𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚔𝚒𝚍 - percy jackson x oc

008

VIII - THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER

VALERIA, RATHER UNGRACEFULLY, landed in the middle of Hades' throne room. Her father looked up with wide eyes as she fell through the ceiling. The only reason she did not die was because of a black cloud of mist padding her fall.

"Father." She nodded, holding up the helm to him. "Jackson defeated Ares and retrieved this."

"So the godling was telling the truth," he mused, grabbing the helm and placing it beside him. "I must thank you, daughter. You have done me a great service by returning this to me."

"Yes, well, I have a small request, if you will allow it," Valeria said, staring into her father's deep black eyes. He raised an eyebrow, urging her to continue. "I wish to exchange myself for his mother."

"Exchange yourself?" Hades asked. "You realize that means staying here where your friends are unable to contact you?"

"Yes, sir."

The gold shower holding Percy's mother appeared right in front of her before it shimmered and disappeared.

"His mother will now be waiting for him at his home in New York." His dark eyes analyzed her intensely. "You are very devoted to this Son of Poseidon."

"Of course," Valeria said without hesitation. "He is my friend."

"Interesting," her father said before pointing to a door to her left. "Your room is down the hall, third door on the left."

"Thank you, father." Valeria nodded before exiting the throne room. She sighed as she left her father's analytical gaze. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him how much she hated him, but that would definitely not be wise. She counted the rooms until she reached the third room.

Valeria opened the all-black door and found a simple room with a single bed, a mirror, and a small dresser in the corner. There were no windows and the room was cold.

Valeria's eyes caught a small collage of paper on one of the walls. She walked over and gasped softly.

They were drawings—well more like scribbles—of a little girl with curly hair next to an older woman with the same curly hair.

They looked just like her, but...she could not remember ever creating these.

She set down her Waterland drawstring on the bedpost and just as she was about to sit down, a knock sounded from the door. It opened to reveal a skeleton in a modern U.S. military uniform.

Without speaking, he extended a cup of water to her in question.

"No, thank you," she said and the skeleton shut the door.

She was not sure if she could survive down here. There was an ancient rule set by the Fates: if you were to eat or drink in the Underworld, you would be cursed to stay forever. Valeria had to be careful with her actions.

She laid on the bed and her eyes fluttered shut with exhaustion.

【☆】★【☆】

Valeria again saw a younger version of herself with Luke. It seemed to be a continuation of her earlier dream.

"First," young Valeria said, picking up a dagger, "choose your weapon."

"I choose my sword," Luke said, gripping onto his sword.

"Alright." Valeria twirled her dagger and pointed it at him. "Let us begin."