Yeah, the reactions to the previous chapter were about what I expected. I'll answer the questions here since lord knows when I'll update again. Bear in mind that given just how much space this took, this will be the last time I answer questions within a chapter. If you do still want to have something answered, either PM me or find me on the Emerald Library below:

1. The rule about no interference has always come off as... "interpretable" to me. From the books, it looks like Zeus would throw a fit if Apollo had helped more directly, but that's the thing - enforced by Zeus. He's infamous for being hypocritical - he scammed Hades out of his birthright as firstborn son of Kronos, he broke the oath twice, and shows clear bias to his children despite claiming to uphold justice. As for fighting, where is the line drawn? Zeus was able to kill Maria despite her basically being two steps down the divinity ladder from him, and attempted to kill the two children. Could it be that he was aiming for Hades, and it just so happened that it took out Maria as well? What about all the mortals that'd be in the building, or surrounding it? There's a lot of hypotheticals we can draw up, but what about when Kronos and Hyperion attacked Percy unprompted?

To me, this isn't an ironclad rule on protecting lesser beings, but a rule on pride. It would be shameful for word to get out that almighty Zeus went out of his way to smite a random mortal. As far as the chapters have gone, though, Percy's been established in the eyes of others that he's a threat to Olympus and may be killed.

That said, I do intend on codifying the more established divine laws: laws of domain and hospitality, laws regarding symbols of power, and rules on binding. The first and the last are pretty rooted as is in old beliefs and myths. They'll become plot points later in the distant future.

2. Zeus has a vested interest/grudge which will be delved into a little more here, hence why he flip-flops between wanting Percy dead and wanting Percy to finish the damn quest. Poseidon's inaction is deliberate and will be brought up later, in an event that will bring up the Mycenaean aspect of Poseidon as Po-se-da-o.

3. One of the most memorable lines of Echidna is how Zeus rarely lets her personally test heroes. Zeus let Echidna and her children live so that they'd provide obstacles and tests to demigods and heroes. I don't think it's too out of the realm for Zeus to tell her to go all out, and for her to gleefully comply. The other monsters are listening to her, not to Zeus directly.

4. Artemis was sort of there to give a perspective on just how outmatched Percy was. In the books, he challenged Ares to a duel and won by stabbing him in the heel after the god of war got too cocky. That said, he didn't beat Ares, per se. Ares would have kicked his 11-year-old butt if Kronos hadn't made him step down. I recognize that any god or immortal would have been fine for her role, but as far as the characters know, he has just killed a Titan. It'd be better to have someone strong enough strike him down.

5. Olympian gods are not the only flawed gods in mythology overall, but they're effectively the face of gods not being paragons of virtue. I don't expect them to do anything but side with the expected winning side should Zeus and Poseidon wage war - especially given their track record for trying to overthrow him. Of the 12 Olympians, 7 are Zeus's children, 1 is married to him, 1 is going against him, and that leaves Aphrodite and Demeter. Aphrodite has no stake in the conflict, but both her husband and her lover are on Zeus's side, so she'd be more inclined to follow them than anything. The only god with a vendetta against both sides is Demeter - she hates Zeus for approving of Persephone's marriage without her consent and killing Iasion, and she hates Poseidon for pursuing her and leaving her with Arion and Despoina as children - to the point where she's given the epithet Erinys, synonymous with the Furies. She's only siding with Percy out of pity for having a family member taken away.

6. Sea powers shown originate from the legacy's blood - which will only make less sense this chapter. As for the whole thing with the Lethe waters granted by Styx - in her eyes, she owns him now. Poseidon has failed to uphold his oath, and while she cannot take his soul, she can take the result of it. She believes she owns him now, and thus is granting him what it takes to keep him alive until she can properly claim her prize.

I promise I'll provide a proper bullshit reasoning for the legacy powers in a future update.

7. Yeah no, I have no excuse for the lack of development in relationships between the demigods here. I got sloppy after God-Shattering Star. I'll aim to do better going forward.

