So, life's been going well. I'm going to miss next month's update because I'll be at camp and there's no signal. I'll make up for it, not sure when, but I'm thinking maybe two more updates before the year ends.

Guys, it's almost a year since I got the idea for Champion of Chaos, holy gods. How does time pass so fast?

The thing was, I wasn't exaggerating. Andy raised her hands and Hecate backed up a little like it was natural, like she knew the mysterious girl from Tartarus, and the ground just exploded. Bits of rocks rained down as Andy seemed to bring down the whole ceiling. In truth, all she did was make fire explode from the ground, but it was shocking enough. Clytius hissed and I almost, almost felt sorry for him. No matter where he turned, there was fire waiting for him. Andy twirled her hands, following the giant's movement. Clytius roared in pain as he narrowly dodged another burst of fire. Unfortunately for him, not fast enough. His entire right foot was caught in the fire, still smoking as he moved away. The smoky veil that surrounded him began to weaken, all while Andy just stood there. It almost seemed like she was doing nothing, but everyone knew different. I turned to Hecate who smiled serenely like a girl wasn't bringing the whole place down, then turned to Leo, who's eyes were wide with shock, not necessarily fear.

I somehow could hear Annabeth stirring, groaning in pain. Percy muttered something that sounded like, "Bob-bob-bob?"

Hecate was suddenly behind me again. "The Giants and Titans feared her." She informed me, unfazed by the chaos Andy was bringing. "Feared what she could achieve. So they stole her, away from a single mother who loves her children so much, and a twin brother who would've done anything to make her smile."

"Why are you telling me this, now?" I waved my hand at Andy who was laughing now. I liked it better when she was annoyed.

"Because a bond can only be built on trust and understanding." Hecate said, "and you need Rhea for the last part of your journey."

"We haven't needed her yet."

"Does not mean you won't need her." I was forced to meet Hecate's eyes. "Nico di Angelo feels betrayed but the truth stands—he would have died without her. Do not be so quick to judge her on what you know, but try to understand her."

I stumbled as Hecate left where she stood to talk to Clytius.

"You cannot win." He hissed despite looking absolutely defeated. His skin was pink and puckered, like what happens when you burn yourself. The Black Mist had more or less vanished by now. "Rhea cannot defeat me, even with you."

"Maybe not, but it sure is fun and satisfying." Andy said, not at all bothered. She clenched her fists and brought her hands down to her chest. The geysers of fire went down, only to start spurning even more vigorously.

Hecate placed an arm on her, temporarily stopping her. "Clytius is right, and you will bring down the place."

"I thought you were letting me enjoy this for not telling my father all those years ago I was alive." Andy complained, not looking away from the Giant.

"Would you like Perseus to die as you bring the whole cavern down?"

"He won't die!" What really happened in Tartarus that made her so caring over Percy?

"Are you certain?" That silenced Andy as she huffed and looked away, but the trembling stopped and the flames cooled down so fast, it seemed they were never there.

"Perhaps you are right, Clytius, Rhea cannot kill you. An immortal alone cannot. But we all know a goddess and a demigod can."

In front of me, the air rippled. Andy turned around to me, frowning. Later, I would be lost in her eyes, wondering how she and Percy could look so similar. The Mist thickened, creating a doorway, and four people stepped through.

I wept with relief. Frank's arm was bleeding and bandaged, but he was alive. Next to him stood Nico, Piper, and Jason—all with their swords drawn.

"Sorry we're late," Jason said. "Is this the guy who needs killing?"

Remember when I said I was almost sorry for Clytius? Cross that. Now, I am sorry.

They attacked him from every direction—Leo shooting fire at his legs, Frank and Piper jabbing at his chest, Jason flying into the air and kicking him in the face. I was proud to see how well Piper remembered our sword-fighting lessons.

Each time the giant's smoky veil started creeping around one of them, Nico was there, slashing through it, drinking in the darkness with his Stygian blade.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Andy shuffling away from the battlefield, eyebrows knitted in concentration but I wasn't sure why, until she gave up with being subtle and ran to Percy. He and Annabeth were on their feet, looking weak and dazed, but their swords were drawn. They looked like they wanted to help, but there was no need. The giant was surrounded.

Clytius snarled, turning back and forth as if he couldn't decide which of them to kill first. Wait! Hold still! No! Ouch!

The darkness around him dispelled completely, leaving nothing to protect him except his battered armour. Ichor oozed from a dozen wounds. The damage healed almost as fast as it was inflicted, but I could tell the giant was tiring.

One last time Jason flew at him, kicking him in the chest, and the giant's breastplate shattered. Clytius staggered backward. His sword dropped to the floor. He fell to his knees, and the demigods encircled him.

Only then did Hecate step forward, her torches raised. Mist curled around the giant, hissing and bubbling as it touched his skin. "And so it ends," she said.

It does not end. Clytius's voice echoed from somewhere above, muffled and slurred. My brethren have risen. Gaia waits only for the blood of Olympus. It took all of you together to defeat me, along with Rhea. What will you do when the Earth Mother opens her eyes?

