Another Trek Through Hell

Darkness. Infinite, unyielding darkness consumed me, swallowing every thought, every breath. What was the point anymore? Was there ever a point? I couldn't tell. We had won, yes, but at what cost? Now, I was alone.

Last time, I had something to hold onto—a destination, a sliver of hope, a way out. The odds were impossibly slim, but slim was still better than nothing. This time was different. There was no goal, no exit, just this endless abyss. I was trapped here, wasn't I?

Annabeth… I'm sorry. My voice cracked, barely a whisper. "Annabeth…" Tears spilled freely, carving hot trails down my face. "Why won't it end? Why won't this misery just end?" Memories crashed into me like waves, each one sharper, more painful than the last. They chipped away at my very soul, dragging me further into the pit—the inferno called Tartarus.

How long had I been falling? Hours? Days? Centuries? Time blurred, stretching into eternity as I plunged deeper and deeper… until the darkness began to shift. A crimson glow, faint at first, spread like poison through the void. The air grew heavy, suffocating, reeking of sulphur and despair.

And then, I saw it. Tartarus.

The landscape stretched endlessly beneath me, a twisted nightmare of jagged rocks and rivers of black sludge. In the distance, the Styx carved its sinister path through the wasteland, its inky waters reflecting nothing but emptiness. My chest tightened.

"No… Not Styx. Anything but that," I whispered, my voice trembling. Dread coiled around my heart, but there was no escape. The ground raced toward me, the river Styx widening to swallow me whole.

I clenched my teeth, steeling myself. With all the power I had left, I thrust my hand forward, willing the water to obey. "Move," I growled through clenched teeth, the effort shredding my voice.

Annabeth… My thoughts clung to her, a lifeline against the void. But focus eluded me. Mom… Her face blurred. Dad… His voice faded. My mind unraveled, fraying at the edges. The Stygian water obeyed, but it punished me for the audacity. It tore into my nostrils, burning down my throat, scorching my lungs.

Memories surged, a tidal wave of forgotten moments, each one threatening to drown me. I clung to nothing, helpless and adrift. Weak. Alone. Broken. Was there any hope left?

"I am Perseus Jackson," I thought, my mind a desperate whisper. "Son of Poseidon. I've cheated death before. I've outrun fate. But now… is this it? Is this how I finally die?"

The thought echoed in the void, unanswered. Even if I survived this fall, Tartarus itself would finish me. My eyes burned, my back slammed into the riverbed, and I lay there, unmoving. The water assaulted me, unrelenting, clawing at every fiber of my being. My gaze locked on the Styx's surface, watching the memories of mortal lives dissolve and vanish. Where did they go? Was there an end to this torment?

Would I be the first to disappear completely, my soul erased, not even a whisper left to be judged?

Why was I still alive? My lips moved, but no sound came. Water filled my mouth, choking me. Pain flared as my lungs screamed for air, but then, something changed. The river trembled beneath me, its currents shifting.

Instinct took over. My hands shot out, one on either side. The river's flow faltered, then stopped.

The Styx split in two. One stream surged forward, vanishing into the abyss, while the other spilled outward, carving new paths. And I… I lay between them, unmoving, my body trembling and burning.

My hands glowed—a brilliant bluish-green, shimmering with golden sparks that danced like fireflies. The light pulsed, fierce and alive, defying the oppressive void around me.

For what felt like an hour, I lay there, motionless, as immovable as a mountain. My hands refused to drop from their outstretched stance, locked in defiance against the river's relentless assault. My back clung stubbornly to the jagged riverbed, as though afraid to let go, and my body offered no energy, no strength, no will to rise.

My hands were seared bright red, raw and blistered from the Styx's touch. Every attempt to speak ended in failure; my voice was nothing more than a rasp, burned and broken.

The Fates truly hated me.

My eyes, wide and unblinking, refused to close. But exhaustion was stronger. The threads of consciousness unraveled, and slowly, inevitably, I succumbed to the domain of Morpheus.

—Line Break—

An hour? Half an hour? A day? A week? How long had I been unconscious? I couldn't tell. Time had lost all meaning in this forsaken place.

I forced my body to move. Every motion was agony, but somehow, with monumental effort, I managed to sit up. The sulfurous air clawed at my lungs, each breath a reminder of my fragile state. I didn't dare speak, afraid of what damage my ravaged throat might have endured.

Tentatively, my fingers moved to touch my face.

"Ahhh!"

The pain hit me like a tidal wave. The burned, raw skin of my face recoiled at the contact, and the scream that escaped my lips tore through my already shredded throat. I doubled over, wracked by pain, as the exertion sent fresh waves of fire coursing through my neck.

A vicious loop. One I quickly silenced by pressing my lips together, but even that simple act hurt.

Why am I even still alive? What's left for me to live for?

The thought lingered, bitter and relentless. No one would put me out of my misery—not here, not in Tartarus. Who would be foolish enough to come near the river Styx? No monster, no titan, no god. No one but the unlucky souls dragged across its cursed waters by Charon.

Charon. The ferryman himself was a pitiful creature, a being born of two Primordials: Erebus, the darkness, and Nyx, the night. Even he had no solace in this hellscape.

And yet, here I was, clinging to life in a place that promised nothing but torment.

Screw the Fates. Screw everything. Screw life, for gods' sake.

I pressed my palms against the jagged ground. The floor trembled under me, my anger radiating through the cracks, my powers feeding on my fury. The pain seared through my hands as sharp rocks bit into my flesh, but I didn't care. Pain was the only thing that reminded me I was still alive.

With a guttural growl, I pushed myself up. The ache was excruciating, but I ignored it, every nerve in my body screaming in protest.

"Tah—" I hissed through clenched teeth, the pain lashing at my throat. "Tar…tarus…"

The name itself was venom. The moment the word escaped my lips, the air around me grew heavier, the darkness thickened, clinging to me like tar. The very ground seemed to groan in recognition, as if Tartarus itself resented being named. But I didn't care.

This was hell, and I was in it—hellish in state, hellish in place.

My voice carried a declaration, a defiance: there may be no hope, but my existence, my survival, was hope itself.

I will survive.

This time, it won't be for the world. It won't be for some prophecy etched in stone, or for gods who see me as nothing more than a pawn. This time, I'll survive because there's someone out there—someone I love, someone who matters.

There's a future waiting for me. A future far from this hell, far from Tartarus. A future that doesn't reek of sulfur and despair.