Thank you for all the criticism, though! I genuinely appreciate it. I'll leave you off with a final note for now: doesn't that fight with Pallas feel too easy?


When Artemis returned to Olympus, she expected Zeus to be in the throne room.

She was right.

The goddess sat on her throne and gave him an expectant look.

"I didn't order you back," replied the weary god. He had been staring at a photograph and slipped it under his suit at her question. She arched an eyebrow at his response.

Zeus shuddered before adopting a more stern look on his face. He stretched, clothes transforming into a more traditional toga, clearly indicating what Mantle the god of lightning had put on. She sat up a little.

"What game are you playing here, Jupiter?" asked Artemis sternly.

She prepared to shift to Diana, but Jupiter shook his head.

"Don't waste your time. This... does not concern her. Nor you. Forget about the boy. The bolt comes first."

Artemis frowned.

"It absolutely does concern me. I was directed to hunt him down."

"By Zeus," sighed Jupiter. "Not me. This is a petty squabble on his half. Not mine, and certainly not you."

"I already tolerated being given a target without a proper profile. Clearly, that was a mistake. My patience grows thin."

Jupiter snorted. "That is on you, Artemis. I'd expect a Huntmaster to seek out all information before accepting the job." Artemis twitched.

"Are you saying that I cannot trust even you, Father?"

"I am not your father, Artemis" corrected Jupiter. He closed his eyes. "I have made that clear many times. This is a matter for Zeus to resolve. Our symbol of power is more important."

He pulled out the photograph. Although it was hard for Artemis to see from her angle, she caught the glimpse of black hair.

"Just like she is his daughter, not mine."


"... and that's why rice is better than wheat."

The quest had become a bit of an uncomfortable topic for both Percy and Katie. That a god had set them up and gotten the only people who knew their enemy's face stuck in a trap had made it apparent that the quest wasn't all sunshine and roses.

Which was how they got to this conversation.

The driver looked at her through the rearview mirror. "Isn't it sacrilegious for a daughter of Demeter to show preference for one crop over another?"

"I'd rather go to Hades than have Mom feed me bread over Rice Krispies," snapped Katie. "Besides, why are you eavesdropping?"

He laughed but took his eyes off of her. "It's hard not to pay attention when someone spent the last half-hour discussing grains."

"In her defense," quipped Percy. "Cereal is part of a nutritious breakfast."

"Actually, you don't even need to-"

She was cut off by Percy and the driver's laughter. She blinked, before turning red and huffing.

"Whose side are you even on?" she demanded.

"Yours," assured Percy with a laugh. "Just couldn't help myself."

Katie raised an eyebrow in an exaggerated manner. "You? Impulsive?"

She received only his grin in response, though she could tell how he was really feeling by his shaky smile.

She grabbed his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"We'll bring her back. I promise." He glanced at her, before nodding.

Eventually, after a bit more bickering, they arrived in Los Angeles. The two quieted down as the driver navigated the streets of the city, eventually stopping in front of a studio. The entrance to the lobby had a sign reading "NO SOLICITORS. NO LOITERING. NO LIVING."

"And here is where we part ways," the driver said cheerfully. He handed them each a cookie with a lotus flower on it and a small bag of drachmas. "A gift from the house. Please never visit our establishment ever again."

Before the two could even say anything, the driver sped off.

Percy blinked, before patting his pockets. "Hey, he took back my card!" Katie shook her head.

"That wasn't even yours, knucklehead. Come on, let's enter this studio before someone tries to rob you for carrying around a bag of gold."

When they walked through the doors, Percy wasn't sure what he expected. Maybe fire, maybe gloomy caves.

Not... elevator music.

"Oh yeah," he muttered to himself. "This is a recording studio."

He glanced around the room. There were a couple of people hanging out in the lobby, but he could tell they weren't normal. If he didn't pay attention to any particular person for too long, they were replaced by a completely different person - yet he could tell in his gut that the first person was still somehow in the room.

