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chapter thirty-three
( battle of the labyrinth )
❝ gold eyes! ❞

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There were plenty of reactions from the group of us that jumped out of the window and plummeted towards the valley and red rocks one hundred and fifty metres below. There were some screams (courtesy of Rachel Elizabeth Dare), curses (courtesy of Nico di Angelo), yells of delight (from guess who? Percy! You are correct!), angry shouts to those yells of delight (hi, that would be me) and angry silence as she tried to learn how to control the fall (that would be Annabeth, the only sane one out of all of us).

We swooped down towards the Garden of the Gods. Percy did a complete circle around one of the rock spires and freaked out a couple of climbers (because, yes, that's the priority right now). The five of us soared across the valley, over a road, and landed on the terrace of the visitor centre. It was late afternoon, and the place looked pretty empty, but we ripped off our wings as quickly as we could before stuffing the wings in the bin outside the cafeteria.

We peered up at the hill where Daedalus's workshop had been, but it had vanished. No more smoke. No broken windows. Just the side of a hill.

"The workshop moved," Annabeth guessed. "There's no telling where."

"So what do we do now?" asked Percy. "How do we get back into the maze?"

Annabeth gazed at the summit of Pikes Peak in the distance. "Maybe we can't. If Daedalus died ... he said his life force was tied to the Labyrinth. The whole thing might've been destroyed. Maybe that will stop Luke's invasion."

I stared at her, alarmed. She was right, but I didn't want to think that. Cain, Grover and Tyson were still down there. If Daedalus had died and the Labyrinth was destroyed...

"No," Nico said. "He isn't dead."

"How can you be sure?" frowned Percy.

"I know when people die. It's this feeling I get, like a buzzing in my ears."

"What about Tyson, Grover and Cain, then?"

Nico shook his head. "I can only sense Cain, and he's alive. The others, that's harder. They're not humans or half-blods. They don't have mortal souls. But if Cain's alive, then maybe Grover and Tyson are, too."

"We have to get into town," Annabeth decided. "Our chances of finding an entrance to the Labyrinth will be better. We have to make it back to camp before Luke and his army."

"We could just take a plan," Rachel suggested.

Percy shook his head immediately, shuddeirng. "I don't fly."

"But you just did."

"That was low flying," he said, "and even that's risky. Flying up really high━that's Zeus's territory. I can't do it. Besides, we don't have time for a flight. The Labyrinth is the quickest way back."

I wanted to go back into the Labyrinth to hopefully find the others on the way, but I didn't say that. Meeting Percy's gaze, I realised that he was thinking the same thing. We shared a nod.

"So, we need a car to take us into the city," I suggested.

Rachel looked down into the parking lot. She grimaced as if she were about to do something she regretted. "I'll take care of it."

I frowned, "How?"

"Just trust me."

I pursed my lips, but nodded (which surprised Percy and Annabeth a bit━even Rachel). "Okay. Annabeth, we should go and buy a prism in the gift shop, try to make a rainbow and send an Iris-message to camp."

"I'll go with you," said Nico. "I'm hungry."

"I'll stick with Rachel, then," Percy said. "Meet you guys in the parking lot."

And so we separated, nerves over the approaching army to their home very high. I wonder whether Jay would be amongst those attacking camp. If he was, then we will be in big trouble.

As Annabeth, Nico and I walked, I felt like someone was cascading shadows down my neck. When I looked over, I saw Nico was watching me with a frown on his face. For a━what eleven? Twelve-year-old?━kid, he had a pretty mean and intimidating scowl. "What's wrong?" I asked him.

Nico pursed his lips, and his eyes fell down. "Sorry. Just ... I can tell you died and came back━it's like this darkness is just following you around. My father's your patron, yes? He controls whether you stay living or die?"

I nodded, and he looked even more troubled. I realised he was probably wondering why Hades allowed me to return, and not his sister Bianca. So, I sighed, "I'm sorry, Nico, that you couldn't bring Bianca back. But for someone who was brought back, I don't wish it upon anyone. She'll be happy in Elysium. And you shouldn't blame Percy for her death. I was meant to protect her, and I failed. I'm sorry."

He didn't say anything after that, and neither did I. We just continued to walk, tense-shouldered.

° ° °

Rachel got us a car. I don't know how, but she did. It was a big car too. We cruised down the road on seats made of leather with plenty of leg room. The back seat had flat-panel televisions built into the headrests and a mini-fridge with bottled water, drinks and snacks. And of course, we ate what we could.

"Where to, Miss Dare?" the driver asked.

