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DAYS IN THE SUN

chapter thirty-four
❛ 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚊𝚖𝚊𝚣𝚎 𝚖𝚎. ❜

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

THEY KEPT RUNNING, never looking back or stopping in fear of the Titan lord finding a way to catch up. The group of five only stopped once they reached a cave, or more specifically when the redhead fell to her knees gasping for air.

"I can't go any farther," Rachel gasped, hugging her chest.

Annabeth had been crying the whole way. Finally, the blonde fell to her knees as she buried her head between her legs. Her sobs echoed throughout the entire tunnel, filling the air.

Wordlessly Amara knelt beside the Chase girl, taking the older girl in her arms as the latter cried against the former.

She didn't know how to process what she had just saw, the brunette's mind racing back to Luke in the arena versus . . . the Luke she had just seen. Those golden eyes seemed to haunt her, replacing his bright blue that he often joked made them look like siblings.

"That sucked," Nico spoke, dropping his sword and taking a seat.

"You saved our lives," Percy said, sitting beside the younger demigod.

The di Angelo boy wiped dust off his face. "Blame Rachel for dragging me along, we had to chase those two." He pointed at the daughters of Athena and Zeus.

"Nice that they trust me so much." Water dripped from the stalactites like a slow-motion rain. "Nico . . . you, uh, kind of gave yourself away."

"What do you mean?"

"That wall of black stone? That was pretty impressive. If Kronos didn't know who you were before, he does now. A child of the Underworld."

Nico frowned. "Big deal."

Annabeth lifted her head from Amara's shoulder, her stormy grey eyes red from crying. "What . . . what was wrong with Luke? What did they do to him?"

Percy told them what he'd seen in the coffin, the way the last piece of Kronos's spirit had entered Luke's body when Ethan Nakamura pledged his service.

"No," the blonde protested. "That can't be true. He couldn't—"

"He gave himself over to Kronos," the son of Poseidon said. "I'm sorry, Annabeth. But Luke is gone."

"No!" She insisted. "You saw when Rachel hit him."

Percy nodded, looking at the redhead with respect. "You hit the Lord of the Titans in the eye with a blue plastic hairbrush."

Rachel looked embarrassed. "It was the only thing I had."

"But you saw," Annabeth insisted and pulled away from the brunette, leaning against the wall instead. Amara copied her position. "When it hit him, just for a second, he was dazed. He came back to his senses."

"So maybe Kronos wasn't completely settled in the body, or whatever," Percy said. "It doesn't mean Luke was in control."

"You want him to be evil, is that it?" The blonde yelled. "You didn't know him before, Percy. I did!"

"What is it with you?" He snapped. "Why do you keep defending him?"

"Whoa, you two," Rachel said. "Knock it off."

Annabeth turned on her. "Stay out of it, mortal girl! If it wasn't for you . . ."

Whatever she was going to say, her voice broke. She put her head down again and sobbed miserably. Amara could only stare at the floor, her mind lost in her thoughts. "We have to keeping moving," Nico said. "He'll send monsters after us."

Percy hauled himself up and helped Rachel to her feet.

"You did good back there," he told her.

"Yeah, well. I didn't want you to die." She managed a weak smile. "I mean . . . just because, you know. You owe me too many favors. How am I going to collect if you die?"

Percy knelt beside Annabeth. "Hey, I'm sorry. We need to move."

"I know," she said. "I'm . . . I'm all right."

She was clearly not all right. But she got to her feet regardless, leaving only Amara on the ground.

"Hey, Mara," sea green met electric blue eyes. But it wasn't the electric blue he was used too, her eyes had been filled with despair, sadness, and anguish.

"Come on," he held out his hand for the brunette. "We gotta go."

She didn't say anything, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her up. But she didn't let him get far, interlacing her fingers with his as she held on tightly.

"Back to New York," Percy stated. "Rachel, can you—"

He froze. A few front in front of them, his flashlight beam focused on a trampled clump of red fabric lying on the ground. It was a Rasta cap, the one Grover always wore.

It looked like it had been stepped on by a huge muddy boot. Then Amara noticed something else, the cave floor was mushy and wet from the water dripping off the stalactites. There were large footsteps like Tyson's, and smaller ones, goat hooves, leading off to the left.

"We have to follow them," Percy insisted. "They went that way. It must have been recently."

"What about Camp Half-Blood?" Nico said. "There's no time."

"We have to find them," Annabeth argued. "They're our friends."

She picked up Grover's smashed cap and forged ahead. Amara followed, guiding Percy with her through the tunnel by their interlocked hands. It sloped at weird angles and was slimy with moisture. Half the time they were slipping and sliding, rather than walking.

