Percy scrambled for it, but Harry grabbed his arm, "Wait… Don't touch it just yet. I have an idea."

Percy was about to protest when Harry transformed into his dire wolf form and approached the cap. The son of Poseidon got the message and calmed down. Meanwhile, Rachel goggled at Harry, "You're a freaking Animagus!? I am so jealous!"

Harry sniffed the Rasta cap and got the scent before indicating for Percy to pick it up. Harry turned and barked to make sure that everyone was following him. The scent took him towards the left and the others followed him. Nico hollered as he ran, "Shouldn't we also warn the camp?"

Annabeth called back, "They're our friends! We can't just leave them!"

Harry continued leading them in his Animagus form. Once or twice, he stopped at a couple of crossroads and Percy came forward with the cap once again for the sniff test. Harry the dire wolf led the group around several twists and turns and crossroads. Then the floor started to turn wet and mushy, thanks to water dripping from stalactites.

Finally, they all slid down a slope which opened up into a large cave with an underground river running through it. Harry was the first to reach the bottom and took note of his surroundings. In the centre of the cavern, Tyson was cradling the fallen form of Grover. The Cyclops looked up to see Harry bounding towards them on all fours. He got up and rushed towards him with his meaty fists raised, yelling, "You leave my friend alone, you bad doggy!"

Harry immediately realised the danger that he was in, and transformed back to a human. Tyson froze, his fists stopping inches away from Harry's noggin. Not long after, Percy and the others came sliding through. The boy was at Grover's side immediately, "What happened?"

Tyson shivered, "So many things… Large snake, large dogs, men with swords. Then we came close to here, and Grover got really excited. He ran, yelling that we were close, and he fell when he reached this room."

Percy knelt next to the unconscious satyr and shook him, "Grover, wake up dude."

Moments later, the satyr groaned and then Annabeth splashed icy water in his face. He sputtered, "Wh-whoa! Percy? Annabeth? Where…"

The boy smiled, "You're okay buddy. You just passed out. There's something powerful nearby, and I can feel it."

The two were quickly introduced to Rachel, before Harry and Annabeth carried Grover across the river. Percy was the only one dry, thanks to his affinity for water. The others were not so lucky, but Harry and Rachel solved that with Drying Charms and Heating Charms.

Annabeth took stock of her surroundings, "If I had to hazard a guess, we're at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. I guess that explains last year."

Percy quipped, "Huh… I guess the God of the Wild really likes Mexico."

At the far end was the entrance to another cave, flanked by gigantic columns of crystal that looked like diamonds. Those crystal pillars loomed larger as the group walked closer to the entrance. To be frank, the closer the got, they could practically feel the power emanating from the next room. Half of the group had been in the presence of gods before, but this was different. Percy could attest that they felt really energised, like they had just had a good night's sleep.

Meanwhile, Harry felt that this was a 100 times stronger than any Pepper-Up Potion. Then, Harry's extra sensitive nose picked up a strong scent from the cave. Instead of smelling dank and wet, it smelled of trees and flowers and a warm summer day.

Everyone was speechless, save for Grover's excited whimpers. When the group stepped inside the cave, the view was breath-taking. The walls glittered with multi-coloured. Around them, beautiful plants grew – giant orchids, star-shaped flowers, vines bursting with orange and purple berries that crept among the crystals. The cave floor was covered with a soft green carpet of moss.

Overhead, the ceiling was higher than a cathedral, sparkling like a galaxy of stars. In the centre of the cave stood a Roman-style bed, gilded wood shaped like a curly U, with velvet cushions. However, it was what was around the bed, that was strangest sight. Extinct animals lounged around the bed, all looking clearly alive. Among them was a dodo bird, a wolf and tiger hybrid, a huge rodent roaming behind the bed, and finally, picking berries with its trunk, was a woolly mammoth.

On the bed lay an old satyr. He watched the awestruck group as they approached, his eyes as blue as the sky. His curly hair was white and so was his pointed beard. Even the goat fur on his legs was frosted with grey. His horns were enormous – glossy brown and curved. Around his neck hung a set of reed pipes.

Grover and Harry immediately got on their knees and bowed. The younger satyr breathed reverently, "Lord Pan!".

The others quickly copied their actions as the old satyr sat up. He smiled kindly, but there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes. Pan spoke, "Grover, my dear, brave satyr. I have waited a very long time for you."

Grover stammered, "I… er… I got lost… My lord."

