Mission: A Stroll Through Hell

Quest Information
Quest Overview= Elizabeth Peirce has been in the Broken Covenant for around a month now, but nobody trusts her because of her history. Most believe that because Elizabeth grew up and was trained on Olympus, her loyalties may be comprimised and she may still be loyal to the Gods. Heinrich Alten told her that by recruiting an already trained demigod, she will be able to convince him and her faction otherwise. When she found Benny, a child of Hebe, and realized she could recruit him to the Broken Covenant, she realized that she finally had a chance to give people a reason to start to trust her. But because Benny was so reluctant to join to Broken Covenant, she struck him a deal that as a Child of Charon, she would help him see his friend Alex who had died if he vowed to join the Broken Covenant.

Please see this role-play forum for further context: http://camphalfbloodroleplay.wikia.com/wiki/Roleplay:Main_Forum/General/Theo_and_Benny%27s_Adventure Mission Participants= Leader: Elizabeth Peirce Other Participants: Benny Carraway Theodore Green

Word Bubbles=

Objectives=
 * For Elizabeth it is to recruit Benny to the Broken Covenant.


 * For Benny it is to talk to Alex, his dead mentor and friend.


 * For Theo, it is to make sure Benny stays safe.

Mission Outline= It's long, but if you really wanna know the details, the link is: http://camphalfbloodroleplay.wikia.com/wiki/Claiming:Missions/A_Stroll_Through_Hell?action=edit

Pre-Underworld RP
Benny: Quietly, he knocked on the door to Theo's cabin. As planned all of his loose ends had been tied up. Benny felt heartbroken that he would have to leave his friends behind but it was the right thing to do. He wore a set of travelling clothes. His hoodie was pulled up over his face, his amphora necklace the only identifying feature that it was him. He waited for Theo to answer, for what felt like an eternity. "C'mon, we need to get out of here. Before I change my mind."

Ariadne Girl: A girl with short blonde hair opened the door for Benny. "Heya!" She said cheerfully. "Are you looking for someone? I'm new here, so I don't know names yet, but if you tell me who you're looking for, maybe I can—"

Theo: Theo pushed past the girl rudely. "He's here for me. Thanks anyway. Come on Benny, let's go." Theo said, rushingly. Theo walked outside. He was wearing jeans and a green button down shirt, which he was too lazy to button. He has his skeleton key around his neck, and his golden pin pinned to his shirt. He carried a canteen of water and a granola bar in his back pocket.

Benny: The younger boy gave the girl a small nod in appreciation. "Umm thanks...." He followed Theo awkwardly and put his hands in his pockets. It was still cold outside, as it was pretty early. "She seems nice. Do you think we'll get into trouble?" Benny blushed a little. "I tied up those loose ends like I promised. I feel bad about it, but you were right. I feel a bit better..."

Theo: "She's annoying. Never sleeps. All fuzzy and positive. I hate her." Theo kept walking, a little faster now as they approached the forest. "Good. What do you feel bad about? You're going to visit your friend. Don't think of it as any different than going to visit your dad."

Benny: "Well, I'm like that, and you like me..." He stuck his tongue out at Theo. "I know, but I'm still nervous. What if it goes wrong? I don't want to leave my friends or Dad behind." Smiling bravely, he followed Theo towards the point where they had arranged to meet Elizabeth. "Sorry... I'll be okay, promise. Thanks for doing this."

Theo: Theo shook his head. "you're different. You know that." Theo sighed. "If it goes wrong we fix it. We always do, don't we? Benny, ever read the tortise and the hare? The turtle left the hare behind because it took too many breaks, but at the end they were reunited at the finish line. You'll be reunited with your friends and family after you see Alex, don't worry. I got you kid. Stop worrying."

Benny: Shrugging his shoulders, Benny hummed underneath his breath as they walked into the forest. "I guess so. I'll try and stop worrying. You know what I'm like...." He took some time to contemplate what he'd say once he was reunited with Alex. It felt like such a long time ago, and he had so much to say, so many questions to ask. It was overwhelming. "I think I'll be okay. We're nearly there, right?"

Theo: "Here it is," Theo said, approaching a clearing in the forest. "This is where she said to meet her. Huh. I expected her to be here first." Theo stated.

Elizabeth: Meanwhile, Elizabeth wasbehind a tree just past the other side of the clearing. She had already prayed and contected Persephone, who would be arriving any moment. "Actually, I have been waiting for a few hours now," Elizabeth said, stepping into the clearing. "I already contacted Persephone. She will arrive shortly. Did you bring offerings?"

Benny: "Oh, I almost forgot..." Benny smiled warmly and knelt down to the ground. He took out a couple of cakes, and a bunch of flowers. "I know it's not much, but I figured that Lady Persephone would probably want something simple..." He passed the flowers to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth let out a laugh. "Oh, how naïve of you child. Do you not realize how great a favor the Great Goddess Persephone is performing for you? For me? She is the goddess of flowers; she owns all of them already, as they are in her domain. That necklace has a power radiating from it. That seems more like something she would be interested in. I have gotten to know the goddess Persephone quite well over the centuries, and simple, she is not. But I guess we will see what she thinks of your gift." Elizabeth turned to Theo. "And what have you to offer The Spring?"

Theo: "I gave up the only relationship I ever had, so I could meet her on this quest. I figured that would be enough." Theo said, irritable as ever.

''"Now now, Elizabeth, my dear. There's no need for that." A woman in a green dress walked through the woods. She was barefoot and flowers grew at her feet with each step. She had intense brown eyes, though not unkind, and skin of pale ivory. She smiled at Benny and Theo, sitting on a nearby tree stump. "It has not been long since my return. I hear the boy wishes to speak with my husband." ''

Benny: Startled by Persephone's sudden appearance, Benny glanced towards her shyly. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the goddess. She was both the goddess of spring and the underworld. He decided to be polite and made a small bow. "Lady Persephone. I'm sorry if the offering doesn't please you. But I tried my best, and I'd like to see my friend again. He's been gone for a long time. I miss him."

''She knelt down and accepted the cakes. "Hm. My mother used to make cakes like these, all wheat-bran of course. Demeter's crazy about fiber. Course, we don't get them often in the underworld." She gave Benny a sad smile. "So, you want to talk to Hades. It's dangerous child. Most who see him never return. I was lucky. Are you so prepared to leave all your family behind? And you, son of Ariadne, why do you come? Your mother's children could never leave well alone. But I thought you were different."''

Elizabeth: "I already told them that Persephone. The boy wants to nonetheless. And I think Theo here just wants to make sure his little friend here stays safe. Which, as we already said, is unlikely."

Theo: Theo frowned. What Elizabeth said was true, but he felt like she was making him seem pathetic in front of a goddess. "Hey! I have my own motives as well. But yes, I do support Benny, because unlike you I actually have friends." Theo said, attempting a petty retort.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth smiled slyly at Theo. "Oh Theodore. Why don't you take a look around at how exactly you are getting to the Underworld? Whose friends and connections are you using to get there? That's right, mine. Watch your mouth or you may be staying behind."

''Persephone lifted her hand up. "Enough. Theo, she is quite right. I will take you to my husband and we'll hope that he's merciful. In return, I'll have my favour repaid." She smiled, ivy wrapping around her body. On closer inspection, one might notice that her dress was actually a living entity. "But I am sympathetic. We all take risks for the ones we love." The goddess said, not addressing anyone in particular. "Do you have any more questions?" ''

Benny: The younger boy stood up. "I know the risks. Theo's coming with us." He said to Elizabeth then glanced towards Persephone. "Thank you for your help, my lady. I gave my friends the flower that you blessed, so they'll know if anything... happens. Is there anything else we need to know before entering the underworld? How will we get there?"

Elizabeth: Elizabeth laughed at the boy. "Please. Persephone is a goddess. Getting there is the least of your problems."

