ΉӨЦƧΣ ӨF ΉΛDΣƧ

ABOUT FIFTY FEET FROM THE DOORS OF DEATH, Lucia and Percy froze in their tracks.

"Fuck," Lucia frowned, her voice breaking. "They're the s—same."

Percy seemed to understand what she meant. Framed in Stygian iron, the magical portal was a set of elevator doors
—two panels of silver and black etched with Art Deco designs.

Except for the fact that the colors were inverted, they looked exactly like the elevators in the Empire State Building, the entrance to Olympus.

Seeing them, Lucia felt so homesick, she couldn't breathe.

Tears welled up in her eyes without her consent. She choked down a sob. She didn't just miss Mount Olympus or daylight or even her iPod.

She missed everything: Her father, Aunt, New York City, Camp Half-Blood, Sally and Paul, Annabeth, Nico, Will, Aurora.

She swallowed harshly, it felt like sand was pouring down her esophagus. She didn't trust herself to talk.

The Doors of Death seemed like a personal insult, designed to remind her of everything she couldn't have.

Everything just out of reach...

She felt fingers slip into her hand, she felt him squeeze. Her breathing steadied.... he was here....and that was something she couldn't be more grateful for. Even if she did still hated the circumstances they were in.

Once she got over her initial shock, she noticed other details: the frost spreading from the base of the Doors, the purplish glow in the air around them, and the chains that held them fast.

Cords of black iron ran down either side of the frame, like rigging lines on a suspension bridge.

They were tethered to hooks embedded in the fleshy ground.

The two Titans, Krios and Hyperion, stood guard at the anchor points.

The entire frame shuddered. Black lightning flashed into the sky. The chains shook, and the Titans planted their feet on the hooks to keep them secure. The Doors slid open, revealing the gilded interior of an elevator car.

Percy tensed, he pulled on Lucia's hand ready to charge forward with her, but Bob planted a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait," he cautioned.

Hyperion yelled to the surrounding crowd: "Group A-22! Hurry up, you sluggards!"

A dozen Cyclopes rushed forward, pushing each other, waving little red tickets, and shouting excitedly. As the Cyclopes got close, their bodies distorted and shrank, the Doors of Death sucking them inside.

The Titan Krios jabbed his thumb against the up button on the elevator's right side. The Doors slid closed.

The frame shuddered again. Dark lightning faded.

"You must understand how it works," Bob muttered. He addressed the kitten in his palm, maybe so the other monsters wouldn't wonder who he was talking to. "Each time the Doors open, they try to teleport to a new location. Thanatos made them this way, so only he could find them. But now they are chained. The Doors cannot relocate."

"Then we cut the chains," Lucia suggested.

She glanced at her boyfriend. His crestfallen eyes showed he was more pessimistic than he let on. Lucia knew he wouldn't voice it, out of wanting to keep her comfortable. But she was anything but comfortable in Tartarus.

"Our camouflage," Percy said. "Will it disappear if we do something aggressive, like cutting the chains?"

"I do not know," Bob told his kitten.

"Mrow," said Small Bob.

"Fine then Bob, you can talk to them," Lucia said. "Percy and I will sneak around as you distract them and we'll cut the chains."

"Yes, fine," Bob grunted. "But that is only one problem. Once you are inside the Doors, someone must stay outside to push the button and defend it."

Percy squeezed Lucia's hand tighter in his grip. "Uh.....defend the button?"

Bob nodded, scratching his kitten under the chin. "Someone must keep pressing the UP button for twelve minutes, or the journey will not finish."

Lucia glanced at the Doors. Sure enough, Krios still had his thumb jammed on the UP button.

Twelve minutes... Somehow, they would have to get the Titans away from those doors. Then Bob, Percy, or Lucia would have to keep that button pushed for twelve long minutes, in the middle of an army of monsters in the heart of Tartarus, while the other two rode to the mortal world. It was impossible.

Usually, Lucia was one to volunteer as a sacrifice for the sake of others. But she really....really wanted to choose herself this time... But if the choice came between her and Percy living and making it out, she knew she wouldn't be able to choose herself.

She loved him too much. It would break her if she didn't do everything she could to save him.

