Love and death.
Two seemingly different things in the circle of life, complete opposites in every way, shape and form. Love, considered the most wonderful feeling in the world and death, darkness and despair. Death is considered the thing that ends love, the one and only obstacle for adoration.
That's why I knew that it would never happen. I was considered death itself, the master of the Underworld. And she was, well, herself, the most wonderful thing in the world. I guess that she represented love, and that's why I knew that it would never work out. But it was hard to stay away, even though my instincts went against it. Because love and death never went together well, that is until now.
My name is Nico di Angelo, and I am the son of Hades.
"Come on Brie, wait up," I called, trailing after her through the city streets. She had my hand clasped in hers and she wove through the pedestrian traffic, clearly enjoying herself. At my words she turned, fixing her bright brown eyes on me. A smile played across her face as she glanced at me, fumbling along after her. For a moment I felt as I did when Kronos was attacking New York City, and that moment when time seemed to slow, minus the terror and constant threat that the world was going to end. Her gaze sent my head swimming, which unfortunately means that I tend to blank out. Luckily for me, though, a light post knocked me right out of my daze, sending my straight back into reality.
"Nico, are you okay?"
I glanced up, her eyes reflecting the glow of a nearby store sign. She was bent over, her glossy brown hair framing her perfect face. A flash of worry shot across her face as I moaned, standing up cautiously, my hand holding my head.
"Oh my gosh," she began, examining my face, a smile beginning to form. "I can't believe you just ran straight into a lamp post!"
I felt my ears burn, something they did when I was embarrassed. Then I looked up at her radiant face. "Geez, you think you could sound a bit concerned?"
I was laughing too though, and she joined in, her laughter sounding like the song of the Sirens. So enticing, so beautiful. I knew she wasn't going to lead me to my death though, and that was why I had allowed her to take me someplace completely unknown to me.
"So where are we going?" I questioned as our laughter died down, leaving just the sounds of the city. Brie looked at me, still smiling.
"You'll see," she said, and then she took off down the streets. Taken off guard, she had a good head start, but I soon caught up with her, gently grabbing her arm. She stopped and turned towards me, eyes glittering.
"Don't do that," I said, anger flashing for a moment. I knew what could be hiding among these streets, and if Brie just so happened to get attacked because my demigod scent was on her, I would never forgive myself.
"We're here," she said quietly, causing me to stop mid-sentence. I looked up, eyeing the massive building before me. Some lights were flickering off, while others were burning brightly. I knew this place too well, and I looked out over the road in front of it, remembering all of the lives that had been lost there. There was still a faint crack where the cement had filled up the crevice that had been there almost two years ago.
Still holding Brie's hand, I stepped off the sidewalk and placed my foot over the fracture in the street, remembering my accent up through it. I could almost smell Mrs. O' Leary as I closed my eyes.
"Um, Nico. You're still holding my hand."
I opened my eyes quickly, releasing her hand. Her cheeks were colored a rosy red, from running or embarrassment I couldn't tell. Trying to cover up, I coughed, pulling an arm behind my head.
Brie looked up from the sidewalk, a sheepish smile across her face. Her normal color was returning as she pivoted toward the building, trying to see up to it's top.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, still eyeing the tower. I remembered what was really at the top of the building. The gleaming structures, bubbling fountains, lush gardens and tall thrones of the gods all seemed so close now.
"You have no idea," I muttered. She turned to me, confused.
"Did you say something?"
I shook my head quickly, brushing past her shoulder, afraid to grab her hand again. As I reached the doors, I twisted towards her.
"You coming? It's really pretty at night."
Brie grinned and rushed towards the door, which I held open. As we entered the marble lobby, I felt my memory flash back to the battle. This had been headquarters for a while. I remembered bodies strewn across the floor; Apollo demigods rushed to and fro trying to heal the injured and dying. For a moment I almost felt the sting of my wounds and the fatigue of my summons.
"Nico!"
My head snapped towards her voice. Brie was standing in an open elevator, her hand pressed to the doors so that they wouldn't close.
"Honestly, Nico. It's as if you've been falling asleep standing up lately."
