Grrrrrr! Only two reviews! I'm not mad, just frustrated. I mean, I spend hours typing this stuff up, and I don't even get anything in return.

Thanks to everybody who reviews! All the amazing reviewers of Falling Star are as follows: tridentbonez313, ausumist, tlover13, wowzerss, and Frankie-JaymeENGLISHPROUD.

So this chapter is dedicated to the last two for actually giving me reviews when I asked; thanks Wow and Frankie!

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He leaned against the wall casually, the shades hiding his unnaturally blue eyes. The wind felt good against his hair, every breath bursting with life. The sun was warm against his skin, melting the chills left over from being in the Underworld. It was like he had never left.

Footsteps reached his ears and he stood up straight rigidly, his eyes flickering. The birds quieted their melodies, and even the wind fell silent. An ominous feeling rose up in his heart.

The girl walked silently down the path toward him. Her walk was lithe like a cat's, just as graceful and twice as silent. She was wearing shades as well, but he knew the liquid fire of her eyes as well as he knew every part of himself.

She stopped before him.

Her slender fingers whisked the shades off her face. "She'll be dead in a couple of minutes."

"Is this what you were waiting for?" His voice was amused.

"Of course." She flashed him a grin. "This is what I've waited forty years for."

"Everything happen the way you planned?" He asked as they set off at a brisk walk.

"Better, even. Bianca is alive again. And your brother managed to find Hanna." She was excited, he could tell, in her own special way. "After forty years, everything is coming together. Tonight is the night."

"Good," he said as he looked up at the sky. It was going to rain.

He could not ask for a better day to be brought back to life.

* * * * * * * * * *

I felt like I was floating, the world spinning in my head. I could no longer feel the ground against my cheek, or the loathing I was feeling for Hades. Everything was topsy-turvy in my world.

If I had a guess I'd have to say that I was unconscious, not dead. Actually, this felt a little like I was taking a nap and this was one of the crazy dreams the nymphs had put in my head for a good laugh. They had always done that when I was little-my father had found it funny that I dreamt about Yogi Bear and the Power Rangers.

Naturally I knew I could trust Bianca with saving the world; and it would definitely help that she had taken my life force, not just any random demigod's. Aryryn would obey her, now that we had shared souls. My instincts would be there to help her out against Kronos, at least a little bit.

I wondered idly about Max; was he enjoying Elysium? Elysium was the place where the really pure souls went. Was Ben there too? The two brothers had the most pure souls I had ever seen. Even Thalia didn't have that type of soul.

Thoughts flurried to my head, and memories that were better left hidden came into light.

* * * * * * * * * *

The hallway stretched before me, darkness illuminating everything and nothing. I crept down the path, fear in every stiff movement.

It was not myself that I feared for.

I had to save her.

My last image in my head of her, trussed up on the back of a dark Pegasus, riding off into the night without so much as a trace. Tracking had never been one of my talents, yet here I was, two weeks later, sensing her aura flowing through the air. A fiery rage exploded through me at the thought of what they were doing to her.

A loud creak echoed through the hall, and I threw myself to the side just in time. A ball of fire convulsed right on the spot I had been standing.

I put my hand up to my shoulder and grasped air.

"Dang it!" I gasped. I swore angrily in Greek. Kronos had taken Aryryn on the same night he had kidnapped Hanna.

The fire giant faded into sight, shifting its huge bulk to fit in the hallway. I snarled at it, briefly caught up in anger. Its dull eyes looked completely expressionlessly at me, assessing me as if I was no threat.

That truly was a stupid fire giant.

Wind blasted it back against the wall, and I watched as the curse did its work. The giant exploded into a million pieces, smoke erupting from its once solid body. I walked casually down the hall, past the shattered remains of the monster, and finally laid eyes on the door.

It was extremely old and ancient, the wood practically rotting. But I knew instinctively that if I tried it, it would be stronger than the strongest iron vault door. There was a silver keyhole right under the doorknob, and I grinned.

I pulled the amulet from my pocket, examining the curious key shape on the end of it.

"Thank you Hanna," I muttered, carefully inserting it into the lock. It clicked and the door swung open.

I barely had a chance to search for enemies before my eyes fell on her. The chair she sat on was completely ordinary, aside from the magical ropes that had her tied. Her head was limp, her long hair obscuring her face from me.

"Hanna," I whispered, drenching my words in pity. "I'm so sorry."

I crossed the room quicker than I had thought possible, burning the ropes and letting them fall away from her wrists. She still didn't move, her dark eyes squeezed tightly shut. I could still feel her heartbeat, her life pulsing like a beacon in the dark room.

We were not alone.

"Rylin," His cold voice said in amusement. "We were wondering when you'd show up."

I whipped around, but the voice seemed to be coming from all sides, echoing everywhere at once. I stood protectively in front of Hanna, my eyes narrowing to thin blue chips of ice. I scanned the room again, this time with renewed urgency. Still nothing.

"I was wondering the same thing," I replied, shifting my weight. "How's Prometheus? I hope he's still not too miffed about the birds, is he?"

