Python's Cave

by RobinSchade

Two weeks after BoO, Apollo has been kidnapped by an ancient enemy. In the sun God's absence winter's arrived early and old threats are stirring.While managing his ever-growing feelings for a certain son of Hades, Will Solace must lead a quest to save his father before the Pythian Games take place and a third war occurs, one which threatens Elysium itself. Before ToA. Solangelo!

11. What Dreams May Come

Welcome back! Here's chapter eleven!

Chapter 11:

What Dreams May Come

"What?" Will stammered, heart thudding in his chest, as he watched Apollo tug half-heartedly at the chains around his wrists. "What do you mean it's too late? I'm coming to rescue you!"

Apollo looked up at his son, frowning. "Rescue me? Just you?"

"No," Will exclaimed, stepping closer. "I'm leading a quest to save you. We met Asbolus in Elysium and he said that Tartarus is stirring, that he might be trying to escape his prison-"

"Elysium? A quest?" Apollo said softly to himself, looking sidetracked. "I can see I've missed quite a bit in my absence. Start at the beginning; who are your companions for this quest?"

"Lou Ellen, Cecil, and Nico are with me," Will told him. "We received a prophecy before we left but Rachel said it didn't come from you."

Apollo was frowning. "No, it did not. Regrettably I no longer have control of Delphi."

Apollo's words only confirmed what Will already suspected.

"It's not just that. I've been having dreams. They've been telling me we should seek out the Oneiroi, but we're pretty sure it's the Oneiroi who are sending them anyways. Some of them, at least. I heard… I heard they were working for Python now."

Apollo had a dark look on his face by the time Will finished. "Python, that jerk!" he cursed. "Listen Will, I know you have good intentions but if Python is sending you strange prophecies, or having them sent, then no doubt he knows you are on your way. If you have instructions to seek out Morpheus and his siblings as well, it is all the more reason to stay away. Morpheus' relationship with Olympus has always been unsteady. Zeus had him under close watch after putting all of Manhattan to sleep during the first war. I can't believe he has managed to get away with all of this without Zeus realizing. Listen Will, this is not a quest to save me, it is a trap."

"But-" Will hesitated before he asked his next question, unsure whether or not he wanted to hear the answer. "But what Asbolus said about Tartarus, that's not true is it? Tartarus can't escape. He's imprisoned."

"I'm not sure," Apollo admitted. "I did not believe it was possible for him to escape, he's certainly never managed it before, but Python's been sticking his nose into all kinds of things that are none of his business. If his line of questioning is anything to go by..." Apollo trailed off with a wince. "What has Zeus said about all of this?" he asked suddenly, curiously.

"Er…" Will winced internally. "Not much. But you know, he never really likes to share stuff with us…" he muttered awkwardly. "But I think Jason Grace was going to try talking to him."

"Oh." Apollo said quietly. "I see."

He looked down at the chains around his hands. He looked so dejected that Will cast his mind around desperately trying to think of anything at all positive to say to him. Instead he found himself wondering whether he should mention that the vial with his powers disintegrated in an explosion of light. A second look at his dad's face and he decided against it. "We're going to get you out," Will promised again.

"You can't rescue me Will," Apollo said bitterly. "If the Gods won't help, then you stand no chance."

"But-" Will's eyes stung and the lump in his throat seemed to grow larger. "But I keep having these dreams. The Games of Pythia, I think that- it looks like you're going to- I think Python plans to-"

Will couldn't get the words out. How did he tell his father that he thought Python was going to have him killed in a week, simply for a show of power?

"Will listen to me," Apollo said, surprisingly intense. "What is important is that you watch out for you brothers and sisters. You need to get back to camp and help as best you can. Something dangerous is coming and if you can't tell by now, no one seems to know how or when it will strike."

"But-"

"This is not up for discussion. You are the elected leader of your cabin; you need to go back to camp and be there for them. There is nothing you can do here. Coming after me will help nothing."

"You don't know that! Olympus needs you. You can't just give up!" Will yelled, blinking back tears. He wasn't sure if he was sad for Apollo or angry about his apparent surrender.

"I have not finished yet," Apollo said, eyes flashing dangerously. Will closed his mouth, abashed, but also not quite ready to give up just yet. "I need you to deliver a message to your grandfather."

"My grandfather?" Will asked in confusion, thinking of his grandfather down in Texas.

Apollo waved his hand. "You know, Zeus. Actually, I have two messages for you to give him."

"Ah- okay." Will decided not to mention the fact that he was currently stuck in a Labyrinth with no idea how to escape. There would be no point in worrying Apollo further. "What do you want me to say?"

