So, um, you guys probably won't read my other book so I'll just say it here. For September's update, I might push it back as, starting next week, are my termly exams and I really, really need to study. (I can't fail. Again. -_-) So yeah. Praying for your understanding that next month's update will be pushed back. Also because I am slightly losing my interest in this book so updates won't actually be fast. I'm sorry, don't kill me!

Iapetus carried Percy, something I have yet felt comfortable with. He had slung my brother over his shoulder, something I seethed at. He could at least be more careful with the person who was dying. The cat, who Iapetus informed me was named Small Bob, was curled up on Percy's back, purring. I regret not calling Tellilah to help. Annabeth, while more resilient than anyone I've seen, was still a mortal unlike Iapetus and I, and struggled to keep up.

"How much longer?" she wheezed.

"Almost too long," Iapetus called back. "But maybe not."

"It will be a tight fit but I swore he will not die now. I have yet to break a promise or take back my word." I said shortly.

"If only the Big Three had your traits." Annabeth muttered. "Then we would've been more satisfied with their vows."

"Gods have been around for millenia, Annabeth." I said seriously. "You can't expect them to change completely to be what you expect them to be. They wouldn't be gods but instead just figments of your expectations."

She was about to respond but cursed as she nearly tripped over rocks. I held her arm as she stabilised herself. "I don't get you." She grumbled. "You're all helpful now, but when we needed you before, you weren't there, only arriving when he got poisoned."

"Your trip here was inconvenient. I hoped to be left alone but that won't happen now."

"Another thing I didn't understand. You willingly stay here, where danger lurks in every corner and is the main subject in your nightmares."

How she knows I have nightmares is beyond me. "True. But no one bothers me anymore. I can do whatever I want here and no one will judge me. I will not have to feel heartbreak as I have no feelings for anyone here." Besides Damasen and my darling pups of course.

"Earth may be different, Andy, but it can also be beautiful. You can relax. There will be comfort, people to help you when you are in trouble. You will have a family at Camp, people you can learn to care about and wouldn't judge you for being different. Tell me, how did you get this outfit?" I looked down. Once again, Chaos changed my clothing. I didn't notice.

"Lord Chaos likes to change my clothes, I suppose." There were strange patterns on the side of my shirt—flowers from the look of it but I couldn't identify which ones. My long jeans covered all the scars, which helped me as I released the Mist covering them.

If you're going to ask why do you have Mist covering your scars when they already see them? then don't bother. See, Mist is to cover the things your brain can't understand and shape it to what you expect. They expect to see my scars, as long as they see I have any they won't ask questions. However, I never showed them everything. A girl gotta have her pride.

"Chaos seems to favour you." She remarked.

"I guess. Lord Chaos saved me once, when I was fading in the Void after the Titans threw me in. After that, he gave me his blessings. I enter the Void, sometimes to get away from the rackus they make, sometimes to visit the faded gods and Titans, those who choose eternal sleep."

"Faded Gods? Like Pan?" She had a weird expression on her face and her walking slowed.

"Of course. Pan is like nature and from what I know, he faded when his lands were gone."

I bumped into Iapetus who stopped. "What in Tartarus are you doing, Bob?" The name felt weird coming out but I suspected Iapetus would prefer me saying that name—I'm not taking any risk when he carried my brother.

"Look." I turned to where he pointed, grinning. So absorbed in my conversation with Annabeth, I didn't notice we had arrived.

Ahead in the gloom, the terrain levelled out into a black swamp. Sulfur- yellow mist hung in the air. Even without sunlight, there were actual plants— clumps of reeds, scrawny leafless trees, even a few sickly-looking flowers blooming in the muck. Mossy trails wound between bubbling tar pits. Directly in front of us, sunk into the bog, were footprints the size of trash-can lids, with long, pointed toes.

"Oh, it's that time again." I grabbed Annabeth's hand, pulling her away.

"Drakon?" She asked, more like squeaked.

