Chapter 50 – Hades Has Finally Arrived
The dining pavilion was alive with the usual evening bustle as Dante and Percy arrived, the long marble tables already filling with campers from various cabins. Magical torches flickered to life as twilight deepened, casting a warm, golden glow over the plates that refilled themselves endlessly. The air carried the mouthwatering scents of barbecue, fresh bread, and roasted vegetables, mixed with the distant laughter of younger demigods playing games nearby.
Arriving at the dining pavilion, Dante and Percy sat in chairs around the giant central table reserved for the Poseidon cabin and close friends.
Dante looked at them Percy still looking a bit rough from the hangover, Grover munching on a tin can side dish and said casually: "So, how was the party? Spill the details."
Grover said smiling widely, his eyes lighting up with memories: "You have no idea, friend. The party was insane. We had way too much fun music blasting, dancing, games turning into chaos. Percy here even turned into a man at that party, if you know what I mean."
Percy said, rubbing his forehead with a grimace: "You just forgot to mention the mess that was left in the morning and how we spent hours cleaning the cabin. It looked like a war zone trash everywhere, stains on the walls, and don't get me started on the bathroom."
Dante looked at Percy and asked with a strange, probing look: "Percy, you didn't hook up with the Aphrodite daughters, did you?"
Percy, confused by the sudden shift, said: "Yes. Is there some problem?"
Dante looked at him seriously and said: "No, just that you're really brave maybe recklessly so."
Percy said: "Why? What's the big deal?"
Dante said bluntly, leaning forward: "Well, it's that if you're unlucky and by accident those girls end up pregnant, your kid will be Aphrodite's grandson. I feel sorry for the kid who has her as a grandma and decides to learn a bit about her history in mythology. It'll be like finding out your mom is a porn actress. It won't be pleasant at all—awkward family dinners forever."
Percy said with an embarrassed smile, shifting uncomfortably: "It won't be that serious, right? You're joking, right? Come on, tell me you're exaggerating."
Grover, hearing Percy's question, looked to the side embarrassed, fiddling with his can but said nothing. After all, even knowing what Aphrodite is like her infamous escapades and reputation he's not crazy enough to say it out loud. After all, even being like that, she's still a goddess with immense power. He's not Dante, who can say whatever he wants without fear of divine lightning.
Percy saw Grover avoiding answering, his ears twitching nervously, and fell silent he already understood that what Dante said is true, the uncomfortable reality sinking in.
Dante said, trying to lighten the mood a bit: "Well, don't be so negative. After all, that's just the worst-case scenario if they get pregnant. But the chance of nothing happening is also very high odds are in your favor."
Dante looked at them both and said firmly, like an older brother giving hard-earned advice: "Well, that's why you can't sleep with just anyone, idiots. Because if an accident happens, she becomes the mother of your children the person raising your kids. The woman you were hooking up with at least is a decent woman and not a prostitute on the corner. So if you're going to do that, at least know the basics about the girl before anything her background, her family, the divine baggage that comes with it."
Percy said with a tired smile, shaking his head: "Why do I feel like you seem like my uncle? I look like the nephew. So far, you've only taught me things. I haven't taught you anything yet."
Dante said matter-of-factly: "Well, you, despite having had a tough life, were still very well protected by Grover and your mom. So it's normal you don't understand a lot of things yet and need my tips to navigate this mess."
Percy said smiling genuinely: "I appreciate your tips, nephew. Seriously they're saving me from bigger mistakes."
Grover then looked at Dante curiously and said: "So, how was your date? We already talked about the party in detail. And you, how was it? Spill."
Dante said with a satisfied grin: "Well, it was great—better than great. I got to know Annabeth even more deeply, she got to know me even more, and we ended up deciding to date officially. It just felt right."
Grover said in shock, his eyes widening: "Wait, you guys are dating? Like, officially a couple?"
At that moment, Annabeth arrived gracefully, her bags stowed away, and sat next to Dante. She placed her head comfortably on his shoulder in a casual display of affection, then looked at Grover and said confidently: "Yes, we're dating. What's the problem?"
Grover said, recovering from surprise: "Well, you know how Athena and Poseidon can't stand each other their rivalry goes back millennia. So I don't think Athena will be very happy if she finds out her daughter is dating a grandson of Poseidon. Divine family drama incoming."
Percy asked curiously, leaning in: "What's so bad about them dating? They seem perfect together."
Annabeth said with a sigh: "Well, my mom and your dad don't like each other very much ancient grudges, pride, the usual godly stuff. So we might have some problems if it blows up."
Dante said thoughtfully: "Honestly, I don't know what to say about their childish fight that hurt so many people over the centuries, like Medusa and others caught in the crossfire."
Annabeth said defensively: "Medusa is a monster."
Dante said calmly: "They didn't hurt her? Turn her into one?"
Dante said with a tired smile: "If you're so smart and love books so much, dear, you must have read her legend and know what my trash grandpa and your cold mom did to her how they ruined an innocent life."
Annabeth fell silent hearing that, her expression darkening as old stories resurfaced.
Percy asked curiously, sensing the tension: "What happened? What did my dad and Annabeth's mom do to this Medusa?"