Hecate turned her torches upside down. She thrust them like daggers at Clytius's head. The giant's hair went up faster than dry tinder, spreading down his head and across his body until the heat of the bonfire made me wince. Clytius fell without a sound, face-first in the rubble of Hades's altar. His body crumbled to ashes.

For a moment, no one spoke. I heard a ragged, painful noise and realised it was my own breathing. My side felt like it had been kicked in with a battering ram. It was close.

Hecate faced me impassively. "You should go now, Hazel Levesque. Lead your friends out of this place."

I gritted my teeth, trying to hold in my anger and not lash out. Not only because she's a goddess, but I might suffer long term injuries if I move suddenly. "Just like that? No 'thank you'? No 'good work'?"

The goddess tilted her head. Gale the weasel chittered—maybe a good-bye, maybe a warning—and disappeared in the folds of her mistress's skirts.

"You look in the wrong place for gratitude," Hecate told me. "As for 'good work,' that remains to be seen. Speed your way to Athens. Heed my advice, you will need it. But Clytius didn't lie, not entirely. The giants have risen—all of them, stronger than ever. Gaia is on the very edge of waking. The Feast of Hope will be poorly named unless you arrive to stop her."

The chamber rumbled. Another stela crashed to the floor and shattered.

"The House of Hades is unstable," Hecate said. "Rhea cannot keep holding on, she will drop eventually, for real this time. Leave now. We shall meet again."

She dissolved from where she stood. The Mist evaporated. I felt exhausted.

"She's friendly," Percy grumbled.

The others turned toward him and Annabeth, as if just realising they were there.

"Dude." Jason gave Percy a bear hug.

"Back from Tartarus!" Leo whooped. "That's my peeps!"

Piper threw her arms around Annabeth and cried.

Frank ran to me. He gently folded his arms around me. "You're hurt," he said with concern.

"Ribs probably broken," I admitted, too tired to hide it. "But Frank—what happened to your arm?"

He managed a smile. "Long story. We're alive. That's what matters."

I was so giddy with relief it took me a moment to notice Nico, standing by himself, his expression full of pain and conflict.

"Hey," I called to him, beckoning with my good arm.

He hesitated, then came over and kissed my forehead. "I'm glad you're okay," he said. "The ghosts were right. Only one of us made it to the Doors of Death. You… you would have made Dad proud."

"You undermine yourself," I said, cupping my hand gently to his face, "we couldn't have defeated Clytius without you."

His eyebrows furrowed. "Hecate would've defeated Clytius. What did she mean by—"

"Another thing for another day." I interrupted him, not wanting to bring up Andy. Not now.

Before we could continue, the ceiling shuddered. Cracks appeared in the remaining tiles. Columns of dust spilled down.

"We've gotta get out of here," Jason said. "Uh, Frank...?"

Frank shook his head. "I think one favour from the dead is all I can manage today."

"Wait, what?" I asked.

Piper raised her eyebrows. "Your unbelievable boyfriend called in a favour as a child of Mars. He summoned the spirits of some dead warriors, made them lead us here through… um, well, I'm not sure, actually. The passages of the dead? All I know is that it was very, very dark."

To our left, a section of the wall split. Two ruby eyes from a carved stone skeleton popped out and rolled across the floor.

A very audible cough from behind us. Frank helped me turn. I saw Andy's eyebrow pinch as she knelt down, a hand on her stomach. I heard Nico's hiss as she turned pale and green, her other hand at her mouth.

"Sephie," Percy ran to her, kneeling down beside her, Annabeth behind her. "What happened?"

Watching them be so concerned over the person who was responsible for my brother's torture was… painful.

"Zeus's son is right." She murmured, swaying a little. "I can't keep the place stable anymore." She pointed at the ceiling. We all followed her finger. A large, tornado like thing was supporting the ceiling, catching any debris that would've hit us.

"Just rest." Annabeth said soothingly. "We'll get out soon."

"You'll see the sun." Percy added. Andy sucked in another breath. Her face changed to a grimace.

When I looked at Nico, his face had twisted into something I couldn't read.

"We have to shadow-travel." I said, deciding to ignore the girl's presence.

Nico winced, "Hazel, I can barely manage that with only myself. With seven more people—"

"I'll help you." I tried to sound confident. Hopefully if I failed, they would be kind enough to ignore that. I mean, I have never shadow-travelled before, had no idea if I could; but after working with the Mist, altering the Labyrinth—I had to believe it was possible.

An entire section of tiles peeled loose from the ceiling.

"Sephie…" why does he call her that? Andy had gotten up, looking almost worse than me. Leo, who I had noticed had talked to her, almost looked concerned.

"I can help, Percy." She straightened, sighing. "I can buy some time." She turned around, vanishing as she ran into the nearest wall.

"We have some questions for you once we get out of here, dude." Jason said.

"You convinced her to help then?" The shaking had stopped, more or less. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, but we best not jinx it.

"Something like that." Percy's entire expression softened and he sighed. Annabeth patted his back, not looking jealous. In fact, she almost seemed to agree with him. "But we can't leave her here." He snapped back to reality.

