I was floating, free at last. Released of all the great burdens that had been placed upon me. I had not felt so free in so long. But after a second, I became aware of something. There was something else in this great vat of happiness. Immediately, I remembered what had happened. The fall. Then I saw a being who was obviously a God. He was sitting on a throne, cloaked in souls. "Lord Hades." I said, and knelt fittingly. I glanced up to see him roll his eyes and glance behind me. I looked, and saw a ridiculously handsome boy standing there, staring at me. I felt my face, feeling foolish, but felt it was back to its former glory. All the bruises and cuts I had sustained over the past few days were gone also. I was healed. Then I began to ask questions.

"What happened? Why am I here? Am I dead?" I asked wretchedly. Hades once again rolled his eyes, then spoke in a deep, booming voice.

"No, Godling, you are not dead. My son, Nico, who seems to have met you before, has asked that I spare you. For all reasons, you should be dead." He said, almost bored. He kept glancing to where Nico was standing, giving him questioning looks. Nico was seemingly innocent, just standing looking at his dad and me. I was still confused. So I turned to Nico for some answers.

"Where have you seen me? I don't remember you at camp, and you haven't gone to my school."

Nico took a deep breath, and then launced into an explination. "I was in India during the time of the eclispe, doing some scouting work. I saw and heard just about everything that went on. Your mother and you, when you saved the little girl, and then I followed you back to the states. Your amazingly easy to track. I heard about your plan, and then stayed at camp. Annabeth followed you instead, she insisted that it would be her. I got the camp rallied together faster than if they had just found your message. And now they are fighting, at this very moment."

I was shell-shocked. So my plan hadn't been as secret as I thought it had. Oops. I wasn't even sneaky, he was telling me. Still, I persisted with my questioning. "But why save me? Why not the countless other half-bloods that are dying right now?"

Hades interrupted then. "Yes, thats my question to. If I grant your wish and it ends badly, I will be even more of a laughingstock on Olympus. Why, Nico, is she worth it?"

Nico stared his father down with an intense look. "Her bravery holds no bounds, Father. She will do what it takes, as she's proved time and time again. Nicole has risked her life. And for what? A bunch of people who hate her? No, she knows the right cause. I believe in her and her loyalty."

During Nico's speech, my eyes filled with tears at his words. Was I really worth all this trouble? My thoughts were once again interrupted by Hades. He sighed very deeply, with the weight of a thousand years on his shoulders. "Very well, Nico. But her life is tied to yours now. Your responsible for her and her actions. If she is faulty in her loyalty, it will be your job to destroy her. Im holding you to that, son. Now, lets get back to the battle of the century!"

Nico bowed his head respectfully, while I was still too shocked. I was really not dead? Wow. I felt myself beginning to fade, my soul leeching back to my body. I heard Hades voice, distant, as if from the end of a tunnel. "All injuries all healed in death, Nicole. Your returned to your former glory."

With a brain-shaking jolt, it felt as if I was thrown into my body. But no aches persisted, no pain was profound. I opened my eyes to see my surrondings.

I was lying in a little niche, tucking away from the bloodshed that was a few feet from me. Bodies scattered across the space of the summit of Mount Tam. The dust of a thousand monsters was fading, and for a moment I could not decipher where the fighting was taking place. But as I emerged from my hidey hole, a whole new scene greeted me. Titans clashed with Gods, their children following their example. Brothers fought against their brothers, the desperate look in their eyes revealing how much it actually cost them.

But at the center of the fray, one battle was dominating the scene. Percy Jackson and Kronos were in the most desperate fight, the one that everything would stand on. Kronos scythe hissed through the air not a hair away from Percy, and Percys sword danced and jabbed Kronos, making him bleed gold in a thousand spots. Neither had the upper hand.

My viewing was cut short by a hand taking mine, and pulling me along beside the person. Nico was suddenly there, next to me, and Hades had appeared in the thick of the battle. Nico was towing me towards the battle, with a group of skeletons guarding us. If an enemy got close, they would launch into action. But friendly half-bloods just stared wide-eyed. The satyr friend of Percy, Grover, was one of them. Nico grinned sheepishly and said "Ive been practicing." And continued to walk calmly into the chaos. I unleashed my bow and took down monster after monster. Across the field, I saw the Hunters doing the same. Some were even using swords in the close quarters.

Suddenly there was a 'crash!' and bones flew everywhere. I saw that the Minotaur had charged its way through our shield, and was rearing up for another go. This time, he was coming towards Nico. All of a sudden, time seemed to slow. I anticipated the Minotaurs move, and aimed the arrow. I shot right towards home, the Minotaurs forehead. It spliced through, lodging itself there. The Minotaur disappeared into dust.

Nico gave me a nod of approval. I was just starting to appreciate how handsome he was, and mourne the loss of the feel of his hand in mine, when an earsplitting shriek rebounded from just a few feet away.

The fight between Percy and Kronos had turned desperate. They both wanted to win more than anything, but were wearing themselves out. I was surprised at the distance me and Nico had covered, because we were right next to Percy and Kronos. They were dancing in a circle, feinting and trying to breach the others defenses. As Kronos came by me, his back was turned, facing Percy. I made a split second decision. My bow was out, and an arrow was in position. I took aim, and fired. Once again, the arrow hit home. It shattered his right foot, sending him reeling back, and falling flat on his bottom. Percy darted forward and grabbed his scythe, with his other hand holding his sword to Kronos throat. He took the scythe, and barely poked Kronos hand with it.

A deep, bone chilling scream echoed across the field. I was only a few feet away, and took cover in Nicos arms. Percy was thrown to his feet. I saw a ghostly figure rise from the body, then sink to the ground. Kronos old body opened his eyes, and Luke Castellans baby blues had replaced the old gold stare. Luke seemed surprised to find himself on the ground with Percys sword at his throat.

I hadn't been paying attention, but right after the scream, all the monsters had 'poofed' into dust. Enemy half-bloods had lost the will to fight, and their weapons fell to the ground. The other Titans made inconspicuous disappearances. Everyone erupted into applause and screams, and surged forward to Percy. Everyone, that is, but Nico and I.

I was still in his arms, shielded from the world around me. I looked up into his eyes, and saw the same expression in them. "You saved me," he said. I smiled.

"I was just returning the favor." A smile grew on his face after this, and it was like the sun rising on the horizon. He took my face in his hands, and leaned forward to plant his lips on mine.

A/N: AHHHHHHHHH!(: All thats left is another chapter and the epilouge.
Song- Hard to Get by This Century