"Piper? Where are you?" I screamed with what was left of the air in my lungs.
I took another step down the rocky cliff. Sweat trickled down my forehead; the heat of Tartarus was overwhelming and the fog that misted the atmosphere didn't help the situation in any way. I was with Piper and Leo when we were searching for Annabeth and Percy, but then we were all split up by a group of skeletons. I took another step down, but slipped on a rock, and slid, banging my head on something sharp halfway down. I felt a stinging sensation in the back of my head, as my eyesight started to blur. I saw a figure in the distance and as I got closer, the easier it was depict it and miraculously it was Piper. I got closer until I saw her completely clearly. Blood. I was too late. I heard a low groan in the distance. I turned my head to the left, to be meted with a pair of red eyes; the skeleton that split us apart. I looked back at Piper, she was gone. The skeleton got closer. Closer. Closer. I felt my heartbeat quicken in my ears, like a bass drum. Closer…
"JASON!"
Piper's charm-speak woke me from my nightmare. I was sticky with sweat. My body relaxed when I felt a warm hand stroke my arm. I looked over my shoulder to Piper, worry filling her eyes. I pushed her down onto the bed with me, while resting my head on her chest. Her hands found themselves into my sweaty hair. Her body was stiff. Her heart was racing. She could sense my emotions.
"Atleast you didn't get a nightmare. I'm alright Piper, promise."
"That's because you're here. Jason you don't need to lie to me, I know you were having that nightmare about me again. I'm here, I'm not going anyway sweetie."
Gods I loved the way she took care of me, I felt so comfortable letting my guard down in front of her. Everyone's always teasing me about being perfect and when I'll slip up, but with Piper, she always sees past my leadership/tough act. It was one of the reasons the Greeks and Romans came together to defeat Gaea. They saw the love between us.
"I'm just sick of this. That war is over and now we're in another war and as a bonus we have to go back down into Tartarus again. I…am so afraid. I…gods I love you so much Piper. I want a life with you in New Rome, not this, I want this to be over and I wish the gods weren't so selfish, it's not fair."
"That's our life as demigods, but once this is over, all demigods will be at peace and we will have a new life together. In New Rome. We just have to get through this."
As we sat up, I pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her softly; tugging slightly on her bottom lip. She parted her lips, while opening her mouth for me to enter my tongue. As our kiss deepened; our tongues worked together in a wet, passionate dance. When we pulled back for air, I laid my forehead against hers and gently stroked her hair.
"Annabeth came to check up on me just before you woke up, because she could hear you having your nightmare. We are leaving in half an hour. As Nico is the son of Hades, he can open a portal to the underworld. From there we walk to the entrance of Tartarus. Team 1 will go in first and then five minutes later, our team goes."
"OK. Look on the bright side, we will be fighting alongside our best friends."
"Aha, yea, but don't tell the others they are our favourite."
"That's our secret. Anyway we should go eat and see what the others are up to. Oh and thanks by the way Pipes, I don't know what I would do without you."
"I'm the reason for your nightmares though."
"Just means I love you so much, that I never stop worrying about you."
I grabbed her hand and walked to the kitchen, where everyone was huddled.
"You worry too much though, but I love you too."
It was true I do worry too much, but these days were so crucial, no day was ever safe. I leaned myself against the counter. As I took an apple into my mouth, I felt Annabeth's hand on my shoulder.
"I heard you screaming this morning, so I came to check up on you and Piper. She's been so worried about you at the moment."
"I know, but I'm fine now. We are all in the same boat; just wanting this all to be over."
"Well if Nico's plan is correct, it will be soon."
As I ate my apple, it was quite awkward; no one was really talking, just keeping to themselves. We were all pretty shaken up about the thought of going back to Tartarus, but we knew it must be done. After we ate, we packed our things and got ready to descent into the darkness of the pits of the underworld. I grabbed Pipers hand again, as a way of silently promising her that I'm not leaving her. As Nico chanted, the earth shook; opening a big hole in the ground for us to enter. It was finally time to end this quest and make our way to heart of Tartarus. We are now forsaken in eternal darkness, in this quest for survival.