I'll live to see that future. I'll live to feel the sun on my skin again, to breathe air that doesn't burn my lungs. I'll live for a life beyond gods, titans, giants, and monsters.

This time, I'll survive for me.

I raised my right hand, and the glow, the one that had appeared earlier appeared again. I willed it, bent it to my desire and then it bursted enveloping my surrounding and then disappeared, leaving behind a fresh scent of sea, a small area around me that didn't reek the atrocious smell of Tartarus.

Suddenly, a burn I hadn't realised was felt by my entire body stopped, nulled as the sulfurous air was removed.

I looked at Styx. The only way was backwards. In front of me, Styx was split into two humongous streams, both of which would block my passageway to other sides. I can't even trace Styx backwards now, that would have taken me back to the mortal world, or at least underworld, since Syx originates from mortal world only.

But that plan is a no go unless I want to be charred again. So the only way forward is to go deeper in tartarus.

I will get out of here. Maybe not today, tomorrow, day after tomorrow, or even a month or a year. But I will get out… for myself and Annabeth.

—Line Break—

I had been walking for hours. Or maybe days. I wasn't sure anymore. Every muscle in my body screamed for rest, but where could I stop? Could I even afford to stop? The exhaustion weighed on me like lead, but my instincts pushed me forward.

The monsters of Tartarus had already found me. Those that lingered near the Styx must have caught my scent. They had tried to hunt me, their hunger driving them into reckless attacks. None of them made it close enough to strike. Each one fell to Riptide before they could reach arm's length.

Ahead, a ledge loomed, barely visible through the oppressive crimson haze of Tartarus. The Styx had disappeared from sight long ago, swallowed by the desolation.

At first, I couldn't see the drop, only the way the ground subtly tilted upward near its edge. But I knew it was there. Somehow, I just knew. I kept walking, my boots scraping the dry, lifeless ground, until I stood at the brink.

I looked down.

The chasm was massive, its depths riddled with shadowed caves. Movement caught my eye—a slinking, predatory motion that sent a chill down my spine. There were monsters down there. Massive, lion-like creatures with human faces, spiked tails, and rows of jagged spines along their backs.

"What… the hell," I muttered, my voice raw and barely audible. Even speaking hurt, my throat burning from the effort.

Manticores. A whole herd of them.

Crossing this stretch of land was out of the question.

Slowly, I stepped back from the ledge, my eyes never leaving the writhing mass below. I turned and chose another direction, one that veered away from both the Styx and the ledge. I didn't know where I was going, only that I needed to keep moving.

That's when I heard it.

"Shh-shh."

My head snapped to the side, every nerve in my body instantly on edge. The sound was faint but unmistakable: the light, deliberate steps of something humanoid.

"Slink-slink."

My fingers tightened around Riptide as I uncapped it, the celestial bronze blade gleaming faintly even in the dull red gloom. My mind went into overdrive, every sense sharpening as I strained to pick up any hint of movement.

"Scuff-scuff."

My breath hitched. There wasn't just one set of footsteps. There were multiple.

They were circling me.

I bolted.

The hushed sounds turned to chaos as monsters leapt out, startled by my sudden movement. My heart pounded in my chest, but I didn't stop.

And then—

Oh, shit.

A ghoul-like creature materialized directly in my path, its claws glinting as it lunged. Instinct took over. I met its charge with Riptide, the blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. I sidestepped its initial attack, dodging a slash aimed at my face.

Its second strike came faster, but I was ready. My blade sliced through its hand, severing its momentum. Before it could recover, I grabbed its injured arm, twisted it sharply, and drove my sword into its neck. The creature crumpled, lifeless, as I yanked Riptide free.

No time to catch my breath.

I ran. Again.

—Line Break—

I collapsed onto the strange, stretched-membrane-like ground, gasping for air. Above me loomed a bizarre forest of red and gold mushrooms, their towering caps casting distorted shadows in the dim, otherworldly light. The air felt thick and wrong, like it was pressing down on my chest.

How did I even get here?

One moment, I'd been standing at the ledge, then I was surrounded. I ran—faster and farther than I thought possible—stumbling over jagged rocks and uneven terrain. The next thing I knew, I had somehow ended up… here. Wherever "here" was.

A soft sound cut through the stillness.

"Meow."

Every muscle in my body tensed as I turned my head sharply toward the noise. My breath caught in my throat as I saw it—a skeletal kitten.

Yes, skeletal.

The tiny creature padded toward me with an eerie kind of grace, its delicate, bone-like structure clicking faintly with each step. My heart raced, not with fear, but with sheer confusion.

'What the—'

Before I could finish the thought, the kitten hopped onto my chest. Its weight—or lack thereof—barely registered as it curled into a tiny, perfectly round ball, its hollow sockets somehow managing to look… peaceful.

And then, as if nothing about this was remotely bizarre, it fell asleep.

I blinked, utterly dumbfounded.

'Did this skeleton of a cat just… adopt me? What the fuck?'

I hesitated before gently patting the hard, skeletal head of the kitten, immediately pulling my fingers back at the first contact. It was so strange. Unnerving, even. But it didn't seem to mind.

"Whatever," I muttered to myself. At least there didn't seem to be any monsters nearby.

I leaned my head back, resting it against the strange, membrane-like ground. It was the only surface I'd found in Tartarus that wasn't jagged or uncomfortable. My body felt impossibly heavy, as though the mere act of staying awake was a battle I was losing. I tried to lift a hand, but it refused to move.

My eyelids drooped.

And then…

"Scritch-scritch."

A faint, sharp pain on my cheek jolted me awake. It wasn't unbearable, just enough to be uncomfortable, but the rush of adrenaline that followed hit like a tidal wave. My eyes flew open as my brain screamed a single warning: You're in Tartarus.

I bolted upright, but the surge of fear evaporated almost instantly.

The kitten.

"Mew," it chirped innocently, tilting its skeletal head as if to say, What's your problem? Its tiny, golden eyes—wait, golden eyes?—blinked at me from its hollow sockets.

I froze, staring at it in disbelief. I hadn't noticed before, but its eye sockets weren't empty. The little golden orbs shimmered faintly as the kitten tilted its head again, dropping something from its tiny jaws onto the ground.

It meowed and then lifted one skeletal forelimb, pointing at the dropped object as if urging me to take it.

I cautiously picked it up. The thing was a slimy, white-yellowish item with a texture that felt... unsettling. I looked at the kitten, utterly baffled.

"Mew, meow… mew," it chirped, the sounds almost conversational. Of course, I didn't understand a word.