"Yes." Iapetus grinned at her. "That is good!"

"Uh...why?"

"Because we are close." I cut in. "He lives in this swamp. He can save Percy." I tried sounding flippant which hopefully worked.

Iapetus went in first, followed by me, followed by a very reluctant Annabeth.

Percy's situation was becoming worse 'till he started talking deliriously. Really, I didn't know what was worse—that he muttered Annabeth about a hundred times or he mumbled Sephie about a dozen times. I was annoyed at that—Annabeth's jealousy was something I did not need on my bucket list.

I was greeted with the familiar sight of Damasen's hut as the yellow mist parted. A muddy clearing like an island in the muck. The ground was dotted with stunted trees and wart mounds. In the centre loomed a large, domed hut made of bones and greenish leather. Smoke rose from a hole in the top. The entrance was covered with curtains of scaly reptile skin, and flanking the entrance, two torches made from colossal femur bones burned bright yellow. Annabeth didn't seem interested in that, only giving the place a quick glance before her attention was caught on the drakon skull that encircled the massive oak tree.

"That is quite impressive." I praised. Annabeth gave me an incredulous look as Iapetus murmured, "Yes. This is very good."

Right on time, a roar echoed through the swamp, making Annabeth turn around with her dagger ready. "It won't work." I said softly.

"What won't?"

"The drakon is part of someone's curse. Only he can kill it. Do not worry, though. The drakon will not attack us." I think.

"Can we kill it?" She asked, hearing my doubt.

"Oh, no. Believe me, I tried." I said earnestly. "However, if we continue staying in this one spot, Joey will end us."

"Joey?"

"Doesn't he look like a Joey?" I waved my hand at the magnificent drakon.

"Er, no." Annabeth's hand twitched. I wonder why.

I cocked my head slightly. "Any second now."

"ROOOOOAAAR!" Damasen emerged from his hut, shouting in challenge at the, rather stupid, drakon.

I leaned back a little. "I love this show. He never fails to please."

They clashed like every time I saw them, dancing in the same dance. The drakon spewed poison. Damasen lunged to one side. He grabbed the oak tree and pulled it from the ground, roots and all. The old skull crumbled to dust as he hefted the tree like a baseball bat.

The drakon's tail lashed around the giant's waist, dragging him closer to its gnashing teeth. But as soon as Damasen was in range, he shoved the tree straight down the monster's throat.

I clapped slowly as the tree pierced the drakon's gullet and impaled it, roots digging deeper as they made contact with the ground. "A beautiful death, as always." I proclaimed. Iapetus grunted. "Good one."

"I know right?!" I beamed.

Damasen examined the remains, as if hoping something would be different this time. "No good bones," he complained. "I wanted a new walking stick. Hmph. Some good skin for the outhouse, though."

He ripped some soft hide from the drakon's frills and tucked it in his belt.

"Uh..." Annabeth turned greenish, a weird colour in Tartarus, turning her head toward Iapetus. "Bob, do you want to introduce us?"

"Annabeth..." Iapetus patted Percy's legs. "This is Percy." Then he grasped my shoulder, pushing me forward. "And this is Andy."

"And I'm about to cut off your hand and feed it to Small Bob if you do not remove it right this instant." I announced, ticked.

Annabeth's vein throbbed a little. I wonder what got her pissed. "I meant the giant. You promised he could help."

"Promise?" Damasen studied Annabeth like she was a new species, then at me. "A big thing, a promise. Why would Bob promise my help?"

"When did you call him that?" I asked, amused.

"When did you visit before our agreed time?" He shot back. I hesitated before nodding. "Point taken."

"Damasen is a good giant," Bob said. "He is peaceful. He can cure poisons."

I watched Annabeth watch the giant Damasen, who was now ripping chunks of bloody meat from the drakon carcass with his bare hands. Her hand unconsciously went to her mouth. "Peaceful," she said. "Yes, I can see that."

