Nico and His Father
I'm shivering. I'm shivering because I'm cold.
Why am I cold? I don't know. All I know is that I'm here, in the dark, backed up in this little corner.
I'm not afraid of the dark. Oh, no. Not at all. I love the darkness; I embrace it with welcoming arms.
The reason I'm crouched right here, scared and shivering, is because of the body in front of me. The bleeding, broken body of Bianca di Angelo. Her dark eyes are blank, staring upward at nowhere. Her mouth is slightly open, blood trickling out. Her limbs are bent at impossible angles, although in her right hand she is still clutching her bow. The bow from Artemis.
Artemis. I clench my fist, and tears spring to my eyes. Why did Bianca have to join the Hunters, why?
"Bianca…" I murmur, reaching out to the bloody body. But when I blink… she's gone.
"That is not how she died."
I turn toward the low voice, rubbing my eyes. When I see the one who spoke, I immediately freeze. A tall, pale man with eyes full of black fire is watching me. He's wearing robes stitched from lost souls, and I twitch as I hear their screams.
"Da—My lord." I whisper, my voice hoarse.
"Son." He says simply. He offers me his hand, and his fiery eyes seem… softer.
"Come, come with me." He looks at me expectantly, waiting for an answer.
Should I? Should I go with him, my father? Go and learn the ways of those in the Underworld?
Hades stares at me, and his eyes are actually patient. He's still holding out his hand, waiting.
Maybe I can learn more about my history, and find out how Bianca really died. Maybe I can become powerful, and get revenge on Percy for letting her die. Maybe… I can learn how to bring her back.
A ghost appears behind my dad, it's the faint outline of… King Minos. He gives me a small nod and a curt, knowing smile, and then disappears.
I look back up at my father, and think about the Mythomagic figure I never got. The only one I never had… the figure of my lord himself. My dad.
"Okay," I say, and take Hades's hand.