The Labyrinth *editing*

Chapter 25

Hey everyone! So. This is a POV switch (sorry I know they suck!) but it is an important detail in the story that I had to incorporate somehow. If you've ever read the actual myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, them you may guess what is going on based upon the myth; however I changed it up a LOT. So, I'll try and keep this chapter short and sweet so nobody gets bored. I mean like REALLY short :)

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ATHENS POV

The procession moved along the street like a weary snake. Not a smile or word passed anyone's lips and the sun was appropriately masked by cloud cover. The people of Athens were a mess as well. Ash was artfully and purposefully smeared on their faces and they were dressed in black mourning clothes. Five days had passed. Five days since Percy had witnessed the death. I marchers were all nonspeaking and grave. I misty, silent rain come down gently. Most carried a single, tiny flower-- a wild meadow rose. Some carried food.

All were headed in the same direction-- the palace of the king. It sat gloomily and empty on the top of the hill. The entire city was empty but this one street where the procession walked.

The body had been recovered in the sea, two days after Percy had seen him jump. Immediately after, the word had spread quickly-- The Great King was dead. He had committed suicide shortly after his older stepson was taken away by Crete. The royal funeral procession had been planned soon afterward.

Percy was walking near the head of the funeral march next his father. His life seemed to never-end in tragedies at this point. First Xenia was taken, and now Athen's King was dead. The walk stopped and the people paused in their march. All eyes were focused upward to the palace, where the Queen and her son were standing outside, waiting to receive the blessing and condolences of Athens. The coffin that held the deceased king was right in front of them, about to be lowered into the massive hole dug to house the king in the royal graveyard. The next three hours passed sadly for the Athenians as their aching feet screamed in protest while they stood perfectly still in duty to their dead king.

Though nobody could hear what was being said up at the royal funeral, they watched in sadness. Only the richest, well-to-do citizens had been invited into the funeral. The commoners mourned from far below. Percy thought of the king's stepson who had volunteered for the young prince. The hardest part about this whole ordeal was that nobody even knew if they were dead or not. Perhaps they had been sacrificed days ago, or perhaps they were not yet there. It was a horrible guessing game for the Athenians. He pushed them from his mind as he felt tears rise up suddenly.

When the funeral was finished and the coffin was buried completely, the crowd began to move out drearily. As they did, the rain began to increase, and fall heavier and harder. Percy sighed. It seemed the rain was never-ending these days.

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K, so that's all I'm gonna put you through :) Short and sweet, right? I have a little block, so I'm not sure when I'll get next chapter out, but I'll work on it (not that anyone's reading anyway....)

If you're reading (which I know nobody is) then would you please comment? My comment stream is positively desolate!!! :'(