"Good meat for dinner." Damasen stood up straight and studied Annabeth, as if she were another potential source of protein. "Come inside. We will have stew. Then we will see about this promise."

"Did I ever mention I love your stew, Damasen?" I asked as Iapetus and I went in, Annabeth walking behind us like every step might set off a bomb.

Once inside, I tried to see how Annabeth would see it. My first time in a giant's hut, after believing that nothing in Tartarus could be pretty.

First thing I would consider is if it would be too comfortable, like it was about to swallow me.

Then I would see the punching mat he still had in case of my irregular tempers. (Usually when I visited him it would be to rant about stupid monsters. Can you blame him for not wanting his hard work ruined?)

Afterward, I would see the sheep and think what kind of giant would have sheep and not eat them?

Alas, I wasn't Annabeth so I had none of those thoughts. Instead, I ran my finger across the bonfire, sparking up the dying flames like I did many times. I went over to the sheep, who baaed at me, butting my head or trying, and failing, to eat my clothes and hair.

I watched Iapetus place my twin in Damasen's overly comfortable bed, almost camouflaged in the wool and leather. Damasen tossed the meat into the pot and stirred with the ladle. I never asked where the ladle was. However, Annabeth looked sorely tempted to do so. Grabbing some herbs, I tossed them to Damasen who threw them in without checking. Gods, how I wish I had his sense of smell. It was so unfair.

"My friend is dying. Can you cure him or not?" Annabeth's voice wobbled and she glanced back at Percy. "Wait, he's your friend?" I was so confused with mortal terms. "So how is he different from your other friends? Do you kiss them all and love and be concerned over them?"

Annabeth's hand twitched again as their attention was turned to me. "I think she means boyfriend. It is a romantic relationship." Damasen said dryly. "How many relationships are there?" I mutter thoughtfully. "Earth is very complicated, Damasen. I do not understand how humans prefer it up there. The only relationships here are ally or enemy."

"There are many different relationships that are better than that." Annabeth said softly. "Girlfriend and boyfriend are to describe romantic love. There is also parental love. Or a sibling relationship."

"I don't hear words like those in Tartarus," the giant grumbled. "Friend. Promise. Love."

Annabeth crossed her arms. "How about gorgon's blood? Can you cure that, or did Bob overstate your talents?" I choked on the air. "Annabeth Chase. Your boyfriend's bluntness must've rubbed off on you."

Damasen scowled at her. "You question my talents? A half-dead mortal straggles into my swamp and questions my talents?"

"Yep," she said. I pushed back my hair, settling back on my favourite chair—meaning, the one that is suited to my lack of liking comfort.

"Hmph." Damasen handed Iapetus the ladle. "Stir."

"Surely you knew I was closer."

"After what happened last time, I think I trust him more than you. Which is not speaking much."

"Agreed."

Annabeth stared at Damasen then back at me then back at him. "You two have a good friendship."

"Friendship?" Damasen and I shared horrified looks. Well, I shot him a horrified look. "We are allies, Annabeth. At most, allies. At worst, acquaintances. My more than a decade of torture didn't lead me to be trusting Giants, or Titans for Chaos sake! Er, no offence, Damasen."

"None taken. Can't really blame you." He mutters, popping a fistful of leaves and roots into his mouth, spitting it into a clump of wool.

"Cup of broth." He ordered. I passed Iapetus a hollow gourd and he gave it to Damasen after ladling some stew juice. Damasen dunked the gunk ball and stirred with his finger.

"Gorgon's blood," he muttered. "Hardly a challenge for my talents."

"Damasen learned a lot in his time of imprisonment." I informed Annabeth. "A wonderful giant, really. Violent but cares for innocents. Truly, if he was another species, I would love to be his friend. Alas, I learned my lesson long ago—never, ever trust any giant and titan."

"But you trust Bob." She said, rubbing her arm.