Finally, they got to the bottom of a slope and found themselves in a large cave with huge stalagmite columns. Through the center of the room ran an underground river, and Tyson was sitting by the banks, cradling Grover in his lap. The satyr's eyes were closed, he laid unmoving.

"Tyson!" Percy yelled.

"Percy! Come quick!"

The son of Poseidon ran, dragging Amara as the others followed. Grover wasn't dead, but his whole body trembled like he was freezing to death.

"What happened?" she asked.

"So many things," the cyclops murmured. "Large snake, large dogs. Men with swords. But then . . . we got close to here. Grover was excited. He ran. Then we reached this room, and he fell. Like this."

"Did he say anything?" Percy asked.

"He said, 'We're close.' Then he hit his head on rocks."

The Jackson boy let her hand go, kneeling beside their protector as he shined his flashlight around the cavern. The rocks glittered. At the far end was the entrance to another cave, flanked by gigantic columns of crystal that looked like diamonds.

"Grover," Percy said. "Wake up."

"Uhhhhhhh."

Amara knelt next to him, splashing the icy cold river water in his face. "Splurg!" His eyelids fluttered. "Percy? Annabeth? Amara? Where . . ."

"It's okay," the raven haired boy said. "You passed out. The presence was too much for you."

"I—I remember. Pan."

"Yeah," Percy agreed. "Something powerful is just beyond that doorway."

They were quick to make introductions, the cyclops and satyr duo officially meeting Rachel before continuing on their way.

"Anyway," Percy spoke. "Come on, Grover. Lean on me."

The children of Athena and Poseidon helped their protector up, making their way across the underground river. The trio went first, leaving the group of four behind.

Tyson and Rachel went next, the cyclops helping the mortal from becoming a victim to the strong currents as he kept her balanced.

"Amara?" Nico asked, noticing the slight terrified expression on the older girls face.

She shook her head, backing up from the river while a frown overtook the younger boy's expression. Splashing drew the children of the big three's attention back to the river, Percy was making his way back to their side.

"Come on Mara," he approached the brunette, holding out his arm as she quickly accepted the help with no hesitation.

Percy had no problem adjusting her, making it seem like carrying her was the easiest thing in the world. Her legs were wound tightly around his waist, her arms loosely around his neck as she tried not choking him from fear.

Nico walked beside the older girl, offering her gentle looks whenever he'd notice her nails digging into her palms from a particular strong current.

"I think we're in Carlsbad Caverns," Annabeth called from the other side. "Maybe an unexplored section."

"How do you know?"

"Carlsbad is in New Mexico," she said. "That would explain last winter."

Once they were out of the water, Amara dropped from Percy as the older boy gave her a soft smile. They began making their way into the next room, power emitting from the air.

Her skin began to tingle with energy, like she had just gotten back all her strength from her power's usage plus more on top of that.

The walls glittered with crystals, red, green, and blue. In the strange light beautiful plants grew, giant orchids, star-shaped flowers, vines bursting with orange and purple berries that crept among the crystals. The cave floor was covered with soft green moss. Overhead, the ceiling was higher than a cathedral, sparkling like a galaxy of stars. In the center of the cave stood a roman-style bed, gilded wood shaped like a curly U, with velvet cushions.

Animals lounged around it, but they were animals that shouldn't have been alive. There was a dodo bird, something that looked like a cross between a wolf and tiger, a huge rodent like the mother of all guinea pigs, and roaming behind the pick, picking berries with its trunk, was a wooly mammoth.

On the bed laid an old satyr. He watched them as they approached, his eyes sky blue. His curly hair was white and so was his pointed beard, even the goat fur on his legs was frosted with grey. His horns were enormous, glossy brown and curved around his neck hung a set of reed pipes.

Grover fell to his knees in front of the bed. "Lord Pan!"

The god smiled kindly, but there was sadness in his eyes. "Grover, my dear, brave satyr. I have waited a very long time for you."

"I . . . got lost," the satyr apologized.

Pan laughed. It was a wonderful sound, like the first breeze of springtime, filling the whole cavern with hope.

The tiger-wolf sighed and rested his head on the god's knee. The dodo bird pecked affectionately at the god's hooves, making a strange sound in the back of its bill.

Still, Pan looked tired. His whole form shimmered, as if he were made of Mist.

"You have a humming dodo bird," Percy said stupidly.

The god's eyes twinkled. "Yes, that's Dede. My little actress."

Dede looked offended. She pecked at Pan's knee and hummed something that sounded like a funeral sound.