I laughed, my voice trembling a bit. I walked over to the elevator, passing the desk where a very familiar desk man sat. He looked up over his newspaper for a moment.
"She's a keeper," he whispered. "Bringing her to meet daddy?"
I glared at him, causing him to jump back a bit in his swirling chair. I had that effect on people.
"You're quite a catch," he muttered, gaining his composure and flipping his newspaper back up. I huffed and stepped into the elevator, gently pulling Brie's hand off the door as I walked in. There was a faint tune of a very familiar song playing overhead as the doors closed, sealing us in.
"I'm so excited," Brie said, turning towards me, her eyes shining. I leaned casually against the wall, smiling at her happiness. It was silent for a moment as the musician sang, almost putting my thoughts into words.
"L is for how you look at me, O is your the only one for me, V is extremely extraordinary," I began to sing, blushing a little as I messed up the words.
"E is even more than anyone that you adore."
Her voice rang like bells as she finished the lines. I looked towards her, laughing softly under my breathe. Her face turned from mine at my gaze, clearly embarressed by her singing. The song continued as we finished the accent up the building. For a moment it was as if the elevator was the only thing in the world and Underworld. When the doors slid open, I held the door open as she stepped out. I followed after her, not wanting to let her out of my sight.
We entered a long hallway, completley empty, our footsteps echoing off the black walls. She started towards a window but I stopped her, grabbing her hand. Remembering our early encounter I dropped it quickly.
"Let's go outside," I said, motioning towards a doorway. I walked towards it, Brie following closely behind.
"Are you sure we're allowed to go outside?"
I looked away from her, jingling the handle. It was stiff, meaning it was locked. I pulled my knife out, picking the lock easily. I tried to do it as Inconspicuously as possible, trying not to clue Brie in. I also didn't want her knowing why I had a bronze knife tucked inside my belt.
"Nico, I don't think that we should break into the Empire State building," Brie said, clearly noting that I had picked the lock. Whether she saw my knife or not, I didn't know.
"Come on, it's not like we're doing anything bad," I said. I also knew that after dark the security guards would not be as attentive. No one knew we were up here besides the guy at the desk, and he wouldn't say anything. He knew that I had the right to enter Olympus.
Brie still looked uncertain. Like reflexes, I grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door.
"Besides, we're not breaking into the Empire State building, we breaking out."
The city was spread out before us as we watched the lights of New York City below. A railing was the only thing that separated us from a deathly fall. Brie was leaning against the bar on her hip, her head turned toward the city. I was bent over, my arms supporting me and my hands suspended over air. It had been like this since we had sneaked outside, the sounds of the streets beneath us the only conversation.
I twisted my skull ring around my finger, its fiery red eyes staring back at me. I got the chills as a strong wind blew by and I looked towards Brie. She was smiling softly, her glossy chocolate colored hair dancing in the gust. I felt my breath catch in my throat as I took in her beauty. I had never come this close to perfection in my life, which was saying a lot because I've met immortal gods.
Sensing my gaze, she turned to me, a questioning look in her eyes. "What's the matter?" she asked, shifting her weight so she was facing me.
"Nothing," I said, grinning stupidly. "I'm just taking in the view."
She blushed, and my ears burned a bit, but I was glad I had said it. Hormones were really annoying at times, especially when they want to just burst out of you. I could swear of the River Styx, though, that this was way more than hormones.
As Brie played with hands, I felt a sudden static come between us, and an idea began to form in my mind. I knew that it was either going to end in love or heartbreak, but I couldn't help myself. Before I could chicken out I gently gripped Brie's hand.
Her head snapped up, her eyes searching my face. "Brie," I began, trying to put my thoughts into words. She laughed delicately.
"Nico."
We moved towards each other slowly, my heart beating so hard I thought she might feel it. But before our lips met I heard a screech. Turning my head, I saw a faint shadow plummet across the sky. Inside, my stomach churned, and my heart began to burn with anger.
"DUCK," I shouted, diving to ground, pulling Brie with me. We hit the cold building roof just as the railing and side of the building exploded.