"Depends what you mean by trust, Ann. He hates you, I hate him. Besides, I hate Iapetus. Bob has proven, to my reluctance since I would love revenge against him," I mutter, giving him a dirty look, "that he isn't Iapetus. Well, not entirely. I do not trust Iapetus. Never. I stake my life for that. But I can trust Bob that he will help you pass the Doors of Death. So yeah, I trust Bob."

"Riiiight." She trailed but was distracted by Damasen. "You're going to feed him that?" She asked, eyeing the gourd like it was a gift from Tartarus himself.

The giant glared at her. "Who is the healer here? You?"

"I already healed some of his injuries." I pitched in, gazing at Percy. With each sip, Percy's colour improved. He drained the cup, and his eyes fluttered open. He looked around with a dazed expression, spotted Annabeth, and gave her a drunken grin. "Feel great." Then, he turned to me, frowning. "You look like me." His eyes rolled up in his head. He fell back in the bed and began to snore.

"A few hours of sleep," Damasen pronounced. "He'll be good as new." Annabeth let out a muffled sob. "Thank you," she said. I smiled at Damasen, silently thanking him.

Damasen saw something in my eyes, maybe a fog that cleared, then stared at Annabeth mournfully. "Oh, don't thank me. You're still doomed. And I require payment for my services."

"Uh... what sort of payment?" Annabeth asked, backing up to Percy a little, bumping her feet at the edge of the bed.

"A story." Damasen's eyes glittered. "It gets boring in Tartarus. You can tell me your story while we eat, eh?"

"Oh, yes. Do tell us of your parents. I have forgotten mine. While you're at it, tell me Percy's as well." I said, perking up.

"I…" she glanced at Damasen before staring at me. "Um, alright."

I was fascinated with her stories. So much better than monsters bragging about who they killed and boasting about how hard it was to kill them.

She told us about her life and her adventures with Percy. She explained how Percy had met Bob, wiped his memory in the River Lethe, and left him in the care of Hades.

"Percy was trying to do something good," she promised Bob. "He didn't know Hades would be such a creep."

"From what I know, Annabeth, Gods are always creeps. You can't trust them. Unless you have a swear from the Styx with absolutely no loopholes." I piped in. "But please, do continue."

She explained about their quest in the Argo II. When she got to the part about stopping Gaia from waking, she faltered, something I was most unpleased about. "She's, um... she's your mom, right?"

"Yes," he said. "And Tartarus is my father." He gestured around the hut. "As you can see, I was a disappointment to my parents. They expected...more from me."

"Parents want more. But when you expect something from them, they fail to do so." I agreed quietly. "No one in the Greek World has good parents. Not unless your mortal parent accepts you for you. Like Percy." Does our mother accept me? I find that unbelievable.

Annabeth, obviously, didn't know how to respond so she went back to Damasen. "So..." she said. "You don't mind us fighting your mom?"

Damasen snorted like a bull. "Best of luck. At present, it's my father you should worry about. With him opposing you, you have no chance to survive."

"Opposing us, how?" she asked.

"All of this." Damasen sighed, using a cracked drakon bone's splinter as a toothpick. "All that you see is the body of Tartarus, or at least one manifestation of it. He knows you are here. He tries to thwart your progress at every step. My brethren hunt you. It is remarkable you have lived this long, even with the help of Iapetus."

"And mine." I chipped in. "So far, we manage to evade them. However, it will be quite impossible soon. Crystal has informed me many have been notified of their presence. All search for them."

Iapetus scowled when he heard his name. Now, he reached over to pet Small Bob. The little cat purred in satisfaction. "The defeated ones hunt us, yes. They will be close behind now."

Damasen spat out his toothpick. "I can obscure your path for a while, long enough for you to rest. I have power in this swamp. But eventually, they will catch you."

"My friends must reach the Doors of Death," Bob said. "That is the way out."

"Impossible," Damasen muttered. "The Doors are too well guarded."

Annabeth sat forward. "But you know where they are?"

