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I insisted that I sleep on the roof of the Artemis Cabin that night, despite Raiden's protests that I'd be devoured by one of the cleaning harpies.

"I'll be fine," I told her. "I just wanna have the fresh air around me before we go underground."

That was part was true. I despised enclosed spaces because my mother was the goddess of wild animals, and like them, I loathed being restrained or confined. I had a wild spirit, and I loved being free and feeling the fresh air around me. Going into an underground, enclosed maze was not going to be fun for me, so I wanted to savor the last few hours of my freedom.

But that was only one reason I wanted to sleep on the roof. The other reason was that I was alone, and Raiden didn't see me freak out when I woke up from my nightmares. I didn't need her to comfort me.

The nightmares found me, of course. I suffered through the torment again and then plunged through the darkness. I was hoping—praying—that it was another dream message from Artemis, but no. Of course, it was another dream about Kronos.

I found myself in the stateroom of the Princess Andromeda. The golden sarcophagus of Kronos rested before a Persian rug, where Aidan knelt. He'd trimmed his hair again so that it was clean and closely cropped to his head. He wore a bronze breastplate over a purple t-shirt, jeans, and black Converse. His sword was sheathed from his belt. On Aidan's right was Luke, donning a white himation and an ancient Greek chiton. He resembled a minor god. He looked flawlessly healthy, with no bruises or cuts on his face. That sent alarm bells clanging in my head.

"The spies have relayed promising news, my lord," Luke said. "As you anticipated, Camp Half-Blood has ordered a quest. We have almost completed our end of the bargain."

"My sister and Raiden are on the quest, sir," Aidan added.

Good. Krono's frigid voice sliced through my soul, and I was once again frozen in place. Once the tools of navigation are in our hands, I shall spearhead the vanguard and kill my son.

Luke shut his eyes, as though searching for an escape route. "My lord, perhaps it's too early. Hyperion or Krios, maybe, should guide—"

Never. I shall guide our attack force with the addition of just one more soul, that shall be ample. Finally, I will emerge entirely from Tartarus.

Aidan's hands trembled as he gripped his sword. I wanted to say that the sight of my frightened twin gave me satisfaction, but it didn't. Meanwhile, Luke said in a quaking voice: "Must we do this, my lord? Perhaps there is another way with the form—"

Luke Castellan, Kronos hissed, remove your weapon. Both of you, listen closely.

With trembling hands, the son of Hermes unsheathed his sword. It was a petrifying sight, stabbing me in the gut with an icy dagger. The weapon was forged of half steel, half Celestial bronze, and wickedly sharp. As Raiden had informed me, it was capable of killing both monsters and mortals.

You both vowed yourselves to me, Kronos reminded them. Luke Castellan, you accepted this sword as evidence of your oath. Aidan Theron, you also received your weapon.

"But, my lord..." Aidan gripped his sword pommel so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Surely, there is another way," Luke pleaded.

They were both plainly petrified. I didn't fully understand what was frightening them, but I had an idea that made my stomach plummet to the ocean floor.

You both craved power, and I bestowed that to you. Luke Castellan, you are presently invulnerable. And you, Aidan Theron, have been given new life and the power to control others' very movements. Shortly, you shall both reign over the sphere of gods and mortals. Do you not desire vengeance? To cause Olympus's downfall?

Luke nodded, shuddering. Aidan shivered and said, "Yes, lord."

The coffin flared gold, illuminating the room. Then prepare the vanguard. Once the negotiations are complete, we will proceed. Camp Half-Blood shall be annihilated. After those vexing heroes are discarded, we shall storm Olympus.

The golden glow faded when someone knocked on the stateroom doors. Luke and Aidan jumped up, stared at each other, and then composed themselves. The son of Hermes sheathed his weapon.

Aidan squared his shoulders and faced the doors. "Enter," he barked.

The doors swung open. Two dracaenae entered—snake ladies with serpent trunks in place of legs. In between them, an empousa strutted in, donning a crimson dress.

"Hello, boys," she purred.

"What do you want, Kelli?" Aidan asked coldly. "You were told to not disturb us."

Kelli scowled. "Why are you so cold, Aidan? Would you like a massage?"

"Get out of here, demon!" Luke snapped. "Unless you have something to report."

"I'm sure why you've been so crabby lately." The demon batted her eyelashes. "You once were fun to be around."

"That was before Seattle," Aidan snarled.