Dante took a deep breath, the weight of the myth heavy even in retelling, and said: "I can't tell the full story it's a very heavy topic, full of betrayal and cruelty. Percy, if you want to know, go look up her story in the camp library. But I warn you: it's not pretty at all. If you look deep enough, you might never be able to look at your dad the same way again. But about her, there's one thing I can say clearly: we owe her an apology. Even knowing an apology won't be enough for everything she went through and became, but still I want to apologize. After all, Poseidon is my grandpa, whether I like it or not. So I owe her that apology on some level."
Annabeth fell silent hearing that, sighed inwardly, and thought: Why apologize? Even if she was a victim once, after so many years, the number of people she must have killed is huge. She's no longer that innocent girl she's a monster now.
Dante looked at Annabeth and, as if he could tell what she was thinking from her expression, said smiling gently: "Because it's the right thing to do. This apology isn't for the monster Medusa who killed several innocent people over centuries. It's for the girl named Medusa who suffered unjustly because of my grandpa's bad character and the gods' indifference. That doesn't mean I'm forgiving her for the innocent people she killed in revenge. I'll still put an end to the monster Medusa when the time comes. But I'll do it so the girl Medusa the original victim can finally rest in peace."
Annabeth, Percy, and Grover fell silent hearing that profound distinction, the moral complexity sinking in amid the pavilion's chatter.
Percy said slowly, processing: "If that was something my dad did wrong, I owe an apology too for my family's part in it."
Annabeth said incredulously: "You're crazy. She's a monster now dangerous and vengeful."
Dante smiled and said: "That's exactly why I apologize. It's not for this monster. It's for the hurt girl inside it the one who never got justice."
Annabeth, hearing that, smiled softly despite herself and said: "You're an idiot. Dragons aren't supposed to be proud and not want to bow their heads to anyone? Why are you insisting on going after her to apologize to lower yourself like that?"
Dante looked at the sky, now fully dark with stars emerging, and said firmly: "Yes, dragons are proud and hate bowing or submitting. But we also hate being seen as cowards even more. So if I stop doing something I consider right just because of fear of losing my pride kneeling to apologize when it's deserved then I'd be a coward. And you know, I'd rather lose my pride than be a coward who can't even follow what he believes deep down."
Annabeth was shocked hearing that raw honesty. She then gave a bitter smile, conceding, and said: "Well, looks like I lost to you this time."
She then looked at him affectionately, gave a light kiss on his lips, and said: "I'll go with you. Right now, I don't want to look like a coward in front of my boyfriend."
Dante smiled warmly and said: "You were never a coward not once."
They then kissed again, deeper this time, oblivious to the growing whispers around them.
The demigods in the dining pavilion started talking and pointing when they saw that open display of affection murmurs spreading like wildfire through the tables.
When suddenly, the ancient fig tree at the edge of the pavilion erupted in giant flames, roaring unnaturally high into the night sky, heat washing over everyone.
Everyone then turned toward the fig tree in alarm, plates forgotten as panic rippled through the crowd.
Hades then appeared in a terrifying demonic form shadows writhing, eyes glowing red burning in the middle of the fire and throwing flames everywhere in controlled bursts that scorched the ground but harmed no one yet.
He then shouted thunderously, his voice echoing like doom: "Percy Jackson, where are you? Show yourself!"
Chiron came running from the Big House, staff in hand, shouting urgently: "Hades, stop this! This is sacred ground!"
Dante, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover also approached the bonfire cautiously, the heat intense on their faces.
Dante looked at that dramatic display and thought dryly: Finally the horned god arrived. Or sorry, I meant the god of the dead arrived with all the theatrics.
Hades said menacingly: "Percy Jackson, bring me the bolt. Be a good boy and hand over the bolt to me, and in exchange I'll return your mother safe and sound."
Percy, hearing that impossible claim, ran forward impulsively in front of Hades, eyes wide with shock and fury.
Dante, seeing that reckless charge, sighed and shook his head, thinking: Why are all these hot-blooded heroes so dumb, clearly running in front of a being that can crush him with a simple sneeze? No strategy, just emotion.
Dante then looked at nervous Annabeth beside him and said protectively: "Stay behind me. If something goes wrong in the conversation between the two, I can protect you—no question."
Annabeth said quickly: "Alright." She then stayed behind Dante, trusting his strength.
Grover said worriedly: "And what about me? Where do I stand?"
Dante looked at him and said sarcastically: "In your next life, try coming back as a centaur girl from Monster Musume and we'll talk maybe then you'll have better luck."
Percy looked at Hades defiantly and said: "My mom died. I saw her turn to smoke right in front of me."
Hades let out a dark, chilling laugh that echoed unnaturally and said: "No. Your mother is still alive. I sent the Minotaur to kidnap her specifically. She's with me in the underworld my guest."
Hades then extended his shadowy hand dramatically, a holographic projection appearing in the flames showing Sally Jackson bound in the gloomy depths, looking fearful but alive.
Percy looked in shock and asked desperately: "And you, mom? Are you okay?"
Sally recovered a bit of consciousness in the vision, looked weakly at Percy, and said faintly: "Percy, my son..."
At that moment, Hades closed his hand abruptly, ending her projection with a snap.
Percy said looking at Hades with rage building: "What did you do to her? Where is she really?"
Hades said coldly: "If you want to see your mother again alive you'll have to bring me the bolt. No games, no delays."
He said while disappearing dramatically with the fire—flames extinguishing in a whirlwind of shadow, leaving only scorched earth and stunned silence.
Dante, looking at that theatrical exit, said with dry amusement: "Well, I have to admit that exit was stylish classic godly flair."