"Sephie!"

"Percy, I'm sure she knows what she's doing." Annabeth said, tugging him to where we held hands, forcing him to hold Nico's and her hand. "But we need to get out of here."

No wonder Andy had said she would buy us time. The shaking had returned, not as serious as before, but picking up speed.

"Hurry!" I envisioned the Greek countryside above us. Then I added us in the picture. My vision darkened and I felt myself dissolving into shadow.

We appeared on the hillside overlooking the River Acheron. Someone was already waiting for us.

Andy laid on the ground, seemingly in a daze. Her eyes were half-opened and clouded, her head slightly tilted to be facing the direction of the Argo II, completely lost to her surroundings. A hellhound, prowling around her, nudged her with its nose.

"Gah!" Piper drew her knife.

"NO!" Nico, Percy and Annabeth shouted. Percy ran to her, physically fighting her until he snatched the knife away from her.

Annabeth had ran to Andy, pulling the dazed girl to lean her entire weight on her. The hellhound regarded Annabeth, but didn't attack. I considered that a good point. Nico looked at Percy. "She told you." It wasn't a question.

"Told me many things." He said.

Leo staggered backward. "You know… my brain's getting confused here. I think I'll sit down."

Annabeth had managed to coax Andy out of her dream-like state. I saw her yawn prettily, never looking more human than now. Her eyelids were fluttering, fighting to open as she whispered, "Percy?"

"I'm here, Sephie." Percy knelt down next to her, offering her a hand. "And I have something to show you."

Nico looked away as Andy accepted his hand. I think I speak for everyone when I say I'm confused.

Andromeda POV

I honestly didn't plan on falling into a trance as soon as I teleported out of the House of Hades. The ground just felt comfy. The night sky was making the whole atmosphere cool. It was a wonder and I couldn't help wanting to enjoy the breeze against my skin, the air not trying to kill me for once.

When they came out, and Annabeth got me to stand, the sun was rising. I buried my face in my brother's chest. He let out a low laugh, patting the back of my head. "Look, Sephie." His hand moved. "That's the sun."

I groaned, unwillingly peeling my face from him. Yet I still did. I wasn't disappointed.

The first thing I noticed was the brightness it brought. I forced my eyes to keep open. After everything, a fear of light was foolish. Then, I start noticing other things. The colours for instance. I extracted myself from Percy, slowly walking closer to the sun. It lit up all of the hillside. I saw grass, really grass. The greenness it had, and the colours dotted around it. Flowers. Fascinating. The different colours were so new, so foreign. They just bodded together like they were supposed to be there, and it was stunning. The sun was another thing. It glowed so brightly, so powerfully. It fit in the sky just like it was supposed to. The stars slowly twinkled away as the sun rose higher. The water glittered, reflecting the sun and everything around it. The- the clouds were painted in orange. It was so old and yet so new. I threw up my hands and laughed.

Percy's hand was around my waist as I raised my hands, commanding the water. There was nothing to fight, no one to show my powers to. It was just because I wanted to. I commanded the water to rise, to twist. It was so different. Nothing I ever known, nothing I had ever felt. So- so completely different. There was nothing about it. It was just there. It didn't fight me for control. It wasn't something I had to tame. It was just there. A silent companion.

"How do you like it?" Annabeth asked from my other side. I leaned into Percy. "It's beautiful. Blinding though."

"You'll get used to it." She promised. "After all, you'll get to experience this everyday."

Everyday. How odd.

"Do you want to see our ship?" Percy asked. I nodded, reigning in my excitement. "Would your friends allow it?"

"Let them warm up to you, like we did." Annabeth said, comforting. "Just be yourself. I grew to like the Andromeda beneath the act she put up."

"Hecate seems to think so."

"Then trust the goddess's words."

"Couldn't have said it better myself." Percy grinned as they kissed from behind me. I rolled my eyes fondly. I still have to get used to this lovey-dovey-ness. The Titans hated it. Hated emotions.

My hand tightened on Percy's hand. He squeezed back, before moving his hand so we would be holding hands. Annabeth moved to his side.

As we went back to their friends, I tried to recall their names. The buff one is Frank. Hazel, I know. Leo is the hyper one. Piper is the last girl, the one who had rusty fighting. Jason is the one with blonde hair. The one who was almost like a mini-Luke. One thing I would never confuse is their eyes. Luke's eyes were a little like blue mixed with white, with anger and pain forever in them. They turned a more solid blue when he focused on me, but nothing could truly hide the anguish he held. Jason also held pain, but in them were also other emotions. Some I couldn't name. Determination. Joy to be with his friends. Exhaustion. A sadness. An expectation, as if he knew what was happening next and was preparing for it. His eyes were of the sky. A similar colour, exactly like the sky I saw. A son of Zeus, wasn't it? No. He was the son of Jupiter, the Roman aspect. The demigod who had killed Krios. My like for him just went a bit higher. I mustn't mistakenly call him Luke. That would just be weird. Yet something told me the two were just too different for me to ever mistake them.

Percy and Annabeth pointed out some things to me. There's our ship… that's the flag…

I just nodded along.