''She laughed, though not unkindly. "Benny, is it? As Elizabeth said, getting there is the least of your problems. My connection to the underworld is weaker, but that's still the easy part. My husband is intense. He will try and get you to sell your soul in return. Agree to nothing if possible. Don't touch, eat or drink anything, and whatever you all do, try not to make a promise on the Styx and break it. Last time that happened, it was quite a mess, I assure you. Took weeks to get the stench of death off my linens."''

Elizabeth: Elizabeth clenched her fists and grit her teeth as Persephone mentioned and talked about Hades, as if she had her own beef with him, which in fact she did. She despised him, almost as much as Hera, believing him to be taking her father for granted and enlaving to to his work with no break for millenia.

Benny: He nodded. "Yes, Lady Persephone, I'll do my best. I promise I'll be careful. Are we ready to go now?"

''Persephone smiled. "That's the question you should be asking, Benny. Come along." As she spoke, three roses coiled around her hands and tightened their steams. She passed them to each member of the group and nodded at them. "These roses will take you to my garden. Oh, and don't mind the pets. They get nervous around company." Suddenly, she submerged into the ground. The party members would feel odd, as the flowers wrapped themselves around their hands and turned into shadow. The sensation of travel roses was somewhat like shadow travel, and they arrived safely in the palace gardens a couple of moments later. Crystalline trees and flowers glowed in the darkness. A couple of hellhounds come, to sniff out the fresh demigods.''

Hades' Palace
Benny: Standing up as he was thrown on the garden floor, Benny glanced towards Theo, partly to confirm that he was still there, and partly to check whether he needed any rejuvenation. The younger demigod's head was still spinning from the impact. His eyes widened in fascination at the plants. "Wow...." From his powers, he could tell such flowers weren't either alive or dead. However, his curiosity was cut short as the hellhounds ran towards him. "Hey doggies, nice to meet you all...."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth pushed past Benny. "Child." She said dismissively towards Benny the boy. She gestured for the hellounds to stop. "Στο όνομα της Περσεφόνης σταματήσει!" Elizabeth yelled at the beasts. They stopped in their tracks. "Φεύγω." She told the beasts. The hellhounds left, growling. Elizabeth turned to look at at Benny and Theo. "You get scared far too easily. They're domesticated."

''Persephone clapped her hands. ""Έχετε μάθει πολλά από τότε που σας δίδαξε τελευταία." She glanced towards Elizabeth. "You'll have to look after him. The poor boy's barely out of his swaddling clothes." The goddess shrugged her shoulders, the ivy dress turning into dark silk. "Let us go. Time is short. You all wanted to see my beloved. We might as well get it over with so I can go back to the surface." Leaning down to pet her hellhounds, they follow closely at her heels, paws echoing against the obsidian floor.''

Elizabeth: "Μόνο και μόνο επειδή είχα τους καλύτερους δασκάλους. Άρης. Εστία. Αφροδίτη. Εσείς." Elizabeth said, complementing Persephone.She and Persephone led the way out of the garden and into the castle down a long corridor, with skeletal guards from various wars stationed at every few yards.

Theo: Theo, listening Persephone and Elizabeth's conversation, thought to himself. ''She was trained by the gods. Right that's why she's so good at everything. Nice to know if I'm being played, it's by Ares's protégé so I have no chance of living. Just great.''

Benny: Smiling, Benny followed along. He was also surprised to hear about Elizabeth's unusual history. Personally, he'd always seen the gods as distant beings. He only felt comfortable when around his mom, but that was different. She was family, like his dad was family, like Alex was family. "That's a neat trick. I bet you've both had some good times around each other.."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth laughed from nostalgia. "Yes, indeed we have. Persephone, remember that one time we were playing in your mother's garden on Olympus, and we raced to see who could cut the grass faster? Me using coin manipulation to cut the grass or you cutting a blade at a time? Of course you won, but those were good times. I miss them." It was the happiest tone Elizabeth had used in a while, but right after remembering she became her serious default self again. "Here we are. Persephone will escort us in. Try not to offend, touch, insult, joke, or do anything that might get us killed. I'm talking to you Theo."

Theo: Theo put up his hands, defensively. "Ok. What makes you think I'm the one whose gonna mess up?"

''"You always were stubborn Elizabeth." The goddess chuckled, as a pair of undead servants opened the doors to the Great Hall. Her smile turned into a grimace, as she entered the room. "Husband, I've brought some guests back. I won't be staying." Elizabeth smiled at Persephone.''

''Hades was sitting upon his throne, made of onyx. Hades rolled his eyes at Persephone. "Well, Persephone! What a splendid surprise! You never come to visit me in the spring time! I always knew you loved me." Hades said, facetiously. Hades snapped his fingers and the doors to the throne room closed and a large group of skeletal soldiers appeared out of thin air to guard the door. "You aren't going to waste this visit by just dropping these little mortals off here, are you? And you know they won't get anything from me if you leave." Hades smiled mischeviously. All of the sudden, Hades expression went from sarcastic  He had noticed Elizabeth. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here?" Hades said, standing up to get a closer look at the girl. "My dear, I've been looking for you for a very long time."''

''Persephone took a few absent steps around the hall. "Again, I will most likely not be staying. I'm sure you would like to explain my absence to my mother and my father. As for the mortals, they're under my protection. This one in particular..." She gestured towards Elizabeth. "I'll let her explain, much as I'd like to argue with you."''

Elizabeth: Elizabeth curtsied at Hades, solely out of respect. She despised him, and her eyes, staring into his showed it. "Lord Hades," Elizabeth said, so plastically polite that it came off as rude, "I am here simply as an escort for these two gentlemen. I believe they have a favor to ask of you."

''Hades smiled at Elizabeth and laughed. "How marvelous. Unfortunately for them, unlike Ares and your father, I am not so idiotically seduced into favors for demigods. Especially one who despises me as much as you. Or one who fears me as much as this one seems to." Hades looked at Benny. "But go on, ask me about your friend. Mr. O'Donoghue, I believe it was?" Hades sighed.''

Benny: Benny made a small bow and shyly looked up towards Hades. "Umm.... Lord Hades, I came to ask if I could see Alex. I know he died protecting me and he's probably in Elysium, but I never got to thank him or get closure. I'd like to see him again." He paused for a moment. "I lost him. I would also like to find my friend who disappeared..."

''Hades sighed once again. "Alex. What a shameful demigod. I don't even remember why I let him into Elysium. I do struggle to understand how a powerful son of Hecate can die at the hands of a son of a minor goddess such as Limos. Pathetic if you ask me. You sure if this person ran away they are your friend? Obviously if they ran away you sort of, well, suck at picking friends, to say the least.”''

Benny: "Wait, you can't mean..." He gasped, tears forming in his eyes. "You must be lying. Laz would never have done that. Alex died because he was protecting me from the manticore and by the time I healed his wounds, he was dead..." Benny said, crumpling up on the floor. "Theo, he's lying, isn't he? It can't be real."

Theo: Theo wasn't surprised. He was always suspicious of Laz, but more out of jealousy for how Benny looked up to him. "Benny. Hades is a god. He could be lying. But if he isn't, he isn't." Theo placed a comforting hand on Benny's shoulder."

''Hades rolled his eyes and groaned. "Ugh, don't be such a baby. Get over it. Your friend's dead. No way he was defeating that Chimera on his own anyway. Either way, your friend was as good as dead. Either way, he's mine. But I guess I could give him to you for an hour or something. You know, for a price."''

''Persephone placed a hand on Benny's other shoulder. "Hades is telling the truth, child. He's many things, but he's not a liar." The goddess gave her husband a stern look. "Your friend died. But people die all the time. He died for you."''

