The Prince of the Underworld

by kurenohikari

Being on the run from monsters was not something Nico had been expecting to do in his life. For all his love for Mythomagik, Nico had never believed the cards to be based on real life events. Who would ever expect myths to be real? It was madness! What made everything worse was the fact that Nico was following four ghosts. Nico was sure he was losing his mind.

55. ACT V – PART VIII

As they trudged through the dimly lit tunnel beneath Rome, the air still thick with tension from their battle with the Nemean Lion, Percy and Jason found themselves sharing a glance that held more than just exhaustion. Something had shifted between them—maybe it was the fight, or maybe it was the realization that Octavian was trying to get under their skin. Whatever it was, the rivalry that had fueled their journey so far seemed less important now.

Octavian, trailing behind them with a sour expression, had gone uncharacteristically quiet, probably realizing his attempts to pit them against each other had flopped. The silence hung between the three, save for the steady echo of their footsteps on the stone floor and the occasional drip of water from the damp walls.

After a while, Percy broke the silence, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity. "So... you and Nico. You two spent a lot of time together in New Rome?"

Jason glanced at Percy, his expression softening a bit. He nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Yeah. After everything with Mars, he stayed at Camp Jupiter for a while. It was... different. I think he needed the break."

Percy grimaced. "I can imagine. He's been through hell and back—literally."

Jason chuckled at that, but there was a fondness in his tone as he replied. "Yeah, but he's tougher than anyone gives him credit for. I don't think the other Romans knew what to make of him at first. They didn't exactly... trust him."

Percy raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah? How'd he deals with that?"

"Well," Jason said, adjusting the Nemean Lion pelt on his shoulder, "there was this one time when a couple of centurions—guys who didn't trust him, thought he was some creepy demigod—decided to test him. They challenged him to a sparring match."

Percy winced, knowing exactly how that probably went. "Oof. They really thought that was a good idea?"

Jason shook his head, laughing softly. "No, but Nico played along. He stood there, calm as ever, didn't even bother drawing his sword. And when the centurions charged him, he just... vanished. Shadow-traveled behind them. When they turned around, confused, he summoned a couple of skeleton warriors right in their faces."

Percy let out a low whistle, imagining the chaos. "Classic Nico."

Jason nodded, a grin playing on his lips as he continued. "The centurions freaked out. They thought they were being attacked by actual monsters. Nico just stood there, watching them panic until one of them literally dropped his sword and ran."

Percy snorted, shaking his head. "And then what? Nico just let them run off?"

"Pretty much," Jason replied, his eyes twinkling at the memory. "He didn't even have to fight. After that, no one really messed with him. In fact, they were kind of... scared of him. But he earned their respect in his own way. I think that's how Nico operates—he doesn't go looking for attention, but when he's backed into a corner, he'll remind you exactly who you're dealing with."

Percy chuckled, though there was something warm in his expression now. "Yeah, that sounds like him. He doesn't need to prove anything, but when he does? He leaves an impression."

They lapsed into a comfortable silence for a moment before Percy added, almost casually, "You know, in New York. We'd hang out after school, grab pizza, go for ice cream, and talk about... well, everything and nothing."

Jason glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah? How'd that go?"

Percy smiled softly, the memory of those quiet afternoons with Nico flickering to life in his mind. "It was... nice, honestly. We didn't do anything special, but I think that's what made it better. Nico would show up, and we'd just talk. About school, the Gods, his time in the Underworld. Sometimes, we didn't even talk. He liked the quiet, I think. And pizza. But real pizza, not from those fast food places. Gods, that Nico loves Italian food."

Jason chuckled. "Sounds like a good time."

Percy nodded. "It was. I think... I think Nico just needed a place to be normal, you know? And I guess I was that for him, or at least I tried to be."

Jason hummed in agreement. "Yeah. He told me he likes New York. Said it felt like he could get lost in the noise, but not in a bad way. Like it gave him space to breathe."
Percy smiled. "He said that?"

"Yeah," Jason replied, his tone softening. "He'd talk about it sometimes when we were in New Rome. Said that his classmates didn't look at him like he was some kind of underworld prince, like he was just... Nico."

There was a warmth in Percy's chest at hearing that. He hadn't realized how much those moments had meant to Nico—or maybe, he had but hearing it from Jason made it hit differently. Nico had always been one to keep his feelings close to the chest, but apparently, he'd shared more with Jason than Percy had known.

"I guess that's why he decided to stay in New York instead of Las Vegas," Percy said after a moment.
Jason nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah. I think he needed that."

They fell into another easy silence as they continued down the tunnel, the torchlight flickering around them. It felt... strange, but good, to be talking like this—about Nico, about their time with him. The rivalry that had simmered between them was still there, but it had shifted. It wasn't about one-upping each other anymore. It was more like they were comparing notes, finding common ground in their shared experiences with someone they both cared about.

