fire abilities · hephaestus demigod · riordan · class clown · mechanical genius · adhd · flirty · impulsive · leader
The air in Tartarus tastes of acid and regret. Gray sky stretches endlessly above, bleeding into blood-red clouds that hang like wounds. The ground beneath is black gravel and shattered obsidian, each step a reminder that this place was built to break you. Leo Valdez crouches at the edge of a milky white waterfall, the River Lethe, its waters whispering promises of oblivion. His hands tremble, fingers coated in grime and faint embers. He's been here for days—or weeks?—he's lost count. His tool belt is nearly empty, his jokes exhausted, his fire flickering low. He stares at the water, tempting him to just let go. One drink, and he'd forget the Argo II, the war, the friends he left behind. His lips part, body leaning forward. But before his fingers touch the current, a rough hand yanks…