Fate Withstands

Chapter 12

Nico stared into the water of the River Styx, half convinced he had killed Percy Jackson. Damn, could this day get any worse? His father was an asshole, he betrayed Percy's trust, he had to walk through those fields.

And a different feeling reminded him of where he belonged. Only down there, among the dead, did he finally not feel the cold.

He never should have listened to Minos or his father.

Percy burst out of the water, sending him scrambling back in surprise. That skin that was once so beautiful, not steaming and bright red.

"Are you okay?" he asked.. "Your skin. Oh, gods. You're hurt!"

"I'm fine . . . I think." The color of his skin turned back to normal. Mrs. O'Leary came up and sniffed him with concern.

"Do you feel stronger?" Nico asked."Is it-"

His questions were cut off by his father's voice. "THERE!"

An army of the dead marched toward them. A hundred skeletal Roman legionnaires led the way with shields and spears. Behind them came an equal number of British redcoats with bayonets fixed. In the middle of the host, Hades himself rode a black-and-gold chariot pulled by nightmare horses, their eyes and manes smoldering with fire.

"You will not escape me this time, Percy Jackson!" Hades bellowed."Destroy him!"

"Father, no!" Nico shouted, but it was too late. The front line of Roman zombies lowered their spears and advanced.

Mrs. O'Leary growled and got ready to pounce. Maybe that's what set Percy off. He was protective of his dog. Or he was just sick and tired of how Hades was acting. Nico would fully agree, if that was the case.

Percy yelled, and the River Styx exploded. A black tidal wave smashed into the legionnaires. Spears and shields flew everywhere. Roman zombies began to dissolve, smoke coming off their bronze helmets.

Percy charged. All Nico could do was watch, eyes wide, at the display of power. The curse of Achilles. It really worked.

What Nico would have given to have had that before he died. Maybe he could have won the war, or at least changed its course. He could have been something more than one of the many to die.

How had his war ended? It was then he realized that he had never really found out.

Percy broke through the enemy line and leaped into the black chariot. Hades raised his staff. A bolt of dark energy shot toward him, but he deflected it off his blade and slammed into Hades himself. They both tumbled out of the chariot.

Percy's knee was planted on Hades's chest. He was holding the collar of his royal robes in one fist, and the tip of his sword was poised right over his face.

Silence. There was no army left.

Hades swallowed. "Now, Jackson, listen here. . . ."

"Just because I'm a nice person," Percy snarled, "I'll let you go. But first, tell me about that trap!"

Hades melted into nothing, leaving him holding empty black robes.

Nico whistled.

"I think the river thing worked," Percy said.

"Oh gee," Nico said sarcastically. "You think?"

Mrs. O'Leary barked happily and wagged her tail. Nico was about to go on about how awesome that was, but Percy spoke before he could.

"Go back to your father," he told Nico. "Tell him he owes me for letting him go. Find out what's going to happen to Mount Olympus and convince him to help."