"Spirits," murmured Katie, as if confirming his thoughts. "They're all dead."

"Not all of us," chimed a black man standing on a raised podium. "New arrivals? Come right here."

The two shared a glance before walking over to the man. He had turtle-shell shades and an Italian suit. Beneath his pinned black rose was a label with the name "Charon."

"Oh," gulped Katie. "You're the ferryman."

Charon's face slowly morphed into a smile. "Ah, so they still teach about me in the world of the living? Never thought I was rather important enough to be remembered, you know? Simple, old Charon, ferrying dead souls to the Underworld to be judged. Dead souls like you."

His nostrils flared for a second before he chuckled.

"And yet, you two don't smell dead to me."

"I was told by the Furies that Lord Hades wanted to see me," replied Percy. "I don't suppose..."

Charon laughed. "Goodness, my employer wants to see you directly? I wonder what you, child, could offer to a god?"

Katie noticed him briefly glancing at their bagged drachmas and put them on the table. "We'll pay all this for a ride across." The ferryman ran his left hand through his hair.

"Well now," he said, reaching for the gold. "How very sweet of you dear. Why, Psyche only offered one coin per ride but she had such a pit-"

He stopped just before touching the bags. He gave another sniff before looking at Percy with a wide smile.

"Ah, nephew, nephew! To think you would visit so soon, and still so very alive at that!"

He stepped off the podium, and for a brief moment, Percy could see Charon's eyes.

Or rather, eye sockets. There was apparently nothing behind those shades.

"Come, children, and take your money with you. Your offering is lovely, but unnecessary at this time. The boy's payment has long since been paid."

He shooed away a few spirits as he opened up the elevator doors. "Come, now. I will collect when the time is right."

As the two walked into the elevator with Charon, Katie gave Percy a questioning look, but the boy was too confused himself.

Nephew?


Percy didn't have the luxury of taking elevators often.

To him, it was something rich people used, in buildings rich enough to afford them. Like Yancy, which only allowed teachers and disabled kids to use.

But he'd ridden enough to know they went up and down.

He did not, however, expect this elevator to go forward.

Before he and Katie could stumble, though, Charon laid a firm hand on each of their shoulders, steadying them.

"Close your eyes, children," cautioned the ferryman. "The transition can be... disorienting to newcomers."

The two did as he said and shuddered as they felt a wave of uncertainty wash over them. The elevator music gradually petered out, and the warmth of the recording studio was replaced with a chilly breeze. A light tap on the shoulder informed them that it was okay to open their eyes again.

Instead of an elevator, they were now on a ferry across a murky river. Percy looked behind him to see Charon rowing, clad in a black robe instead of a silk suit now.

He blinked. "Wasn't your hand just on my shoulder?"

Charon's empty eyes turned to him. "This ferry is my domain."

And as much as it shouldn't have, Percy got the sense that it explained everything.

Percy glanced over the boat. The river they were floating on was filthy, polluted beyond anything he could imagine.

"What is all this?" whispered Katie.

"The River Styx," explained the ferryman. "Mortals who pass through leave behind broken promises, unfulfilled dreams. That which they cannot take with them to the world beyond. Your kind was never one to responsibly manage waste."

Stalkers.

Percy wheeled around to see where the stares were coming from, but for the first time, he couldn't determine just where they were.

"On the Styx's banks?" mused Charon, as though he knew exactly what Percy felt. "Careful with that one, child. The Titaness of Hatred is no mere being to upset."

"Percy's defeated a Titan before," Katie responded. "And this time, I'll be helping him."

Charon stared directly into Percy's eyes, and he heard the ferryman mentally whisper, "Did you now?"

And honestly, every time he thought about it, he was less and less sure he really defeated Pallas.

"I suppose two children of Olympians are better than one."

Percy moved until he was next to Katie. Noticing this, she leaned her mouth towards his ear.