Benny: The son of Hebe shook his head. "I'll be okay Theo. I want to hear it from Alex himself. If... if it's true, then it's my responsibility to catch him, before anyone else gets hurt." He stood up and glanced towards Hades. "What's the catch? I know Lazarus worked for you, before he took the body of Conor Fames." Benny shuddered at the name.

''Hades's lip curled slyly. "Well currently your friend is a shade. Shades cannot talk to mortals, especially those that are alive, but rather they simply wail. You want to talk to your friend, do me a favor that is worth me giving him a body. Much as I did for your not-so-friend Lazarus. I want you to bring me the Veil of Night, the blanket that covers the sky each night. It is kept in Nyx's mansions during the day. Steal it from her, and your friend here can keep his body this time around. Hades snapped his fingers and Alex appeared in his old body, which seemed to be good as new. Alex smiled and gave Benny a wave from next to Hades.''

Benny: "Alex!..." The young teen ran straight for his old mentor, before realising that Hades might not have been 100% honest with him. "Wait, how do I know it's you? You look like you, but you could be a fake you... I don't know." He glanced back towards Theo, Elizabeth, Persephone and Hades. "Lord Hades, please can you swear that he's my Alex, not a duplicate, another person or someone else with his memories? I need to know it's him."

''Hades held up a hand. "I swear on the River Styx that this is the same soul you remember." ''

''Alex ruffled Benny's hair as the boy hugged him. "Hey there buddy. How's my little adventurer doing? Sorry I've been sorta busy resting up on Hell's paradise lately."''

Benny: "I missed you...." His arms were wrapped possessively around Alex, and he did his best not to cry. Benny thought that he had dealt with his loss, that he would be fine when he saw his deceased mentor, but now everything he wanted was right there in front of him. "Is it true? I'm sorry that I couldn't save you in time, and I'm sorry for being here. I just needed to see you. A lot has happened, and I don't know what to do."

''Alex hugged the boy back, and he was down on one knee. Alex sighed. "Yeah, Benny Boy, it's true. But it's ok. I'm here now. You're ok. I'm ok. We're gonna be ok." He ran a hand through Benny's hair as he hugged him.''

Benny: The young boy buried his head in Alex's chest. "I... I...." He took a moment, completely overwhelemed with emotion. "I came down here to see you. I needed closure. This is Theo, he's a son of Ariadne and one of my best friends. She's Elizabeth, daughter of Charon. She agreed to take us down here, so I could find you."

Theo: Theo waved at Alex awkwardly from across the room. He didn't want to take part in this moment. Too many emotions for him. Plus, he had always envied Benny's family a bit, and this wasn't helping. He figured it was best he keep his distance.

''"Alright, we get it. You missed each other, blah, blah, blah. We have a deal. His body for the Mantle of Night. Now fetch it." Hades said, interrupting. ''

''Alex looked at Benny, terrified. He put his hands on the boy's cheeks. "Benny, do you know what you have just done? What stealing the Mantle of Night entails? I appriciate you attempt coming down here to save me, but the Mantle of Night is owned by Nyx and kept in her mansion at the bottom of Tartarus. I won't let you risk yourself or anyone else's life to save mine." He stood up to face Hades. "No. I won't let you manipulate Benny like this."''

''Hades laughed. "Silly mortal. It is already done. Are you not already in your body? He already owes me a favor. Fetch it, and I will set you all free of my grasp. Till then, I wish you fun in Tartarus." Hades snapped hsi fingers, and the four demigods were transported insideTartarus.''

Tartarus
Benny: The world spun round and round, round and round like a whirlpool, never-ending. Benny closed his eyes and held onto Alex for dear life, hoping that his foolishness didn't mean the end of them all. After what seemed like an age, he landed on the ground in an ungainly roll. "Ow..." He brushed himself off and looked around to check that everyone was still alive. "Are you all okay...? I didn't think that would happen." Tartarus was a vast cave, seemingly limitless in nature. "I want you all to meet Alex. He's a son of Hecate."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at the boy. "A hecate child. You must be the one who taught Benny to show mercy and get himself nearly killed in battle. Pleasure to meet you. Elizabeth Peirce, Keeper of Boundries, protégé of Ares, and a virgin in the name of Hestia." Elizabeth smiled at her own sarcastic comment and stuck out a hand.

Benny: "Woah, Tartarus is huge, how are we gonna find our way to Nyx's domain?" Benny asked, checking his pockets to make sure he had everything. "I can heal anyone up if they're hurt. But I think I should save my energy. It's probably a long way to the House of Night."

Elizabeth: "Easy. We take that." Elizabeth pointed to a boat that was sitting in what looked to be a river of flames. That's one of the five Rivers of Hades. All five rivers converge at the Delta of Despair. After we reach the Delta, we can take the River Acheron past the dark lands and the drakon swamps. The House of Night is next to Hermes's shrine, on the right."

Benny: "Okay. And there's room for all of us?" Benny scratched the side of his head. "It looks unstable, and I don't want anyone to fall in one of the giant rivers. That doesn't end well." He put his hands in his pockets and glanced over to Alex and Theo for confirmation as he approached the boat.

Elizabeth: "It'll hold. If you would rather walk, be my guest."

Theo: Theo nodded. "Benny. We have no other option."

Benny: "Okay. I trust you."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth smirked. "Good." She walked to the boat, stopping dead in her tracks. Elizabeth rubbed her temples as she approached the boat. It seemed to be giving her some sort of headache. "Stop. The boat, I think it's. My dad's. It feels like it's calling to me." Elizabeth said, through her teeth as the throbbing in her head got worse. She fell to her knees, the pain was so intense. "Argh!" Elizabeth was screaming.

Benny: "Are you okay?" Benny ran over towards her, ready to dose out ambrosia or his energy. He looked towards Alex for guidance. "Maybe it's Tartarus itself, I can feel my head spinning, but maybe that's the fall..." Crossing his arms, the younger boy surveyed the area for any clues. "Whatever it is, we should keep moving."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth gave Benny a stay-back-or-I'll-kill-you stare. She collapsed, and began to seize. During the seizure, Elizabeth had a vision.

''An old and frail man was standing in the boat, his skin pale and wrinkled. He had a wart on the right side of his nose and was holding a wooden staff. The man smiled. "Daughter. How I have been waiting for a legal way to contact you. I don't have much time. I cursed he boat to temporarily deprive your brain of oxygen when you first stepped onto it, so I could contact you. I am forever proud of you. You have and can accomplish so much. But no child of a minor God has ever survived Tartarus. Rely on the Hecate boy but do not trust him. Benjamin and Theodore will be of little help to you down here: you only have yourself. You make it back for me ok? Hestia, Ares, and I would be beside ourselves if anything happened to you down here. I wish you luck my daughter. Draw from my power. I believe in you." The old man smiled, and vanished.''

Elizabeth stopped seizing. Under her tongue was a dolos coin which she spit out. As soon as she woke up. She stood up, put the coin in her pocket, and looked at the group. "Well, what are you all staring at? Let's go! You lazy asses!" Elizabeth stepped into the boat.

Benny: Stepping back from Elizabeth, Benny scratched the side of his head in confusion. He wasn't the most savvy but even he knew that something suspicious was happening. Nevertheless, they were all stuck in Tartarus together. Better to be allied with her than the monsters around them. He gave Alex a small look of reassurance and stepped onto the boat carefully. "Okay, as long as you're okay to take us across these rivers. I hope you took lessons in rowing in Olympus.." The younger boy cautiously took a step on the boat, showing that it was safe, or at least as safe as they could be under the circumstances. "C'mon, it's safe, I promise."

