•as the world caves in•

•we blow up yet another thing•

Walking through the museum that was under the Arch, I was amazed. I'd never seen anything like this before, and didn't know if I would ever again. I would tell Silena so much about this.

"Guys, you know the gods's symbols of power?" Percy asked randomly.

I was attempting to read something about construction. "Yeah?"

"Well, Hade—"

Grover cleared his throat. "We're in a public place... you mean, our friend downstairs?"

"Um, right. Our friend way downstairs. Doesn't he have a hat like Annabeth's?"

"You mean the Helm of Darkness?" Annabeth said. "Yeah, that's his symbol of power. We saw it next to his seat during the winter solstice council meeting."

"He was there?"

I nodded. "It's the only time he's allowed to visit Olympus—the darkest day of the year. But his helm is a lot more powerful then her hat. If what I've heard it true..."

"It allows him to become darkness." Grover confirmed. "He can melt into shadow or pass through walls. He can't be touched, seen, or heard. And he can radiate fear so intense it can drive you insane or stop your heart. Why do you think all rational creatures fear the dark?"

"Then... how do we know he's not here right now, watching us?"

We all exchanged looks.

"We don't," Grover answered.

"Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better. Got any blue jelly beans left?"

We were shoved in an elevator with a larger lady and her chihuahua. "No parents?"

"They're below," Annabeth lied. "Scared of heights."

"Oh, the poor darlings." Her dog growled. "Now, now, sonny. Behave."

"Sonny? Is that his name?" Percy asked.

"No." The lady smiled.

We exited the elevator and looked at out the observation deck.

The city was beautiful, and I could've stayed up here for hours, if Annabeth wasn't talking about everything she'd change.

The park ranger told us it would be closing soon, so we all went to the elevators.

Annabeth and Grover walked in, but there was already two others, meaning me and Percy would have to wait.

"Next car," the ranger told us.

"We'll get out," Annabeth said. "We'll wait with you guys."

"Naw, it's okay. We'll see you guys at the bottom." Percy said. Annabeth looked at me and I nodded.

It was just a little boy and his parents, the ranger, the lady and her dog, Percy and I left on the deck.

Her dog then started yapping at Percy.

"Now, now, sonny," the lady scolded. "Does this look like a good time? We have all these nice people here."

"Doggie!" The little boy smiled, but his parents pulled him back.

The dog kept barking and I grew uneasy, and so did Percy.

"Well, son, if you insist."

I frowned. "Did you just call that chihuahua your son?"

"Chimera, dear. Not a chihuahua. It's an easy mistake to make."

She rolled up her sleeves, showing green scales on her arms. She smiled, her teeth were fangs and her eyes were like a reptile's.

The dog barked and kept growing. The boy screamed and the rest of the people in the deck all cowered away.

I was too stunned to even move. But, I read the collar.

CHIMERA—RABID, FIRE-BREATHING, POISONOUS—IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL TARTARUS—EXT.954

Neither me or Percy had drawn our swords, and honestly, I was too stunned to.

The lady laughed. "Be honored, Perseus Jackson and Coriane Tucker," I cringed at the use of my last name. I hadn't heard anyone say that apart from when people would first meet me. "Lord Zeus rarely allows me to test a hero with one of my brood. For I am the Mother of Monsters, the terrible Echidna!"

"It's that a kind of anteater?" Percy asked.

The lady howled. "I hate it when people say that! I hate Australia! Naming that ridiculous animal after me. For that, Percy Jackson, my son shall destroy you!"

"What about me?" I also asked.

She stared at me. "You too!"

"Ah, yes, thank you."

The Chimera charged at us, trying to bite us. We leaped to the sides and dodge it. Percy was by the others, and uncapped his sword, running towards me. I followed suit with my ring.

"Hey, chihuahua!" I yelled.

It turned and ran after us. Before I could even move my arm, it opened its mouth and let out a horrible smell, before shooting fire at us.

Percy grabbed me and ducked us down, just missing the flames.

Where we had been standing, there was a hole in the Arch.

We just blew up another thing.

And it was a national monument.

Percy slashed at the neck of the Chimera, but it hit the collar. He attempted to regain balance, but was struggling.

I grabbed onto his arm and held my sword out. The tail grabbed onto him anyway, and he dropped his sword.

Great, now I was the only person with a sword.

We backed up to the hole in the wall, and I knew this was how we died.

"They don't make heroes like they used to, eh, son?" Echidna cackled.

The dog or whatever it was growled at us.

We had nowhere left to run.

The world would be doomed to a war, and it would be our fault.

"If you are the son of Poseidon, you would not fear the water. Jump, Percy Jackson. Show me that water will not harm you. Show me that you can protect your friend. Jump and retrieve your sword. Prove your bloodline."

Oh.

Percy was being told to jump, and also save me from death.

Why was everything put on him.

"You have no faith." Echidna said when Percy stayed there. "You do not trust the gods. I cannot blame you, little coward. Better you die now. The gods are faithless. The poison is in your heart."

I looked at Percy, and he was pale. That tail must've done something.

"Die, faithless one."

"Father, help us," Percy said before wrapping his arms around me and jumping.

"Oh my gods!" I screamed on our way down.