"He's creepy." Percy suppressed a smile at that.

"Well, I think we're safe as long as we don't upset him. I think."

She gave a light snort. "Given your track record, I think I should be the one saying that."

From the back of his mind, Percy felt the ghost of a smile from Charon. Great, the ferryman could also hear their private conversations.

"This ferry is my domain."

He turned back to the Styx. He could see blank diplomas, broken toys, damaged homes, and even a submarine of all things floating past them. All things people cherished and aspired for, and failed to accomplish.

It did not inspire much hope in him for what was to come.

Oh well. First things first.

As the boat neared where he felt Styx's presence, he felt relief rush to his head when his mom was also standing near her.

"Mom!"

Sally turned around and smiled. "Percy! You made it!"

Percy leapt off ferry despite Charon's warnings. Although he tripped over the side of the boat, he just rolled back onto his feet before running to Sally.

"Mom! You wouldn't believe the past few days-"

"Percy-"

"-former girlfriend of dad, Medusa, helped-"

"I-"

"-got my butt kicked by a goddess but-"

"Percy!" interrupted Sally. He stopped short of crashing into her, heaving.

She opened up her arms for a hug. "I'm here."

He blinked before smiling. "Welcome back, mom."

As he hugged her and felt the weight of the past few days finally catch up to him, he didn't care who saw him sobbing his eyes out.


Hades was... not what Percy expected.

He remembered watching the Disney movie, where Hades was blue and violent and also kinda on fire. This Hades was... a businessman. A pale, 10 foot tall, muscular businessman.

And by the gods, did he terrify Percy.

Without thinking, he knelt into a kneel. From the corner of his eye, he could see Katie do the same.

"Jackson," whispered Hades, in an oily voice. He closed his eyes. "You have traveled far."

Percy could only nod.

"Rise," ordered the god, and the two demigods almost gave themselves whiplash at how quickly they stood back up. "I... apologize for the inconvenience as I'm sure you'd like to reconnect with your mother for longer, but will you entertain me for a walk?"

Percy looked back at Sally, who gave him an encouraging nod. His eyes glanced over to Katie, who was quivering but mouthed "Good luck" to him. With a deep breath, he followed Hades to the back garden.

"You have questions," noted Hades.

"A lot, yeah," admitted Percy. He wasn't too sure how to address a god. The previous times, he was kind of fighting for his life, and manners weren't high on his priorities. "Er, a lot, sir... my lord?"

Hades rolled his eyes. "How do mortals say it these days? Fuck manners." Percy flinched at the god's words.

"My name has become interchangeable with hell, child," grumbled the god. "I doubt you could insult me more than my siblings with your attitude."

Before Percy could say anything, Hades waved him off. "A trade then. One question each. As my guest, you may ask first."

The demigod nodded. "Did you steal the bolt?"

"Obviously not. Did you take my helm?"

"No." Hades sighed.

"That takes care of that. I suspected as much from Alecto's reports, but it feels... refreshing to hear it from you. How has your quest gone?"

As if he was a leaky faucet, Percy began telling the god everything. How he was attacked by Pallas, the prophecy, Zeus's threat, the fight against Artemis, and the mysterious god.

Hades closed his eyes. "Fine tales, demigod. I suppose then, it is time for children to exit the casino."

He snapped his fingers, and the boss of the Lotus Hotel, Phagi, appeared before him. He had a pale expression and looked to be ready to pass out after seeing who summoned him.

"My... my lord?"

"I understand that two demigods have been recently... checked-in, courtesy of a god. I am here to request an early check-out."

"R-right away!" stammered the boss. He pulled out a pen and a wallet, and grabbed a contract from among dozens inside the wallet. The god casually plucked it from Phagi's grasp before scanning it and signing his name. The contract burst into flames and both Annabeth and Grover appeared, slightly dazed. Another snap, and the boss was gone.

