chapter 9: hades

"Hold up. You told a god to go away and he did?"

"Yeah," Hoa said. "All the gods are taking sympathy on me for some reason, and it's making me nervous."

"Did you at least get the wood?"

She instantly became happier. "Yep!"

She pushed a bundle of sticks between them and began to set stones to form a circle. After that, she grabbed an arrow and began twirling it around to try and start a fire. In a few minutes, a small flame appeared, leading Hoa to quickly feed the flame and breathe into it, lending it the oxygen it needed to grow.

Hoa stepped back and admired her handiwork. The fire blazed, providing the two of them warmth as Nico took her backpack and put his head on top, using it as a pillow. She stared at his position for a second before looking away trying to pretend she never did.

"You got to sleep," she told Nico. "I'll take first watch."

"You always take first watch," he muttered.

"Well, you're always too tired to take first watch."

"What if I'm not tired?"

"You still don't know how to fight."

"Teach me how to fight."

"You need sleep, Neeks."

"Fine, if you won't teach me how to fight, then I'll see what I can do about that." Death Boy got up and began to unsheathe his sword, but halfway through pulling it out, he stopped. His gaze locked on something behind her.

When she heard the flapping of wings she whirled around and took out Lightning, but the figures had already landed.

The Furies.

Huge leathery wings were spread, and the bodies attached to the wings were also a terrifying sight. Their hands featured dirty, sharp claws and their mouths was full of huge, yellow fangs that were frankly just disgusting.

She winced when she looked at the rotten fangs, averting her gaze to their wings instead. "Damn, those teeth could use some brushing."

The one in the middle stepped forward towards Nico. "Lord Hades wishes to see you.

She scowled. "For what? Why does he want anything to do with him?"

"Silence," the Fury hissed. "Nico di Angelo will come with us and you will stay here with a supervisor."

Hoa didn't like the way she said 'supervisor.' "What if I kill them and run—"

"Nonsense," the Fury shrieked. She grabbed Nico's throat with one hand full of claws. "Stay here or he dies."

"You wouldn't kill a son of Hades—"

"That is yet to be determined," she sneered. "Whether or not he lives depends on you, Hoa Pham." The Kindly One dug her finger into his skin, enough to make him bleed. When his eyes widened, he tried to struggle, in which she gripped him tighter, surely leaving bruises.

"Wait!" Hoa said, tears filling her eyes. "Okay, I'll wait here. Which one?"

"Excuse me?"

"Which Fury am I staying with?"

She thought about it before turning to the Fury to her left. "Megaera, stay with her. And whatever you do, keep her here."

Megaera nodded, watching as the other Fury grabbed Nico's shoulders and flew away.

~•~•~

Nico didn't know what to do with himself. He literally just got a cool new sword and didn't even get a chance to use it. He also didn't do anything when the Fury plunged a claw into his neck. He felt terrible when he looked at Hoa's face filled with despair when the Fury lifted him up.

He craned his neck so he could see the Fury clearer. "You are... Alecto?"

The Fury laughed. "Well, wouldn't you want to know?"

Nico furrowed his eyebrows. "So you are Alecto..."

"My orders were to take you to Lord Hades, not to start up a conversation with his son. Now, shut that pathetic little mouth of yours before I cut out your tongue."

He stayed quiet after that.

They reached the castle, which looked exactly like what he would have guessed. Black obsidian walls towered up up above (to the sky? Nico wasn't sure), the tops touching dark clouds. A black marble portico decked the area, the tall roof stretching out far and wide. Two skeleton warriors were ready when they landed, immediately seeing Alecto and stepping back. Their two spears uncrossed and returned to their sides. 

Inside was just as spectacular. A polished bronze floor shined under their feet, making Nico feel uneasy as he walked in line with the Furies. When they reached the throne room, he saw Lord Hades himself.

Dark robes layered over his tall, 10-foot frame, which has albino white skin. He had shoulder length hair that had some loose strands sticking out to form bangs, covering his onyx-black eyes. They glittered with purple fire as he studied Nico, his eyes either like those of a genius or a madman. Nico wasn't sure which.

"Well," he said, his eyes never taking off Nico. "Hello son."

Nico scowled. "Why did you want me here?"

"Why, to talk with my son, of course. And to let you know what you are capable of. What is your plan for the Labyrinth?"

He hadn't expected Hades to be so upfront. "Um... right now, we need a way to navigate the maze."

"You want to summon a spirit to fix that, correct?"

"Yes, father."

"Look into the crowd," he advised. "There are many souls watching us at this very moment. Look very carefully, and choose wisely on who you pick. For your situation, Theseus would be wonderful. Try to locate him."

Nico turned around, glancing at the group of ghosts that were beginning to form. His eyes glazed over one after another before finally settling on one. He was tall, dressed in white robes almost as white as the snow. His beard was pointed like a spear and his eyes were cold and cruel. A thin gold circlet adorned his head.

Nico pointed his blade. "That one."

Hades shifted in his seat of bone. "Nico, my boy, are you sure?"

Nico suddenly felt angry. "I'm sure. Why do you doubt me?"

"I never said I did, my boy. He will be your guide through the Labyrinth. Now, onto another important matter..."

He trailed off, glancing at Nico worriedly. Nico felt confused. "What?"

"I am aware of your... affection towards the daughter of Deimos" he said, staring straight at Nico. "I would advise you to stay away from her."

If Nico was feeling angry earlier, he was fuming now. "Why should you care? What's so bad about her?" Hoa was a beautiful, talented young woman, and Nico cared about her. Truly.

"Nico, some truths are better kept secret. Are you sure you want to know?"

