Ethan stood on top of a large boulder. The master had put him in charge of a special mission. He grasped the amulet around his neck. The master had told him that the amulet would cover their auras enabling them to work quickly and quietly in the Underworld. Hades had no idea what was going on in his own domain. Below Ethan were several monsters standing guard. Beside the guards was a line of demigods marching towards the River Styx. Ethan scowled as he watched one by one trip into the river and never come back up.
The master required a vessel, and only a demigod with Achilles' curse could possibly contain the master's sheer power. Each demigod walked triumphantly up to the river, not wanting to fail. Every now and then one would grow fearful and attempt to back out. Kampe, who was standing guard behind Ethan, would rush out quickly and throw the demigod into the river. The screams filled the monster with pure glee. Ethan felt uneasy standing beside her. She was easily the most terrifying creature he had ever seen in his life. She was chaotic and unpredictable. The only thing that kept her from killing him was the fact that he had been marked by the master. Ethan rubbed the mark on his arm absentmindedly. Upon returning to his master, he and Annabeth had been branded. The brand was a sword impaling the world. It fueled Ethan's anger towards the gods. He would be the one to take Olympus down. He was sure of it.
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The questers finally made it to the River Styx. Bianca's sword pointed them against the river's current and so they continued along the river's edge. After several hours of walking, Percy heard something and held up a fist, stopping the group.
"What is it, Perce?" asked Thalia. Percy squinted towards the source of the noise.
"There's something up ahead. I don't know what it is." Bianca put her sword away.
"I'll go check and come right back," she said. Thalia nodded. Bianca stepped into a shadow and disappeared. A couple of moments later, she reappeared beside them. Luke jumped with fright causing Thalia to burst out in laughter before Percy clamped her mouth shut with his hand.
"Shhh," he said. Thalia glared at him but stopped laughing. He turned to Bianca. "What's up ahead, B?" She shook her head.
"There are at least ten harpys standing guard over around fifty demigods. They are marching up to the river and each diving in. I don't think any have returned so far. Ethan is standing on top of a rock watching and a giant, green monster lady is behind him." Percy paled.
"Does the monster lady have snake hair, wings, and a dragon's body?" Bianca nodded.
"And a bunch of heads around her waist. Do you know what she is?" Thalia and Luke paled realizing what it was, too. Percy nodded.
"It's Kampe. She's probably one of the worst monsters in existence." Percy shook his head. "This isn't good. We need a plan." Thalia nodded.
"I can't call on lightning in the Underworld. I'll have to rely on my spear and shield." Percy nodded.
"Luke is fast. He can help take down the harpys standing guard. You and Bianca can take on the demigods. Leave Kampe to me. I've faced her before." Bianca and Thalia nodded. Luke pulled Backbiter out from its sheathe.
"Come on," he said. "My sword is itching for monster blood." They all grinned and pulled out their swords. Percy pulled out Isorropia and his shield. Thalia looked at him.
"Why the shield and not Anaklusmos?" Percy stood up.
"Kampe produces dark green venom. My shield will help protect me from it." They nodded and stood up with Percy. Percy turned towards where the enemy was and took off at a run.
"Bianca can you shadow travel us all?" he asked on the run.
"Yes, I can," she responded. Percy smirked.
"When I say so, send us all directly in front of the monsters. We'll take them by surprise." They kept running. Up ahead they could now begin to see a faint light from the where the monsters and demigods were. Percy counted to three in his head. One, two, three.
"Now!" Bianca gathered all the shadows towards them. The world went dark for a split second but they continued running. All of a sudden they reappeared directly in front of the monsters and demigods. The harpys screeched with startled fear. The demigods whirled around and frantically tried to get their weapons out before realizing they didn't have any. Kampe roared. Luke made quick work of the startled harpys and joined the others against the demigods. Thalia and Bianca took down the demigods that tried to put up a fight. Many took off, running back to where Percy assumed was another entrance to the Labyrinth. A demigod picked up a rock and tried to smash his head with it, but Percy ducked and planted a strong kick to the kid's sternum. He collapsed to the ground in a heap. Percy looked up and found Ethan staring in shock, not moving. Kampe shoved the son of Nemesis out of the way and leaped into the sky and landing in front of Percy. She pulled out two scimitars that dripped with green venom. He glared at the monster.
