Up On Olympus In The Throne Room

Hades sat there, tuning out the other gods as they tried to come up with some sort of plan. He let his mind wander off to more secretive things, like the fact he was secretly working with Gaea.

If anyone herd that they'd cast him away as a traitor... He thought. Not like they'd be very surprised. Afterall, why trust the lord of the dead? He thought bitterly.

I trust you. A voice mused, in his head.

Hades eyes flicked across the room to where Athena sat, steady eyes watching him carefully. He met her eyes before replying, Then I trust you to come up with some excuse for my absense. And with that, he teleported away.

The gods looked shocked as they noticed Hades flash out without another word. All talk quieted down as they looked at his throne.

Zeus pursed his lips. "And he left... why?"

Athena shrugged. "When is he ever here for these meetings? Besides, he somewhat liked the boy didn't he? After all, he saved his life. Maybe he's gone to see if he can find anything out."

The other gods mused over this, as Zeus looked over his favorite daughter carefully. Finally he said, "I suppose."

Athena nodded, going back to keeping quiet as the gods went back to discussing plans.

In Tartarus

Percy trudged on through the unsolid ground. He was tired, and hungry, and he was in pain. But most of all he was alone.

There hasn't been one monster to come and attack him. You'd think he'd be greatful, but really he was slowly welcoming insanity.

Being lost, not quite sure where he was going in the deepest, darkest, pits of hell where really taking a toll on him. At least with monsters attacking him he could keep himself busy with out letting his mind wander off to dangerous thoughts.

Percy stopped, and sank to his knees, putting his head in his hands.

He's never felt so lost, so helpless, and just so weak. It was pathetic, and he hated it.

Percy groaned into his hands, fisting his hair, and pulling, tugging on it, because this new pain over this frusteration just felt so right.

That's what he needed. Pain.

But don't you think you already had enough? A voice asked.

Percy's head shot up, as he looked around wildly. He grew confused when he didn't see anyone.

"Hello?" he called out. He started to get frusterated once more. He was going insane.

Deep breathes. The voice soothed.

Percy stopped when he realised he recognized the voice. "Gaea.." he whispered.

Shh.. The voiced hushed. Deep breathes.

Percy tried to take a deep breath but it came as more of a ragged gasp and he choked on air. He hadn't realised before he was hyperventalating.

Close your eyes. Gaea instructed. Percy followed her orders, and closed his eyes.

Picture the ocean. Breathe in the tide, and breathe out the waves.

Percy pictured the ocean. When he saw the tide retreat after a wave, he breathed in deep. He held it, until he saw a wave crash onto shore. As the wave moved he let out his breath, running out of air as the water runned out. He breathed in again with the tide.

Good. Gea soothed. Do it again.

Percy continued this until his breathing evened out. When he was done, he opened his eyes and stood up. He scanned his surroundings, seeing he was still alone.

I'll guide you. Just do as I say. Gaea said, and Percy found himself believing her.

"Okay." He said.

Percy walked off, listening closely to Gaea's instructions. As he walked he started to recognize his surroundings from the last time he was here. He passed the old sight that was in honnor to Hermes', where he also got a slice of Pizza, and he also saw the Castle of Night, Nyx's Palace, up ahead.

He walked, and walked and not once did he get interupted by a monster. In fact, the place seemed to be pretty empty. Percy walked all the way to Nyx's Palace to where Chaos was below.

The spot next to Percy shimmered and darkened, and then suddenly Nyx appeared.

Percy bowed to the Pimordial. She smiled thinly, "Hello tourist."

Percy smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Nyx held out her hand and Percy took it. She led him to the edge of the cliff, where Chaos was down below. Percy could feel the power from down there. It bit at his skin like a searing hot jack frost.

Nyx looked over at Percy. "Are you ready?" she asked.

Percy looked down. "Not really." he admited.

Nyx's lips twitched "Good. You'd be insane if you where."

Percy shook his head slightly. "Is it almost over?" he asked.

Nyx rolled her lips inward to keep herself from laughing. She shot him a sympathetic look and Percy groaned. "It's only just begun."

And with that, the two of them jumped over the edge, into Chaos.