𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀, percy jackson!

𝐗𝐈𝐕. the gang got tricked

──★ Chapter fourteen

They stood before a massive construction that loomed over them like a dark sentinel. The building was an overwhelming expanse of cold, black stone, its surface devoid of any warmth or welcome. Three distinct entrances yawned beneath an extensive, portent archway carved from the same shadowy material. Above the entrances, stark white letters spelled out a chilling message: YOU ARE NOW ENTERING EREBUS.

The entrances worked like an airport security checkpoint, but far more intimidating. Metal detectors stood silent ,mounted atop these detectors were security cameras, their lenses gleaming with a cold, unblinking vigilance. Beyond the detectors, toll booths lined the path, each one occupied by a figure draped in flowing black robes. The ghoulish attendants had an uneasy stillness about them, reminiscent of Charon, their hollow eyes fixed on the approaching visitors.

The howling of the hungry animal was really loud, but Adira wasn't able to see where it was coming from. Cerberus, the three headed dog, who was supposed to guard Hades's door, was nowhere to be seen.

The only thing that was cutting through the heavy and eerie tension in the air, was the distant wail of a ravenous animal. Adira tried to look for the source of the howl through the gloomy darkness that seemed to wrap around her like a shroud. Cerberus, the three-headed hound who guarded the gates of Hades, was nowhere to be seen.

The spirits of the dead were split up in three lines, two marked: ATTENDANT ON DUTY and one marked: one marked EZ DEATH. The EZ DEATH line was moving right along. The other two were crawling.

"What do you guys figure?" Percy asked and turned to the group.

"The fast line must go straight to the Asphodel Fields," Annabeth replied. "No contest. They don't want to risk judgment from the court, because it might go against them."

"There's a court for dead people?"

"Yes, but unlike on Judge Judy, there are three judges. They switch around who sits on the bench. King Minos, Thomas Jefferson, Shakespeare –people like that. Sometimes they look at a life and decide that person needs a special reward-the Fields of Elysium. Sometimes they decide on punishment. But most people, well, they just lived. Nothing special, good or bad. So they go to the Asphodel Fields."

Adira's thoughts drifted to her father, and a deep ache filled her chest as she wondered where his soul had found its final resting place. The memories she had of him were few but precious, painted with the warmth of his gentle smile and the kindness in his eyes. But she couldn't be sure if that had always been the case. Uncertain of the past he had lived, she clung to the hope that he had found peace in Elysium.

"And do what?"

Grover said, "Imagine standing in a wheat field in Kansas. Forever."

"Harsh," Percy replied, wincing at the thought.

"Not as harsh as that," Grover muttered, nodding towards a scene unfolding nearby. "Look."

Percy followed his gaze and saw a pair of black-robed ghouls roughly pulling a spirit aside at the security desk. They began frisking the ghostly figure, their bony hands searching him with an eerie precision.

"He's that preacher who made the news, remember?" Grover asked.

Percy's eyes widened. "Oh, yeah. What're they doing to him?"

"Special punishment from Hades, maybe," Adira speculated. "The truly bad ones get his personal attention right when they arrive. The Kindly Ones will arrange like an eternal torment just for him."