You know somethin? I look at my stories, look at this book, and I exclaim 'it's only been four days?!'

I was so restless. It's the holidays, and I'm so lost at what to do. I planned on posting every month, but I suppose this story can't wait. Hehe.

I do have another pressing matter though. What do you guys want? Like, after the Giants' war, do you want a new enemy? If so, which one? Because the story can go two ways.

1. they go to war, again.

2. just focus on Andy and Percy.

if you guys choose 1, tell me which enemy. should I just do a poll?

Replies:

Guest: aww. Thank you!

In Nico's dreams during his Death Trance

There was someone there. I could see a dark cave, the lighting similar to Tartarus which meant not much at all. It was a woman that looks like a victim of famine: She has a drippy nose, sunken eyes, stringy grey hair that is matted to her head, and large amounts of dust covering her thin body. Her cheeks were bloody red with marks that looked like they were made from claws that drip blood on her tattered dress. She sobbed over a shield. "Oh, son of Hades, how you have suffered! Truly, with Rhea as an exception, you have the worst misery. I couldn't possibly add more!" I had to remind myself it wasn't my grandmother but instead Andy. She looked more like an Andy than a Rhea. I slumped and my surroundings changed.

It was so soupy. Everything was grey and misty. I felt so lightheaded, the kind of a sensation I had when flying. The ground—there was no ground. I was levitating. "Well," I mutter, "that explains the headache." It took a while to get my limbs moving. Even then, it was awkward. It was like I was being dragged up while half walking and half swimming. The only mercy was that no one was there to watch me.

"Do calm down." I couldn't even scream. The words were like a ticking bomb that exploded against my head. I fell, groaning and holding my head. The ticking didn't stop, nor did the pain. The voice didn't speak up, a small mercy. I slowly climbed to my feet. "Take out the key." It was the same voice. This time quieter. Gentler. Not the same loudness and craziness that made me want to tear out my hair. I took out the foggy key.

"You were very foolish to take the key I granted to my champion, boy." The bodiless voice intoned. "C- Chaos?" I fell again, this time from shock. An image of a full-grown man's silhouette appeared. He reached out a hand which I tentatively took.

"My champion is furious at this moment. When you are free, she will somehow get you back to Tartarus. And she will exact her revenge." He said. His voice grew again. He was mad. Furious even. "I didn't mean to," I responded. "I didn't think she would make me face all those monsters. Taking the key was just supposed to be insurance so she wouldn't betray me."

"Andy helped you out of her free will and this is what you do to her." Chaos sighed. "She truly doesn't deserve this. Even the Fates didn't mean for her to suffer so much. She was meant to go to camp, make friends, train, go on quests and become a hero next to Percy Jackson."

"Next to? Like a lover?" Chaos paused. The man looked down at me. "Something like that. She is very lost, boy. Perseus was meant to be her other half and balance her out like she would for him. Their plans were ruined by the Titans. She suffered more than she should have so I gave her a space to escape all of it. Now that you have the key, she will be more unstable."

"Why are you talking to me? How are you talking?"

"I created the key. It has my powers. I can communicate with the one that holds it. Sometimes, An- Andy asks me for advice." An. He almost said a different name. I wonder if he knows her real name, the name given to her at birth.

The man turned his back to me. "Sleep, child of Hades. By now, Gaia has informed your half-sister of your abduction. They are coming for you as we speak and the Greeks have attacked the Romans. Rest for now. You will need it. And I'm sorry. No one deserves pain. I did not ever wish it on anyone. The only comfort I can give you is that Andy spoke of the truth. You will not die. Not for a long time." He left. I was alone in this place, holding onto the key. Was it worth it? Andy betrayed me and I her. Despite it, I still wish to help her.