Theo: Theo was frozen. He was paralyzed with fear. He was in Tartarus, the darkest and most feared of all places, even the gods did their best to steer clear of it. And Elizabeth had just had a seizure. Although he didn't trust her, Elizabeth was by far more powerful than him and Benny. If she couldn't survive down here, there was no way he or Benny stood a chance. And she had a ''seizure. ''The reminder of Hunter gave him chills. "I... I think I'd rather walk."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth looked at Theo and laughed. "Would you now? Would you like a side of fries for the monster that attacks you after you get lost down here? You may be a child of Ariadne, but navigating this place without dying is nearly impossible. So either get on, or don't. But this is bigger than you. So man up, and get your ass on this boat."

Theo: Theo groaned. He reluctantly and cautiously stepped onto the boat.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth looked at Alex, whose red hair looked more brown in Tartarus. She sensed a powerful aura around him, one that came too close to hers for comfort. She felt the need to show him what she was capable of. Elizabeth closed her eyes, and manipulated a large sum of coins from her heavy pockets to fly out and circled around her as she said a fake incantation. "Πάρε με στο ταξίδι προς το τέλος του χάους." The boat started to move slowly, but not due to the incantation. It was moving because she wanted it to. The incantation had nothing to do with it, as they were simply random words. But the boat was already shroaded in godly power and magic so it could navigate Tartarus and the Underworld that chances are, nobody would know the difference. But Elizabeth felt she needed to maintain her position as the most respected and feared amoungst the group as far as power was concerned, and it needed to seem like she had a solid grasp on magic, which she did. However, she felt she needed to show that to her questmates, whether that specific display of magic was real or not. Elizabeth, still not done making her power and experience over Alex apparent, opened her eyes. "So, shall we get to know each other a bit more?" Elizabeth said, with a sly smile and a trick up her sleeve.

Alex: As Elizabeth willed the boat to move, Alex raised his eyebrows and glanced across to Theo. If he noticed anything suspicious, the son of Hecate didn't say anything about it. "Theodore, don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing. So long as we stick together..." His eyes glanced briefly between him, Theo and Benny. "We can make it out of this." He said, making a mental note to speak to Theo later. Benny was undoubtedly too innocent to realise the dangerous situation he had put all of them in. Truthfully, Alex missed being alive, even if Tartarus was hellish in every sense of the word. But the boy shouldn't have bothered. Hades was known for being tricky, and a rogue daughter of Charon only made the situation worse. Still, he wouldn't let himself be intimidated. He died for Benny once and he would gladly do it again.

Benny: "Whoa..." Benny held on tight as the boat creaked and started its journey towards the House of Night. He sat next to Theo, and put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be okay Theo, I promise." The son of Hebe made his best attempt at a smile. "We've survived so far, that's more than most heroes." He shrugged his shoulders. For a hellish sea of fire, the waters were relatively calm. He chalked that up to Elizabeth's prowess. She was extremely good at everything. But he was worried about his friends. "Sure. I'll do my best to keep on the boat. I don't want to fall off. Sea's a little hot." He joked, trying to lighten the mood somewhat.

Alex: "Benny's right. I'll do everything I can to make sure that he makes it out safely. Anything." Alex ruffled the kid's hair and glanced towards Elizabeth. She may be the bus driver, the only reason why he really tolerated her presence. She reminded him of his ex-wife."So, what's up Benny boy? Did I miss much while I was away?"

Benny: "Umm..." Benny scratched his head, unsure how to explain the events of the last year. "Not much. Camp's really cool. I made loads of friends. Theo took me to New York which was awesome. I also met my boyfriend...well my ex-boyfriend now.." He frowned. "And my best friend Wil. They helped me save the Fountain of Youth. And I got to meet mom. She's really nice." He smiled brightly. "I'm sorry you couldn't be there. I missed you a lot. I should've tried to rescue you sooner but I was scared."

Alex: Alex didn't want to be rescued, at least not if it would risk Benny's safety. But he didn tell Benny that; it would make the both of them upset. Alex was unsure how to feel about Elizabeth. He could feel the aura of power that radiated around her, and wanted her on their side but felt she wasn't entirely. He just had a bad feeling. He smiled at her and returned to his conversation with Benny. "A boyfriend? Oh. Sorry, ex-boyfriend." Alex laughed. "Impressive Benny." Alex turned to Theo. "Thank you for looking out for him all this time."

Benny: "Um, yeah..." He blushed and looked to the bottom of the boat. "I had to end it before I left. Ty's really cute and creative, but I think he's mad at me. I like someone else more, and it wasn't fair to leave him waiting for me, like I love him but I love Wil more." Benny shrugged his shoulders. He felt sad about how he'd left camp. "Sorry, I know I'm being a dumb kid."

Alex: Alex put a hand on Benny's shoulder. "No, you're not. You're being human. We all go through the whole love triangle thing at some point, whether we realize it or not. You'd be best off letting 'em down easy though. Maybe if you had waited till after the quest, given Tyler natural time apart from you, it wouldn't have benn as bad. But what's done is done. Now, you need to make the best of what's in front of you. I say, go for this Wil dude if you like him, but just know, not everyone you like will like you back, and whatever you decide to do, you should still try to maintain a relationship with Tyler."

Benny: "I know. But it wouldn't be fair to have him wait for me. If anything... happened, he'd be really hurt. Hopefully we can still be friends. I do care for him but... I think Wil's the one. Whatever happens, we need to get out of here first." He sighed. "Boyfriends are hard. I miss being a kid."

Theo: Theo stepped forward. "Benny. You still are a kid. I've been telling you this forever. Don't worry about other people so much. You're a kid. Act like one and focus on your own feelings instead of Ty's and other people's for once."

Alex: Alex disagreed with Theo, and expressed his concerns politely. "Theo, I understand where you are coming from, and Benny is indeed still in his youth, but I think Benny should be thinking of his relationships with others, and not just of himself. When people are selfish it never ends well."

Benny: Benny shrugged his shoulders. "Theo's right. I'm being a stupid kid about it. The most important thing right now is getting us all out of Tartarus alive, Alex. I'm probably fifteen by now, so I have loads of time to figure stuff out. But thank you for your advice - I needed it."

Alex: "Benny... I don't want you to bottle up your feelings." He ruffled the kid's hair. "Your dad always told me that a problem shared is a problem halved. We're practically family, right? And family means that nobody gets left behind, no matter what."

Theo: Theo rolled his eyes. "Please. Feelings are for children. They hold us back. It'd do you good to learn that Alex."

Alex: "I don't believe that Theodore. Neither should you. We are human. We feel. Even gods have emotions."

Theo: "Yes, they do. And it's these emotions that have caused ever single war and conflict in the history of the gods."

Alex: "Expressing our feelings is important. If we keep everything bottled up, we are only hurting ourselves because that means our friends and family don't know what we are going through."

Theo: Theo laughed. "You're one to talk. Im sorry, but which one of us freaking died and left Benny alone to fend for himself with a psychopath? Oh, right. That was you. You know, in some ways, you manipulated the kid as much as Lazarus seems to."

Benny: Benny glanced at the two of them. He was visibly shaken. "Stop. I don't know why you're both arguing but what happened wasn't Alex's fault or my fault, it was Lazarus who killed him. If you really cared about me Theo, you wouldn't bring that up.  We're stuck here and you're arguing like dumb kids..." He glanced up to Elizabeth, sniffling a little. "Please stop the boat... I need to walk for a bit, alone."

Theo: "No Benny. You can't go out there alone. You'll surely get killed by the Minotaur or something."

Elizabeth: Eliabeth stopped the boat and let out a loud groan. "Ugh, I can't take all this childish bickering about petty emotions. I will walk with Benjamin for a bit. We will return shortly. That way, he can, be away from you two while you sort out your issues. I'm placing a boundry around this boat. If either of you step off the boat, I'll know. And I'll assume you'll have made peace. Let's go Benjamin." She motioned for him to step off the boat. "After you."

