Lost

34

I spent the rest of my winter break and a few days afterwards at camp, Chiron not even bothering to mentioning school anymore.

Everyday I talked to Chiron, Thalia, Hazel, Frank, Leo, Calypso, and Nico about our plan—which was growing better each day.

Nico remembered where the deserted warehouse was and everyday he assured us that he was convincing Will to let him go with us.

Our plan was to storm the warehouse as Nico assured us that now that Arachne knew where the Athena Parthenos was, she was growing restless and she was going to invade camp any day now.

He also encouraged us to move quickly, even if it was without him.

"I'm just saying, Reyna was very weak when we tried to escape, and I can't imagine what state she's in now that they caught her trying to escape," Nico said with a shudder. "And Annabeth....well she's been in Arachne's clutches for, what...?"

"Around five months," I replied, my voice hoarse as I spoke.

Hazel, Leo, Frank, Nico, and Calypso all stared at me, clearly unable to form a response.

After what seemed like several uncomfortable hours, Calypso finally spoke. "I agree with Nico. This Arachne—she's ancient and dangerous. The sooner we kill her, the better."

I shook my head. "It's not like that. We've already killed her, she regenerates fast. We need a way to keep her in Tartarus, where she belongs."

"Yeah, but how can we do that?" Leo asked, worry growing on his face. "I mean, this scary spider lady has escaped before, I'm sure she will again. And we're no gods, we can't keep her down there."

"Then we have to get the help of a god," Frank said.

Hazel shrugged. "Or goddess. I suppose I could try to summon Hecate, but all the gods and goddesses have been silent for a while, especially after the Winter Solstice incident."

"Hecate could be a possibility as you would need a strong underworld goddess," Nico interjected. "Tartarus is an uncontrollable place, and the only people who have the slightest chance of controlling something that goes down there is some seriously powerful underworld god."

"Are you saying we need Hades?" Calypso asked.

Nico laughed bitterly. "Even if he could help, he wouldn't. Besides, what can he even do? Monsters don't go to the underworld and get judged like normal mortals."

"That's enough taking for today," Will said as he rushed towards us, concern on his face as he placed a hand on Nico's forehead, who looked as if he were about to kill him.

"I swear I'm better!" Nico protested as we all trudged out of the infirmary. "Will, I feel fine. And I'm going with them to the warehouse. I'm the only chance they've got, Will!"

Will sighed as he rubbed his temple. "Nico, you might die—!"

"I'll be fine," he assured him. "Now if you excuse me, I'll be in the Hades cabin!"

We left as Will hastily tried to pull Nico back into the infirmary. Even though Nico protested him, I couldn't help but notice a smile on his face.