"First, tell him he sucks."

Will's eyes widened. "Er, I don't know if I'm comfortable relaying that message to the King of the Gods."

Apollo shrugged. "Meh, fine, Austin can give him that message. I'll sacrifice him." (Will assumed he was joking.) "Also, tell Zeus that I lied about the keys. It should buy a little time."

Will blinked. "O-okay," he said hesitantly. When Apollo said keys, could he possibly mean…?

"I can't say anything more here," said Apollo. "I don't want to risk it. Anyone could be listening in…"

Will opened his eyes to see that he was back on the wood floor of the Nico's house. Bright sunlight filtered in through the windows, lighting the hallway in a warm glow. It took him a second to remember where he was, and when he did he turned to check on Nico. The son of Hades was curled up under his blanket, snoring softly. Little puffs of air hit his bangs, making them brush against his nose. Will couldn't help but grin. It figured, he thought. Even in Dreamland Nico wouldn't miss a chance to sleep in.

"Nico," Will whispered. He didn't really want to wake him up when he was being so peaceful but it seemed better than waiting for an indefinite amount of time for the son of Hades to wake up on his own.

Will shook his shoulder. "Nico, wake up."

Nico stirred, and pushed himself up with a groan. "Ugh… what?"

"I talked with my dad," Will said hurriedly.

Nico blinked at him. "How?"

"In a dream…" Will quickly relayed the contents of his dream. Nico listened closely, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"He wants us to get a message to Zeus?" Nico asked critically, when Will had finished.

"Yeah. I've got no idea how to manage it though. I didn't tell him where we are," Will admitted.

"I guess we'll tell Zeus as soon as we get out," said Nico. He hesitated, watching Will's face before he asked his next question. "He also told you not to come for him," he reminded Will quietly.

Will looked down. "I know. I don't know what to do. He said I should turn back, and help my siblings instead. He said if the Gods wouldn't help him, no one could. He made- I mean, it's almost seemed like he didn't want me to come. Like he thought someone else could have done a better job. Someone like Austin, or Kayla," Will finished in a small voice. To his horror he felt his eyes prickle. He blinked them away furiously before Nico could notice.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," Will repeated to himself.

Nico scowled suddenly. "We are going to find our way out of this cursed place. I've had enough of this house and being humiliated. Then we will decided what to do."

With that Nico pushed himself to his feet. Will blinked at his abrupt mood change, but followed in suit.

Their jackets had mostly dried overnight, and Nico was about to put his on when Will stopped him.

"Hold on," Will motioned towards the front door, where bright sunlight was filtering through. He opened it and stepped out.

The blast of warmth that met him was possibly the most welcoming thing he'd experienced as of late. The sun was rising rapidly in the sky already. There was a chilly breeze that raised goosebumps on his arms but even that was acceptable after last night's storm and traveling through the Underworld. Will was so caught up in the feeling he failed to notice the change in the courtyard.

"Will…" Nico stopped next to him. Will had to stop basking in the glory that was the sun for a moment to notice what he was looking at. The leaves upon all the trees were rich reds and golds, leaving blankets of leaves on the ground. It was indubitably autumn, somehow.

"I don't understand," Will muttered. "What, did we sleep for months? No wonder you were so easy to wake up today."

Nico rolled his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous. The dream just changed again. Also, I have never slept for months at a time! This is just the Oneiroi messing with us. I swear to Hades, when I see Morpheus I'm going to kick his-"

"Okay, okay," Will interrupted, not wanting Nico to anger the Gods who had them trapped and at their mercy. "Let's just think of a plan. Clovis said we need to find something unusual and get out that way."

"I can't remember any specifics about this place," Nico muttered. "How will I know if something is unusual?"

"Maybe we should just take a look around and see if anything sparks a memory."

Nico stared at him, brow furrowed. Will got the impression he was trying to decide whether to get mad at him. Evidently he decided against it because he reluctantly nodded.

"Let's start outside," Will said, stepping forward and walking down the porch steps. "You know, it sucks that I left our bags with Cecil and Lou last night. I should have grabbed at least one of them, I just didn't expect this to happen. I guess we'll have to hope they're still with them somewhere. Where do you want to start looking?"

"I dunno," Nico muttered. He looked around, squinting like the bright sunlight pained him.

"What's that way?" Will pointed down the road they had come from the previous night. In the distance he could make out an off-branch but it faded beyond a hillside before he could see where it led.

"That goes to a small town," said Nico. "But it's too far to walk without a car."

Will raised an eyebrow. "Really? You seemed pretty willing to walk us through miles of the Underworld, but you won't walk in the sunshine to a town?"