The kitten seemed to sigh, as though exasperated with my slowness, and padded over to another object like the one it had given me. It bit into it with its tiny fangs, tearing a chunk off, and swallowed it effortlessly.

"Eep!" it squeaked playfully before hopping toward me, nudging the item in my hand with its bony nose.

I stared at the thing for a long moment before resigning myself to my fate. I hadn't eaten in what felt like an eternity, and the kitten—skeletal and bizarre as it was—seemed to trust it.

With a grimace, I took a tentative bite. The slimy texture slid over my tongue, and I fought the urge to gag as I forced it down. My throat burned as it slithered down, leaving behind a sensation I was sure I'd never forget.

The kitten squeaked again, seemingly satisfied, and leapt back onto my chest. It curled up into a tiny ball, tucking its bony paws under itself, and promptly fell asleep.

I stared down at it, utterly dumbfounded.

"What the fuck?" I muttered under my breath, wincing as the slimy morsel settled uncomfortably in my stomach.

My hands moved gently over the tiny kitten, her skeletal frame oddly smooth and cold to the touch. She purred—a soft, almost melodic sound—and shifted slightly, as though enjoying the gesture. The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on me.

I was petting a skeleton kitten.

A skeleton kitten that had fed me, no less, even if the food was slimy and borderline disgusting. But despite everything, there was a strange comfort in her presence. For the first time since I'd arrived in Tartarus, I didn't feel completely alone.

"I should give you a name," I murmured, gazing down at her.

The kitten tilted her skeletal head as if she understood, then gave a tiny, deliberate nod.

I couldn't help but smile. She was... cute.

Wait. She?

Why did I assume the kitten was female? Could a skeleton even have a gender? For all I knew, she—or it—could be anything. Or nothing at all.

"I guess I'll call you Ivory," I said finally, the name popping into my mind.

Ivory let out a pleased purr in response, her little golden eyes glinting in the dim light. Before I could process just how strange this whole interaction was, she climbed onto me with surprising agility. Her bony cheek pressed gently against mine, and for a moment, it felt almost warm.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Alright, fine. You're Ivory. And you're a girl now."

Because honestly? Why not?

—Line Break—

Ivory and I had been wandering through the mushroom forest for what felt like days now. There were no monsters here—none at all. Sure, we'd come across some gnomes and other small creatures, but I wouldn't call them proper, fully-fledged monsters. More like magical oddities, if anything.

The strange, slimy food Ivory had given me turned out to be the sap of a certain type of mushroom. How she knew it was safe to eat, I had no clue. But honestly? I wasn't going to question it. The important thing was I wasn't going to starve. It might have been disgusting, but it was still better than nothing.

What I had learned, though, was that Ivory didn't actually need to eat to survive. She was a proper monster, after all—just a cute little diva of a monster, but a monster nonetheless.

"Mew," Ivory called, breaking me from my thoughts.

I looked down at her, and immediately, I was met with those golden eyes—the pleading look she had mastered since the moment we first met.

"Oh, fine. Don't give me that look," I grumbled, sighing as I reached down to pick her up and settle her on my shoulder. "Happy now?"

Ivory purred in satisfaction, her little body curling comfortably against me.

"Prrr…" she responded, clearly pleased with herself.

"Spoiled brat," I muttered under my breath, but just as I did, I felt the light scratch of her claws against my cheek.

"Ouch," I winced, reaching up to rub the spot where her claws had grazed my skin.

Ivory looked at me, completely unbothered, her golden eyes glinting mischievously.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, I sighed in frustration. "We're lost in this endless mushroom forest, aren't we?" I muttered, cursing my luck.

I glanced up at the towering mushrooms around us. The underside of a few of them emitted a soft, eerie glow, casting an ethereal light that only added to the strange atmosphere of the place. Meanwhile, the massive caps of the gigantic mushrooms blocked out what little light managed to seep through Tartarus's thick, oppressive sky, leaving us in near twilight.

"How good are you at climbing?" I asked Ivory, giving her a playful nudge.

"Eep!" She jumped, startled, and immediately shook her head, clearly not up for the task.

"Fine, fine. Just stay put for a while," I sighed, carefully picking her up and setting her down on the smooth, membrane-like ground. "I'll try climbing to see if there's an end to this place."

I stood up and surveyed the nearest mushroom, which was tall enough to reach the sky—or at least that's how it felt in the twisted, endless forest. The stem was thick, and the surface was slick but solid. There was no way I was getting a good grip on it with my bare hands.

I grabbed a nearby rock and wedged it into the crevice of the mushroom's surface, hoping it would hold.

The kitten didn't seem particularly concerned, rolling onto her back with a contented purr.

I rolled my eyes and began to climb, the edges of the mushroom stem digging into my palms as I pulled myself up. The glow from the mushroom underbelly flickered like the light of a faraway lantern, making the climb harder than it should've been. Tartarus's atmosphere felt thick, oppressive, and every step seemed to echo with the weight of this twisted place.

A few feet up, I paused to catch my breath and get my bearings. The top was still lost in the inky blackness above, and the air clung to me, thick with the scent of earth and rot. Glancing down, I saw Ivory perched at the base of the mushroom, her golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim, eerie light. She didn't look particularly concerned, which was honestly more than I could say for myself.

I pushed forward, climbing steadily without looking back this time, even as my palms burned from gripping the slick surface. The mushroom seemed endless, but eventually, I reached what looked like the top of the stem. Relief flooded me—until I realized I had a new problem.

The mushroom's cap loomed above me, its underside a tangled, veiny, webbed structure. It stretched outward like an impenetrable ceiling, the strange material pulsing faintly as if alive.

"Great," I muttered, wiping sweat from my brow. "Now what?"

For a moment, I just stared at it, trying to come up with a plan. Finally, an idea—a dumb one, but still a plan—popped into my head.

I reached out and grabbed one of the veiny knots, testing its strength. It was surprisingly sturdy, which was good because this plan hinged on it not breaking. Uncapping Anaklusmos with a practiced motion, I slashed through the webbing in a single stroke, carving out a hole big enough to climb through. The webbing recoiled, trembling slightly as if the mushroom itself didn't appreciate being stabbed.

"Sorry," I muttered under my breath, hoisting myself up through the gap.

When I finally reached the top, I froze.