Benny: He blushed and stepped off the boat. "Sorry..." Benny didn't often lose his temper. Tartarus had a way of exposing the ugliness of the world, at least in his eyes. He cared about Theo and Alex, enough that he'd have come to save either of them. "Thanks Elizabeth. I know it's stupid, but I don't like it when people argue over me. I'm not just a dumb kid..." He crossed his arms. "How do you deal with it here? Tartarus brings out the worst in people..."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth smiled at the boy. "It's fine child. I understand. But you cannot be both a child and an adult, depending on convinience. You must pick one. Either accept that you are simply still in your youth, and allow yourself to remain innocent, and for Theo and Alex to take care of you. And relish the not needing to be responsible for yourself or those around you. Or, accept the responsibilities and benefits of being an adult in full. Take responsibility for all of your actions, and how they affect others, but then don't go running like a child back to Adoptive-daddy Alex and Big Brother Theodore whenever you screw up. Doesn't matter which, but you need to pick one. If you are asking for my advice, be a child. You can only personify youth for so long. Everntually we all grow up. You have your whole life to be an adult. Enjoy your childhood. Don't fight it." Elizabeth sighed as they kept walking. "You really want to know my secret for survivng this place? I was already at my worst."

Benny: He nodded. "What do you mean? I never asked to be looked after by either of them. I knew Alex when I was a kid and I've known Theo ever since I was at camp. We're all friends. I thought that friends were meant to help each other. I don't want to be looked after. What happened with Alex and Lazarus was partially my fault. If I was stronger, it wouldn't have happened..." The young teen sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "I don't want to feel angry about it. I take responsibility for what happened. It's just difficult, y'know. I left people I loved behind to be here."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth laughed at Benny's reaction. "Oh, but you need it. You just don't know it Benny. I have spent the past three months surviving on my own in the woods. No contact with anybody, give or take the occasional visit from demigods foolish enough to go wandering in the deep woods and into my territory. Do you know how I managed to survive? My family gets me through. Ares, Hestia, Aphrodite, Persephone. They raised me for the past four centuries before letting me go. You on the other hand, have what I would call daddy issues. Your father loves you, and you him, but he still passed you off to Alex, like on object. Then, Alex died. And you were passed to Lazarus and then to Theodore. You have not had a consistent family to support you. It's hard to go through life alone when you have never gone through it with someone. If you let me, I would be honored to be that someone for you."

Benny: "I know what you mean. Dad hasn't always been around. But we've made the best of the situation. I mean, I love him, and I love Alex, and I love Theo. I even think I love Lazarus, despite the horrible things he did. I'm not alone at all. It's hard sometimes. I feel like I'm responsible for looking after people. It's silly, I probably seem like a dumb kid.." Benny took a few steps forward, leaving footprints in the ash. "Thanks for your help Elizabeth, I want us both to be friends, good friends." He said, smiling bravely. She definitely had an ulterior motive, but her kindness was nevertheless appreciated. "It must be hard to be away from your own family. But the thing about family is that you always work it out in the end, no matter how hard things get. My mom's probably not had the easiest life,and I don't get to see her often but I love her nonetheless. I hope to see her soon, and my friend Wil.." Benny shrugged his shoulders. "Is there anyone you miss?"

Elizabeth: Elizabeth didn't like how Benny was proding at her emotional side. But she figured she would have to givesomeif Benny were to believe her emotions were pure. "I miss my mother sometimes. Even though I never met her. She's dead and all now. I guess there is a small part of me that wishes to see her, just once. But Persephone told me when she dies that she lived a long and fruitful life. But yes. I miss her much."

Benny: "Yeah, I miss my dad too." Benny sighed. "But as I said, I'd like to be friends. Perhaps we could both help each other out." He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what I'm going to do about Lazarus. But I know that I can't stand up to him without training. But that's in the future." He placed his hand against his bracelet instinctively. "Do you think we can get out of here alive and well?"

Elizabeth: "You are right child. You can't stand up to him, even with training. Lazarus has a century of experience on you. I think it would be best if I stood up for you the next time he shows his face. But I would be glad to train you, and then, if he ever tries to pull the same stunt on you as he did Alex, you won't go down without a fight." Elizabeth put out her hand, hoping Benny would take it. "As far as getting in and out of here, if I wanted to, as a child of the underworld, I could leave right now. But what kind of person would I be to leave you here to die?"

Benny:  "Thanks. I understand you're not in an easy position. I don't want anyone else to have to kill or get hurt on my behalf." He nodded. "I'll do my best to learn quickly. Tartarus is dangerous. Only Percy Jackson and Annabeth survived here, and that was with Iapetus' help." He said, pacing around. He felt uneasy around here. "And we still need to work out what to do with Nyx." He paused. "We should go back and check on Theo and Alex. It's never a good idea to leave anyone alone in Tartarus, especially in a small ship on a boiling river..."

Just as Benny said that, three Keres swooped towards the boy.

Elizabeth: Seeing the beasts flying towards them, Elizabeth spoke quiety. "Benny. Cover your ears." Elizabeth summoned a shade from the Fields of Punishment. The ghost of a soul wailed loudly, casting the Keres off guard and sending the beasts circling back in the direction they came in before they recovered and came at the two again after the shade dissappeared. Elizabeth took out her scythe. "Get your sword out child. Looks like we've got company."

Benny: "Why did I have to go and say that?" Benny covered his ears and ducked down. The shade's screams were muffled to some extent, but they still chilled his skin to the bone. He looked up to see hellish angels flying straight towards them. His blue eyes flashed, and he drew his sword. Channeling energy towards his muscles, he waited for the Keres' approach. "Um, I'll take the one on the left..."

Elizabeth: "Not a chance child. You are fighting alongside me. Not on your own. Unless you want to die of course.You are fighting three Keres. One scratch from their claws, and you're paralyzed. That's dead when you're down here." Elizabeth threw a handful of coins from her pocket into the air and sent them bulleting at the monster that had focused its attention on Benny. "If you want to stay alive, do exactly as I say. Got it? Weaken the bones of the bird on the right, and see if you can throw off their attack formation." Elizabeth swung her Scythe, just missing the monster.

Benny: "Understood..." He grasped his sword tighter and did as instructed; cursing the bird on the right as it swooped down for the kill. Benny focused his curse on its right wing, and tried to get the bones and joints in its wings to lock and cause it to either fall onto the stony ground, or sail off-course and hit another one of the birds. Rolling to the side to dodge an attack, he glanced back to check his progress. Truthfully, Benny had never fought these birds before. But he was trying to imagine them as exceptionally bloodthirsty harpies. He wished for a bow, least he could have shot them from a distance. "What now?"

Elizabeth: "These monsters have poison in their claws. But their skin is no more durable than yours or mine. Exploit that. Multiple small cuts. Pain is the most valuble distraction. Watch." Elizabeth took a handful of coins from her pocket and sent them bulleting at the Keres, piercing thier wings. The three monsters fell to the ground. "Quickly pick one and attack. But careful of the claws." Elizabeth took the one on the right, swinging her scythe into its chest.

Benny: Already taking notes, Benny quickly slashed at one of the Keres. His enhanced speed meant that he quickly made slashes into the monster's chest. Assuming that he was the weaker one, the Keres nevertheless flapped her wings and threw him against the rocks. He let out a cry of pain, as the two wrestled in the ground. He cursed her again, using the flat of his blade to break the muscular bones in her arms, and fought to get on top. He stabbed it once... twice... three times in the chest and the monster burst into gold dust. He looked up at Elizabeth, bruised and exhausted but alive. "How was that?"

Elizabeth: She looked at Benny. "Honestly? It sucked. But you'll get there." The third Ker came at Elizabeth, hoping to avenge its siblings. Elizabeth shadow travelled a foot, dodging the charging monster, and then took her sythe and slit the monster's neck. "Don't take any chances. You were way too up close and personal with that monster. I'm suprised it didn't scratch you. Be more careful, or you'll end up like her." Elizabeth pointed to the Ker whose neck she just cut.