"Washt the big idea," slurred Grover, stumbling. Hade caught him, looking miffed as though insulted that he was touching a teenager.

Percy hoped the god wouldn't just kill Grover then and there.

Another snap of Hades's fingers, and the cloudiness left the two's eyes. They blinked for a few moments, before paling considerably once they realized who they were standing in front of.

"L-Lord Hades," stuttered Annabeth, taking a knee. Grover froze up once he realized the god was touching him.

The god unceremoniously let go of the satyr, leaving Grover on the ground. "Who was this mystery god of yours?"

The two looked at each other nervously. Percy frowned. From what he remembered, the Olympian had made them swear an oath. He wasn't sure how binding it was, unless-

"He made us on the Styx not to reveal his identity, Lord Hades," Grover worded carefully. "But he was an Olympian."

A tense few seconds passed as all involved parties waited to see if that violated the oath. For a brief moment, Percy felt a familiar set of eyes wash over them, before vanishing just as soon. Afterward, the trio let out a collective sigh of relief.

Hades closed his eyes. "That narrows it to seven. I will assume neither Zeus nor Poseidon are idiotic enough to interfere in a quest with such... stakes at hand." He ran a hand through his hair.

"Was there a golden vehicle nearby?" Annabeth had a confused look on her face before shaking her head.

"Not Apollo," mused the god. "Were you covered in soot when he left?"

Another headshake.

"Did you hear music or see the color purple?"

"No sir."

"Hmm," muttered Hades. "That leaves two then." He frowned for a moment, before frowning.

"Was there a snake on his person? Or two?" Grover shook his head.

"No sir."

Hades nodded. "I expected so. It would appear, then, that your god is Ares himself."

Ares. The god of war.

The silence of the other two was all the confirmation that they needed.

Percy groaned. Of course it had to be the god of war. He could practically smell another fight with an Olympian coming.

"That still doesn't answer where the bolt is," muttered Annabeth. "The... god, he didn't have the bolt and told us to hurry up and find it already."

Hades blinked. "What are you children talking about? The bolt's been with you this entire time."

The trio stared at him.

"In that bag," pointed the god, at Percy.

Slowly, Percy took off his backpack, and unzipped it. To his horror, he felt it even before the zipper fully opened up, raw power causing the hair on his arms to bristle as the object crackled with light.

Hades was right.


When Percy returned to Sally, his blood froze when he saw a familiar figure.

Ebony hair. Smoky dress. Midnight mascara.

And obsidian eyes that smoldered with raw hatred.

She tilted her head, before the corner of her mouth twitched into a smile.

"Perseus Jackson. My collateral.

"My prize," she finished.

She reached towards him, but Sally stepped in between them. Styx stopped just short of touching the woman, before her face became impassive again.

"My son," stressed Sally. "Is not something you can just collect."

The Titaness of Hate closed her eyes. "Legacy of the abyssal sea. You are responsible for this child's cursed past and future. And you knew it, did you not - that loving the sea god would break both your blood's oath and his."

For a moment, Percy saw Sally waver, before she steeled herself. "I loved Poseidon. And he loves us."

"Does he now?" drawled Styx. "Leaving you two to fend for yourselves in poverty, forcing you to marry a horrible man who steals from your precious child, waiting from the sidelines as his own son struggles with all his might against monsters and gods alike to clear his name, all while he has a wife and children waiting back in the ocean - you say that this man loves you?"

She turned to Percy. "Tell me, demigod, why does your father fail to protect you when Zeus sends his assassins after you?"

"Percy," warned Sally. "Don't listen to her. She's trying to get you to hate your father. But he still loves you."

"Is it not normal for a child to despise a father who is not there?" laughed Styx. Her laughter caused Percy to shiver, like knives drawn across metal. "This child has been traumatized so at twelve, shouldering the burdens of his betters, and yet should not hold resentment for the man who will do nothing to save him."

"Poseidon is a busy god," retorted the woman.