Pan laughed. It was a wonderful sound, like the first breeze of springtime, filling the whole cavern with hope. The tiger-wolf sighed and rested his head on the god's knee. The dodo bird pecked affectionately at the god's hooves, making a strange sound in the back of its bill. It sounded like it was humming 'It's a Small World'. Meanwhile, the mammoth ambled over and curled its trunk around Harry's waist in an affectionate hug, one that he returned.

When he stopped laughing, he began to look tired and his whole form shimmered, as if he was made of Mist. Pan smiled at Harry, "He likes you… Then again, I shouldn't be surprised, given your heritage. I'm glad I got to see the day when Artemis finally had a child to call her own. As the mortals say, I can cross that off the bucket list."

No one spoke, until the dodo bird broke the silence with its humming, Pan laughed again, "Oh Dede, my little actress…"

Annabeth exhaled, "This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen! It's better than any building ever designed!"

He softly said, "I'm glad you like it, dear. It is one of the last wild places. My realm above is gone, I'm afraid. Only pockets remain. Tiny pieces of life. This one shall stay undisturbed … if only for a little longer."

Grover begged, "My lord, please, you must come back with me! The Elders will never believe it! They'll be overjoyed! You can save the wild!"

Pan placed his hand on Grover's head and ruffled his curly hair. "You are so young, Grover. So good and true. I think I chose well."

The younger satyr was puzzled, "Chose? I – I don't understand, My lord.'

Pan's image flickered, momentarily turning to smoke. The giant rodent scuttled under the bed with a terrified squeal. The woolly mammoth grunted nervously and tightened its hold on Harry. Dede stuck her head under her wing, and the tiger-wolf whined. Then Pan re-formed.

He morosely said, "I have slept many aeons. My dreams have been dark. I wake fitfully, and each time my waking is shorter. Now we are near the end."

Grover's eyes widened, "The end? Wait! You can't mean-"

Pan interrupted him gently, "My dear satyr. I tried to tell the world, two thousand years ago. I announced it to Lysas, a satyr very much like you. He lived in Ephesos, and he tried to spread the word."

Annabeth's eyes widened. "The old story. A sailor passing by the coast of Ephesos heard a voice crying from the shore, "Tell them the great god Pan is dead."

Grover cried, "But that wasn't true!"

Pan smiled, "My dear satyr… Your kind never believed it. You sweet, stubborn satyrs refused to accept my passing. And I love you for that, but you all only delayed the inevitable. You only prolonged my long, painful passing, my dark twilight sleep. It must end."

He pleaded, "But-"

"Please… You must accept the truth. Your companions Nico and Bianca, understand."

Nico was sombre, "I do… Pan should have passed on long ago. This seems more like a memory."

Grover protested, "But-but Gods can't die."

Pan nodded, "Indeed they can't… But they can fade. When everything they stood for is gone. When they cease to have power, and their sacred places disappear. The wild, my dear Grover, is so small now, so shattered, that no god can save it. Lady Artemis is trying, but even she and the Hunters can only do so much. My realm is dying. That is why I need you to carry a message. You must go back to the council. You must tell the satyrs, and the dryads, and the other spirits of nature, that the great god Pan is dead. Tell them of my passing. The Son of Artemis can also be my messenger. The truth is, they must stop waiting for me to save them. I cannot. The only salvation you must make yourself."

Grover tried to protest again, but Pan continued, "Be strong. You have found me. And now you must release me. You must carry on my spirit. It can no longer be carried by a god. It must be taken up by all of you."

Everyone understood his meaning, Pan meant all of them standing in the room with him. He turned to Percy, "Percy Jackson. I know what you have seen today. I know your doubts. But I give you this news: when the time comes, you will not be ruled by fear."

Pan then addressed Annabeth, "Daughter of Athena, your time is coming. You will play a great role, though it may not be the role you imagined."

Next was Tyson, "Master Cyclops, do not despair. Heroes rarely live up to our expectations. But you, Tyson – your name shall live among the Cyclopes for generations."

Then he turned to Harry, "Son of the Huntress… Continue to do what you do, to preserve the Wild. I am eternally grateful; that you are the protector of the last Golden Snidget. I always liked that Scamander boy."

Finally he turned to Rachel, "Miss Dare… Remember this… You are not your father. You are just as important as him."

As he lay back on the bed, he turned to face Grover again, "My dear satyr,' Pan said kindly. 'Will you carry my message?"