"This is the most beautiful place!" Annabeth said. "It's better than any building ever designed."

"I'm glad you like it, dear," Pan said. "It is one of the last wild places. My realm above is gone, I'm afraid. Only pockets remain, tiny pieces of life. This one shall stay undisturbed . . . for a little while longer."

"My lord," Grover said. "Please, you must come back with me! The Elders will never believe it, they'll be overjoyed! You can save the wild!"

Pan placed his hand on the protector's head and ruffled his curly hair. "You are so young, Grover. So good and true. I think I chose well."

"Chose?" The Underwood boy said. "I—I don't understand."

The god's image flickered, momentarily turning to smoke. The giant guinea pig scuttled under the bed with a terrified squeal. The wooly mammoth grunted nervously. Dede stuck her head under her wing. Then Pan re-formed.

"I have slept many eons," the satyr said. "My dreams have been dark. I wake fitfully, and each time my waking is shorter. Now we are near the end."

"What?" Grover cried. "But no! You're right here!"

"My dear satyr," Pan said. "I tried to tell the world, two thousand years ago. I announced it to Lysas, a satyr very much like you. He lived in Ephesos, and he tried to spread the word."

Annabeth's eyes widened. "The old story. A sailor passing by the coast of Ephesos heard a voice crying from the shore, 'tell them the great god Pan is dead.'"

"But that wasn't true!" Their protector said.

"Your kind never believed it," Pan said. "You sweet, stubborn satyrs refused to accept my passing. And I love you for that, but you only delayed the inevitable. You only prolonged, my long, painful passing, my dark twilight sleep. It must end."

"No!" Grover's voice trembled.

"Dear Grover," the god said. "You must accept the truth. Your companion, Nico, he understands."

Nico nodded slowly. "He's dying. He should have died long ago. This . . . this is more like a memory."

"But gods can't die," Grover said.

"They can fade," Pan said. "When everything they stood for is gone. When they cease to have power, and their sacred places disappear. The wild, my dear Grover, is so small now, so shattered, that no god can save it. My realm is gone. That is why I need you to carry a message. You must go back to the council. You must tell the satyrs, the dryads, and other spirits of nature, that the great god Pan is dead. Tell them of my passing. Because they must stop waiting for me to save them. I cannot. The only salvation you must make yourself. Each of you must—"

He stopped and frowned at the dodo bird, who had started humming again.

"Dede, what are you doing?" The god demanded. "Are you singing Kumbaya again?"

Dede looked up innocently and blinked her yellow eyes.

Pan sighed. "Everybody's a cynic. But as I was saying, my dear Grover, each of you must take up my calling."

"But . . . no!" The dark brown eyed boy whimpered.

"Be strong," Pan said. "You have found me. And now you must release me. You must carry on my spirit. It can no longer be carried by a god. It must be taken up by all of you."

Pan then looked straight at Percy with his clear blue eyes. "Percy Jackson," the god said. "I know what you have seen today and I know your doubts. But I will give you this news: when the time comes, you will not be ruled by fear."

He turned to Annabeth. "Daughter of Athena, your time is coming. You will play a great role, though it may not be the role you imagined."

Then he looked at Tyson. "Master cyclops, do not despair. Heroes rarely live up to our expectations. But you, Tyson, your name shall live among the cyclops for generations. And Miss Rachel Dare . . ."

Rachel flinched when he said her name. She backed up like she was guilty of something, but Pan only smiled. He raised his hand in a blessing.

"I know you believe you cannot make amends," he said. "But you are just as important as your father."

"I—" the red head faltered, a tear tracing down her cheek.

"I know you don't believe this now," Pan said. "But look for opportunities. They will come."

Sky blue met electric blue. "Amara Grace," Pan spoke. "Daughter of the sky, remember that is who you are at your core. You are more powerful than you think, don't be afraid to test those waters."

The god smiled. "A helpful tip," he suggested. "Let it out, everything. You shouldn't keep how you feel inside, it'll be a great help overcoming your fear of your prophecy."

Amara could only nod, her eyes momentarily landing on Percy as the advice Artemis gave her last winter came to mind.

"My dear satyr," Pan said kindly, "will you carry my message?"

"I—I can't."

"You can," the god said. "You are the strongest and bravest, your heart is true. You have believed in me more than anyone else ever has, which is why you must bring the message, and why you must be the first to release me."

"I don't want to."

"I know," Pan said. "But my name, Pan . . . originally it meant rustic. Did you know that? But over the years it has come to mean all. The spirit of the wild must pass to all of you now. You must tell each one you meet, if you would find Pan, take up Pan's spirit. Remake the wild, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world. You cannot wait for anyone else, even a god, to do that for you."