The other demigods stopped their conversations as we approached. Hostility was in everyone's eyes, though Leo still looked confused.

They had been talking about something between the lines of praetor. I think. I'll have to ask Percy later.

"What's going on?" Annabeth asked to stop the awkward silence.

"Oh, we were talking about what Frank did." The Golden haired boy said. "He controlled the entire legion. You should've seen him. Oh, by the way..." Jason glanced at Percy. "I resigned my office, gave Frank a field promotion to praetor. Unless you want to contest that ruling."

I had no idea what was going on around me, but Percy grinned. "No arguments here."

Leo clapped Frank on the shoulder. "Way to go, Zhang. Now you can order Octavian to fall on his sword." Octavian… is it so wrong I have heard this name before?

"Tempting," Frank agreed. He turned apprehensively to Percy. "But, you guys… Tartarus has to be the real story. What happened down there? How did you...?"

I grunted as Percy tightened his hold on my hand. "We'll tell you the story," Percy promised. "But not yet, okay? I'm not ready to remember that place."

"No," Annabeth agreed. "Right now..." She gazed toward the river and faltered. "Uh, I think our ride is coming."

I sighed, mentally prepping myself as the ship, the Argo II, veered close to us, the- the oars moving in sync. How fascinating. The sails puffed out as the winds pushed against them. The dragon head at the front glinted in the sunlight. I will never get used to saying that word. Even all the way here, I could hear it creaking and clanking. Like it was alive.

"That's my boy!" Leo yelled. Huh?

As it got closer, I saw a tall, buff satyr. (He had a weird fashion sense.)

"About time!" The satyr yelled. I wrinkled my nose. Not all of them could act. He was trying to scowl, but he wasn't doing a good job of it. His eyes gleamed. "What took you so long, cupcakes? You kept your visitor waiting!"

"Visitor?" Hazel murmured.

"Cupcake?" I turned to Percy. "It's a small cake." He explained. I frowned. "But what's a cake?" Luke might've explained it to me. All I got from his rambling was that it apparently tasted good.

"Tell you later." Annabeth kissed my cheek. I blinked. Her lips against my skin were so different from Luke's. More delicate, more careful.

At the rail next to Coach Hedge, a dark-haired girl appeared wearing a purple cloak, her face so covered with soot and bloody scratches that I couldn't help but grin. I probably wasn't supposed to. She scowled at me. I wiggled my fingers in return, though I wasn't sure why.

I stared at the statue. The first time we met, I saw it. They thought I wanted to steal it but to be honest, I couldn't see the point of it. It was just a statue, and I had other things to do. Now though, I was just waiting for it to come to life.

Leo's weird mechanical thingys had lowered it from the ship to the hillside. Now the forty-foot-tall goddess gazed serenely over the River Acheron, her gold dress like molten metal in the sun. Can I melt it? Will they be mad? I didn't like the statue staring at anything. How about just the face?

"Incredible," the girl who Percy introduced to me as Reyna admitted. She, like the others, treated me with hostility, having heard their tales, but I couldn't truly be bothered. Staying in one place had kicked up my hyperactiveness. Percy said it was natural as a demigoddess. I mean, just because I'm an immortal, didn't mean I got rid of my demigoddessness.

She circled the statue like it was a prey and she was the predator. Or is it the opposite? I think it's the opposite. She's waiting for it to pounce. "It looks newly made."

"Yeah," Leo said. "We brushed off the cobwebs, used a little Windex. It wasn't hard."

I looked at Percy. "It's a cleaning thing." Was his simple reply. I shrugged, accepting the explanation.

After everything, everyone was hungry. Their ship hovered above us as I stared at it, waiting for the moment it would fall. Percy eventually pulled me away. The dragon head, Festus as they all it, kept watch for threats on the radar, the entire crew had decided to eat lunch on the hillside while they discussed what to do. I was tempted to leave the place, maybe go enjoy how my father's element feels, but Percy insisted I join them. "You're going to have your first meal after escaping Tartarus," he said, "I want to be there."

I couldn't argue, even though I didn't feel hungry. "Hey, Reyna," Annabeth called. "Have some food. Join us."

The praetor glanced over, her dark eyebrows furrowed, as if join us didn't quite compute. I completely understand. I must say, she looks like what an exceptional warrior is supposed to look like.

"All right," she said finally.

Everyone scooted over to make room for her in the circle. I was pressed against Percy and Annabeth with Reyna sitting next to Annabeth, picking up something that was yellow and… sandish-coloured, nibbling at the edge. I knew Percy and Annabeth wanted to sit together, not that they made any notion they wanted to, but excuse me if I didn't want to sit next to people who would rather cut off my head than befriend me.

"So," Reyna said. "Frank Zhang… praetor."

Frank shifted, wiping crumbs from his chin. "Well, yeah. Field promotion."

"To lead a different legion," Reyna noted. "A legion of ghosts."

Hazel put her arm protectively through Frank's. I finally found out she was his girlfriend, not that anyone told me.

