ΉӨЦƧΣ ӨF ΉΛDΣƧ

LUCIA BANGED FURIOUSLY ON THE DOORS. It had been a few minutes since the elevator stopped ascending and the doors would not budge. She was doing her best to keep herself from panicking, but the pain in her bruised fists told her she wasn't doing the best job of keeping calm.

"Come on! Come on!" She screamed to no one, "Open these fucking doors!"

The elevator trembled, and Lucia winced. She took a deep breath in and exhaled sharply, slowly steadying her breathing. The last thing she needed to do was to drop them back into the grasp of a horde of monsters, especially after Bob's sacrifice...

Percy was hunched over at Lucia's feet. His head craned the other way as he drooled in his sleep. She looked at him, her face scrunched up. She considered lying down and taking a nap next to him.

Gods knows I need one.

Lucia's ears caught the sound of something flying in the air. The sound became louder, sounding closer and closer until—a clang rang in her ears, metal hit the doors so loud it echoed throughout the entire elevator.

Suddenly, The Doors of Death opened with a hiss.

Lucia's eyes widened, she grabbed Percy by the shirt frantically and started forward. The two of them fell in a heap on the ground. Pain shot up their already aching bodies at the impact.

Black smoke billowed out of the elevator. Lucia couldn't see a thing. Even if she did, she couldn't open her eyes. An overwhelming wave of fatigue took over her.

In her foggy half-conscious state, she heard the sound of sobbing.

'Oh, gods ...'

Lucia recognized Hazel's voice almost immediately. The golden brunette's heartbeat picked up.

Finally, they had made it to their friends...

"Clytius, you've lost," Hazel snarled. "Let them go, or you'll end up like Pasiphaë."

"I am not Pasiphaë." Lucia felt her body move but it wasn't her own. Her mouth spoke in a voice that wasn't hers—the words as deep as a bass guitar. "You have won nothing."

"Stop that! Leave her alone!"

Even from thirty feet away, Hazel could sense Lucia's life force waning, her pulse fading.

Lucia didn't feel any pain, she just felt heavy. Her bones were like lead. She saw the world around her in glimpses. Nothing around her felt completely solid but like vaporized versions of themselves. She failed to realize it was her own existence that was deteriorating.

Whatever Clytius was doing, pulling words from her mouth—it was killing her slowly.

Clytius nudged Percy's head with his foot.

Percy's face lolled to one side. "Not quite dead."
The giant's words boomed from Percy's mouth. "A terrible shock to the mortal body, I would imagine, coming back from Tartarus. They'll be out for a while."

He turned his attention back to Lucia. More smoke poured from between her lips. "I'll tie them up and take them to Porphyrion in Athens. Just the sacrifice we need. Unfortunately, that means I have no further use for you two."

"Oh, yeah?" Leo growled. "Well, maybe you got the smoke, buddy, but I've got the fire."

His hands blazed. He shot white-hot columns of flame at the giant, but Clytius's smoky aura absorbed them on impact.

Tendrils of black haze traveled back up the lines of fire, snuffing out the light and heat and covering Leo in darkness. Leo fell to his knees, clutching at his throat.

"No!" Hazel ran towards him, but the animal on her shoulder chattered urgently—clear warning.

"would not."Clytius's voice reverberated from Leo's mouth. "You do not understand Hazel Levesque. "I devour magic. I destroy the voice and the soul. You cannot oppose me."

Destroy the voice

Black fog spread further across the room, covering Lucia and Percy, and billowing towards Hazel.

"F-fire,' she stammered in a small voice. "You're supposed to be weak against it."

The giant chuckled, using Lucia's vocal cords this time. "You were counting on that, eh? Indeed, I do not like fire. But Leo his flames are nothing to me. No fire you mortals throw at me can—"

Clytius coughed—well Lucia did, her face wrinkling in confusion.

The giant gained composure his voice echoing through her." Valdez's flames are not strong enough to trouble me—ArGh—"

Hazel stared bewildered. Lucia's body slowly irradiated, gaining more and more light.

Clytius then screamed—No, that voice, that voice was Lucia's...

"GET OUT!!!!!"

The entire room turned white.

Hazel had to look away and shut her eyes, when the illuminating light dulled back to where her retinas wouldn't burn she turned back to see bagged purple eyes focused on her.