After a while, Jason broke the silence again. "You know... maybe the three of us could hang out. Like, outside of all this chaos."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "The three of us?"

"Yeah," Jason replied with a small smile. "It would be fun. You, me, and him. Maybe grab some pizza in New York or check out my favorite cafe at New Rome for some hot choclotae and brownies."

Percy chuckled. "It doesn't sound like a bad idea."

Jason grinned. "Yeah. I'm up for it if you are."

Percy shrugged, feeling lighter than he had since the quest began. "Why not? I mean, we'll probably argue over who gets to pick the pizza place, but... I'm down."

Jason laughed softly, the tension between them easing with each step. "It's a deal, then."

As they continued deeper into the tunnel, Octavian's footsteps echoing behind them, Percy and Jason found themselves talking more easily, the conversation flowing naturally. They swapped more stories—Jason recounting how Nico had helped with funeral rites in New Rome, Percy telling Jason about the time Nico had shown up in Central Park with a ghostly chariot just for fun.

It wasn't until much later, when the tunnel finally opened up into another cavern, that Percy realized something. Despite everything—the rivalry, the tension, the competition—they were finally talking like they weren't enemies. Like maybe, just maybe, they could all be friends after this.

Maybe it was because of Nico. Maybe it was because, at the end of the day, they both just wanted the same thing—to protect him, to be there for him, in whatever way they could.

But then Octavian, ever the opportunist, cleared his throat behind them.

"So, who's going to tell Nico about this little bonding session?" he said with a sly grin. "Because I have a feeling, he's going to find it... interesting."

Percy rolled his eyes, and Jason sighed, but for the first time, neither of them took the bait.
"Maybe we'll tell him," Jason said, sharing a look with Percy. "Together."

And with that, they continued forward—together. Neither Percy nor Jason paid Octavian much attention anymore—they were too caught up in their stories of Nico.

"So, this one time," Percy started, his voice tinged with fondness, "Nico and I were in the middle of this insane situation near Brooklyn. And this necromancer came out of nowhere and was trying to control Nico's powers, and we were basically laughing our us assess off."

Jason snorted. "A necromancer was trying to one-up the King of Ghosts?"

"Yup," Percy confirmed, flashing Jason a grin. "Long story short, Nico ended up summoning an army of ghosts to get us out. It also scared the Tartarus out of some Empousai that had been chasing us all the way to Brooklyn."

"Classic Nico," Jason said, his smile genuine. "The kid doesn't even flinch when it comes to dealing with ghosts."

"Yeah, no kidding. He has real power. More than he probably even realized at the time." Percy commented.

Jason nodded thoughtfully. "That's kind of how he was in New Rome, too. He'd just show up, help with things like it was no big deal. When it came time for funeral rites, Nico was the one they'd go to. He never made a show of it, just... did his job. There was this quiet understanding about him. Like he didn't need to prove anything."

Percy smiled, recognizing that truth about Nico all too well. "That's Nico for you. He doesn't care about glory, just... getting things done. Honestly, I think that's what makes him stand out. He doesn't want the spotlight."

Jason nodded, his expression softening as he recalled those moments with Nico. "Yeah. He's got this calm about him, even when everything's falling apart. It's kind of grounding."

Percy chuckled. "Grounding? That's one way to put it. He's the only demigod I know who can casually mention the most horrifying things about the Fields of Punishment while eating a slice of pizza."

Jason snorted. "I think that's just Nico's charm. He talks about the afterlife like it's his summer home."

They shared a laugh. Octavian, however, was growing visibly frustrated. He trailed behind them, his usual smug demeanor cracking as Percy and Jason completely ignored his attempts to stir up trouble. It was clear that Octavian had been banking on their rivalry to divide them, but now? His plans were falling apart.

Their conversation flowed so naturally that they didn't even notice Octavian's simmering resentment anymore. The teamwork between Percy and Jason had started to solidify, their shared stories about Nico creating a bond that Octavian's snide remarks couldn't break. Whatever rivalry had existed was still there, but it was no longer a dividing force. They both cared about Nico, and that was enough to keep them on the same side—for now.

Just as the tension between the two demigods seemed to ease, the tunnel they were walking through opened up into another vast, dimly lit cavern. The stone walls stretched high, and the air was cooler here, almost unsettlingly still.

However, Percy, felt the shift in the atmosphere, squinted into the darkness ahead. Something about this place felt... familiar. Uncomfortably so.

"Hey," Jason said, stepping up beside him, "do you feel that?"

Percy didn't answer right away. His instincts were buzzing, telling him that they weren't alone. Then, from the shadows, there was a soft, almost melodic ripple in the water. It was faint at first, but as they crept forward, the sound became more distinct.

