The rise of Tartarus

Chapter 3

Hazel POV:

The shadows of the Underworld have always been familiar to me, but that didn't make the journey any easier. As we rode the elevator down to Hades' realm, I could feel the tension building among our group. The only sound was the rattling of the chains and the soft hum of magic keeping the elevator moving.

"Cheer up, everyone," Leo said, though his voice lacked its usual enthusiasm. "It's not every day you get to visit the land of the dead."

Frank shot him a look. "Leo, now's not the time."

"Just trying to lighten the mood," Leo muttered, and I could see the concern in his eyes. The prophecy's warning about his "spark fading" was clearly weighing on him.

When the elevator doors finally opened, we stepped out into the familiar dark caverns of the Underworld. The air was heavy, filled with the scent of earth and the faint echo of tormented souls. I felt a chill run down my spine.

Nico led the way, his expression unreadable as always. He'd spent more time here than any of us, but that didn't make it home.

As we made our way through the labyrinthine tunnels, I found myself falling back a bit, my mind racing. The prophecy had called me the Daughter of Death, and that title felt heavier now than ever. I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was coming, something that would test us all to our limits.

"Are you okay?" Frank asked, his voice gentle as he fell back to walk beside me.

"I'm fine," I lied. "Just...thinking."

"About the prophecy?" he guessed.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

"Whatever happens, we'll face it together," Frank said, squeezing my hand. "We've been through worse, right?"

I forced a smile and nodded. "Right."

But as we continued deeper into the Underworld, I couldn't shake the feeling that this time, things were going to be different. And not in a good way.

Eventually, we reached Hades' palace, a towering structure of obsidian and bone. The air here was colder, the shadows darker, as if the very essence of death had seeped into the walls.

Hades was waiting for us in the throne room, his dark eyes watching us with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "So, the prophecy has brought you back to me," he said, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.

"We need your help," Nico said without preamble. "Tartarus is stirring, and we need to know where he's going to emerge."

Hades raised an eyebrow. "Tartarus, you say? That is...concerning."

"Can you help us?" I asked, my voice quieter than I intended.

Hades regarded me for a long moment, his gaze piercing. "I can tell you this: Tartarus is bound to the darkest places of the earth. He will rise where the veil between worlds is thinnest, where the souls of the damned are most concentrated."

"The Doors of Death," Nico whispered, his face paling.

"Indeed," Hades confirmed. "But the Doors have been sealed, so he will find another way. You must seek out the places where the earth is weakest, where the fabric of reality is thin enough for him to break through."

"Do you have any idea where that might be?" Jason asked, his tone urgent.

Hades shook his head. "The earth is vast, and its weaknesses are many. But there are places of great power, where the gods have battled, where blood has been spilled. Start there."

"Great," Leo said with a sigh. "More places to search."

Hades ignored him, his gaze turning to me once more. "Daughter of Death, your path will be perilous. But you have the strength to see it through."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. "Thank you, Lord Hades."

"Go," Hades said, his tone final. "Time is not on your side."

We turned to leave, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of our troubles. As we made our way back to the surface, the prophecy's words echoed in my mind.

The world shall drown in Tartarus' shade.

And it was up to us to stop it.