Lucia coughed, sniffled, coughed again, and said, "Hi haze."

"Lucia it's you!" She cried, she ran forward and helped her up. Lucia leaned on her, wobbling on her two legs.

"Impossible!" He said through Percy's mouth. "You expelled me! There's no way, unless..."

He howled. "Ah! Of course, there is pure sunlight inside of you. Child of Apollo...very good for you, but not a problem. You can never beat me. Those flames are like a bee sting and you mortals are nothing compared to me—"

Somewhere behind Hazel, a soft, lyrical voice said, "What about my flames, old friend?"

Some rat thing Lucia had only just noticed squeaked excitedly and jumped from Hazel's shoulder, scampering to the entrance of the cavern where a blonde woman stood in a black dress, the Mist swirling around her.

The giant stumbled backward, bumping into the Doors of Death.

Lucia stared angrily at the entrance. She couldn't believe this was one of her first reunions outside of Tartarus.

'You,' he said from Percy's mouth.

"Me," Hecate agreed.

Lucia growled, "You've got to be fucking kidding me."

The goddess spread her arms. Blazing torches appeared in her hands. "It has been millennia since I fought at the side of a demigod, but Hazel Levesque has proven herself worthy. What do you say, Clytius? Shall we play with fire?"

༄

LUCIA DIDNT HAVE A LOT OF HATE IN HER HEART, at least she honestly tried not to. Holding a grudge was more of Nico's thing, you know fatal flaw and all.

But as she stared at the blonde goddess she couldn't feel anything but loathing.

There she was—Hecate. The woman who had twisted Lucia's mind for an entire year. The woman who had made her question her reality turned her against her friends and used her like a puppet.

This felt like more than a grudge. Hecate poisoned Lucia's mind and heart. She took who Lucia thought she was and broke her down. Since then Lucia has been picking up the pieces, puzzling together what fits and what doesn't.

And now, after all that, Hecate stood there like she was above it all, calm and collected as if she hadn't contributed to the worst experience of her life.

She couldn't stop it. The feeling surged up, boiling hot in her chest. It was like a volcano had erupted inside her.

"Bold words, "Clytius spoke from Leo's mouth.
"You forget, goddess. When we last met, you had the help of Hercules and Dionysus – the most powerful heroes in the world, both of them destined to become gods. Now you bring ... these?"

"Quite formidable heroes." Hecate finished, "Don't doubt my intelligence. You know very well it is a mistake. I know power when I see it Clytius. Lucia herself has already shown you she can handle herself. Isn't that right Lucia?"

Lucia's breath hitched, and for a moment, she felt the old urge to obey, to bend to Hecate's will.

Yes, Goddess...the words almost spilled out.

But that feeling was quickly smothered. Her hands clenched into fists.

She scoffed, pushing forward, though her legs trembled with the weight of her fury. "You're going to help us?" she spat, her voice a sharp edge. "Kronos' little bitch wants to save the world now?."

Clytius laughed through Percy. Even in Percy's body, it was not a pleasant sight.

The light around Lucia flickered as she failed to contain the rage rising within her. Her fists were clenched so tight that her nails dug into her palms, but it wasn't enough to stop the tremors running through her body.

Hecate stood there, cool and composed, as if she didn't care that she was facing the very demigod she had broken and controlled for a year.

She wasn't slighted by Lucia's harsh words. Her gaze was steady, the faintest smirk playing on her lips.

The air felt heavy with the weight of their past, and Lucia felt her control slipping with every heartbeat.

Hecate's eyes gleamed with something almost affectionate, a glint of amusement. "I see the fire inside you still burns, Lucia. I'm pleased to see that. It suits you better than the hollow, obedient creature you once were." Her face hardened slightly, "However, disrespect me again my girl and I won't hesitate to put you back in your place."

Without any hesitation, Lucia said, "Give me your best shot."

"Lucia stop!" Hazel cried, "You know we can't do this alone! What are you doing? We need her!"

"You can't trust her" Lucia spat, her voice low with venom.

"I don't need your trust." Hecate laughed, "Or your approval. You mortals and your foolish emotions. Get over yourself, and respect your goddess. Now clytius—"

"You are not my goddess." She spat. "I will never worship you. I. don't. need. you."

Hecate's face hardened. She was not amused anymore.