As far as my eyes could see, there were only mushrooms. Red, yellow, gold—some glowing faintly, others ominously dark. Transparent caps scattered here and there reflected the crimson atmosphere of Tartarus, while smaller mushrooms clustered like fields beneath their towering cousins. The forest stretched endlessly, a bizarre, otherworldly landscape with no visible edge.

But then—wait.

I squinted into the distance. There, just at the edge of my vision, something flickered. It was faint, barely noticeable in the reddish haze, but it was there.

"Phlegethon?" I whispered. My heart raced as I tried to focus on the golden-orange glow, wondering if it was really the River of Fire or just another illusion conjured by this cursed place. Either way, it was the first thing that even remotely resembled a direction.

"Well," I muttered, sliding Anaklusmos back into pen form and securing it in my pocket. "Not like I have any better options."

Climbing down was faster, though no less nerve-wracking. By the time I reached the base, Ivory was already waiting, sitting primly as if she had all the time in the world. She tilted her skeletal head, her golden eyes locking onto mine.

"We might've found a way out," I said, scooping her up. She purred in approval, curling against my chest as if this were all just another adventure.

With that, I started walking, keeping my eyes fixed on the distant flicker of light. If it really was Phlegethon, it could lead me somewhere. At least somewhere out of this never-ending forest.

"Mew, MEOW!" Ivory whined after a while, jumped out of my arms regally, and began walking on her own after dusting off the non-existent dirt from her equally non-existent fur.

"Drama queen…" I muttered under my breath.

As we got closer to where I had spotted the river, the mushrooms started getting shorter but denser. Their numbers increased exponentially, and then suddenly… there were none.

The golden-orange stream of fire rushed through the landscape faster than a cheetah. It looked menacing, like a piece of the sun flowing as a river, ready to scorch anything daring to cross its path. I glanced back. The mushroom forest stood like a wall—dense, thick, and eerily unwilling to encroach upon the riverbank. Weird.

"Well… this is interesting…" I murmured, stepping closer to the river.

I cupped my hands, scooping up a handful of the fiery water. Bringing it closer to my lips, the scent hit me—burning wood. The taste was worse, like a vile mixture of gasoline and something I couldn't quite place. The moment the liquid coursed down my throat, a compulsive urge to puke clawed at me, but I gritted my teeth and suppressed it.

Last time, Phlegethon water hadn't just filled me; it had healed me. I was counting on it to do the same again. Sure, the mushroom sap filled my stomach, and despite being disgustingly slimy in texture and taste, it still trumped the flavor of this fiery liquid. But the water of the Phlegethon? It was the better option for survival. Beggars can't be choosers.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, grimacing as the acrid aftertaste of the Phlegethon water lingered on my tongue. It was like swallowing liquid fire mixed with motor oil—a far cry from anything even remotely palatable. But as the warmth spread through my body, I felt its effects. The dull ache in my muscles eased, and the persistent burn of fatigue lessened. The river's water might taste like Tartarus itself—fitting, given where we were—but it was undeniably effective.

Ivory watched me cautiously, her golden eyes narrowed as if she didn't trust the glowing stream. Her tail swished back and forth, betraying her irritation—or was it concern?

"Relax, I'm fine," I assured her, though my voice was hoarse. "It's not poison… at least, not for me."

Ivory didn't seem convinced. She padded over to the edge of the riverbank, her skeletal form illuminated by the fiery glow of the water. She sniffed cautiously at the river, recoiling immediately with a hiss.

"See? Told you it's gross," I said, smirking.

She turned her head sharply, as if to say, You're the idiot who drank it, not me. Then, with an almost theatrical huff, she flicked her tail and strutted back to my side, muttering a low, disapproving meow.

"Yeah, yeah. Noted." I ruffled her bony head, earning a grudging purr in return. "You're lucky you don't have to deal with hunger, you know. Some of us still need calories."

Ivory blinked slowly, clearly unimpressed by my argument. She sat down, curling her tail neatly around her feet, and fixed me with an expectant look.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "You think you're the boss now?"

"Mew," she chirped, tilting her head as if to say, Aren't I?

I laughed softly despite myself. "Okay, Your Majesty. What's the plan, then?"

She didn't answer, obviously, but her gaze drifted back to the river, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. Following her lead, I studied the rushing flames. The Phlegethon didn't just flow—it surged, like a living thing. The air around it shimmered with heat, and the flames twisted and flickered as though they had a mind of their own.

"Let's follow the stream," I said, my tone now more serious than before. I had no plan. I didn't know what to do. But… if the river took me to the place I had seen last time in Tartarus, I could retrace the path I had taken then… and eventually find Damasen, the gentle giant stuck in the swamp. "Let's go, Ivory," I spoke softly and started walking.

The riverbank was jagged, its surface resembling broken glass. By now, Tartarus had already destroyed my shoes… so I was essentially walking barefoot. I followed the river, but from a distance, preferring to walk over the membrane-like floor of the mushroom forest.

Unfortunately, this blessing soon vanished. After only a few days, the Phlegethon River led us out of the never-ending mushrooms that had plagued me for what felt like days… or maybe weeks? I didn't know.

"Whizz!" What the…? I ducked, and Ivory screeched as a small, barely audible sound heightened our senses, rushing us with the realization that something was coming. "Shhh…" I sidestepped as a long, white, rope-like string barely missed me. I pulled Riptide out and sliced through the string, which continued extending further.

My eyes traced the direction from where the attack had come and spotted a large, semi-humanoid figure, with the face of a lady and the body of a giant spider—Arachne…

Seeing her, my body started to shake with anger. She had made Annabeth suffer immensely during her quest. She had gone down too easily, considering what she had done.

"Ah… A demigod… down here?" Arachne's voice was filled with deep resentment. "A mortal fool, even down here… You all deserve it the most!"

"Arachne," I murmured, my voice laced with rage, the ominous sound of the Phlegethon backing my single word. For a moment, I noticed a flicker in the monster's eyes, as if a small sliver of fear rushed through her, but perhaps I was mistaken.

"So, what's your name, spawn of Olympus?" she sneered, her voice gritty as she came closer. Ivory shivered and hid behind my leg while I kept my sword in a relaxed but ready-to-strike position.

"Name's," I started, slowly circling her, my eyes—unbeknownst to me—glowing an ominous mix of cerulean and crimson. "Perseus Jackson."