"Of course. All of Tartarus flows down to one place: his heart. The Doors of Death are there. But you cannot make it there alive with only Iapetus." I stayed silent and still like a statue.

"Then come with us," Annabeth said. "Help us."

"HA!" Damasen boomed. Annabeth jumped in shock. I continued stirring my stew. "Now Percy is going to sleep talk."

In the bed, Percy muttered deliriously in his sleep, "Ha, ha, ha."

"How'd you know?" Annabeth asked me with apprehension and, my least favourite, jealousy.

"Percy is different." I mutter. "I am more in tune with him. It is easier to sense his next move. You are harder to read."

I looked up. "Oh, it was a compliment. I am rather empathic, a skill I developed to survive here. Humans, I have discovered, are much easier to read. You, however, are very unpredictable."

"Um… thanks?"

"Back to the point." Damasen coughed. "Child of Athena," he said, "I am not your friend. I helped mortals once, and you see where it got me."

"You helped mortals?"

"You sound so shocked." I muttered.

"I—I don't understand." Annabeth looked so lost.

"Bad story," Iapetus explained. "Good giants have bad stories. Damasen was created to oppose Ares."

"Yes," the giant agreed. "Like all my brethren, I was born to answer a certain god. My foe was Ares. But Ares was the god of war. And so, when I was born—"

"You were his opposite," Annabeth guessed. "You were peaceful."

"Peaceful isn't a word I would use to describe a Giant." I said. "Try not too bloodthirsty and actually have a bit of humanity."

Damasen sighed, continuing his story. "I wandered the fields of Maeonia, in the land you now call Turkey. I tended my sheep and collected my herbs. It was a good life. But I would not fight the gods. My mother and father cursed me for that. The final insult: One day the Maeonian drakon killed a human shepherd, a friend of mine, so I hunted the creature down and slew it, thrusting a tree straight through its mouth. I used the power of the earth to regrow the tree's roots, planting the drakon firmly in the ground. I made sure it would terrorise mortals no more. That was a deed Gaia could not forgive."

"Because you helped someone?"

"Yes." Damasen looked ashamed. "Gaia opened the earth, and I was consumed, exiled here in the belly of my father Tartarus, where all the useless flotsam collects—all the bits of creation he does not care for." The giant plucked a flower out of his hair and regarded it absently. "They let me live, tending my sheep, collecting my herbs, so I might know the uselessness of the life I chose. Every day—or what passes for day in this lightless place—the Maeonian drakon reforms and attacks me. Killing it is my endless task."

"A stupid task." I got up, going over to where Percy slept. I could see why Nico was so shocked when he saw me. "Damasen will kill it. Eventually, even this curse would get boring. Like how I am tired of life."

"Break the curse," Annabeth blurted out, as always, ignoring me. "Come with us."

Damasen chuckled sourly. "As simple as that. Don't you think I have tried to leave this place? It is impossible. No matter which direction I travel, I end up here again. The swamp is the only thing I know—the only destination I can imagine. No, little demigod. My curse has overtaken me. I have no hope left."

"No hope," Iapetus echoed.

"I love that, Annabeth. As different as we are from them, I love how they understand hope is a useless topic in life." I told her honestly. "You, Percy, Nico. You are so innocent with your hope. But life is hopeless. Life isn't a blessing—it is a curse. The sooner you learn that, the sooner you will grow out of your innocent life."

"There must be a way." Annabeth said. "Andy, life isn't pointless. Once we leave, we can show you the world you haven't learnt of yet. And Damasen," she turns to him. "Bob has a plan to reach the Doors of Death," she insisted. "He said we could hide in some sort of Death Mist."

"Death Mist?" Damasen scowled at said Titan. I wisely stayed mum. "You would take them to Akhlys?"

"It is the only way," Iapetus said.

"You will die," Damasen said. "Painfully. In darkness. Akhlys trusts no one and helps no one."

