[Third Person's PoV]
As they descended into the Underworld, a strange transformation overtook Charon. His form began to shift, his tailored suit melting away, replaced by a dark, tattered robe that draped over him like shadows spilling into the air. His face grew translucent, revealing the ghostly hollows beneath, and his wire-rimmed glasses dissolved, leaving behind two empty orbs, deep and dark as the abyss. As Lucian, Annabeth, and Thalia settled into the boat, an eerie chill settled over them, the stillness pressing in like the heavy presence of death itself, making them almost forget they were still among the living.
Nico stumbled into the boat, instinctively clutching Lucian's sleeve as his body shook with a sense of dread, and surprisingly, Bianca gravitated toward Lucian, clinging to him for reassurance as if it were second nature.
"This… it's so polluted," Percy muttered, eyes fixed on the murky, oily waters. The River Styx sloshed thickly beneath them, filled with bones, dead fish, cracked plastic dolls, and torn scraps of paper that floated on its black surface, remnants of forgotten dreams and discarded wishes.
Percy noticed Clarisse standing stiffly near the edge, hands gripping the boat's side with white-knuckled intensity as though she feared tumbling into the river. Without thinking, Percy reached over, covering her hand with his own. Clarisse flinched, her eyes flashing with irritation, but when she met Percy's gaze, her expression softened. She turned her hand, pressing her palm against his, leaning closer to him as if he were an anchor grounding her to life.
Charon let out a low, scornful laugh. "Of course, the River Styx is polluted. For centuries, humans have tossed in everything they wished to forget—hopes, dreams, promises never kept. It's a dumping ground of mortal carelessness," he said, rowing with a quiet strength that disturbed only the top layer of the Styx's dark surface.
Finally, the shadowed shoreline of the Underworld emerged from the mist. Jagged rocks and black volcanic sand stretched out from the water's edge, leading up to a high stone wall that loomed in both directions, vanishing into the dim horizon. As they disembarked, a distant howl echoed through the dense fog, chilling them to the bone.
Charon chuckled ominously, his voice gravelly. "Someone's hungry… Good luck, little godlings. And remember, little prince," he added, nodding to Lucian, "put in a good word for me." With that, Charon began to row backward into the fog, his eerie laughter lingering in the air long after he disappeared.
As they made their way past the shore, they came upon a fork in the path leading in three different directions. Lucian, walking ahead, turned to the group, his expression serious. "Cover your ears."
Annabeth and Thalia obeyed instantly, but Nico and the others hesitated, casting him puzzled looks. "Huh? Why should we?" Nico asked, eyebrows raised.
Lucian sighed, rolling his eyes. "Just trust me. Cover your ears unless you want them ringing for days."
With a shrug, Nico and the rest followed suit, hands pressed over their ears. Lucian took a deep breath, filling his lungs, and brought his fingers to his mouth. He blew an ear-piercing whistle that echoed across the barren landscape, so loud that even with their ears covered, the group winced at the sharpness of the sound. Birds and other unseen creatures scattered in the distance, frightened off by the sheer force of the call.
As the last echoes faded, Bianca eyed Lucian curiously. "What was that about?"
Lucian smirked, crossing his arms and looking ahead. "You'll see soon enough."
Thalia took a step back, glancing at the others. "I wouldn't stand too close to him if I were you…"
Just then, the ground began to shake, sending tremors through their legs. Nico and Bianca stumbled, falling onto the black sand, panic flaring in their eyes.
"What's happening?" Nico shouted, struggling to regain his footing.
"Is it an earthquake?" Bianca asked, her voice trembling.
Annabeth grinned knowingly. "It's something scarier…"
The tremors grew stronger, punctuated by the sounds of snapping trees and thunderous footsteps approaching at breakneck speed. Out of the swirling mist, a monstrous figure charged toward them, each of its heavy paws pounding against the ground with the weight of a thunderclap.
"AHHHHHHHHH!" Nico, Bianca, and Grover shrieked, paralyzed by the sight.
A gigantic, three-headed hound bounded into view, each head bearing a long, slobbering tongue that flapped in the rush of wind. Lucian held out a steady hand, commanding the beast's attention. Cerberus skidded to a halt just before him, sending a wave of sand cascading over the group in a choking cloud.
