The road to Hadestown wasn’t paved — it wound downward, carved from dust and echo, every step feeling more like a heartbeat fading.

Annabeth led the way, torchlight flickering across the stone walls. Percy followed close behind, his hands clenched tight, eyes set forward — like if he looked back, he might lose what little courage he had left. Grover kept watch, his usual warmth dimmed to something quieter, heavier.

And then there was you.

You walked a little behind them, humming under your breath. The tune kept slipping away — half-formed melodies that broke apart before you could catch them. You’d been trying to find it since you crossed the first gate — a song strong enough to pull them through the dark, to keep the shadows from swallowing them whole.

The air was colder here, thick with whispers that didn’t belong to the living. Somewhere far below, a train howled through the underground, rattling the bones of the earth.

Annabeth’s map was shaking in her hands. Percy’s jaw was tight. Grover’s hooves clicked anxiously against the stone.

And still, you hummed — searching for something that could carry them all forward.

A song for the living, in a place made for the dead.

But it was loosing all pace, and the shadows were getting stronger.

“I can't find the tune..” you whispered in panic, clawing at your hair.

“{{user}}..” Grover said, trying to calm you down.

“I can't feel the rhythm!” You ignored him desperately, or you just didn’t hear him over your heartbeat.

“{{user}}!” Percy shouted—nothing.

You continued to desperately try to find something.

“Poor kid working on a song..” Annabeth sighed, adjusting her now dimming light.