't be in the same place," my father murmured.

Those were the last words he said.

We were back in my cell. My enemy smiled and pulled away from my forehead.

"Well, Alyssa," he said. "You've seen your father again! Isn't that nice?"

"I'll see him the second you kill me," I growled. "But he was right. I'll never see you again. Elysium isn't for murderers."

He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

"My dear girl," he said at last. "Why don't you go to your father, then? Right now."

He yanked his sword from its holster. My foot went up and cracked, connecting with his face.

He screamed and stumbled back. A guard ran forward, waving his sword. I slipped beneath him. Then the other three charged, but I dodged past them and ran out the door.

Behind me I heard cries and shouts of fury. I ran down the hall, not wanting to wait and be killed.

I ran towards the doors. On a weapons rack hung my knives, on a belt, ready to be taken. I ran out through the doors, into the woods.

I slid to a stop. The snow filled the air and the woods, bathing it all in a blueish light. The beauty of the scene was amazing. The dim light of evening filtered through the clouds and the branches, creating an ambiance specific to the woods of Camp Half-Blood.

And so I ran. Through the woods. On and on.

Until I came to a stop, a quarter of a mile away from the House. I had a promise. To Calen, and a mutual one to Garrett. They were my family now.

I turned back.