One moment they were in Connecticut, and in the next, they were in Percy's house. And while the three sat somewhat comfortably on the couch, Mrs. O'Leary occupied the rest of the living room.

A muffled yell came from the bedroom, "Who put this wall of fur in the doorway?"

"Percy? Are you here? Are you all right?" A female voice said, Sally Jackson.

"I'm here!" he yelled back.

"WOOF!" Mrs. O'Leary tried to turn in a circle to find his mother, knocking all the pictures off the walls.

In a few minutes, they managed to work out their situation, albeit after destroying most of the furniture. In the end, Percy's parents and the demigods were able to squeeze out into the kitchen. As Paul poured lemonade for the, Percy began to explain everything, with Valen adding his own thoughts every once in a while. By the end of it all, Paul had a haunted look on his face.

"So it's true." Paul stared at them like he was seeing ghosts, "All the talk about monsters, and being a demigod . . . it's really true."

While Percy had explained it all to him earlier in the fall, Paul never truly believed him until that moment.

"Sorry about Mrs. O'Leary," Percy said, "destroying the living room and all."

Paul laughed like he was delighted. "Are you kidding? This is awesome! I mean, when I saw the hoofprints on the Prius, I thought maybe. But this!"

He patted Mrs. O'Leary's snout. The living room shook—BOOM, BOOM, BOOM—which either meant a SWAT team was breaking down the door or Mrs. O'Leary was wagging her tail.

"You're taking this better than I expected." Valen said, "I mean I thought you'd have a mental breakdown."

"Oh, trust me I'm half an inch from that. But the sheer awesomeness of it all dwarfs the freaking out part if that made sense?"

Mrs. Jackson took a deep breath like she was thinking about how to tell Percy no.

"Percy, it's dangerous," she said. "Even for you."

"Mom, I know. I could die. Nico explained that. But if we don't try—"

"We'll all die," Nico said.

Valen shrugged, "I'd do it myself if I could, but my moms a bit too dead for that."

"Ms. Jackson, we don't stand a chance against an invasion. And there will be an invasion." Nico said before they could go off-topic.

"An invasion of New York?" Paul said. "Is that even possible? How could we not see the . . . the monsters?"

He said the word like he still couldn't believe it was real.

"I don't know," Percy admitted. "I don't see how Kronos could just march into Manhattan, but the Mist is strong. Typhon is trampling across the country right now, and mortals think he's a storm system."

"That's the best case scenario, worst that could happen is us being exposed to the entire world and the governments of the world coming for us." Valen said, "Either way, it's an armageddon."

Nico nodded, "Ms. Jackson, Percy needs your blessing. The process has to start that way. I wasn't sure until we met Luke's mom, but now I'm positive. This has only been done successfully twice before. Both times, the mother had to give her blessing. She had to be willing to let her son take the risk."

"You want me to bless this?" She shook her head. "It's crazy. Percy, please—" "Mom, I can't do it without you."

"And if you survive this . . . this process?"

"Then I go to war," Percy said. "Me against Kronos. And only one of us will survive."

"You're my son," she said miserably. "I can't just . . ."

"Mrs. Jackson, I won't let him die, I can assure you that. But he needs the blessing if we are to stand a chance in the war. If we lose…" He trailed off, and shook his head, "You don't want to think about that."

Percy shared a glance with Paul and an understanding passed between them.

"Sally." He put his hand over hers. "I can't claim to know what you and Percy have been going through all these years. But it sounds to me . . . it sounds like Percy is doing something noble. I wish I had that much courage."

Mrs. Jackson stared at her lemonade. She looked like she was trying not to cry.

"Percy," she said, "I give you my blessing."

Unclimactically, nothing happened to show if it worked, no glow or show of lights, no weird sensation. Percy glanced at Nico, who looked even more anxious, but he nodded nevertheless, "It's time."

"Percy," she said. "One last thing. If you . . . if you survive this fight with Kronos, send me a sign." She rummaged through her purse and handed him her cell phone.

"Mom," Percy said, "you know demigods and phones—"

"I know," she said. "But just in case. If you're not able to call . . . maybe a sign that I could see from anywhere in Manhattan. To let me know you're okay."

"Like Theseus," Paul suggested. "He was supposed to raise white sails when he came home to Athens."

"Except he forgot," Nico muttered. "And his father jumped off the palace roof in despair. But other than that, it was a great idea."

"What about a flag or a flare?" she said. "From Olympus—the Empire State Building."