"Lucia, please! We need her to defeat him!"

"That's right." Hecate growled, "I advise you to listen to your friend."

Despite how tired her body was, Lucia stubbornly stood her ground.

Clytius' laugh shook the cavern, his voice booming as it poured from Percy's body. "Oh, mortals are so amusing. Do you think you can defeat me? You think heroes are any match for me?" His deep, mocking tone echoed, each word causing the walls to tremble.

Lucia's head spun, and the world around her seemed to waver, but she stood tall, forcing herself to ignore the weakness clawing at her limbs. She couldn't let it show. She wouldn't let it show...

"Lucia. I need to fight with her. You're weak. Leo is out cold and Percy is dying!"

The last sentence almost snapped Lucia out of her anger.

If it wasn't for Hecate taunting her.

"I'm sure she'd like that. Right apollonione?"

"My name is Lucia!" She screamed in defiance.

"Stop!" Hazel screamed. "Stop this, please! Look!"

"Enough." Clytius growled through Percy, "I am the threat here. Me. And I will spill your drops of blood in Athens, I swear it!"

"Will you fight with me?!" Hazel asked Hecate in desperation.

"If she asks of it." Hecate said calmly, "Only then"

"But you said—!"

"And now I'm saying. I want Lucia to ask me herself. Only then."

Hazel's wide gold eyes stared at Lucia. They begged her silently, gleaming with helplessness. Rubble fell from the ground as Clytius yelled out a war cry in Percy's mouth.

"Stop!" Hazel's voice broke through the tension.

Leo groaned in pain. His body convulsed as the Giant laughed in Percy's body.

Lucia's breath hitched. The tension in the air thickened. Hecate's voice broke through the chaos, soft but filled with authority.

"Lucia," she called, her tone dripping with unspoken power. "You know what needs to be done. You know I'm your only chance. But you'll have to ask."

Lucia's body trembled with the effort it took to keep from responding. She wasn't going to beg. She wouldn't. Not after everything.

"Lucia! Lucia, I feel it! He's killing him!" Hazel's voice quivered. "Lucia, please! We need Hecate—she can help us. You know we can't do this without her!"

Lucia's throat tightened. She couldn't, wouldn't— But the sight of Percy, fading away in Clytius' grasp,  The sound of Leo's groans... The weight of Hazels' fear pressed down on her—she couldn't let them lose. She couldn't let them die.

Her head swam, her vision wavered, and the world around her seemed impossibly distant. She had to do something.

Just ask her, a voice whispered in the back of her mind. She'll help. She has to.

Finally, her hands dropped to her sides, her resolve cracking like brittle stone. She couldn't hold herself up anymore, she didn't feel strong enough.

She just plopped down beside Leo, her eyes tearing up.

"Please," she rasped, her voice barely above a whisper, "help us."

"You asked, Lucia," Hecate purred, her tone almost affectionate, though it was laced with authority. "And because you asked, I will help. But remember this moment. You are my subject, just as you always have been. Now, let's stop this nonsense and defeat him."

"Defeat! Ha!"  the giant demanded. It sounded as if he were speaking through a chorus of the dead, using all the unfortunate souls who'd been buried behind the dome's stelae. "You think you can defeat me because the girl has learned your magic tricks, Hecate? Because you allow these weaklings to hide in your Mist?"

A sword appeared in the giant's hand —a Stygian iron blade much like Nico's, except five times the size. "I do not understand why Gaia would find any of these demigods worthy of sacrifice. I will crush them like empty nutshells."

Clytius turned to Lucia. She heard him coming but her heavy heart didn't seem to want to fight.

"I have a bone to pick with you Sunshine."

Lucia watched blankly as he approached.

Not for Hecate. Never again...

Hazel didn't plan what happened next, but her fear for her friend toppled everything.

The daughter of Pluto screamed out and Lucia dissolved into mist before the Giant could strike his fist down.

Lucia got the same dizzy sensation she felt when she light traveled, except a blur of darkness took over her vision.

She appeared at Hazel's feet, along with Percy and Leo. The Mist whirled around the younger girl, spilling over the stones and enveloping her friends.

Where the white Mist met the dark smoke of Clytius, it steamed and sizzled, like lava rolling into the sea.

Leo opened his eyes and gasped. "Wh-what ...?"