Benny: "Yeah... Laz said I needed to work on my swordplay..." He blushed and gripped his sword that much tighter, looking down to the pile of gold dust. Benny didn't know how to feel about the situation. Killing made him feel quite uncomfortable. But he needed to survive. "Sorry. I'll keep that in mind next time. Are you okay?"

Elizabeth: "He may be psychotic, but he was definately right. It's slightly horrific. Also, you are thinking to much. You don't have a fighter's instinct. That's alright. Neither did I for about a century. Then one day, after decades of training, it will come to you." Elizabeth responded to Benny's question with a confused look. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Benny: Benny shrugged. "I'm much better with traps and powers. But I'm not that bad. Most demigods my age only have to deal with harpies and small monsters." He said, sheathing his sword back into a dinosaur bracelet. "Um, I dunno. It looked pretty rough. Have you ever fought them before?"

Elizabeth: "Traps are unreliable. Your opponent may not always walk in on a trap. You need to be able to predict their moves and counter them.  Traps are never as effective. Especially if you need to fight someone who knows you well, such as Lazarus. He can probably read you like a book can he not? Don't give yourself too much credit child. You may not be bad, but you have much to learn before I would call you even half-decent." As they walked Elizabeth continued to answer Benny's questions. "Yes. I have fought almost every monster in existence. When Ares found out about my potential departure from Olympus, Ares took the liberty to capture and bring multiple types of almost every type of monster to Olympus so that I could learnt heir weaknesses and train to be able to defeat each one, to ensure my survival on Earth. After all the training I have been through over the centuries, nothing phases me anymore."

Benny: "Whoa..." He listened carefully to her advice. "Yeah I know what you mean. I prefer to do that and keep a safe distance away. I'm not exactly the biggest or the strongest, so Alex taught me to use my words and my brain when possible." Benny smiled gratefully. "Uncle Ares must have taught you a lot then. Did he ever... take you out into the field of battle? I bet he's a hard teacher, even if he cares a great deal about you. Mine were quite laid-back which made me want to impress them even more. Speaking of, we should probably check that both Theo and Alex haven't thrown each other into the river while we've been gone." He glanced towards their last known location, his hands firmly in his pockets.

Elizabeth: "Oh, how naïve you are. The brain is the most crucial part of fighting. But you are using it wrong. You use it conciously, to talk your way out of battling an to strategize and predict. Instead, you need to engrain a fighting instinct in your brain. So you know when to duck. Sidestep. Dodge. For instance, I have a signiture, but because you fight with your brain, and not your instinct, you probably haven't eve picked up on it." As they walked Elizabeth debated whether or not to tell Benny about her time training with Ares. She had never went into detail with anyone about it before, not even to Hestia. "Most were simulations and challenges and monsters that would stop ot nothing to kill me that Ares would capture and bring for me to fight. But I was taken into combat down on Earth. Once. During the Second Titanomachy."

Benny: "Oh. I guess I just need to practice more and let it come to me naturally. I'm used to thinking on my feet, but I struggle with the idea of violence. I'd rather outwit an enemy than hurt them if possible. Still, it must be pretty cool to have been trained by the God of War. So, what's it like to not feel fear anymore?" Benny asked, as he made his way down towards the boat. "I don't know a lot about the Second Titanomachy, only what we were taught. A lot of people died to stop the Titans from taking over and destroying Olympus. I know that's what led to the creation of my mother's cabin. Did it really happen like that? History books can't really describe the carnage or the bloodshed."

Elizabeth: "I was the commander of an elite unit. We specialized in capturing, detaining, and interrogating enemy demigods who were sympathizing with the Titans. It was a lot of espionage work, but whenever stealth failed, we would be forced to resort to violence. It was one of the best experiences of my life, I must say. I used the demigods to train. It was in this unit I mastered the art of torture. And why i'm able to be so precise with my powers. You need to have full control. I know every pressure point, every painful and vulnerable area in the body. I guess that's why I was chosen. That, and I was the protegè of the God of War. Everything said in the history books is a lie. They say it was Olympus's doomsday, but some god's were strengthened by this bloodshed. Ares, Enyo, Eris. They all thrived. And thus, so did I. I have been taught to fear nothing and embrace bloodshed. Fear makes you weak. Violence is empowering. Since I fear nothing, and love inflicting pain, and yes, as sadistic as you will soon think I am, I will admit it is a hell of a good time. These things make me strong. So I guess it is empowering."

Benny: "It sounds like a lot of hard work. I don't know if I would be able to do that; torture or hurt someone, even in my own self-defence. Sometimes it's a necessity but that doesn't mean I need to be comfortable with it. I think that the conflict keeps me human; like conflicts sometimes bring people together. When there's hardship, you find people at their bravest. At least, that's what I think." Benny hummed to himself. "I used to be scared of a lot of things but I don't really think I am now. A brave man is able to look past his fear and face it himself. I think that's the worst bit about Tartatus, Elizabeth. You have to come face to face with who you are. I ran away from my loss and my fears for a long time. But I feel ready to fight for it. Alex is a family and I owe him my life. As for what happened, I'll take it day by day. I'll take care of it myself. That's enough for me, y'know."

Elizabeth: "Except torture isn't work. It's art. Watch." A few yards away on the other side of the river, a fire breathing horse was running. Elizabeth took out four Imperial Gold coins from her pocket and sent them bulleting into the horse's legs, tearing its muscles. The horse fell, but was not dead. She shadow traveled over to the horse, severed all four of its legs with her scythe, and began to use the scythe to scrape along the horses neck, cutting it so that if she had moved her sythe even half a centimeter, the monster would have reformed elsewhere. ELizabeth teleported back to where Benny was standing, and left the horse to suffer. "See? Torture an art form. With live beings as the canvas. And as far as Tartarus is concerned? This is the real me. Im don't hide behind some cowardly pacifistic mask like some demigods."

Benny: Watching in horror, Benny covered his face with his hands. As Elizabeth teleported back, Benny looked away from the firebreathing horse. "It may be a work of art, but I don't want any part of this." He murmured a slight prayer for the horse, as it lay dying. "I don't see how torture would make me any different from Lazarus or any other murderer." He shook his head and started to walk away. "I'm gonna head back towards the boat and check that they're okay..."

Elizabeth: "That is exactly the point. The only way to beat Lazarus, is to be able to become him in battle. To adapt his thinking, his attitude, his ruthlessness, his whole psyche. It should be like a switch, one you can turn on and off, in case you need to for survival. Your friends do this too. Theo does it too, expect instead of torturing people physically, he perfers to relish in emotional manipulation. As does Lazarus. I am no better, nor wrose, than Theo or Lazarus. We are all animals Benny. Waiting for our consience to let go and our instincts take hold and set us free. Your friend, Courtland. He has a darker side than you ever would know. Maybe even worse than mine. You need to accept this Benny. Or you may not make it out of here alive. But sure. We can head back if you insist."

Benny: "When Alex died, I thought that I'd killed him. Now I know that wasn't true. If I could go back in time and relive it all again, I wouldn't hesitate to stop him. But that doesn't mean I have a killer's instincts. I know how to defend myself and kill. And I won't hesitate to do what needs to be done. But I don't want to torture or kill anyone unless it's necessary. I'd rather do it quickly and cleanly. Otherwise, he won't have been beaten. I'll just become a younger version of him. Trust me, I'll work it out." Benny sighed and gave the dying horse one last glance. "Yeah, let's get out of here. We'll attract unwanted attention standing next to a dying monster. I don't want to be made into Benny flavoured monster food."