Grover wiped his eyes. Then he slowly stood up. "I've spent my whole life looking for you. Now . . . I release you."

Pan smiled. "Thank you, dear satyr. My final blessing."

He closed his eyes, and the god dissolved. White mist divided into wisps of energy. It filled the room. A curl of smoke went straight into Amara's mouth, then Percy's, and the others. The crystals dimmed after that, each of the animals gave them a sad look.

Then, they all turned grey and crumbled to dust. The vines withered and they were alone in a dark cave with an empty bed.

Percy switched on his flashlight as Grover took a deep breath.

"Are . . . are you okay?" Amara asked him.

He looked older and sadder. He took his cap from Annabeth, brushed off the mud, and struck it firmly on his curly head.

"We should go now," he said. "I'm the finder of Pan, the news needs to be spread."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

Distance was shorter in the Labyrinth, a feat Amara still couldn't wrap her head around. They easily climbed out of the Marriott basement, making their way into an alley where the son of Poseidon whistled six times.

It only took a moment, before Rachel gasped at something in the sky. "They're beautiful!"

Six pegasus' had began descending from the sky, maneuvering between skyscrapers with Aella and Blackjack in the lead.

"Yeah," Percy agreed. It only took Amara a moment before she realized, he was communicating with Blackjack. "I'm lucky that way. Listen, we need a ride to camp quick."

The demigods, satyr, and cyclops had began saddling up except for the mortal.

"Well," Rachel told Percy, "I guess this is it."

Amara blocked out their conversation and her gaze landed on Nico who was struggling, his pegasus shying away from the son of Hades.

"Go without me!" The di Angelo boy said. "I don't want to go back to that camp anyway."

"Nico," She said, making her way beside the younger demigod. "Please?"

His expression softened. "All right," he finally agreed reluctantly. "For you, Amara, and only for you. But I'm not staying."

With that, she helped him onto the pegasus before readying Aella. The daughter of Zeus shot into the air, followed by the children of Poseidon, Athena, Hades, and the Wild.

It only took moments before they had made it back to Camp Half-Blood, landing in the middle of the cabins where Chiron greeted them.

The centaur raised a brow upon seeing the son of Hades, but it quickly fell as Percy caught the camp director up on what they had discovered.

"I feared as much," Chiron said. "We must hurry. Hopefully you have slowed down the Titan lord, but his vanguard will still be coming through. They will be anxious for blood. Most of our defenders are already in place. Come!"

The half-bloods slipped off the pegsaus, Amara running her fingers through the wind spirits mane once more before Aella took off into sky joined by the others.

"Wait a minute," Silenus demanded. "What of the search for Pan? You are almost three weeks overdue, Grover Underwood! Your searcher's license is revoked!"

Grover took a deep breath before standing up straight, looking Silenus in the eye. "Searcher's licenses don't matter anymore. The great god Pan is dead, he has passed on and left us his spirit."

"What?" The old satyr's face turned bright red. "Sacrilege and lies! Grover Underwood, I will have you exiled for speaking thus!"

"It's true," Percy said. "We were there when he died. All of us."

"Impossible! You are all liars! Nature-destroyers!"

Chiron studied the Underwood boy's face. "We will speak of this later."

"We will speak of this now!" Silenus said. "We must deal with this—"

"Silenus," the centaur cut in. "My camp is under attack. The matter of Pan has waited two thousand years, I fear it will have to wait a bit longer. Assuming we are still here this evening."

And on that note, he readied his bow and galloped toward the woods, leaving them to follow as best they could.

It was by far the biggest military operation Amara's ever seen at camp. The demigods had all gathered at the clearing, dressed in full battle armor. The Hephaestus cabin had set up traps around the entrance to the Labyrinth, razor wire, pits filled with pots of greek fire, rows of sharpened sticks to deflect a charge. Beckendorf was manning two catapults the size of pickup trucks, already primed and aimed at Zeus's fist.

The Ares cabin was on the front line, drilling in phalanx formation with Clarisse calling orders. Apollo's and Herme's cabins were scattered in the woods with bows ready, many had taken up positions in the trees. The dryads had even been armed with bows, satyrs trotting around with wooden cudgels and shields made of rough tree bark.

Annabeth had immediately joined her siblings in the Athena cabin, who had set up a command tent and were directing operations. A grey banner with an owl fluttered outside the tent. Their security chief, Argus, stood guard at the door. Aphrodite's children were running around straightening everybody's armor and offering to comb the tangles out of their hair.