"Son of Poseidon…" Arachne said, and this time, I definitely saw fear seep into her eyes. The tremble in her voice only confirmed it. "How… You should be dead by now…"

"Let's just say," I said, drawing closer to her, still circling her like a predator stalking its prey. I could feel Ivory staying close behind me, hiding behind my legs as she followed my movements. "Let's just say the Fates are cruel… But I assure you," my voice held malice so deep it could burn the entire Empire State Building to the ground, "I can be much crueler to those who have hurt my loved ones…"

The warning hung in the air for only a fraction of a second before I lunged, my sword ready to strike as I drew closer.

Arachne immediately sent a flurry of her silky webs in panic, but I cut through them one by one effortlessly. Arachne was a colossal being, her spider half at least ten feet tall, while the human part was only five. But nothing intimidated me anymore, not after facing titans, giants, and primordials…

Arachne raised her spider legs to attack me, and as the blow came, instead of dodging, I grabbed one. The monstrous woman froze, shocked, and looked at me… and when she stared into the abyss… it stared back.

One by one, Riptide tore through all eight of Arachne's spider legs, not giving her a sliver of time to retaliate.

"I don't know what happens to monsters when they die in Tartarus…" I murmured, glaring into her black eyes, "But you should pray to the Fates that you will be erased from existence."

I raised my right hand, and a blue glow enveloped it. Immediately, a loud cracking and thundering sound followed as the waters of Phlegethon rushed in at lightning speed, but instead of engulfing her, I allowed the water to slowly rise, giving her plenty of time to think.

"Let's go, Ivory," I said, lowering myself to gently pick up my lovely companion.

"Mew," she chirped, climbing onto my head before curling into a comfortable position.

Arachne's cries filled the air, a series of curses in Greek, Latin, English, Italian, and more, followed by begging for mercy in various languages. I glanced at her one last time before continuing on my journey, following the flow of the Phlegethon as the water slowly engulfed Arachne.

—Line Break—

Wasn't that needlessly cruel? I asked myself for the billionth time. An emptiness lingered in my chest, gnawing at me since the moment I had left Arachne behind. It had been a while since the incident. No other monster had attacked me since. That, in itself, was strange. This was Tartarus—supposedly the turf of monsters, titans, and giants. Yet, I wandered largely undisturbed.

Among the beasts, am I one of them? The question kept echoing in my mind. Why did I make Arachne suffer like that? Was I really that angry? Had I completely lost control?

"I wish there was somewhere to rest…" I muttered. Ivory, ever the silent comfort, nuzzled her small cheeks against mine. The gesture carried a warmth that was entirely unlike the blistering, oppressive heat of Tartarus.

I stroked her gently, and she purred, the sound low and soothing. I didn't know how long we'd been together, but it was long enough for her to feel like the one constant I could rely on. I couldn't help but smile faintly at her devotion. "Yes, Ivory, I'm fine," I murmured, my voice quieter this time, more for myself than her.

"Mew," she replied with a lazy yawn. Then, as if sensing that things were calm—for now—she climbed from my shoulder to my head and promptly fell asleep.

The Tartarean excursion was as terrible as ever. I trudged onward, the landscape refusing to relent. Sometimes the terrain turned worse—pointy glass shards, needle-like protrusions, or worse still, paths swarming with hordes of monsters. Every time I thought I was getting used to this hellish place, it would find a new way to break me.

The journey was relentless, a cruel game of endurance. And if Tartarus was even half as large as Earth, how could I ever hope to find a way out? It felt like trying to find a needle in a haystack—but the needle was barely a centimeter long, and the haystack spanned an entire barn.

And then there were the Doors of Death. They were no longer here. I couldn't rely on them this time. So… what was my plan? Where was I even going?

The realization hit me like a tidal wave. Why hadn't I thought about this earlier? Yes, I wanted to get back to the path I'd taken last time, but then what? It wasn't as though retracing my steps would magically get me back to the mortal world. Tartarus didn't work that way.

I groaned, running a hand through my hair in frustration. I was truly lost. Lost in a place that had no anchor to ground me and no compass to guide me.

—Line Break—Unknown Amount Of Time Later—Line Break—

"You can't catch me!" I called out, a rare grin splitting my face as I jogged ahead. Ivory sprinted after me, her tiny kitten paws pattering against the membrane-like ground, trying her best to keep up.

Her golden eyes burned with determination, and for a moment, I forgot we were in Tartarus. It was almost… fun. Almost.

Ivory let out an indignant "Mew!" as I picked up speed, kicking up bits of ash and soot with every step. "Oh, come on," I teased, glancing over my shoulder. "Is that all you've got?"

With a sudden burst of speed that I honestly didn't know a skeleton kitten could muster, Ivory launched herself into the air. Before I could react, she landed squarely on my shoulder, her claws lightly gripping for balance.

"Okay, okay, you got me!" I laughed, stumbling to a stop. Ivory let out a triumphant purr, curling her tail around my neck like a scarf. "You win, Ivory, master of stealth and speed. What's next, teaching me how to properly stalk my enemies?"

She flicked her tail in response, her version of a smug smile, before hopping down to chase a flickering ember drifting too close to the riverbank. I couldn't help but watch her, marveling at how something so small could make this cursed place feel a little less bleak.

But my momentary distraction was short-lived. As I glanced at the terrain around us, a sense of familiarity crept into my mind. The jagged ground, the faint glow of the Phlegethon, and the looming shadows of twisted rock formations—it all felt like I'd been here before.

I stopped walking, my heart skipping a beat as the memory came rushing back. "Wait…" I muttered, turning in place. "This… this looks like…"

Ivory tilted her head at me, her golden eyes questioning.

"The Hermes Temple," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. My last time in Tartarus, I'd passed through this very area. The Hermes Temple wasn't far from here.

Suddenly, the suffocating air felt a little lighter, and my footsteps carried just a bit more purpose. If the temple was still there, it could be a key—a way to figure out what to do next.

"Come on, Ivory," I said, my tone resolute. "We've got a destination now."

A few hours of trudging later, Ivory and I stood before the Hermes Temple. It hadn't changed a single bit since the last time I was here. The structure, though old and worn, stood defiant against the relentless cruelty of Tartarus. The sign of Hermes, a caduceus, was still emblazoned above the archway, faintly glowing with divine magic.

The doors were wide open, just as I'd left them before. A strange pang of nostalgia hit me as I stepped forward, memories from my first journey in this hellscape bubbling to the surface.

I pushed the heavy doors closed behind me, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. The faint hum of divine magic in the air was tangible—an invisible barrier that kept the monsters of Tartarus at bay. This temple must have once stood on Earth, perhaps abandoned and forgotten, until it fell into this abyss during the transition of the Western flame.