Grover tearfully stuttered, "I – I can't."

He gently encouraged, "You can. You are the strongest and bravest. Your heart is true. You have believed in me more than anyone ever has, which is why you must bring the message, and why you must be the first to release me."

The dying god paused and sighed, "Did you know, my name, Pan … originally it meant rustic. But over the years it has come to mean all. The spirit of the wild must pass to all of you now. You must tell each one you meet: if you would find Pan, take up Pan's spirit. Remake the wild, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world. You cannot wait for anyone else, even a god, to do that for you."

He coughed once before turning to Bianca, "The Master of Death… I am ready to greet Death as an old friend and depart as equals."

Bianca nodded with tears in her eyes, and Grover sniffed loudly. Taking a deep breath, he stood and shakily said, "I've spent my whole life looking for you. Now … I release you."

Pan smiled, "Thank you, dear satyr. My final blessing."

He closed his eyes and held out his hand. White mist sprang from it and divided into wisps of energy. It filled the room. A curl of smoke went straight into everyone's mouths. Though Percy couldn't help but notice that a greater portion entered Harry and Grover's mouths. The crystals dimmed and the cave darkened. The animals shot them sad looks. Dede the dodo sighed and nuzzled Harry's leg. The other animals did the same, and an idea struck him.

He turned to the others, "I need to do something. I'm taking Dede and the others with me. I'll meet you guys at Camp. Nico, can you come here a sec?"

Bianca also stepped away and the spirit of Pan followed her, "I'll escort Pan's spirit to the Underworld."

A black shadowy portal opened in front of her and she stepped through, with Pan's spirit. Harry whispered in Nico's ear and he nodded. With a wave of his hand, he opened another shadowy portal and stepped through. Harry followed him after shepherding all the prehistoric animals through.

Finally, Grover let out another shaky breath as Pan's body crumbled to dust, "We should go now. And tell them. The great god Pan is dead."

With their group down to five, Rachel led everyone down the Labyrinth. Eventually, they emerged onto Times Square, smack dab in the middle of the thronging crowd in the middle of the day. Percy led Annabeth, Rachel, Tyson and Grover down to an empty alley.

He let out a shrill whistle, and a minute later, Rachel gasped in awe. A flock of pegasi descended from the sky, swooping between the skyscrapers. Blackjack was in the lead, followed by three of his friends. Rachel shrugged, "I guess this is it."

Percy smiled, "We couldn't have done it without you."

Her smile was watery, "It was a heck of an adventure… Except for the whole dying and the thing with Pan…"

A thought struck him, "Pan mentioned your dad. I remember you telling us that your mom was planning a divorce. Something about your dad being far too busy with his work."

She scuffed her shoes on the ground sheepishly, "My dad… My dad's job. He's kind of a famous businessman. Dad is a land developer. He flies all over the world, looking for tracts of undeveloped land. The wild. He – he buys it up. I hate it, but he ploughs it down and builds ugly subdivisions and shopping centres. Heck! I certainly did not approve of his job, even joined a bunch of environmental groups. And… and what Pan said-"

He grasped her shoulders, "Listen! You can't blame yourself for that. Besides, you can't choose your family. All I know is, I'm not going to judge you."

She smiled at him, "Thanks Percy. Just… If you feel like hanging out with a witch again, you can Floo me. See you later, Percy Jackson. Go save the world for me, okay?"

With that, she turned and walked away. In just a few minutes, the two remaining demigods, one satyr and one Cyclops, were flying back to Camp Half-Blood. By the time they landed safely within camp borders, it was around five PM. The camp resembled a barrack from an Asterix comic. Harry and Nico had arrived an hour earlier, and were right in the thick of the preparations. Bianca also just Shadow-Travelled in, and was currently recovering her strength. Even the Hunters turned up to help fend off the impending attack.

Chiron galloped up, followed by the three satyrs of the Council of Cloven Elders. Harry also jogged up, knowing that he would be needed. Silenus the satyr angrily demanded, "Underwood! What of the search for Pan! You are almost three weeks overdue, Grover Underwood! Your searcher's licence is revoked!"

Grover took a deep breath. He stood up straight and looked Silenus in the eye, "Searchers' licences don't matter anymore. The great god Pan is dead. He has passed on and left us his spirit."

Silenus was outraged, "What? Sacrilege and lies! Grover Underwood, I will have you exiled for speaking thus!"