Elizabeth: "In that case maybe you should take my offer then. Benny flavored food is pretty easy to come by when Benny isn't willing to kill to keep himself safe. You have to able to go farther than your opponent if you want to survive. And I was trained by then God of War, so I like to be on the winning side. So if I were you, I'd adapt and suck it up. Because if you can't, Lazarus may have been right and I may just leave you and your petty little friends here to suffer and wither down here for eternity after all."

Benny: "Alright. I can do what it takes." Benny nodded and looked towards the skyline. Tartarus seemed to stretch out forever. But what could someone like him - apparently small and defenceless do against a place made to trap the Titans? Was Elizabeth right? Would he have to kill Lazarus? All these questions were important. Still, Benny needed to focus. Elizabeth had her own motives. Alex and Theo did too. Benny wanted to keep them all safe. Nevertheless, he was on his own.

''Meanwhile at the boat... ''

Theo: "See what you did? You made Benny leave. You made him uncomfortable. You can't just decide to die and come back into his life and think things are gonna be the same. Stop trying to protect the kid or tell him what to do. That's my job now."

Alex: "Theo, I wouldn't have chosen to leave Benny. He's practically my own flesh and blood. I promised that I would look after him. You've probably done the same. He's a young man of fifteen now and I'm proud of him. But Benny should be given some level of guidance. Your advice isn't constructive."

Theo: "Oh yeah? Well he's done fine for the past few years without you. If Elizabeth hadn't ever showed up, he may have just moved on completely!" Theo lashed out at Alex.

Alex: "You're acting out your anger and your rage by lashing out at him. I don't know you very well. But you probably don't know what the poor kid is going through. He lost someone he cared about. Wounds like that take a long time to heal. Benny's a sensitive boy. The last thing he needs is someone manipulating him for their own ends. We both should be working together. He's alone, with her."

Theo: "Yeah, I'm aware. but there is nothing we can do now." Theo just sat down on the boat, cross-legged. Elizabeth was four centuries old, and trained by the God of War. He has seen what she can do, and she is one of the few people in the world Theo is actually afraid of.

Alex: "I don't think she wants to kill him. It would serve no purpose." Alexander mused, scratching the side of his head. "Elizabeth stated that she'd know if we left the boat. I don't know exactly how her powers work yet. There's been scant mention of Charon. He's always laid low." He sighed. "I don't know. We should probably try and work out a plan."

Theo: "Yeah, you don't. You also don't seem to understand her at all. She is more powerful than both of us. Trained by Ares himself for four centuries. She's a trained killer, from birth. Her powers are more precise than anything I've ever known. She's stacked all the odds against us. She's ten steps ahead. I think we'd be best just to wait for them to return. Just as long as they aren't dead."

Alex: "If that's true, then we're in more trouble than I thought." Alex sighed and peered out of the boat. Waiting was never one of his strongest talents. "We wait. But we should work together and turn the tide in our favour. I don't want to risk getting off the boat; but we may have to."

Theo: "No shit Sherlock. But if we leave, Benny will suffer the consequences. She'll torture him. Threaten him. It won't go well. We NEED to wait. Elizabeth has been around eight times as long as you. She's met your mother. She probably knows exactly what you're capable of. We know nothing. Leaving is too risky. I won't let you do it."

Alex: "Agreed. We wait..." The man shrugged his broad shoulders and stayed in the wooden boat. He loved Benny, and suspected hat Theo did too. But the odds were definitely stacked against them. If they didn't get killed by all the crap in Tartarus, Elizabeth probably would. She was ruthless. The boat creaked awkwardly, as they waited. "I don't like staying still in Tartarus, but it's all we can do...."

Theo: "Can you kindly just shut up? There's nothing we can do. I don't like whiners." Theo said, peering off into the distance in the direction he thinks Benny went. "Come back soon kid." He muttered to himself.

Alex: "Shh...." Alex held a finger up, hearing something in the distance. He quickly cast a rough tracking spell, but found nothing. It was as if Tartatus itself was actively dampening his abilities. His research in the past had touched on such things, but it was fascinating to see it in person. Still, Alex swore that he could hear the cries of... wait.... his ex-wife.

''As Benny and Elizabeth headed back towards the boat, singing noises came from further down the river, as a chorus of sirens sung their songs. To the casual observer, they would look like the women of Jersey Shore, arguing over who was the prettiest or the best singer. Their wings were folded, veined skin, far from the beauties depicted throughout mythology. ''

Theo: As the sirens sang thier song, Theo could hear crying in the distence. He recognized it as Benny, but remembered he couldn't leave the boat. "Benny!" Theo screamed, towards where he heard the noises. "Are you ok!?"

Alex: "Christina...." He yelled. Alex saw her on a hospital bed. She was pale but her slender hands were warm between his own. "Alex... I can feel it. He's coming out..." Christina breathed heavily, as the surrounding midwives soothed her. "You're doing really well. Keep going. I hope he'll have his mother's eyes." Alex smiled, waiting for Christina to give birth. She had never looked so beautiful in his eyes. "You'll finally have a boy to play catch with, and teach magic. We'll live a normal life... far away from monsters. You know, I was thinking of changing his name. How about Noah, or James after my grandfather?"

Theo: Theo saw his city friends Brandon and Adrianna with Benny. They were helping him up after he had fallen off a skateboard. "Don't tell Theo I fell. I want him to think I'm good at this," Benny said.

"You are. You'll get better. You probably don't know this because he is embarrassed, but Theo has always sucked at skateboarding." Adrianna said. Benny smiled at her as she helped him up. Theo smiled at the vision.

"Don't worry kid. I'm coming."

Benny: As Benny and Elizabeth walked down towards the boat, Benny heard a loud sqawking noise in the distance. He grasped the hilt of his sword, prepared to fight what he assumed were more Keres or harpies. "C'mon, they're in trouble." ''Then, Benny saw himself, all his friends and his family sat in his back garden. He and Wil were holding hands. "So Benny, when are you two gonna get married?..." Alex joked. Benny turned bright red. "Alex! Dad, tell him..." Theo ruffled his hair. "It's gonna happen sometime kiddo..."''

Elizabeth: Elizabeth and Benny walked back in silence, as Benny was quite upset with what Elizabeth had done to torture the fire breathing horse. Suddenly though, Elizabeth began to hear a faint music in the distance. ''Elizabeth was sitting a table with Ares, Hestia, and her parents, and Ares. "Hestia. Charon. Ambrosia. Lizzy and I have something to tell you." Ares was holding Elizabeth's hand. "We have successully staged a coup d'état. Lizzy and I will be running Olympus now." ''Elizabeth recognized this vision as the one that she had when Ares exposed her to sirens on Olympus in order to prepare her for the dangers of living on Earth. Elizabeth summoned water from the River Cocytus, and drank it. Her vision disappeared, as her thoughts plummeted into a depression. She missed her parents immensely. Now that she was aware and resisting the siren's call, all she needed to do was wait, until they realized, hoping they would kill themselves before Theo, Alex, and Benny walk into their own demise.

Benny: ''"Hey!..." Benny stuck out his tongue. However, he held Wil's hand close to his own. He awkwardly smiled, as Pilot tried to diffuse the tension by tugging on Benny's sleeve. The son of Hebe giggled and tried to pull back, slipping and accidentally throwing cake on his face. Wil chuckled. "Umm... you missed a spot." He wiped Benny's face, and kissed the remaining cake off his lips. Benny closed his eyes, he had forgotten something, something really important but he didn't know what he was forgetting. The feeling reminded him somewhat of the time he had spent with Courtland, but that was a long, long time ago. The details were... ''fuzzy.