She couldn't leave him behind.

Life without Percy sounded much worse to her than remaining stuck in Tartarus.

And Tartarus was her literal nightmare.

"Why twelve minutes?" Percy asked.

"I do not know," Bob said. "Why twelve Olympians, or twelve Titans?"

"Fair enough," Percy hissed, glaring back at the doors in anger.

"What do you mean the journey won't finish?" Lucia asked the question that was reeling in her mind. "What happens to the passengers?"

Bob didn't respond, but the look on his face was answer enough.

"If we do push the button for twelve minutes," Percy thought out loud, "and the chains are cut—"

"The Doors should reset," Bob said. "That is what they are supposed to do. They will disappear from Tartarus. They will appear somewhere else, where Gaea cannot use them."

"Thanatos can reclaim them," Lucia said. "Death goes back to normal, and the monsters lose their shortcut to the mortal world."

Percy exhaled. "Easy-peasy. Except for...well, everything."

Small Bob purred.

"I will push the button," Bob volunteered.

Lucia felt grief, sadness, gratitude, and guilt all swirl in her chest, emotionally anchoring her down and causing her to feel heavy. She huffed, trying to catch her uneven breath.

Percy looked conflicted, "Bob, we can't ask you to do that. You can go through the Doors too. You want to see the sky again."

"I would like that," Bob agreed. "But someone must push the button. And once the chains are cut...my brethren will fight to stop your passage."

"But—" Lucia tried,

"They will not want the Doors to disappear, Friend." He addressed, "This is the only way..."

Lucia gazed at the endless horde of monsters. Even if they let Bob make this sacrifice, how could one Titan defend himself against so many for twelve minutes, all while keeping his finger on a button?

Lucia avoided eye contact. She had suspected how this would end. She would have to stay behind. The light being snuffed out by darkness...

While Bob fended off the army, Lucia would hold the elevator button and make sure Percy got to safety.

Somehow, she had to convince him to go without her. She knew it wouldn't be easy to do but, as long as he was safe and the Doors disappeared. To Lucia, that was all that mattered...

"No. Look at me." Percy demanded, breaking Lucia out of her thoughts."Look at me. Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You're not staying behind, I am." 

"No," Lucia said in desperation. "Stop it—"

"It's not up for debate, Luz."

"Well try and stop me from debating this." She put two hands on her hips. Her stare fiery.

Percy looked down, set a hand on his temple, then took a deep breath.  When he looked up again, Lucia's face softened.

Tears slid down his cheeks, he looked beaten, afraid, exhausted.... Lucia hadn't seen such a vulnerable look on him in a very long time... since they were little kids.

"You're getting in the elevator. You're going to tell the argo crew what we know. And you're going to finish this. You're going to live your life and be happy....because you deserve it. You—"

She shook her head, her voice shaking with desperation." H-How can I be happy without you Perce? You need to go home...To Sally, To Paul, You need to save Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter...You need to save the world..."

"I won't have a home without you." He argued back. "You and the others can save both camps and stop Gaea. Plus there are people who need you. Nico, Annabeth, Will, and Your siblings, they can't lose you. They'll hardly survive it."

Lucia huffed in frustration, Choking back a sob. "I c-can't let you...."

Percy held her face, his right thumb tracing over her corpse jaw, "Think of it like this princess. You're not letting me do anything but love you. I love you. I choose to save you...Please, I've never really been selfish, but when it comes to you...just please, Luz, let me do it this once...."

Lucia swallowed what felt like a pound of sand, she leaned in and softly kissed him.

She could hear a mrooooow and a guttural 'oooooh' in the background.

When she pulled away, she blinked away her tears. She nodded in hesitant agreement. "Okay." She murmured, but she felt a familiar feeling, one that told her she couldn't fully believe herself.

"First things first," He said, getting to business. "Let's cut those chains."

༄

"IAPETUS!" HYPERION BELLOWED.

"Well, well. I thought you were hiding under a cleaning bucket somewhere."

Bob lumbered forward, scowling. "I was not hiding."

Percy crept toward the right side of the Doors. Lucia sneaked toward the left. The Titans gave no sign of noticing them, but Lucia took no chances. She unsheathed a dagger and crouched low, stepping as quietly as possible.