"Reyna," Jason said, "you should've seen him." I like that. Always so ready to protect his friends. Always the first to do so. A good quality of a leader.

"He was amazing," Piper agreed.

"Frank is a leader," Hazel insisted. "He makes a great praetor." It was like they already had it in their head Reyna would disapprove.

Reyna's eyes stayed on Frank, like she was trying to guess his weight. "I believe you," she said. "I approve."

Frank blinked. "You do?"

Reyna smiled dryly. "A son of Mars, the hero who helped to bring back the eagle of the legion… I can work with a demigod like that. I'm just wondering how to convince the Twelfth Fulminata."

Frank scowled. "Yeah. I've been wondering the same thing."

"The legion will listen to you, Reyna," Frank said. "You made it here alone, across the ancient lands."

Reyna chewed her sandwich as if it were cardboard. "In doing so, I broke the laws of the legion."

"Caesar broke the law when he crossed the Rubicon," Frank said. "Great leaders have to think outside the box sometimes."

She shook her head. "I'm not Caesar. After finding Jason's note in Diocletian's Palace, tracking you down was easy. I only did what I thought was necessary."

"Diocletian…" I murmured. "Where Eros resides."

That earned me shocked looks, but Percy just smiled. "Reyna, you're too modest. Flying halfway across the world by yourself to answer Annabeth's plea, because you knew it was our best chance for peace? That's pretty freaking heroic."

Reyna shrugged. "Says the demigod who fell into Tartarus and found his way back."

"He had help," Annabeth said.

"Oh, obviously," Reyna said. Her obsidian eyes met mine. It seems like somewhere between when we met and just now, she got used to seeing me. I like long sleeved clothes, though. I don't like people seeing me. "I doubt Percy could find his way out of a paper bag without you."

"True," Annabeth agreed.

"Hey!" Percy complained.

The others started laughing, but Reyna wasn't finished. "And you are? I suppose we should… thank you for helping Percy and Annabeth."

I flicked the cheese sandwich given to me, bored, only to look up with a start. "Huh… what?"

Percy shook his head as Annabeth laughed. The others were just too tense. I rolled my eyes. Reyna gave me a tight-lipped smile, repeating what she said. I shrugged, going back to flicking the weird food. "You can if you want, I don't really care."

"She is the one girl who doesn't care at all about what people think of her." Annabeth told Reyna as Percy messed up my hair. I ducked away from him, elbowing him in the process. He bent over. "Gah! I hate your elbow."

"You will hate my tongue even more if you try that." I threatened, turning to Annabeth. "When we were one, our mum brought us to a library. Percy took one look at the book she was reading to us and just bit into it. Mum had to buy the book. Not sure about now, but she kept it in a box labelled 'Percy's misfits'."

Annabeth burst out laughing. "No way."

I smiled in contentment. "It was a book about the Gods, and she had just turned to the page on Zeus."

That sent Percy blushing red as even Leo fell over laughing. Piper looked tempted to do the same. That stopped when Jason asked a bizarre (in my opinion) question. "You've known him when you were younger?"

I shot him an incredulous look then realised, "ohh! They didn't tell you." Now that I think about it, they weren't given a chance to.

"It slipped our minds to be honest." Percy admitted reaching for my hand. From my other side, Annabeth offered me some food. I took it with my free hand, but didn't eat it.

"What do you mean?" Nico asked, still scowling at me.

"There were some things in my childhood I never shared with you guys." Percy admitted, sharing a look with Annabeth. I didn't need to look to know she was silently encouraging him. It was sweet. "One of them was my missing twin sister who was kidnapped thirteen years ago."

"Not so missing now." Annabeth pitched in as the whole hillside became silent. I kept my eyes on Percy, who did the same. We were waiting for the same thing—for them to start asking questions. They did without fail.

Leo started with a "huh? Wait, what!" Then Piper continued, "why?" With some other words at the back I didn't hear. I glanced around, and almost winced. Half of them (Jason, Frank and Hazel) were stunned, with their mouths falling open. Piper and Leo were asking constant questions. Nico and Reyna were the ones whose reactions were controlled. They were all stupefied. Did I use that correctly?

Annabeth laughed. "Gods, you should see your faces."

"Annabeth took it better when we told her." I mumbled to Percy. He flicked my nose. The look I gave him promised many, many more embarrassing facts about him. Not as much as I hoped since it was thirteen years ago, but good enough. "Sephie, she saw you choke Akhlys with her own domain. Anything pales compared to that."

"You sound like it was a bad thing." I arched my eyebrow.

"You are his sister, then?" Reyna asked me.

"Andromeda Persephone Jackson." Percy stated proudly. It was my turn to flick his nose. "Hey!"

"I don't know much but I'm pretty sure that question was for me, Perseus. Or have you suddenly become me?" I said starchly as he rubbed his nose, muttering something about "girls and their ridiculously long nails."

"You remember?" Nico asked quietly. It was the first time he spoke directly to me. "Good for you."

