Chapter XXV1 JASON

As Jason surveyed the group he was walking with, he couldn't help but laugh to himself. How was a ragtag bunch of five demigods, a war-crazed saytr, one peaceful gardener, and a herd of little gnome things going to possibly accomplish what they were attempting to do? He tried to feel optimistic, but it wasn't really working.

As they walked, Nico and Hazel suddenly stopped in their tracks. They glanced at each other and then nodded in unison.

"Here it is." Nico said, kneeling down.

"Right underneath us."

Jason gulped. They were about to go underground, Gaea's domain. It was very possible some, or all of them , wouldn't make it out of there alive. Piper saw what he was feeling and took his hand. Everyone turned to him and Jason realized he'd better say something.

"i just want you to know- that its been an honor to fight with each and every one of you." he started.

"And if we accomplish nothing else from this, I know I've made good friends."

Hazel cleared her throat and then said,

"I think w should say a prayer."

"Good idea, Hazel." Jason said, gesturing to her.

"Will you lead us?"

Hazel nodded and then said,

"Oh Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom and Warfare, please lead us in the fight. We beseech thee to help us in the quest to retrieve your daughter, Annabeth Chase, and Perseus Jackson. Guide us, My Lady."

Jason glanced at Hazel and then murmured,

"Why'd you pick Athena, exactly?"

"It just felt- right."

Jason stayed silent. If that was all she wanted to say, he wouldn't push her. Nico knelt on the ground again and looked up at them, saying,

"You guys might want to back up a bit."

They took about five paces back and Nico concentrated. Suddenly, there was a gigantic rumble in the ground and it split open, revealing a pathway.

"How'd you do that?" Leo asked in fascination, staring at the breech in the earth.

Nico shrugged modestly.

"I don't really know. I can just kind of- make it happen, I guess."

"You should see him raise the dead." Hazel said in admiration.

"Now, that's scary."

Leo turned to gawp at Nico, his mouth hanging open.

"You can raise dead people? Like, literally, from the earth?"

"It depends. There needs to be a graveyard near."

'I have got to see that!"

"You probably will." Nico said grimly, stepping up and taking the lead down into the passageway.

When they went underground, the earth automatically closed up above their heads. Piper searched for Jason's hand and she held on tight. He couldn't blame her; being a son of Jupiter, Jason liked wide open spaces. He already felt claustrophobic.

"It's like the labyrinth.' Nico said as they went forward.

'You've been there?" Calypso asked in shock.

Nico looked at her and nodded.

"Two years ago. I saw Kronos being raised. Definitely not an experience

I want to repeat."

"I don't think anyone wants that, Nico!" Jason joked uneasily, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh really?" Nico said cooly, facing ahead again.

"I'd rather fight the Titan Lord one-on-one than face Gaea down here."

Trust Nico to scare them all out of their minds. Was he ever happy?

Not before too long, they were attacked. A figure rose up from the sand and Jason knew immediately it was Gaea.

"Ah." She rasped,

"You were foolish enough to venture down here. I do admire that. You are brave, but oh so unclever. This is where I am strongest."

"You know, lady," Leo said loudly,

"I'm getting really, really sick of you."

"Leo Valdez,' Gaea smiled, turning to him,

"The seventh wheel, the unwanted hero, how easily I see through you."

Leo whitened, but he gritted his teeth.

"Shut up." he said tensely.

Gaea ignored him and turned to face the rest of them.

"Down here, I hold ultimate control. I have countless monsters and demons under my command. You have seen nothing yet. And now, you will face your worst fears. All alone." she snarled.

"Starting with this little fire-raiser."

They all moved to protect Leo, but Gaea was too strong. She swooped in and scooped Leo up, hanging him upside down.

"You will now be taken to see, Achlys, the worst demon of them all."

"Oh yeah, what's so bad about him?" Leo asked recklessly, all the blood rushing to his head.

"He is the demon of fear. And if what he shows you doesn't kill you, it will be enough for you to want to die."

All the other heroes were caught up in nets of sand, impossible to escape from. Jason threw himself against the side and beat it with his fists. What had she taken his best friend?