"Oh, Ceronon and Asokomos have been enjoying themselves, I'm sure." His voice held an undercurrent to it, a rage boiling up under his words. "Still obeying you after three hundred years, apparently. Prometheus has had his entrails ripped out at least five hundred times, you know."

"Don't blame me," I replied, raising my hands up. "Zeus is the one who didn't appreciate fire."

Another voice joined the first. "Quit gabbing, Kronos. We have a job to do."

"But Rylin and I always have such intriguing conversations, Morpheus." Kronos complained. Then the Lord of Time sighed. "Very well."

I turned around at the sound of a step. "By the way, Kronos," I said quietly, my eyes flickering about the room. My tone was casual. "What have you done with my sword?"

Aryryn appeared on the floor in front of me as Morpheus spoke.

"We were not sure you would come if it was only the girl."

I laughed bitterly as I picked up Aryryn. "You know me better than that, Kronos."

"Indeed I do. You are almost as bad as that girl there. Always crying, worrying over the fate of her friends. That is the fatal flaw of Poseidon, is it not?"

"Yes," I whispered, stealing a glance at the unconscious Hanna. "It was her fatal flaw that allowed you to take her away from me in the first place. You won't get a second chance."

I drew Aryryn, the blade glowing against the pressing darkness.

I heard another step. Then one after that. Somebody was circling for the kill.

I instinctively closed my eyes. And suddenly I could see.

Aryryn flashed behind me, instantly killing the demon that was reaching for Hanna. Kronos stood in front of me, his liquid eyes staring at me emotionlessly, his scythe held loosely in his left hand. Darkness bit at my heart, leaving in its place a stinging burn.

"Why," I muttered as I swung at another demon's head "do you always have to make things so impossible for me? Can't you go easy on me every once in a while?"

Kronos chuckled at that, his face lighting up. And not in a good way. Suddenly he snapped his fingers, and I heard Hanna stirring behind me. The demon I was grappling with burst into flames, as did all the others. I was completely alone in the room, except for an unconscious Hanna and a raving lunatic.

I whipped around as I dashed to Hanna's side. Her brown eyes looked up at me bewilderedly as she shook her head.

"Who are you? And what am I doing here?" she asked, completely mystified.

I looked at her in horror, then straightened up as I raked my gaze across Kronos. I narrowed my eyes menacingly.

"What did you do to her?" I hissed, filling every syllable with my rage and hatred.

Kronos didn't seem to notice. He shrugged. "Nothing that wasn't there before."

I turned back to Hanna in desperation. "Don't you remember?!" I cried.

She looked me up and down. "Who are you?" she repeated, whispering. Her eyes widened as they slid past me. "Who's he?" She sat up straighter on the wooden chair, fussing with her hair. "He's kinda hot."

"That…is…it." I hissed through gritted teeth. I whirled on Kronos, my anger mounting at the surprised look on his face. A column of fire rose around him, the wind fueling the flames. I glared defiantly at him through the wall of fire.

"You've gone too far this time," I snarled. "Next time I won't hesitate to kill you."

His eyes glowed mockingly at me. He grinned, the light glinting off his perfect teeth. "If I give you a second chance."

I stomped back to the ancient door, calling a quick "Follow me!" to Hanna. I heard her footsteps trembling behind me. I crossed out into the hallway.

"Why did you threaten that man? He was being so nice to you!" Hanna said.

"He's a liar," I snapped. Then I froze.

She didn't see the scythe that he held in his hand? She didn't see that he was TRYING to KILL me?

I cursed in Greek.

"Huh?" Hanna tipped her head.

She wasn't a demigod anymore. She was mortal now, only able to see what the Mist showed her. This couldn't be happening! We needed her, the world needed her…I needed her.

"Who's your father, Hanna?" I asked, hoping with all my heart she'd say something to do with water. Hoping that she'd say SOMETHING to assure me she hadn't forgotten everything.

"A business man," She said, shrugging.

I would remember that blank look in her eyes forever.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Hanna," I whispered painfully as I squirmed on the ground.

"Who's Hanna?" A voice asked above me.

My eyes flew open.

What the heck?!

* * * * * * * * * *

"We need to know!" Percy pointed out. "We met her, for goodness sake!"

"I said no," Chiron said calmly, his hoof scraping the ground. Percy shot a look at Annabeth, but she shrugged and gestured to the centaur.

"It was your idea," she mouthed.

"Don't think I can't see you," Chiron said without looking up. He fiddled with the laptop a little more. "There. All fixed."

"Thanks, Chiron!" Annabeth exclaimed, her grey eyes flashing excitedly. She reached for it eagerly.

The centaur looked completely drained, his coat rough and his tail hanging limply. His eyes were even worse, defeat in them every single time he looked up. He trotted to the door, his hooves making a hollow sound against the floor.

"Please, Chiron. This is important. She might be the only thing that can help us now."

"If she was alive," he muttered bitterly. "Which she isn't."

Annabeth took over. "Chiron, look. We know all about Rylin. We know she was more powerful then Kronos, and that she owned Aryryn. That she was the subject of the prophecy, and that she thought she could do it alone. And she still thinks she can."