The lesser monsters kept a respectful distance from the Titans, so there was enough space to maneuver around the Doors, but Percy was keenly aware of the snarling mob at his back.

Lucia had decided to take the side Hyperion was guarding due to being immune to the burning light. Percy could barely look at the titan, meanwhile, Lucia was able to stare at the burning golden armor without a single spot appearing in her vision.

should have made pancakes when I had the chance.

Note to self, not the time for jokes.

On Percy's side of the Doors, Krios stood dark and silent, his ram's-headed helmet covering his face. He kept one foot planted on the chain's anchor and his thumb on the UP button.

Bob faced his brethren. He planted his spear and tried to look as fierce as possible with a kitten on his shoulder. "Hyperion and Krios. I remember you both."

"Do you, Iapetus?" The golden Titan laughed, glancing at Krios to share the joke. "Well, that's good to know! I heard Percy Jackson turned you into a brainwashed scullery maid. What did he rename you...Betty?"

"Bob," snarled Bob.

"Well, it's about time you showed up, Bob. Krios and I have been stuck here for weeks—"

"Hours," Krios corrected, his voice a deep rumble inside his helmet.

"Whatever!" Hyperion said. "It's boring work, guarding these doors, shuffling monsters through at Gaea's orders. Krios, what's our next group, anyway?"

"Double Red," said Krios.

Hyperion sighed. The flames glowed hotter across his shoulders. "Double Red. Why do we go from A-22 to Double Red? What kind of system is that?" He glared at Bob. "This is no job for me the Lord of Light! Titan of the East! Master of Dawn! Why am I forced to wait in the darkness while the giants go into battle and get all the glory? Now, Krios I can understand—"

"I get all the worst assignments," Krios muttered, his thumb still on the button.

"But me?" Hyperion said. "Ridiculous! This should be your job, Iapetus. Here, take my place for a while."

Bob stared at the Doors, but his gaze was distant—lost in the past. "The four of us held down our father, Ouranos," he remembered. "Koios, and me, and the two of you...Father, He... He was cruel to us, and Mother. That is why she told Kronos to help her, that is why we chose to get rid of him. Kronos promised when he became king that he would grant us  mastery of the four corners of the earth for helping with the murder."

"Indeed," Hyperion said. "And I was happy to do it! I would've wielded the scythe myself if I'd had the chance! But you, Bob.. you were always upset by how Kronos treated Mother after, blah! who cares! If you hadn't complained so much maybe he would have been here and Titans would rule the world instead of those pesky Olympians. You threw us in here with all your comforting comments and encouragements about helping her. Wah, you mommy's boy! The soft Titan of the West, soft as a teddy bear! Why our parents named you the Piercer, I will never know. More like the Whimperer."

Lucia reached the anchor hook on her side.

Hyperion didn't react. His attention was firmly fixed on Bob, who had just leveled the point of his spear at Hyperion's chest.

"I can still pierce," Bob said, his voice low and even. "You brag too much, Hyperion. You are bright and fiery, but Lucia Verano and Percy Jackson defeated you anyway. I hear you became a nice tree in Central Park."

Hyperion's eyes smoldered. "Careful, brother."

"At least a janitor's work is honest," Bob said. "I clean up after others. I leave the palace better than I found it. But you...you do not care what messes you make. You followed Kronos blindly. Now you take orders from Gaea without question or consideration. Do you think for yourself?"

"She is our mother!" Hyperion bellowed.

"That does not make her right this time," Bob hissed. "Anyway, She favors her second brood, the giants. Do you really think we will be granted as much power as them?"

Krios grunted. "That's true enough. But we can convince her. If we do all she asks, she will reward us greatly...She always has cared more than fa—

"Both of you hold your tongues!" Hyperion's voice was tinged with fear: "You never know when he is listening."

The elevator dinged. All three Titans jumped.

Krios took his finger off the button and called out, "Double Red! Where is Double Red?"

Hordes of monsters stirred and jostled one another, but none of them came forward.

Krios heaved a sigh. "I told them to hang on to their tickets. Double Red! You'll lose your place in the queue!"