Harry stepped up, "It is true. We found him, but it was too late. Most of his domain is fading. He has greeted Death like an old friend."

Another satyr called Leneus snapped, "Impossible! He is a God! He cannot die!"

Chiron trotted up to play peace-keeper, "We will speak of this later. My camp will soon be besieged shortly. The matter of Pan has waited two thousand years. I fear it will have to wait a bit longer. Assuming we are still here this evening."

He galloped away, as the biggest military operation resumed. Everyone was at the clearing, dressed in full battle armour, and they meant business. The Hephaestus cabin had set up traps around the entrance to the Labyrinth – razor wire, pits filled with pots of Greek fire, rows of sharpened sticks to deflect a charge. Beckendorf was manning two catapults the size of pickup trucks, already primed and aimed at Zeus's Fist.

The Ares cabin was on the front line, drilling in phalanx formation, with Clarisse calling orders. Harry and Mackenzie joined the children of Apollo and the children of Hermes in the woods with bows ready. Many had taken up positions in the trees. Even the dryads were armed with bows, and the satyrs trotted around with wooden cudgels and shields made of rough tree bark.

Annabeth went to join her brethren from the Athena cabin, who had set up a command tent and were directing operations. A grey banner with an owl fluttered outside the tent. Argus, stood guard at the door. Most of Aphrodite's children were running around, straightening everybody's armour. Silena Beauregard and Fleur Delacour were also joining the fray. Even Dionysus's kids had found something to do. Castor and Pollux were running around, providing all the sweaty warriors with water bottles and juice boxes.

Next to Percy, Chiron muttered, "It isn't enough."

The boy's heart sank as he remembered the scenes from Mount Tamalpais and Antaeus' arena. For the first time, Percy wished that Dionysus was there. As they waited, Percy filled Chiron in on the Kronos and Luke scenario, and that Quintus was Daedalus. The centaur didn't look surprised about Quintus, but he was pretty grim about the news on Kronos. He mused, "He had golden eyes, I would guess. And in his presence, time seemed to turn to liquid."

Percy asked, "How could he take over a mortal body?"

Chiron shrugged, "I do not know, Percy. Gods have assumed the shapes of mortals for ages, but to actually become one… to merge the divine form with the mortal. I don't know how this could be done without Luke's form turning to ashes."

Percy replied, "He said something about his body prepared."

The centaur sighed heavily, "I shudder to think what that means. But perhaps it will limit Kronos's power. For a time, at least, he is confined to a human form. It binds him together. Hopefully it also restricts him. Luckily for you, I doubt he would lead the attack personally. I would sense if he were drawing near. No doubt he planned to, but you all inconvenienced him when you pulled his throne room down on top of him."

Suddenly, Harry looked up, after listening to a beetle, who flew off. He hollered, "GUYS! THEY'RE COMING!"

Sure enough, the ground beneath everyone began trembling. Clarisse barked loudly, "Lock shields!"

No sooner had she done so, that the Titan Lord's army burst forth from the Labyrinth. The assault was a far cry from the fights they experienced at camp. This was a full-scale battle. A dozen Laistrygonian giants erupted from the ground, carrying shields made from flattened cars, and clubs that were tree trunks with rusty spikes bristling at the end. One of the giants bellowed at the Ares phalanx, smashed it sideways with his club, and the entire cabin was flung aside.

On Beckendorf's command, the catapults fired. Two boulders hurtled towards the giants. One deflected off a car shield with hardly a dent, but the other caught a Laistrygonian in the chest, and the giant went down. Harry, the Hunters, and Apollo's archers fired a volley, dozens of arrows sticking in the thick armour of the giants like porcupine quills. Several found chinks in armour, and some of the giants vaporized at the touch of celestial bronze.

Just as the Laistrygonian wave were dealt with, a massive horde of dracaenae took their place. Each of them were decked out in full battle armour, wielding spears and nets. They dispersed in all directions. Some hit the traps the Hephaestus cabin had laid. One got stuck on the spikes and became an easy target for archers. Another triggered a trip wire, and pots of Greek fire exploded into green flames, engulfing several of the snake women. But many more kept coming. In response, the Athena cabin charged into the fray. Meanwhile, Tyson was piggy-backing off of a giant, hitting him on the head with a celestial bronze shield.

