Serenity's expression became even more grave at this, now resembling that of a statue. Dark smoke began flowing off of him like a river, slowly pooling at his feet

Rapture wasn't exactly handling it better, either, standing completely still, and glaring holes into the floor as small streaks of lightning branched off of his form every few seconds.

The sigil floated there for a few seconds, before it dissolved and was replaced with an intricate eye, tinted gold. The eye began glowing with a bright gold light, and throbbed with power. Serenity, noticing this, gestured to Riptide, "Prophet wants to speak"

Turning to the others, he informed them, "Prophet is a son of Apollo, and the only male seer in the world"
"He's also your brother-in-law", Rapture added, smirking slightly

In response, Serenity blushed a bright red and lightly hit him over the head. Nico turned to look at Percy, slightly concerned. He had gone completely pale, and looked stunned. Nico winced, feeling pity for the son of Poseidon, but couldn't help feeling a bit smug. After all, isn't this exactly what Percy put Nico through ?

Thalia looked impressed, "Only male seer ? There's definitely a story behind that, right ?"
Rapture smirked, "Correct, little sister. We may even tell you that story some day"
Serenity smirked as well, "But probably not"
Rapture tilted his head in agreement, "But probably not"

The eye was now glowing an even brighter gold, and throbbed one last time, as a small golden dot appeared within the intricately made pupil, and expanded into a small mesh circle, like a speaker. The mesh circle expanded and contracted once, before expanding again, as a voice, melodious and powerful, filled the room

"Hello, hello, does this thing actually work ?"

Serenity held back a laugh as he responded, " Yes, Prophet, we can hear you"

"Oh Good, she wants to speak"

Serenity looked serious now, and spoke clearly, "Let her in"

The voice which now filled the room was speaking in a whisper and sounded like a legion of men were speaking in unison,

"From deepest darkness, it comes like thunder

A maelstrom of chaos, dragging innocents down under

A heart bound in the chains of unrequited love

Seeks to tear down the Gods from their seats high above

Son of black and son of red

Master of evil, desecrator of the dead

Beware the Hanged King's wrath and might

His armies bring unending night

For they have sealed the Sun away

And soon they will devour the day"

For a moment, all was silent, before Serenity spoke up, looking confused, "Love ?"

That was all it took. Rapture turned to him, looking incredulous, "That's what you're concerned with ? You've just been informed that the fucking Hanged King, the Lord of Torment, one of the most powerful demi-immortals in the known world is both back and gunning for the Gods, and that's what you're concerned with ?"

Riptide spoke up now, looking concerned, "Perhaps its a good thing he's back. He has long since named himself "Prince of all Monsters", and if there is one thing he hates more than the Gods, it is helplessness. He would never serve the Titans. In fact, he may even help in eradicating them"

Rapture turned to his boyfriend now, "Yeah. Just before he eradicates us !"

Serenity looked troubled, "There's just one thing. What does it mean "sealed the Sun away" ?"

Instantly all noise around the table quietened. Serenity raised his head and shared a glance with Riptide, who now stood, looking as if he were frozen in place, "How long has it been since someone saw Apollo ?"

Rapture inhaled sharply, "The power to kidnap a God..."
Riptide interrupted, "..is a power he has. He's the fucking Hanged King. He's the Prince of Monsters. We're all fucked"

Suddenly, Serenity collapsed, clutching at his chest. Rapture and Riptide ran to his fallen form, trying to help him, until he raised one hand. The hand was shaking slightly as it tried to contain whatever was within it's clenched fist. Dark smoke poured from the small gaps between his fingers, as he slowly opened his hand, releasing a pulse of energy. A dark gem lay within it. It's surface seemed to boil with power, letting out small sparks and streaks of darkness every few seconds. It seemed to suck in all light from the surrounding area.

"The Nyctos Crystal...", Serenity began, "The Heart of Nyx is awake. Which means..."

Rapture grimaced, "Nyx is awake. As if we didn't have enough problems"

Serenity shook his head, "No, I severed it's ties to Nyx long ago. This can only mean one thing. In ancient times, the Nyctos acted as a key...a key, used by Hades, to enter Tartarus"

Rapture blanched, "Then.."

"The Doors of Death are open, and considering how violently the Crystal is reacting, they've been wrenched open."

"I suppose we know where his army is coming from, now."

Riptide spoke up,"We need to assemble the council. The whole council. Summon them all"

It was Serenity who spoke up now, "No. Our combined might won't be enough. We need the help of the Underworld. Specifically, Thanatos"

Rapture looked at him incredulously, "Eagle will rip you to shreds"

"Be that as it may, we may have no choice. In the beginning, there were four beings. Gaia, Thanatos, Ouranos and Tartarus"

"Ouranos ? Don't you mean Uranus ?"

"... Really, Rapture ? Now, of all times ?"

"Just trying to lighten the mood"

"Anyways, of those four, Ouranos and Gaia are unreachable, The King has already proven that he is stronger than Tartarus. Therefore, our best shot... is to fight fire with fire. We need to obtain the Scythe of Thanatos. It may be the one thing that could give us an edge in this battle"

Percy spoke up now, "Fine. Where are we going, and when ?"

Riptide interrupted, "We ? "We" are going to the Underworld. "You" are staying here"

Serenity spoke up, ignoring Riptide, "We're leaving now. As for where we're going...have you ever heard of the Gate of Orpheus ?"