Andy POV

My world was so quiet. I couldn't go visit the sleeping gods anymore. Tellilah still hasn't returned. It's been a week already. From some gossip, mainly from the complaints of Polybotes, there had been a battle at New Rome. The 'upstart Percy Jackson' had completed his quest along with Frank Zhang, son of Mars and descendant of Poseidon, and Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto, Nico di Angelo's paternal half-sister, and Death has been unchained. The dead no longer go back continuously. The three demigods have slain Alcyoneus and Percy and Terminus have defeated Polybotes, the first thing I heard as I sped up his regeneration. Gaia told me the rest. Percy has been made praetor. The Greeks had gone to the Roman camp but the son of Hephaestus, controlled by an eidolon, fired at them, causing chaos and havoc. They fled, going towards the Mare Nostrum. I have killed hundreds of monsters, mostly Hyperion, out of my boredom. I can no longer find any. They have all fled when seeing me in my 'murderess dress' that is dusted in golden dust. I have tried to remove it but I stopped after another dozen kills. I went deeper into Tartarus, seeking out the older creatures. The Chimera especially excites me. It injured me in a dozen places before I killed it. Such a talented being. Not even the Titans put up such a fight. The Giants may, but we had an agreement to stay out of each other's way. They, for one, hate Stygian steel.

I sighed again, laying despondently on my head. Damasen had just killed the drakon and was making his stew. "I do admit, the boy does have great audacity. Perhaps it is because you did not go into detail about what you have done to those who cross you. If he still has the key, Chaos may have told him."

"If Chaos told him, I hope his voice is enough to drive him insane." I slammed my fist on his table. He awkwardly pats my head. "You have my sympathy."

"I refuse to go against my own words. That is one line I will never cross. Yet I regret telling Otis and Ephialtes they couldn't leave lasting injuries on him. I should've searched for my key earlier." I groaned, missing Void. Damasen placed a cup of broth near me. I lifted my head and stared at it. "If only Giants could be killed alone. I would've gone after Porphyrion when I sensed him." I wanted to stab something. I would've stabbed myself if Damasen hadn't gotten me a piece of his drakon skin. It was thick and had many punctures. My personal punching bag. I punched it hard enough to dent it. He casually put it away. I groaned, lazily getting up. "Gotta go now, Damasen. Thanks for letting me stay. Bye!" I tossed him something Huzzah brought me. A drachma or something. Greek currency apparently. He nodded, going back to building whatever he was making.

As I left, I was cornered by Quazar. "What happened?" I brushed my hand over the blood he had all over him. He growled. "Really? Where is she?" He turned around, plopping down. I took his offer and he shadow-travelled away. Tellilah was waiting with another hellhound. This one was tame. I could tell by how still she was when she was waiting. I slid off Quazar's back before he ran off. "You are Mrs O'Leary then. Good job, Telli. I knew you wouldn't fail." I patted her snout. She licked my hand, a habit I grew fond of.

Mrs O'Leary whined as Tellilah left. I strained to keep the hate out of my voice. "You are the hellhound that Nico di Angelo takes care of, yes?"

She growled. I continued, "When you find him, could you convince him to come? We have unfinished business."

She growled again, this time more hurt. I straightened, screaming in frustration. "Damn it!" Curse you, Camp something-which-I-forgot. She stared at me curiously. They aren't scared of me, it doesn't matter what they have done before, they know I will not hurt them unless they attack me first.

I paced around furiously. "Go back to the camp before someone misses you." She growled. "Oh, I apologise then. Go back to where you originally were before Telli found you." She ran off. Why does she remind me of an eager puppy?

That plan is ruined. I hate the camp. And I hate that I forgot Nico has a special part to play in this. He won't be free—not for a long time despite tomorrow being the kalends of July. I cannot wait that long. Prodido was sent flying and I heard some poor unexpecting harpy. Her loud shriek contributed to the annoying noise.

"The 7 should be approaching Rome. The daughter of Athena has to defeat Arachne and they will free Nico. He still needs to fulfil his part before I can drag him back to Tartarus. He knows what Tartarus looks like. I will be sure to make him suffer as I have this past week. "Mrs O'Leary speaks very highly of you, sweet Nico. However good they are, I have always judged on actions. Your pup will not help you." I mutter. Prodido returned to my sheath. It wasn't like Riptide, Chaos did not enchant my sword. But he did enchant the compass that I built into Prodido.

