so so sorry about the long wait. I could give you a sign different excuses, but none of them would be adequate. I hope you can forgive me, and I hope you like this chapter

When I come to, I'm still in Tartarus. Dang it. I was hoping the past year was just one big insane dream. Maybe it is though. Maybe I'm like, in a coma or something and that's why the dream is so long. No. Think rationally. This is all real, and you know it. Deep breaths. I have to find the gods. More than likely, Kronos put them in the first, darkest part of the pit. Which would mean I have to go down. I uncap riptide for light and protection and all that jazz. The faint how from the celestial bronze does give of a little light, but not nearly as much as I would like. I think from here on out, I'm probably going to be afraid of the dark.

Nico looked up as the iris message appears. "annabeth. Hey. What's wrong?"

"Percy died."

"I'll find him and keep him safe. If we do end up taking our parents place in nine days, I'll be able to give him back his life, and because he's Poseidon's successor, he'll be immortal. I'll take care of it. But you take care of yourself. Also... Uh... How's... Everyone?" Nico found it hard to ask a Will now that they had broken up.

"Mostly worried about me, but Will is taking this really hard. I'm worried about him."

"Okay. Uh, just, tell him I'm taking care of Percy. If he's anywhere in the underworld, I'll find him. Just make sure to bury him with a drachma, in case I can't find him."

"You got it. We already have that planned. Just thought you might wanna come to the funeral."

"Yeah. I would, but I promised the kids if stay here in case Maya needs me."

"Okay. We'll iris message you when it starts so you can kind of me here."

"Thanks," Nico slashed through the rainbow and rejoined the kids. "guys, I've got some bag news."

"Is Maya okay?" Luke sat up.

"So far as I know. But, there's something else. It's Percy. He's... Dead. I'm going to find him and keep him here until we take our parents place. When that happens, I'll have the power to give him back his life, and I will. But I can't do that for nine more days. The funeral is soon. I have to say stay here, but if any of you want, I can shake travel you to Olympus for the funeral."

Everyone but Luke nods.

"I need to stay here in case Maya needs help."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. You guys go."

"Okay. I'll go ahead and take you know so I can start looking for him," Nico put his hands out. His daughters grabbed them, and soon, everyone but Luke had formed a large circle. In an Indy, they vanished into the shadows. Not ten seconds later, Nico returned. "I have to find Percy. Stay here," Nico tab from the palace. He searched and searched and searched the opposite side of the River Styx. Percy wasn't there. He couldn't find him anywhere, and Jeff been searching for five hours. And Jeff had everyone he could helping. Then he heard a joyous bark. The last time he'd heard a bark like that, Cerberus had been playing. With Percy. Nico ran there. The dog was barking, but Percy wasn't there. Luke was playing with the three-headed guard dog.

"He looked bored," the boy shrugged.

"I thought you were Percy."

"No."

"I can't find him anywhere. Luke, I'm worried."

"You'll find him. But... I'm going after Maya."

"What?"

"Has anyone ever survived completely on their own before?"

"Barely, but I had help getting g out."

"Exactly. Maya needs me. More importantly, I need her. But... I have a question."

"Okay."

"The reborn. Do they normally remember?"

"Not during life. Why?"

"Well, I have these memories. They're mine, but not mine at the same time. It's weird."

"You're remembering your life before."

"I figured as much."

"But that's not normal. In fact, I think it's a first."

"Is that bad?"

"No. you can learn from your past mistakes and not make them again this way."

"You sure?"

"I think so. Whether or not the soon to be goddess of wisdom agrees, I don't know. But now Maya's only got eight days. But Luke, you can't go in. Swear on the river Styx."

"I swear on the river Styx that I will not go after Maya while she's in Tartarus unless absolutely necessary."

"You had to add that."

"I'm the son of Hermes, god of trickery. Do you expect me not to add a loophole?"

"You know, you're right. Fine. Keep your loophole. But don't go in. Go back to the palace."

"You coming?"

"No. I have to keep looking for Percy."

"Nico... I don't even know. Just remember that you're still a mortal right now."

"I know. Just... go."

"Okay," Luke went back to the palace.

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