Melinoë had seen a lot over the time she'd been fighting to save her family, both in the Underworld and Olympus. Many a formidable foe had faced in her combat, each she'd been able to overcome, eventually. But for what waited for her in the summit of Mount Olympus? She couldn't have been less prepared.

She'd thought Prometheus had been tough to fight. He had, but Melinoë had managed to fell him and pass through to the summit. It was immediately clear that something was off. The monsters there were dark, cruel creatures that wouldn't usually get anywhere near this close to the Gods. And something much, much darker yet lurked ahead.

First it was a clawed hand swiping at Melinoë as she progressed up the summit. It was huge, and wasn't something she recognized as far as she could tell. But then she saw the tail. A monstrous pincer with an eye attacking and snapping at her. It was then that it dawned on her just who she was up against. Typhon.

The King of Monsters. The gigantic creature sat atop the summit, and he was angry. Seeking out Zeus to take him down. Melinoë didn't stand a chance. His attacks were too quick, too powerful. And she was too weary from her previous fights. Even with the aid of the Gods themselves, Melinoë was struck down, returning to The Crossroads to recover.

That night was near enough sleepless. When she did fall asleep, it was far from peaceful. Memories of Typhon's cruelty flashing through her mind's eye. The knowledge that she had failed haunting her. The Princess of the Dead tossed and turned in her bed, sweat dripping from her pale skin. Then she woke with a start, sitting bolt upright and gasping for breath as tears ran down her face. Unaware that her disturbance had roused another beside her.