I gazed down at the empty piece of junk. It had that tiny, sugary thing that made me want to puke. I had let Nico have it but he left it there. No point in that anymore. I tossed it out, sending a spark of fire with it. Barely a metre away, I watched as it burned. I imagined the tiny circles were Nico's head. Now that was something to enjoy.

Crystal. I need you. I said through our link. Crystal will be coming soon. She should be sleeping right now. I sat down on the bed, groaning. I never wanted this, but the son of Hades left me no choice. One week has been torturous. One of many that have been done to me.

Third POV

A large pair of clear blue eyes glinted from the shadows. No one was there but she expected it. Now, Athen's spawn would have gone to Arachne. The child of Poseidon would hold on to her as long as he could. Pluto's, Mars', and Hephaestus's spawns would be finding the child of Hades. Now Crystal just had to figure out where they went. Her mistress was most upset—Tartarus's beings shook in fear every time she screamed and cursed. Crystal hoped finding him would placate her. They were both beings of darkness, both hated to be out here. Crystal was doing both of them a favour by staying in the darkness. Crystal turned back to face the darkness and shadow travelled away.

When she arrived somewhere, it was still dark. Crystal could hear her mistress's sigh of relief at not having to face the light. Sharing the same eyes between them meant her mistress could see what Crystal saw. There was a special reason her mistress asked Crystal for a favour. Crystal, at birth, was able to hide within shadows until her body was no more and only her eyes were visible that she could hide by closing them. Her mistress was astounded by her ability. Still, this was the first time she asked to use that power, Crystal was determined not to mess up.

A girl walked past her—dark curly hair, dark skin and unnatural gold eyes. Calm, Crys. It is the child of Pluto, Hazel. She will lead us to Hades' spawn. Wait for her companions, she will need them to pass. Her mistress warned.

Hazel stopped at a door. The entire door was coated in Imperial gold. A mechanical sphere about the size of a bowling ball was embedded in the centre. The sphere was constructed from five concentric rings, each inscribed with zodiac symbols—the bull, the scorpion, et cetera—and seemingly random numbers and letters. Soon, the other two also came. The son of Hephaestus, an idiot, managed to open the door but also insulted the two Romans while talking about some ancient dude. Foolish. Mistress noted. I must rely on the senses of Hazel. However, the two boys are an annoyance.

Crystal didn't dare to respond, else her cover would be blown. She slunk in the shadows, following them as her mistress thanked the creator it was underground.

Crystal submerged into the shadows as the child of Hephaestus explained about the ancient demigod's experiments. There was no point staying there to confuse herself with what they were talking about. A hand landed on her snout. Mistress's cold eyes that softened when looking at her were the only things she saw. "I'm sorry for making you do this, Crys." She said, her voice miles away. Her touch also faded away. Crystal shook her head. When she looked back to the three demigods, two collapsed on the ground and the fire boy was facing weird manikins.

She watched, bored, through the conversations. It was clear the manikins were controlled by eidolons. I should've killed them when they tried their powers on me. Mistress remarked.

The boy was smart enough to lock the gate to separate him from the three. Crystal saw his hands working furiously as the eidolons tried to get in there. This isn't helping. Mistress seethed. I need the son of Hades. I need him to survive so I can kill him. It is very clear to me the child of Pluto is not hunting him. Crys, dear, find the other demigods. The two Big Three children or the daughter of Aphrodite. They will encounter Otis and Ephialtes, I am sure.

Crystal whined, a noise that distracted the eidolons but not the child. They turned to where she was before she gave them a well deserved hit before shadow-travelling away.

Crystal arrived behind the nymphs. Well, the niches. The nymphs disappeared with a "from you three, we shall drink!" as dark water poured from alcoves.

Mistress laughed in Crystal's mind as the three desperately searched for an exit. If they died, I wonder how Nico would feel. She said scornfully. Quite funny that they were finding Nico. Do you think Nico will resent himself?

"I could try lightning," the son of Jupiter said. "Maybe blast a hole in the roof?"

