Chapter 6

Percy woke in the hut on the floor next to a crackling fire.

He blinked up at the drakon hide covering stretched over his head. Percy grunted as he raised his head. Bob looked up as he heard Percy stir, silver eyes gentle and soft with concern. "Is Friend Percy okay now?"

Percy stared. "I – what-" Percy's clothes were damp, his shirt and trousers stuck to his skin. He let out a sharp breath. "I'm sorry, Bob," he slowly said. "I – I don't know what happened," he slowly said. The dream – it had been the dream making his panic surge to the point that he turned Riptide against Bob.

That could have ended badly.

"Thank you," Percy slowly said as he recalled that streak of silver which had struck the sea serpent in the side of the head. Bob had saved his life. Percy pressed his lips together.

Bob smiled at Percy. "We are friends," he said happily.

Percy slowly nodded, grimacing as he pushed himself upright. He shuddered slightly as he recalled the dream, watching everyone he knew die. His mom and Paul were going to have a child soon if they hadn't had it already. Percy tucked his knees against his chest as he stared into the fire, Bob sitting across from him. Small Bob had curled up in the Titan's lap, in the crook of his knee.

Bob's spear was leaning up against the hide wall of the hut, the point tinted green with the blood of the sea serpent. Percy stared at it for a few seconds before he lowered his gaze to where the pot of fire water was set, off to the side where it would be mostly undisturbed. The fire water inside kicked off sparks and its own warmth.

Guilt turned Percy's stomach. Here he'd been assuming the worst when he noticed Bob was gone, while Bob had really trekked all the way back to the Phlegethon and risked himself to gather some fire water for Percy. The son of Poseidon sighed. He had to keep his wits about him down here, he couldn't afford to slip up like that again. Percy's hands fisted as he recalled how the river Cocytus had sunk into his bones, making him immediately give up.

It was the exact kind of torture Percy would expect from the Primordial of the Pit, to leave Damasen stuck in the swamp made up of the river of Lamentation. A shudder wracked through Percy and he tried to think about something else.

Water.

Percy's throat was still dry. That was something that needed to be fixed. "Bob, what would happen if I drank the Cocytus water?"

Bob's eyes widened. "Bad things," he said hurriedly. "Very bad."

The son of Poseidon grimaced. "How bad is very bad?"

The Titan hummed. "Monsters drown themselves if they drink it," he gravely said to Percy with an uneasy glance to the swamp outside the hut.

Percy let out a short breath. He could imagine that, if only because he could feel the undercurrent of despair coming from the otherwise still water. A faint whisper in his head urged him to jump in and see if he could drown in that swamp. Percy didn't want to test the Five Rivers of the Underworld like that, especially not in Tartarus. He got the feeling that if he did and it didn't make him die somehow, the Primordial might take offence.

The demigod wondered if Tartarus was watching him, even now. He said he'd been watching Percy and Annabeth before - would he have stopped? Or was he still getting some sick enjoyment out of the pain Percy was going through as he struggled to stay alive.

"So don't try to drink it," Percy said with a sigh. "Got it."

He decided then that he hated gods. Particularly ones whom thought they could play with little mortals like Percy.

Percy frowned. Water remained the pressing issue then. Somehow, Percy had to get some. He eyed the drakon jerky. There was enough to last them a few weeks if they rationed. Percy's frown deepened as he noticed Small Bob was chewing at a piece twice the kitten's size. He sighed. Maybe less than that if Small Bob was going to chew at the pieces too.

There had to be a solution. Somehow, Percy had to survive this – at least long enough for him to be brought out of the Pit.

Would Annabeth even know he was still alive down in the Pit though? There was every chance she'd think he was dead. That meant Percy also had to get word out to her and the gods somehow, that he was still alive.

The solution smacked him in the face in that moment.

Hermes' altar.

Percy could've kicked himself for his stupidity. He laughed, a sound that made Bob jump and eye him as if he'd gone insane. Percy grinned. "Hey, Bob," the demigod said. "I've got an idea."

Bob perked up slightly. Percy had no idea what the Titan had been thinking about, but whatever it was it had put him in a sombre mood. "A good idea?" Bob questioned.

