Author's note :

- I dont use quotation for instant speaking.

-This story is fully First person's pov

-OOC , many character's personality arent excatly like their originals due to the changes in their backstory

-I dont own Any characters

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Annabeth's pov

I hate the winter solstice

For those who don't know, the winter solstice of the gods is the year-end meeting of the gods, which happens on December 21st

It's an event to look forward to because it's the time when demigods get to set foot on Mount Olympus, meet their godly parents, parties, free food, and even sleepovers at the magnificent Mount Olympus. But for a daughter of Hades like me? Nothing special. I'm not welcomed by the other demigods, the gods especially Zeus and Poiseden aren't happy to have me there. And it's also the time when Hades comes out of the castle, who knows what Persephone will do to torment me. Last year the queen of the underworld turned me into an olive tree, so what will this year be? But it turned out that this year it was not my divine stepmother's turn to tease me, but fate's turn.

On the night of the winter solstice. I had a dream about a boy with black hair, green eyes but as if he contained a fierce fire and olive skin. For a demigod, strange dreams are not really" strange"but this dream was something I could not have expected. Dreaming about a boy I have never met? Is this a sign of puberty? I didn't even bother to think much about it, maybe he was the person I would marry in the future? Or maybe he will be my sworn enemy? Anyway, I just thought slightly about it. But the next day something happened. Not something good.

-What's wrong, my love?

My godly stepmother asked. I looked up at Hades and saw his face was dark and angry. Something must have happened at the winter solstice, I hope it wasn't the Underworld being cut down.

-My helm was stolen! I can't believe it! Who could have done it?

My father said in an angry voice.

So my dad just got his helm stolen? That should be the last concern for a god like him. But it would be the first if the helm was...

-The Helm of darkness was stolen! Along with Zeus's lighting overnight. But those Olympians only care about lighting! That's unacceptable!

My dad said with a tone full of disgust (and a little boredom). He might not show it, but Hades always held a grudge against the way the Olympians treated him. Seriously, I can't blame him.

-We will urgently search for the Helm of darkness right now!

Alecto said in a hurried voice. Well, for those who don't know, Alecto is the eldest sister and leader of the three goddesses of punishment, they work under Hades.

-Hurry up and search all of America for me!

Hades said in an extremely angry mood. Then he glanced at me.

So I'm going back to the earth too?

-You, Annabeth. Will also be sent to search for the Helm of Darkness. The culprit is most likely a demigod who participated in the winter solstice. You must find at least a clue to the Helm of Darkness.

I sighed inwardly, so I was about to leave the Underworld? Not that I liked it, but the surface was much more dangerous than the underground. It sounded strange, right? The mortal world was more dangerous than the underworld. But for a daughter of Hades like me, it was true.

-Don't try to get yourself killed.

Hades said with a hint of concern (or was it just my imagination) in his icy voice. Okay, I'll try to imagine it as the "Be careful" wish parents give their children when they're away.

-Oh, she's finally out of here.

Persephone sighed in relief. Maybe I annoyed her more than I thought. I didn't like this stepmother anyway.

-Yes. I will.

I replied and quickly stood up, preparing my things to return to the mortal world and start my third backpacking trip. I didn't have much, just clothes (I wasn't sure if I would have many chances to shower), weapons, a few drachmas and some ambrosia and nectar. About an hour later, Charon arrives and escortes me to the gates of hell. To be honest, I had been in the Underworld for a year and a half now, but Persephone had forbidden me from wandering outside Hades' castle and the last time I found my way here, I didn't have time to sightsee. And the scenery of the Underworld wasn't something you'd want to see. After 30 minutes, I was back in the human world. The scenery of Los Angeles was still as bustling as before, which was probably a good thing. I walked on the white snow of the city. For a child of Hades, maybe liking the cold, winter was a given? After all, winter is when Persephone moves back in with Hades.

Saying I was looking for the helm of darkness, I didn't even know where to start. To organize the information, the Helm of Darkness and Zeus's lightning were stolen on the same night,right? This thief seemed to be a master, but what if there were two culprits? "The culprit was most likely a demigod?"Don't tell me Hades encouraged me to return to camp half-blood? No way... Anyway, if I was there, they would only be more suspicious. Maybe I should start searching for clues all over the country, even though it would be tiring, but even if the culprit was a demigod, they wouldn't be able to keep two items of such great power in one place for too long without being discovered. Not to mention being right next to Mr. D, Chiron. Maybe Alaska was the most suitable choice to hide two such items. But if the culprit was a demigod, how could they have time to go to Alaska? Not to mention the monster density there was also extremely terrifying, or did the culprit have accomplices? It was possible. But anyway, I think I should not go to California or at least visit there later since it has been a long time since I fought monsters so i dont know if i can keep myself safe.So the first place I will go to is probably Las Vegas. Want to ask why? You must have heard of it but Las Vegas is known as the "sin city" and is also very famous for its casinos. So maybe I should try to drop by and maybe I can find some clues? I took a breath and started shadow travel. I had been trained by Hades to use my powers but for shadow travel...my body needs to have a certain familiarity with it and remember Persephone's prohibition on me? I can only move around the castle so this is the first time shadow traveling so far. Shadow Travel was like walking through a short, dark tunnel. But when I came out of the tunnel, my strength was exhausted. So this is the price of shadow traveling a long distance? I almost collapsed but managed to stand up.

Suddenly, there was a roar behind me. I immediately turned around and saw a Minotaur standing only 20 meters away from me. With my strength almost drained now, my chances were very low. I quickly looked around to see if there was any place to hide when suddenly a luxurious hotel appeared on my right. I felt like I was drawn to it. Normally, I would have been skeptical but in my current situation... I had no choice but to run straight into that strange hotel.