The source of the noise was revealed as they approached the edge of an underground lake, its waters dark and still, save for one gentle ripple in the center. And then, breaking the surface, was the creature.

Percy's breath caught in his throat. He would have recognized that sleek, cow-like head and shimmering fish-like body anywhere.

"Oh Gods," Percy muttered, his eyes widening. "No way."

Jason stepped closer, frowning as he stared at the creature. "What is that?"

Octavian, seeing the sudden shift in Percy's demeanor, smirked, but Percy barely noticed him. He was too focused on the creature.

"That," Percy said slowly, his voice filled with equal parts awe and disbelief, as he recalled the creature from his Greek History class, "is the Ophiotaurus."

Jason blinked. "The what?"

Percy shook his head, a disbelieving grin spreading across his face. "He's a creature that can bring down Olympus if sacrificed. Gods, I cannot believe he's here. Underground."

Jason stared at the creature, his expression unreadable. "This thing could destroy Olympus?"
"Only if someone sacrifices it," Percy explained, his voice growing more serious. "That's why we must keep him safe. You know, I shall name it Bessie!"

Jason stared at Percy in disbelief by his flippant behavior. "You want to nickname a creature capable of destroying Olympus Bessie?"

Percy beamed obliviously at Jason, "Yeah, just look at him! Isn't he the cutest?"

Octavian, ever the opportunist, perked up at this new information. "Interesting," he said, his tone casual but his eyes gleaming with intrigue. "A creature with the power to destroy the gods, just... sitting here? Unprotected?"

Percy shot him a sharp look, his protective instincts flaring. "No one's sacrificing Bessie."

Jason stepped forward, nodding. "Agreed. We're not here for that."

As the Ophiotaurus swam lazily in the underground lake, its presence was both beautiful and terrifying. The fact that they had stumbled upon it here, deep beneath Rome, only added to the surreal nature of their quest.

"Why is it here?" Jason asked quietly.

Percy shook his head, still in awe. "I don't know. But we can't let anyone get to him."

"Right," Jason agreed. "Which is why we should kill him."

"Agreed... wait what?!" Percy turned to the blond with a glare. "What do you mean by kill? You want to kill such a magestic creature!"

The air in the tunnel seemed to thicken as the argument between Jason and Percy escalated. Tension crackled like static in the air, their voices rising and bouncing off the damp stone walls. The eerie flicker of torchlight cast their faces in shadows, but neither of them cared. They were too focused on the growing divide between them.

"Are you serious right now?" Percy snapped, stepping closer to Jason, his sea-green eyes blazing. "You really think the answer is killing Bessie?"

Jason crossed his arms, his expression hard. "You heard what you just said, Percy. This thing can bring down Olympus. We're talking about the safety of the entire pantheon. You can't just ignore that!"

"I'm not ignoring it!" Percy shot back, his voice brimming with frustration. "But killing him? That's the first solution you come up with? He's an innocent creature! He's done nothing wrong."

Jason's jaw clenched, the weight of his Roman training pressing down on him. "Innocent or not, it's too dangerous. The Ophiotaurus could be captured, used as a weapon—do you really think we can just leave it down here and hope no one finds it?"

Percy took a step closer, practically bristling with anger. "We can protect Bessie! Killing him isn't the only option, Jason. There's always another way."

Jason scoffed, running a hand through his blonde hair in frustration. "You always think there's another way, Percy. But this isn't some small-time problem we can solve by hoping for the best. We're dealing with something that could end everything."

"Yeah, and you think slaughtering an innocent creature is the right move? That's not how I do things, Jason."

Jason glared at him, his blue eyes cold and unyielding. "But that's how we do things at Camp Jupiter."

The words hung in the air like a knife, sharp and cutting. For a split second, the tunnel fell completely silent, the weight of Jason's comment sinking in. Percy's fists clenched at his sides, his muscles taut with barely restrained anger.

"Oh, that's what this is about, huh?" Percy said, his voice dangerously low. "Because I don't think like a Roman, I'm automatically wrong?"

Jason hesitated, realizing he'd crossed a line, but the pride that burned in him—his need to protect New Rome, protect the Gods—pushed him forward. "I'm saying that sometimes, hard decisions have to be made. Decisions you're too soft to make."

Percy's eyes flashed with fury, but before he could retort, a slow clap echoed through the tunnel, cutting through the tension like a blade.

Both demigods turned, their eyes landing on Octavian, who had been watching the entire argument unfold with an amused smirk on his face. He stood with his arms crossed, his golden robes catching the torchlight in a way that made him look more sinister than ever.

"Well, this is entertaining," Octavian drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Two of the most powerful demigods of our time, bickering like children while the answer stands right in front of you."
Jason and Percy exchanged wary glances, their anger momentarily redirected toward the Roman legacy.