Nico crossed his arms looking annoyed. "It was the way we had to go. That is not the way we have to go."

"How do you know?" Will challenged.

Nico spun towards Will, looking angry. "Because if this is some sort of hell I'm supposed to be in, it'll be here. Not there!"

Will blinked, surprised. "You think this is hell? I would have thought, for you, it was… you know... better." It was the wrong thing to say.

"You don't know anything," Nico snarled.

Apparently he was done with the conversation because he went stomping off before Will could respond. Nico turned and began walking towards the side of the house like he wanted to go around it.

"Where are you going?" Will called after him.

At first he thought Nico was going to ignore him but then he snapped, "There's an orchard out back."

"Oh."

Will ran after him. He settled pace beside Nico and snuck a look at his face. He was still clearly angry and had one of his worser scowls upon his face. Will couldn't resist muttering, "So I guess this means you can sleep for months and still wake up on the wrong side of the bed."

Taunting him probably wasn't the best idea but Will couldn't resist. And yes, he was a little confused as to what had set off Nico's mood. He wanted to get to the bottom of it.

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked the son of Hades.

Nico looked taken aback. "No, why?"

"You," Will said quickly. Even with his long legs he had to put in some effort to keep up with the angry pace Nico had set. "You just got mad all of a sudden and I don't know why."

Nico was silent. When he didn't respond after a minute Will believed he truly was going to ignore him. When Nico opened his mouth to respond Will braced himself to be yelled at.

"Sorry."

Will looked at him in confusion. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked. "I just wanted to know why you're mad."

Nico sighed. "No particular reason, I guess," he said carefully. "I just want to get out."

"We will get out," Will said firmly. "'And then we'll find Lou Ellen and Cecil."

Nico looked testily at him. "You really think so?"

"Well yeah…" Will muttered. Suddenly he was worried. "Don't you?"

Nico's shoulders relaxed slightly. "'Course I do," he muttered. "I'm just glad you think so. It annoys me when you get mopey."

"Seriously?" Will asked. He almost wanted to laugh. "Wait, so you're telling me you were all grumpy just because I was acting pitiful and you didn't like it?"

"You being pitiful is a rather a lot to take," Nico snapped.

Will rolled his eyes. "You know, most people would try to be comforting when their friend is upset, not act all prissy and pissed-off."

"You're one to talk," Nico huffed. "At least I don't follow you around throwing unhelpful movie references at you."

"At least I would understand the references." Will stopped walking suddenly. "Woah… it's beautiful."

Rows of trees sprung from the ground before them. They were larger than Will expected, with surprisingly thin trunks for the amount of fruit they bore. Most had fallen from the branches, but the smell was still intoxicating. Will inhaled deeply. The orchard was a decent size- nothing close to a huge commercial-sized one of course, but large enough to be excited about.

It was also, Will reckoned, large enough to get lost in.

"Uh, do you know where you're going?" Will asked when Nico continued walking into the trees.

"Maybe," Nico answered. When Will continued looking at him questioningly, he sighed. "I think I recall there being something on the other end- a barn, or shed, or something. It might be worth checking out."

"Ah. Okay."

Together they walked through the trees. Will had never been in an orchard, but he had seen them in movies or read about them in books. It seemed childish but he felt strangely excited getting to walk through one, even a small one.

Nico seemed to be enjoying it as well.

"I used to love this place," he commented off-handedly. "During the summer Bianca and I would make lemonade together out here. It was so much better than that store-bought stuff nowadays. We used brown sugar-" Nico faltered and looked over at Will, blushing. "It's stupid. It doesn't matter."

"It does matter," Will said immediately. "That settles it; as soon as this quest is over we're making lemonade. Er, you know, if that's okay with you. And watching movies on Netflix."

Nico actually smiled slightly. "Actually, that sounds pretty nice." He looked away quickly and was silent.

"I can't believe your family never let you have any friends," Will said suddenly. "How did you not…" He trailed off. He had been about to ask how Nico had never gotten lonely, but then realized that he probably had been.

"It's not like I never had any friends," Nico said hesitantly. "Before we moved I had some. Back in the city."

Will was relieved to hear it. "Still, it's kind of sad that you were so alone out here. They should have visited, or-"

"Maybe they did," Nico snapped.

Will was silent for a moment before quietly asking, "Did they?"

Nico looked like he regretted saying anything. He frowned deeply. "One of them," he said shortly. "It was disastrous."

"Why? What happened?"

Nico scowled. "It's none of your business."

Will frowned. "You know, you shouldn't say such dramatic things if you don't want me to ask!"