Percy remained motionless, but Lucia could sense his heartbeat getting stronger, his breath coming more evenly.

"Why didn't you do something!" Hazel cried at Lucia, her tears spilling out like running water. She was in shock. "Why!"

Lucia didn't have the energy to respond. Her body ached and she didn't have any motivation to move. She simply shut her eyes and laid her head on Percy's lap.

I just want to rest...

Inside her churned a mix of feelings as she faded into a half-conscious state— anger, disappointment, shame...

She could hear Hazel's fighting. Could hear the sound of screams, swords clashing, and booming spells.

She simply didn't have the energy—or the desire—to get up and help.

All she wanted to do was lay there.

Maybe it was straight hubris enveloping Lucia—but she just couldn't let Hecate have that power. Lucia wouldn't act like her ally, she would not act like she forgot all she did to her.

Hecate the immortal goddess may have seen Lucia as a tiny blip in her life, a tiny cockroach she tortured and squashed that happened to survive.

But Lucia was mortal, and she had to live her entire life with what Hecate did...

So goddamn it, she would not let her pain be in vain. Hecate was not someone Lucia had to respect. So she wouldn't.

"Daughter of Pluto," Clytius rumbled, "do you believe Hecate has your interests at heart? Circe was a favorite of hers. And Medea. And Pasiphaë. Even your little friend there must be considered a treasured pet, How did they all end up, eh?"

Little friend. Treasured pet.

Lucia knew he was referencing her. How beaten and messed up she has been since she met Hecate. How discouraged and sad she felt. How everything around her seemed to become more and more tragic.

Maybe he is right, Hazel is better off letting him win... She thought miserably, Maybe, Gaea has her reasons for wanting to destroy the gods and Humans...Maybe, this cruel world needs to change...

Lucia sniffled, and she finally opened her eyes. What the hell am I even thinking? Lucia interrupted her previous thoughts. Gods, why does it still feel like I'm stuck in Tartarus?

I am not Circe, Medea, or Pasiphaë.

I am not even Apollonione.

Lucia then realized something in the distance that definitely shot her awake.

The doors were still there. The chains hadn't been cut.

Percy muttered something that sounded like, "Bob-bob-bob?"

Clytius stepped forward, holding his sword casually at his side as if they were comrades rather than enemies.

"Hecate will not tell you the truth. She sends acolytes like you to do her bidding and take all the risk. If by some miracle you incapacitate me, only then will she be able to set me on fire. Then she will claim the glory of the kill. You heard how Bacchus dealt with the Alodai twins in the Colosseum. Hecate is worse. She is a Titan who betrayed the Titans. Then she betrayed the gods. Do you really think she will keep faith with you?"

Hecate's face was unreadable. "I cannot answer his accusations, Hazel," said the goddess. 'This is your crossroads. You must choose."

"Yes, crossroads." The giant's laughter echoed. His wounds seemed to have healed completely."Hecate offers you obscurity, choices, and vague promises of magic. I am the anti-Hecate. I will give you the truth. I will eliminate choices and magic. I will strip away the Mist, once and for all, and show you the world in all its true horror.

Leo struggled to his feet, coughing like an asthmatic. "I'm fucking loving this guy" he wheezed. "Seriously, we should keep him around for inspirational seminars."

His hands ignited like blowtorches. " Or I could just light him up.''

"Leo, no," Hazel said. "My father's temple. My call.'

"Yeah, okay. But–''

"Ha-zel." Lucia cut him off, barely wheezing the syllables out.

At first, she thought Hazel couldn't hear her when she didn't turn her back, but Lucia realized Hazel was protecting herself from Clytius when she heard her quietly whisper her name back.

"Lucia..."

She took in a shaky breath, "The chains..." Lucia managed.

Hazel inhaled sharply. Clearly, she understood.

The doors were still there. The chains hadn't been cut.

"You can't seriously believe you have the strength, Clytius chided. What will you do, Hazel Levesque– pelt me with more rubies? Shower me with sapphires?"

Hazel gave him an answer. She raised her spatha and charged. Apparently, Clytius hadn't expected her to be so brave.

He was slow raising his sword. By the time he slashed, Hazel had ducked between his legs and jabbed her Imperial gold blade into his gluteus maximus.

Lucia watched groggily from a distance. She choked out a laugh, but it sounded more like a broken whistle.

