Myth Mashup (A Percy Jackson, Magnus Chase, and Kane Chronicles crossover)

Chapter 16: Carter's POV

"Let's do this thing," Blitzen said.

"Who all should go?" I asked, uneasy about this idea. I would probably be less nervous if it was somewhere in my territory - like when Zia and I strode through the lands of Chaos. At least I knew what to expect there.

"I'll go!" T.J. blurted out. He covered his mouth a second later and looked embarrassed.

"Sorry. I can't turn down a challenge. But I actually do want to go," he said.

I considered challenging him to some ridiculous competition just to see what he would do, but decided against it.

"I should go too," Nico said. "A son of Hades would be useful in the land of the dead. I can fend off any zombies that try to attack us. My sword is especially effective against creatures from the Underworld."

He put one hand on his sheath which contained what I assumed to be his sword.

Is it not celestial bronze or imperial gold like the rest of the Greeks' weapons? I saw the elf sign. The only reason I knew what he was trying to say was because Magnus or Alex translated every time they caught him putting his two cents in. I knew a little bit of sign language, but not even close to being enough to have a conversation.

Nico shook his head. "No. It's Stygian iron. It absorbs the monster's very essence. Doesn't let them reform."

He pulled out his sword, and I was struck with how different it was compared to everyone else's weapons. It was a medium sized blade, but was the purest black I had ever seen. There was a slight purple outline, and it looked wickedly sharp. I did not want to be on the other end of that thing.

"Cool," Sadie said. "Where can I get one?"

I shot a glare at her. I swear, she is so immature sometimes. [Shut up, Sadie. You know it's true.]

"Unless you have someone who can mine the iron from the Underworld and dip it in the River Styx, you're out of luck," Percy said.

"Well, Nico here could do it for me," She replied.

"No can do. Only children of Hades or Pluto can wield them, anyways."

"Dang it!" Sadie exclaimed.

Nico gave her a half smile, which was more than I had seen him do through our entire conversation.

"Any other takers?" Magnus asked.

"Me," Sadie said. "Sounds fun."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Infiltrating Helheim is your idea of fun?"

"Come on, you've gotta admit it sounds exciting," She replied.

"Oh yeah. I like this one," Leo cut in. "At least someone around here is a fun time!"

Sadie blew her hair back from her face and grinned. "Thanks."

Sadie's agreement to go to Helheim were just now registering in my brain. I leaned over to her and hissed in her ear, "What are you thinking?! It'd be one thing if Walt was going with you, but he's not here! We don't know this place at all!"

She rolled her eyes at me. "I can handle myself, brother dear. You should really stop overthinking things. Besides, someone from each pantheon should go. Clearly, you're not gonna be that person. And I doubt Zia wants to go either, do you, Zia?" She asked, directing the last question at my girlfriend.

She grinned guiltily. "Not particularly. Sadie will be fine, Carter. She's better at magic than anyone I know."

"Thanks a lot," I replied, defeated.