I frowned, arching a brow at Rachel. What was her deal? "I'm not sure yet, Robert," she said. "We just need to drive through town and, uh, look around."

"Whatever you say, miss."

Percy looked at her, "Do you know this guy?"

"No."

"But he dropped everything to help you. Why?"

"Just keep your eyes peeled," Rachel told him. "Help me look."

We drove through Colorado Springs for about half an hour and saw nothing that Miss Rachel-Elizabeth-who-can-just-ask-for-a-rental-car-without-paying-Dare considered a possible Labyrinth entrance. I was tired, so I took this chance to rest after controlling so much in such a concentrated point to literally burn through Kelli's inside━and especially after spending so long without the power, it was like I had run a marathon without any training or warming up before hand. I leaned against Percy, exhausted. I saw Rachel purse her lips at us, but I didn't care, I was far to tired to fill up with jealousy. (Yeah, I know, crazy).

After another hour we decided to head north towards Denver, thinking that maybe a bigger city would be more likely to have a Labyrinth entrance, but we were all getting nervous. We were losing time.

Then, right as we were leaving Colorado Springs, Rachel sat bolt upright. "Get off the highway!"

The driver glanced back, "Miss?"

"I saw something, I think. Get off here."

The driver swerved across traffic and took the exit. I sat up, energy starting to come back to be abruptly in seeing the frantic look in Rachel's eyes. "What did you see?" Percy asked, since we were pretty much out of the city now. There wasn't anything around except hills, grassland and some scattered farm buildings.

Rachel had the driver turn down this unpromising dirt track. We drove by a sign too fast for me to read it, but Rachel said, "Western Museum of Mining and Industry."

It didn't look like much━a little house like an old-fashioned railroad station, some drills and pumps and old steam shovels on display outside.

"There," Rachel pointed to. hole in the side of a nearby hill━a tunnel that was boarded up and chained. "An old mine entrance."

"A door to the Labyrinth?" Annabeth asked. "How can you be sure?"

"Well, look at it!" Rachel said. "I mean ... I can see it, okay?"

She thanked the driver and we all got out. He didn't ask for money or anything. Instead, he just turned to Rachel and said, "Are you sure you'll be all right, Miss Dare? I'd be happy to call your━"

"No!" said Rachel quickly. "No, really. Thanks, Robert. But we're fine."

The museum looked to be closed, so nobody bothered us as we climbed the hill to the mineshaft. When we got to the entrance, I saw the Mark of Daedalus engraved on the padlock, though how Rachel could have seen something so small from so far away ... "Good job, Little Red Riding Hood," I told her as Percy touched the padlock and the chains fell away. We kicked down a few boards and walked inside, back inside the Labyrinth.

(That's the closest I'll get to a compliment, okay?).

The dirt tunnels turned to stone. They wound around and around, splitting off here and there to confuse us, but Rachel had no trouble guiding us. We told her we needed to get back to New York, and she hardly even paused when the tunnels offered a choice.

I decided that I should talk to Rachel. I admit, I haven't been the nicest, and I know that she was just as scared as all of us━perhaps more. So, I decided to ask her more about her past, because I could tell she didn't like her parents, and I know a thing or two about that. She was evasive, however, so Annabeth joined in and they started to talk about architecture. I piped in every now and then, talking about my music and medicine. Without worrying about her and Percy, I found that I actually don't mind Rachel. She was intelligent, and passionate about her art, and she was nice if I wasn't being mean to her. (Huh, who would have thought?).

Rachel suddenly stopped, and I frowned at the look on her face. Percy bumped straight into me, and I sent him a sharp look. "What is it?" he asked.

Rachel stared down the dark tunnel to the right━a circular shaft carved from black volcanic rock. In the dim light of my powers, she looked ghostly pale.

"Is that the way?" I asked her nervously.

"No," she replied, just as nervous. "Not at all."

"Why are we stopping then?" Percy's frown deepend.

"Listen," said Nico.

We did, and I heard wind coming down from the tunnel, as if the exit were close. And I smelled something vageuly familiar ... my fingers itched up to the grey strand in my hair. Percy realised this too, and he tensed up. "Eucalyptus trees," he said. "Like in California."

"There's something evil down that tunnel," murmured Rachel. "Something very powerful."

"And the smell of death," Nico added, which made none of us feel any better.

Annabeth, Percy and I shared a glance. "Luke's entrance," Annabeth guessed. "The one to Mount Othrys━the Titans' palace."

Percy glared at the tunnel. He gritted his teeth before he gripped Riptide tighter. "I have to check it out," he said.

Before he could, I grabbed his arm to stop him. "Percy, no."

