Death's Son (Even After Death)

Chapter 7

The moon's rays shone down on them as Nico stepped out of the Hades cabin, followed by a certain blond medic. Will's bookbag bounced as he walked, the supplies inside rattling together in a heap of noise. Once they were in the dark of the wood, Nico turned to stare at him with eyes alight with fear. "You ready?"

Will's hair seemed to glow in the darkness. "To meet the Lord of the Dead? Kinda."

"You'll be fine." Nico smiled. "He's actually an...okay god. Not the worst."

"But he's still a god..." Will grabbed Nico's hands. "Okay, okay. I'm ready."

Nico kissed his cheek before letting the shadows overtake them, letting the shadows transport them to a place darker than the outside world and lighter than Tartarus. As the shadows died down and the light came back into view, Nico looked around to find himself in his old room in the palace of Hades.

"Ugghhh," Will flopped down onto the bed. "I hate shadow traveling."

"We've established that." Nico cracked his neck. "Let's get this over with."

As he turned to leave the room he stopped in his tracks when he saw Persephone standing in his doorway, her arms crossed and her hair in a bun. She looked stressed, an emotion he had never seen on the goddess, and seemed to be in a worse mood than usual.

"Nico di Angelo," she gestured to the hallway. "Come, let's go talk. We need to discuss something important."

Nico frowned. "I knew it. I knew you wanted something."

"Of course I did, young demigod. Your father wasn't helping me." a tired, forced smile. "So I needed someone else with the powers of my husband."

Nico glanced towards Will in an "I told you so" look before looking back to the goddess. "You brought me back to life, four years ago, to do something for you? Why so long?"

"I didn't expect that sort of time frame, Nico. Stop being smart with me. This may be your father's palace but I'm a goddess and you are not." she breathed through her nose. "I wanted you here immediately, but since that boy touched you it had to go through his powers. A horrible task. It would have killed him if I hadn't lent him some strength and if I hadn't blessed you."

"If you hadn't turned me into a plant," Nico grumbled. "So, what do you want? What am I getting myself into?"

Persephone pursed her lips. "Didn't I invite you to come sit down so we can talk?"

Nico was about to retort when he saw her manner, saw the emotions he learned to read from having used to live with her. Sitting down wasn't for pleasantries. No, it was so her stressed body could take a break. "What...what happened, Persephone?"

Tears stained her face, small hands tried to wipe them away. "Oh, look what you've done. Got me crying in front of a stranger..." She looked down, away from Will. "Nico... I need you to get my daughter back. My...my demigod daughter. You father didn't want to help but...she's so scared, and hurt...she needs help..."

Nico's eyes narrowed. "Someone took her? How old is she?"

Persephone nodded. "She was two when she was taken. Now...she'll be turning six. I wanted your help immediately but she's had to sit there for four years..."

Will stood up. "She's hurt? I've got all my medical supplies. I'll go with Nico."

"They took her. I...I would have gotten her myself but she lived in Alaska. A land beyond the gods and controlled by the snow. There's no way." she looked to Nico. "But you, you have shadow travel. You can get her and bring her back for me. I don't usually just ask for favors...but please, Nico, I miss my little girl."

Nico gave her a rueful smile. "Don't worry. Whoever takes a little girl and hurts her, they're an enemy in my book. I'll be back for lunch tomorrow."

This time, Persephone gave him a thankful smile. "Thank you, Nico. Thank you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Okay, I'm ready." Nico walked out of the small bathroom to find Will sitting on the bed, covered from head to toe in too many winter accessories to count. Multiple hats, scarves thicker than the curtains, two thick coats that looked warmer than the sun, snow pants and boots. "You alive in there?"

"Shut up," Will mumbled, his smile hidden behind his scarf. "I don't do well in the cold. You know this."

Nico cracked a smile. "You look ridiculous."

Will struggled to stand up. "Just help me, will you? We need to get going if we're going to find this girl alive."

"Persephone said to wait a couple minutes." Nico sat beside him. "She's bringing a coat for the girl and stuff. To help her be comfortable until we bring her back."

"Bring her back...? Where? The Underworld?" Will asked. "That doesn't seem like a wonderful place to bring a child."

"I'll have you know, Will Solace, that she'll love it here." Persephone walked into the room with a small bookbag. "She'll be safe here. That's all she'll ask for, at this point, I'm sure. Do this for me and you'll have your boyfriend alive, forever. Please." She handed the bookbag to Nico. "There's a coat, mittens, and a scarf in there. Make sure she's warm. Oh, and her favorite stuffed animal. It'll help her calm down. Her name is Lillian but she likes to be called Lily."

Nico took the bookbag. "Course. I'll see you soon." He reached a hand towards Will. "Come on, you blond penguin. Time to go."

Will grabbed Nico's hand. "Okay, prince of darkness."