"That could bring down the whole room and crush us," Aphrodite's child said.

"Or electrocute us," the child of the sea god added. Percy. That was what the child of Hades told Mistress.

"Not many choices," Jupiter's son said.

"Let me search the bottom," Percy said. "If this place was built as a fountain, there has to be a way to drain the thing. You guys, check the niches for secret exits. Maybe the seashells are knobs, or something." Not likely. Mistress added, bored. Stay close, Crys. They must not know you are here. Go close, if you must, and I can communicate with them.

Percy broke the surface, gasping and flailing. The girl offered her hand but he almost pulled her in. "Couldn't breathe," he choked. "The water...not normal. Hardly made it back." How ironic if he died. The son of Neptune shall drown. Mistress whispered to Crystal who felt restless. She was a creature of night. She was meant to kill. While Mistress did not deny the hellhounds that, she wanted to kill these demigods. Her mistress wouldn't like that, they still served a purpose.

"They're taking our power," the girl said. "Draining us."

"Jason," Percy coughed, "do the lightning." The child of lightning. Jason. I remember that name from the Earthborn. Never realised they were talking about him. Mistress mused. It matters not.

Jason tried but it only made things worse. Crystal was ready to sleep from the lack of actions. Soon, the water was up to their chins and yet not halfway to the ceiling.

The girl finally got an idea. "The horn of plenty," she said. "We have to overwhelm the nymphs with fresh water, and give them more than they can use. If we can dilute this poisonous stuff—"

"Can your horn do that?" Percy was struggling. He is scared. Mistress couldn't be bothered.

"Only with your help." They understand the cornucopia's power. Wonderful. Mistress sighed. If only they would hurry. When the time comes, take back my key. I will punish him for his audacity after he plays his part but I want my key.

The demigods huddled together. For a moment, nothing happened. The rain came down in sheets, still dark and acidic.

"No good!" Jason yelled, spitting water.

"We're getting nowhere," Percy agreed.

"You have to work together," the girl cried. "Both of you think of clean water—a storm of water. Don't hold anything back. Picture all your power, all your strength leaving you."

"That's not hard!" Percy said.

"But force it out!" she said. "Offer up everything, like—like you're already dead, and your only goal is to help the nymphs. It's got to be a gift...a sacrifice."

They went silent, all of them a picture of determination.

"Let's try again," Jason said. "Together."

Clear water blasted from the horn with such force, it pushed them against the wall. The rain changed to a white torrent, so clean and cold, that the child of Aphrodite gasped.

"It's working!" Jason cried.

"Too well," Percy said. "We're filling the room even faster!" Indeed, the water rose quickly. They were running out of time.

The daughter of Aphrodite didn't relent. "Don't stop!" she said. "We have to dilute the poison until the nymphs are cleansed."

"What if they can't be cleansed?" Jason asked. "They've been down here turning evil for thousands of years."

"Just don't hold back," Piper said. "Give everything. Even if we go under—" she stopped as her head hit the ceiling and the clouds dissipated and melted into the water. The horn of plenty kept blasting out a clean torrent.

Close your eyes. Mistress said calmly. Crystal averted her eyes, hearing only a "I love you" from the girl. They went under. At least it worked—the water was clearer and light rippled across the room. Crystal heard her mistress's gasp and curse. My key better be on Nico's body. She growled. I cannot bear this light.

Crystal could understand her. She herself had gone and endured the brightness but this was only her mistress's second time after living years of darkness.

The girl cried when she came up, realising the two boys were still underwater. Percy immediately thrashed when she hoisted them up but the son of Jupiter was lifeless. She went a little crazy. She clung to him, yelled his name, shook him, and slapped his face, barely noticing when all the water had drained away and left them on the damp floor.

"Jason!" Percy went over to them. "Piper," Percy said. Her name was Piper. A common name. "I can help."

He knelt next to Piper and touched Jason's forehead. Water gushed from Jason's mouth. His eyes flew open, and a clap of thunder threw both of them backward. He slowly sat up, gasping as colour returned to his face. "Sorry," he coughed. "Didn't mean to—" he was cut off by Piper who hugged him.