"What are you talking about?" Jason demanded, his voice still sharp but tinged with suspicion.
Octavian's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with malevolent intent. "Oh, come now, Jason. You of all people should understand the value of power. The Ophiotaurus isn't just a creature—it's a tool. A weapon. One that could end the Gods' reign once and for all."

Percy's blood ran cold. He took a step toward Octavian, his hand instinctively uncapping his pen. "What are you saying, Octavian?"

Octavian tilted his head, his expression maddeningly smug. "I'm saying that you two are missing the bigger picture. The Gods have ruled for far too long. Their arrogance, their disregard for us? It's time for a change. And with this creature, we could be the ones to make it happen."

Jason's eyes narrowed, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. "What are you planning, Octavian?"

Octavian's smile turned into a full-blown sneer. "Simple. I'm going to take the Ophiotaurus and deliver it to the Titans. Luke was right—Olympus has had its time, and it's time for them to fall. With the power of this creature, we could reshape the world, make it better, stronger. No more Gods meddling in our lives. No more being used as pawns in their games."

"Are you out of your mind?" Percy burst out, his voice filled with a mixture of disbelief and disgust. "You're seriously going to hand Bessie over to Luke? After everything he's done? After all the people he's hurt?"

Octavian shrugged, completely unbothered. "Sacrifices have to be made, Percy. You of all people should know that. But this time, the sacrifice will be worth it. Imagine a world without the Gods lording over us."

Jason stepped forward, his gladius in hand now, his face pale with anger. "You're betraying New Rome. You're betraying everything."

Octavian raised an eyebrow, still smug. "New Rome will survive, Jason. But it's time for a new order. The Titans are going to win, and I plan on being on the right side of history."

Percy's mind was racing, anger boiling beneath his skin. He knew Octavian was ambitious, manipulative—but this? This was beyond anything he'd expected. His grip on Riptide tightened, and he exchanged a quick glance with Jason. Octavian had crossed a line, and whatever arguments they'd had moments ago were irrelevant now. They had to stop him.

"We're not letting you take Bessie," Jason said, his voice hard as steel.

"Yeah," Percy added, his eyes narrowing at Octavian. "I don't care what kind of twisted plan you've cooked up. It's not happening."

Octavian's smile didn't waver. If anything, it grew darker, more menacing. "Oh, I wasn't asking for permission."

Before Percy or Jason could react, Octavian reached into his robes and pulled out a small glass vial, filled with an ominous, swirling liquid. With a sneer, he hurled it to the ground, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. The liquid began to hiss and bubble as it hit the stone floor, rapidly transforming into a thick, toxic cloud that started spreading through the tunnel.

"Are you insane?" Percy shouted, his voice echoing off the walls as he recoiled from the spreading poison. The air grew heavy and suffocating, the dark cloud advancing toward them with an almost malicious intent.

Octavian backed away, his face twisted in satisfaction, before taking out a gas mask from his bag. "Call it a necessary evil," he said coolly, as he put on the mask. "You two won't stop me, and the Ophiotaurus will be mine."

Percy's heart pounded in his chest. Bessie, the Ophiotaurus, let out a pitiful moan, the creature instinctively curling away from the spreading poison. The poisonous fumes were moving fast, crawling along the tunnel floor, dangerously close to the underground river running beside them.
Jason was the first to move, raising his hand with a sharp command. The air in the tunnel shifted, swirling as he took control. With a flick of his wrist, Jason summoned a powerful gust of wind, directing it toward the poison. The fumes hesitated, swirling in confusion before being swept up by Jason's wind, but it wasn't enough to completely clear the threat.

"I've got it," Jason said through gritted teeth, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But can't let it spread, or reach Bessie."

Percy nodded, immediately dropping to one knee and pressing his hand against the cold stone floor. He could feel the underground river beneath him, sluggish but strong, flowing just out of sight. He took a deep breath, reaching for that familiar connection he had with the water. It responded, like an old friend, surging up at his command. The river burst through the cracks in the floor, a stream of cool, clear water rising in a controlled arc.

With a shout, Percy directed the water toward the poison cloud, using it to sweep the toxic fumes away from the Ophiotaurus and the rest of the tunnel. The water surged forward, colliding with the cloud and diluting it, but Percy's control was careful, focused. He had to be cautious—the poison was dangerously close to contaminating the water source. The last thing they needed was a toxic river running through Rome.

Jason, still holding the winds in place, shot a quick glance at Percy. "We need to get rid of it completely!"

Percy gritted his teeth, the strain of controlling the water starting to show. "I'm working on it!"

