Annie Chain and the Olympians: The Anomaly of the Sky

Chapter 8: Gotta Go on a Quest and Save the Lord of the Dead

I entered the infirmary with my brother and sister-in-law on my heels. They seemed to have come to the same realization as I had.

"Annie, slow down." Percy said.

"I had a dream." I repeated. "It's bad, Percy."

My older brother nodded slowly. "I can tell."

We went to the section of the building where Hades had been resting. I saw Zeus pacing back and forth the length of the hallway before the door. Kronos leaned against the wall, watching his youngest son pace, glancing at the door every so often. A soft glow of light flashed across the room, and Rhea appeared, anxiously looking around.

"I sensed something was wrong and came over. What's happening?" The Titaness asked.

Kronos moved away from the wall and gently took her hands in his.

"My dear, Apollo is with Hades now, we're going to find out soon."

"Kronos. What happened?" Rhea demanded.

The Titan lord sighed. "We believe he's beginning to fade, but we don't know for sure."

Rhea gasped. "Oh, fates. No."

Kronos shook his head. "We mustn't panic yet, Rhea."

"Mustn't panic? My son is fading." Rhea snapped.

"Might be. We don't know for sure, Rey. He might be fine." Kronos told her.

I knew he wasn't. Rhea seemed to know as well, but she took the comfort for what it was.

The former queen rested her head against her husband's chest. Kronos moved his hands from around hers to around Rhea's waist and shoulders. He gently moved his fingertips through the ends of Rhea's hair, and murmured lovingly to her in Ancient Greek, too low for me to hear and understand.

Zeus watched from where he paced, a conflicted expression on his face. I got the feeling he was wondering how his parents had a better marriage than he and Hera did after everything that happened between them.

A flash of green light flooded the room, and from it appeared my father and Persephone. The queen of the Underworld looked near frantic, eyes instantly locking on Zeus.

"Tell me what's happening." Her tone left no room for argument. She wanted the facts.

Zeus carefully explained what happened. I watched as Persephone's face paled, the ichor draining from her face. She turned to the door and entered the room her husband was in quickly.

Poseidon moved to follow her, but Zeus stopped him with a hand on his shoulder and a slow shake of his head.

"We can't go in, Don. Apollo's only going to let her in as Hades' wife." Zeus said softly, with a sad look on his face.

Poseidon huffed, looking frustrated, but nodded. He walked over to me and Percy, still standing in the hallway door frame. Annabeth stood beside Percy, holding his hand and nodding at my father.

"Go off to bed, Percy, Annabeth. You two have an early morning tomorrow when you help lead battle planning. I'll remain with Annie." Poseidon told them.

My brother nodded. Annabeth offered me a gentle smile, before she turned and led Percy back to Cabin 3. I watched them leave, hearing the infirmary door slam shut behind them. I watched through the window as their shadowy figures walked across the lawn until they were out of sight.

Then I turned to my father again.

"You said you had a dream?" My father asked.

"Yes, Father. I-I was outside the infirmary with you and the others while you waited. Lady Hera, Lady Demeter, and Lady Persephone went off to bed, and you led your sisters to their cabins. Then Lord Zeus came inside and the dream shifted so I was in Lord Hades' room with him. I saw Lord Zeus' hand pass right through Lord Hades' hand. Twice. The dream ended when Lord Apollo was called." I explained carefully.