You know what annoys me? When people don't review.

I see how many people read Falling Star, at least two hundred, and yet I only have five reviews. That's seriously messed up.

But thank you for reading Falling Star anyway. It's my favorite out of all my stories.

Disclaimer: Rylin is mine. Max, Alyssa, and Aryryn are also mine. Percy Jackson and the Olympians, however, don't belong to me and that is why I feel like crying :(.

Thanks go out to Misthorse and tlover13. Ya see, if you review, I put your names in my story. And these two people totally rock.

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My sleep was completely dreamless, which was a huge relief. A gift from the gods, I supposed. Kinda like those gifts you give someone when you know when they're going to die.

"Ryley," A voice said quietly, right in my ear. I felt something brush against my face, and my eyes opened, still foggy from sleep. Black eyes were inches from mine, and fear suddenly shook me as I pressed back against the tree. Was Hades here already?

I shook the sleep out of my eyes and looked again. Nico was leaning over me, his dark eyes gazing at me with concealed shock. They were ringed with dark shadows, which was probably what had startled me.

"You don't look so good," I yawned, pretending not to notice how close he was. Aryryn brushed my fingers as I stretched luxuriously.

Nico looked me over, a small smile on his face. "You don't look so good yourself."

"You didn't have to shadow travel if it made you so weak," I shot back. "I wouldn't have said yes if I had known."

"Well you weren't in such a good mood yesterday," Nico replied, looking bored. "Your 'so called' approval wasn't high on my list. Besides, I didn't die."

I looked at him in amazement, barely concealing my shock. "You could have killed yourself?!"

"It doesn't matter now. I'm well and alive, thank you very much. You could act more grateful."

I turned away from him, feeling completely disgusted. "I don't know why you bother."

"I'm beginning to agree," Nico snapped back at me. I made a face at Mrs. O'Leary, who whined at me. Apparently she didn't like any type of fighting.

I looked down at Los Angeles, which looked a whole lot less demonic in daylight. I set off down the hill not even bothering to check if Nico was following. I hardly cared anymore. I closed my eyes and let my instincts guide me, checking if they were just as good as they had been two hundred years ago.

Apparently they were.

I briefly searched the area for demigods and monsters, trying to detect wavering flames or icy waves. I didn't find any, except one. Nico's flame was trailing behind me, flickering in and out of focus.

I rolled my eyes as I squinted through the sunlight. Then I remembered Ace.

Was it possible that he was still around? It had been a long time, after all…

There was only one way to find out.

I put my fingers to my mouth and whistled, loudly and into the wind. Ace, Ace, Ace…

Wings hard beating against the wind reached me, and I grinned. Nico skidded to a stop next to me, his eyes wide.

Hey there, Rylin! I was wonderin' when you'd show up.

"You know me, Ace. I always return. Eventually, anyway," I laughed as Ace landed, his hooves clattering against the pavement. My old friend was still alive after all.

Specially after Kronos returned. His army ransacked my old nest…

"I'm so sorry, Ace." I murmured. He trotted up to me and pressed his muzzle into my shoulder, his ears flicked back. Pegasus or not, Ace had always been there for me, and I hadn't returned the favor.

"Ryley, we need to get to the Underworld before dark. The gates won't let us in if we're late." Nico interrupted coldly.

I studied him coolly, then turned back to Ace. "Can you take us to the gates of the Underworld?"

Only for you, Ryley.

"Thank you, Ace." I nodded. "Nico, this is Ace. He's our ride to the Underworld."

And your ticket out, I might add.

I ignored him, knowing full well I wouldn't be coming back. "You get on first."

Nico looked Ace in the eyes nervously, his night-black hair waving in the breeze. He bit his lip, then looked at me the same time as Ace.

"I don't think so."

I don't think so.

I grinned at them both. "Oh yes."

Ten minutes later I was sitting on Ace's back, the wind blowing my hair back from my face, totally enjoying my freedom. Life was so, so good…

Nico was barely managing to stay on Sparkles, Ace's son. The black Pegasus was not used to riders, so he was bucking at every turn and diving at every chance he could get. The fall was several thousand feet, a rather long drop. Los Angles buzzed beneath us, the ocean shimmering on the horizon beyond it.

Ace fell into a dive, Sparkles bucking once and then following. My Pegasus spiraled gently down, depositing me neatly in front of a small cave. Nico wasn't nearly as lucky; he dropped straight into the pond nearby, his face completely white.

Sparkles whinnied anxiously. Sorry!

"No problem, Sparks," I said. "Thanks, Ace."

The Pegasus looked me straight in the eyes, hovering in the air. Come back alive, Ryley.

