The Five Demigods Who Saved Olympus | Book 1, 2, & 3

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Noelle appeared in a world of darkness. She looked around her to find bare, dead trees. The sky was a burnt orange color with dark clouds. She slowly approached a man standing in dark robes, standing inside of a small boat.

"Hey, excuse me? Mind telling me where the hell I'm at?" Noelle asked. The man in dark robes slowly turned to face Noelle. She looked up to notice just how tall the man was. He practically towered over her. She couldn't see his face, it was covered in his dark cloak. But, she could see that he held a scythe in one hand. He used it as a walking stick and inched closer to her. He brought his hooded head down towards her to get a closer look.

"I cannot tell if you're dead or alive." The man said with a ghastly voice.

"What are you talking about? I'm alive." Noelle stated.

"Alive or not, you must pay the toll." The man said, holding his hand out.

"Pay you with what?" Noelle asked, but the man didn't answer. She sighed and stuffed her hands into her jacket pockets, feeling around for anything. She pulled out some loose change and dropped it into his hand. He examined it before throwing it into the River Styx.

"Alright, I take it you prefer actual paper money then." Noelle said, shoving her hand back into her jeans pocket and pulling out her wallet. She then pulled out a $20 dollar bill. She placed it into his hand, and he instantly tossed it aside into the same place as the change. Noelle scoffed.

"I don't make enough money for it to just be thrown away, dude." Noelle said. The man didn't answer her once again. She then took out Hades Bident from her jacket pocket and showed it to him.

"How about this?" Noelle asked. The man spotted the small button on the side, motioning for her to show him what it was. She pressed the button and the Bident extended to its full length. He pulled his hood down, finally revealing his face to the girl.

"Where did you get that?" The man asked, reaching out to take it, but Noelle pulled it back.

"From.. a friend." Noelle said, unsure of what to refer to Heath as. She then pressed the button for the pitchfork to return to its original length.

"No payment necessary. Climb aboard." The man said, taking her hand in his to help her up into the boat. She sat down as he began to push the boat with his paddle. Noelle examined all around her. She looked down at the souls in the River Styx, reaching her hand out to them.

"Why are they in there?" Noelle asked.

"They couldn't pay the toll." The man replied.

"Why didn't I have to pay it?" Noelle asked with curiosity, turning back to face him.

"You know Lord Hades." The man answered. She turned back confused, realizing the man must've thought her 'friend' was Hades. Once they made it across the river, the man stepped out, extending his hand to her to help her out, which she took. She stepped onto the pavement.

"This is as far as I can take you." The man said, stepping back into the boat. He was about to leave when Noelle's voice called out.

"Wait! What is your name?" Noelle asked.

"Charon." Charon solemnly replied.

"Please to meet you, Charon. I'm Phelia." Noelle answered, unsure of why she used her first name.

"Ah, I wasn't aware I was in the presence of a Goddess." Charon replied, bowing before her.

"Not a Goddess sir, there is no need for that." Noelle said, stopping him.

"Nonsense." Charon said, continuing to bow, before straightening himself and readying his paddle.

"Farewell, Phelia." Charon said, before turning his boat around. Noelle watched as he made his way back across the River Styx. After a minute, she turned back around to look up at Hades palace, then began walking up the long steps. Once she made it, she tried to quietly open the large doors but failed. It creaked throughout the quiet room. She cautiously stepped inside and looked around. It was large and very dark. The only light that illuminated the dark palace was from the two lit candles in front of Hade's throne. She began to walk further into the room, but loud growls stopped her, making her freeze in her place. The room lit brighter, revealing what stood in front of her. It was a large, three-headed dog. It snarled, showing it's teeth. It stepped closer to Noelle, causing her to scream in fear.