"I'm sure! What is it that you don't like about her?"

Hades took a deep breath before speaking. "She's destined to die soon, Nico. Don't grow too attached to her. Now onto other matters..."

~•~•~

Hoa was fucking bored. She hated being stuck with the Fury (Megan? Marielle? What was her name again?) and was pissed at her. She stared at the fire she worked so hard for, feeling like crying.

I swear, if Nico doesn't come back...

Just the, a whoosh of wings was heard. She glanced up and saw Nico being assisted by two Furies. She scrambled up but was pushed back down by Marissa.

"What did I tell you? I told you to stay here. So stay here."

She glowered at Madison. "I don't care, I'm going to see my friend—"

Maya hissed as she lashed her whip, making it crack and break a stone that was inches away from Hoa. "Do not test me, insolent child—"

"Release her," Nico's voice called out.

Maisie hissed as she stepped back, still holding a firm grip on her weapon. 

"Leave," he commanded.

Maria took a step forward, but Alecto moved and tore her away, snapping her back to reality. Madeline hissed as she was pulled back, but eventually spread her wings as she followed Alecto into the sky.

Hoa gave Nico a tight smile, still stressed about Mary's attitude. He wore new clothes, ripped black jeans paired with a matching black shirt. He also had an unzipped aviator jacket with him that was several sizes too big. His hair had somehow become shaggier and his skin paler.

"So, how was the audience with Hades?"

"Fine. We got the ghost guide," he muttered, not bothering to look at her.

She frowned. "Something's bothering you. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"I'm serious."

Hoa knew that he wasn't going to budge, so she let it slide. "Okay... can you bring them?"

"Fine." He concentrated, scrunching up his eyebrows in a way Hoa found cute. 

A blue light formed behind, showing a ghostly man. She recognized him as Minos, former King of Crete.

Shit. Why him? Wasn't he one of the biggest bads in Greek Mythology?

She inwardly panicked to herself, trying not to show it on her face. Nico stood, digging into his pocket and pulling out small pieces of paper into the fire. Cards. Mythomagic cards.

"Nico, you don't have to throw those away..."

Her voice faltered as she saw a fuzz in the light. An Iris Message showed itself, revealing Percy Jackson. He held a finger to his lips as she glanced at him, before she quicky nodded and looked away.

"Useless," Nico muttered. "I can't believe I ever liked this stuff."

"A childish game, master," the ghost agreed. He stood by the fire as he spoke, blocking him from sight. Hoa tuned to Percy and mouthed, Minos.

Nico stared past the river. "I've failed," he muttered. "There's no way to get her back."

"Nico, she's in Elysium, and trust me, Elysium is the best place to be."

Minos was awfully silent when Nico mentioned no way to get Bianca back. Suspicious, Nico turned towards Minos. "Is there? Speak."

"It has never been done," Minos said. "But there may be a way."

"Tell me," Nico commanded. His eyes shined with a fierce light, a dangerous one that made Hoa feel uneasy.

"An exchange," the ghost said. "A soul for a soul."

"I've offered!"

Hoa's eyes widened when he said that. "Nico, please tell me you weren't doing anything remotely reckless in your audience with Hades—"

"Not yours," Minos interrupted, completely ignoring her. "You cannot offer your father a soul he will eventually collect anyway. Nor will he be anxious for the death of his son. I mean a soul that should have died already. Someone who has cheated death."

Nico's face darkened. "Not that again. You're talking about murder."

"What do you mean again? Nico, you should've chosen someone better."

"I'm talking about justice," Minos said. "Vengeance."

"Those are not the same thing."

The ghost laughed dryly. "You will learn differently as you get older."

Hoa shot Percy a worried look, trying to convey the message: Get your sorry ass over here and help!

Nico averted his gaze to the flames. "Why can't I at least summon her? I want to talk with her. She would... She would help me."

"I will help you," Minos promised. "Am I not about to lead you through the maze? Am I not about to teach you to use your powers? Do you want revenge for you sister or not?"

Nico turned from the fire so the ghost wouldn't see him, but Percy and Hoa did. A tear traced its way down his face. "Very well. You have a plan?"

"Oh, yes," the ghost said, sounding quite pleased. "We have many dark roads to travel. We must start..."

Minos's words started slurring together. Out of the corner of her eye, Hoa saw Percy's Iris Message fading. She gave him a quick nod before looking at Nico's state.

Hoa tensed. She didn't trust this ghost and didn't like the tone was using towards Nico. It was manipulative, rude, and had no intention for good. It reminded her of some of the meaner kids at Camp Half-Blood, the ones who manipulated you into doing terrible things without getting punished themselves.

She walked up to Nico and put a hand on his shoulder, sitting down next to him as she squeezed. You're not alone.

"Minos, would you be so kind to excuse us?"

He bowed his head, bowing his head and turning into mist.

"We don't have to go through with this," she said to him.

"No, I'll do it," he said back.

She hesitated. "I don't want you getting hurt, Nico," she said, speaking softly as she rubbed his back. 

"I've got this."

She stared at him, before finally relenting. "Okay. I trust you."

He stared in the distance as another tear trickled down his cheek. Hoa wrapped her arms around him from behind, rubbing his hands as tears slowly crawled their way down his face.

"I got you, Nico. I'll be here for you."

In Nico's mind, he was thinking: No you won't. And I won't be able to live with that.

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hi im madi, your loyal author ♥️ 

PLOT TWIST!

so dont hate on me for killing off hoa pls, shes probably gonna be fine for the next few chapters. 

probably.

anyways 😅

how was the chapter?

also, what are some questions of your own?

anyways, tysm for reading this crappy book! 😃