"Busy," sneered Styx. "Busy, like in bed with you, while Amphitrite waits at home, knowing fully well her husband is committing adultery? Busy giving attention to his other family, who will stay by his side for eons unlike you? Busy waging war over a matter as simple as pride?"

She walked closed to Sally, lifting her chin with a single finger. "My dear Sally, it is time that you set aside any notions that your past flame will so much as lift a finger for you and your child. You must take it into your own hands to protect him yourself."

Styx waved her hand. From her river, a broken sword shot into the air. She frown in displeasure, waving her hand as it shifted into an old and damaged rifle. She handed it to Sally.

"Consider this an... apology," said Styx. "For taking you so soon. My... ex-husband was not particularly wise that evening. He will have plenty of time to reflect on his actions in Tartarus."

Percy stared at the gun in disbelief. "You kidnapped my mom and a gun is your apology gift?"

"I could simply give nothing," mocked Styx. "Gods are fickle beings, Jackson. They steal, lie, and do whatever they please. Another one could have easily kidnapped her, and then demanded reparations for wasting their time."

The demigod wanted to retort back but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Thank you for your gift, Lady Styx," sighed Sally.

The corner of the Titaness's mouth twitched back up. "Leave us, Sally. I need to speak with my pr... your son."

Sally stared at her for a few seconds before giving a stiff bow. She crushed Percy in a tight hug for a few seconds.

"Don't anger her," whispered Sally. "I can't lose you too."

Percy said nothing but his hug said more than any words could.


"Why?"

The Titaness tilted her head. "Explain."

"Why... me? Why all this?"

Styx shook her head. "Your life was never yours, demigod. One broken oath was bad enough, but twice and over my river? Nay, your fate was cursed from your very birth."

"Oath?" echoed Percy. "What oath? All I keep hearing is how I'm special but how? Because of dad's stupid pact after the war?"

"And more," supplied Styx, walking forward. "You are the legacy of two deities that should not have intertwined - and they paid for it with a bloodline pact, a pact your mother broke when she bedded Poseidon."

She loomed over him, growing as she stepped forward, until she reached a height of around ten feet tall in front of him. "The blood is faint, but it is there. And that very blood consigns you to suffer. So decreed have the Fates"

Percy gritted his teeth, fighting the urge to run off from the Titaness's overbearing presence. "So what do I have to do? Punch a bunch of old women to give me my life back?"

Styx threw her head back in laughter. "That would be a marvelous sight! But no, child, you do not fight fate. You dance on its palm until it tires of you, and pray you survive being discarded. Then may you live your life as you choose."

'I don't exactly follow orders good,' Percy wanted to retort, but he held his tongue. Styx seemed to know what he was thinking though.

"Unpredictable, untameable," chuckled the Titaness. She licked her lips. "Your nature and your existence clash against one another. Oh the tribulations you will suffer for your insolence! The tales they will tell of your misery! You will be the greatest demigod of history!"

"I don't want that!" yelled Percy. "I just want a normal life with my mom and friends!"

"Normal," sneered Styx. "Is not a luxury afforded to you. Nay, since I cannot claim your father's soul for his sin, you are mine now."

In a swift motion, she pinned him against the wall. The impact hurt, but it was nothing compared to staring into the liquid hate swirling in her eyes.

She leaned her head forward. "I am the river of infinity, of innumerable lost paths. I can grant you all the power you desire to protect that which you cherish the most. All I ask is an oath. Complete it, and I will consider your debt repaid."

Percy gulped but nodded in response.

"'And fail to save, what matters most in the end,'" whispered Styx, her breath chilling his ear. "Tell me demigod, what it is you cherish above all."

Though Percy made no attempt to say anything, he couldn't stop himself from thinking of his favorite memory - the first time he and his mom went to Montauk, free from all of life's troubles.

"Your mother," drawled the Titaness. "Yes. That will be a fine wager. Will you protect your mother, Sally Jackson, against a prophecy?"

