AN: Apologies for the slow update. I've been trying to post this chapter for days, but I kept getting an error message when I tried to edit the story. I finally got it worked out, though.. - dmac
4. The Ghost Army
The air was cold, and the temperature was continuing to drop as the wind howled across the empty Fields of Asphodel. The smell of smoke was becoming stronger, but it was being overpowered by a different smell, the smell of evil. The roars and screams from the Fields of Punishment were becoming louder as the monsters and the damned began to escape the valley and make their way into Asphodel.
Nico, Rachel, Thalia, and Hazel, along with an army of nearly two hundred heroes from Elysium, formed a front line in Asphodel as they watched the enemy's numbers swell.
"Why is it so cold?" Rachel asked Nico.
"Tartarus…the cold wind is coming from the pit of Tartarus. He's gaining power and control," Nico told her.
"How do we stop him?" Hazel asked.
"There's only one way to fight the cold," Nico said. "Turn up the heat."
"The bottomless pit awakens, then burns," Rachel recited the line of the quest. "Tartarus will have to burn."
"And just how are we supposed to set fire to Tartarus?" Thalia asked.
"Yeah," Luke raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan to do that?"
Nico shrugged his shoulders, "I guess I'll just have to go down there."
"Are you crazy?" Thalia gasped.
"It has to be done, Thalia," Nico said sternly.
"He's right," Hazel nodded. "It has to be done…but I have to do it, not you, Nico."
"What?" Nico asked with surprise.
Hazel held out her hand and a ball of fire danced in her palm.
"Whoa, sweet trick," Luke smiled at Hazel.
Hazel winked then closed her fist, and the fire disappeared.
"Fine," Nico said knowing she was right. "But I'm going with you. There's no way I'm letting you go into the pit of Tartarus alone."
"But…" Hazel started to argue.
Nico knew it was a suicide mission, but he couldn't let her go alone, die alone. Leo would never forgive him, and Nico would never be able to forgive himself.
"No buts," Nico interrupted her. "I'm going with you."
Hazel took a deep breath then nodded. She would never admit it, but she was relieved that Nico would be joining her. She knew how dangerous entering Tartarus would be, but she had to do it for the seven fighting in Greece; she had to do it for Leo.
Nico felt a familiar presence next to him, and he didn't want to look at her, but he made himself look. Bianca was standing beside him, and though she didn't say a word, the expression on her face spoke volumes about how proud she was of her little brother. He'd grown into a brave hero who would sacrifice everything for his friends, one who would risk his life to do the right thing.
"Uh oh, guys," Luke said breaking the silence.
"What?" Thalia asked then she noticed Luke was looking toward the emerging army of monsters.
Thalia watched as the army of monsters slowly began to make their move away from the Fields of Punishment.
"They're moving away from us," Rachel noticed.
"They're gonna try to storm the palace," Luke said with urgency. "We've got to move. Beckendorf, Selena, rally your troops and set up a line at the gates of Elysium. The rest of us will go to the palace."
The heroes and the ghost army quickly moved their front line to guard Hades' palace from an invasion while Beckendorf, Selena, and their troops guarded the gates of Elysium. The army of monsters were still rising from the Fields of Punishment and marching their way toward the palace.
Thalia walked over to Nico, whose eyes were fixed on the enemy, and she nudged him with her shoulder, "What do you think, kiddo?"
Nico shook his head, "There you go calling me kiddo, again."
"Sorry," Thalia said. "Habit, I guess."
"Why do you want to know what I think, anyway?" Nico asked her.
"It's your quest, we're down here in your domain; I was just wondering what your thoughts might be on the situation."
"I think we're gonna get our ass kicked," Nico said bluntly.
Thalia rolled her eyes, "Such a confidence booster."
"Hey, you asked," Nico smirked. "What about you? What do you think?"
Thalia looked toward the army of approaching monsters then smiled, "I think this is gonna be so much fun."
Nico laughed, "Of course, you do."
"So, um," Thalia started. "What's going on between you and Rachel?"
"Huh-what-wait a minute-what do you mean?" Nico stumbled over his words.
Thalia laughed, "So, there is something?"
