chapter ninety-two

─── i have favourites (don't tell zeus)

          𝔗he route of all evil? Central Park. Now you know.

Mrs O'Leary sniffed the air for a moment, before slumping down by an outcrop of boulders.

"She can smell the way home." Nico pointed out.

"Through the rocks? Should have known." I mutter.

"The Underworld has two major entrances in the US. The one in California, for the West Coast and then this one, for the East Coast." Nico explained. "Did you not know that?"

"Interesting." I mutter. "But it looks like a pile of rocks."

"That's because it's closed at the moment." Nico was exasperated with me now, a glare on his face. 

"Okay, so how do we open it?"

"We need music. How's your singing?" Nico turned to me.

"Great whilst in the shower. Can't you just tell it to open? You're the son of Hades and all, this is kind of your domain." I point out as he sighs.

"It's not that easy. We need music." He huffs. I think for a moment, before turning around. "What are you doing?"

"Not deafening you. GROVER!" We wait for a long time. Mrs. O'Leary is having a nap, traffic humming along Central Park West and you know, I start to think that we possibly a look a little suspicious. A twenty year old and a teenage boy in park at one in the morning with a dog.

"It's no good." Nico hissed, huffing. I waved him off. I had a feeling and my empathy link was really tingling, for the first time in months, and that normally meant that Grover was close. I closed my eyes, forcing all of my energy into connecting to my best friend.

Grover. He was somewhere in the park. I just couldn't sense him. 

There was a faint hum at the base of my skull.

Grover. An image came to my head. There was a giant elm tree further in, well off the main paths. Gnarled roots laced through the ground, making a bed and in it, with his arms crossed and eyes closed, was a satyr. I didn't think it was Grover for a moment, then I noticed the roots moving, trying to pull him into the earth. Sighing, I tried again. Count on Grover to get trapped by a tree. Grover. Wake up.

He snored.

Dude, you're covered in dirt. Wake up!

Sleepy was all I got back.

Food? I suggested. Pancakes?

His eyes shot open and I got a splitting headache from all the memories that were being flung into my head at high speed. I stumble, Nico catching me as I groan.

"What happened? Romy, you alright?"

"I got through. He's...yeah, he's on his way." A minute later, the tree next to us rustle and Grover fell out of the branches and on to his head. "Ouch, hi Grover."

Grover groaned, rolling over.

"You alright, dude?" I question, turning Grover over with a grin. "Long time no see."

"I'm fine." Grover rubbed at his head. "I was at the other end of the park. They dryads had this great idea of passing me through the trees to get me here. They don't understand heigh very well."

He got to his feet before embracing me. I hadn't seen him since last summer and he'd grown.

"Good to see you, man." I grin as he pats my shoulders. "You remember Nico."

"Hey!" Grover waved before turning back to me. "Romy, you've got to catch me up. Where you been? What's been going on? I missed you! I miss camp! I miss Juniper!"

"Same goes for you. Where've you been for the last two months?"

"The last two-" Grover trailed off. "What are you talking about?"

"We haven't heard from you." I point out, scratching behind Mrs O'Leary's ear as she leant into my side. "Juniper's worried. We sent Iris messages but-"

"Hold on." He looked up as if trying to calculate where he was and what time it was. "What month is this?"

"August." The colour drained from his face.

"That's impossible. It's June. I just lay down to take a nap and..." He grabs my arms, eyes wide. "I remember now! He knocked me out. Romy, we have to stop him."

"Slow down. Tell me what happened?" I calmed him, waiting for him to speak. He took a deep breath.

"I was walking in the woods up by Harlem Meer and I felt this tremble in the ground, like something powerful was near." Nico goes to open his mouth but I know if you ask Grover a question, he'll go severely off topic, so I close his mouth. "I started following the scent and this man in a long black coat was walking through the park and he didn't cast a shadow. Middle of a sunny day, no shadow. He just shimmered."

"Like a mirage?" Nico asked.

"Yes! And whenever he passed humans-"

"The humans would pass out?" Nico guessed again. "Curl up and go to sleep?"

"That's right! Then after he was gone, they'd get up and go about their business like nothing happened!" I watched Nico. He knew who this was but I'd ask him later. "Anyway, I followed him and he kept looking up at buildings like he was making estimates or something. I knew he was a monster, or worse, so I followed him to this grove, to the base of an elm tree and I was about to summon some dryads to help me capture him when he turned and...Romy, it was like nothing we've ever seen. I couldn't even make out his face, just looking at him made me sleepy. So I asked him what he was doing and he said he was looking around and that he should always scout a battlefield before a battle."

My worst fears were starting to come to life. They were confirming the battle.

"So I told him that the forest was under my protection and there would be no battles here and he said that he was saving his energy and that he'd grant me a short nap and that's the last thing I remember." Grover finished.

