•as the world caves in•

•grover almost goes down a pit•

The Fields of Asphodel was so... bland.

Stomped down grass, no color, hardly any light.

It was sickening. It was depressing.

There was lines at a booth and to the left were the Fields of Punishment.

I can't even explain what I saw.

But to the right was where I wanted to go. It was a neighborhood with houses from all different time periods and you could hear laughter, and it was splashed with color.

Elysium.

Then in the middle was a vast lake with three small islands.

The Isles of the Blest, for those who lived three times and achieved Elysium three time. That is where I really wanted to go, but no way could I make it.

Percy looked in awe. "That's what it's all about," I said, "that's the place for heroes."

We left the area and moved farther into the Asphodel Fields. It was darker, colors faded even more and it grew quiet.

After a bit, we started to hear an all too familiar screech. On the horizon was a palace of black stone, with three creatures flying above it: the Furies.

"I suppose it's too late to turn back," Grover said.

"We'll be okay." Percy responded, although he didn't seem all that sure.

"Maybe we should search some of the other places first, like, Elysium, for instance..." Grover tried.

"Come on, goat boy." Annabeth said and grabbed his arm.

Grover yelped and his sneakers sprouted wings and his legs shot forward, pulling him away from Annabeth.

"Grover, stop messing around."

"But I didn't—"

He yelled again. His shoes kept flapping their wings like crazy. He was lifted off the ground and started to get dragged away.

"Maia!" He yelled but to no effect. "Maia, already! Nine-one-one! Help!"

I tried to grab his hand, but I just missed his fingers and he started to go down hill.

"Untie the shoes!" I shouted at him as we chased him.

He tried, but he couldn't reach the laces.

We ran by spirits, all looking at us in annoyance. It looked like Grover was about to run through the doors of Hades's palace, but he took a sharp right.

We skidded to a halt and started to run that way. We entered a tunnel with gravel and I kept slipping as Annabeth dragged me along.

"Grover!" Percy yelled. "Hold on to something!"

"What?" He shouted back.

The cavern got darker and colder with a smell I can't describe.

Percy stopped in his tracks.

In the opening, was a pit the size of a city block.

And Grover was going to the edge.

I grabbed Percy's wrist. "Come on!"

"But that's—"

"I know!" I shouted. "The place you described in your dream! But Grover's going to fall if we don't catch him."

Grover was yelling, clawing at the ground but he kept being pulled. We couldn't make it to him.

But suddenly, he hit a large rock and the left show flew off into the pit, leaving only the right one. Grover grabbed the rock and stayed there.

We all frantically pulled him to us as the right shoe fell off, kicked us in the heads, and went to the pit.

We all collapsed, and I took deep breaths.

Grover's hands were bleeding and I felt horrible for him.

"I don't know how..." he panted. "I didn't..."

"Wait," Percy interrupted. "Listen."

Another few seconds and Annabeth said, "Percy, this place—"

"Shh."

He stood and a muttering voice came from the pit. My stomach turned to a knot.

"Wh—what's that noise?" Grover said, his voice shaky.

"Tartarus. The entrance to Tartarus."

It was no doubt that Annabeth was right.

Percy uncapped his sword and the voice faltered for a moment before continuing.

"Magic," Percy said.

My stomach twisted even more. "We have to get out of here."

We got Grover up and started to walk up the tunnel. Suddenly the voice got louder and we broke into a run.

Right as we did a blast of cold air hit our backs. For a moment I lost my footing and thought I was about to slip, but Percy grabbed my arm and helped me up.

We finally reached the top of the tunnel where a wail came from the cave.

"What was that?" Grover panted. "One of Hades's pets?"

Annabeth and I looked at each other.

Definitely not one of Hades's pets.

Percy capped his sword and put the now pen in his pocket. "Let's keep going. Can you walk?"

"Yeah, sure." Grover answered. "Never liked those shoes, anyway."

He tried to sound brave, but he was trembling as much as we all were.

We then started to walk towards the palace of Hades.