"Yes," she agreed. "I'll watch for a blue signal. And I'll try to avoid jumping off palace roofs."

After bidding their goodbyes, they walked to the kitchen doorway and looked up at Mrs. O'Leary.

"Sorry, girl," Percy said. "Shadow travel time again."

She nodded energetically and the entire house shook.

"Where now?" he asked Nico. "Los Angeles?"

"No need," he said. "There's a closer entrance to the Underworld."

Valen frowned, "Seriously? His doorway?"

Nico just shrugged in response as they melted into their shadows.

.

.

.

They emerged in Central Park just north of the Pond. Mrs. O'Leary looked pretty tired as she limped over to a cluster of boulders. She started sniffing around, and Percy was afraid she might mark her territory, but Nico said, "It's okay. She just smells the way home."

He frowned. "Through the rocks?" "The Underworld has two major entrances,"

Nico said. "You know the one in L.A."

"Charon's ferry."

Nico nodded. "Most souls go that way, but there's a smaller path, harder to find. The Door of Orpheus."

"The dude with the harp."

"Dude with the lyre," Nico corrected. "But yeah, him. He used his music to charm the earth and open a new path into the Underworld. He sang his way right into Hades's palace and almost got away with his wife's soul."

"He was told not to look back on the way out, but his will wasn't strong enough and he failed to do that. As a result, his wife, Eurydice, was forever lost to him, even in death they could not be reunited, such was my Father's ordinance." Valen explained, "Moral of the story? Don't make deals with Hades."

"I thought that was a given." Nico muttered, looking around until he came over to a pile of rocks with a crack in the middle, "Found it."

"So this is the Door of Orpheus?" Percy said, sounding uncertain. "How does it open?"

"We need music," Nico said.

"How's your singing?"

"Um, no. Can't you just, like, tell it to open? You're the son of Hades and all."

"It's Orpheus' door, not Hades'." Valen said dryly.

Nico nodded, "We need music."

"I have a better idea," Percy turned, and called out, "GROVER!"

They waited for a long time. Mrs. O'Leary curled up and took a nap. Crickets chirped and owls hooted in the woods. Traffic hummed along Central Park West. Horse hooves clopped down a nearby path.

"It's no good," Nico said at last.

Percy shook his head and closed his eyes, and concentrated. Valen sighed and conjured a chair for him and Nico to sit on.

"So, do you think it'll work, whatever he is doing?" He asked.

Nico shrugged, "Maybe."

Percy suddenly stumbled backward, and almost fell over.

"What happened?" Nico asked, getting up from his chair. Valen got up next, and with a snap dissipated the chairs.

"I got through. He's . . . yeah. He's on his way." A minute later, the tree next to them shivered. Grover fell out of the branches, right on his head.

"Huh, so he is alive." Valen noted.

"Grover!" Percy yelled.

"Woof!" Mrs. O'Leary looked up alert.

"Blah-haa-haa!" Grover bleated.

"You okay, man?"

"Oh, I'm fine." He rubbed his head. His horns had grown so much they poked an inch above his curly hair. "I was at the other end of the park. The dryads had this great idea of passing me through the trees to get me here. They don't understand height very well."

He grinned and got to his feet.

"Good to see you, G-man," he said. "You remember Nico."

Grover nodded at Nico, and turned to Valen, "You're back!"

Valen smiled a small smile, "In the flesh."

Shaking hands with Valen, Grover proceeded to hug Percy.

"Perrrrcy!" he bleated. "I missed you! I miss camp. They don't serve very good enchiladas in the wilderness."

"I was worried," Percy said. "Where've you been the last two months?"

"The last two—" Grover's smile faded. "The last two months? What are you talking about?"

"We haven't heard from you," Percy said. "Juniper's worried. We sent Iris-messages, but—"

"Hold on." He looked up at the stars like he was trying to calculate his position. "What month is this?"

"August."

The color drained from his face. "That's impossible. It's June. I just lay down to take a nap and . . ." He grabbed Percy's arms. "I remember now! He knocked me out. Percy, we have to stop him!"

"Whoa," Percy said. "Slow down. Tell me what happened."

He took a deep breath. "I was . . . I was walking in the woods up by Harlem Meer. And I felt this tremble in the ground, like something powerful was near."

"You can sense stuff like that?" Nico asked.

Grover nodded. "Since Pan's death, I can feel when something is wrong in nature. It's like my ears and eyes are sharper when I'm in the Wild. Anyway, I started following the scent. This man in a long black coat was walking through the park, and I noticed he didn't cast a shadow. Middle of a sunny day, and he cast no shadow. He kind of shimmered as he moved."