"I agree with the first part. Not so much on the second." I hummed thoughtfully. "Akhlys would help if given a reason. Most preferably a reason that would bring misery to people. She doesn't trust anyone but she has favourites. Nico would've been a favourite if I had let him visit her. Still, he would've died."

"Why are you so confident that Nico would fail?" Annabeth growled. "He is the son of Hades, a Big Three and the first son of Kronos and Rhea. He was the best shot at surviving."

"Are you so sure about that, Ann?" I tapped my chin mockingly. "Let me ask you one question. What would have happened when he entered the Doors of Death?"

"He would've came back and wouldn't have had to go through the week of torture you brought on him."

"The Doors of Death isn't how you imagine it, child of Athena." Damasen said coolly. "Someone must press the button here for twelve minutes. Once the timer is up, someone at the House of Hades must press the up button. Or else, the doors will vanish. To this day, we aren't sure what happens when that occurs."

"Nico wanted me to go with him. I was touched. I refused but told him I would guide him there, help press the button." I murmured. "He was a little disappointed, the angel. But I knew he wouldn't have survived. Coming here alone with no one to help—that was suicide. I promised him, he would survive. I have yet to break a promise, I told you that Annabeth. I did what I had to, even if he hates me now, I have done my part, haven't I?"

"Andy…" Annabeth muttered. The name was weird since I now know my real name. However, telling Annabeth about Percy and my relationship is Percy's choice. Not mine.

"Back to the topic at hand. Convincing Akhlys will be easy. Just appeal to her how people will suffer if she grants you the Death Mist. Leaving will be the hard part. She is ancient, more powerful than any Titan or Giant you have encountered."

She glanced back at where I combed Percy's hair. "Is there another way?" She asked.

"No," Damasen said. "The Death Mist...that is the best plan. Unfortunately, it is a terrible plan."

"Like I said." I said, smugly. That place was where Chaos and I met. Unfortunately, it was also where I nearly faded into nothingness. It brings out mixed feelings.

"But isn't it worth trying?" she asked. "You could return to the mortal world. You could see the sun again."

"The sun seems to be a very, very horrible thing to see if we're talking about what I think we're talking about. We are talking about the super bright thing in the sky right?" I asked, looking from Iapetus to Damasen to Annabeth.

"Yes." Annabeth said, concerned. "Why are you so against the sun, Andy?"

"You try living here for 13 years, Ann, then go back there with the blazing light and try to tell me you wouldn't hate it."

Annabeth's silence told me she empathised with me. Ugh.

"Get some sleep," Damasen said, staring at us with a strange look. "I will prepare supplies for your journey. I am sorry, but I cannot do more."

Annabeth opened her mouth, to protest most likely, but instead her eyes drooped and she agreed with a "Maybe a little sleep."

Iapetus scooped her up with her legs dangling. I moved a little as he placed her next to Percy. Her eyes were closed before she was even lying down. She had this cute snore that reminded me of Crystal's pup.

"Iapetus, if you could excuse us for a while." Damasen asked, tone dry.

Iapetus left with a "my name is Bob" and I was left alone with Damasen and two sleeping demigods.

It was awkward as Damasen picked up the empty bowls. I scooted over to Percy, wanting to memorise his face.

Gods, that felt so weird. But can you blame me? He will return to the mortal world as a hero, one of three people who have survived Tartarus. Whereas I will be left uncertain with a brother who was a hero and thus too busy for me, a mother who I was unsure how she would react, and a father who did nothing to stop the Titans from stealing me.

"You remember then, Andromeda."

"No, I don't. Lethe's power is strong, even so for me. I cannot remember. But if you're asking about my identity, then yes." I said softly. "Percy told me, when he figured it out. Who knew he would still recall events that happened years ago?"

"A part of me cannot fault him for that." He sat on the chair facing us, a knowing look in his eyes as he stared contemplatively. "What will you do now?"

"I will return to my birth home with Percy after this war. My deal with Gaia is already nullified so I am no longer required to kill Zeus. And…I will no longer be allowed to return to Tartarus."