"Oh, that boy was nothing." Kelli shrugged. "A mere snack, to be honest. You know where my loyalty lies, Luke."

Aidan grasped his sword. "Get out, demon," he commanded. "Nobody wants you or your flirting here. Honestly, I don't know why I haven't drowned you yet."

Kelli stepped toward Aidan, batting her eyelashes. "Because I'm pretty," she purred. "You know you want me."

My twin shoved her away, a look of revulsion on his face. Kelli stumbled sideways onto the couch. "I'd rejoin the Olympians than date you," he spat. "Go away."

Luke nodded. "Aidan's right. Either report or leave."

"Fine," the empousa grumbled. "The vanguard is prepared, as you ordered. The forces can depart—" She glowered.

"What's the problem?" Aidan demanded.

"Spectators," she hissed. "Your senses are dulling. People are watching us."

"Who?"

"The sea god's spawn and the huntress."

"My sister?" Aidan looked wildly around. "I-I didn't think she was here. Sis? Can you hear me?"

My jaws were cemented together from terror. I wrenched them apart. "Unfortunately," I spat. "What in Hades do you want?"

"To warn you of what's coming..." His face paled. "The darkness—"

My legs began quaking, but my voice remained cold. "You think I don't know that? You haven't seen what I've seen, traitor."

Aidan's face contorted. "Listen, sis, I'm trying to help you—"

"I don't need or want your help. Morpheus, get me outta here."

The dream began to dissolve. Aidan shouted: "Sis, wait!"

"I hope you suffer!" I roared. "I hope the darkness consumes you!"

I plummeted through darkness and awoke with a yell. My heart was pounding. I inhaled deeply, trying to settle my nerves.

Chief! Agro looked up. What's wrong? What did you see in your dream?

I pushed my drenched bangs off my forehead. "Nothing of importance."

That's a load of Minotaur dung! What did you see?

"Nothing," I repeated. "I'm fine, Agro."

I gazed toward the sky. The crescent moon illuminated the night sky and the campgrounds. Its warming beams didn't reach the shadowed forest. I stared at the trees and gulped; the shadows almost appeared alive.

"Let's just go back to sleep," I told Agro. "It'll be dawn soon, and we'll have to...have to go into the Labyrinth."

I squeezed my eyes shut and fell back asleep to more nightmares.

                                                                                         ***

We rendezvoused at a pile of stones that Raiden told me was called Zeus's Fist shortly after dawn. Several nymphs and satyrs emerged from the forest to wish me luck and speak to Grover. Raiden and I both had our knapsacks. Mine was full of supplies: extra arrows that wouldn't fit into my quiver, a change of clothes, two canteens of Moonwater, bedroll, bear skin blanket, deer meat for Agro, and my compactible tent. Thanks to my mother, I could see clearly even in the darkest night (or darkness in the case of the Labyrinth), so I wouldn't need a flashlight.

"Morning," Percy said.

"Good morning," I replied, my voice steady. I noticed that Percy's face was pale. There were also bags under his eyes, and his pupils were dilated. "You look tired."

"Yeah..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I, uh, had a couple of nightmares last night."

"We need to talk, then." I grabbed his arm and dragged him toward a tree. "Raiden, come, please."

Raiden jogged over. "Is this about the dream?"

"Yes," I said.

Percy raised his hands. "Hold up. Which dream are we talking about here?"

"The one aboard the Princess Andromeda," Raiden answered. "What do we think...my father is planning?"

"Something that lets him rise again from Tartarus," Percy said. "Your brother mentioned something about a form." He locked eyes with me. "Luke and Aidan are going to be used to help Kronos rise again. I don't exactly know how, though. Raiden?"

She opened her mouth to answer, but at that moment, Chiron called Percy over.

"Coming, Chiron!" Percy jogged over to the centaur.

Raiden and I proceeded back to Zeus's Fist. Percy and Chiron conversed for a few minutes before the son of Poseidon headed back over. I looked around one final time. A handful of tents had been erected along the Labyrinth entrance for guard watch, along with wooden spikes protruding out of the ground. I stared into the dark crack between the huge rocks of Zeus's Fist and gulped.

"Be safe," Chiron advised. "And may your quest be successful."

"We will be," Raiden said.

We looked at each other.

"This is it," Annabeth said.

"Let's go," I said. I wanted to say: Before the shadows devour me.

And together, the seven of us plunged into the shadows.