"I wanted to stay." I told him, because he deserved the truth. "But it looks like destiny forbade it." I winced. I needed to check on my burns. Just… not in front of them. Chaos's powers were great and powerful, but even couldn't do much when it came to the flames of Tartarus directly from the deity himself, not to mention in just a few minutes. I worry Tartarus has done some permanent damage. I'm just surprised it took that long for him to make a move. Percy gave me a concerned look but I chose to ignore it. It was my fault for not being aware of my surroundings. Tartarus had taken the opportunity to strike at me, and I will bear the consequences. I will not drag my brother into this.

"I was wondering how they managed to convince you to help."

"Sometimes, I don't know either." I snapped my fingers. The key that seemed to have started my problems appeared, hovering slightly above my hand. I curled my fingers around it. Nico winced seeing it. Annabeth put her hand on my wrist. "Andromeda, you do need to eat."

"They seem ready to burst if their curiosity isn't sated." I said, motioning to Leo and Piper, the main two. Didn't mean the others weren't brimming with curiosity as well.

"So you are the daughter of Poseidon? Why do you have fire powers? How are you immortal? Who kidnapped you?" Leo asked like he had to say everything in one breath or he might die. He might die either way due to suffocation.

"Yes, I am. The next questions have the same answer. Lord Chaos. As for who kidnapped me. Well, the Titans if you want the race. Iapetus if you want to be specific." I counted them off. I could have imagined it as Nico turned paler than before. Like I said though, imagined.

"You've been in Tartarus this whole time?" Piper leaned in closer to me. "How did you survive?"

"I suppose my brother isn't the only stubborn one." I answered simply.

"Why did they kidnap you? What happened to you?" Ah, the complicated questions.

"They wanted to control the prophecy." I said slowly. "As for what they did, do you want to know?"

Percy frowned. "Let's leave that question unanswered."

"I wasn't suffocated." I said, mostly to Nico, ignoring Percy. "I mean, not the whole time. They paid closer attention to me than they did to you. Many others came. The defeated ones who held a grudge on a certain demigod. There were many that came. I remember how furious they were. I remember many of them…" I trailed off. Annabeth bit her lip. Percy hugged me close to his chest. I didn't want to listen to their horrified gasps.

"Like I said, change the subject." Percy said coolly. He sounded… like what I imagine how I sounded when with Akhlys.

Leo coughed awkwardly. "I- uh. So, um, what are we going to do with the forty-foot-tall statue of Athena?"

I didn't move, just closed my eyes and listened to them talk.

They talked about the Athena statue, and talked about what should happen to it. Only then did I raise my head. Percy had his hand on my waist and Piper had her dagger on her plate. Everyone stared at it like it was an unsteady monster about to blow. (It's more common than you think)

Piper said, "since we got back to the ship, I've been seeing some bad stuff in the knife. The Roman legion is almost within striking distance of Camp Half-Blood. They're gathering reinforcements: spirits, eagles, wolves."

"Octavian," Reyna growled. "I told him to wait."

"When we take over command," Frank suggested, "our first order of business should be to load Octavian into the nearest catapult and fire him as far away as possible."

"Agreed," Reyna said. "But for now—"

"He's intent on war," Annabeth put in. "He'll have it, unless we stop him."

Seriously, where have I heard this name before? My memory has never failed me. (Except, you know. That's not my memory's fault though!)

"Unfortunately, that's not the worst of it." Piper turned the blade of her knife. "I saw images of a possible future—the camp in flames, Roman and Greek demigods lying dead. And Gaia..." Her voice failed her.

"Fighting Gaia on Earth is like fighting Tartarus in Tartarus." I said quietly. "You cannot defeat them. Not on their domain. Like Uranus couldn't be defeated in the skies. It was through trickery that Kronos killed him." I thought of Damasen. We both knew what would happen if he were to choose to fight his father. I told him I would be thankful, that wasn't a lie.

Playing with my food, I continued, "the prophecy is clear though, one way or another, the world will fall. That can be interpreted in two ways. One, you seven fail, and the world dies. All of humanity dies. Or two, the world is a metaphor and Gaia dies. Well, defeated, since you know, she can't die."

"You know the prophecy, Andy?" Nico asked.

"Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, to storm and fire the world must fall. An oath to be kept with a final breath and foes bear arms to the Doors of Death." I chanted from memory. "Lord Chaos informed me of it."

Percy cleared his throat. "So Reyna will take the statue to Camp, and we'll continue on to Athens."

Leo shrugged. "Cool with me. But, uh, a few pesky logistical problems. We got what—two weeks until that Roman feast day when Gaia is supposed to rise?"

"The Feast of Spes," Jason said. "That's on the first of August. Today is—" August? It sounds familiar.

"July eighteenth," Frank offered. "So, yeah, from tomorrow, exactly fourteen days."

Hazel winced. "It took us eighteen days to get from Rome to here—a trip that should've only taken two or three days, max."

"So, given our usual luck," Leo said, "maybe we have enough time to get the Argo II to Athens, find the giants, and stop them from waking Gaia. Maybe. But how is Reyna supposed to get this massive statue back to Camp Half-Blood before the Greeks and Romans put each other through the blender? She doesn't even have her pegasus anymore. Uh, sorry—"

"Fine," Reyna snapped. I think she would rather stab him to death rather than openly admit she thought of him as a friend. So his love interest was definitely not her. It would be quite interesting if it was though. She calmed down though, taking a deep breath, "unfortunately, Leo is correct. I don't see how I can transport something so large. I was assuming—well, I was hoping you all would have an answer."