Clytius roared and arched his back, waddling away from her. Mist still swirled around Hazel, hissing as it met the giant's black smoke.

Hazel sprinted towards the Doors of Death. Her blade shattered the chains on the left side like they were made of ice. She lunged to the right, but Clytius yelled, NO!

The flat of the giant's blade caught Hazel in the chest and sent her flying. She slammed into the wall and Lucia could hear the crack of her bones.

Across the room, Leo screamed and Lucia flinched.

Hecate stood nearby, doing nothing.

Lucia cursed in annoyance as Hazel forced herself to stand. Her sword lay on the ground about five feet away. She staggered towards it.

"Clytius!' Hazel shouted. The giant turned from Leo and the others.

When he saw the brave young girl limping forward, he laughed. "A good try, Hazel Levesque," Clytius admitted. "You did better than I anticipated. But magic alone cannot defeat me, and you do not have sufficient strength. Hecate has failed you, as she fails all of her followers in the end"

The Mist around her was thinning. At the other end of the room, Leo tried to force-feed Percy some ambrosia, though Percy was still pretty much out of it.

Lucia was chewing on a square, fully awake now but struggling with her body weight, she was barely able to lift her head to watch Hazel.

Hecate stood with her torches, watching and waiting—

"She won't help you...." Lucia whispered,

Hazel found one last burst of energy. She threw her sword – not at the giant but at the Doors of Death. The chains on the right side shattered.

Hazel collapsed in agony, her side burning, as the Doors shuddered and disappeared in a flash of purple light.

Lucia let out a sigh of relief, but it was much too early to call it a win. Lucia felt her strength coming back, but her urge to fight was not strong.

Is it so wrong she just wants to get on the argo and take a big fat nap after ripping into some french fries?

Clytius roared so loudly that a half-dozen stelae fell from the ceiling and shattered.

"That was for my brother, Nico" Hazel gasped. "And for destroying my father's altar"

"You have forfeited your right to a quick death, the giant snarled. I will suffocate you in darkness, slowly, painfully. Hecate cannot help you. NO ONE can help you!"

The goddess raised her torches. "I would not be so certain, Clytius. Hazel's friends simply needed a little time to reach her—time you have given them with your boasting and bragging.'"

Clytius snorted. "What friends? These weaklings? They are no challenge."

Lucia rolled her eyes and huffed.

In front of Hazel, the air rippled.

The Mist thickened, creating a doorway, and five people stepped through.

In seconds, Her blonde best friend ran away from the group and was by her and Percy's side.

Annabeth studied Lucia caressing her matted hair as if to check if she was real. She then reached over and checked Percy's forehead, He mumbled something that sounded like a 'wise girl'.

Annabeth looked back at Lucia with teary eyes. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"He's okay. His heartbeat is steady." Lucia nodded, Resting her head on her shoulder.

"How about you?" She sniffled.

Lucia remained stoic despite the tear that fell down her right cheek, "I'm just tired Beth..."

Frank's arm was bleeding and bandaged, Next to him stood, Nico, Piper, and Jason—all with their swords drawn. "Sorry we're late," Jason said. "Is this the guy who needs killing?"

༄

LUCIA ALMOST FELT SORRY FOR CLYTIUS, Emphasis on almost.

Her friends attacked him from every direction – Leo shooting fire at his legs, Frank, Annabeth, and Piper jabbing and beating at his chest, Jason flying into the air and kicking him in the face.

Each time the giant's smoky veil started creeping around one of them, Nico was there, slashing through it, drinking in the darkness with his Stygian blade.

Which Lucia couldn't help but think was super cool. She made a mental note to tell him that later.

She definitely didn't want to see the Sun giant anytime soon, but she did want to see if she was able to do that.

Percy and her were on their feet, looking weak and dazed, but their weapons were drawn, and they were more alert than their friends thought.

Even if Lucia wanted to help, there was no need.

The giant was surrounded. Clytius snarled, turning back and forth as if he couldn't decide which of them to kill first.

"Wait! Hold still! No! Ouch—!"

The darkness around him was dispelled completely, leaving nothing to protect him except his battered armor. Ichor oozed from a hundred wounds. The damage healed almost as fast as it was inflicted, he heaved a sigh and inhaled sharply.