Percy grinned. "In case you're wondering, that was clean water in your lungs. I could make it come out with no problem."

"Thanks, man." Jason clasped his hand weakly. "But I think Piper's the real hero. She saved us all."

Yes, she did, a voice echoed through the chamber. Crystal stiffened. Ancient nymphs would most certainly sense her presence. Crystal, slowly, hid in the shadows, going further until she no longer heard them nor saw them.

In Tartarus

Andy snarled in anger, eyes going from clear blue to green then back. Huzzah was guarding her hut so she wasn't worried about some monster attacking her. Still, she was frustrated by how long it took. Crystal, as talented as she was, was large and couldn't easily steal her key from Nico. Not to mention, they needed him free for her to shadow-travel close enough as the twins had placed him in the bronze jar. It was impossible to shadow-travel in. But why was it so slow? She grew more impatient by the second. Curse the son of Poseidon. Curse all of them! She glared at Prodido. If it wasn't that she needed to see what Crystal saw, she would be killing monsters right now. Alas, she was making Crystal go through all this without her baby, the least she could do was spare Crystal from having to narrate everything and waste more time away from the little hellhound pup.

"I have cared little for demigods, Nico. I showed them compassion because all of you would've gone insane from Tartarus. For you… I hate you. And I will show you how much I hate you when I finally have you in my grasp." Her eyes turned sad. "If I could still commune with you, Lord Chaos, what would you tell me?"

Back to Rome

Crystal watched Hagno warily. The nymph, that had been cleansed, stared back curiously. "You follow the three demigods but you do not attack nor make your presence known. Why so?"

She growled, swiping at her. Hagno merely laughed. "I do not care, but the three helped cleanse me, I do like them a little. Tell your mistress to be gentler on them, will you?" She just vanished, leaving Crystal confused. Hagno has lived for millenia, she is cryptic like that. Go on, Crys. Find the demigods. Mistress said.

She leapt from where she was out to the open. The warm air was so different from the coldness of the shadows. Jumping into another shadow, she appeared among cages. She ran into the shadows. How dare they?! Mistress directed her gaze to where other hellhounds were. Save them, Crys, when they are distracted. They deserve freedom, not whatever that is. So they both didn't understand what that was.

When Crystal examined the room, her Mistress gasped. There, a raised dais sat two empty oversized praetor chairs. Standing between them was a bronze jar big enough to hold a person. Nico di Angelo. At last. Mistress purred. She felt what Crystal felt—a sense of chaos and an urge to create havoc but also peace. Her key couldn't be hidden. It was here. And Crystal would fulfil her duty of getting it back.

The three demigods faced off Ephialtes and Otis who, for once, weren't wearing the same outfit.

The Giants talked about how Nico had no entertainment value and that he's past his expiry date. Mistress spent her time cursing and snapping at the Giants. The only good thing was when Otis knocked over the jar.

Time skip because you can read the book about their fight

The animals were sent after three demigods who fought bravely. Crystal leapt over, sometimes disguising as just another hellhound, until she reached the unconscious boy. Piper yelped and scrambled up. Besides her cornucopia, she had no weapon. The food produced didn't distract Crystal but Piper's look of shock did. "Y- your eyes." She stuttered. "What are you?" She swiped at the demigoddess who was forced to move back and went after the boy. Piper ducked low and dragged Nico out of reach. Crystal's eyes turned green for a second—a sign of Andy's rage.

Suddenly, a voice spoke up." "Well, that's a shame," said the new voice. Styx. Mistress sighed. What now?

Two of the animals, leopards, ran to the newcomer who scratched their ears.

"Really, Ephialtes," he chided. "Killing demigods is one thing. But using leopards for your spectacle? That's over the line."

The giant made a squeaking sound. "This—this is impossible. D-D—"

"It's Bacchus, actually, my old friend," said the god. "And of course it's possible. Someone told me there was a party going on."