Dionysus's kids had found something to do. The god himself was still nowhere to be seen, but his two blond twin sons were running around providing all the sweaty warriors with water bottles and juice boxes.

"It isn't good enough." Chiron muttered to the children of Zeus and Poseidon.

Over in the edge of the clearing, Grover was talking to Juniper. She held his hands, green tears formed in her eyes and Amara could only guess he was telling her the story of Pan

Tyson had made his way to cabin nine, helping the Hephaestus kids prepare the defenses. He picked up boulders, piling them next to the catapults for firing.

"Stay with me, Percy, Amara," Chiron said. "When the fighting begins, I want you two to wait until we know what we're dealing with. You must go where we most need reinforcements."

"Chiron," Amara called, earning the centaur's attention. "I need to see Charlie, before the battle starts?"

The camp director smiled, Jada Beckendorf previously sharing the news of the daughter of Zeus' adoption. "Go ahead dear."

The brunette grinned, taking off towards the Hephaestus cabin as she met glances with Jake Mason. The older boy smiled, hitting his brother's arm as Beckendorf turned around.

Jake didn't need to do anything else after that, the son of Hephaestus' warm brown eyes landing on his adoptive sister.

He handed the Mason boy his tools, just in time for Amara to crash into the older boy's arms. Charles arms wound around her, holding the girl in a bear hug as he relished the feeling of her in his arms again.

Beckendorf didn't hesitate, pushing her back a distance as he inspected her for injuries. "Are you okay? Did anything happ—"

The electric blue eyed girl rolled her eyes, throwing her arms around his neck. This time, the dark skinned boy couldn't help himself as he spun the girl around once before settling her back onto the ground.

This quest had terrified him more than anything, no promise anyone would even come back alive. Or worse, they could return in the same state of mind as Chris Rodriguez.

The ground began trembling, shaking the earth as half-bloods let out yells. The son of Hephaestus's arms tightened, keeping a steady hold of the younger girl until the tremble subsided.

He pulled back, resting his hands on her shoulders with all traces of playfulness gone. "Where are you stationed?"

"With Chiron," she nodded towards the old centaur who had been watching their interaction.

"Lock shields!" Clarisse commanded, the daughter of Ares trailing in front of the demigods.

"Go where you belong," Charles instructed. "Now, and don't do anything reckless!"

She nodded, sparing her adoptive brother one last look before making her way back to Percy and Chiron's side. Amara had made it just in time for the Titan lord's army to appear, exploding from the Labyrinth.

The first monsters to come out were a dozen Laistrygonian giants, yelling so loudly she was sure she would go deaf. They carried shields made from flattened cars, and clubs that were tree trunks with rusty spikes bristling at the end. One of the giants bellowed at the Ares phalanx, smashing it sideways with his club. The entire cabin was thrown aside, a dozen warriors tossed to the wind like rag dolls.

"Fire!" Beckendorf yelled, having made his way in front of the Hephaestus cabin. The catapults swung into action, two boulders hurtling toward the giants. One deflected off a car shield with hardly a dent, but the other caught a Laistrygonian in the chest and the giant went down. Apollo's archers fired a volley, dozens of arrows sticking in the thick armor of the giants like porcupine quills. Several found chinks in the armor, and some of the giants vaporizing at the touch of celestial bronze.

Just before the Laistrygonians could become overwhelmed by the demigods force, the next wave emerged from the maze. Forty dracaena in full battle armor appeared, wielding spears and nets as they dispersed in all directions. Some hit the traps the Hephaestus cabin had laid, one getting stuck on the spikes and became an easy target for archers. Another triggered a trip wire, and pots of greek fire exploded into green flames as it engulfed several of the snake woman.

More however, keep coming in endless waves as Argus and Athena's warriors rushed forward to meet them. The daughter of Zeus saw Annabeth draw her dagger, engaging one of them. Nearby, Tyson was riding a giant. Somehow managing to climb onto the monster's back, hitting him over the head with a bronze shield.

Chiron calmly aimed arrow after arrow, taking down a monster with every shot. But, more enemies kept climbing out of the maze. Finally a hellhound that wasn't Mrs. O'Leary, leaped out of the tunnel and barreled straight toward the satyrs.

"Go!" The centaur commanded, instructing the children of Zeus and Poseidon.

Percy drew his sword, Amara's necklace morphing in her hands as the duo spared each other a look. With a final nod, the children of the big three took off in different directions.

The daughter of Zeus was unstoppable, taking down any monster that even looked her way. She wasn't sure exactly what the god of the Wild had done to her, but she knew she wasn't complaining.

