It was month from his 3-days at the infirmary. He had slowly adapted to camp. Due to most of camp's most experienced fighters (and the fact he had trained with different heroes during his time during his time at the Underworld) he was stuck giving the sword-fighting class. He didn't mind though. Will's point was proven again and again. He was wanted. The children were just curious about him. Of course this didn't mean everything was sweet and perfect… there were come that didn't accepted him, but he tried his best to forget about it.

Jason and Piper parted to California, Percy and Annabeth went back to New York for their senior year. Travis went for college as well as Clarisse and Chris. Anyways, the status quo at camp was changing due to different kinds of leadership.

Right now, he was packing up, it was September and he missed his sisters already. He wasn't shadow-traveling though. Will forbade him. In fact, the healer was coming with him. Just as Will wanted, they were becoming great friends.

There was a knock on the door and the sunny happy-go-lucky aura told him it was Will.

"Come in!"

"Death Boy you take way too much time!" Yup, after a month Nico wasn't able to make him stop using that awful nickname.

"Hello, how are you? I'm fine, thank you for asking."

"Sorry! It's just my first time outside the camp for years! Obviously not counting the battle of New York, but still!"

"Fine, let's go. I'm done packing"

Obviously Will ran up as fast as he could to the hill were there was a black SUV and Jules-Albert waiting for the demigods. After a few minutes Nico catches up.

"Really existed aren't you?"

"You have no idea!"


After hours searching through the radio while Will tried to update Nico to the latests hits they finally slept.

Nico was back at the Underworld, dreaming for the first time in a month. There were warriors everywhere. His father was dressed on his obsidian black armor. Persephone was at his side, fighting alongside him. There was Thanatos also, and Hecate, and even Charon. Every single deity that called the Underworld home was fighting for dear life. The place was a mess.

The battle was gruesome to say the least. It was taking place besides Hades' palace near the entrance to Tartarus. There were all kinds of monsters; the keres were the most abundant ones which was preoccupying. There were Titans vs. Titans. Gods covered on ichor. The fields of Asphodel were strangely empty, like the souls were sent somewhere else. A hoard of hellhounds fought fiercely and merciless.

"Son, the fight is not over."

He woke up covered in sweat after Hades' warning. He was worried and there was nothing he could do about it. He was in no shape to fight, he was still recovering. He barely started to not look malnourished just underweight. Lycaon's wounds hadn't closed completely. And most importantly he was still at risk of beginning to fade if he used his powers again. Lost on his mind, he didn't notice the worrying gaze of the blue eyed boy.

"Nico… are you alright?"

"I… not exactly. I dreamt, but it was a message. It concerns Hazel so, for now, I think I'll keep it to myself."

The didn't talk much after that, it was still dark outside. Will went back to sleep but it took longer for the Ghost King, still thinking how much time the Underworld had left.


He was feeling good. He didn't dare to open his eyes but something felt really good.

"Nico… Death Boy… hey! Wake up"

As he fully regained his consciousness he noted the he was using Will as a pillow, and said demigod was playing with his hair as if nothing happened. It was sending electric currents down his spine. He still decided that he wasn't entirely ready to ponder on why he had that reaction whenever Will somehow took his hand, force hugged him, check up his vitals…

He sat up, trying to hide his slightly blushed face.

"Where are we?"

"We are on Chicago I think."

"Really? This is so gonna be a long, long trip."


After 14 hours they finally reached Denver.

"I need to get out of this car." complained Nico.

"Yeah, I need to eat something and walk a bit. I don't feel my legs anymore."

"Jules-Albert please stop at the next McDonald's, would you?"

Will raised an eyebrow "McDonald's? Really?! You know how harmful to your body is that kind of food?"

"Please, of course I know how dangerous it is! But I still like it. Or do you have a better idea?"

Nico sitted with his Happy Meal looking suspiciously to anything and anyone who dared come close to him. He glared at the people and naturally irradiated an aura of death.

"What's wrong? Ain't we supposed to be safe now that the war is over?" exclaimed Will as he sat down right in front of Nico.

"I don't now, I guess it's just that I got used to monsters attacking me. We can never be too cautious. Plus, I just know the peace can't last forever. We can't just wander around without weapons like mortals. We will be hunted forever."