Nico didn't answer immediately. "Fine. If you must know I had a friend- I don't remember his name. Marco, or something- who visited for my birthday. He was my best friend back in the city. Somehow we convinced our parents to let him stay for the summer." He paused and chewed his lip. "You already know I wasn't supposed to leave the property. Well, he convinced me to. We were playing some stupid kid's game, hide and seek or something like that, and he made fun of me for always doing what I was told. I still refused to go outside the gate though."

"When it was his turn to hide, I searched for a long time and still couldn't find him. I finally realized he must have hid out there even though I told him not to… So I climbed over the fence and tried looking for him."

"And?" asked Will.

Nico hunched his shoulders. "I didn't find him, but there was some guy out there. He asked about me, and told me to go with him. His eyes were this weird blue like I'd never seen, and it started raining really hard – it always rained back then though- but I remember being scared of him. When I tried to turn around and leave, he grabbed me and tried to drag me with him. I started yelling and then there was an explosion… I don't remember much, but my dad was there suddenly. Hades scared him off. I suppose he must have been some son of Zeus, trying to find me for his father…"

Will swallowed. "You mentioned the house was destroyed. So… the explosion, was it… the house?"

"No," said Nico. "I woke up back there. I guess my dad must have brought me back. It was too late though. Our location had been discovered. My dad got me, Bianca, and our mother out that night. My grandparents didn't understand- they refused to come. My mom tried to convince them, but- they were stubborn. My dad took us ahead of them. When he came back to get them… it was too late. The other Gods must have come looking for us. The whole house was ashes. Of course, this is just what my dad told me." Nico stopped talking abruptly and turned his face away from Will.

Will watched him with a lump in his throat. He reached out to touch Nico's arm. "I'm sorry I asked, Nico."

"It's fine," Nico mumbled shortly. He shook his head. "All that, simply because of a stupid mistake I made. They say curiosity killed the cat, well that's still better than bringing your whole family down with you."

"It wasn't your fault Nico. You never could have known. Anyone would have tried to do the same. You were eight years old and playing a game with your friend."

Nico scoffed softly. "Yeah well, that's the last time I was ever allowed to have friends. My mother all but locked us up after that."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but… that was wrong of her," Will said quietly.

"She was just trying to protect us," Nico argued feebly. He sighed heavily. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."

They walked on in silence, Nico lost in thought, Will pondering what he'd just learned. When they reached the other side of the orchard they were quickly drawn from their thoughts.

Nico and Will stared.

A large house, two stories, with blue panel siding and a white front porch sat there innocently. A couple of white deck chairs rocked gently in the breeze.

"This… is not my shed," Nico muttered, looking utterly baffled.

It took Will a second to clear his throat from the shock of what he was seeing.

"I know," he said hoarsely.

Nico looked sharply at him. "What you mean 'you know'?" he asked. His eyes widened. "Oh wait… don't tell me. This is your home?"

Will shifted uncomfortably. "Uh, not exactly. It's the home I stayed at… as a kid."

Nico frowned. "I don't understand."

"A foster home," Will explained.

Nico continued frowning like he still didn't get it.

"Nico…" Will muttered awkwardly. "You do know I'm adopted right?"

Will promptly concluded that Nico did not know this, because the son of Hades' jaw all but hit the grass.

Cecil

Cecil groaned and cracked an eye open. His head pounded and throbbed, but he forced himself to sit up. A wave of nausea hit him hard and he took a deep breath and held still, waiting for it to pass. It was then he noticed that a hand was chained to a wall. Not again, he thought, remembering the Lotus Casino. He tried to look around. His surrounding were dark but he appeared to be in a cave of some sort. It was chilly inside and he shivered.

"Lou?" he whispered.

At first he was met only with his own whisper echoed back to him but then a familiar girl's voice asked, "Cecil? Are you awake?"

"Yeah," he groaned. "Where are you? What happened?"

"I dunno," said Lou Ellen. Her voice came from somewhere to his right. There was a scuffle and a clatter of chains but that was it. As his eyes slowly adjusted he began to make out her form. "Are you okay? I woke up a few minutes ago but I couldn't wake you. I tried to look around a little but it's dark and I didn't make it very far." She rattled the cuff around her hand.

"Oh. Find anything?"

"Er, no actually."

Cecil winced and tried to think back to what had happened earlier. All he could remember was sitting around the dinner table with Nico's family and wishing desperately that Will and Nico would return. It had been uncomfortable. Maria and her parents had continued to argue and then gone quiet, and then…

"They attacked us," Cecil muttered aloud. He looked at Lou Ellen in a sort of late-panic. "They were the Oneiroi all along!"