"You're lucky, Grover. You met Morpehus, the God of Dreams." Nico pointed out.

"Two months, he put me to sleep for two months!" I try to wrap my mind around what this means for me, for the battle. 

"We have to figure out what Morpheus was doing in the park."

"He's working for Kronos. We know that already." Nico points out. "A lot of the minor gods are. This just proves the invasion theory. Romy, we have to get on with the plan."

"What plan?" Grover's eyebrows furrow. I tell him and he starts tugging at his leg fur, grinding down on his teeth. "You're not serious. Not the Underworld again."

"I'm not asking you to come." I promise. "I know you just woke up but we need music to open the door. Can you help a girl out?"

"I guess I could try. I know a few tunes that can split rocks..." Grover pulled out his reed pipes. "But Romy, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Yeah, I do." That was all the convincing that Grover needed, for he played a shrill, lively tune and the boulders began to tremble. They cracked open after a few more verse, revealing a triangular crevice and for a moment, I call think of is the Labyrinth, but I square my shoulders either way.

"Thanks, Grover." I squeeze his shoulders.

"Is Kronos really going to invade?"

"I wish I could tell you better but yeah, he will." I nod, before turning back to the entrance. Grover straightens his T-shirt, nodding.

"I've got to rally the nature spirits, then. Maybe we can help. I'll see if we can find this Morpheus." Grover nodded his head.

"Better tell Juniper you're okay too." Grover nodded his head as I helped Mrs O'Leary to wake up. When she smelled the tunnel, she perked up, whimpering and trying to lunge into the tunnel. It was a pretty tight fit, but we managed, heading down the stairs as Mrs O'Leary barked and jumped down the stairs. Nico lagged behind and I turned. "You alright?"

"Fine." The look on his face, I couldn't tell if that was doubt. "Just keep going."

After another hour, I started to hear the roar of a river. We emerged at the base of a cliff, on black volcanic sand. To our right, the River Styx gushed from the rocks and roared off in a cascade of rapids. I'd never been down into the Underworld before, only having seen Hades' home from above. I didn't like being underground anymore.

Only Mrs O'Leary acted happy to be there. She ran along the beach, picked up a leg bone and romped back towards me. She dropped the bone at my feet, wagging her tail, and I said a prayer to whoever's leg I was throwing, before launching it in the other direction first.

"So, how we doing this?"

"We have to go inside the gates first." Nico muttered, looking pale.

"But the river's right here."

"I have to get something." Nico corrected. "It's the only way."

He took off, marching towards the gates and I was reluctant, but followed him anyway. Lines of dead stood outside, waiting to get in, and I called Mrs O'Leary closer. There was another bark, and I smiled at the sight of who was waiting for us.

"Hi Cerberus. How's my boy?" Nico gives me a strange look as Cerberus bounds over to say hello, waiting for a scratch behind his ear as I kiss one of his noses. Mrs O'Leary and him are saying hello to each other, tails wagging as they begin to bound around and I dodge out the way, not wanting to be trampled.

"Romy, come on. They won't give us any trouble in the line. You're with me." Nico reels me back in, and I whistle for my dog. Cerberus whines and I throw him a few treats, before following Nico onto the Fields of Asphodel. We trudge through the black fields of grass, both of us with our hands deep in our pockets.

"Hey, we're inside the gates already. Where are we-" Mrs O'Leary twists, growling as a shadow appears overhead. It swooped down, landing on the top of a poplar tree. Unfortunately, I recognise my maths teacher in an instant. "Mrs. Dodds."

She bares her fangs on me.

"Welcome back, honey." Her two sisters, the other Furies, swooped down and settled next to her in the branches of the poplar tree.

"You know Alecto?" Nico turned to me, eyebrows furrowed.

"The hag in the middle? Yeah." I nod. "She failed me in maths."

"I've done what my father asked. Take us to the palace." I twisted, turning to look at Nico with narrowed eyes. Had the little shit tricked me? "This is my new lead, Romy. My father promised me information about my family, but he wants to see you. I'm sorry."

"You little shit." I growl at the small boy as Mrs Dodds picks me up. I glare at him, as I'm lifted sixty feet into the air as we head up to meet my uncle. Mrs O'Leary was barking, growling and jumping up at us.

"Tell Mrs O'Leary to behave. I don't want her to get hurt, Romy." Nico pleads. "My father is waiting. He just wants to talk."

"Down, girl." I shout at my dog, pointing a finger at her with my free hand and motioning for her to sit. Mrs O'Leary yowls and growls for a moment, before sitting down. "Wait! All right you little shit, take me to see Hades."

We're dragged out before heading upwards, and upwards, until I'm dropped in the garden of a very familiar house. I scowl, leaving Nico behind as he tries to talk to me, before opening the doors and walking in. I remember the way from the first time that I was here, entering into the main throne room. 