Despite its ancient and battered appearance, the temple still held an aura of power. The divine wards etched into the stone walls were as strong as ever, their magic woven so tightly that not even Tartarus could unravel them.

Inside, the atmosphere was vastly different from the outside. The air felt lighter, less suffocating. Though the interior was far from cozy—stone benches, cracked walls, and an altar covered in a thick layer of dust—it was still leagues better than the jagged hellscape I had just come from.

Ivory leapt gracefully from my shoulder onto one of the benches, curling into a small ball with her golden eyes peering up at me. I gave her a small smile before glancing around.

The faint, sweet smell of never-ending incense lingered in the air, a soothing aroma that made my body feel unnaturally heavy. I hadn't felt this calm in… I couldn't even remember how long.

"I think… I'll doze off for now," I murmured, the words slurring as my body finally gave in.

I sank onto the cold stone floor, leaning my back against the wall as my eyelids fluttered shut. Ivory purred softly beside me, her warmth a comforting presence as I slipped into the realm of Morpheus, leaving Tartarus behind—if only for a little while.

I woke up after what felt like hours—maybe even a whole day—but I didn't feel even remotely refreshed. Then again, I hadn't felt truly rested since I fell. Sleep was rare, and when it did come, it was a roulette of nightmares. Most of the time, I drifted between exhaustion and a half-conscious state, like a living zombie. Nico would be proud.

I stretched, wincing as my muscles protested. The dull ache in my body had become a constant companion, as familiar as Riptide at my side. Ivory yawned from her spot on my lap, lazily blinking up at me before curling back into a ball.

"I'll stay here for a while," I muttered. It wasn't like I had anywhere better to be. At least the temple provided some protection, and—more importantly—some food. Offerings from the mortal world had somehow made their way through the divine flame, resting on the altar. Crackers, dried fruit, and some ambrosia. Not a five-star meal, but way better than the alternatives Tartarus had to offer.

As I chewed on a piece of cracker, a thought struck me. Could I send a message?

Maybe. Probably. Hermes was the god of messengers, after all. It was worth a shot.

I started searching the temple for anything resembling paper. No luck. After a few minutes of rummaging, I settled for tearing a strip of fabric from an old banner hanging near the altar. It was dusty, frayed, and definitely not meant to be used as a letter, but beggars in the depths of hell couldn't be choosers.

Uncapping Riptide, I twisted the cap onto the backside of the hilt, and it shrank back into a pen. The familiar weight in my hand was oddly comforting as I scrawled a quick message on the fabric.

'I am still alive. How is everyone? I will find a way out. —Percy'

It was short, simple, and straight to the point. I wasn't sure what else to write. The journey had been too cruel so far, and I had no desire to relive it by putting it into words.

The war wasn't over for me. My break was yet to come.

Now, I just had to hope Hermes still checked his mail.

I waited. And waited.

Days passed, but no reply came. The small flicker of hope that my message had gone through slowly burned to ashes.

"Ivory, let's leave," I said at last. There was no point in staying here any longer.

"Meow?" Ivory tilted her skeletal head, golden eyes searching mine, as if trying to understand why I had clung to this place for so long.

"We're going to Damasen," I said, pushing open the temple door. "To his hut in the swamp."

Ivory leapt onto my shoulder, nuzzling my cheek briefly before settling into her usual perch. I gave her a gentle scratch behind the ear before stepping outside.

The last time I had found the swamp, it had been by accident. This time, I walked with purpose.

But something was wrong.

Perses' power—the one that had once let me navigate Tartarus instinctively—was fading. The deep, almost supernatural understanding of this place that had once guided me was now just… gone. I still had the other abilities I had gained from defeating him, but this? It was like a severed connection, like a map I could no longer read.

Had the terrain shifted? Or had something—someone—cut off my access?

Whatever. I'd just follow the path I remembered. My goal was the swamp.

Hours turned into days. Days into weeks. Weeks into months.

The journey became a never-ending cycle of suffering. At times, the heat was unbearable, the ground molten beneath my feet. Other times, the cold cut through me like blades of ice. Food had run out long ago. I passed through Tartarean forests—twisted, spiked things filled with poison and death. Plateaus, jagged cliffs, endless black plains. But nothing familiar.

I was lost. Again.

"Mew."

Ivory suddenly lifted her head, ears twitching. Then, without warning, she jumped off my shoulder and bolted forward.

"What is it, girl?" I called, hurrying after her.

She led me to a cavernous pit. At first, I didn't understand what I was looking at—just a mass of muscle fibers slowly knitting themselves together, sizzling as the sulfurous air reacted with the forming flesh.

Then I realized.

"…Hyperion."

The Titan of Light was reforming. And if I was here when he finished, it wouldn't take him long to find me.

I crouched and stroked Ivory's head. "Good job."

She purred, rubbing her bony body against my hand.

Then I stood, uncapped Riptide, and drove the celestial bronze blade straight into Hyperion's neck.

BOOM!

A blinding explosion erupted from the impact, as if a thousand sticks of TNT had detonated at once. The force sent me flying, Ivory clutched tightly in my arms.

By pure instinct, I willed something—anything—to happen.

The air itself seemed to bend to my command. Droplets of moisture, almost nonexistent in the dry wasteland of Tartarus, coalesced in the air. For a fraction of a second, they resisted the force flinging me away—slowing my momentum just enough before—

THUD!

Pain shot through my body as I hit the ground. I groaned, rolling onto my side. It still hurt like Hades, but I knew it would've been a lot worse without whatever that had been.

Slowly, I pushed myself up and staggered toward the crater where Hyperion had been.

There was nothing left of him. Only golden dust, scattered across the pit.

Then—

The dust moved.

I barely had time to react before it surged toward me, slamming into my chest like a comet.

Pain.

Raw, searing, blinding pain.

I screamed, my body lifting off the ground. It was just like when I had killed Perses—except a thousand times worse.

The power rushed through me, burning, overwhelming. My throat went hoarse from screaming before I even realized I was screaming. Tears streaked down my face and dried before I even noticed I was crying.

Then—

Darkness.

How long…?

Probably days this time too, I thought, forcing my eyes open against the searing pain. The ever-present darkness of Tartarus greeted me, its dreary landscape just as unforgiving as ever.

A small, cold, bony head nuzzled against my neck. Ivory.

I gently pulled her up. "You okay, Ivory?"

She let out a soft meow in response.

"How long was I out?"