Lucia was in position, right behind Hyperion. She raised her dagger sword over the base of the chains, channeling warmth into the tip of its blade.

She held up three fingers to countdown with, looking over at Percy who held an unsheathed riptide beside Krios.

They had to cut the chains before the next group tried to take the elevator, but they also had to make sure the Titans were as distracted as possible.

Hyperion muttered a curse. "Just wonderful. This will completely mess up our schedule." He sneered at Bob. "Make your choice, brother. Fight us or help us. I don't have time for your lectures."

Bob glanced at Lucia and Percy. She thought the Titan might start a fight, but instead, he raised the point of his spear. "Very well. I will take guard duty. Which of you wants a break first?"

"Me, of course," Hyperion said.

"Me!" Krios snapped. "I've been holding that button so long my thumb is going to fall off "

"T've been standing here longer," Hyperion grumbled. "You two guard the Doors while I go up to the mortal world. I have some Greek heroes to wreak vengeance upon!"

"Oh, no!" Krios complained. "That Roman boy is on his way to Epirus—the one who killed me on Mount Othrys. Got lucky, he did. Now it's my turn!"

"Bah!" Hyperion drew his sword. "I'll gut you first, Ram-head!"

Krios raised his blade. "You can try, but I won't be stuck in this stinking pit any longer!"

Lucia caught Percy's eyes. She mouthed: One, two—

Before she could finish and strike the chains, a high-pitched whine pierced her ears, like the sound of an incoming rocket.

Then an explosion rocked the hillside.

Lucia groaned at the sound, her ears rang. A wave of heat knocked her backward.

Dark shrapnel ripped through Krios and Hyperion, shredding them as easily as wood in a chipper.

STINKING PIT.

A hollow voice rolled across the plains, shaking the warm fleshy ground.

Bob staggered to his feet. Somehow the explosion hadn't touched him. He swept his spear in front of him, trying to locate the source of the voice. Small Bob the kitten crawled into his coveralls.

Lucia had landed about twenty feet from the Doors. She stood and looked across the dark site and saw Percy around the same distance on the other side.

She was so relieved to see into his sparkling green eyes it took her a moment to realize he was supposed to look dead.

The Death Mist had evaporated.

She looked at her own hands. Her disguise was gone too.

Fuck

TITANS said the voice disdainfully. LESSER BEINGS. IMPERFECT AND WEAK.

In front of the Doors of Death, the air darkened and solidified. The being who appeared was so massive, radiating such pure malevolence, that it made Lucia's skin crawl.

She forced herself to trace the god's form, starting with his black iron boots, each one as large as a coffin. His legs were covered in dark greaves; his flesh was all thick purple muscle, like the ground. His armored skirt was made from thousands of blackened, twisted bones, woven together like chain links and clasped in place by a belt of interlocking monstrous arms.

On the surface of the warrior's breastplate, murky faces appeared and submerged—giants, Cyclopes, gorgons, and drakons—all pressing against the armor as if trying to get out.

The warrior's arms were bare-muscular, purple, and glistening his hands as large as crane scoops.

Worst of all was his head: a helmet of twisted rock and metal with no particular shape—just jagged spikes and pulsing patches of magma. His entire face was a whirlpool-an inward spiral of darkness.

As Lucia watched, the last particles of Titan essence from Hyperion and Krios were vacuumed into the warrior's maw

Lucia felt her heart begin to race, her hands started to shake.

Somehow Percy was able to speak. "Tartarus."

The warrior made a sound like a mountain cracking in half: a roar or a laugh, who knew.

This form is only a small manifestation of my power, said the god. But it is enough to deal with you. I do not interfere lightly, little demigod. It is beneath me to deal with gnats such as yourself.

"Uh..." Percy's voice shook. "Don't...you know... go to any trouble."

You have proven surprisingly resilient, Tartarus said. You have come too far. I can no longer stand by and watch your progress.

Tartarus spread his arms. Throughout the valley, thousands of monsters wailed and roared, clashing their weapons and bellowing in triumph.

The Doors of Death shuddered in their chains.

Be honored, little demigods, said the god of the pit. Even the Olympians were never worthy of my personal attention.

But you,

You will be destroyed by Tartarus himself!