Chapter Ten: A Fiery Revelation

The night at Camp Half-Blood was alive with laughter and camaraderie. Around the campfire, campers exchanged stories, roasted marshmallows, and sang songs. The flames danced in the cool night air, casting a warm glow on their faces.

Percy sat next to Annabeth and Grover, feeling a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time. Nearby, Deno was quietly listening, lost in his thoughts.As the night wore on, the campfire's light began to flicker and change. The flames turned a sinister shade of red, and the air grew heavy with an oppressive heat.

The campers fell silent, their eyes widening in fear and confusion.Before anyone could react, the fire twisted and transformed into a monstrous, devil-like figure covered in flames. It towered over the campers, its eyes burning with malevolent intent."Percy Jackson!" the creature roared, its voice echoing through the camp. "I am Hades, Lord of the Underworld!"The campers gasped, and Percy felt a chill run down his spine.

He stood up, trying to remain calm despite the fear gripping him."What do you want?" Percy shouted, his voice trembling.Hades' fiery form crackled with malevolent energy. "I demand the master bolt of Zeus.

It has been stolen, and I know you have it.""I don't have the bolt!" Percy protested. "I don't even know where it is!"Hades' eyes narrowed. "Lies! The Minotaur abducted your mother on my orders. If you want her back, you must bring the bolt to the Underworld. You have until the summer solstice."The ground shook as Hades' anger intensified.

He raised his hands, and fireballs materialized around him. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled them at the campers. Screams erupted as everyone scattered, trying to avoid the deadly flames.One of the fireballs shot towards Deno at lightning speed. He barely had time to react before it struck him, engulfing him in flames.

His body burned and charred, and he collapsed to the ground, seemingly dead.Percy's heart pounded in his chest as he saw Deno fall. "No!" he shouted, stepping forward. "Stop this!"Hades' fiery form loomed closer. "Remember, Percy Jackson.

The bolt for your mother's life. You have until the solstice."With a final, thunderous boom, Hades vanished in a burst of fire, leaving the camp in stunned silence. The air was filled with the acrid smell of smoke and burnt wood.Percy, Annabeth, and Grover rushed to Deno's side.

Percy's eyes were filled with tears, his hands trembling as he reached out to his fallen friend."Deno," he whispered, his voice breaking. "No, no, no…"Annabeth knelt beside him, her face pale but composed. "Percy, we need to stay calm," she said, her voice firm. "We need to see if we can help him."Grover placed a comforting hand on Percy's shoulder. "We'll figure this out," he said softly. "We won't let Hades get away with this."The campers gathered around, their faces reflecting the fear and uncertainty they all felt.

Chiron approached, his expression grave."Get Deno to the infirmary," Chiron ordered, his voice steady. "We'll do everything we can to help him."As they carefully lifted Deno and carried him away, Percy felt a surge of determination.

Hades had made a grave mistake by attacking his friend and threatening his mother. Percy vowed to do whatever it took to set things right.Later, as the night grew darker and quieter, Percy sat by Deno's bedside in the infirmary.

The sound of the waves outside was a stark contrast to the chaos that had erupted earlier. Annabeth and Grover stayed close, offering silent support.

"What are we going to do, Annabeth?" Percy asked, his voice filled with worry.Annabeth's gray eyes met his, filled with resolve. "We'll go to the Underworld," she said. "We'll find Hades, get your mother back, and make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else."Grover nodded. "And we'll find out what really happened to the bolt.

Hades might have been lying, or there might be more to this than we know."Percy took a deep breath, feeling a glimmer of hope. "We'll need a plan. And we'll need to be prepared.""We will be," Annabeth assured him. "We're in this together."As the night wore on, Percy's thoughts drifted to Deno.

He remembered their brief conversations, how Deno had seemed so different from the other campers. Now, lying in the infirmary, Deno looked so vulnerable. Percy made another silent vow—to find out more about Deno's past and to help him discover his true potential.

The next morning, the camp was still reeling from Hades' attack. The mood was somber, and the campers went about their duties with a new sense of urgency. Chiron called another meeting, his expression serious."Last night's events have shown us just how dangerous our world is," Chiron began. "We must be vigilant and prepared for anything. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, I want you to come to the Big House. We need to discuss your journey to the Underworld."Percy nodded, his heart heavy but determined.

As they walked towards the Big House, he glanced back at the infirmary, where Deno was still unconscious. He hoped that Deno would recover soon and join them in their quest.In the Big House, Chiron laid out a map of the United States, pointing to various locations.

"You'll need to gather supplies and information before you head to the Underworld. There are three pearls that will help you navigate the Underworld and return safely. Each pearl is hidden in a different location.

"Annabeth studied the map intently. "We'll need to be careful. Hades will be watching for us, and there may be other dangers along the way.

"Grover's ears twitched nervously. "I'll keep an eye out for any traps or ambushes. We can't afford to let our guard down."Chiron nodded. "And Percy, remember that your connection to water will be a great asset. Use it wisely."As they finalized their plans, Percy felt a mix of anxiety and determination.

The road ahead would be perilous, but he knew they had to succeed. Not just for his mother, but for Deno and everyone else who depended on them.With their mission set, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover prepared to leave Camp Half-Blood.

They gathered their supplies, said their goodbyes, and set out on their journey, knowing that the fate of their loved ones—and perhaps the world—rested on their shoulders.As they left the camp, Percy cast one last glance at the infirmary, silently promising Deno that they would return victorious.

The adventure ahead was daunting, but with friends by his side and a fierce determination in his heart, Percy knew they could overcome any obstacle.