"No," Nico insisted. "We're…we're just friends."
"If you say so, but I think she likes you."
"Really?" Nico asked with surprise. "I mean, what makes you say that?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to see how you'd react," Thalia grinned.
Nico shook his head, "You're evil. Have you ever been told that?"
Thalia nodded, "Every single day."
"Hey guys," Rachel said as she walked up to Nico and Thalia.
"Oh, um, hey Rachel," Nico said awkwardly, and Thalia had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"So, are you two planning a battle strategy?" Rachel asked.
"Something like that," Thalia said still trying not to laugh.
"Well, what's the plan?"
"We'll keep the palace surrounded by two lines. The front line will take the brunt of the attack and try to force the enemy back. The secondary line will be responsible for destroying anything that gets past the front line and for making sure nothing gets through the palace gates," Nico explained.
"Once we knock down the first few waves, the enemy will be fewer and weaker, and at that time, Nico and Hazel can make their way into Tartarus," Thalia said.
"Nico, do you really have to go into Tartarus? Is there no other way?" Rachel asked with worry.
"I wish there was another way...and you know I can't let Hazel go down there alone," Nico answered.
"I know," Rachel sighed. "I just wish neither of you had to go."
Rachel knew just how dangerous the mission in Tartarus would be. She'd been having nightmares of the Underworld for weeks, and she'd seen what an unforgiving place Tartarus is. The chances of Nico and Hazel returning safely from the depths were slim to none.
"It'll be okay," Nico tried to reassure her. "Don't worry."
"Too late, I'm already worried."
"Nico!" Luke yelled from about twenty yards away. "It's time to get into position. The first wave will be on us in a few minutes."
Nico turned to Rachel and Thalia and said, "You heard the man, battle stations."
The approaching army smelled of evil, foul and heinous. There were monsters that looked like science experiments gone horribly wrong, and there were men with blood covered hands who had such murderous looks in their eyes that it was undeniable that the Fields of Punishment was where they belonged. A black, fire-breathing dragon circled over the enemy preparing to dive bomb the heroes. Cyclopses, Laistrygonian giants, Dracaenae, and hellhounds were among the monsters being led toward the palace, and the man leading the march was familiar man; it was Tantalus. That same angry, frustrated, and hungered look filled his eyes, except now he was hungry for vengeance, not food. Other familiar faces led the charge as well: Sisyphus, Ixon, and Salmoneus. Unlike Midas, Medea, and Commodus, they hadn't yet escaped the Underworld, but their intention now was to do so and to bring all of the monsters with them. They fully intended to unleash hell on earth.
The heroes took position on the front line awaiting the advancing army of monsters. Thalia took position next to Luke, and pulled her bow from her back and an arrow from her quiver.
"Just like old times, huh?" Luke smiled at Thalia as he drew his sword and dug in his heels preparing to attack.
Thalia remembered how she and Luke had fought side-by-side all those years ago when they were on the run, and even though so much had happened and so much had changed since those days, she was still proud to be fighting alongside her friend once again.
"Just like old times," Thalia agreed.
"I'll take the cyclopses," Luke told her. "Which do you want: the hellhounds or the Dracaenae?"
"Actually, I think I want to slay the dragon," Thalia grinned as she looked up at the soaring beast.
Luke nodded, "The dragon it is."
"Hold the line!" Nico yelled to his army. "Don't let anything through!"
Rachel drew her sword and stood beside Nico, "This is it."
"You'll do fine," Nico told her. "Just remember your training."
"Right," Rachel nodded. "I'll work on the Dracaenae."
"Good," Nico said. "I'll take the Laistrygonians."
"Legionaries, bear arms!" Hazel yelled to the Roman soldiers she was commanding.
Her battalion followed her orders by arming themselves and getting into attack position.
"Take out the commanders then fight your way through herd," Hazel told them as the enemy approached the line. "Steady, steady."
"On my mark!" Nico yelled preparing his army.
The ghost army had their weapons in hand, their heels dug in, and were waiting on Nico to give the order to attack.
"Engage!" Nico yelled, and the army of heroes charged the army of the damned.