Cabin 13

36| The Elusive Netherlands

Leo carefully watched Percy as he left the cab and walked into the cafe. He dashed to the table with the rest of the demigods. 

"Okay I can't decide whether Percy 2.o is cooler or scarier," Leo threw his hands up, shaking his head.

Jason frowned, "Definitely scarier."

Piper turned to him, "I don't know, you were pretty scary yourself in the fight at the car wash." Jason didn't respond, slightly lowered his head.

Hazel shifted in her seat, "I think we might have to reintroduce ourselves to this new Percy instead of treating him like the old one because he's obviously very different. He doesn't trust us as much as he used to, after all that's happened we'll have to earn that trust back." She paused, "We need Percy if we want to save Annabeth."

Will nodded, "Percy is much more powerful in his new state, he doesn't bother holding anything back. But that makes him more destructive too."

"Then we'll definitely have to make sure he's on our side, my face is too pretty to be slashed by that sword of his," Leo said trying to lighten the mood.

Jason subconsciously rubbed the gash Percy's sword had left on his upper arm, scowling.

"Okay next item of business, where are we going?" Piper asked, looking around.

"Erebus must be holding Annabeth in the Netherworld," Nico spoke up for the first time since sitting down.

"Netherworld?"

"It's an underworld rumor that Erebus has a realm between the Underworld and Tartarus called the Netherworld. Some say it's worse than Tartarus others say it's just an infinite black hole. But there are no facts when it comes to Erebus, he's kept quiet since the dawn of time." Nico said, crossing his arms.

Hazel nodded, "Everyone just hoped he went to sleep with Gaea. He's very powerful as one of the first five Deities of existence."

"Perfect another terrible, powerful, god to defeat. And I was just starting to get bored after the last one," Leo grumbled sarcastically.

"But what does Erebus want with Annabeth?" Jason asked, leaning in, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Nico shrugged, "That's the riddle, I have no clue."

"Then we need to figure it out before we go marching into the Netherlands," Piper said, then paused, "Wait do we even know how to get there?"

"Kinda," Hazel shrugged, "We know how to find out. All of the first five deities split up their realms, Uranus got the sky, Gaea got the earth, etc..." she trailed off, looking at the others to see if they connected the dots. But there was only silence.

Leo frowned, "So?"

"So, if we find one of the first deities they can tell us where Erebus' realm is," Percy said, startling the demigods from behind them, leaning against the wall. Leaving everyone wondering how long he'd been standing there.

Percy pulled up a chair, "So if Erebus took my dead girlfriend and is keeping her alive he must have a reason, what does he want? He must be planning to bargain her off for something."

Hazel stared at Percy, "He's right. It makes the most sense. So we have to think about who would give up everything for Annabeth to be returned safely."

Everyone slowly looked at Percy who was staring off to the side, not realizing Erebus' plan might've just been foiled.