A/N: Making progress, almost at five hundred views. I want to see how fast you can do it. Time's a-ticking. Also, Asha and Lola are my characters, and Asha is not an Italian name. I just felt like making her Italian. Also I know I stink for not updating yesterday but I seriously have a bad case of writers block.

~*~

"You're a genius, Repair Boy." Piper said. We all sat around the table in the mess hall. "Thanks for stating the obvious, Piper." Leo replied, grinning wickedly.

We had set off for California three days ago. Leo, who apparently had the power to tell the future, had been striding around proudly because his extra two rooms were finally being used. He had decided to take the engine room as his sleeping quarters so one of the Amazons could have his room.

"I'll take it." Reagan had volunteered. "Be careful the stench might kill you." Annabeth had warned, earning a scowl from Leo. "I lived with five brothers, I think I'll live."

So tonight, while we were all eating dinner, Leo rubbed his hand together. "Now, may I remind you that we are only four hours away from California. As long as everything goes smoothly, we should be there by the time you open your pretty little eyes." I laughed bitterly. "When was the last time something went smoothly?"

~*~

I was woken that night by the sound of screaming. Someone pounded on my door. "ERICA GET YOUR BUTT OUT OF BED!" Percy yelled. I groaned and dragged myself out of bed, grabbing my dagger on the way out the door.

As I climbed onto the main deck I was greeted by a scene of chaos. Little dwarves were trotting around on the deck, poking and pick-pocketing my friends.

"Stupid dwarves!" Leo yelled, chasing after one that was letting his belt trail after him like a tail. "Keep those pants up, please!" Piper yelled as Leo's pants fell around his ankles and he ate some floor.

"Really? Three in the morning? I mean really?" I yelled as a little dwarf stuffed his hand into my pajama pocket. "Whoa, watch the hands little dude!" I warned as he reached a little lower than I would have preferred. I sliced at him with my dagger but the little dwarf dodged, grinned wickedly, and dashed away.

"Maybe if yeh guys weren't so mean to us wee little dwarves we would help yeh." One of them squealed. We all froze. "Help us with what? We were doing fine on our own, thanks." Percy said, snatching a belt from the dwarf's hand and tying it around his waist. "Dude that's mine." Leo muttered, holding out his hand. Percy sighed and undid the belt.

One of the dwarves let out a high pitched laugh. "We know yeh're planning on stormin' Arc's camp. Yeh'll kill yehr selves. We know how to help. All yeh have to do is listen."

Jason narrowed his eyes. "What do you have to say?" He asked. "It'll cost yeh. Twenty drachmas." The dwarf said. Jason sighed. "Fine. But give us an answer first. I've had my fair share of cheats."

The dwarf shrugged. "Okay. Well yeh see, Arc's got some nice strong magic. He's basically coated with celestial bronze, so he's toxic. Yeh all need somethin' to protect yeh from that. There are traps all around the red wood forest. So, if yeh want to survive, yeh're going to need to find the right thing. There's an amulet that yeh could get from Hades. Yeh're close. Yeh might as well head there now."

"No!" I yelled. "We don't have time, we need to rescue Nico!" The dwarf shook his head. "Yeh won't be saving anyone by dying." Then he dashed around faster than my eyes could keep track. While the rest of the dwarves hopped off the ship, he yelled: "Thanks for the cash!" and disappeared.

Leo sighed. "So I suppose I'll change our route?" He asked. Everyone let out a long sigh. "I suppose you will." Annabeth replied.

~*~

That night, I had another dream.

Nico was still hanging from the tree, his head on his chest and his arms outstretched. His arms were bare and burned. His face was completely drained of color.

"Son of Hades!" Arc yelled, prodding Nico's limp form. Nico didn't even twitch. His whole body stayed still. "Is he dead? Has his resistance finally given out?" One of the clones asked curiously. Arc walked up to Nico and put a hand on his barely moving chest. A spasm racked Nico's body. "Still alive." Arc said quietly. "But he's not going to last much longer."

"Well, how much longer does he have?" A different clone asked. Arc sighed and ran a hand through his blonde hair. "I'd say five days at most."

My heart thudded to a stuttering halt. "And what if the demigods do not come in five days?" The clone continued. "They won't know he died." Suddenly, Arc looked right at me. "And if they find out, we'll be able to cut them out anyway."

Silence fell as all the clones stared at their leader. A yell sliced through the night air. All heads turned to Nico, who was breathing heavily and looking right at me. "Erica, no!" He screamed. "You cannot die! I will not lose another person I love! Stay away! Don't save me!"

"Silence!" Arc hissed, gliding up to Nico and wrapping his hand around his neck. Nico choked. "I could kill you faster." Arc whispered. "You won't touch her." Nico's voice grew faint. "You won't."

Arc pushed harder. Nico gasped. "STOP IT!" I screamed. "LET GO OF HIM!" "SHUT UP ERICA!" Nico screeched, kicking Arc in the gut. Arc gasped. "LEAVE ERICA, NOW!" Nico's voice was desperate. Arc lunged at him and slapped him. Nico's eyes closed.

"The demigod girl is here." Arc whispered. He scanned the clearing around him. His gaze rested on me and he slowly started walking in my direction. Wake up, wake up, wake up! I told myself.

I didn't wake up.

Arc flung out his hand and pain erupted in my chest. I crumpled to the ground and felt something stamp my arm. Evil laughter echoed in my ears. Spots danced before my eyes.

"Still so strong, little demigod?" Arc whispered in my ear. "I promise you will die child." He kicked my side again. "You will die."

Blackness sucked me away from the forest clearing. I knew then, that this was the end of the line. I was done.

~*~

A/N: Cliffhanger...if there even is another chapter...
Nobody knows.