They coughed, brushing the sand from their faces, and when the dust cleared, they saw Cerberus sitting obediently, its three heads panting with unrestrained excitement. Its tail wagged so fast it sent small bursts of sand flying behind it.
Lucian spread his arms, grinning widely. "Papa's home!"
Without warning, Cerberus lunged forward, licking Lucian with all three of its enormous tongues, covering him in a thick layer of slobber. Lucian laughed, wiping his face in mock disgust. "Ugh! I appreciate the love, big guy, but that's a bit much!"
The three heads whimpered, their ears drooping in disappointment, which only made Lucian sigh fondly. "Aw, I can't stay mad at you, you big softies. Come here." He wrapped his arms around each head in turn, petting and cooing. "Who's a good boy? Hmm? Is it you? Maybe it's you? Or you! Yes, you're all such good boys!" He punctuated his words with kisses on each snout, baby-talking the enormous hound without a hint of fear.
Percy and the others exchanged horrified glances, unsure which was more unsettling: the monstrous three-headed hound or Lucian's doting, affectionate behavior.
Bianca raised an eyebrow, muttering under her breath, "This is supposed to be the strongest demigod of our generation?"
"Ruh roh, Raggy!" Lucian said, his voice dropping into a perfect Scooby-Doo impression, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he scratched behind the ears of the massive, three-headed dog. "Looks like all three of you have been good boys!"
"Lucian…" Thalia called out, a touch of exasperation in her voice.
"Hm?" Lucian looked over, still enthusiastically petting each of Cerberus' heads, but he caught her unimpressed expression. Her raised eyebrows clearly said, Can we get this over with?
"Oh, right! Sorry, I got a little carried away." Clearing his throat, Lucian gestured grandly at the towering, hulking guardian beside him. "Everyone, meet Spots, the most formidable guard dog of the Underworld." He turned to Cerberus, patting the middle head with affection. "Spots, meet some new friends I picked up along the way."
Nico's eyes sparkled with excitement as he took in the enormous hound. "Can I… Can I pet him?"
Lucian smirked and nodded. "Go ahead, he doesn't bite."
Nico stepped forward cautiously, extending his small hand toward the middle head, gaze fixed upward with awe. As he reached out, Bianca hesitated, her brow furrowed with worry, but Lucian gave her a reassuring look, and she held back. Cerberus leaned down, his middle snout sniffing Nico's outstretched palm. Slowly, Cerberus pressed his nose into Nico's hand, allowing him to stroke the wet snout that was letting out steam of air.
"This… this is the best day of my life," Nico murmured, his face lighting up as he carefully petted Cerberus, who rumbled contentedly.
Lucian chuckled, looking back at the group. "Everyone, buckle up, because this bad boy is going to be our ride to the Underworld!"
Cerberus let out a soft whimper, his ears flattening. One of his heads nudged Lucian gently, while the other two lowered in a sad display. "Oh no, no, no, I didn't mean 'bad boy' like that!" Lucian protested, realizing his choice of words had hurt the enormous creature's feelings. But it was too late—Cerberus was on the ground, covering one head with a massive paw and letting out small, pitiful whines.
"You're a good boy! The best boy!" Lucian said emphatically, scratching each head affectionately to reassure his statement. "No—the greatest boy in all the realms!" Cerberus's mood brightened immediately. He leapt back up, tail wagging so hard it could've knocked down some of the signs, each head bearing a wide, toothy grin.
As Lucian grinned, amused by the giant dog's joy, Annabeth pulled out her phone and turned to Thalia, showing her the screen with a mischievous smile. Thalia's eyes widened in realization, and she nodded, sharing the grin as they approached Lucian from behind. Each tapped him on the shoulder.
He turned around, confused. "What's up, you two?"
Without a word, Annabeth and Thalia moved to either side of him, both leaning in and planting a big ol' kiss on his cheeks. "Happy Birthday, Lucian!" They chimed together.
"Eh?" Lucian froze, his face blank with surprise. "Wait— Is today really my birthday?"
Annabeth held up her phone, showing him the time: 12:00 a.m., June 20th. The moment the clock struck midnight, Thirteen years ago Lucian was born.
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