"Little demigod has come to play," she rasped out. Her scorpion-like tail whipped back and forth behind her. She looked at Percy's sword and her eyes widened. Percy smirked at the tinge of fear in her eyes.
"Remember me?" She glared and charged at him. Her attacks were fast and Percy was forced on the defensive. He blocked each strike with his sword and shield but didn't have enough time to land any blows in return.
Meanwhile, Bianca, Thalia, and Luke managed to incapacitate or defeat all of the remaining demigods. Thalia was battling Ethan beside the giant rock, while Luke and Bianca turned to help Percy with Kampe. Kampe pulled her tail back and struck at Percy three times in quick secession. Percy dove out of the way and the tail struck the ground with such force that Kampe struggled to get it free. Luke used the distraction and struck Kampe's tail. He sliced it clean off eliciting such a loud cry of pain that the Underworld shook. Percy climbed back up to his feet and attacked Kampe with renewed vigor. The monster, despite losing her tail, was still incredibly fast and deadly. Luke and Bianca attacked the monster from the side, but Kampe was still too fast. She blocked, lunged, stabbed with such precision and speed that the demigods were forced to step back. Kampe flapped her wings and took up into the air. She hovered for a second, while the demigods caught their breath. All of a sudden, she plummeted to the ground creating a shockwave. Luke was flung to the side and crashed into the giant rock, landing unconscious. Percy used his shield to take the fall but he landed on the ground so hard that he struggled to stand back up. Bianca was the only one that resisted the wave by falling into a shadow and reappearing beside Kampe. She stabbed with her cursed sword. Kampe roared in pain and turned to attack the daughter of Hades.
Bianca danced around the monster. She struck, dropped into a shadow, reappeared in a different spot, and attacked again. She covered the monster in thousands of cuts and green ooze dripped continuously out of the monster's body. Kampe stopped moving for a second. Bianca disappeared into a shadow and reappeared, but Kampe was expecting it. She wiped Bianca hard with the remainder of her tail sending her flying across the Underworld. Percy finally managed to get back to his feet and charged Kampe. She used Percy's weak state against him moving quickly and attacking him with both her swords. He tried vainly to use his godly powers, but he was drained from the fight. Kampe was the strongest monster he had ever faced in his demigod body, and he was feeling the fatigue. Kampe feinted to the left and Percy went to block and immediately realized his mistake. Kampe spun to the right and the side of his head with full force with her tail. Percy crashed to the ground completely unconscious.
Bianca stood back up in time to see Percy fall.
"No!" she cried out. Kampe turned to her and hissed. Bianca closed her eyes and lifted her sword. Soulreaper began to glow an eerie silver and she stabbed it into the ground. Kampe stalked towards her but stopped, fearfully. From the ground around Bianca an army of dead ghosts and demigods arose. The shadows congregated together forming a giant shade. Bianca opened her eyes and Kampe flinched. Bianca's eyes were pitch black and full of rage. She pointed Soulreaper at the monster and the army of the dead charged her. Kampe tried to fly away but the giant shade grabbed her wings and hauled her to the ground. Percy groaned and looked up to see Kampe being mauled and torn to shreds by skeletal warriors. His eyes widened and he turned to see Bianca commanding the army. The dead, the traitor, and the lost one raise, he thought. Bianca was commanding the dead against the last remaining monster of Ethan's army. Ethan was the traitor. Percy tried to lift his head but his body was too weak. The lost one raise? He tried to think what the prophecy meant. The other parts of the line had already come true so the last should have as well. He thought hard before his eyes widened in shock. Pan! He had brought the fading god back and returned him to Camp Half-Blood. He was the lost one. Percy finally heard Kampe's screaming end and forced himself to look up. The dead army was gone and Bianca was panting heavily on her knees. He looked back to the river. Thalia was still fighting Ethan though she was quickly getting the upper hand. Percy groaned and reached into the pocket of his leather jacket and pulled out an ambrosia square. He forced the food into his mouth and swallowed it whole. He grimaced as the entire thing worked its way into his stomach but soon he felt his strength return to him. He ran towards Thalia and Ethan. He put Isorropia and his shield away and charged Ethan barehanded. Thalia saw him charging and backed away. Ethan turned and his eyes widened. He tried to hold his sword up, but Percy knocked it to the side and plowed into the traitorous demigod. Ethan went sprawling backwards. Percy didn't relent and ran towards Ethan again. Ethan lost his footing, stepping backwards, and Percy jumped into the air. He planted a strong kick to Ethan's chest sending him into the River Styx. Ethan screamed in pain as he felt the water around him. Percy wiped the sweat off his forehead and stared at the bubbling water.
