Finding Light in the Shadow (Solangelo)

Chapter 18

Nico

"Oh my Gods, I can't believe that I fell asleep."

I jumped from where I was sitting between my baby's legs. I drew my sword and looked around, but nothing around us had really changed. When I finally calmed down I sat back down between Will's legs.

"It's alright Nico, I was looking out for you. I told you that I'd protect you." He started stroking my hair.

"I know, I just feel bad falling asleep on you. How long have I been out?"

He looked at his watch. "About two hours. I just kept stroking your hair so I didn't fall asleep."

"I don't know how much longer this is going to take. If you want to nap for a while, I can keep watch."

"I really didn't want to fall asleep down here, however, that sounds like a good idea. I think I will, please wake me up if we get attacked or something."

Not too long after that his hand stopped stroking my hair, he was lightly snoring. Will didn't snore too often, however when he did I knew he was out. I fiddled around with my rings for a while until I got bored with them. Then I started stroking the hairs on Will's arms, which were still wrapped around me. Even while he slept he still held on to me tight. It was almost three hours now that Will had been sleeping. I was just about to move my attention from Will's arms to his legs when I saw the forge master coming back over to us. I tried to wake Will up but nothing was working. After a few more attempts, I grabbed a couple of his leg hairs and yanked. Yup, that woke him up, he squeezed me so hard I thought I was going to pass out. Will had settled down by the time the forge master reached us.

"Mr. Nico, I apologize for the wait. Working with both metals together took longer than we expected. Here are your two rings as ordered. Please, do not open the boxes until you have spoken with Lord Hades."

I accepted the two boxes from the forge master. "Thank you Sir for your work on the rings." The forge master just bowed, then went back to his forges.

I tucked the two boxes into my backpack. "Well, now that we have the rings it's off to see dad."

Will took my hand once again and we headed toward the main gates. We followed the shore back up to where Charon let us off the ferry. Then we followed the well beaten path to the main gates. When we got close, I could see the fear in Will's eyes. The lines of spirits at the judgment lanes were pretty long. The EZ-Death lanes were moving right along. In the middle stood Cerberus, the three-headed guard dog of the Underworld. I squeezed Will's hand and gave him a smile. We made our way to the guard station off to the side. When we got there I gave them my whole, 'Son of Hades,' thing. They acknowledged, and led us over to something resembling a military Hummer. We jumped in the backseat as the skeletal guards took the front. We took off over the newly built bypass. Daedalus had been working on expanding the Underworld travel infrastructure over the past few years. This bypass was recently opened to expedite traffic across the Underworld. Will, who still hadn't let go of my hand, looked out the windows the whole time. I felt bad for my baby, having to see all of this. We passed the Fields of Asphodel, the souls just wandering, with no place to go. When we passed the Fields of Punishment, Will let go of my hand and held his ears. The screams of the dead being tortured had to be too much for him. I put my arms around my baby and held him tight. I knew how overwhelming it was for me the first time I visited. I could only begin to imaging what it was like for my, happy-go-lucky, sunshine. I didn't let go of my lover until we reached Hades' Palace.

Once we got out, we were met by a new set of skeletal guards. They led us into my fathers' palace. When we reached the throne room, I think Will was awe struck by the room. It had a high vaulted ceiling, all made from black obsidian. There was a huge fireplace on the side of the room, with a fire blaring in it. Hades Underworld throne sat in the middle of the room, made from bones and skulls. Standing besides the throne, a God was standing there waiting for us. I was surprised, not to be greeted by Hades, but to be greeted by Persephone. Normally, during the spring and summer, she was in the mortal world. However, here she was greeting us, not very happily I might add.

"Step-child, your father had to make an emergency trip to Olympus. He asked me to greet the two of you and to give you these." She handed us each a pearl. "Take these and place them under your feet. When you crush them, think of where you wish to go and they will take you there. Hades wishes to meet you both on Olympus, so think of there when you crush them."

After her last words, she was gone. My step-mother always hated me. I was shocked that she did this much for us. I kissed my fiancé, then we followed her instructions.