"Uncle!" Hades is sitting at the table, sipping on coffee. His dark hair is pulled back, his waistcoat done up and beside him is a beautiful, dark skinned woman. Her head is tilted back, enjoying the sun, dressed in an expensive gown. Both turn to me as I enter. "Lady Persephone."

I bow at her, before turning back to my uncle.

"Does sending a message not exist anymore? You could have Iris messaged me, or sent Cerberus. Kidnapping? By the maths teacher that failed me?" Nico is still stuck behind me, looking between me and Hades with wide eyes like he can't believe I would talk to a god like this. I force a bow to my uncle, pulling a chair out and sitting down as Hades' lip quirked. "I know you're a god, but at least be up to date with modern technology."

"You didn't enjoy the flight I take it?"

"Something about being a Daughter of Poseidon does that to me." I reply with a shrug.

"Father, I have done as you asked." Nico bowed his head, looking between everyone.

"Come and sit, my boy. Let me talk to your cousin and then we will talk." Hades smiled at Nico, who shot the man a tentative smile back, before sitting on his other side and away from me as I glared. "Andromeda..."

"Yes?"

"I wanted to speak to you."

"Why are you here and not fighting Typhon?" I question.

"I don't fight." I raise an eyebrow. "I do not fight."

"So, you're waiting it out?"

"Yes." Hades nodded. "Olympus has never helped me, child. I do not see that I should help them. I am more than happy here with my wife. I do not want or need to get involved in a war."

"So, when Kronos comes to kill you."

"Let him try. What can he do?" Hades shook his head. "He'll be weakened."

"That's assuming that I do some damage." I point out. "He'll crush you, right after he finishes pulverising Olympus. Now, did you come here to tell me I was making poor life choices or can I go and jump in a river?"

"I do not think is wise."

"No one does, but what choice do we have?" I cut him off.

"If you let me finish my sentence, niece." Hades warns as I kiss my teeth and look away. I glare at Mrs Dodds and her sisters, perched above us like skeleton harpies. Cerberus bounds in, crashing into me as I cuddle the large dog. "It is a bad idea but you are right, there is not another choice. I merely think it is wise to warn you, to remind you of what will happen and what could go wrong."

"Death, doom, gloom, despair." I shrug. "It's so usual, I've kind of given up on listening to warnings nowadays."

Persephone snorts, before looking away and waving her hand as if to say don't look, pay no attention. I fight a smile. I like her, she's fun and has a sense of humour, unlike my quite serious uncle.

"My ghosts have kept me well informed of Kronos' plans, and you are right, that is the only way." Hades nods. "You were right about the trap."

"I guessed I was." I nod, before scratching beneath Cerberus' chin as his foot taps on the floor in happiness. "Do you know how bad it is?"

"Unfortunately not." Hades sighs. "How is your mother?"

"Engaged, happy, doing a writing course." I tell him, before shrugging. "I would be finishing my degree next year, but not looking very likely at the moment. Mom's not too pleased with the plan, but you know, world destruction."

"It's a pressing matter, that's for sure." Hades nods. "I can't stop you, or change your mind, so I'll let you go but niece, I truly hope that I do not have to see you back here."

"Do I get special treatment as your favourite niece?"

"I can't have favourites." Hades points out.

"I have favourites. For example, your my favourite uncle." Persephone tries not to laugh again, failing as she giggles. Hades smiles at her gently. "What?"

"You are going to get yourself smited before Kronos can fight you." Hades points out. "I know my brother's temper is a fickle thing."

"Well, what a shame." Persephone full on laughs at that.

"I like her." She cackles to her husband, who is still smiling at the sight of her joy. "Why do you never invite her around more often?"

"Arranging for her to be kidnapped is quite hard. She's difficult to catch." Hades points out as I grin. 

"My mother taught me well." I agree, before standing up. "I'm going to jump in the river. Assume that I'll see you at the battle later."

"I'm not fighting, Andromeda!" Hades calls after my retreating form. I wave him off. "I'm serious."

"And Zeus is my favourite uncle. Funny joke!" I turn to grin, as he shakes his head before running a tired hand down his face. "Bye! Nice to meet you, my Lady."

"Please come back!" She shouts after me, before I disappear to go and find a river to jump in, Cerberus at my heels.

∘☽༓☾∘

Hiya,

If you can't tell, I love Andi, Hades and Persephone. This was changed from the books because Andi is Hades' favourite niece, so he was never gonna try and lock her up. I love their back and forth, and also love that Persephone just thinks its funny. I also changed Hades and Nico, cause just didn't think that would fit this Hades' character. Oh, and Grover's here!!!

Let me know what you think,

Love Li xx