He met my gaze, "Luke could be right there," he told me. "Or ... or Kronos. I have to find out what's going on."

I gazed over his shoulder nervously into the dark tunnel. Luke and Kronos ... I took a deep breath, hating how my chest squeezed. "Then ... then we'll all go," I decided.

"No," Percy shook his head. "It's too dangerous. If they got hold of Nico, or you, or Rachel for that matter, Kronos could use you. Annabeth, you stay here and guard them."

I know he was holding something back. I frowned, seeing the hesitation in his eyes. "Percy, don't," said Rachel. "Don't go up there alone."

"I'll be quick," he promised. "I won't do anything stupid."

I arched a brow at him to tell him he always does stupid things. Annabeth took her Yankees cap out of her pocket. "At least take this. And be careful," she told him.

"Thanks," he took it. Percy went to put it on and go into the tunnel, but a thought crossed his mind. He glanced back at me, looking rather brave and managed a grin. "Do I get a kiss for good luck? Could be a tradition."

I went bright red, feeling everyone's eyes on me. Annabeth crossed her arms, as if she knew all along. Nico's eyes widened━and if not a bit disappointed. And then Rachel looked stumped, and while I know it's bad, it made me feel better that she knew to back off. So, I shrugged and crossed my arms. "How about you come back alive, Aquaman. Then, we'll see."

He sent me a quick grin, before he put the hat on. "Here goes nothing," I heard him say, all though he was invisible. And then, when I heard nothing else, I knew he was gone.

In the silence that followed, I was extremely worried. What if he didn't come back? What if a whole army was waiting for him? I wanted to go straight after him, but I had to remind myself that he'll be okay. That he's much smarter than everyone thinks he is. That he's a good fighter ... that he's ...

(But what if something happens?!)

I fiddled with my necklace, gaze flickering back and forth between the dark obsidian tunnel, and Annabeth and the others. She frowned at me, knowing exactly what I was thinking. The thing is, though, I don't think Annabeth would stop me if I went after him. In fact, I think she would follow right after me.

But Percy was right. If Kronos got a hold of Nico or Rachel, or me, it wouldn't be good. (That's an underestimation).

But what if something happened? I would ever forgive myself if I let something happen to him.

I don't know how much time passed before I gritted my teeth and said, "He's taking a long time."

Nico pursed his lips, gazing down the tunnel as well.

He was taking a long time. I couldn't do it anymore. "I'm going after him."

"What?" Rachel let out. "No! Are you crazy?"

"Yes," I said, and without another word, I set off down the tunnel. In seconds, the others caught up, and together, we set off for Percy in the deadly corridor.

I found him, all right. But not just him. Cain was with him, and the two of them were sprinting away from someone right behind them. I frowned, skidding to a stop, very confused━and then I saw him.

It was like I was a little girl again, having my nightmare in that shelter with Luke, Annabeth and Thalia, and seeing the gold eyes for the first time. My breath hitched in my throat. I stared at Luke━at least, what looked like Luke. He had the same scar across his face, the same features. But his grin was different. It was no longer crooked in a mischevious way like every other son of Hermes. It was sly, old and evil. And his eyes. Oh gods, his eyes. They were gold. A gleaming gold that sent shivers down my spine. His weapon wasn't his sword; instead it was a dark, reaping scythe. Kronos's scythe.

"PERCY!" Rachel shouted and something flew past me. It took me a second to realsie it was a blue plastic hairbrush, and it hit Luke━no, Kronos━right in the eye.

"Ow!" he yelled in Luke's voice.

The misery of Kronos wiped away for a second, and I saw him. I saw Luke. I was so confused.

"L━Luke?" I let out. "What did you━?"

Percy grabbed me by the shirt and hauled me after him. Cain rushed over and took Annabeth's hand who was staring at Luke, speechless and in dismay. I heard Luke laugh━but it wasn't Luke. It wasn't his voice. It was dark, chilling, old ... Kronos was speaking. "Run, little heroes!" he called after us. "But you've started the last stage! And you can't stop it!"

I think we were almost back to the Labyrinth entrance when I heard the loudest bellow in the world━the voice of Kronos, "AFTER THEM!"

"NO!" Nico yelled. He clapped his hands together, and a jagged spire of rock the size of an eighteen-wheeler erupted from the ground right in front of the fortress. The tremor it caused was so powerful, the front columns of the building came crashing down. There was muffled screams. Bust billowed everywhere.

Percy pulled me into the Labyrinth, and we kept running, the howl of the Titan lord in Luke's body hsaking the entire world behind us.

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    a/n: we're getting closer to the end of the botl and I'm not ready