Ivory tilted her head, her golden eyes studying me. Then she chirped, "Mew, meow mew."

I sighed. "Ah, I assume that means a couple of days?"

She was not amused. A sharp claw raked across my hand.

"Ouch! Okay, okay—so even longer?"

Ivory nodded, then jumped onto my chest in protest, her bony form pressing uncomfortably against my ribs.

"Ahh! Okay, okay—don't do that, it hurts! Sorry!" I lifted her carefully and sat up, my body screaming in protest. Slowly, I placed her on my shoulder and took in my surroundings.

The landscape was bleak as ever—black plains stretching endlessly in every direction. But in the far distance, strange, towering silhouettes loomed, rising from the ground and disappearing into the orange-tinged sky.

"So, what should we do next?" I asked rhetorically.

Ivory gave a pointed "Mew," which, knowing her, probably translated to something like: You not dying every thirty days would be a good start.

I chuckled. "No can do, sweetheart. No can do." I scratched behind her skeletal ears.

Something was different.

I could feel it.

Hyperion's power had merged with mine. A warm, golden energy coursed through me, mixing with the two others already inside me.

The sea's power—an intense, deep green.

Perses' power—dark, burning crimson.

Hyperion's power—a bright, flickering yellow.

Strangely enough, the Titan abilities hadn't overpowered my own—they had amplified them. The ocean's strength inside me was stronger than ever, the dominant force among the three. Hyperion's power, by comparison, felt… diluted.

Whatever. Power can go to Tartarus.

…Bad comparison.

It can go to Hades.

Wait. Already worse than Hades.

It can go to the abyss for all I care!

I shook my head. Enough thinking. Those distant silhouettes were my only lead.

I started walking.

The closer I got, the more the landscape warped into something even more hellish—yes, even more than usual. The air became hotter, nearly unbearable, waves of heat rippling off the ground. The strange structures ahead weren't just silhouettes anymore.

They weren't towers.

They were pillars.

Massive stone pillars, hundreds of meters wide, stretching skyward like jagged ropes anchoring Tartarus itself. Lava spewed from cracks along their sides, forming molten waterfalls. The ground beneath them was worse—lava lakes, bubbling and hissing, and geysers of molten rock erupting in unpredictable bursts.

Yes. Lava geysers. What the hell?

Then—

THUMP.

The sound echoed across the wasteland.

A footstep.

THUMP.

Another.

Something massive was moving.

I darted behind one of the enormous stone pillars, pressing myself against the burning rock. Ivory clung to my shoulder, her tiny claws gripping my shirt.

I peeked around the edge.

And immediately wished I hadn't.

A monstrous figure, at least a hundred meters tall, strode across the landscape with terrifying ease. Its upper body was vaguely human, but its lower half was wrong.

Scaled legs. A massive, dragon-like tail. Giant pincers jutting from its sides.

And that wasn't even the worst part.

Fifty heads.

Not one. Not two. Fifty. Different animal heads were fused into its grotesque form—wolves, lions, serpents, creatures I couldn't even name. Each one snarled, hissed, or snapped at the air.

THUMP.

The creature dragged a massive whip behind it, its length coiling and uncoiling like a living thing. When it lashed out—

SWISH!

The sound alone made my bones vibrate, as if the air itself was screaming in pain.

Oh, gods.

Kampe.

The Guardian of Tartarus.

I had seen her once before—back in the Second Titan War. But she had been smaller then, constrained by the Labyrinth. This… this was her true form.

Ivory shivered against me.

I didn't blame her.

I pressed myself lower against the stone, barely daring to breathe.

For once, I had no jokes left.

I just sat there. Waiting. Hoping she would march away.

For a long while, I stayed rooted in place. Kampe's footsteps sent tremors through the ground, a constant, crushing reminder of how insignificant I was compared to some of the beings down here.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the thundering footsteps faded into the distance. The oppressive weight in the air lifted—well, as much as it could in Tartarus. The landscape was still a nightmare of lava-covered terrain, but at least I could breathe again.

"Let's get out of here," I murmured to Ivory, holding her close to my chest as I hurried away from the strange region of giant, rocky ropes and boiling lakes.

By now, the hunger had settled in, gnawing at my insides.

I was starving.

I hadn't eaten in weeks.

Not that Tartarus had much in the way of fine dining. I wasn't about to start eating monsters—most turned to golden dust anyway, and the ones that didn't (like Drakons or the Nemean Lion) weren't exactly easy prey. Even if I could hunt them, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stomach monster meat.

So yeah. Everything was just sunshine and rainbows.

Truly.

Everything fucking sucked.

Days passed—slowly, painfully. Then, finally, I spotted something in the distance.

A river.

Its surface shimmered with a deep, crimson hue.

Acheron.

The River of Pain.

Of all the cursed rivers in the Underworld, Acheron was one of the more interesting ones. Some myths claimed it was a mixture of Phlegethon and Cocytus. Others said that both Styx and Cocytus sprang from it. Its waters were rumored to have strange, almost refreshing properties.

Also, it whispered.

And showed you visions.

And made you want to drown yourself.

Yeah. I had personal experience with that last part.

I approached the bank cautiously.

It was your fault.

A chorus of voices rose from the river, overlapping, shifting. Faces formed on the surface, flickering like distorted reflections.

Beckendorf.

Zoe.

Bianca.

So many more.

You could have saved us.

You should have tried harder.

You live while we are dead.

I clenched my fists. The memories struck raw, like reopened wounds, but I forced myself to breathe through it.

"No," I murmured. "I've made peace with the dead. You can't show me this."

The voices hissed, shifting, echoing my own regrets.

"I have regrets," I admitted, my voice quiet but firm. "But none of it was my fault. I tried my best."

I stepped closer to the river.

"Mew…"

Ivory let out a concerned whine, shifting on my shoulder. Her tiny paws kneaded against my shirt, as if saying: This idiot isn't about to drink that cursed water, is he?

I ignored her.

Cupping my hands, I dipped them into the crimson water. The surface was unexpectedly smooth and cold against my skin.

I lifted my hands and drank.

The liquid burned—not in the gasoline-like way Phlegethon had, but in a subtler, spicier way, like water diluted with chili paste.

The effect was instant.

Heat surged through my veins.

My vision, which I hadn't even realized was blurry, sharpened. My aching limbs steadied. My body, weak and trembling for days, suddenly felt alive again.

I let out a slow breath.

For the first time in weeks, I didn't feel like I was on the verge of collapsing.

