Alexander ~

We walked down the other direction of the path; this time the correct way with Thalia, again in the lead. It was beginning to get colder, as if evil was trying to mess with our minds psychologically, damaging the inner part of us before the real fighting began. I thought back to the battle that took place just a day ago. In order to save Thalia and keep my oath, I had risked my very life, almost dying in the process. Those hellhounds and drakons … it was like they were under a trance that commanded them to stop at nothing until they ripped us apart completely. But who would do such a thing? I thought about who had power over monsters, and out of all the Olympians, the only name I could come up with was Hades. Father? I mentally kicked myself for thinking such things about him. Sure he has the power to unleash those beasts and monsters, but it couldn't have been him, I mean it was he who saved us was it not?

I was so focused on my thoughts that I didn't hear my name being called until Thalia shocked me.

"What was that for?" I yelled.

"Well Alex, I'm glad I finally got your attention. I've been calling your name at least a million times!" Thalia said.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled.

"You better be," Thalia said.

"Hey!" Nico said. "How come you always call me something like dead boy or death breath when you call Alex by his name?" Nico whined.

"Just shut up!" Thalia yelled at Nico.

"Now back to the man point," Thalia said. "We've reached the end of the path, but there's a cave-like tunnel over there," Thalia said while she pointed over to the left.

"Yeah," I said. "I think that's the right way, since basically the only place along the five sacred rivers that we haven't been to."

"Good," Thalia said. "Let's go then."

We cautiously trudged over to the tunnel and looked around to see if we would be surrounded again. I squinted my eyes to look inside the dark tunnel. I was glad to be a son of Hades, we could all see in the dark. With our rotten luck, I knew that somehow there would be something hiding inside, ready to pounce on us. Unfortunately, I was right about something getting ready to attack us. There was a figure that suddenly appeared, holding a sword in hand, blocking our path. That was when I cam to the realization that the figure was none other than Nico's sister, Bianca di Angelo. I remembered that it was I, back then during the World Wars when I disguised myself as a lawyer to bring them out of the Lotus Casino. No, I thought. Bianca di Angelo was supposed to be dead! I kept staring at her, but she looked exactly the same. But I had a very bad feeling in my gut that something was very, very wrong with Bianca.

We didn't even have time to say a word before she charged at us with a gold aura around her. Nico stared in shock and just managed to raise his sword to block his sister's attack. Bianca however, had no love or care in her eyes, instead her eyes were purely white, showing no mercy but only pure hunger for bloodshed. Bianca never hesitated, ignoring Nico's pleas for her to stop fighting. She kicked him square in the chest, sending him flying through the air. Even though Nico lay on the ground in pain, Bianca walked slowly, advancing on her fallen brother. Thalia and I watched in horror as she stood over Nico, sword raised high in the air; ready to strike down.

I'm sorry for not updating for so long. You know about the usual homework, tests, and exams that take up almost all of my time. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter! Please don't kill me for leaving a cliffhanger. I promise to try and update asap! Tell me what you think will happen to Nico, Alex, and Thalia. Farewell, for now ...