"I know," she said tersely. "But I don't think Nico and Will are here with us. At least, not in this room. They must have left them behind for some reason. That's odd- I thought they wanted Will for their twisted plans."

"Yeah," Cecil agreed. "We need to figure out how to escape…"

"Say that a little louder, why don't you?" whispered a third, unfamiliar voice.

Cecil jumped slightly. It sounded like a kid, a boy. They both peered into the darkness and after a moment Cecil began to make out the vague outline of another person.

"Who are you?" he asked.

The kid snorted. "More like, who are you? I was here first!" He rattle his chained hands as if to make a point.

"We're…" Lou Ellen hesitated. "…Demigods. From Camp Half-Blood. I'm Lou Ellen, daughter of Hecate, and this is Cecil- son of Hermes."

The kid was quiet for a few seconds. "I see… well, my names Aaron. Son of Hypnos. I must say, I can't believe coming here seemed like a good idea a few years ago."

"Years?" Lou Ellen said in alarm. "Are you telling me that your… ah, siblings have been keeping you locked up for years?"

"As close as I can tell. My powers have been blocked so I can't communicate with anyone, but that doesn't matter now. Today's my lucky day!"

Cecil was instantly suspicious of this kid. What demigod went missing for years, without anyone realizing? Of course it did explained why he didn't sound familiar; neither Cecil nor Lou Ellen had been at camp for more than just a couple years. "Why's it your lucky day?" Cecil asked wearily.

"Because you can help me escape! You're a son of Hermes, aren't you good at that sort of thing?" Aaron asked Cecil.

"Er…" Not if my previous record is anything to go by, Cecil thought. "I guess we have to try…"

He looked up at the metal band around his hand. It was old and rusting. Perhaps it would simply break with enough pressure? There were rocks within the cave… Cecil quickly pushed the idea away. Banging on it with a rock would make far too much noise. Perhaps he could pick it?

"Hey Lou, do you happen to have a bobby pin in your hair?" Cecil asked.

Lou Ellen looked at him. "No, sorry," she said, sounding regretful.

"It's fine," said Cecil. "Okay, look around for anything to pick a lock with." They searched, scrambling. Lou Ellen kicked some stones around, presumably looking for one that might happen to be small enough.

"You might want be a little gentler with that," the boy whispered suddenly.

"What, why?" asked Lou Ellen. Across from her the boy looked above her head. They followed his gaze to see a dozen or so sharp stalactites. Lou Ellen's eyes widened.

"Wouldn't want those to fall on you," the boy said conversationally. "I'm pretty sure certain frequencies can do that."

After that they moved much slower and more quietly. Eventually Cecil found a small twig. It was still larger than what was preferred, but it would have to do. Hopefully it wouldn't break.

Picking each of the locks took far longer than he would have liked on any account. He supposed it was lucky there wasn't some sort of protection spell on them. After what seemed like an excruciatingly slow process he finally got himself free. The kid across the room held out his cuff but Cecil shook his head. "Sorry, she's next. Then you."

Aaron scowled. Cecil ignored him and began working at the locks. Eventually all three of them were free, rubbing their wrists, and looking around.

"Great!" Aaron said, standing. "Let's get out of here!"

"Wait," said Lou Ellen. "We can't leave yet. We have friends. We can't just leave them behind."

The kid scowled. "Where are they?"

Cecil and Lou Ellen exchanged looks. "We think they're still in the Labyrinth," said Lou Ellen.

The kid raised an eyebrow.

"And what? You want to go back in there? There's no way in Hades I'm going in there. The only chance your friends have is waiting for Morpheus to free them, or escaping themselves. There is nothing we can do for them. Now if you want to get out of here, you'll follow me!" He spun on his heel and began walking off. Cecil and Lou Ellen had little choice but to follow him; it was that or stay behind and wait for the Oneiroi to come back for them. The kid peered around the entryway to their particular cavern, and then chose to go left.

"Do you even know where you're going?" Cecil asked the boy, trailing after him.

He looked hesitant. "I have a good idea. They've moved me around quite a bit over the years."

Cecil still didn't think his story quite matched up. "Why did they keep you? What did they want?"

The boy looked at him darkly. "None of your business."

"Wait," hissed Lou Ellen. "What about our weapons? And our bags?" She looked upset and Cecil knew why. Her mirror had been particularly important to her, a gift from her grandmother.

"She's right," he told Aaron. "We can't leave without our things. Do you know where they might be?"

"Seriously?" The boy sighed. "You two are an annoying couple, aren't you?"

