We were falling, falling, falling. I was shell shocked. Percy just sacrificed his life for me. Sometimes, I feel selfish. Percy gave up godly hood for me, and all I did was not become a Hunter of Artemis. Not exactly a comparable sacrifice. But, back to the situation. Both of us off to Tartarus, where monsters return after they die. Does that mean, when we kill monsters, that their essence will just 't reform immediately? I didn't know, but I knew we were doomed. We had been falling for about 10 minutes straight, so I thought that we would hit bottom soon. I knew that while we were down there, no way would be have time to rejoice, so I needed one last piece of utter joy to keep me sane. I turned towards Percy, and he seemed to be of the same mind. I nodded, and we kissed. Nothing fancy , just our lips pressed together, but it was probably the most romantic time of my life. Maybe it was Piper's mother wearing off on me, but I was just so desperate. I felt tears pouring down my face, because this was just to much. I wanted to live. I wanted to build a New Greece in Camp Half- Blood, I wanted to live a life with Percy, and I am to the point where I will be overjoyed if we don't fall on impact. He rubs his thumb over my cheek in a circle, and I am eternally thankful for the fact that Percy is being strong for my. We stay this way, one of his hands on my face, one on my hips, my hand on his neck. There is an emotion filling me, and it was so unfamiliar to me, I almost didn't recognize it. I then realized that I felt like this when I hugged Percy when he returned from Calypso's island, and when I kissed Percy the second time. This feeling was warm and actually kind of fuzzy. I allow it to consume me, fully, because I knew I would need it.

This feeling was hope.

I smiled, but I felt us slowing down, so I thought we would land soon. I broke away reluctantly, and drew my dagger. Percy uncapped his pen, and I saw a similar smile on his face. We hit the bottom. When I got up, I was met with something so strange, I thought that I was unconscious and hit my head. I doubted it though. I looked around, and i saw something even more frightening then a combination of Echidna, a Chimera, Hydra, and Neman lion.

Tartarus was empty.

I could feel the presence of monsters, but that was from so many monsters passing through here. I realized something: If the Doors of Death was open, then all the monsters were on earth- Nothing was down here reforming, they were doing that on the surface. I looked over at Percy, not knowing if he had grasped this fact as fast as I did. He was utterly confused, but I already opened my mouth to answer his unspoken question.

I said, " The monsters are all on the surface, and when they are killed, they immediately start to reform, meaning that their essence doesn't return here in the go between. That means our quest is quite simplified." Percy just closed his mouth. He then, slowly began to smile. I was slightly confused as to why, but then it began to dawn on me. With the monsters gone, we might not die! I was suddenly ecstatic I gave Percy my signature flying tackle bear hug, and he gladly intercepted and returned said gesture. I looked at him , and grinned. "So Percy, you want to go for a walk?" He just grinned, and we started walking forward.