"Okay," I mumbled as Nico plopped down on the grass next to me, splattering me with water.

Ace sped off, Sparkles on his tail. They disappeared into the horizon, and I sat in silence, watching the spot where they had gone. Sorry, Ace.

I relaxed, focusing on the water soaking Nico and me. Slowly it gathered in the air, instantly drying both of us. It floated over to the pool where I released it, pouring it back into the pond.

I sighed as I sank down, the grass extra soft against my back. I needed time to think before I went into the Underworld. Did I know what I was doing, giving up my life? Giving up everything I'd come to know and love? That was the true meaning of sacrifice. It was what I would have done for my father had I had the chance. My time had trickled out when I had been fighting Kampe; with the amount of time it took me to defeat her, could I have saved my father?

I opened my eyes to meet Nico's, which were glimmering, inches from mine.

I gazed into them, hoping to see what he was thinking. But, as usual, I couldn't make out anything. I felt like I had that day in the forest, like he was looking through me, seeing every part of my heart that I had. My innermost secrets. My very soul, which was worth so much.

The feeling that I had forced down so many times finally rose to the surface. I fought it as hard as I could, dreading what would happen if I just let go.

I couldn't fall in love. It wasn't possible. I might have been able to once, but not now. Not now when I had a limited time to live.

Not Nico.

How would I be able to give up my life now?

I scarcely breathed as I looked up at him, my eyes glittering with tears. I called out to the water of the pond; it rose quietly, soaking Nico with one movement. With one command it froze, ice an inch thick locking him in.

I scooted backwards quickly. The frozen Nico looked in shock at me, hurt written all over his face. I looked away, unable to look at him any longer.

The cave was dark and completely creepy. I pulled out Aryryn, grateful for the light that radiated softly from the blade. Then I stepped right in, anxious to just get this over with.

Hopefully Max could cope better than I could.

Finally I saw a light ahead, and I felt my muscles tense. This was Lyss's territory, not to mention her cruel father, Hades. It was Nico's as well…

I instantly blocked my mind off. I couldn't afford to fail this time.

I looked through the little window the light was streaming from anxiously. Beyond it was a magnificent garden, practically humming with life. It could only be Persephone's legendary garden. I remembered the myths about the place; if you ate of its fruit, you would be forced to live in the Underworld forever.

Trees adorned the edges, sparkling with the colors of the rainbow; oranges, pinks, blues, greens…sapphires, diamonds, gold, and even silver. The garden spread before me, and I was drinking it all in eagerly, because when you're faced with death everything always seems more beautiful. Farther in were trees bearing all kinds of fruit, proudly displaying their boughs to me. My stomach growled.

A loud cackling sounded above me, and my head shot up. Hovering twenty feet in the air above me was one of the Furies, her hair greasy in contrast against the light shining from the garden.

"Well, what do we have here?" she cawed loudly. "An intruder, it seems. And in Persephone's garden, even! She won't be happy to hear that, you know."

"I'm sure she'll live," I replied evenly, sheathing Aryryn. "Hades probably told you I was coming."

"Indeed he did, demigod. You wish to make a trade, of sorts?"

"That is my offer."

She nodded her head at me, then cackled suddenly. "The death wish is strong in this one, indeed. You wish to die, young one?"

I refused to give her any satisfaction. "I'm nearly as old as you. Three hundred and twenty seven years, in fact. Could we hurry this along? I'm sure Hades is busy."

She crinkled her nose at me, her fun ruined. "Very well, demigod."

I closed my eyes as she spiraled down, draping one wing over me. The Furies had long mastered shadow travel before anyone else. I felt the familiar sensation of being slightly drained, then I felt the ground solid under my feet.

The wing suddenly retreated, allowing me to finally lay eyes on the one who wanted me dead.

Hades sat almost mockingly on his throne of bones, his cloak swimming with the faces of the tortured, souls of those long dead. I bet he wanted to add me to those faces, to finally be able to control me.

I lifted my eyes to his face, and the burning eye sockets that were there reflected back at me coldly. I raised my head proudly, rebellious even when faced with death.

This was my true sacrifice.

"Rylin Becker. What a pleasant surprise," Hades said, his features overcome with boredom. "At last you have the courage to show your face. You have hidden from me for too long."

"I've only been hiding for forty years," I said sharply. I felt slightly tired. I just wanted all of this to be over with. "You know why I'm here."

"To trade, no doubt. What is it that you desire?" His hatred dripped in his voice, a shiver running down my spine. His eyes burned a hole through me.

I heard wing beats, and realized that the other two harpies had arrived, settling behind me as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Something itched warningly at the back of my memory, but I ignored it, focusing on the Lord of the Dead.

