You, Percy, and Grover ran across the dead, deserted ground of the Underworld until you finally came to a stop; sweaty, panting, and hopeless.

The trio had just outran Cerberus, the three headed dog who guarded the gates to the underworld. Like a big, fluffy puppy- except with three heads and a craving for demigod flesh.

You each had a pearl, one had Grover had given out in case you got separated. Swallowing it would mean teleporting back onto the shore, above ground and safely away from the pits of the empty underworld.

Grover was injured, a gash across his abdomen. It was bloody, nasty, and awfully painful. He tripped to the ground, fishing it out of his pocket with a shaky hand as he nodded to Percy. Percy nodded back, giving him a thumbs up as Grover swallowed his pearl and headed to the surface.

He needed the medical attention after all. Now, you and Percy could go up and meet him. You felt for the pearl in your pocket.

And nothing.

You had dropped your pearl running away from Cerberus. It was somewhere back there in the dead dunes that surrounded you two.

You looked up, meeting Percy's gaze. He immediately realized what had happened and stepped forward, fumbling with the pocket of his jeans.

"Take it." Percy offered willingly and immediately.

He reached forward, grabbing your hand- palm facing upwards- and pressing the pearl into it, closing your hand with his own, pushing the pearl back towards you.

He wanted to sacrifice himself for you.