"Like a mirage?" Nico asked.

"Yes," Grover said. "And whenever he passed humans—"

"The humans would pass out," Nico said. "Curl up and go to sleep."

Valens eyes widened, "He's on their side too? No wonder Kronos is so confident about invading New York."

"Who is he?"

"Someone you should steer clear of." Valen said grimly.

"Grover, what happened next?" Nico asked.

"I followed the guy. He kept looking up at the buildings around the park like he was making estimates or something. This lady jogger ran by, and she curled up on the sidewalk and started snoring. The guy in black put his hand on her forehead like he was checking her temperature. Then he kept walking. By this time, I knew he was a monster or something even worse. I followed him into this grove, to the base of a big elm tree. I was about to summon some dryads to help me capture him when he turned and . . ."

Grover swallowed. "Percy, his face. I couldn't make out his face because it kept shifting. Just looking at him made me sleepy. I said, 'What are you doing?' He said, 'Just having a look around. You should always scout a battlefield before the battle.' I said something really smart like, 'This forest is under my protection. You won't start any battles here!' And he laughed. He said, 'You're lucky I'm saving my energy for the main event, little satyr. I'll just grant you a short nap. Pleasant dreams.' And that's the last thing I remember."

Valen sighed, "My friend, you're insanely lucky you ever woke up."

Nico nodded, "That was Morpheus, the god of Dreams. If he wanted, he could put the entire city to sleep."

"Two months," Grover moaned. "He put me to sleep for two months!"

"Why didn't the nymphs try to wake you?" Percy asked.

Grover shrugged. "Most nymphs aren't good with time. Two months for a tree—that's nothing. They probably didn't think anything was wrong."

"We've got to figure out what Morpheus was doing in the park," Percy said. "I don't like this 'main event' thing he mentioned."

"Probably something like putting every demigod to sleep while monsters slaughter us." Valen grumbled.

"He's working for Kronos," Nico said. "We know that already. A lot of the minor gods are. This just proves there's going to be an invasion. Percy, we have to get on with our plan."

"Wait," Grover said. "What plan?"

They told him, and Grover started tugging at his leg fur.

"You're not serious," he said. "Not the Underworld again."

"I'm not asking you to come, man," Percy promised. "I know you just woke up. But we need some music to open the door. Can you do it?"

Grover took out his reed pipes. "I guess I could try. I know a few Nirvana tunes that can split rocks. But, Percy, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Please, man," Percy said. "It would mean a lot. For old times' sake?"

He whimpered. "As I recall, in the old times we almost died a lot. But okay, here goes nothing."

He put his pipes to his lips and played a shrill, lively tune. The boulders trembled. A few more stanzas, and they cracked open, revealing a triangular crevice.

Valen walked closer and peeked inside, steps led down into the darkness. The air smelled of mildew and death. "Yep, that's the underworld alright."

Percy turned to Grover. "Thanks . . . I think."

"Perrrrcy, is Kronos really going to invade?"

"I wish I could tell you better, but yeah. He will."

Grover straightened up and brushed off his T-shirt, "I've got to rally the nature spirits, then. Maybe we can help. I'll see if we can find this Morpheus.'"

"Huh, you've grown." Valen said, "Good character development dude."

"Better tell Juniper you're okay, too." Percy said.

His eyes widened. "Juniper! Oh, she's going to kill me!"

"There's the you I remember." Valen chuckled.

He started to run off, then scrambled back and gave Percy another hug. "Be careful down there! Come back alive! And Valen, I hope this doesn't affect your relationship with your father too much."

Valen shrugged, "Eh, if he tries to force us to remain, he can go to hell for all I care."

"Isn't he already-"

"Figure of speech, Grover. Go."

"Right, stay safe!"

Once he was gone, Nico roused Mrs. O'Leary from her nap. When she smelled the tunnel, she got excited and led the way down the steps. It was a pretty tight fit.

"Ready?" Nico said. "It'll be fine. Don't worry."

"Famous last words." Valen said, jumping behind the hellhound.

The stairs went on forever—narrow, steep, and slippery. It was completely dark except for the light of Percy's and Valen's swords.

After an hour on the stairs, the sound of a river reached their ears. They emerged at the base of a cliff, on a plain of black volcanic sand. To their right, the River Styx gushed from the rocks and roared off in a cascade of rapids. To their left, far away in the gloom, fires burned on the ramparts of Erebos, the great black walls of Hades's kingdom.

