the transition from the green tinted waters, the specks of vibrant color that flickered beneath the waves, along the cavern walls, to the barren, ash-grey tones of undertown is almost enough to give him whiplash.
in the distance, he sees the fading lights of a carnival. around him, he sees the dilapidated houses that look like they’re on their last life. fitting, considering they’re in the underworld.
with the swords sheathed and the seed secured, he steps from the boat, his arms wrapped over his chest as if to keep himself from spilling out. droplets of blood have dried against his earlobes from the deafening screech of the metal clang, thick, red, finger-shaped bruises wrap around his throat like a necklace—fiery red, glaring.
he sees those that have already made it to undertown, who knows how long they’ve been here, and turns his head over his shoulder to look at yves, finn, and viktor. then, with a slow move of his head, he looks toward the rest of them.
not able to face them yet, he turns to walk up toward viktor, arms still crossed over his chest.
“thank you.” he says, keeping himself out of arm’s reach of the russian demigod. “i was pretty sure i was going to die.”