The Darkness Within

Chapter 28

Percy POV

I stand before the elevator, anxious.

"You ready?" Pax squeezes my hand.

I shake my head. "Not even a little bit."

Nico and Will shadow-traveled behind us, bickering about something.

"I'm telling you, he's not there!" Nico is tearing his hair out.

Will rubs his back. "You're just tired. Take a rest, will you?"

Nico grumbles.

"What's wrong?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I keep forgetting you're a relatively new child of Hades." Nico smacks his forehead. "I'll tell you later."

The four of us approach the front desk in the lobby.

"600th floor please." Will rings the desk bell.

The security guard didn't bat an eyelash. "No 600th floor, kid. Now scram."

Nico groaned. "You really need to get a face directory. Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades."

"Leave now," the security guard starts to stand, "before I call the cops."

Pax snorts as I walk calmly to the desk.

"Perseus Jackson, former son of Poseidon, son of Hades, thrice savior of Olympus, temporary host of the goddess Nekhbet, and very pissed off." I smile through gritted teeth.

The security guard's eyes widen as his jaw drops. He hands me a key and stares at us.

"Much obliged." I mutter as my brother laughs.

Annabeth and the remainder of the seven finally arrive.

"Ready Annie?" Pax pokes her.

Annabeth sighs. "For the last time, don't call me Annie."

Leo and Pax smirk in unison and give each other a look. "Annie..."

Annabeth whacks both of them playfully.

We all enter the elevator and press the button for the 600th floor. Tears threaten to surface. Pax holds my arm, sighing. This would be the first time in one thousand years, just two years for the gods, that I would see my ex-father as myself, not as Alpha. They can do anything to me. Hurt me, punish me, and throw me back to Tartarus. I hope I proved my innocence.

The majestic white doors open into the throne room. The gods whisper between themselves, but when they see us, they grow quiet. Hades sits on his honorary throne, grinning from ear to ear. An unusual sight, but not an unwelcome one.

"I've returned, father." I bow to Hades. Nico joins me.

Poseidon doesn't meet my eyes. He looks at his sandals.

Hades smiles. "Arise, dear Perseus and Nicholas."

Nico resists the urge to scowl at his full name. I make a mental note to tease him about this later.

"Ahem," Zeus clears his throat, breaking up the reunion, "it appears we have made a mistake. Perseus Jackson hereby declared not guilty by the gods. He has saved Camp Half-Blood once again.."

"Pax helped." I interject.

Zeus eyes me. "...with the help of the Hermes spawn. For two years..."

"One thousand years." Pax interrupts, fiddling with her double swords.

"One thousand years," Zeus grumbles, "of undeserved punishment, we shall reward Perseus..."

"And Pax." I chuckle.

Zeus glares at us both. "Be quiet you two so I can finish the apology Hades made me write. We shall reward Perseus and Pax with the one gift they desire."

A wave of deja vu rushes to me. After the Titan War, Annabeth begging me with her eyes to not accept immortality. 

Back then I loved her.

"Perfect." I clasp my hands together. "But I have multiple requests."

Some of the gods chuckle. Zeus sighs. 

"One, a law-abiding justice system. Not corrupt. Not biased. Made up of nymphs, demigods, legacies, and satyrs alike."

Athena tilts her head, nodding.

Hera glares at me. "Are you calling the gods corrupt?"

"Yes." I continue, without remorse. "Two, an in-depth evaluation of Tartarus. Not all monsters down there are evil. And if I, a mortal with little powers, can go in and escape not once, not twice, but three times, then there's something wrong with the prison system."

Hades jots down notes.

Hephaestus raises his hand. "Are you free on Thursday to discuss potential new security measures for the Pit?"

"Sure. Number three, please, take this blasted partial-immortality away. I think I made it clear enough that I do not wish for immortality the first time." I await a reaction from all the gods.

Zeus mutters something about an ungrateful little brat and snaps his fingers. My partial immortality washes away in a wave of light.

"Thank you Zeusy." I crack my knuckles. "Do all of you gods accept my terms?" 

They all nod, not having a choice.

"You've matured, Perseus." Athena remarks. "You are not the same sea-spawn I forbade my daughter from seeing."

Annabeth blushes a bit. I ignore that.

Hermes smiles at his daughter. "Now Pax, what do you wish for? Keep in mind that Perseus did wish for a lo-"

Pax ran up to Hades.

"I wish for permission to visit Elysium. I swear on the River Styx I won't free anyone there without your permission." She adds the last bit under her breath. "I want to see my brother again and gain information from heroes past to help the heroes future."

Hades chuckles. "Consider your wish granted."

Ares clasped his hands together. "Great! Can we go now? I have a battle that needs to be overseen."

He flashes out and the other gods follow, but not before wishing us farewell and good luck.

The other demigods start leaving. I am about to join them when a hand touches my shoulder.

Poseidon.

A/N: THE DARKNESS WITHIN IS COMING TO A CLOSE PEOPLE!

Just a couple more chapters then FINITO.

Please comment your opinions so far! I miss hearing from you!

~ Saph