Bacchus? Must be Dionysus in Roman form. Why is he here? Crystal could almost feel her Mistress's presence. Any more delays and Andy will not wait anymore. She will come here to get the key herself. But her rage is untamable. The place will be buried. Crystal had to quickly get that key.

She stayed silent as Bacchus insulted the props and effects. Before long, the three immortals were insulting each other. Well, Ephialtes and the god were.

Jason hefted his sword. "Lord Bacchus, are we going to kill these giants or what?"

"Well, I certainly hope so," Bacchus said. "Please, carry on."

Percy stared at him. "Didn't you come here to help?" Bacchus shrugged. "Oh, I appreciated the sacrifice at sea. A whole ship full of Diet Coke. Very nice. Although I would've preferred Diet Pepsi." So they bribed him. Of course. Crystal growled a little, affected by her mistress.

"And six million in gold and jewels," Percy muttered.

"Yes," Bacchus said, "although with demigod parties of five or more the gratuity is included, so that wasn't necessary."

"What?"

"Never mind," Bacchus said. "At any rate, you got my

attention. I'm here. Now I need to see if you're worthy of my help. Go ahead. Battle. If I'm impressed, I'll jump in for the grand finale."

"We speared one," Percy said. "Dropped the roof on the other. What do you consider impressive?"

"Ah, a good question..." Bacchus tapped his thyrsus. "Perhaps you need inspiration! The stage hasn't been properly set. You call this a spectacle, Ephialtes? Let me show you how it's done." The god dissolved into purple mist. Crystal growled as Piper and Nico disappeared.

"Pipes!" Jason yelled. "Bacchus, where did you—?"

The entire floor rumbled and began to rise. The ceiling opened in a series of panels. Sunlight poured in. The air shimmered like a mirage.

The hypogeum ascended through a forest of weathered stone columns, into the middle of a ruined coliseum. The giants' special effects machines had gone into overtime, laying planks across ruined support beams so the arena had a proper floor again. The bleachers repaired themselves until they were gleaming white. A giant red-and- gold canopy extended overhead to provide shade from the afternoon sun. The emperor's box was draped with silk, flanked by banners and golden eagles. The roar of applause came from thousands of shimmering purple ghosts, the Lares of Rome brought back for an encore performance.

Somehow, Crystal was also there. She leapt into a shadow before attention could be called to her.

Bacchus sat in the emperor's box wearing purple robes and golden laurels. At his left sat Nico and Piper, her shoulder being tended by a nymph in a nurse's uniform. At Bacchus's right crouched a satyr, offering up Doritos and grapes. The god raised a can of Diet Pepsi and the crowd went respectfully quiet.

He commanded the two demigods to entertain him. I am almost tempted to go to Gaia right now and pledge my loyalty. Her mistress stated, unimpressed by the sight Crystal showed her.

The two demigods made their attack plan, something Andy grudgingly admired.

Crystal laid down, resting as the cries of battle happened in the Colosseum. Andy also sighed. I am sorry to have to make you go through all this, Crys. It will be over soon.

Just as it got boring, a flying ship appeared. Andy laughed in delight as Ephialtes exploded. A wondrous way to kill him. I wonder who's ship that is?

Bacchus claimed the credit of killing the giants, something that made Crystal's mistress roll her eyes and mutter 'typical immortals. Oh wait, I'm also immortal.'

The only good thing that happened to them was that Bacchus gave them a clue. While they were distracted with their little reunion, Crystal shadow-travelled to Nico who was still unconscious. The presence of the key of Void was so clear, it enveloped his entire body. She used her claws to look through his pockets. Nothing. Where did he hide it? She didn't want to tear off his clothes—apparently it was unsuited for girls to gaze at naked boys, especially their bottom half. Andy wanted her to do it, but she didn't want to attract unwanted attention. Just then, Hazel appeared. Crystal hurriedly took back her paw which luckily wasn't spotted.

Curse it. Next they will go to Arachne. I will go there myself. Come back, Crys. I'm sure a certain pup is waiting for her mother.

It had been about only half a day but Crystal couldn't wait to see her child. Without another look at the demigods, she ran off in the darkness.

Yay, another chapter done.