Nico surprisingly have a nightmare. He knew it was the middle of the night and would arrive to Salt Lake City during the early morning. But he couldn't help to freeze in terror as the shadows took over his vision. Everything was night and the he smelled. He knew where he was just because of the sulfuric odor. The temperatura que really high, like being inside a stew.

He was standing at the Drakon Swamp outside Damasen's hut, it was a relief seeing him safe, together with Bob and Small Bob. They were injured, but alive. Then the scene changed and now he was at the Underworld again. The small army looked tired, devastated, exhausted both physically and mentally. It was a torment to see them like that. Dead heroes were helping the deities. Achilles was charging with a group of undead warriors. The first Perseus was there too, and Theseus. He even recognized some of the dead campers from both the Titan and the Giant wars. It was unfair, to keep fighting even though they earned their peace.

"They'll die, son of Hades, they will all die."

Nico woke up with a muted scream on his mouth. Will seemed to have been shaking him to consciousness. He recognized the pink like sky as a sign they've arrived their destination. Still, he felt dismayed. It was only a month and everything threatened to fall apart again. Or maybe it never stopped falling apart, maybe it just continued. His cheeks were full of dried tears and his eyelids felt a bit heavy and sore.

"I know you don't like to be insisted upon talking, but Death Boy, it's not healthy to keep it bottle up—"

"I know, I know… Believe me, they are not good news. I feel so tired of this, everything keeps falling apart. The place that from time to time ended up being home for me is in danger, and with it, the people I love. And I can't help them, I'm still weak. I'm stuck teaching campers how to fight when I can't even defend myself without passion out from the effort! And I know that with time I'll be alright but that's exactly what I don't have."

"Neeks, I promise that we'll figure this out together, but as you said right now we're not of use. The more you rest the better you get. Everything will be fine at the end. I just know."

Nico didn't even protested when the older pulled him into a hug. Soothing words were whispered, until the son of Hades slept again.


As usual, the both stopped to eat something, go to the restroom, walk a bit and were gone before the monsters got their scent. The weren't talkative. The dread of the nightmare still lingered.

Nico was grateful for not having nightmares this time. He actually woke up in a good mood. During the last part of their trip Will and Nico chatted about anything, continued their search for music that Nico just had to listen to, played Mythomagic (Well, Nico crushed Will, but that was expected). Even watch Disney Hercules.

"This is so inaccurate. I mean, since when my dad is like a blue candle and has a sense of humor? And what about Zeus? He isn't a kind and loving guy! No no no, I just can't with this. Nope."

"Oh come on! The songs are fabulous and you have to admit it!"

"Fine! I'll give you that but the rest is trash!"

"You weren't saying that moments ago when Phil was singing his song. You almost fell over laughing your ass off."

"Can't help it, he is much like Coach Hedge! I mean, do you imagine him signing? Oh gods! It's just hilarious!"

The boys spent that evening laughing at the inaccuracies of different greek-related movies, occasionally talking about Zeus' most ridiculous affairs and how they totally should tell Piper to tell her dad to make a movie about it.

Gradually, both of them secluded themselves into their own minds, each watching the trees go by through their respective windows. Time passed, probably hours since it was pitch dark outside, but neither fell asleep.

"Hey, Will" Nico caught the blond's attention "I guess I never really thanked you."

"Thanked me? Why?" Will's face actually resembled a confused labrador.

"I — this isn't easy to talk about, I'm not used to spontaneous heart talk but, you really went out of you way to make me feel welcome. You organized a bonfire for me, for gods' sake! You recommended me for the sparring class, you let me help you healing broken bones, you included me on the plans you had with your friends, you made me bond with your friends that now are my friends… Just… Thank you."

Will was speechless, he knew Nico must've though about that for awhile and took a great effort to pronounce the words he just had said.

"Death Boy, I told you, I really really wanted to be friends with you, you big dork." he embraced the son of Hades into a tight hug. At the beginning it was difficult to get Nico to accept any physical contact more than necessary but eventually he made the touch-deprived Ghost King accept occasional signs of affection without freaking out.

As if by magic, or just a very well timed chance, on the very same embrace they were both demigods took a trip to the realm of dreams just a few hours before they had to reach their destination.