The poison, though weakened, still clung stubbornly to the air. Jason raised his other hand, pulling more wind from the tunnel around them. The gusts grew stronger, forming a vortex around the poison. With Percy's water swirling around it and Jason's wind containing it, the two demigods worked in perfect tandem—without words, without hesitation, they fell into a rhythm. Percy would push the water forward, and Jason would tighten the winds, forcing the poison into a shrinking, spinning column.

It wasn't long before the poison cloud was reduced to a thin, shimmering mist, trapped within the swirling waters and winds. But there was one last problem: where to send it.

"There's no safe place to put this," Percy muttered, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he struggled to keep the water contained. His eyes flicked to the Ophiotaurus, who was watching the entire scene with wide, fearful eyes. They couldn't risk any of the poison getting near Bessie—or worse, slipping back into the water.

Jason's face was pale with the effort of keeping the winds in check, but he managed to nod. "We'll have to—"

Octavian's voice cut through their concentration like a knife. "Still playing the hero, I see," he sneered. "But you're only delaying the inevitable. You can't save everyone."

Percy shot him a furious glare. "You really don't get it, do you? We're not going to let you win, Octavian."

Jason, his jaw clenched, ignored Octavian's taunts, focusing on the task at hand. "Percy, can you contain it in the water? Keep it moving, keep it away from the river?"

Percy hesitated, glancing between the swirling vortex and the river beneath them. It was a risk—but they didn't have many options. "I'll try."

With a deep breath, Percy tightened his control over the water. Slowly, carefully, he began pulling the poisonous mist into the stream, trapping it in a swirling current that he kept suspended in the air, just above the river. Jason's wind continued to guide the remnants of the poison, forcing it into the water that Percy manipulated like a lasso, swirling the water in a contained loop that kept the poison away from the rest of the tunnel and—most importantly—from Bessie.

It worked—barely. The poison was contained, suspended in the water as a sickly, glowing swirl. Percy's arm trembled from the effort, but he refused to let it falter. Jason released his hold on the wind, his face ashen, but he still stood firm, ready to react if anything went wrong.

Octavian's smirk faltered as he watched them succeed. His eyes flicked nervously between the two demigods, realizing that his plan had failed. They had worked together—despite all his attempts to drive a wedge between them. His fingers twitched at his side, but before he could make another move, Percy spoke up, his voice dark and filled with menace.

"You're not getting anywhere near Bessie," Percy growled, his eyes locking on Octavian with a fury that was barely contained.

Jason, though still winded, stepped forward to stand beside Percy, his gladius gleaming in the torchlight. "You're done, Octavian."

For the first time, Octavian looked unsure. The poison had failed, and his usual manipulations had backfired. He glanced at the Ophiotaurus, still wide-eyed and trembling in the corner, then back at Percy and Jason—two demigods who had finally stopped fighting each other and turned their combined strength toward him.

"You don't understand what's coming," Octavian spat, his voice desperate now. "The Titans will rise again, and when they do, I'll be the one standing beside them—on the winning side."

Jason took a step forward, his gaze like cold steel, as he lifted his gladius, his voice cold and certain. "You keep telling yourself that. But trust me—this is one fight you're not walking away from."

Octavian's eyes darted between the two demigods, realizing he was cornered. Without another word, he turned on his heel and fled down the tunnel, his footsteps echoing in the darkness as he disappeared from sight.

For a moment, the tunnel was silent again, save for the soft rippling of the water. Jason wanted to chase Octavian, but he could not leave Percy as he was still holding the poisonous water.

"Looks like we did it," Jason said quietly, though his face was still tense with the adrenaline of the moment.

Percy nodded, sweat dripping from his brow. "Yeah. But that was way too close."

Jason gave a small, tired smile. "Good thing we've got each other's backs, huh?"

Percy glanced at him, a reluctant grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, I guess we do."
"What do we do with this?" Jason asked worriedly.

Percy's eyes did not leave the water, but his words were directed towards Jason. "Get Bessie out of the lake."

"You want to put that poison into a lake? Better than a river that runs through a city and any can stumble upon... but still..." Jason looked uncomfortable, even as he did what Percy asked.

"Trust me," Percy replied, as he carefully lowered the swirling stream of poisoned water away from the Ophiotaurus. Bessie let out a soft, relieved moo, its eyes large and grateful as it stared at Percy.

Percy fell to his knees, panting by the arduous task. After collecting himself, Percy stood up and pulled out the sand dollar from his pocket, its smooth, worn surface a reminder of a Yule gift from Poseidon. It had been tucked away for so long that Percy almost forgot he had it, but now? Now it felt like the perfect moment. He could feel the faint hum of his father's power within it. His relationship with Poseidon was… complicated, to say the least. But in moments like these, Percy couldn't deny that the old man came through.

Jason glanced over, watching as Percy flicked the sand dollar into the lake. "What is that?"

