Khione got up, and sat down on her bed. Her wounds would eventually repair themselves. She got rid of the ice and snow and turned the power back on.
"You're troubled. And I want to help." I said.
"How do you know that?" she asked.
Suddenly the door was busted down by Frank and his squadron. Hazel was awake and Calypso was alive.
"Freeze, Khione! You're in a lot of trouble!" Leo exclaimed.
"Hold it!" I screamed. "Khione isn't responsible for either of those crimes!"
"She isn't?" Hazel asked in bewilderment.
"No. Khione never did anything." I said.
Leo thawed Percy from his ice block and turned Piper and Jason back to normal.
"Why did you demigods blame me for the theft of the Golden Fleece and the duel between Athena and Percy?" Khione asked.
"Well, many of us doubted that you actually stole the Fleece." Jason began.
"But Annabeth believed that the person who stole the Fleece and the person who told Athena about Percy's faux crime were the same." Piper answered. "I was the first one to think you were responsible. I just recalled that you used your Charmspeak like ability to turn Aelous against us, lure Hera into a trap, and even shut down Olympus. We believed that she was controlled, and because of your previous actions, we thought you were responsible. I apologize for this. We all do."
"Khione, if you don't mind me asking, why are you in a luxury hotel in Russia?" Calypso asked.
The daughter of Boreas sighed. "I'm not sure if you were aware of this, but, after my side lost the Second Giant War, Boreas disowned all of us. Zethes and Calais were made mortal and forced to serve different kings. As for me, I had to teach ice magic to some magician in Brooklyn. I was under many restrictions and feared greater punishment."
"We are aware of this." I said. "Go on."
"About three months ago, on September 18th, I finished my service, but I was banished from Olympus and I was hated by many. Those who saw me ran away from me. After spending a day roaming the forest on the outskirts of New York City, I realized I was the most hated immortal deity in the entire world. The next day, I sent a letter to Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, asking him if I could go down to the Underworld and roam the land of the dead. The following day, I got back the letter, but for reasons I don't understand, he denied my request. I was banished from heaven, but could not go to hell. This must be what purgatory feels like." Khione said.
"Do you still have the letter Hades gave you?" Frank asked.
"For some reason yes." she answered.
"Can we see it?" Piper asked.
"Sure. Why not?" Khione answered.
She opened a drawer next to her bed and pulled out a letter. She gave it to Piper.
"What does it say?" Hazel asked.
"The letter reads: To Khione, Goddess of Snow,
I have received your letter about your request to enter my domain. Why exactly do you want to roam the Underworld for all eternity? No, I will not grant you permission to enter the Underworld. You can't be trusted, Khione. You kidnapped my sister Hera several years ago, you worked with Gaea for several months before and during the Second Giant War, and you shut down Olympus. You're not welcome in the Underworld, and I bet that if I granted you access, you would just cause trouble. I have a very busy job as King of the Underworld and you can't be trusted. Do not question me on this matter again, or I will kill one or both of your brothers, Zethes and Calais.
Sincerely, Hades, God of Death and Ruler of the Underworld." Piper read.
"Harsh much?" Percy asked.
"Well, he does make the rules on immortals trying to enter his realm." I said.
"Anyway, moving on, I was just about ready to go to Alaska, seeing as it was beyond the gods, nobody would be afraid of me. But then I heard some tourists talking about the upcoming Circle of Light Festival in Moscow. Deciding to get my mind off my troubles, I joined the festivities. So I used my powers to persuade the manager to let me stay here for free and get free room service. The Circle of Light Festival started on September 23rd, a few days after I arrived and lasted until the 27th. It was a beautiful sight and a lot of fun. I liked this place so much I decided to stay here and took on the alias of Crystal." Khione explained.
"Isn't staying here in the mortal realm in a hotel for free with free room service illegal?" Percy asked.
"Staying in the mortal realm? Unusual, but not illegal. Staying in a luxury hotel for free and added no charge room service? Yes. Do I care? Heck no." Khione answered. "I spend most of my time here. What else do I have to do?" She stood up from the bed. "Tell me, if you guys were in my shoes, what would you do?"
We stayed silent. I would have to think on this question.
"So, Leo," I said, breaking the awkward silence, "How did you find us?"
"After we were attacked by wolves, Leo was in slow recovery. We set up a campfire and stayed here for...? I don't really know. We're all losing track of the time. After trying to help Leo and Calypso recover, my grandmother, who I haven't seen in years, found us in the wilderness." Frank answered. "I never knew whether she was alive or not, so seeing her really warmed my heart. Shortly after, Hazel woke up, and we could continue our mission. She told us that she knew you and your friends were in Moscow, so Hazel summoned Arion to ride, and I turned into a horse while my grandmother shapeshifted into an eagle. She lead the way to Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel, and she then disappeared."
"Khione, we're really sorry about accusing you." I said. "If there's anything we can do to compensate, just tell us, and we'll see if it is in our power."
"There is something I want, but it's not possible." she said. "I want to know about the whereabouts of my brothers. If nothing else, to know whether they're alive or dead."
"We may not be able to do that, but we do know someone who can." Percy said.
Hazel got out a golden drachma, conjured a few gems and used a flashlight to create a rainbow. She tossed in the golden drachma and said, "Oh Fleecy. Do me a solid. Show me Nico di Angelo."
Nico di Angelo was seen at a table in a Chinese restaurant, and he was not alone. Will Solace was seen with him. They were eating potstickers (better known as dumplings) with chopsticks.
"Man, you're good with these." Will said.
"It just takes some practice." Nico said. He then noticed us. "Oh hello guys."
"Sorry to interrupt your little play-date, but we were hoping that you could do us a favor." Percy said. "Khione, come forth and tell Nico your request."
She came up to the rainbow.
"Khione? Wasn't she on Gaea's side during the Second Giant War?" Will asked.
"She was, but she's not evil." I said. "Perhaps troubled and lonely, but not evil."
"My brothers, Zethes and Calais, were stripped of their powers years ago and I have not heard from them since. I want you to try and summon their souls to see if they are alive or not." she said.
"Alright. I can do that." Nico said.
He channeled his energy outward and summoned the soul of a man. He had messy black hair and eyes, was missing a lot of teeth and had several large cuts, most likely symbolizing how he was killed. He wore a suit that had its sleeves destroyed, exposing his elbows but his pants were in one piece. Khione stared at him for a few moments and then cried.
"Cal..." she said. "What has happened to you?"
Calais, better known by his nickname of Cal, frowned and answered, "King's servant... Killed me.. Out of crazy..."
"He killed you out of insanity?" I asked.
"Yes, Wise Girl..." he answered.
"What about Zethes?" Khione asked.
"He lives." Cal answered.
"Thank you, Nico." Khione said.
"It was nothing. You are dismissed." he said.
Cal's spirit went back to the Underworld. Hazel cut off the connection, and Nico and Will disappeared.
"I guess we better get going." I said. "I hope things turn out for the better for you."
"I've gotten used to living in the mortal realm. Although, maybe interacting with others will do me some good." Khione said. "Good luck on your quest. You're gonna need it."
"Hazel, can you take us to Camp Half-Blood?" Percy asked.
"Certainly." Hazel said. We all joined hands in a circle formation. "Here we go again..."
And we tumbled through the darkness again.