Valen sighed, "Welcome home, I guess."

"Your father has been waiting for you." A shrill voice welcomed them.

"What the-"

Before either of them could respond, the three furies swooped down on them and grabbed them by the backs of their necks.

Valen cursed out in ancient greek so colorful, both Percy and Nico stopped struggling for a moment to stare at him.

"What?" He said, noticing their stairs, "I read."

Looking up, he said, "Let us go, Megaera."

"Apologies Prince, your fathers orders."

Valen sighed and grumbled under his breath, There's goes any chance of avoiding conflict.

The furies let them down in the middle of the palace garden. Skeletal white trees grew from marble basins. Flower beds overflowed with golden plants and gemstones. A pair of thrones, one bone, and one silver, sat on the balcony with a view of the Fields of Asphodel.

Skeletal warriors guarded the only exit. They wore tattered U.S. Army desert combat fatigues and carried M16s.

Valen sighed, and began walking towards the empty thrones, as he walked the air simmered Three figures appeared—Hades and Persephone on their thrones, and Demeter standing between them. They seemed to be in an argument.

"—told you he was a bum!" Demeter said.

"Mother!" Persephone replied.

"Alright, whats your plan to keep us imprisoned here?" Valen interrupted, glaring at his father. Glancing at the other, he gave an apologetic smile, "Apologies Lady Persephone, Lady Demeter, but my father has some explaining to do."

"Oh?" Hades said, "And why must I explain anything to you."

"If you want me to come quietly and not attempt to destroy the castle, yes." Valen replied without hesitation.

Hades sighed and flicked his fingers, in an instant the two goddesses vanished from the room.

"Why don't you understand? I'm only trying to protect you two."

Valen almost rolled his eyes, "Do you really think Kronos won't come for the underworld after he's done with the overworld?"

"Be that as it may, I have a better chance of keeping you safe here than in the overworld."

"You could always help us in the war up there." He said.

Hades shook his head, "I cannot interfere directly, and we both know it's a losing battle."

"I'd rather die standing with my friends than live in guilt and fear for the rest of my short life." Valen said, standing straight.

"You're under the impression that I'm going to let you leave."

Narrowing his eyes, Valen grabbed his companion's arms and began descending into the shadows.

Hades smiled as if he knew this would happen, and a moment later, the three were gone, yet none reached the destination Valen had intended.

.

.

.

When Valen came to, he was back in his room, just that this time, his windows were barred and his door sealed to the wall.

Shaking his head to free himself of the disorientation, he tried to shadow travel outside, but before he could leave, his body hit a wall. It was as if the room had extended into the shadow realm as well, essentially trapping him.

Valen sighed, "Great, now what do I do?"

I could try blasting the door open. No, nevermind it's made of stygian iron.

"Wait, iron." Valen smiled, an idea forming in his head.

Yet before he could execute any of it, his father's voice reached his ears, "There's a repulsion field lining the walls, do not attempt ripping them off, you'll only hurt yourself."

Cursing under his breath, he turned around to greet his father, "A minor setback, I'll find a way out sooner or later."

"I don't doubt it, but whether you can escape the palace is a separate matter." Hades said, walking to a window and staring outside. "You are not leaving the palace, accept your fate."

"Last I checked I have a good track record changing fate." Valen spat, "Nothing you say is going to convince me to stay."

Hades sighed, "If words wont change your mind, then time will."

With that, he disappeared from the room.

Valen sat down on his bed, Great, I can't shadow travel out, my ferrokinesis won't work. I could try lightning, but it would take a lot of effort to break through with it.

He sighed, Might as well try to brute force my way through.

Getting up, he summoned his sword imbuing power in it. And as the lightning flowed out, he pointed it at the door and the thunder roared.

Right before it could hit the door, a figure teleported into the room, right in front of the door.

Widening his eyes, Valen cut off the flow of energy into his sword. But the deed was done, and the thunder struck her point blank.

Melinoe blinked, mildly taken aback as she adjusted her-now electrocharged- auburn hair, "That's not really a good way to greet family members, you know?"

"I didn't mean to," Valen said immediately, "I was trying to blow off the door."

Melinoe raised an eyebrow, "That blow? It won't make it through Fathers enchantments, much less blow away the door."

Valen sighed, "I'm desperate and out of options, shadow travel wont work for some reason, my ferrokinesis is useless, hell I can't even soulwalk through them without risking being absorbed by the stygian iron."

