The death of a hero

2

When Percy woke up, he was standing in a place, he knew actually too good. He had been here. Together with Annabeth and Grover. On his first quest for the gods. Now, as he entered, everyone seemed to quiet and as Percy walked by..... they bowed. When Percy reached Charon, he just smiled pityful at him and clapped him on the shoulder, while pulling Percy to the Elevator with him. But this time, he decided to only bring Percy with him in the Underworld. Just Charon and him. Percy was more than a bit surprised at that but he had already seen so much that this little.... incident couldnt worry him. Another strange thing was that when Charon let Percy climb out of the boat, he whisteled and Cerberus came over. "He will guide you to your destinated residence", explained Charon. Percy just simply replied with a "thank you" and went to the Gates. And again.... the people first quieted, then began to make way for him and lastly, bowed to him. All the while, Cerberus was enjoying himself as a guard dog. Like this, they entered the Underworld. When Percy had to walk by the fields of punishment, he saw a man he knew all too well. He sat to the waist in water that changed its temperature each minute. One minute it was boiling hot, the other it was freezing cold. And he had to force these feelings down because he had to play  poker, round and round and round, and if he happened to take too long to answer, he got stabbed by a rosty pocket knife. Percy didnt know if he should be amused or disgusted. He decided on amused because well he was sad enough for a lifetime so he didnt need more negative emotions. So he just went with Cerberus who eagerly led him to Elysium. Where (another surprise) Hades and Persephone stood. When he came to a halt infront of them, Percy bidded Cerberus goodbye and turned to the two gods. "Perseus, we cant imagine how hard it must be for you to .... already enter our territorry without your..... family. I must say.... I'm sorry! It had not been me who sent these monsters after you. If I had to guess, my vote is for the Titans but.... that is not important right now. Important is that you know: I didnt do anything but if you ever need something that is not achievable in Elysium then dont hesitate to ask me." Hades ended. And before Percy could respond, Persephone added: "Percy, one thing I have learned over the centuries, is that Hades has a good heart, even though he doesn't show it very often. Please, do yourself (and me) a favor and actually try to pamper yourself a bit. Now that you are here, you are free to do whatever you want, without monsters and without quests. Enjoy your afterlife!" Percy was a bit stunned after this monologue but he nodded and the first real smile since dying tugged at his lips. With a snap, the two of them disappeared and Percy sighed. Because now began the really hard part.