She slid to her knees, knocking a couple dracaena down as she sliced them in half. A hellhound growled, making its way to the brunette only to be crushed by a catapult.

Amara held back an eyeroll, knowing if she turned she would be met with the smirks of Charles Beckendorf and Jake Mason.

Skeleton warriors began filling the battle field, a work she could only assume was Nico di Angelo's. The daughter of Zeus had made her way to the brothers of Hephaestus' side at one point during the battle, but even she wasn't invincible.

The trio had been cornered by a group of dracaena, the snake women hissing as they circled the demigods. An unearthly shriek filled the earth, a sound Amara had hope she would only hear again in her nightmares.

Kampê shot into the sky, her bat wings spread as the sons of Hephaestus' mouths dropped.

"What in hades," Jake spoke. "Is that thing?"

"Don't know," Beckendorf answered. "Really don't want to find out either."

A frown overtook her lips as she stared at the monster soaring through the air. "I hate her," Amara muttered.

The brothers wordlessly agreed, the only question left being who would be the one to kill the creature?

The dracaena used Kampê's distraction usefully. Jake Mason was the first to fall, a dracaena knocking his axe from his hands. He was pinned to the ground, the snake woman hissing with a malicious smile lacing her lips.

Beckendorf was next. A dracaena used her tail, sending the son of Hephaestus flying through the air and crashing into a tree.

Before he even had a chance to get to his feet, he was restrained by talons meeting his throat and one resting above his heart.

"Keep the girl alive," a dracaena snarled. "Masssster insssisssted upon it."

Amara adjusted her sword, electricity flickering around the weapon as her anger began to grow. Teal flashed between her usual electric blue, a sight the Hephaestus' boys had grown used too.

"A ssssshame," the dracaena holding Jake captive pointed in the distance. "Sssssshe was ssssssupossed to be unharmed too, masssster will not be pleassssed by her death."

The brunette followed the talon, her grip on her sword faltering for a moment at the sight before her. Percy and Annabeth had been pinned to the ground, Kampê resting with her forelegs against the duo's chest. Snakes slithered above the children of Athena and Poseidon, a cruel smile twisting onto the torture's lips at her newest victims.

"Oh well," the snake woman holding Beckendorf shrugged. "Ssssshe will have to do, masssster ssssshould be grateful we were able to keep one alive."

The other dracaena's nodded. "But first," the one pinning Jake put more pressure against the demigods chest, a gasp escaping him. "Let'sssss kill thesssse one firssssst."

Beckendorf's capture nodded, pressing her talons deeper into the dark skinned boy's throat as his body went rigid.

Her eyes flew back to Percy and Annabeth, but they weren't doing much better. Kampê had raised her green-tinged swords, indicating she was about to finish off the demigods.

The world slowed as Amara's mind had finally realized the predicament she was in. The boys she viewed as brothers were about to be killed in front of her, while the boy she liked and her best friend would be murdered too.

Pan's words immediately came to mind, the electricity around her sword seemingly shining brighter as her anger seeped out.

"You are more powerful than you think," Pan reassured her. "Don't be afraid to test those waters."

Thunder rumbled across the sky as clouds darkened above, demigods and monsters alike took a moment to look up. Campers were the first to react, taking advantage of the storm knowing the daughter of Zeus was behind it.

Lightning struck, blinding the sons of Hephaestus and their captors. The wind around the trio had picked up, the dracaena's snarling until the lightning subsided.

When they lowered their hands, Amara was gone.

"What," the dracaena holding Beckendorf growled, her eyes wide. "Where did ssssssshe go!"

She had gotten her answer when thunder filled the sky once more, her head cleanly sliding off from her neck. Charles fell to his knees, gasping for air as he clutched his throat.

When he looked behind him, all he could see was ash before the screech of another dracaena filled his ears.

Jake's captor had began disintegrating, a sword wound visible through her chest. Amara swiped her sword, the blade swung around her body as she cleared off the monster's dust.

Lightning struck once more, this time giving the sons of Hephaestus the chance to truly look at the younger girl before them.

The daughter of Zeus' orbit had became immersed completely in teal. Blue electricity sparked from the girl's cavum, matching the sparks around her sword as wind spirits circled the demigod. Compared to the almost childish ones they were used to seeing, these ones looked older, more threatening and violent as the wind spirits hissed.

"Amara?" Beckendorf called, but the girl wasn't focused on him. Her attention had been on the children on Poseidon and Athena, without another word she took off using a wind spirit to launch her across the battlefield.

"Amara!" The sons of Hephaestus yelled, knowing exactly where, more specifically who, the brunette had it out for next.