"The Labyrinth," Hazel said. My eyes grew larger. "I- I mean, if Pasiphaë really has reopened it, and I think she has..." She looked at Percy apprehensively. "Well, you said the Labyrinth could take you anywhere. So maybe—"

"No." Percy, Annabeth and I spoke in unison.

"Not to shoot you down, Hazel," Percy said gently, never able to maintain a threatening image with his friends. "It's just..."

I know that place. I know the history of that twisted place. Where people died, never able to return to their homes. Where unsuspecting victims could fall prey to the horrors in them. The rare time I did leave Tartarus, it was through there. Almost immediately though, I found myself back in Tartarus. I couldn't stand that place. No maps, no way to know if I was going in the right direction. It was the worst feeling I felt, and coming from me, it said a lot.

Percy and Annabeth clearly had experience with it, lost in their own thoughts. "For one thing," Percy said, "the passages in the Labyrinth are way too small for the Athena Parthenos. There's no chance you could take it down there—"

"And even if the maze is reopening," Annabeth continued, "we don't know what it might be like now. It was dangerous enough before, under Daedalus's control, and he wasn't evil. If Pasiphaë has remade the Labyrinth the way she wanted..." She shook her head. "Hazel, maybe your underground senses could guide Reyna through, but no one else would stand a chance. And we need you here. Besides, if you got lost down there—"

"Death would be a mercy." I ended grimly.

"Never mind then." Hazel said depressingly.

Reyna cast her eyes around the group. "Other ideas?"

"I could go," Frank offered, not sounding very happy about it. No one would. "If I'm a praetor, I should go. Maybe we could rig some sort of sled, or—"

"Yes…" I drawled. "Then what? Frank, Annabeth just said that only Hazel could navigate through the Labyrinth. Besides, it cannot be you. You are part of the prophecy for a reason. You are vital to the quest. The Seven can't be the Seven without you. Without any of you."

"Andromeda is right." Reyna said wearily. "While I hope we will work side by side in the future, it isn't now. Your place is with the crew of this ship to go to Athens."

"I'm not," Nico said. No one needed clarification.

Everyone stopped eating. I looked up. Percy was giving Nico a strange look, as if deeming if he was serious or not.

Hazel set down her fork. "Nico—"

"I'll go with Reyna," he said, ignoring her. "I can transport the statue with shadow- travel."

"Oh really?" I hissed, my instincts on high alert. "Do you really think you'll survive, Nico di Angelo?"

"Uh…" Percy interceded. "Not to sound like I'm siding with anyone, but Nico, a year ago you said transporting just yourself was dangerous and unpredictable. A couple of times you ended up in China. Transporting a forty-foot statue and two people halfway across the world—"

"I've changed since I came back from Tartarus." Nico snapped. "I think Andy can justify that. And saying you're not trying to side with anyone means you are siding with someone. We all know who you are choosing."

"So now you drag me into this- this love spat?" I growled, getting to my feet. "News flash, kiddo, I'm not interested."

"Love spat?" Someone mumbled but we ignored them.

"I'm not a kid, Andy." Nico's brown eyes sparkled dangerously. "And I can do this."

"And die?" I challenged. "I know sacrifice better than anyone here, Nico. If you do this, you will die."

"Just because you are the champion of the most powerfulest primordial doesn't make you know everything!"

"I didn't even attend school and I know powerfulest isn't a word!" I yelled. "I don't think I know everything, and never had I once acted like I did!"

"You sure did so when you decided to give my location to the monsters in Tartarus!" He yelled back, losing his cool.

I stood there, breathing heavily. "So you are saying that it would've been better if the two of us never met?" I asked, more quietly. "That I should have left you at the entrance of Tartarus? Continue on with my life as you die?"

It wasn't just him who flinched. "Fine, maybe it wasn't the best decision, but I refuse to apologise. I will not apologise for something I thought was right and I stand by my choice. Hate me if you wish, but it has already passed and there is nothing you can do about it." I continued. "I will tell you, though, you will die if you do this alone." I looked back at Percy who stared intently at his hands. "If we are competing on who should go, then I volunteer."

"No!" Was his immediate response. Percy got up as well, grasping my hand. "I am not letting you out of sight. Not for the next 3 years."

"That would be quite impossible, but Andromeda, you know Percy is just worried about you." Annabeth said as I squeezed my eyes shut and gritted my teeth in frustration.

"Oh, so everyone can go and risk their life for some stupid statue that I don't even know why it's so important but I can't?"

Most sucked in a sharp breath. Leo watched the statue like it was going to shoot a laser at me.

"Sephie, please do not insult Athena." Percy sighed. "I would hate to get into another argument with her because she wants to smite my sister."