Cecil fidgeted. "Oh, uh, we're not a couple…" he muttered awkwardly.

The boy stared at him in confusion which quickly turned to amusement. "Uh oh, did I strike a nerve? I didn't even mean it like that you know. Just that, you know, there's two of you. 'Couple'."

Cecil could feel his face heating up fast now. Lou Ellen spoke up, "You're not very pleasant for a son of Hypnos, you know. No offense."

The kids smirk faded. "Sorry. I guess I've forgotten my manners since I've been cooped up here."

"It's fine," Lou Ellen muttered. "So do you know where our things are?"

"Maybe," the kid said shortly. "We'll have to be careful. Hopefully Morpheus and the other two will be too busy keeping an eye on your friends, to pay mind to us. Follow me, and be quiet."

They continued cautiously down the hallway until it branched off. The kid turned and followed it. Cecil did not know how long they walked, but he tried to remember which turns they made. Eventually, unfortunately, even he lost track. At last they turned into another room, a large cavernous place like where they had started. Against the far wall a whole assortment of weapons, bags, and other various items lay. A great many of them Cecil didn't recognize, but some he did.

"Hey," Lou Ellen breathed sharply, "This looks like Will's!" She reached out and touched one of the bows strung along the wall. Cecil saw that she was almost correct... but not quite.

"It's not Will's," he said slowly, eyeing the engravings in the wood. "But it does appear to be another child of Apollo's. Who knows how old it is…"

Lou Ellen looked horrified. "Oh…"

"This must be the stuff from everyone that's been lost in the Labyrinth…" Cecil murmured.

They searched through things quickly but did not come upon any of their own items. Finally Cecil resigned himself to having to make do with a small sword. He did his best not to wonder whose it had been.

Cecil noticed the growing concern etched across Lou Ellen's face…

"We can keep looking for your mirror-" Cecil began, but she was already shaking her head.

"It's no use. It's too risky. We need to keep moving."

Aaron looked pleased. "That's the first smart thing either of you has said. Let's go!"

"Wait," said Cecil. "Don't you want to grab a weapon? Just in case?"

The boy shook his head. "Nah."

Cecil frowned at him. So that was strange, not arming himself. Perhaps he had been here so long that he no longer remembered how to fight anyways.

"You're sure?" he asked Aaron.

The boy nodded.

Before they left Lou Ellen grabbed a dagger from the wall. She hesitated and looked back at the bow. "I'm not leaving this," she said quietly, before grabbing the bow as well.

They crept back along the way they had come. Cecil couldn't believe the kid actually knew what he was doing. "Does this all seem a little too easy to you?" he whispered to Lou Ellen as they walked.

She let out a shaky breath. "Yeah… but I don't know what other choice we have. We can hardly just wander around lost and waiting for someone to find us."

It was true but it didn't comfort Cecil much. As they continued he began to hear a sound, a soft whisper that grew louder and louder. He realized it sounded like gusting wind, and the crash of waves.

The boy stopped all of a sudden. "That way," he said, pointing down a tunnel. In the distance Cecil could see light. "That's the way out. You should go."

Lou Ellen and Cecil stared. "I don't understand," Cecil said, "You're not coming?"

The boy looked behind him nervously. "There's something I must do first," he muttered. "I'll be fine. But you two need to go! Now." He stood there, waiting for them to leave.

"No!" Lou Ellen whispered edgily. "We're not leaving you behind. And we also aren't leaving our friends!" She turned to Cecil. "Maybe we should go back and search around some more. I don't like the thought of getting any farther from Will and Nico."

Aaron scowled. "Are you two crazy? I already told you, you can't go back into that Labyrinth. Just leave now, while you can. I'm sure your friends can take care of themselves."

Lou Ellen frowned at him, gripping the bow she was holding tighter. "Why are you so concerned if we go or not? And where are you sneaking off too?"

"None of your business. Look," Aaron said placatingly, "I'm giving you a chance to escape. Just take it. Don't ask questions."

"You're acting weird," Cecil told the kid. "We're not going anywhere until you explain yourself."

The kid eyed him for a few seconds, looking annoyed.

Abruptly the look of urgent frustration vanished from his face. He stood up straighter and said with a crooked sort of jeer; "Well, there you have it then. You two just don't know what's good for you," –he looked at Lou Ellen- "-do you Stinky?"

"Huh?" Lou Ellen cocked her head in bewilderment. "I'm sorry? Stinky?"

"Lou, wait," Cecil said suddenly, horrible understanding striking him. He pulled the daughter of Hecate back. "It's that lady with the dodos- Agnes. Or whatever her name was."