"Yes."

"Dare you swear on me, demigod?" asked Styx, her hand clasped gently around his neck. "Dare you swear on my river to protect your mother?"

Percy nodded. "I swear."

A triumphant smile danced on the corner of her lips as lightning boomed in the distance. "So bound to your oath are you. Go, take your mother, and remember your oath, lest I lay claim to her soul too."

She let go of him, and he involuntarily clutched his throat.

"What was that thing you gave me when I was fighting Artemis anyways?" he asked. "You said something about a memory but..."

"Lethe," answered Styx, closing her eyes. "The River of Forgetfulness. It takes immense power to cross the boundary between life and death. The Lethe grants you the power to do so."

"You said I had to feed a memory to gain power. Then if I used all of my memories..."

"You would cease to be yourself," she replied. "For your sake, and mine, I hope it never comes to that."


"How was it?" asked Katie.

"Terrifying," admitted Percy, pulling her into a hug. "But I"ve got mom back now, and that's all that matters."

"That's fantastic!" cheered Grover. "But, uh, how do we get out of this place?"

Before Percy could answer, a boat came into view, and with it, a familiar ferryman.

"Nephew, nephew!" chuckled Charon. "Done with your excursion so soon? To think Lord Hades himself would pay for your fare out of the Underworld. I must confess, I believed it to be a one-way journey."

"Sorry to take up so much of your time," apologized Percy. "Can you please bring us out?"

The ferryman snapped his fingers, and Percy blinked when he saw not dozens, but hundreds of Charons ferrying souls, and many other figures he did not recognize doing the same.

"The life of a psychopomp," said Charon. He snapped his fingers again and the extra copies all vanished. "But that's neither here or there." He then bowed slightly to Sally.

"I apologize if this is... disorienting, niece. I cannot help those that are Clear-Sighted."

Sally shook her head. "It's... fine. I'll live." She slung the gun over her shoulder, snorting when the strap broke.

"I still can't believe she gave your mom a gun," whispered Katie. Percy rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe that's all she gave her. Mom deserved better."

The ferry ride was mostly uneventful, Percy and Annabeth discussing means of confronting Ares, Katie and Sally discussing apartment plants, and Grover laughing nervously to Charon's jokes before-

"Woah!"

The flying shoes on Grover suddenly activated, launching him into the air.

"Grover!" yelled Percy, attempting to grab the satyr's legs but missing.

"Maia! Maia! Stupid shoes!" The shoes dragged Grover through the air towards deeper into the Underworld.

Charon frowned. "That's not good."

"Why not?" demanded Annabeth.

"That direction leads only to Tartarus."

Tartarus. The very word itself caused Percy to shiver. And he didn't even know what it meant.

"We need to go after him," declared Percy.

"Are you mad, lad?" snorted Charon. "That hellhole is not a realm for mortals to enter."

"I'll pay you!" replied Percy, holding up a bag of drachmas. "Please, Uncle Charon!"

Charon's bony finger twitched. After a few seconds, he sighed.

"Curse my love for Italian suits," he grumbled. "Alright. Consider this favor done and owed, nephew."

'Nephew?' mouthed Annabeth, as Charon began ferrying towards the satyr. Percy shook his head, indicating he would explain later.

"We're here," said Charon, once they reached the bank. "This is where we part ways. As much as I would love to etch my name in the history books as a god who aided demigods in finding a friend, I have duties to attend to. Good luck."

"Thank you, Uncle Charon." The god stared at him for a brief moment before ferrying off again, alone.

"Well," breathed Percy. "Here goes."

Without any more hesitation, Percy ran after Grover.


If it hasn't been clear by now, I ended up rereading the Dresden Files while writing the last chapter and a couple of elements will bleed over to here. Not enough to qualify as a crossover, but enough.

If you have any more questions and don't want to have to wait an entire update for it to be addressed, you can reach me on the Emerald Library server here: discord . gg/elibrary