The demigod paused briefly. "When have they not been good?" Percy asked with a faint, teasing grin. Bob squinted at him, apparently not sure if Percy was joking or not.

"You fell into the Cocytus on top of a Ketea," Bob said, his tone accusing.

Percy frowned at him. "That was an accident," he said. "But thank you again for saving me," Percy added. Bob just grunted in response, but looked pleased with himself. "I was thinking we go back to Hermes' shrine," Percy said. "The campers sacrifice food to Hermes and it ends up there on the altar – and Annabeth sent a message back through it." Well, Percy hoped she had. He wasn't sure if that had worked, but the napkin had disappeared and had clearly gone somewhere. "It's worth trying," Percy added.

A faint scowl formed on Bob's face.

It made Percy falter, his eagerness falling slightly. He didn't know why Bob would look so displeased at his idea. "Bob?" Percy questioned. What had he said to earn that reaction? He stilled when he noticed Bob's hand settle over the name tag 'BOB' that was still on his janitor's uniform. "Hey, big guy, you okay?" Percy asked, his hand slipping into his pocket and closing around Riptide in response, just in case it became necessary.

Bob blinked. He turned his head to the swamp outside, his scowl deepening. Finally, he returned his attention to Percy and hummed. "We will go to the shrine," he said.

Percy slowly nodded, still feeling uneasy. "Okay," he said, a little more subdued now as he eyed Bob. The Titan was staring into the fire again. Percy shuffled closer to the fire, wanting to get a little warmer to ward off the lingering chill from the river of lamentation and the subsequent urge to leap into the swamp water again. The only thing Percy could think of was that somehow the mention of Hermes, or maybe of the shrine, had shaken something loose. How much did Iapetus know about Hermes? He probably hadn't even met the god before, having been stuck in Tartarus for the entirety of Hermes' existence. Percy's eyes furrowed slightly. If anything, the realisation that Bob had been imprisoned in Tartarus for the entire existence of another god really just hammered in how ancient these immortals down in the Pit with Percy were.

The demigod stared out the entrance of the hut himself, frowning briefly as he looked over the Pit that was visible from there. It was bleak and horrible, the faint shrieks of monsters off in the distance. "It's kind of quiet now," Percy finally said.

Bob grunted. "Monsters do not like the swamp," he said. "It is sad. And many have left the Pit."

Percy slowly nodded. "They'll be coming back, won't they?" Percy asked. "The monsters. Artemis' Hunters will Hunt them down," Percy slowly said. Unless Gaea had won. Then Percy might stumble across Artemis herself reforming down in Tartarus.

The Titan tilted his head to the side. "Artemis?" He questioned, looking utterly innocent and confused. Bob's frown deepened. "What about Lelantos?"

The demigod stared at Bob. "I – what's a Lelantos?" He asked, completely baffled.

A look of utter confusion crossed Bob's face. "I do not know," he said, looking deep in thought.

Percy grunted. "Well, that doesn't matter," he said hurriedly. "I think it would be good to get moving sooner," Percy said. Clearly, Hades hadn't thought it was important for Bob to know about some of the other gods. "While there's still lots of fire water." Percy didn't want to have to worry about replenishing the fire water on their trek to the shrine. The bonus was that the shrine of Hermes repelled monsters, so Percy wouldn't even have to worry about that either. If he could get a message through to Camp Half-Blood, then Percy could request water and food from camp and that could keep him alive until they could get him out.

It felt like a good plan.

As long as Camp Half-Blood still existed anyway.

How long had it been? Percy had no idea. For all he knew, it could've been months on the surface. Everyone could be dead and Percy would have no way of knowing. Even down within Tartarus there was no way to judge the passing of time. If that time flowed differently throughout Tartarus itself then Percy was screwed even further. He was sure that Bob had suggested that before.

Bob grunted and nodded his head slightly. He glanced over to where the fire water was. "It will last for a time," he said.

