Chapter 3

Nico

After what felt like an eternity of running Nico managed to lose his pursuers in the dense forests.

He was breathing hard by now and his legs felt like they would give out at any moment. If Will hadn't have made him eat as much as did he doubted he would have had the strength to have out run the monsters. Maybe joining one more group had paid off after all. Yes he had told himself that he wouldn't do it again, that he would just be a burden or be putting innocent people in danger, but a certain sunny blond had made him feel accepted for the first time in so long.

He couldn't stop thinking about that annoying smile, that irritatingly insistent voice that wouldn't stop, that golden hair that seemed to glow, the warmth that he could feel every time they were close, that stubbornness and need to help anyone and everyone around, that earnest look of concern in those beautiful blue eyes that seemed to shine when he looked at Nico.

Okay so he just couldn't stop thinking about Will, but he was just so bright and sunny that it was hard not to think about him. And he was an impressive fighter; he took out a few monsters on his own with those arrows. Nico would have to thank him when- If he ever saw him again. He wasn't sure why for a second there he had felt a certainty that they'd see each other again.

For now he couldn't risk getting anyone else involved, today had been too close. If Will hadn't have been there with his bow who knows what would have happened to the innocent bystanders.

Nico needed to find somewhere safe, somewhere to get away from the monsters long enough to rest and catch his breath. The sound of monsters was getting closer meaning it was time to press on once again even if his legs felt like they would give out at any moment and his vision was beginning to blur.

Just as he made it to a clearing he noticed that it was a camp site. Great, just when he had decided not to get anyone else involved he goes and stumbles upon another camp. He just couldn't catch a break.

So with nowhere to hide and no energy left to run any further, he draws his sword and stood his ground waiting for the attack that was bound to happen.

The monsters were almost to the clearing he could see them through the trees; just as they were almost to his position they stopped. It was as if they had lost his trail even though he was right there in front of them they couldn't sense him. Could this area be protected?

As if to prove that thought the monsters leave trying to catch the sent again and locate their prey that had gotten away.

The last remnants of his strength leaving him at all once he crumples to the ground and blacks out.

Gaea

What had happened?!

She had almost had him! He was almost out of energy, he wouldn't have been able to put up much of a fight, and then suddenly he just vanished without a trace! The trail just went cold but how could that happen? Sure he had lost them in the dense tree cover but he couldn't have gotten away that easily!

Beyond furious that her target had managed to escape once again she began blasting everything in sight to take out her frustration. Once the smoke cleared she walked out of the room to go check in with her commanders on the matter of the Hades kingdom.

"What news do the spies send?"

Her second in command stood up and saluted her as she entered the room. "They report that even though most of the people have given up any hope that the prince will return, the King refuses to. He is offering a high reward to any who can reunite him with his lost son."

Good this could work in their favor, if one of their spies could find that brat and bring him home it would be easier to get the prince to his father and kill him as a final psychological blow that is sure to send the King over the edge and the war would be over with Gaea and her forces victorious!

"This is perfect. If one of the spies finds the brat have them play the role of concerned vassal and return him to his father, then once they have an audience with the king have them slit the princes throat then and there. That should be all we need to push Hades past the breaking point."

Around the room heads nodded and there were unanimous murmured agreements.

"That is just one of many playouts, but for now my trackers have lost the trail so until he is found keep an eye out. We will get that wretched child one way or another."

Sorry if it's a little short I'm still working on it but I hope you are pleased with this new chapter now that we have the ball rolling; in case you hadn't picked up on it, this story will jump back and forth between the points of view of Nico, Will, Gaea, and Hades, mostly on the grounds of I don't know how many peoples heads I can be in at a time like this though I may break from the points of view to show others thoughts here and there but I'm not sure yet.

I am trying to keep as true to the characters as I can so hopefully I am doing a good job with that.

There will be no spacific update time for this because I am not that great of a writer and it will take time.

Thank you for reading!