Isabella, Tartarus survivor

Hazel takes me on a trip to the past

Chapter 24

It was decided. Reyna, Coach Hedge, Nico and I would take the Athena Parthenos back to Camp. Wherever camp was. I would help Nico with the shadow travelling (Elysium knew whether or not I could transport two extra people), and Reyna and Coach Hedge would help protect us. Apparently, shadow travelling that far was very tiring.

As Nico and Reyna were setting up the harness (to make sure we all stayed together), Hazel took me aside. "I know how it feels. To believe that all of this is fake." I avoided her gaze. "It's OK. Um, look, if you would let me, I can do this thing. I can show you my memories. I don't really get how it works, it might not work, but I figured it's worth a try because I can tell that you still-" I could see that Hazel was working herself up, so I interrupted her.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I can prove to you that all of this," she gestured around us, "is real. All you need to do is take my hand." I looked around, looking at everyone on deck. Hazel caught my uncomfortable look. "Let's go somewhere more private." She said. I nodded, and we went to her room. She sat on her bed, and patted next to her, indicating for me to sit down too. I took a deep breath and sat. "I promise you," said Hazel, "that you're safe. I'll be right beside you through all of this." I nodded again, staying silent. Hazel held out her hand, and I took it.

My eyes rolled back into my head, and the world seemed to spin. Anxiety rose in my chest and I squeezed eyelids shut. This was a bad idea. I went to pull my hand away when I heard a voice, Hazel's voice, say "It's okay. Look." I opened my eyes.

We were back at the Doors. Everyone was fighting, and it was a flurry of action. Then, the Doors opened. I saw Percy and Annabeth and myself. Percy and Annabeth looked exhausted, but I... well, I looked dead. My face was covered in dirt, and my hair was matted. My cheekbones stuck sharply through my face. I gasped. It was a shock. I'd showered since I got out, but I hadn't looked in a mirror. I guess I still looked like that now. That wasn't pleasant. Hazel squeezed my hand in a comforting manner. I heard someone yell "Percy, Annabeth, look out!" I turned to locate the voice, and watched Frank release an arrow from his bow. It pierced me in the stomach. Someone clicked their fingers, and Annabeth fell, unconscious. Three seconds later, Percy fell too. I could see myself struggling not to succumb, but I did. Nico was still fighting, but I heard him yell "Frank, che cosa hai fatto?!" (A/N- Means 'What did you do?!" in Italian.) Frank looked worried.

"Did I do something wrong?" He yelled as he fought. Nico grunted, concentrating hard on taking down a giant. A tall man with shoulder length black hair, and sharp facial features was fighting alongside him. Percy and Annabeth awoke and joined the battle, but I just lay there. Motionless. Useless.

Finally, it was done. The demigods and Gods were the only ones left standing. Nico turned to the tall man, shadows spilling from his body. I'd never seen my brother look this angry.

"Who is she? Why do I recognise her? I swear to the gods, if you've tampered with my mind-" he said in a low, menacing voice, but Hades cut him off.

"I did what I thought was necessary." The tall man replied.

"Who is she?" Nico emphasised each word.

"It was for the best." The tall man, our father Hades I guessed, replied, though he looked slightly anxious now.

"YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S FOR THE BEST, FATHER!" Nico spat. "WHO IS SHE?" The shadows were whirling around him like a hurricane now, whipping his hair about. The others, who had gathered in a small crowd far away from the scene, looked nervous.