Percy nodded in agreement. The pot was giant-sized, more of a giant bucket than a small mortal-sized pot. It was a lot of fire water, but unfortunately it meant that Percy wouldn't be able to carry it himself. He grimaced. "Uh, I don't think I'll be able to carry it," Percy said to Bob. That produced its own problem, for it meant Bob wouldn't be able to fight if he was having to carry the fire water. Percy wouldn't be nearly as effective as Bob was at deterring monsters.

But Bob didn't seem concerned and only nodded. "Bob can carry it," he proudly announced as he stroked Small Bob's back, the kitten purring and arching his back.

The demigod smiled slightly. "Thank you, Bob," Percy said. He took Riptide out of his pocket, spinning the pen between his fingers as he stared into the fire. It was warm and sank deep into his bones. Percy shut his eyes, taking a deep breath. Still, the sound of the crackling fire couldn't block out all the sounds from outside their sheltered hut. Percy shuddered slightly as he heard the distant screech of a hydra. It was a reminder of the monsters that lurked outside their temporary bubble.

Percy found himself scared to leave the hut now that they'd found a place of sanctuary down in the Pit. But the drakon jerky wouldn't last forever and it would be best to move while they still had some food left instead of leaving it until there was none. Percy would struggle to make the journey to the shrine without both food and water and his mouth was horribly dry already. The fire water could only do so much. He felt so tired that he wanted to go back to the bed and sleep again, maybe forever, but knew that was the dehydration.

Bob still hadn't budged from beside the fire, seeming content to remain exactly where he was. Percy stirred. "We should go now," he said as he pushed himself up to his feet. Percy was alarmed when a brief bout of dizziness nearly made him have to sit down again, but he managed to stay on his feet.

"Can we bring the fire?"

Percy blinked. "What?" He asked as he looked back to Bob across the fire. The Titan was still sitting, but they were practically at eye level still.

"The fire," Bob repeated. "Can we keep it?"

The demigod hesitated. He wasn't really sure what Bob was asking there – he wanted to pick up the fire and bring it with them? "I – I can't carry a fire, Bob," Percy slowly said. Bob frowned, looking mournfully at the flames. Percy was mildly horrified when he spotted those tears building up in the Titan's eyes. A dark urge itched to take hold of those tears and see if he could drown the Titan with them, but the thought made him flinch and Percy sharply returned his attention to Bob himself. "Why do you want the fire?" He asked. "You can just make your own again at the shrine."

Bob's eyes shimmered. "It is warm and bright like Hyperion," he said.

Percy stared at him. "You can make your fire again at the shrine," he slowly repeated. Percy fought the urge to snap at Bob. He didn't see the point of Bob wanting to keep the fire, not when it meant that Percy would have to carry it. The apparent wish of Bob to have something that reminded him of Hyperion close to him was worrying to Percy. The demigod couldn't risk Bob hesitating if they walked into any of the Titans again.

The amnesiac Titan's smile had vanished now, a frown brewing on his face instead. The sight made Percy tense. "But the Pit is dark and the fire is bright," Bob said, voice rumbling like an approaching storm. "I do not like it," he added, silver eyes burning slightly.

Percy let out a slow breath. "I don't either, Bob," Percy said. "But we're going to have to put it out and we need to leave now."

Bob didn't move an inch. "I will not put out the fire."

"Then leave it burning, but we need to go," Percy insisted. He wasn't sure how long he'd last without water, he'd never tested the limits of his heritage as Poseidon's son. "Please, Bob," Percy urged. "I need you, and I can't do this without you." Percy paused briefly. "We're friends, right?"

"Friends," Bob echoed, his voice slightly miserable as he finally dragged his eyes away from the fire. "Yes," he said to Percy.

The demigod wanted to run screaming into the swamp at the deep sorrow in those eyes. "Friends," Percy agreed with a sharp nod. "And friends look out for each other, right?"

Bob's gaze sharpened slightly and he beamed suddenly. "Like brothers?"

That urge to run into the swamp shifted to crawling under the closest rock. Percy felt a lump in his throat, but he nodded. "Yes," he said. "Friends."

Bob eagerly nodded. He finally shifted then, gently picking up Small Bob, whom hissed and batted at the Titan for being disturbed. Bob shifted the kitten to his shoulder before he stood. "We leave the fire?"