Then, a hellhound leaped out from the tunnel. Percy took that as his cue to charge. As he sprinted, he took in his surroundings. An enemy half-blood was fighting with Castor. The enemy stabbed him in the arm then clubbed him over the head with the butt of his sword, and he went down. Another enemy warrior shot flaming arrows into the trees, sending a number of archers and dryads into a panic. Mackenzie somehow countered that with a water spell.

Just then, a squadron of dracaenae broke away from the main fight and slithered down the path that led towards camp. The di Angelo siblings were nearby and Nico responded. He held out a black sword made of Stygian Iron and called out, "Serve us!"

The earth trembled and a fissure opened in front of the dracaenae. From that fissure, a dozen undead warriors crawled from the earth – corpses clad in military uniforms from different time periods – US Revolutionaries, Roman centurions, Napoleonic cavalry on skeletal horses. As one, they drew their swords and engaged the dracaenae. Nico crumpled to his knees, and Bianca steadied him.

When Percy came within range of the hellhound, he distracted it from making a meal of a satyr. As it prepared to pounce, Percy grabbed a nearby amphora of Greek Fire. He tossed it into the hellhound's mouth and it went up in flames.

Harry jumped down from a tree to help a couple of injured satyrs, when Grover bleated Percy's name. A forest first had begun and were threatening a number of trees. Mackenzie's water spell was not helping much, so Percy decided to give her a helping hand. He concentrated and felt a pull in his gut, and a roar echoed in his ears. Not a moment too soon, a wall of water came rushing through the trees. It doused the fire, Juniper, Grover and everything in its path.

A slew of half-bloods also poured out from the Labyrinth. Suddenly, Harry placed two fingers to his lips and emitted a loud piercing whistle. Amazingly, it was loud enough to drown out the sounds of the raging battle. Barely a minute later, a massive moving cloud gathered in the sky, and descended down in a massive swirling storm of feathers. Meanwhile on the ground, several dark shapes darted in, weaving between the campers, and began attacking the enemies. A few feet away from Percy, Annabeth was agog, "Was that Harry? He can freaking control animals now?"

Just when it looked like the campers had it under control, things went pear-shaped. A familiar unearthly shriek echoed out of the Labyrinth. Then, Kampê shot into the sky, her bat wings fully extended. She landed on the top of Zeus's Fist and surveyed the carnage. Her face was filled with evil glee. The mutant animal heads growled at her waist. Snakes hissed and swirled around her legs. In her right hand she held a glittering ball of thread – Ariadne's string – but she popped it into a lion's mouth at her waist and drew her curved swords.

Chiron swore and nocked an arrow, but she showed surprising speed to dodge. Several campers began to flee in terror, but Tyson ran towards them. He yelled, "STAND! DO NOT RUN FROM HER! FIGHT!"

As Kampê smashed up the Athena command tent, Percy sprinted after her. Annabeth was right next to him, with a sword in her hand. They attacked the winged monster, but she proved to be a capable ambidextrous fighter. The acid dripping from Kampê's swords, was enough to make Percy's eyes water. Occasionally, arrows would embed themselves in her body, courtesy Harry and Chiron. However, Percy and Annabeth were on their own for the most part.

The next thing they knew, Kampê managed to spring a surprise attack and pin the two. The duo closed their eyes, ready to accept their fate. Suddenly, a huge wall of darkness tackled the monster away. Percy opened his eyes to see Mrs O'Leary snapping away.

A familiar voice yelled, "Good girl!"

Daedalus fought his way out of the Labyrinth, and he was not alone. Next to him was a giant, much taller than the Laistrygonians, and this giant had a hundred rippling arms. Tyson's jaw dropped, "Briares!"

Briares bellowed, "Hail, little brother! Stand firm!"

Mrs O'Leary let up on her assault, and Kampê stood up to see a hail of giant boulders heading her way. With a deafening *BOOM* Kampê was reduced to a mountain of boulders, as tall as Zeus' Fist.

The campers and Hunters let out a collective cheer. However, one dracaena yelled, "Slay them! Kill them all or Kronos will flay you alive!"

The giants evidently perceived that as a bigger threat. They made one last desperate push. One surprised Chiron with a glancing blow to the back legs, and he stumbled and fell. Six giants cried in glee and rushed forward.