One last time Jason flew at him, kicking him in the chest, and the giant's breastplate shattered.

Clytius staggered backwards. His sword dropped to the floor. He fell to his knees, and the demigods encircled him.

Only then did Hecate step forward, her torches raised.

Mist curled around the giant, hissing and bubbling as it touched his skin

"And so it ends," Hecate said.

"It does not end." Clytius's voice echoed from somewhere above, muffled and slurred. My brethren have risen. Gaia waits only for the blood of Olympus. It took all of you together to defeat me. What will you do when the Earth Mother opens her eyes?"

Hecate turned her torches upside down. She thrust them like daggers at Clytius's head. The giant's hair went up faster than dry tinder, spreading down his head and across his body until the heat of the bonfire made Hazel wince.

Clytius fell without a sound, face-first into the rubble of Hades's altar. His body crumbled to ashes.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Lucia heard a ragged, painful noise and realized it was Hazel's breathing. The poor girl kept heaving as she held her bruised side.

The goddess Hecate faced Hazel. "You should go now, Hazel Levesque. Lead your friends out of this place."

"You should be thanking her." Lucia hissed.

Hecate looked over in boredom. "Why would I possibly do that."

"You're the same as you've always been," Lucia growled,

Hecate rolled her eyes, "Enough. You complain all you want. I have done my part. And it is you who should be at my feet."

"When I'm dead maybe."

Hecate's face turned beet red. She gave Lucia an icy glare that made all the demigods around her shrink in fear.

Except Lucia, She had seen that look about a thousand times. Lucia didn't exactly keep her cool when she initially found herself on the Princess Andromeda.

"Stop." Percy gritted through his teeth.

"She doesn't mean that," Annabeth warned,

"Yes, I do!" Lucia couldn't think straight or think of any consequence. She only felt the overwhelming feelings of animosity and frustration.

She wished she could make Hecate feel even a fraction of what she put her through.

"Lucia! You're going to get yourself killed!" Percy screamed in distress. He had had enough after leaving Tartarus. Percy was in good need of a bed, preferably with his alive girlfriend in his arms.

She knew he was right. Kronos wasn't here bossing Hecate around anymore. She didn't have his protection. Her sharp tongue was going to get her killed, or worse.

"Don't be foolish Lucia. I should rip your tongue out and turn you into a dog that can't bark! However, there's no need, you are already doomed... I thought you'd be smart enough to figure that out. There are no crossroads for you anymore Lucia...Someone has cursed you. And there's nothing quite as devastating as a Greek curse."

"What do you mean." Lucia gritted her teeth.

The goddess tilted her head. Gale the weasel chittered – maybe a goodbye, maybe a warning – and disappeared in the folds of her mistress's skirts.

"You're smart enough to figure it out." Hecate's voice echoed eerily. "Now, I recommend you demigods make your way to Athens. Clytius was not wrong. The giants have risen—all of them, stronger than ever. Gaia is on the very edge of waking. The Feast of Hope will be poorly named unless you arrive to stop her."

The chamber rumbled. Another stela crashed to the floor and shattered.

"The House of Hades is unstable," Hecate said. "Leave now. We shall meet again. Perhaps..."

The goddess dissolved. The Mist evaporated.

"She's fucking friendly," Percy grumbled. The others turned towards him and Lucia as if they were taking in that they were really there.

Lucia stared off blankly, the word curse weighing heavily on her mind until she felt someone throw themselves on her.

"Seaweed Brain." Annabeth's voice broke as she dove in for a bear hug with Percy.

"Lucia!" Nico enveloped her into a hug. She gasped when she felt his shoulders shake. He tried to muffle a sob into her shoulder.

"Nico." She rasped out.

"You're alive." He squeezed her tighter. Doing his best to keep his voice steady. "Fucking hell you need to stop scaring me."

"I am." She nodded into his shoulder and patted his back. "And I'll try as long as you do the same."

Nico broke away from the hug, wiping his tears away quickly enough that no one caught it besides Lucia. He nodded meekly, giving her a half-hearted smile. "I'll try. I'm glad you're okay."

"That's one way to put it." She nodded, with a half smile.

Nico's eyes had a distant look. He stayed silent for a second.

"I love you, Nico." She said, "We can talk about whatever you need when you are ready. And if you aren't yet, that's okay.."