Percy eyed the flames, judging if they might suddenly surge and set aflame to the drakon hide hut, but he didn't think they would. He nodded his head to Bob. "We can leave the fire burning," he agreed.

Bob picked up his spear, placing it under his arm before he picked up the pot of fire water. Percy grabbed all the drakon jerky he could find. It was a chewy and tough meat, but at least it was something that soothed the hunger in his belly and he could munch on it as they walked.

The thought of heading out in the Pit again and leaving a place of sanctuary made him almost decide to stay there, but Percy knew he had to think ahead. This hut would only be useful to them as long as there was food, and it would eventually run out of that. Percy also had no idea when the drakon would reform and if Bob could kill it for more food or not. The only certainty would be food at the shrine.

Tartarus was not set up to provide for mortals stuck in its depths, but hopefully Camp Half-Blood would.

As soon as Percy stepped out of the hut, it felt as if the weight of Tartarus closed in around him even more. He glanced back to the fire burning within the sheltered hut and was tempted to hide back inside. Then Bob joined him, holding the fire water with a bright smile. "This way, Friend Percy," Bob said happily as he trundled off.

Percy rushed to scramble after him, taking care of where he put his feet in the swamp. Recalling the sea serpent that had nearly had him for dinner not too long ago, Percy wasn't too eager for a repeat. Percy just hoped there would be food and water there. His mouth and throat were starting to feel like a desert.

Bob's presence scared off many monsters as they made their way out into the swamp, the sea serpent letting out a haunting cry behind them as Percy stepped back onto the solid plains of Tartarus. An empousa cast a glance towards Percy and Bob and promptly turned and disappeared in the opposite direction as fast as her mismatched legs would allow. Percy grinned as he chewed at the drakon jerky.

He could feel the oppressive presence of Tartarus weighing down on his shoulders, trying to steal away his hope and his breath and yet his stubbornness kept him marching on after Bob. But the presence of the Titan could only do so much and it didn't feel like long before Percy's chest began to hurt. Percy grimaced and kept moving, his breathing beginning to ache.

"Do you remember the stars?"

Percy blinked. "What?" He frowned slightly at Bob's back.

The Titan glanced back briefly at Percy. "The stars," Bob repeated. Percy recalled Bob and Damasen talking about them before in his hut.

"Yeah," Percy said to Bob. Percy hadn't been down there that long, of course he remembered the stars. "I remember them, why?" Percy asked.

Bob beamed. "Describe them. Tell me a story."

Percy stared at Bob's back. "I – uh…" he trailed off. Percy had never really been overly invested in the stars. Sure, he knew they were a thing and he knew that many of them were creatures and beings put in the stars by the gods. But Percy didn't really know them. He'd never really heard of many of the stories of the creatures himself. "There's one," Percy slowly said. "I think… the stars have probably changed from the ones you might've known. But there's one, called 'The Huntress'," Percy said. He paused to cough, a hand flying to his aching chest and Bob immediately turned and offered the fire water to him. Percy smiled and gratefully dipped his hands in, drawing out several handfuls of the fire water and gulping them down. "Thanks," he quietly said.

Bob's smile was sad and distant. "Krios liked the stars," he murmured, eyes clouded over. "He would always sit and watch them."

The son of Poseidon was silent for a few moments. Percy wasn't sure if telling Bob the story behind the Huntress was a good idea or not, but he could always smudge the details around Atlas – Iapetus' son – if he had to. Percy vaguely wondered if Iapetus had ever met Zoë or if she'd been born after the Titanomachy. "The Huntress," Percy began. "She was a Hunter of Artemis, the lieutenant and one of the most incredible people I've ever met." He was aware of Bob's attention as they walked, entirely focused on Percy. "Her name was Zoë."

Hey everyone! CBT main story will be updated next! Not sure how long it'll take, but hoping not a while. We'll see how it goes.

I figured with the new year I'd try to write more again, so here we are.

son s of Poseidon: thanks!

Guest: The idea of this is that it's solely focused on Percy's experience down in Tartarus. The main story later on occurs in 'Confused by Time', which has other perspectives later on.

Guest: Bob is a Friend! XD Just like Friend Percy :)