The Waking Abyss (COMPLETED, Sequel has started)

Chapter 23

NPOV

I wasn't looking forward to coming on this quest. I was hoping that I could just stay at camp, spend time with Will, and never go back into Tartarus. But, I wasn't going to let Maya go on it without me, she needs to be trained otherwise she'll die, and I don't think I could live with myself if I lost another sister because I wasn't there to help her. We were running through the cave when I realized there was a mob of spirits following us.

"Don't slow down, there's a mob of spirits following us!" I shouted.

We ran, and when we reached the edge of the pit, we jumped.

______________________________

SPOV

We fell for what seemed like forever, and it was completely black. When I finally hit the ground pain shot through my left leg, I knew immediately that I had broken my ankle. I fell, so did Ethan, Maya, Jack, Alyss, and Danial. The rest of our group hit the ground and rolled, then hopped back onto their feet.

"So you decided to join me. I hope you are all ready to die horribly painful deaths." Boomed the voice, now it came from all around us.

"Shut up! Leave us alone!" Shouted Nico, that's when I realized that he Percy and Annabeth had all fallen to their knees and put their hand over their ears.

"What's going on with them?" I asked Jason.

"They've all been here before, they still have nightmares from it." He answered.

Will was holding Nico close to him, Percy and Annabeth were huddled together.

"Ah yes, I enjoy showing them horrible memories from their visits. I love the sound of them screaming in fear and pain." Boomed the voice again.

"Guys, we need to move! Now!" Shouted Thalia, she snapped them out of their visions.

When the three of them stood up, there were tear stains on their cheeks.

"We need to get to the Phlegethon River, it is the only thing that will keep us alive long enough to save the gods." Said Percy.

"Enjoy your visit demigods, I have a welcome party coming to you." Boomed the voice.

When the voice said that Percy, Nico, and Annabeth all started looking around. Then we heard it, flapping wings. A bunch of old hags landed and started walking towards us.

"Don't fight them, they will give you curses!" Shouted Annabeth. "Run!"

We didn't hesitate to start running away from the hags.

"What are these things?!" Ethan asked.

"Arai! They are the embodiment of curses, if someone has cursed you an arai is formed and if it finds you, and you attack it, the curse is put on you!" Shouted Percy. (I don't know if this is exactly how it works, but oh well.)

The hags started closing in on us, and then we were surrounded. Us untrained demigods were put in the center of a protective circle, everyone else got their weapons out.

"We have plenty of wonderful curses for you! Are you ready for pain!" Cackled one of the hags. Then she lunged at Percy, he slashed it and when it popped he started bleeding.