Alex: ''His vision shifted a few years down the line. "Noah.... catch...." Alex saw himself throw a baseball at his young son, who was around six years old, with his first catcher's mitt on. Baseball wasn't Alex's thing, but it was the kinda thing that dads did in movies. The kid jumped up to catch the baseball, and held it in his mitt. "Look dad, I got it!" His father agreed. "Yeah, we'll make a pitcher out of you yet. C'mon, my turn now." As his son threw the baseball, Alex tried to catch it and fell flat on his face. His young son giggled and jumped on him. "I gotcha!" ''

As the Sirens realized Elizabeth was ignoring their call, the two sirens blamed each other, and slashed each other's throats with their talons.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth smiled as the sirens turned on each other, and waited for Benny, Theo and Alex's visions to fade. Elizabeth noticed Benny was out of his transe. "Sirens, Benny. That's why you feel so odd. I was able to force the effects of their song onto them in a way, projecting their worst fear and despair onto them. It's ok now. We need to keep moving so we can check on your friends."

Benny: Benny blinked, and stood up. "Thanks. That was intense. I knew something was up, but my head went all fuzzy. I could only see what they wanted me to see." He glanced towards Elizabeth. "I guess Ares taught you to fight sirens too. How did you manage to get out of their mind-control?... I guess it works a lot like an advanced form of charmspeak. You know what's going on, but you're too spell-bound to notice what's going on."

Elizabeth: The two kept walking towards the boat. "Actually, he did. Ares trained me to know how to recognize, fight, and destroy every type of monster in existence, to make sure I was able to survive on Earth for decades, in hope that one day, Hera would forgive my parentage and Hestia's lies and allow me to return to Olympus. The song of a Siren can show you what you desire most, what you fear most, and you fatal flaw. I know mine so well, and have accepted them, to the point where I am ab le to recognize them, and break free from the vision long enough to summon water from the Rivers of Hades which can counteract the effects of the Sirens' song. Just know child, my offer still stands. If you ever do want me to train you, I can teach you to survive and protect your friends from every monster in existence."

Benny: He shrugged his shoudlers. "Even if I break free long enough, I can't summon the waters of Hades to counteract it. Perhaps the water from my mother's fountain would work. Hopefully, I'll never need to try resist their impulses again." Benny said, pensive after his vision. Deep inside, he knew that he was in love with Wil. But to have it confirmed, he felt quite embarrassed about it. Surely, his vision would have been something a little more noble or deep; like brining Lazarus to justice, or walking the gardens of Olympus with his mom. Love was a strange word, a grown-up word. Like it or not, he'd have to live up to those feelings and actually take responsibility for himself. "I would like that. Let's go and check everyone's okay."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth smiled. Finally, Benny had agreed to be trained by her. As they stepped on the boat, Elizabeth looked at Alex and Theo, who both looked quite confused. "So youngsters, how about we get moving?." Elizabeth looked down the river. "Daddy, take us  to the Mansion of Night, will you?" Elizabeth then turned back to Benny. "I'm glad you've agreed to this Benny. It will benefit everyone in the long run. Would you like to tell Theo and Alex the good news, or shall I?"

Benny: "Are you guys okay?" Benny sat back down in the boat. He quickly checked over everyone's wounds. "I'll do it. Elizabeth has agreed to train me, so I can survive and defend myself." The son of Hebe reached for his backpack and handed out some chunks of food. "Eat up. The sirens probably drained a lot of strength from us all, and we need to remember to eat. Several days could have passed by now." He bit into one of his beloved Red Vines, to give him more strength. "I brought plenty of food, and I could always summon more. Perks of being a Hebe kid, right?"

Theo: Theo looked shocked. "Yeah I'm okay. But who cares?! You what?! You aren't actually going to do this are you?"

Elizabeth: "I can turn him into a true warrior. I can show him his true power potential. You both had your chances to train the child, and came up short. I say it's time the centries old war protégé give it a try, don't you think?"

Alex: "Benny, I know you don't have to listen to me anymore, but I actually agree with Theo here. And that says something. This seems dangerous. She is dangerous."

Benny: "If she's dangerous, then she can teach me how to survive on my own. I don't like her methods, but they work. Maybe, if I was stronger, none of us would even be here." Benny paused. "You've both got to trust me on this, okay."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth smiled slyly. "I'll be frank boys. Do I have something to gain from training little Benjamin here? Yes. `But, he has something to gain as well. And what I get out of this does not put him in harm's way. I'll swear on the Styx if you want me to. But then again, I'm the only Charon child in existence. I have the power to create binding oaths myself. How do you know I'm not immune to the oath of the River Styx? I guess you not only need to trust Benjamin, but me as well." The boat was beginning to slow. "We're entering the Delta of Despair. It's supposed to be like a lake. It shouldn't be this wavy over here. Something's not right."

Alex: "Fine. For now." Alex made a mental note to read up on Charon. Hopefully he and Theo would find some way to turn the tables. Elizabeth was dangerous, and he didn't like that Benny was willing to go along with it. The kid had been through too much for someone his age. It wasn't fair. He did a tracking spell to try and get a rough idea of what was coming. Whatever it was - it was big, big enough that his spellwork was having to try and compensate for their size. "There's not just one monster, but two. Whatever it is, we should keep moving. It's very big and very old. That usually means they're dangerous. Unfortunately, the mist doesn't work here."

Elizabeth: Elizabeth saw a growing whirlpool in the middle of the Delta. Just then, a long, think dragon-snake creature leaped out of the water towards the boat. ''But... No. It isn't possible... It can't be... Who could possibly have killed them both... ''Elizabeth thought to herself. ''Okay Elizabeth. Pull yourself together and figure this out. You've fought them before. Now you just need to fight them together. '' "I know what that is. That, my fellow travelers, is Cetus. And that lovely whirlpool there, that is Charybdis. Theo, I need a wall. A big one. Seperate the monsters, Don't let them come in contact with each other."

Theo: "And why exactly should I listen to you?" Theo questioned.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth laughed. "Because if you don't do what I say in the next  thirty seconds, I am leaving you all here to fend for yourselves, and then you will see why you should have listened to me. Alex help him."

Theo: Theo groaned. "Fine." Theo raised his hands, and together with the help of a power spell from Alex, summoned a wall that split the Delta into two halves, each containing one of the two deadly monsters.

Benny: Spotting the two monsters together, Benny couldn't help but cower in fear. He had gotten over the attack which he had believed, was the cause of Alex's death. But a 30 foot whirlpool would have scared anybody. He didn't want anyone else to get hurt on his behalf, and it was all happening again. "Umm... what can we do? They're giant monsters created by Poseidon himself, and we're stuck on this boat..."

Alex: "It's okay Benny boy. We'll get through this, together..." He glanced back towards the kid, and steeled his resolve. Truthfully Alex was already dead, and he doubted that his situation could really get any worse. But Benny was, practically, his son. He channeled the energy inside him, supplying it to Theo, so that the son of Ariadne could section them both off. "Perseus has already slayed them before. We can do the same." ''She'd better know what she's doing, or we're all dead. ''

Elizabeth: Cetus was now trapped on same side of the wall Theo was holding up as the boat. Elizabeth was entering her military commander mentality. "Ok. Time for phase two. Alex, I need you to hold it off for the next three minutes while I prep Benjamin for the next part of the plan." Elizabeth put a boundry up with a radius of thirty feet fand where Elizabeth had told the boat to stop as the center. This way, Elizabeth would know where the monster would be attacking from. Elizabeth got down onto Benny's level and made eye contact with him. "Benjamin Carraway, you haveshown potential, but this next test will be harder than any challenge, any monster you may have ever faced. Killing one of these monsters could land a man in Elysium. You're going to kill two." Elizabeth bent over, and whispered her plan into Benny's ear, as she knew Alex and Theo would never have allowed it. She looked Benny in the eyes, and gave him a coin. "I know it's scary. But if you don't do it, Alex and Theo will die, and so will you. Swear on this coin you'll come back from this alive in order to train with me."