After several minutes and still no sign of Ethan he let out a breath. Thalia walked up to him, sweating profusely, and smiled.
"He's gone. We need to check on the others." Percy's eyes widened. He had completely forgot about Bianca and Luke. He nodded to Thalia and ran back to where Luke was crumpled up beside the giant rock. He felt Luke's pulse, sighing in relief when he felt a steady heartbeat. He pulled out a small ambrosia square and some nectar and forced the godly food into the son of Hermes' mouth. It took several seconds but finally Luke began to cough and splutter. Percy smiled and got up. He turned around and saw Thalia was helping Bianca drink some nectar. Percy heard Luke groan and turned back.
"How are you feeling, Luke?" Luke rubbed the back of his head.
"Like someone dropped a pound of bricks on my head." He looked around. "What happened? What happened to all the bodies?" Percy sat down against the rock beside his friend.
"Kampe knocked you unconscious. Bianca called upon the dead and defeated her. Pretty badass if you ask me. And Thalia and I shoved Ethan into the Styx where he hopefully is burning alive." Luke laughed at Bianca being a badass. Thalia and Bianca walked over and sat down across from them.
"When anything dies here in the Underworld, their bodies disappear. Monsters go to Tartarus and demigods have their souls go straight into the fields of punishment, Asphodel, or Elysium, whichever they deserve," said Bianca. Everyone nodded. Percy stood back up and helped Luke to his feet.
"Come on guys. The sooner we tell Hades what happened here the sooner we get back into the Labyrinth." Thalia nodded and motioned for Bianca to lead the way. The trip back to Hades' palace went much smoother than the trip from there. They walked back into the Obsidian palace.
"Did you do as I asked?" asked Hades. Thalia nodded.
"Yes, uncle. We found Ethan Nakamura and Kampe leading a group of demigods into the Styx. None of the demigods returned. Bianca defeated Kampe and Ethan was shoved into the Styx and has not returned. We think he is dead along with the rest." Hades' eyes widened. He turned to Bianca.
"Is this true? Did you truly defeat Kampe?" Bianca nodded sheepishly. Hades smiled at her proudly. "I'm very proud of you, daughter. You have made me proud." Bianca blushed but smiled. Percy laughed.
"I'm glad everything worked out well, brother, but we need to continue on our quest." Hades nodded.
"There is an entrance to the Labyrinth much closer than the one you came from." Hades explained to Bianca where to go. They nodded their thanks and followed Bianca to the entrance. It didn't take them long to find it. It was hidden away between two giant stones beside an obsidian wall. Thalia put her hand up against the blue delta and the door swung open. They stepped into the Labyrinth once more. They looked around and found that they were in a drastically different part of the Labyrinth. The architecture was reminiscent of the industrial age.
"We are headed in the right direction," said Percy, his body glowing once more.
"How do you know?" asked Luke. Percy pointed at the architecture.
"Pan told me that Daedalus would be found in the newest part of the Labyrinth not the oldest. Last time I checked, the Industrial revolution came after the fall of Rome." Luke nodded. "Bianca, pull out your sword. It should lead us to Daedalus." Bianca nodded and pulled out her sword. Soulreaper glowed faintly. She pointed it down both ends of the corridor. It shown brighter towards the right.