"Gift from my dad," Percy said simply, keeping his eyes on the lake as the sand dollar hit the water with a quiet hum. "He gave it to me ages ago. Though it might come in handy. Herophile recommended I bring it with me to the quest. I had all but forgotten about it until now."

As soon as the sand dollar dissolved beneath the surface, the water shimmered. The dark, toxic streaks that had threatened to contaminate the entire lake began to clear, the poison dissipating as if it had never been there. The water sparkled under the dim torchlight, pure and safe again. Percy let out a relieved sigh, feeling a weightlift from his chest.

Jason watched in awe, shaking his head. "You really do have some useful tricks up your sleeve, Jackson."

Percy smirked, though there was a tiredness behind his eyes. "Yeah, well, even Poseidon's gotta be good for something, right?"

Jason chuckled softly, sensing the familiar undercurrent of frustration Percy always seemed to have when talking about his father. "It's weird, isn't it? The whole 'dad's a God but also not really a dad' thing?"

"Tell me about it," Percy muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "He's like… super chill one minute, and the next, he's sending me off to fight monsters, like, 'Hey, son, handle this. By the way, how's school?'" He rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward in a crooked smile.

Jason nodded, his own experiences with Juno flashing through his mind. "Yeah. I've never interacted with my dad, but Juno will show up send me to a quest, then disappear for months without a word."
"Classic God move," Percy snorted. "Guess we just have to deal with it."

For a moment, the two demigods stood there, side by side, watching the water ripple. But just as the sense of victory began to settle, Percy's gaze flicked toward the spot where Octavian had been standing. "He ran away," Percy said, his voice tense.

"I know. That sneaky little—" Jason cut himself off, his fists clenching. He could feel the frustration boiling in his chest, a mix of anger at himself for letting Octavian slip away and anger at Octavian for being... well, Octavian.

Percy's jaw clenched as well, his earlier smugness vanishing. The truth was, they had saved Bessie from being sacrificed to the Titans. That was a huge win. But losing Octavian? That left a bitter taste in Percy's mouth. The scheming Roman legacy wasn't just going to slink off into the shadows and give up. No, he'd be back—probably with a bigger plan and more dangerous allies next time. That much was certain.

"Great," Percy muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. "Now we've got to worry about him trying to sabotage us and the Titans trying to get their hands on Bessie."

Jason sighed, his frustration palpable. "We'll have to stay on guard. He's not going to stop. Especially not now that he knows we're onto him."

Percy nodded, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the tunnel where Octavian had disappeared. "Yeah, but next time, we're not letting him slip away. I'm not letting him use Bessie—or any other weapon—against Olympus."

There was a grim determination in his voice, one that Jason hadn't heard before. It was clear that Percy wasn't just talking about protecting Bessie. He was talking about protecting everything—Olympus, the demigods, his friends. There was a fire in his eyes that spoke of someone who had been pushed too far too many times.

"We need to get Bessie somewhere safe," Jason said, glancing at the creature, who was still watching them with those wide, innocent eyes. His desire to kill the Ophiotaurus long forgotten. Percy was right, the creature was innocent.

Percy nodded. "Yeah. We can't let Octavian—or anyone else—get to him."

But as they started to gather themselves, preparing to move, there was a nagging thought in the back of Percy's mind. Octavian had been plotting this for who knows how long, and there was no way he'd acted alone. There had to be others waiting in the wings, ready to strike when the time was right.

And if they were willing to go after Bessie, who knew what other plans they had in store?

"I hate to say it," Percy began, his voice low, "but this is far from over. Octavian's just the beginning. If the Titans are rising again, we've got a bigger problem than we thought."

Jason looked at him, the weight of the situation clear in his expression. "You think they're already making moves?"

"I don't think. I know," Percy said darkly. "Octavian's just a pawn."

Jason winced. He hated admitting it, but Percy was right. Octavian wasn't the mastermind here—he was just the first domino to fall. And if the Titans were really gearing up for war again, then they were all in for a fight.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. The weight of what they had just faced, and what they would continue to face, settled heavily between them. They had stopped one disaster today, but there will be more. That much was guaranteed.

The weight of their next steps settled heavily between Percy and Jason as they both stared down at Bessie, who had returned to the now purified lake, floating innocently, blissfully unaware of the chaos surrounding him.

Percy bit his lip, glancing at Jason. "We need to get Bessie somewhere safe—somewhere no one can reach him." Percy's eyes darkened, his thoughts already spinning toward one place. "What about the Underworld?"

Jason blinked. "The Underworld? As in, Nico's father's place?"

"Yeah," Percy said, his voice steady. "Think about it. No one—Titans, demigods, not even the Gods—can just walk into the Underworld. It's the safest place there is. Hades won't let anyone touch Bessie."