Percy cried out desperately. Then it happened…

Grover opened his mouth, and the most horrible sound he ever heard came out. It was like a brass trumpet magnified a thousand times – the sound of pure fear. As one, the forces of Kronos dropped their weapons and ran for their lives. The giants trampled the dracaenae, trying to get into the Labyrinth first. Telkhines and hellhounds and enemy half-bloods scrambled after them. The tunnel rumbled shut, and the battle was over. The clearing was quiet except for fires burning in the woods, and the cries of the wounded. Even all the birds and animals had made themselves scarce.

Percy turned and helped Annabeth to her feet and they rushed to Chiron's aid. He was currently struggling to get up and muttered, "How embarrassing. I think I will be fine. Fortunately, we do not shoot centaurs with broken legs. *Ow!*"

Annabeth began to fret, "I'll go get a medic from Apollo's cabin."

He shook his head firmly, "No! There are more serious injuries to attend to. Go, I am fine. But, Grover and Harry… Later, we must talk about what you two did."

Grover blushed, "I don't know where it came from."

Juniper hugged him fiercely. "I do!"

Even Harry was sheepish, "I don't know, either. It just felt right."

Then, Bianca staggered towards them, with Nico leaning heavily on her shoulder. Harry limped over to him, "Whoa! You alright, mate?"

He coughed, "Never tried to summon so many before. I-I'll be fine."

His eyes then focused on another figure and Bianca also looked in that direction. He said, "Daedalus…"

The inventor nodded, "Yes children… I made a terrible mistake. I came to correct it."

The automaton was a bit banged up and was bleeding golden oil. Next to him, Briares was surrounded by fascinated campers. Daedalus explained, "I found the Hundred-handed One as I came through the maze. It seems he had the same idea, to come and help, but he was lost. And so we fell in together. We both came to make amends."

The Hundred-Handed One spoke to Tyson, "I did not know whether I had the courage to come. But you reminded me of who I am, Cyclops. You are the hero."

Harry then frowned, clutching his side, which was bandaged up. He said, "We're not completely out of danger just yet. The Titan army is still down there, no doubt licking their wounds. Even without the string, they'll be back. They'll find a way sooner or later. This time, Kronos might be leading them."

Daedalus sheathed his sword, "You are right. As long as the Labyrinth is here, your enemies can use it. Which is why the Labyrinth cannot continue."

Annabeth tilted her head curiously and then her eyes widened, "But you said the Labyrinth is tied to your life force! As long as you're alive –"

He said resignedly, "Yes, my young architect. When I die, the Labyrinth will die as well. And so I have a present for you."

He slung a leather satchel off his back, unzipped it and produced a sleek silver laptop computer. On the lid was the blue Delta symbol.

Daedalus motioned to it, "My work is here. It's all I managed to save from the fire. Notes on projects I never started. Some of my favourite designs. I couldn't develop these over the last few millennia. I did not dare reveal my work to the mortal world. But perhaps you will find them interesting."

Annabeth took the laptop with trembling hands. She stammered, "You're giving me this? But this is priceless! This is worth… I don't even know how much!"

He looked at her contritely, "Small compensation for the way I have acted. You were right, Annabeth, about children of Athena. We should be wise, and I was not. Someday you will be a greater architect than I ever was. Take my ideas and improve them. It is the least I can do before I pass on."

He looked at Bianca, "My dear, would you kindly be my escort? I see no better person to accompany me than the Master of Death. Hopefully your father won't be too harsh. I look forward to the next great adventure, as Albus told me."

Bianca spoke up, "You've talked to Dumbledore?"

"That I have. That was actually one of his favourite sayings. After our little confrontation at my workshop, I did a lot of thinking. Then I travelled to Hogwarts and spoke to Dumbledore. Talking to him, convinced me that it is time I stopped hiding from my crimes for two thousand years. After all, genius does not excuse evil. I must face my punishment. Now its time I greeted Death like an old friend."

Finally, Daedalus turned to Harry, "I have one last favour. I cannot leave Mrs O'Leary alone. And she has no desire to return to the Underworld. Will you care for her?"

Harry nodded, "I will."

He smiled, "Then I am ready to see my son… And Perdix. I must tell them how sorry I am and beg for forgiveness."

Bianca held out a hand and he grasped it. Then he froze like a statue. His skin turned transparent, revealing the bronze gears and machinery whirring inside his body. Then the statue turned to grey ash and disintegrated.

Mrs O'Leary let out a piteous keening sound, and Harry cuddled her as best as he could. At the same time, the earth rumbled violently. An earthquake that was probably felt all over the country, even far overseas at Hogwarts.