3rd person's P.O.V

They'd found the source of the dark lightning.

The Argo II hovered directly over the river. A few hundred meters away at the top of the nearest hill stood a cluster of ruins. They didn't look like much--just some crumbling walls encircling the limestone shells of a few buildings--but from somewhere within the ruins, tendrils of black ether curled into the sky, like a smoky squid peeking from it's cave. As Frank watched, a bolt of dark energy ripped through the air, rocking the ship and sending a cold shock wave across the landscape.

"The Necromanteion," Nico said. "The House of Hades."

Frank steadied himself at the rail. He supposed it was too late to suggest turning back? Heck, chasing poison cows through Venice had been far more appealing than this place. Piper hugged her arms.

"I feel vulnerable floating up here like this, like a monster could easily get us. Couldn't we just settle down in the river?

"I wouldn't." Hazel said. "That's the River Acheron."

"I thought the Acheron was in the Underworld." Jason said.

"It is. but it's headwaters are in the mortal world. That river below us? Eventually it flows underground, straight into the realm of Pluto--er, Hades. Landing a demigod ship in those waters--"

"Yeah, let's stay up here. I don't want any zombie water on my hull." interrupted Leo.

Half a kilometer downstream, some fishing boats were puttering along. Frank guessed they didn't know or care about the history of this creepy river. Must be nice, being a regular mortal. You know what they say, ignorance is bliss. That is so goddamn true.

Next to Frank, Nico raised the scepter of Dioceltian. It's orb glowed with purple light, as if in sympathy with the dark storm. Roman relic or not, the scepter troubled Frank. If it really had the power to summon a legion of the dead. . . well, Frank wasn't sure that was such a great idea.

Jason had once told him that the children of Mars had a similar ability. Supposedly, Frank could call ghostly soldiers from the losing side of any war to serve him. He'd never had much luck with that power, probably because he freaked out too much about this idea. He was worried he might become one of them if they lost this war--eternally doomed to pay for his failures, assuming there was anyone left to summon him.

"So, uh, Nico. . . any luck with that?" He motioned at the scepter.

"We'll find out." Nico stared at the tendrils of darkness undulating from the ruins. "I don't intend to try until I have to. The Doors of Death are already working overtime bringing in Gaea's monsters. Any more activity raising the dead, and the Doors might shatter permanently, leaving a rip in the mortal world that can't be closed."

Coach Hedge grunted. "I hate rips in the world. LET'S GO BUST SOME UGLY MONSTERS HEAD."

Frank looked at the satyr's grim expression. Suddenly he had an idea. Coach, why don't you stay on board, cover us with the ballistae."

Hedge frowned. "Stay behind? Me? I'm your best soldier!"

"We might need air support. Like we did in Rome. You saved our braccae." said Frank He didn't add: Plus I'd like you to get home to your family alive.

He apparently got the message. His scowl relaxed, his face showed the sign of relief.

"Well. . ." he grumbled. "I suppose somebody's got to save your trousers."

Jason clapped the coach on the shoulder then gave Frank an appreciative nod.

"So, that's settled. Everybody else, let's get to the ruins. Time to crash Gaea's party and kick some monster ass!"