Kampê's head snapped up, as if she was able to sense Amara approaching. The monster raised her green swords just in time to clash against the demigod's sword, sparks emitted from their weapons until the creature went flying backwards into the forest.

Amara landed in front of Percy and Annabeth, the pair's eyes slightly widening upon her entrance. If there was anything to be sure of, she was her father's daughter with their dramatic entrances.

"Don't even think about it," Annabeth hissed, getting back on her feet. "You can't, Am—"

The blonde cut herself off when Amara's head turned, stormy grey meeting teal as electricity flickered in the latter's cavum.

"You never cease to amaze me," Annabeth spoke, earning a smirk from the younger demigod. "Always full of surprises aren't you?"

But she never got her answer. It was almost too quick to notice, with a small jolt of the brunette's wrist the children of Poseidon and Athena were sent backwards against the ground as Kampê made her return.

Her bat wings were extended, the animal belt transformed into a lion as it growled at Amara. Faster than Percy and Annabeth could realize, Kampê flew towards the electric blue eyed girl.

The monster had grabbed onto her arms, shooting up into the sky.

"Amara!" Percy yelled, seemingly over his shock as his cry earned the attention of the sons of Hephaestus and a daughter of Aphrodite.

The newly reunited trio could only watch hopelessly, the monster taking the younger girl they all viewed as a sister into the sky as her legs kicked helplessly.

Amara couldn't process her surroundings, the wind rushing in her face too fast for her to be able to see what was happening. The only thing she could be sure of, was Kampê, and the torturer's horrible noises as they shot into the sky.

She figured the creature had been saying something, but she couldn't understand. Finally, they seemed to stop a good hundred feet above the ground.

Kampê held a cruel grin, like she had just come up with the best plan. Finally, the monsters grip loosened on her and Amara was able to figure out what the torturer's plan was. The monster released her from her grasp, sending her free falling towards the ground that was fast approaching.

She couldn't help her smirk, the action benefiting her as she swiped her hand. The wind spirits turned her around, giving her the opportunity to see as Kampê released a horrible shrieked and began shooting down towards her.

Amara raised her sword, thunder rumbling while electricity surrounded her blade. With an upward gesture of her hand, the wind spirits quickly changed direction.

Lightning flashed, momentarily blinding Kampê as the brunette shot upwards and toward the torturer, wind wounding her weapon as it became one with the blue electricity.

Kampê's eyes widened, the monster faltering in her flight. Before she could change direction, Amara was there. She thrusted her sword into the creature's chest, a wail echoing across the sky that could be heard throughout all of camp.

She intended to pour the last of her strength and energy into killing the torturer. Wind spirits kept Kampê's animal belt at bay, while she prayed silently to Zeus to allow her plan to work.

When her eyes opened again, Kampê visibly shuddered. The demigod before her eyes reminding her of Zeus, a cold, harsh, and merciless looking residing within them as wind rushed around the duo creating a small ball. The hair on the creature's arm stood up, electricity filling the air as thunder cackled.

Kampê seemed to realize who Amara was in that moment, the torturer repeatedly shaking her head until lightning struck. The yellow bolt didn't miss its intended target, running through the creature as a shriek escaped from the monster for the last time.

The blast blew Amara backwards, sending the brunette tumbling downwards and back to the ground below. The only sign the creature had ever exist, was the two green tinged swords that fell beside the daughter of Zeus.

Electric blue overlapped the teal, the demigods orbit returning to normal while electricity dissolved back into the air. Wind spirits circled Amara, slowing her fall and speed.

But that wasn't what saved her, before she could hit the ground a mass of black awaited her. She crashed into the creature, wet dog smell reaching her nose and  wind spirits dispersed back into the air.

Mrs. O'Leary took the blunt of the fall, the hellhound's paws dragging against the dirt until they both collapsed.

Footsteps pounded against the earth, making their way towards her as the hellhound licked Amara's arm gently.

Daedalus appeared, giving the girl a smile who could hardly see it through her black dotted vision.

"Well done," the swordsmaster congratulated the demigod. "Can you stand?"

She tried, holding onto Mrs. O'Leary as she got to her feet. But within one step, she had lost her footing and began falling forward.

Only, instead of crashing into the ground she fell against a person. Arms reached back, gathering under her knees as she was hoisted on their back with ease. Through her dotted vision, she was able to make out a dark skinned boy. The familiar smell of fire breached her nose, and she immediately knew who it was underneath her.

Her arms wrapped loosely around his neck, her head falling against his shoulder as Beckendorf resisted the urge to smile.

