Grover POV

Grover was in pain.  

Internal and physical.

Shots of pain shooting through his body at random moments.  Some went on for hours, and some for just seconds.  He didn't tell anyone, though.  

Who was there really to tell, anyways?  

Annabeth was gone, and so were the rest of the seven.  Who would believe him?  A depressed satyr, who felt random pains throughout the day.

The emotional pain was even worse.  

Ever since Percy had disappeared, he had felt a certain emptiness.  A hollow feeling.  He felt helpless and depressed, and had no clue what brought on the sudden feelings.  Then it hit him like a brick.

It was Percy.

Even though the empathy link had been tampered with by Hera, it wasn't gone completely.  And as a satyr, Grover knew that such powerful emotions could be felt, even through a weak connection.  Fear coursed through his veins.  He knew that he couldn't feel the full effects of what Percy felt.  That's what scared him the most.

If he felt this... what was Percy enduring?

A shiver ran down his spine, chilling him to the bone.  

He had to save his friend.  

That much was obvious.

But who would help him?  A sudden thought occurred to him.

He sent for Nico.

.:-:.:-:.:-:.:-:.

They met the day later outside the dining pavilion at Camp Half-Blood.  Nico had also brought Reyna along for extra reinforcements, which was fine with Grover.  They needed all the help they could get.  

"He's been taken?" Reyna asked with wide eyes.  Grover and Nico nodded gravely.

"We think that's the case," Nico started, the shadows around him flickering nervously.  "We doubt even Hera would send him somewhere this soon."

Grover made a noise of assent before adding to the statement, "And only a few days after Jason's disappearance, too.  The two are connected, I can tell." 

"There's no way they couldn't be." Reyna sighed, and stood up.  Pacing the room.  "I'm just surprised there hasn't been a prophecy, or a sign or anything."

"Actually, there was a note." Nico pulls a crumpled sheet of paper out of his aviator jacket.  Reyna snatched it from his hands, and smoothed it out on the edge of the table.  She cleared her throat, and read.  

 "I will return...

I'm bringing him with me. He will suffer underneath the surface by the hand of the bane of his father and I."  She said.  It was hard to tell, but Grover could decipher a hint of fear hidden behind her voice.

"Bane of his father..." Nico mused, looking up to the clouds, deep in thought.  "That would have to mean a giant."

"But we killed all of them!" Reyna protested.  "How could any of them possibly be back?" Her eyes widened in realization.  "Unless..." She cursed under her breath in Latin, shaking her head.  "Under the surface.  Guys, think about it.  Where do monsters go when they die?" Grover took a deep breath, and bleated nervously.

"Tartarus." He whispered.  "At least one of them is being kept in Tartarus."

"How else would the bane keep them?" Nico said.  "Gods, I'm so stupid.  The answer has been staring everyone in the face the whole time, and we only just now figure it out."

"But which of the two is the letter talking about?" Grover asked the question everyone was thinking.  "It says he.  Not they, or them.  We-" He gasped, and doubled over in pain as a terrible sensation filled his body.  Invisible blood poured from the non-existent wound as his two companions lent over him, concern etched into their features.  

"Grover, what happened?" Nico asked worriedly, reaching out his hand.  Grover took it gratefully, and stood shakily on his hooves.

"I-It's Percy." He admitted.  "He's in pain. A lot of it.   I've had these for a while now.  Wherever he is, we need to get there- fast.  His life force is weak, I can sense it.  And if we don't rescue him soon..." He let the statement hang in the air as the others took in the words.  They all knew what the end of it would be, and didn't want to hear anymore bad news.  

"We'll find him, Grover." The son of Hades said reassuringly, resting a hand on his shoulder.  "We'll find them both." Grover nodded, and ignored the dull throbbing emitting from his stomach. 

Reyna turned her head towards the lake, watching the soft colors of the sunset melt into the horizon.  "How are we going to get there?" She asked.  "Alive, I mean.  And out, assuming we live to that point."

"There's an entrance near here, I can sense it." Nico said, facing the direction of the forest.  "Death is practically radiating off that point." He pointed his finger to the forest.  "I'm not as sure about the way out, though.  I guess we'll figure it out when the time comes."

"Only three Demigods have ever made it out of that pit alive." Reyna stated, finally turning away from the lake.  "Nico, Percy, and Annabeth." Nico looked down to the ground.  "You guys were never the same again." She said, addressing Nico.  "I just worry about what'll be like for you and Percy the second time."

"Me too." Nico said, small cracks in the ground inching open.  "But I have to.  I have to go back."

Jason POV

Jason stormed out of the blood stained cell, leaving the prisoner in the hands of Polybotes who would provide him with much-needed pain. 

He was sick of the sea son's constant smart-mouthing.  Calling him a traitor?  Everything Jason was doing was for the good of the whole world.

The gods couldn't be allowed to rule the Earth any longer.  They were tearing it down.  Breaking it down more and more with every passing century.  Everyday Jason regretted supporting the gods more and more.  He was a fool to think that they actually cared.  They didn't give a Tartarus about what happened to their children.  All the demigods were just used as pawns.  Controlled on metaphorical chessboards.  Riding around like knights on their horses, unaware of the fact that their brave and noble quests were just errands for the gods. 

The gods killed people.  

They killed Leo and Piper.  With no remorse whatsoever.  

They deserved to pay.  

The giants could easily take down those morons.  The god's banes... Meant to oppose the stupid immortals.  There was no question to who was more powerful.  

He was suddenly burst out of his thoughts when Polybotes entered the room, the large door clanging against the wall.  He lent his trident against the wall, blood dripping from the three spears.  Most likely from their captive.  

"Hyperion is reforming." The giant said simply, shaking some viper dandruff from his hair.  "Near the hut of Damasen." 

"I hate that twit." Jason muttered.  "Damasen, I mean.  Disgrace to the rest of the giants.  Helped Jackson the first time he was down here."

"Well, from what I heard, Hyperion will be here within days.  I'm sure he would like to visit our... guest." Polybotes laughed.  Jason lifted a corner of his mouth in satisfaction.  

"Revenge is sweet, isn't it?"