"Good thing that I came then, huh?" She said, placing an arm over her waist.

"You're willing to go against Father's decision?" Valen said.

Melinoe nodded, "Given that it is a stupid decision? Yes. I've already escorted your friend and Nico out, they're already on their way to the Styx."

"And you're coming to me now?"

"Consider it revenge for being afraid of me during most of your stay here." She said, "Also, I couldn't just barge in with father in the room."

"Alright, thats fair enough I guess," Valen said, "So, what's your plan on getting me out?"

Melinoe smiled, "Grab my hand."

Knowing full well what gods were capable of with instantaneous teleportation, Valen didn't hesitate much before doing what she said.

In a flash of light, they were gone, and Valen's room returned to its silent state.

Melinoe took him to the outskirts of the castle and headed to the main gate. She stopped abruptly when it came into view. A figure stood in front of the gate, waiting for them.

"I cannot let you pass, Valen." Hades said, "Return to your room."

"I refuse," Valen said, holding up his sword.

"Valen, don't be an idiot, you cannot beat him in his domain," Melinoe warned.

"What else am I supposed to do?" He protested.

"Slip by while I keep him busy."

"Are you sure?" Valen asked, he didn't like her chances against his father.

"Yes, now go." She said before mist began flowing out of her body, and her form began changing.

Hades sighed, summoning his bident from thin air.

"Stay alive," Valen said, disappearing into his shadow.

And the two gods clashed, shaking the entire castle to its foundation.

.

.

.

Down by the river Styx Nico and Percy stood by the river, panting from the run there.

"My father will be…coming soon," Nico said. "We should hurry."

Percy nodded, and took a deep breath in, "So . . . I just jump in?"

"You have to prepare yourself first," Nico said, "or the river will destroy you. It will burn away your body and soul."

"Sounds fun," Percy muttered.

"This is no joke," Nico warned. "There is only one way to stay anchored to your mortal life. You have to . . ."

Nico's eyes widened as he glanced behind him. Percy turned around, coming face to face with a blond ghost holding a spear.

"Achilles," Nico said.

Achilles nodded at him with some familiarity, but his face hardened when he faced Percy, "I warned the other one not to follow my path. Now I shall warn you."

"Luke? You spoke with Luke?"

"Do not do this," he said. "It will make you powerful. But it will also make you weak. Your prowess in combat will be beyond any mortal's, but your weaknesses, your failings will increase as well. It is a curse as much as it is a blessing."

"You mean I'll have a bad heel?" Percy said. "Couldn't I just, like, wear something besides sandals? No offense."

Achilles frowned and looked down at his heel, "The heel is only my physical weakness, demigod. My mother, Thetis, held me there when she dipped me in the Styx. What really killed me was my own arrogance. Turn back before it's too late."

"I have to," Percy said, "Otherwise I don't stand a chance."

Achilles sighed, "Yes, Valen told me of the war." He looked up, "Very well, if you must do this, concentrate on your mortal point. Imagine one spot of your body that will remain vulnerable. This is the point where your soul will anchor your body to the world. It will be your greatest weakness, but also your only hope. No man may be completely invulnerable. Lose sight of what keeps you mortal, and the River Styx will burn you to ashes. You will cease to exist."

"I don't suppose you could tell me Luke's mortal point?"

"Some things are sacred, I cannot tell you that," Achilles said regretfully.

Percy took a deep breath, concentrating on the small of his back, he pictured a string, a bungee cord to hold him in place, and then he walked in.

"Your father is sending the undead army for you," Achilles said, "Hold your sword up Nico, we have a tough fight ahead of us."

"Why are you helping us?" Nico asked, doing what he said.

Achilles said, "I cannot simply let my student's friends face imminent death in good conscious."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Nico said, straightening up when he heard the unmistakable clacking of bones.

His heart fell when the army came into view, hundreds of skeletal soldiers, each equipped with weapons from their time, from stone axes to modern guns.

Preparing himself, Nico grabbed his necklace tight, the power that he had accumulated began flowing into him.

Achilles held up his spear, and charged headfirst, his curse protecting him even in death. Nico stabbed his sword into the ground, and the land of the underworld cracked open, devouring any who came in its way, sending them straight to Tartarus.

But it could only take down so many. The skeletons still advanced, charging with their weapons in hand.

Nico inhaled deeply, and ripped his sword out, a volley of stones stabbed up from the ground in the direction of his blade, impaling and crushing the skeletons in its path.