He and I sat in silence, only interrupted by his sheeps cries and their snoring. "You will find who you are outside of this shell." He said, a rare smile on his face. Small, but still. "For that I am happy for you."

"Thank you Damasen." I sighed. "For years, I didn't know what to do. Now that I do, why do I still feel so lost?"

"Because life in Tartarus is simpler." He stated matter-of-factly. "You kill monsters to make sure you do not die. Isn't that what you do? The mortal world is much more complicated from what I remember. It's fine, you will have a brother who will help you."

"You are the closest Giant I consider a friend, Damasen. Any monster. I am only sorry I can never look past my torture-filled past."

"I know, Andromeda, and I cannot blame you nor do I want to. I will admit, it will be unusual without your presence in Tartarus."

"Looks like both our worlds will be weird." I said. Percy groaned as I sped up the healing process. I grimaced. Damasen noted that and sighed. "You should stop doing that."

"Chaos knows I cannot help it."

"Your brother will be unhappy to know that you are transferring the pain from his body to yours."

"It isn't exactly that." I argued. "All I do is ease the pain from his body and also close the wound."

"And taking the pain he should feel." He noted.

"He will not know. Everything comes with a prize. Lord Chaos told me that when he granted me this power."

"I do not understand. After so long, I still don't understand why you call him by his title when he allows you, and only you, to call him Chaos."

"He deserves my respect. As the only one I respect, he deserves that." I said. "For what it's worth, I wish you could join us in the mortal world."

"I would never fit in. Not like the ancient times. Besides, we all know the world isn't real without sacrifices."

"My brother's flaw is loyalty. I think mine is very similar. Just toned-down if I can see past it and accept the future." I said sadly. "Thank you for healing my brother, Damasen. I have never hoped for anything in a decade but I can tell you now, I hope you survive."

At that moment, Iapetus returned and I felt Annabeth's breathing change. She was awake. I shot Damasen a warning glare. It was a good thing he got it and immediately spoke to Iapetus. "You haven't told her."

"No," Iapetus admitted. "She is already scared."

The giant grumbled. "She should be. And if you cannot guide them past Night?"

"I have to," Iapetus said. "And I will help you, Bob." I said comfortingly.

"Why?" Damasen wondered. To him, it was most likely very puzzling. Me, he could understand. Iapetus? That even made me confused. "What have the demigods given you? They have erased your old self, everything you were. Titans and giants...we are meant to be the foes of the gods and their children. Are we not?"

"Then why did you heal the boy?"

Damasen exhaled. I knew it was to delay and give him time to answer without actually saying, you know. "I have been wondering that myself. Perhaps because the girl goaded me, or perhaps...I find these two demigods intriguing. They are resilient to have made it so far. That is admirable. Still, how can we help them any further? It is not our fate."

"Perhaps," Iapetus said, uncomfortably. "But...do you like our fate?"

"What a question. Does anyone like his fate?"

"I liked being Bob," he murmured. "Before I started to remember..."

"Huh." Damasen stuffed some essentials in a leather bag. I eyed Annabeth, watching her as she pretended to sleep.

"Damasen," the Titan asked, "do you remember the sun?"

I paused, wanting to hear his response. "Yes. It was yellow. When it touched the horizon, it turned the sky beautiful colours."

"Is the sun truly beautiful?" I asked despite having lost the meaning of that word. When was the last time someone said something was beautiful?

"Yes, Rhea." Damasen said. Really, this whole name thing was very problematic. "Once you get used to how bright the sun is, you will see what it brings. It gives you sight, more than what you are used to. It shows you the world that stretches further than you can see. And when it sets, the sky is painted in different colours, an art itself that not many can capture. Sometimes, when Iris is happy, a rainbow appears, making everything more cheerful."

"I miss the sun," Iapetus said before I could ask what a rainbow was. "The stars, too. I would like to say hello to the stars again."