Jason frowned, one did not go to any God and ask for their help without something big being asked in return. But at the same time, Percy had a point. No place on earth was as secure as the Underworld.

"How do we even get him there?" Jason asked, glancing at the Ophiotaurus again. "We can't exactly just walk in and ask for a room in the Fields of Asphodel."

Percy smiled grimly. "We won't have to." He reached and pulled the Nemean Lion's pelt from Jason's shoulder, the golden fur gleaming even in the dim light of the tunnel. "We offer this as a sacrifice to Hades."

Jason's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You think Hades is just going to answer because of a sacrifice?"

Percy shrugged. "If there's one thing I've learned about the Gods, it's that they love a good sacrifice. And besides, this isn't just any offering. The Nemean Lion pelt is a big deal—it's got power. If we burn it, Hades will take notice."

Jason stared at the pelt for a moment, then nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "It's worth a shot."

Without wasting another second, Percy and Jason moved quickly. They gathered some loose stones and wood from the tunnel floor, building a small makeshift pyre. Jason knelt beside it, using a quick flick of his hand to summon a spark of lightning, igniting the wood. The flames caught instantly, their orange and gold glow flickering eerily against the dark stone walls.

Percy took a deep breath, holding the Nemean Lion pelt in his hands. The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air—this was their best chance to protect Bessie, to keep him out of the wrong hands. But still, Percy couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance. This pelt was a trophy, a symbol of their victory. Part of him didn't want to let it go.

But Bessie was more important.

With a determined look, Percy tossed the pelt into the flames. While normallt indestructible, this was a sacrifice and the rules were different. The golden fur immediately began to burn, crackling as the fire consumed it. The air around them grew hotter, almost oppressive, and Percy felt a shiver run down his spine as he watched the flames rise higher. He had done this before—offered sacrifices to the Gods—but this time felt different. This time, it felt like more was at stake.

Jason stood beside him, his eyes fixed on the burning pelt. "You think it'll work?" he asked quietly.
"It has to," Percy replied, though his voice betrayed a flicker of uncertainty.

The flames crackled and roared, growing brighter and brighter, until the tunnel was bathed in an almost blinding light. Then, just as suddenly as it had started, the fire dimmed, leaving behind nothing but ash and embers. For a moment, there was silence. The air felt still, too still, as if the tunnel itself was holding its breath.

Percy and Jason exchanged uneasy glances.

And then, without warning, Bessie began to glow.

The creature let out a soft, startled moo as his entire body shimmered with a silvery light. Percy's eyes widened in surprise, his heart racing as he realized what was happening. The sacrifice had worked. The Ophiotaurus was being pulled into the Underworld, away from the dangers of the mortal world, where it would be safe under Hades' protection.

The light surrounding Bessie grew brighter, enveloping the creature completely. Percy and Jason stepped back, shielding their eyes from the intensity of the glow. Within seconds, Bessie's form began to fade, dissolving into the shimmering light like mist in the wind. The Ophiotaurus let out one last, gentle sound—a farewell of sorts—before he vanished completely, leaving nothing behind but the faint echo of his presence.

For a long moment, neither Percy nor Jason spoke. The tunnel felt eerily quiet without Bessie, the silence almost deafening.

Percy was the first to break the quiet, letting out a slow, relieved breath. "He's safe now."
Jason nodded, though his expression remained tense. "Yeah. But Octavian's still out there."

The reminder hit them both like a cold splash of reality. Percy and Jason sat down against the cool stone walls of the tunnel, their legs heavy and aching, and their heads spinning from Octavian's betrayal. The tunnel was silent now, save for the occasional drip of water echoing from somewhere deep within the earth. The adrenaline was finally starting to ebb, leaving behind exhaustion and the weight of everything that had just unfolded.

Percy rested his head back, staring at the ceiling as if the cracks and crevices could give him some kind of clarity. He couldn't shake the gnawing frustration building inside him. "I can't believe we let him get away," he muttered, his voice thick with irritation.

Jason sighed, his fingers rubbing the back of his neck. He looked every bit as tired as Percy felt. "Yeah… that one's on us. We should've seen it coming."

Percy grimaced, running a hand through his messy hair. "I should've thrown him in the lake when I had the chance."
Jason snorted, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You're not wrong. But I doubt that would've stopped him for long."

There was a bitter truth in that. Octavian wasn't just some petty schemer—he was dangerous, calculating. And now that he'd fully revealed his traitorous intentions, there was no telling what kind of chaos he'd unleash next. Percy's gut twisted at the thought. They'd saved Bessie, but it felt like a hollow victory. Octavian was still out there, and the damage he could do was terrifying.