"Going forward means entering Night's territory…" I muttered, my throat tightening at the thought.

My last encounter with her still haunted my dreams.

The idea of stepping back into her domain made my skin crawl, but… the water. The water was good. Too good to leave behind, even if it kept dredging up painful memories.

I exhaled sharply. "I'll just follow it in the opposite direction."

"Meww," Ivory whined, shifting uneasily on my shoulder.

I frowned. "Really?"

"Meow, meow…"

She was definitely not on board with this plan.

"What if we stay, like… twenty-five meters away from the river?" I offered.

Ivory shook her head vehemently.

Alright, message received.

With a sigh, I picked her up, cradling her against my chest. "Fine, fine. We'll go your way."

I pointed in the opposite direction and started walking, away from the river's blood-red surface.

Honestly, Acheron was probably bad for my mental health anyway.

—Line Break—

Many days—maybe even weeks—had passed since we left the Acheron River. In that time, I'd been attacked by at least thirty monsters.

The terrain had changed constantly. One time, it was a jagged plain, littered with razor-sharp glass shards. Another time, the ground was covered in black ash, like the aftermath of a massive fire.

Right now? It was muddy.

And not just regular mud, but that annoying, suctioning kind that swallowed my feet a few inches deep with every step.

"Mew, mew!" Ivory chirped, trotting effortlessly beside me, her paws barely sinking into the damp ground.

"Yes, yes, laugh it up," I grumbled, struggling to pull my foot free from another sticky spot.

Seriously, where was this moisture even coming from? There was no water here! And while we were on the topic of weird things—what kind of trees looked 50% giraffe, 50% pine, and 50% smallpox? That math shouldn't add up, but somehow, in Tartarus, it did. Someone really needed to teach these trees biology.

As I trudged forward, a musty, swampy smell hit my nose.

"Damn, this place sucks," I muttered.

"Meow." Ivory meowed in agreement.

And then—

ROOOOOOOARRRRRR!

The deep, guttural roar made every nerve in my body go on high alert. My brain scrambled for information. Was that a drakon?

I glanced around. The twisted, grotesque trees, the damp earth, the suffocating stench—

Wait… is this the swamp?

I hadn't been to this part of it before, but it felt right.

"Where did that sound come from…?" I muttered, scanning the horizon.

And then I bolted.

I need to get there before Damasen kills the drakon.

"Mew? Meow!" Ivory chirped in confusion but didn't complain as she clung to my shoulder, enjoying the rush of wind as I ran.

Just in case, I pulled out my sword-pen, uncapping Anaklusmos as I weaved through the swamp's twisted landscape.

ROOOARRRR!

I skidded to a stop.

In front of me stood a massive drakon—red and green, its serpentine body stretching at least thirty feet, covered in thick, nearly impenetrable scales.

Damasen wasn't here yet.

Which meant it was my problem to deal with.

For the first time, I was about to fight a drakon alone.

I tightened my grip on Riptide.

"Alright then," I muttered. "Let's do this."

The drakon hissed, its massive, scaled body coiling as it prepared to lunge. I gritted my teeth, gripping Anaklusmos tightly. The swamp around us felt suffocating, the thick, damp air pressing against my skin.

The drakon struck first. I barely managed to roll out of the way as its fangs snapped shut where I'd been standing. Its tail lashed out next, slamming into the ground and sending a wave of muck flying. I stumbled, but I didn't fall.

Fine. No more playing defense.

I raised my hand, calling on the moisture in the air. The water condensed almost instantly, forming into sharp, twisting tendrils before I sent them crashing into the drakon's side. The beast screeched as the water smashed against its scales, knocking it back slightly, but it wasn't enough to hurt it.

The drakon hissed and lunged again. I barely had time to react before its tail slammed into my side, sending me skidding across the mud. Ivory let out a sharp mewl from somewhere nearby, but I didn't have time to check on her.

The drakon reared back, ready to finish me off. My instincts flared, and before I even thought about it, I reached into the well of power inside me—the destructive force that I'd barely begun to understand.

Heat pulsed from my core, and suddenly, the ground beneath the drakon exploded. The swamp trembled as cracks spread out from the impact zone, chunks of earth and mud flying into the air. The drakon let out a strangled roar, its massive form stumbling from the unexpected force.

I sucked in a sharp breath, feeling my limbs shake from the energy I'd just unleashed. That… wasn't normal. But I had no time to think. The drakon was recovering fast.

Before it could lunge again, another surge built up inside me—this time, blindingly bright. A golden light burst from my skin, radiating outward. The drakon flinched, its many eyes squinting against the sudden glow.

"What the—?" I muttered, momentarily stunned by the light coming from me. But I didn't have time to process it.

Because at that moment, the ground shook again.

A massive shadow loomed behind the drakon, and then—CRACK!

A gigantic tree, roots and all, slammed down on the drakon's back. The beast let out a final, agonized screech before crumpling under the weight, its body finally going still.

Panting, I looked up to see a towering figure step forward, his massive frame unmistakable even in the dim light of Tartarus.

Damasen.

The giant looked at me, then at the dead drakon, before letting out a low grunt. "You always bring trouble, little one."

I let out a breathless laugh, still feeling the lingering heat of my own power coursing through me. "Yeah, well… it keeps things interesting."

Ivory meowed from my side, clearly unimpressed.

I groaned and pulled myself up, looking at the fallen drakon one last time before turning to Damasen. "So… mind if I crash at your place for a bit?"

"Don't forget the payment," Damasen muttered amusedly.

"Oh, do I have a good story for you, my friend," I said, feeling relieved. At least now, I had someone besides Ivory to rely on in Tartarus… Someone strong. Someone who actually belonged to this place.

"You better," he said, his tone growing more serious. "After all, no one escapes Tartarus and comes back unscathed—at least, no human does… But I suppose you are no longer completely human either."

"Meow?!" Ivory jumped, just as startled as I was.

I chuckled. "Well, I am a demigod," I shrugged.

Damasen snorted while Ivory whined in protest, meowing loudly at the terrible joke.

But, in all honesty, what did Damasen mean when he said I was no longer completely human? I am human… I bleed red.

Author's Note: Yeah... i did say that updates would be slow in this story... But this update was especially slow because, 1) School and Coaching both are in full swing since January was the last month of the session, 2) I was really tired, 3) I was sick for the last five days.

Anyways, hopefully all of you would like this chapter, it took quite a bit of time to write and I think its pretty great. I especially love the moments between Percy and Ivory.