"Stars..." Damasen said the word as if he'd forgotten its meaning. "Yes. They made silver patterns in the night sky." He threw something to the floor with a thump. From the looks of things, it was a tooth. "What are stars?" I asked. This time, Iapetus answered. "They are what appears when the sun fades at night. They, too, are beautiful, creating patterns in the sky, shining brightly, giving us light to navigate when the sun cannot shine." I do not recall this. I do not remember seeing stars. Granted, my memory isn't helpful considering it had been more than a decade ago.

Damasen scowled, brushing past Iapetus. "Bah. This is useless talk. We cannot—"

I groaned as the Maenion drakon roared. On the bright side, Percy woke up. "What? What—where—what?"

"It's okay." Annabeth took his arm, throwing away any pretence.

I backed away quickly, giving him space to take everything in.

"That noise...where are we?"

"How much do you remember?" she asked. "I—the demon grandmothers—and then...not much." My poor brother looked so lost and confused.

Damasen loomed over the bed. "There is no time, little mortals. The drakon is returning. I fear its roar will draw the others—my brethren, hunting you. They will be here within minutes."

He gave them a bag each. "Clothes, food, drink."

Iapetus was also given a bag but I was spared—a very good thing.

My brother accepted the bad without questions but Annabeth was hesitant. "What will you tell them when they get here?"

Damasen's mouth twitched. "What is there to tell? Nothing of significance, as long as you are gone."

I mentally rolled my eyes as Annabeth's eyebrows knitted together in her 'I-am-planning-something-look'. She straightened so fast, like she was struck by lightning. "The Prophecy of Seven," she said. Prophecy? Of Seven? Was it the seven Nico talked about? My lips twitched at the way I had described them. I wasn't taking it back.

Percy evidently knew what she was talking about, frowning as he asked, "What about it?"

Annabeth grabbed Damasen's hand, startling him. His brow furrowed. I raised an eyebrow questioningly. Percy met my gaze, shrugging ever so slightly.

"You have to come with us," she pleaded. "The prophecy says foes bear arms to the Doors of Death. I thought it meant Romans and Greeks, but that's not it. The line means us—demigods, a Titan, a giant. We need you to close the Doors!"

The drakon roared outside, closer this time. Damasen gently pulled his hand away.

"No, child," he murmured. "My curse is here. I cannot escape it."

"Yes, you can," Annabeth said. "Don't fight the drakon. Figure out a way to break the cycle! Find another fate."

Damasen shook his head. "Even if I could, I cannot leave this swamp. It is the only destination I can picture."

Percy looked at his girlfriend pityingly, already knowing it was hopeless. I inched closer to him, grasping his hand gently. "There is another destination. Look at me! Remember my face. When you're ready, come find me. We'll take you to the mortal world with us. You can see the sunlight and stars." A temptress at heart, I smiled. She was like Luke, I could see why he liked her.

The ground shook. The drakon was close now, stomping through the marsh, blasting trees and moss with its poison spray. Farther away, I narrowed my eyes as I heard the voice of the giant Polybotes, urging his followers forward. "THE SEA GOD'S SON! HE IS CLOSE!" Wow. So invested in Percy.

"Percy. Damasen cannot stop them if you do leave right now. Even his power is limited. You must go. Now!" I urged, pulling at his hand. He gave me a pleading pout but turned to Annabeth. "Annabeth," Percy said urgently, "that's our cue to leave."

"Soon it will be too late." I directed it at Damasen. "You need to make your choice quickly. If not, it will affect all of us."

Damasen refused to look at me, pulling out the sword he made—a blade of dragon bone, honed to a deadly edge, with a simple grip of leather.

"One last gift for the child of Athena," rumbled the giant. "Something to remember me by. Now, go! Before it is too late."

She let out a pitiful cry as I latched onto her arm, dragging her to the door. I didn't look back, not even as I heard Damasen's voice crack with despair. We can only get a better life if we try. However, for him, there was no such thing.