"Well looks like that's where we need to go," said Thalia. "Bianca, you lead the way." Bianca smiled and led the demigods through the Labyrinth. Several hours later they decided to finally stop to rest. Percy lit a fire and Luke took the first watch.
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Ethan garbled up water. His entire body felt as though it was being burned off. He tried valiantly to find a way to tie his body to the mortal world. He saw his mother flash by, he saw his old friends, but finally he saw her. She rolled her eyes at him.
"Get your ass out of there before I shove my blade up it." Ethan felt a tug on his body and was flung out of the River Styx. He gasped for breath. He found his sword lying on the ground and picked it up. He returned it to its sheathe and looked around. Blood, dust, and green venom stained the ground but there was no sign of the infuriating demigods. He turned back to the Styx and paled. He had not wanted to be the one to host his master's essence. But now he had no choice. He steeled his nerves and walked back to the entrance to the Labyrinth they had used to get in. He opened the entrance and crept back inside. Images of the girl flashed through his mind before he shook his head. Now was not the time for that.
It took some time as the Labyrinth had shifted slightly, but he soon returned to the army. He walked past the tents to where his master was located. Two demigods stood guard outside the tent. They nodded to him and he went inside. His master's sarcophagus rested on a large pedestal. He knelt down in front of it.
Nakamura, you have returned, said his master.
"Yes, master."
Which of the demigods I provided you with survived? Ethan gulped.
"None, master." He felt his master grow furious. "It was the campers' fault! They attacked us. Kampe was destroyed." He kept his head down, afraid to mention anything else.
So you returned emptyhanded?
"No, master. I was thrown into the Styx. I have returned baring the curse." He felt his master's anger recede followed by hollow laughter.
You? Hmm, you might do nicely. Come and rest your hands on this infernal chest. Ethan hesitantly stood up and walked to the sarcophagus. He placed his hands atop it and immediately felt power rush into his body.
Outside, the guards and monsters heard Ethan's screams of pain. They shrugged. It wasn't their place to question what their master did. They just hoped they weren't next.
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The questers woke up hours later. Luke doused the fire and they quickly returned to following Bianca's sword. They watched as the architecture turned from the industrial revolution, back to the classical era, and back again. Hours later they finally found what they were looking for. The architecture turned back into more contemporary. Paintings and portraits lined the walls. Percy looked at paintings by Jackson Pollock and others. The colors seemed to brighten the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth also began to provide its own light. Fluorescent lightbulbs began lining the walls. Percy quit his glowing. They continued onward until they found two large futuresque doors sealed with a giant delta sign. Percy nodded to the others.
"We made it. This is Daedalus' workshop. Let's get the bastard." Thalia smirked and opened the door. What they saw made their hearts drop. Daedalus was in chains while Annabeth and several monsters ransacked the workshop. Percy looked at Daedalus and suddenly made sense of many things. Daedalus was Quintus from camp. Daedalus saw the questers but didn't say anything when Percy glared at him.
"Annabeth!" called out Thalia. Annabeth and the monsters turned, weapons raised. Percy pulled out Isorropia and Luke and Bianca pulled their weapons out as well. Thalia continued to look at Annabeth. "How could you do this? You were my sister!" Annabeth glared at her. She opened her mouth to respond but was cut off.
"She is doing this because I told her to," came a voice from the other end of the workshop. Everyone turned to find Ethan Nakamura standing there. The questers paled. "Kill them and force Daedalus to talk. I will get my revenge," he said. Annabeth nodded and she along with the monsters attacked the demigods. Percy charged an empousi. He sidestepped to the right quickly and slashed the monster's side. It screamed and turned to dust. Two more empousae came at him.
Thalia pulled out her canister of mace and turned it into her electric spear. She charged Annabeth. She kept the child of Athena at a distance, but couldn't land a blow. Luke joined Bianca in fighting the other monsters. Ethan stood by the door, arms crossed. He watched as Luke, Bianca, and Percy made quick work of the monsters.