The boy smirked. "It's Ag-nete, sweetie," he simpered at Cecil. "Do get it right."

There was a blinding flash of light and then a young blonde woman stood before them, smiling and appearing quite pleased with herself.

"You can shapeshift?" Cecil gasped, backing away.

"Don't be silly child. It's just a few tricks I've picked up from my ancestors as well as a dash of mist. I'm surprised you," she pointed at Lou Ellen, "didn't recognize it."

"I can't believe you're still here," Lou Ellen snarled. "Skulking around Morpheus and his brothers? But whatever," she said, "You've dug your own grave, I suppose. Zeus will never forgive you for betraying him and selling out his son. And when Python is destroyed you'll have nowhere else to run to."

Agnete laughed, clasping her hands together in delight.

"Such big words from a scrawny little girl. Look around, Daughter of Hecate, do you see Zeus anywhere? I think not. No, the only ones digging their own graves are all those cursed Gods upstairs who think they are oh, so, special. Of course, they've been working on that for an eternity. It's nice knowing that they will finally face the consequences of their actions. Of course, I fear not even Tartarus' prison will be large enough to fit their egos."

Lou Ellen gasped. Cecil reached to his side to draw his sword only to discover that it had vanished.

"Agnete," a voice spoke sharply behind him. Cecil and Lou Ellen spun, to see three men standing there.

Cecil's heart jumped into his throat. Beside him Lou Ellen took a half-step back. It was the one in front who had spoken.

"You talk too much," Morpheus continued. He cast a lazy glance at the two demigods before him. "It's a shame you two refuse to leave without your friends. I was prepared to spare you. You see, minimizing the collateral damage would have been far less suspicious than, say, having all four of you go missing around our home."

Cecil recognized him from the Manhattan battle. He must have been reining in his powers now in order to keep them from passing out, but still Cecil felt himself growing tired in his presence. He bit back a yawn.

It was Lou Ellen who found the courage to speak. "You know what would be even less suspicious? If you let all four of us go…" she tried timidly.

Morpheus chuckled, a grating sound. "Nice try, little girl. But I need the other two- both of them. The Son of Apollo and Hades' Spawn. Unfortunately I suppose you must die now."

"W-wait," Cecil said suddenly. "We change our minds; we'll go. You can have Will and Nico!"

"Cecil-!" Lou Ellen looked at him sharply, clearly upset. Cecil shot her a warning glance. He did not mean it how he suspected she thought; they could try to escape from these caves first and then double back to save Will and Nico. As a son of Hermes it was in his nature to take a more elusive and secretive approach.

Morpheus sighed. "How I wish you could. Unfortunately Agnete here could not keep her mouth shut as usual and now we have a bit of a conundrum on our hands." He looked pointedly at Lou Ellen and Cecil. "You know too much."

"So," he clapped his hands together. "Who wants to die first?"

Nico

It seemed plausible that Will had actually broken his brain, Nico thought vaguely, as the seconds dragged on and he continued to gape at Will.

"You should probably close your mouth," Will said helpfully. "Dry mouth is no joke. It can lead to sores and tooth decay, and in extreme cases it can-"

"You're adopted?" Nico interrupted. Will nodded, looking perplexed. "But you never said anything!"

"Yeah well, you never asked," Will said defensively.

Nico felt like he'd just been slapped. "Oh. Well, I didn't want to pry, or bug you-"

"It's not prying," Will said quietly. "I prefer the term 'getting to know someone'. It doesn't matter. I'm long over it."

Nico was unconvinced. "But you never even mentioned it in passing."

Will shrugged uncomfortably. "Yeah well, I don't like to talk about it."

"But you never stop talking!" Nico exclaimed before he could think.

Will raised an eyebrow. "Wow, thanks."

Nico winced. "I just mean- I don't know. I can't believe I didn't know that… wait a second. I've seen your mom though! You have a picture of her and your little sister! You look like them. That doesn't make any sense."

"Well yeah," Will muttered. "That's my aunt. And my little sister's actually my cousin. My aunt adopted me as soon as she heard. I've called her my mom for as long as I can remember. She told me to. Same with my sister. My 'mom' had no idea that my real mom even had me for a while. They weren't close."

Nico didn't know what to say. Well no, he knew what he wanted to ask, but he wasn't sure how. He gave it a try. "Your mom- your birth mom, I mean… is she…?"

"Alive," Will assured him. He shrugged his shoulders a little. "She didn't want me."

"Oh," Nico said, somewhat hollowly. He stared at Will for a second. "Hm."

Will almost grinned. "Is there anything you want to ask, Death Boy?" he said teasingly.