I looked behind him at the statue and then at Annabeth. "I guess I do see some resemblance." I murmured. "But you do not have to worry about that. The Gods have not cared about my existence for 17 years. They wouldn't start now."

"Back to the topic at hand." Hazel said, looking at Nico who was so well hidden in the shadows, I was reminded of Crystal, my closest and dearest companion. "Someone has to go with Reyna."

"I'll go." I said, annoyed almost immediately. Percy yanked my arm. I barely held off my wince. "No, you're not." He insisted.

"Look, the stupid statue needs to be delivered, and I know I can do it." I rolled my eyes. "Whereas Nico has to take time off and heal. He's weak as it is. Give it a few more months, I'm sure he will be able to do it, but now? Definitely not."

"I'm not the one who had 11 years of torture." Nico argued.

"So when it benefits you, you are reminded of that fact." I arched an eyebrow. "The thing is, Nico, I had two years to heal and recover. I'm perfectly fine."

"If we look at your back, I think we'll find enough evidence that you are not fine." Percy immediately said, the traitor. I shot him an irritated look as Annabeth gasped. "Tartarus. I can't believe I forgot. Andy, are you okay?"

"She was so burned that even with Chaos's help, she collapsed." Percy said for the others'. "She is definitely not okay."

"I will be. You don't have to worry!" I pulled my hand away.

"No." Reyna spoke up. "For your brother's sake, Andromeda, it is best if you stay. For Percy. If you go, he cannot focus on the task ahead. It will be a higher risk if he constantly worries about you."

Seriously? She's going to take their side? How am I now surprised?

"I can do it." Nico said softly. "I'll make short jumps—a few hundred miles each time. It's true, after each jump I won't be in any shape to fend off monsters. I'll need Reyna to defend me and the statue."

"I feel like no one ever bothers to listen unless it is to use my words against me." I huffed as I sat down again. Percy laughed, at ease now that it was clear I wasn't going. Annabeth kissed my cheek. "It'll be nice with you on board." She whispered against my ear. I grudgingly smiled. At least there'll be someone who will keep me sane.

"Any objections?" Reyna asked, studying us. I glared at her as her eyes swept by me, still sort of disgruntled.

"Very well," she said finally, choosing to ignore me. "I see no better option. But there will be many monster attacks. I would feel better taking a third person. That's the optimal number for a quest."

"Coach Hedge," Frank blurted. Um… oh. The satyr.

Percy stared at him, like he wasn't sure he'd heard correctly. Honestly, it looked like he saw Frank dancing with his hair on fire. "Uh, what, Frank?"

"The coach is the best choice," Frank said, almost excitedly. "The only choice. He's a good fighter. He's a certified protector. He'll get the job done."

"A faun," Reyna noted.

"Satyr!" barked the satyr. "And, yeah, I'll go. Besides, when you get to Camp Half-Blood, you'll need somebody with connections and diplomatic skills to keep the Greeks from attacking you. Just let me go make a call—er, I mean, get my baseball bat." Baseball bat? I'm so lost.

As the coach got up, he and Frank shared an unspoken message between them. It was almost as if he was thanking Frank for the suicidal mission.

Nico rose. "I should go, too, and rest before the first passage. We'll meet at the statue at sunset."

Once he was gone, Hazel frowned. "He's acting strangely. I'm not sure he's thinking this through."

"He'll be okay," Jason said, unbothered. Something happened between the two boys. How fascinating.

"I hope you're right." She passed her hand over the ground. Diamonds broke the surface—a glittering, miniature path of stones. Pretty. "We're at another crossroads. The Athena Parthenos goes west. The Argo II goes east. I hope we chose correctly."

"A champion of Hecate, hoping she has chosen the correct road?" I smiled. "Hecate would be proud."

Percy frowned, his mind somewhere else. "One thing bothers me," he said. "If the Feast of Spes is in two weeks, and Gaia needs the blood of two demigods to wake—what did Clytius call it? The blood of Olympus?—then aren't we doing exactly what Gaia wants, heading to Athens? If we don't go, and she can't sacrifice any of us, doesn't that mean she can't wake up fully?"

"Oh, Percy." I said sympathetically, taking his hand. "That is the problem. Say the first great prophecy. It was said that one of the eldest gods' child would decide if Olympus would win or lose. You told me yourself the gods tried to avoid that. But prophecies can never be avoided fully. You told me Hazel died to prevent Alcyoneus from rising. That was because it wasn't time for the prophecy to pass. Eventually, Gaia will rise either way. You can try to fight it, but it will lead to utter chaos and Gaia will take advantage of that. Events of the prophecy have already happened. The prophecy is set into motion. You only have two options, and Gaia will rise anyways. It all depends on you, whether you will run away from destiny, or you face it. Gaia prefers your blood, but it does not mean she won't settle for another's."

"Yeah, you're right," Percy admitted, albeit reluctantly. "I don't like it, but you're right."

I sighed, resting my head on his shoulder. Annabeth patted my thigh.

The mood was rather awkward, until Piper broke the tension.

"Well!" She sheathed her blade and patted her cornucopia. "Good picnic. Who wants dessert?"

I perked up. "What's desert?"