Khristi

You never realize it's the end until it's too late. Everything is like that, really; books, quests…hey, even life. And then, when the end is staring you in the face, all you want to do is sit there and cry, and wish it had lasted a little longer. It hurts, of course. Endings always do. And really, the end of a life is not so different than the end of a book. There's that tight feeling in your heart, and you wish there were still a few pages left, something to hold onto for just a little bit longer. If I had a drachma for every time I wished for a happy ending, I'd be richer than Hades. Wishes don't count for anything, though, and I realized that, finally.

Maybe the realization struck me when the demigods surrounded us in Seattle. Maybe it wasn't until our weapons had been taken and our hands tied. No, no, that isn't right. It could have been when we were brought to the Underworld. Or, then again, maybe I never stopped wishing until I saw Michael again.

To be frank, he looked awful. Someone must have let him out of his prison, because there he was, sitting against a wall in the long stone corridor that we were being marched through. His eyes were barely open, but I thought that he might have seen me. "Michael," I whispered as we passed, and I thought I saw a flicker of a smile pass over his face. Someone hauled him to his feet, and he was forced into the group of prisoners.

We walked for a long time, it seemed, although perhaps it was not very long after all. In the end, though, we stood before a throne in a dark room. Nyx was seated on that throne, and she smiled coldly when she saw us. "All of them, here," she said in a pleased tone. "How…gratifying. I believe this is checkmate, my dears. The end of the game for you, but only the beginning for me."

"What have you done?" It was Michael's voice, I thought, though it sounded weaker than I'd ever heard it before.

"I destroyed your camp, of course." She nodded once, and I felt a sword blade resting against the side of my throat. "Now, is anyone willing to join me? I'm very good about giving people second chances, you know." I shook my head, and hoped that I was not the only one.

"I- I will." The voice was tired, and as the speaker was pushed forward I was shocked to see Naomi. She glanced over at me. "I'm sorry," she mouthed, "but somebody has to survive."

Nyx smiled. "Very good. Excellent, in fact. It's a pity that none of the rest of you will join me." A hand slipped into mine. I realized that it must have been Michael's; he was the only one of us with his hands free. I squeezed his hand, emotions churning in me. "As the rest of you will not join me, there's only one option left. Guards, you know what to do." I barely had time to close my eyes before the sword ended my short life as a demigod.

Jay

The camp was burning. I had snuck away into the woods when nobody was watching, thinking that nobody would take the time to stop one limping son of Hermes. It was over, I realized. The camp had fallen, and the demigods were either killed or missing. I had thought I had seen some fleeing, but I did not know if they were still alive. The quest has failed, I thought grimly. Perhaps I am the last demigod left alive who has not sworn loyalty to Nyx. As monsters and enemy demigods continued to trample my former home into dust, I slipped further into the woods. "You do not know what you have started," I whispered. "From this moment onwards, I swear revenge."

*End of Book Two*

A/N: And so it is finished. Sorry for the abrupt ending, but don't worry! There's (hopefully) more to come, one final book in this story. Thanks to all who had stuck around through this!

-smartone101