The Forgotten Olympian |BOOK 1| PJO X HP | Alexandra Marine

Chapter 57 - Alex - Tartarus, Here We Come.

Back to Alex cause Apollo is not doing great.

Well anyway, after what I assumed was weeks after I'd started to control the fire, my dark vision turned.

"Alexandra," a voice whispered into my ear through the fire. "Help us."

Darkness faded into the red lands I hated the most.

Tartarus.

I opened my eyes.

They were really in Tartarus. At their feet, the River Cocytus roared past, a flood of liquid wretchedness. The sulfurous air stung my lungs.

The beach wasn't sand. They were sitting on a field of jagged black-glass chips, some of which were now embedded in Annabeth's palms.

"Perseus," I said, looking at my brother curled up next to Annabeth. Annabeth didn't seem to notice me.

I walked up to them. Percy's lips were blue, and fingers were scraped raw. His T-shirt was in shreds. 

Percy looked at me. His eyes widened as he realized that I was there as a goddess and not a sister.

"Help," Percy thought.

I kneeled next to him. 

"Do not worry, my dear. Tartarus may not be my realm, but no god knows it better than I do." 

I pressed my hand on his forehead. Warmth flooded from my body into his. Percy's purplish lips turned a very light blue. He still shivered, but he'd surely survive.

"Find the River Phlegethon," I said. "And then you will know the way from there yourself. Remember what happened at Lethe. Remember the Titan of the East."

Percy nodded, his teeth chattering.

"Do not approach the far West unless you want to die a pitiful death," I said warningly. "Kronos lies there." I shivered at the memory. "I scattered his remains in the deepest and darkest place on Tartarus eons ago. He may be weak, but this is his realm. He will not hesitate to kill his mortal enemy."

Annabeth shifted slightly, awakening from her state of unconsciousness. 

"We do not have much time. The Fates are not kind to you, Percy. But they are kind enough to let you win once in a while. Pray that this is one of those times."

Again, Percy shifted slightly, letting me know he understood what I meant.

"Find the Doors of Death and close them. Thanatos is waiting to get back his job. I will meet you sooner than you think, brother," I said.

I pressed my hand onto Annabeth's forehead. She woke up with a jolt, not realizing that her dagger was still in her arms. That could've killed me unless I hadn't been just a projection in Percy's head.

And then, as fast as he'd blinked, I disappeared back into my state of consciousness, controlling the raging fire of Camp Half Blood. 

After what seemed like eons later, I heard the sounds of the campfire inside Camp Half Blood, demigods arranging tables next to the Apollo table so that they could listen to Will during his medical lectures. 

It took a lot of power, but when I opened my eyes, I was in Tartarus, at the Temple of Hermes. Percy sat next to Iapetus. I was reminded of the First Battle at once. I reminded myself that Iapetus was no longer himself. He was Bob, the friendly Titan of the Underworld.

Bob was the first to point at me. "Lady in orange," he said. 

If it had been the old times, Iapetus would've first struck and then spoken. Or perhaps he would've hurled curses at me and then struck. Probably option two, because Iapetus was an idiot.

Percy turned around and looked at me. "Alexandra- how-"

"I know how to and where to find you, Perseus. I am here to guide those who believe in me," I said. 

"But- Bob-" Percy started. 

"Bob," I interrupted, "has been a very kind man to you. I am kind to those who are kind to my bravest warriors."

Percy's red face turned even more red. 

"You have done the right thing, finding Bob," I said after a moment. "He truly is a friend, Perseus. You can trust him. He can lead you out of Tartarus safely."

I turned to the Titan and tried my best not to scowl at him. You know, muscle memory.

"Bob," I said, "you are a true friend. I value everyone who sacrifices and believes in true friendship. That is why, my dear Titan, you will, you will be a symbol of true bravery."

Smoke puffed at the temple of Hermes. 

"Ah, food," I said. "Exactly why I chose this time."

Percy looked back in confusion as a whole pepperoni pizza, half a hot dog, brisket, M&Ms and some grapes popped into being.

"Feast well, Perseus," I said. "You will need it."

Bob took a slice of pepperoni pizza and started to munch happily.  

I turned around, ready to go back to the fire, and then realized I'd missed something. 

"Oh, and Percy," I said.

Percy looked up from the slice of pizza that he was currently trying to stuff into his mouth as a whole.

"Tell Annabeth that it's always worth a shot," I said.

"Wha?" Percy asked, his mouth full.

"You'll know when to say it," I said. "Oh, and Bob, your broom, spear, whatever it is, can give you fire."

"I don't see how this is connected," Percy muttered.

Bob nodded in understanding, however.

I smiled at him. 

"Take care of my warriors, Bob. They need you. You are a good...Titan," I said.

"Bob is good," Bob repeated.

And for the first time since I'd seen Percy after he'd left Camp Jupiter, he grinned. 

I nodded. "And perhaps the lady can help. You know who she is."

Bob's silver-y face paled. He stared at me in shock for a few moments.

"They are strong," I said. "They can take it."

He still stared at me as though I'd killed a few twenty thousand people.

I looked at him with an unblinkingly kind stare.

And then he nodded. "Yes," he said, "Bob thinks perhaps that would be wise."

"Yes, it would be. Take care."

And then I was back again at the fire. The sound of demigods screaming in shock rang in my ears.

They had got the letter from Annabeth.

And in that burning fire, I couldn't help but smile a bit. 

Soon it'll be Gaea's turn to burn, I thought.