"Don't talk to me about her! That prophecy was over and done centuries ago!" His hoof stomped the floor, the wood snapping and bending.

"That's the fatal flaw of Pan," Annabeth breathed, realization dawning on her face. "She can't put enough trust in anyone to ask for their help. She doesn't trust anybody enough to help."

"She wasn't always that way," Chiron whispered, his eyes focused on the distant horizon. "It took the betrayal of her best friend."

Suddenly his eyes cleared. "Sit down. This story could take a long time to tell. I'm not sure I quite remember everything."

A creak at the door warned Percy.

"Knock, knock," someone said. "Rachel!" Thalia scolded jokingly, her blue eyes glowing at the Oracle.

The daughter of Zeus and Rachel strode into the room, sinking onto the couch sighing.

"I heard someone was going to talk about Rylin." Rachel said with a secretive wink. Thalia burst out laughing, little sparks of electricity jolting off her in different directions. Percy rolled his eyes, while Annabeth just tapped the floor impatiently with her foot.

"Sorry," Thalia muttered when she had sobered up. "Please go on."

"Anyway," Chiron said, turning back to Percy, "Rylin was born in 1682, around the time we were still fighting the Titans. They were growing more powerful every year, and it wouldn't take them much longer before they finally destroyed us all. Eight years after she had been born, Rylin met the most important people to ever enter her life."

"Who?" Rachel interrupted, practically bouncing with suspense.

"I was getting to it." Chiron sighed. "She met Max Perry and his brother, Ben. And…Alyssa."

"They grew up together. They fought alongside each other for almost a decade, and I think that was the closest Rylin ever got to anyone. But it couldn't last."

"Story of my life," Thalia muttered, earning a hissing SHHH! from Rachel.

"Eventually Alyssa's father pressured her into doing something so selfish that it shattered Rylin's trust. Hades had wanted Rylin's soul for a very long time; she was immortal, you see. So he influenced Alyssa to attack Rylin, in an attempt to catch her off guard and kill her. He tricked Alyssa into thinking that if she killed Rylin, she could trade her life for anyone else's, including Max Perry, who had died that very day.

"Alyssa didn't manage it. Rylin escaped, and she dropped off the face of the earth. That was about when she came to me. I was notorious for raising heroes in that day and age, and she wished for me to train her. So for a long time I did, and she turned out to be the most talented I had ever taught. The last battle was rising on the horizon, and I eagerly awaited the day when I could see all that I had taught her come into play.

"By then Kronos had grown even more powerful day by day, and I knew the gods were even wondering how they would defeat him. One the day of the battle, I should have known. The sun was even hiding its face from the blood that would be spilled on that very day."

"Where did you fight? I thought it was in Greece-" Thalia interrupted, but was silenced by a look from Chiron.

"It was. We fought over Athens itself. It was a heck of a day to be in battle." Chiron's eyes had grown misty. "Even Rylin admitted that she was feeling a little uncomfortable. Her father, Pan himself, was at the battle as well, lining up alongside Zeus and his family. We were all ready. And I couldn't shake off the terrible feeling that something would go wrong. Terribly wrong.

"It didn't at first. Rylin and I withstood the first wave of monsters, and the second. But during the third I saw her slinking off, down to the city itself. And then I knew.

"She wanted to take care of Kronos herself. She was a magnificent fighter, especially with Aryryn. I had helped her find it, deep underground, as one of the relics left over from the early Titans. Anyway, she entered the palace and from there engaged Kronos in a terrible battle, the likes of which have never been seen, even to the present day. Almost the whole city was wiped out.

"She never came back. And I've waited centuries upon centuries for her to come back, to see her face again as it was. Just like that, she had dropped off the face of the earth, just as she had when she was younger. Except this time she didn't return." His voice was low. "And now you're telling me to believe that she's been alive all these years, and she never told me? That she didn't drop by once and say, 'Hey there Chiron, you can stop worrying, I'm alive, see?'. You honestly think I want to believe that?"

Percy was biting his lip, thinking hard.

"What?" Annabeth asked him, her grey eyes glimmering.

"Was she as good as me?" he burst out, eyes on Chiron.

His eyes cleared as he raised his head and fixed his eyes on Percy. For the first time his face broke out into a huge grin.

"You wouldn't have lasted two seconds."

Rachel grinned at Chiron, and then her face fell into a frown. "I miss her. Rylin, I mean."

Percy looked thoughtful again. "Yeah, I guess."

Thalia looked guilty. "I'm sorry about what happened. I really shouldn't have tried to torture her. And Percy, you shouldn't have let me try!"

"It was that prophecy! It was really important and I thought that she'd get over it, eventually…" His voice trailed off.

"Wait a sec," Rachel whispered, her eyes widening. "Does anyone have a drachma?"

Thalia held out her hand, her face puzzled. "What, do you feel the need to go and buy something from the vending machine?"

"No…" Rachel said, smiling secretively as she whisked the drachma from the demigod's hand. She stood up, as if dusting herself off.

She tossed the coin in the air.

"Rylin Becker, please."

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Oh yeah. I went there. Rylin's past has finally been revealed…or has it? Muahaha!

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