"Thank you, Lu. Really."

"Back from Tartarus!" Leo whooped. "That's my peeps!"

Jason threw his arms around Percy next as Piper cried and embraced Lucia.

Before they could even discuss Hecate's words and do more catching up, the ceiling shuddered.

Cracks appeared in the remaining tiles.

Columns of dust spilled down "We've got to get out of here," Jason said. "Uh, Frank ...?"

Frank shook his head. "I think one favor from the dead is all I can manage today."

"Wait, what?' Hazel asked.

Piper raised her eyebrows. "Your unbelievable boyfriend called in a favor as a child of Mars. He summoned the spirits of some dead warriors, made them lead us here through...um, well, I'm not sure, actually. The passages of the dead? All I know is that it was very, very dark."

To their left, a section of the wall split. Two ruby eyes from a carved stone skeleton popped out and rolled across the floor.

"We'll have to shadow-travel," Hazel said.

Nico winced."Hazel, I can barely manage that with only myself. With eight more people—"

"I'll help you." She sounded half-confident.

Lucia didn't question it, she was just glad she wouldn't have to exert herself this time.

An entire section of tiles peeled loose from the ceiling.

"Everyone, grab hands!" Nico yelled.

They made a hasty circle.

Lucia held onto Percy and Annabeth's hand as the cavern collapsed. She squeezed her eyes shut and she felt herself dissolving into shadow. They appeared on the hillside overlooking the River Acheron.

The sun was just rising, making the water glitter and the clouds glow orange. Lucia's breathing steadied as the shimmering gold light hit her skin.

The cool morning air smelled of honeysuckle. Hazel was holding hands with Frank on her left, and Nico on her right. They were all alive and mostly whole. The sunlight in the trees was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. If only it was her father up there...

Then her friends began to stir. Nico realized that he was holding Percy's hand and quickly let go.

Leo staggered backward. "You know ... I think I'll sit down."He collapsed.

The others joined him.

Lucia's butt hit the ground. She pulled her knees to her chest and exhaled in relief. She couldn't believe she made it out of Tartarus. She could kiss the ground right now if it weren't for the bugs and Will's voice in her head warning her of a variety of germs.

The Argo II floated over a river a few hundred yards away. At the moment the group was too tired to do anything except sit and relax and marvel at the fact that they were okay. They began to exchange stories.

Frank explained what had happened with the ghostly legion and the army of monsters—how Nico had used the scepter of Diocletian and how bravely Jason and Piper had fought.

"Frank is being modest," Jason said. "He controlled the entire legion. You should've seen him. Oh, by the way..." Jason glanced at Percy. "I resigned my office and gave Frank a field promotion to praetor. Unless you want to contest that ruling."

Percy grinned. "No argument here."

"Praetor?' Hazel stared at Frank.

He shrugged uncomfortably. "Well...yeah. I know it seems weird."

She tried to throw her arms around him, then winced as she remembered her busted ribs. She settled for kissing him. "It seems perfect."

Leo clapped Frank on the shoulder. "Way to go, Zhang. Now you can order Octavian to fall on his sword."

"Tempting," Frank agreed. He turned apprehensively to Percy. "But you guys... Tartarus has to be the real story. What happened down there? How did you ...?"

Percy laced his fingers through Lucia's who swallowed harshly. The both of them stayed silent.

"We'll tell you the story," Percy promised after a bit. "But not yet, okay? I'm not ready to remember that place."

"Yeah, I can't." Lucia agreed. "Right now... I have enough to deal with." She gazed towards the river and faltered. "There's our ride."

The Argo II veered to port, its aerial oars in motion, its sails catching the wind. Festus's head glinted in the sunlight. Even from a distance.

Lucia could hear him creaking and clanking in jubilation."

"That's my boy!" Leo yelled as the ship got closer, Coach Hedge standing at the prow.

"About time!" the coach yelled down. He was doing his best to scowl, but his eyes gleamed as if maybe, just maybe, he was happy to see them. "What took you so long, cupcakes? You kept your visitor waiting!"

"Visitor?" Lucia murmured.

At the rail next to Coach Hedge, a raven-haired brown-skinned girl appeared wearing a purple cloak, her face so covered with soot and bloody scratches that Lucia almost didn't recognize her.

Reyna had arrived.