The sound of thunder reached his ears, an unnatural sound in the cold space of the underworld, and unmistakable blue light streaked through the battlefield, shattering bone and cleaving a way. The shadows darkened and shot up as spikes, taking dozens down.

Valen walked into view, his spear flying around the army, impaling any skeleton that had the misfortune of coming into its path. And his sword pulsed with nordic energy, each swing sending another bolt of lightning out. His free hand moved unnaturally, commanding the shadows to react to his will.

A small smile crept up Nico's face, the ground shook as boulders left their place. With a flick of his fingers, they shot forward, each taking down half a dozen soldiers.

Valen raised his arm, his blue eye glowing with power as thunder crackled once more, and rained down on the field.

"Try to command them away." He suggested, walking up to his brother.

"What? I can't do that, they're under fathers control, not mine."

"He's preoccupied at the moment, you should be able to override his control, try it." He said, holding out his arm and calling back his bident.

Nico sighed and closed his eyes in concentration, he could feel the souls of each of the skeletons, the spark of Hades' power in them dimming by the moment. In the distance, another explosion sounded from the castle, and a wave of fear and dread passed through them.

Valen maneuvered around Nico, with each motion he took down a skeleton that got too close, thunder crackled and shadows darkened as he began exerting more and more power.

Nico's eyes opened, a purple glow shrouding his body. His necklace floated out of his shirt, a tether of purple energy connecting it to his core, "Spirits of the dead, hear me." His voice magnified a hundredfold, "Drop your weapons, and return to the castle."

While some did exactly what he said, others stood by, staring at him motionlessly.

"My father is in danger, he needs your help." He said before the glow left him.

Hearing that, the others began moving back, charging back at the castle in an absurd turn of events.

Nico finally relaxed, and plopped down to the ground, panting in exhaustion.

Valen sat down beside him, "You did well Nico."

Nico nodded, "I used up all the energy I had stored."

"It's okay, you're still only fourteen."

Nico glared up at him at the comment.

Valen almost rolled his eyes, "You're physically fourteen, that's a fact you can't change. Your power will increase the older you get."

Nico sighed, he could not argue against that.

Achilles walked up to them silently, not willing to interrupt them, but Valen noticed.

"Achilles, thank you for helping them." He said.

Achilles smiled, "You can call for my help any time Valen," He paused, as if just realizing his status, "Err, any time you're in the underworld that is."

Valen smiled, "Of course. You should go before Father begins to have suspicions."

"I'm afraid it's too late for that." A silky voice made him jump, and there his father stood, bruised and covered in golden ichor.

Valen's face hardened, "What did you do?"

"Oh please I've merely imprisoned her in a shell of shadows until I return. I'm not barbaric enough to kill her for going against me." Hades said, noticing the look on his face.

Achilles took to a knee, "Lord Hades, I-"

"Return to your post, Achilles I will declare your punishment later."

Achilles paled, if ghosts could pale, and disappeared from the field.

Valen held up his sword, lightning crackling as it flowed over it. Dark mist covered his bident as he held it behind him, preparing himself to face his father in battle.

"I do not wish to fight you Valen, only to protect you."

"You call this protecting? Sending an army of soldiers against your sons?"

Hades sighed, "They were only meant to intimidate you, if Melinoe hadn't delayed me in the castle, I would've had the situation in control."

"Honestly I'm offended you think a bunch of skeletons would scare me," Valen said, "I mean we've all gone against beings much worse than that, hell Percy and I fought Atlas two years ago."

"That reminds me, where is the spawn of Poseidon?"

As if on cue the water of the Styx burst open, and Percy came flying out and onto the sand.

Hades stared at him wordlessly for a moment, before speaking, "That is your plan? Fight fire with fire?"

Valen shrugged, "It's better than nothing."

"You'll be fighting a Titan, boy, Achilles' curse will keep your friend from dying, but it wont give him the ability to kill him."

"Then help us." Valen said, "Help the Olympians."

"We cannot interfere directly, you know that."

"You need a host," Nico said suddenly, "Like Kronos."

Hades nodded, "And not many demigods can host an elder god."

"I can," Valen offered immediately, "I'm one of the strongest in our generation and your son. Not to mention the divine dna I got from moms side."

Hades shook his head, "I cannot."

"If you're worried you're going to hurt me-"

"You don't understand, I physically cannot use you as my host. A higher existence has already touched your soul."

Valen froze, "Say what now?"