The adoptive siblings were quiet, neither one speaking as the son of Hephaestus followed behind the inventor who began leading the duo towards the campers. Briares followed the demigods, the hundred handed one held a look of admiration towards the brunette. Joy swelled within the giant, his torturer's fate had finally caught up to her. Ironically, being dealt by the daughter of the same god who had done so last time.

"Daedalus," Percy croaked, his attention landing on the unusual paired group as Jake Mason and Silena Beauregard quickly made their way to the adoptive family's side.

The older demigods couldn't find it within them to even begin lecturing Amara, her head resting beside Beckendorf's with her electric blue eyes glazed over.

She looked exhausted, utterly worn out as the older boy carried her sword in one hand. Silena took it from the son of Hephaestus, offering a smile as she helped free his hands to keep her steady. Not like Charles needed it, he had been able to balance her weight just fine with only one arm.

"I found the Hundred-Handed one as I came through the maze," Daedalus explained. "It seems like he had the same idea, to come help, but he was lost. And so we fell in together. We both came to make amends."

"Yay!" Tyson jumped up and down. "Briares! I knew you would come!"

"I did not know," the hundred handed one said. "But you reminded me who I am, cyclops. You are the hero."

The cyclops blushed while the Jackson boy patted him on the back. "I knew that a long time ago," Percy said. "But, Daedalus . . . the Titan army is still down there. Even without the string, they'll be back. They'll find a way sooner or later, with Kronos leading them.

The son of Athena sheathed his sword. "You are right. As long as the Labyrinth is here, your enemies can use it. Which is why the Labyrinth cannot continue."

Annabeth stared at him. "But you said the Labyrinth is tied to your life force! As long as you're alive—"

"Yes, my young architect," Daedalus agreed. "When I die, the Labyrinth will die as well. And so I have a present for you."

He slung a leather satchel off his back, unzipping it to produce a sleek silver laptop computer, one of the ones Amara had seen in the workshop.

"My work is here," he said. "It's all I managed to save from the fire. Notes on projects I never started, some of my favorite designs. I couldn't develop these over the last few millennia, I did not dare reveal my work to the mortal world. But perhaps you will find it interesting."

He handed the computer to Annabeth, who stared at it like it was solid gold. "You're giving me this? But this is priceless! This is worth . . . I don't even know how much!"

"Small compensation for the way I have acted," Daedalus said. "You were right, Annabeth, about children of Athena. We should be wise, and I was not. Someday you will be a greater architect than I ever was. Take my ideas and improve them. It is the least I can do to pass on."

"Whoa," Percy said. "Pass on? But you can't just kill yourself. That's wrong!"

He shook his head. "Not as wrong as hiding from my crimes for two thousand years. Genius does not excuse evil, Percy. My time has come. I must face my punishment.

"You won't get a fair trial," Annabeth said. "The spirit of Minos sits in judgement—"

"I will take what comes," he said. "And trust in the justice of the Underworld, such as it is. That is all we can do, isn't it?"

He looked straight at Nico, and the di Angelo's boy face darkened.

"Yes," he said.

"Will you take my soul for ransom, then?" Daedalus asked. "You could use it to reclaim your sister."

"No," Nico said. "I will help you release your spirit. But Bianca has passed, she must stay where she is."

The son of Hades spared a look towards the daughter of Zeus, it was evident the older demigod wasn't paying attention. Her eyes locked on the grass below her, it was taking everything in her not to pass out.

The inventor nodded. "Well done, son of Hades. You are becoming wise."

"One last favor, Percy Jackson," Daedalus requested the boy. "I cannot leave Mrs. O'Leary alone. And she has no desire to return to the Underworld. Will you care for her?"

"Yeah," Percy agreed. "Of course I will."

"Then I am ready to see my son . . . and Perdix," he said. "I must tell them how sorry I am."

Annabeth had tears in her eyes.

Daedalus turned toward Nico, who drew his sword and simply said. "Your time has long since come, be released and rest."

A smile of relief spread across the son of Athena's face. He froze like a statue. His skin turned transparent, revealing the bronze gears and machinery whirring inside his body. Then, the statue turned to grey ashes and disintegrated.

Mrs. O'Leary howled. Beckendorf's grip tightening on Amara as the earth rumbled, the ancient Labyrinth collapsing underneath their feet.

"Come on," Percy instructed the campers. "We have work to do."

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01-02-25

     hello hello ! i'm so sorry for the late update it was a busy day, but, i hope you all enjoyed this chapter because i know i did ! and with that, we have one chapter left before tlo and i will see you all next tuesday !!