"Luke, free Daedalus and let's get out of here," said Percy as he killed the last empousi. Luke nodded and rushed to Daedalus' side. He slashed the chains and helped the old demigod to his feet. Ethan growled and opened the door behind him. Another swarm of monsters marched into the room and charged the demigods. Percy cursed out loud and uncapped Anaklusmos. Thalia and Annabeth were still locked in combat. Bianca slashed and killed multiple monsters with her sword. Ethan grew furious as the demigods killed his army. He pulled out his sword and crept up behind Luke who was busy fighting an empousi. He put the sword up to Luke's neck drawing a small bead of blood. Luke dropped his sword and grasped Ethan's arms frantically.
"Annabeth!" yelled Ethan. Everyone stopped. Percy looked over at Ethan and paled.
"Luke!" he cried out. Ethan pressed his sword up harder. Luke's eyes looked at his friends pleadingly. Annabeth paled as well.
"Ethan drop him! He hasn't done anything to you!" Ethan glared at her.
"Are you telling me to save him?" Annabeth paled but nodded. Ethan growled and looked at the remainder of his army. "Kill them all." The monsters growled in acceptance. Ethan made eye contact with Percy and smiled. He released Luke who dropped to the ground clutching his neck. Ethan wasted no time and buried his sword into Luke's back. Luke didn't make a single sound as he fell to the ground in a puddle of his own blood, dead. The questers and Annabeth cried out in anguish. Annabeth pulled out her dagger and flung it at Ethan. It struck him in the chest, but did no harm to his invulnerable body. Ethan growled at her with pure rage and left the room. Percy felt his godly form ready to burst.
"Take cover!" he called out to Thalia and Bianca and Daedalus. They dropped to the ground and covered their heads. Percy's body exploded in a bright golden light. The monsters near him exploded into golden dust. Percy roared and tore through the rest of the monsters. It took less than a minute and the ground was covered in a thin layer of golden dust. Percy felt his body return to normal, though he was still panting with adrenaline and rage. He knelt down beside Luke's dead body. He felt the tears flow freely down his cheeks. A noise in front of him startled him. He threw Anaklusmos at the source and heard a grunt of pain. He looked up and saw Annabeth sitting against the wall, Anaklusmos impaled deep into her gut. He growled and walked up to her. He yanked his sword free.
"I won't kill you this time. But if I ever see you again with Ethan, I will; if you make it out of here alive." She cried as blood poured freely from her stomach. Percy rolled his eyes and dropped a piece of ambrosia in her lap. She was the next line of the prophecy. The contrite hand, he thought. She betrayed Ethan because of her love for Luke. Percy could not forgive her for joining Ethan, but she deserved another chance to live. He turned back around and found Thalia, Bianca, and Daedalus standing by some computers. Daedalus was typing away. Percy walked up to them.
"Daedalus. You have some explaining to do." Daedalus turned but nodded.
"Gabriel. I'll explain everything, but now we need to go. Now!" Percy looked at him confused.
"Why?" Daedalus paled.
"Because Ethan found the string. They will be at camp soon. We need to get back there as quickly as possible." Percy glared at him but nodded.
"Lead the way." Daedalus nodded and led the remaining three demigods out.
"Shouldn't we bring back Luke's body?" asked Thalia, tears in her eyes. Bianca turned and went back into the workshop. She returned a couple seconds later.
"I sent his body to my father. He'll make sure to give him a proper burial," she said at their questioning looks. Thalia nodded her thanks and wiped a few tears away. Percy pulled her into a hug. He held her for a few seconds before letting go.
"We can grieve later. We need to get back to camp." Thalia nodded and together they followed Daedalus back to camp.
A/N: Hey guys I'm sorry for the long absence. It was a long crazy weekend. Also, this chapter was pretty difficult to write. I hope you all loved it. Tell me what you guys think. Keep on coming with the reviews! Thanks for all the favorites, follows, and reviews guys I really appreciate it.
Hey I'm sorry I haven't come out with chapter 18 yet. I am not feeling too well and I have a little bit of writer's block. Sooo, I'm going to take a week long break from this story. But do not worry, chapter 18 will come out next Tuesday for sure. Sorry about the inconvenience!