"If I give up my soul, I want someone else to be released. Max Perry, the son of Zeus."

Hades smirked at me, and I heard the harpies break into cackles behind me. I kept my face blank.

"Mr. Perry is currently enjoying the hospitality of Elysium, Ms. Rylin. He cannot be released for at least another century." Hades leered mockingly. " And even if I could release him, I wouldn't. I have no love of Pan, and you're all that ties him to this world."

Exhaustion dragged at me, and I fought to stay awake.

"I knew it. You tricked me." I realized sleepily. "You lured me here on a false hope just so you could take my soul. Do you know what's going on up there? The Olympians are fighting a losing battle against Kronos! While you're sitting down here locked up tight in your underground hell, your brothers and sisters are falling one by one!"

"I could care less," Hades said smoothly. "What have they ever done for me? Once they are gone I may finally take my rightful place."

"Kronos will destroy you first," I snarled. Aryryn sparked angrily at my shoulder, the humming becoming unbearable. "I came to save a dying world, a world that started dying because of you! You killed my father!"

"And you think dying will solve all of this mess? You are ignorant indeed, demigod. This world is far beyond redemption. You think your little sacrifice will save this world? Well you were wrong. Ultimately, your choice is what doomed it."

My eyes widened. "That's not possible," I whispered.

Hades fed on my pain. His grin became larger, more mocking. His eyes burned hotter against my skin, and I felt like I was beginning to lose myself.

"You have changed nothing. This world will die anyway. There's nothing you, or any son of Zeus can do about it."

The Lord of the Dead looked bored with me already, his eyes flicking about the room with dead interest.

"You traitor," I mumbled, almost falling asleep.

"Oh, I'm not the traitor at all. I wasn't the one who forced you to shadow travel to Los Angeles, was I? I once used Alyssa. What makes you think I wouldn't use Nico too?" He looked at me one more time.

"I tire quickly of this useless talk. Furies, her soul, if you will." He snapped his fingers.

I was barely standing, exhaustion overcoming me. The Furies advanced on me, evil glints in their ancient eyes. I pulled Aryryn, barely able to even hold the sword up, much less swing it at some monster's head.

"Furies, stop." A voice said. Power soaked from the two words, and the harpies halted in baffled bewilderment.

"I should have known," Hades said. "You want your part of the bargain."

"Yes," the voice answered, and my heart sank as I recognized Nico's voice. Pain lanced through me for a second and I fell to the ground, shuddering. "Where's Bianca?"

I sighed. What a surprise.

"Right here," a girl's voice murmured.

I barely had the strength to raise my head. But I somehow managed it.

Bianca's ghost was hovering above the ground, transparent except her outline. Even light bended around her, casting no shadow on the ground behind her. Her face was sorrowful, but I detected a glint of happiness. Her brother had come back for her, and that was enough. I was willing to bet she had been beautiful in life, with her light hair and blue eyes. I closed my eyes for a second, letting her aura wash over me.

It was the strangest aura I had ever felt. It was bursting with life, yet it was dead at the same time. There was a light taste of the hunt, the spectacular feeling of being the hunter. And I realized in that moment that Bianca wasn't normal. She had been a Hunter of Artemis, becoming immortal just like me. And a tragic death had parted her from Nico.

Against my will, pity grasped my heart.

Bianca's eyes washed over everything, her gaze making me shiver. It rested finally on me for a fraction of a second, then she was turning toward Nico.

"Nico," she breathed in ecstasy. I dropped my head, unable to hold it up any longer. Strength was seeping away from me, a thin line of light growing between me and Bianca. As I watched it grew thicker and thicker as it stole more and more of my life. Bianca was growing more solid by every passing moment, and I could see a shadow growing from her feet, stretching across the ground. She wasn't floating anymore; her heartbeat pulsed across the ground to me.

I remembered the last time I had been dying, the last time I had almost lost myself forever. I didn't want to fight now. I had had enough fighting to last a lifetime.

"Bianca," I whispered, so weakly I was afraid she wouldn't hear me.

Her head turned and she watched me with gentle eyes. "Yes?"

"I don't resent you. There are a lot of worse people who could take my life." I coughed, wheezing against the ground. "I'm glad it's you."

"Thank you," Bianca murmured, and I was startled to hear a rush of gratitude.

"And…" I was barely hanging on. Bianca had to lean over me to hear.

"Find Alyssa. She can help you."

The last thing I saw was Bianca, leaning over me. And she was crying.

My eyes slipped closed.

Forever.

To love is to destroy; to be loved is to be the one destroyed.

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And so ends Rylin's life as we know it.

Please R&R. Please please please I need motivation and I ain't getting any. I'll dedicate the next chapter to whoever reviews.