Word Count: 230

Characters/Pairings: the seven + Nico; Lazel and Frazel undertones

Timeline/Spoilers: presumably set during HoH; major spoilers for entire series

Summary: Hypothetical scenarios exploring the possibility of each of the seven of the prophecy having to close the Doors of Death. — iii. Many an unspoken verse hangs in the balance, but this isn't the time, she knows.

Notes: A little on the short side, but I feel that it works better this way.

Also, a HUGE THANK YOU to the reviewers of the last chapter, especially HauntedSilver. I was so not expecting you guys to enjoy, but I'm glad you did, haha. Though, I am a little sad no one seemed to like Percy's chapter. Anyway, on with the show!

the daughter of Pluto

.

One by one, she bids farewell to the three most important men in her life.

From her coat pocket, she fishes out a charred piece of driftwood and holds it out to the one whose life it secures. Of his lifeline, she says, "I'm sorry I can't protect this for you anymore, but I hope you know that you were mine as well."

Next to him is the second Valdez to have reign over her heart. To him, she offers the most sincere smile she can muster, which isn't much, but it's enough to put them both in tears. "Don't blame yourself, like he did."

Finally, there is the broken shell of a man she calls 'brother'. No words can possibly absolve him of the pain of losing another sister, so she doesn't try. She embraces him tightly and then steps back.

None can move forward to stop her because of the trench she's summoned in between (she's a child of the underworld, through and through), though the look on Percy's face tells her that he's thinking of risking it anyway. She nearly cracks a smile at that. (nearly.)

Many an unspoken verse hangs in the balance, but this isn't the time, she knows. And there never will be a time, so she'll just take those with her to Tartarus because that is her duty as a daughter of Pluto.

.

"Now it's over for me, and it's over for you."

A/N: Kind of a different approach with this one, no? I actually really like it. Tell me how I did?

Lines I liked that didn't quite make it in:

"She begs him to understand her cryptic wordplay."

"Maybe it wasn't meant to be, after all."

Anyway, that's the last of the children of the big three! Next up is the son of hephaestus. Reviews are greatly appreciated!