Jason leaned his head back against the stone wall, staring up at the same cracks Percy was. His voice was quieter now, more reflective. "Octavian's betrayal... it changes everything."
Percy glanced at him, brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

Jason exhaled slowly, like he was piecing together his thoughts. "It's not just that he tried to take Bessie. It's what he represents. The Romans look at the Greeks like they were the problem. Like Luke was the only traitor that mattered. But now? Now it's clear that betrayal isn't just a Greek issue."

Percy stayed silent, letting the words sink in. Jason was right. The Romans held Luke's betrayal over the Greek demigods, using it as proof that the Greek side was unstable, untrustworthy. It was one of the many reasons the two camps were so divided. But with Octavian's treachery exposed, that argument fell apart. The Romans couldn't hold Luke's actions against the Greeks anymore—not when one of their own is also plotting against Olympus.

Jason continued, his voice firm but thoughtful. "This... this could be the thing that finally makes both camps realize they're not so different after all. We've both been betrayed by people we trusted. Luke for the Greeks, Octavian for the Romans. Maybe it'll open their eyes."

Percy nodded slowly, understanding where Jason was coming from. He could see the logic in it, but there was a weariness in his heart that made it hard to be optimistic. "Maybe. But I don't know, man. The Greeks and Romans have been at each other's throats for so long. Even with Octavian's betrayal, it's going to take more than that to fix the divide."

Jason's gaze was distant, his jaw tight. "You're right. It won't happen overnight. But this... it's a start. We need something, anything, to get them to see that we're all on the same side. If we don't figure it out soon, the Titans are going to tear us apart."

Percy let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, no pressure or anything."

Jason cracked a smile at that, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, no one said this would be easy."

"No kidding," Percy muttered. He let his head loll to the side, his eyes focusing on the tunnel's shadows. His mind wandered back to Luke. Now Jason had to face something similar with Octavian, though Percy guessed Jason had never been fond of the guy to begin with. Still, betrayal hit hard, no matter the circumstances.

"I guess now the Romans can't act all high and mighty," Percy said, the sarcasm in his voice hiding a deeper weariness. "They've got their own backstabbing golden boy."

Jason snorted, though there was no joy in it. "Yeah. And I doubt they're going to take it well. Octavian's got a lot of followers back at Camp Jupiter. This could get ugly fast."

"That's the thing, though," Percy said, frowning. "It's not just about Octavian. He's just a symptom. The real problem is that both sides still think they're better than the other. We're not going to win this fight if we're constantly looking over our shoulders, waiting for someone to betray us. We need to get everyone to trust each other."

Jason's expression darkened. "Easier said than done."

Percy let out a long breath. "I know. But we have to try. If we're going to stop the Titans—if we're going to save Olympus—then Greeks and Romans have to get their act together. Fast."

Jason nodded, though the weight of the situation was clear in his eyes. "We're on the same page, Percy. But it's not just about convincing them. It's about showing them that we can be united. That we can be stronger together."

"And how do we do that?" Percy asked, though he already had a sinking feeling he knew the answer.
Jason met his gaze, his expression serious. "By winning. By proving that we're not just a bunch of kids fighting each other over old grudges. We have to show them that we can work together—that we can defeat the Titans as one."

Percy nodded, though his heart felt heavy. Winning. It always came down to winning, didn't it? Fighting. Sacrifices. All for the gods who had been more absent than present in their lives. It was exhausting, but Percy couldn't deny the truth in Jason's words. If they wanted to unite the camps, they had to lead by example. They had to win.

"We'll figure it out," Percy said after a long moment. "We always do."

Jason smiled, though there was a grimness to it. "Yeah. We always do."

For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of the world on their shoulders. They were in this together, whether they liked it or not. And as much as Octavian's betrayal stung, it had also given them a clear path forward—a chance to bridge the gap between their worlds.

As they prepared to get up, Percy glanced over at Jason, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You know, Nico's going to be pretty impressed when he hears about this."

Jason rolled his eyes, though a hint of a smile played on his lips. "Yeah, well, I'm sure you'll make sure to tell him first."

Percy chuckled, the tension easing just a little. "Hey, I've known him longer."

"Doesn't mean you've got dibs," Jason shot back, his tone dry but playful.

"Dibs? On Nico?" Percy raised an eyebrow, pretending to think about it. "Huh. Didn't know we were doing that. Let me get a head start then."

Jason laughed softly, shaking his head. "You're impossible, Jackson."

"Yeah, well, you still like me," Percy replied with a grin. "Even if I'm the better swimmer."

Jason just shook his head again, though there was no real bite to it. They stood up and dusted off their clothes.

"Come on," Jason said, his voice resolute. "We've got work to do."

Percy nodded, glancing one last time at the spot where Bessie had vanished. The Ophiotaurus was safe, for now.

"Let's do this," Percy said, stepping forward with renewed determination. "Time to save the world. Again."