Nico gave him the gentlest glare he was capable of. "Fine. Why didn't she want you?"

Will shrugged. "I don't know the specifics except for what I've pieced together from my mom and Apollo. I guess… well, you know how he is. I guess he didn't really tell her who he was until it was too late. And then when monster attacks started happening he popped back up and tried to explain it… she thought he was nuts and decided she wanted nothing to do with it anymore. I spent a few years in the foster system going from family to family until my aunt heard about it and showed up."

"Oh," Nico murmured.

Will sighed. "Yeah, well, I've gotten over it. The family I have now is amazing and I wouldn't change it for a second." He smiled at Nico.

Nico tried to smile back. "I'm glad."

"Me too. So… I guess I should go in?"

"If you want," said Nico.

"Well I certainly don't want to, but it's better than going back right?" Apparently Nico's silence was enough answer for Will. He turned his back to the house and faced Nico. "It's settled then, we'll just have to- to-" Will trailed off. He stared past Nico's shoulder, looking shocked. "Nico!"

Nico spun around to see what he was looking at… and found himself on the hilltop, overlooking camp half-blood. "What…?" he stammered. Before he had time to even fully register the change, their surrounding began morphing again. The air temperature fell drastically; the grass withered and became damp, then soggy beneath their feet. It crystallized as the air became freezing and frosted over.

The ground shuddered violently. "Will!" Nico yelled. With a crack, it seemed to split in half, sinking lower.

"Did you do that?" Will shouted over the wind.

"No!" Nico reached to his side for his sword and drew it- then was forced to fling himself sideways as the ground broke apart. He barely made it. He just managed to grab onto the edge of the freezing land before the ground gave way beneath his feet. Will, whom had lost his balance and fallen as well, crawled towards him. He reached out and grabbed Nico's hand, dragging him back up over the side.

They lay in the snow, gasping and shaking. "What- the hell- was that?" Nico panted.

He pushed himself up, and froze. They were in a winter landscape now, with tall pine trees and at least a foot of snow. More flurries fell from the sky. A huge cliff started about ten feet away from them. Beyond that, an ocean extended, roiling and churning violently.

"What is it?" asked Will. "Where are we?"

"We're…" Nico swallowed. "At my school. In Maine." He pointed through the trees. A ways off he could make out the distant twinkle of lights.

"This doesn't look like the forties," said Will.

"It's not. This is one of the first memories I have… afterwards. It's where I found out I was a demigod. It's where I met Annabeth, Thalia, Artemis and the hunters… and Percy." Nico hesitated. "I also met your dad here. He brought me to camp."

"Indeed I did," said a voice behind them.

Nico and Will spun. "Dad!" Will shouted. He ran forward and then stopped, looking at Apollo's figure uncertainly. "Wait, is it really you?"

Apollo looked darkly at him. "Of course it is. Who else would I be?"

"You left so fast before," Will exclaimed. "Are you okay? I-,"

"Why on earth would I be okay Will?" Apollo snarled in very un-Apollo-like way. Will flinched, looking shocked.

"Oh…" Will muttered weakly. "It was a stupid question, I guess. I'm going to rescue-"

"You can't," Apollo said through his teeth.

Will licked his lips nervously. "You said that before, but I know I will—"

"Fail."

Will looked at him blankly. "What?"

Apollo glared darkly at him. There was something in his gaze that Nico couldn't place, something hostile. "I said you will fail."

"I- what do you mean?" Will looked flabbergasted.

"I mean that if anyone else had come- any other of my children- there might have been a chance. But not you. You stand no chance of saving me. Of saving any of us. You have doomed us all."

"But-," Will whispered, eyes wide and hurt, "the prophecy was sent to me."

"By Python!" Apollo shouted, eyes flashing. "Because you are the weakest. You have no powers- you can do nothing. You are useless."

Will had gone white as a sheet after Apollo's words.

"Leave him alone," Nico growled at Apollo. He felt uncomfortable talking back to a god, especially one that was Will's dad, but he couldn't help it. Apollo was acting like a real jerk.

"Stay out of it, Nico di Angelo," Apollo snarled. He eyed Will up and down menacingly. "You," he spat, "are nothing close to a hero. You couldn't even keep my powers safe!"

Will looked like he was going to cry. Or throw up.

"Will," Nico shouted desperately over the gusting wind. "This isn't real! Remember, you didn't tell him about his powers! It's all just a trick. You can't believe it."

Apollo's glare switched furiously to Nico. "I said, stay out of it, son of Hades."

He swept his arm forward and Nico felt the air leave his chest as he was slammed backwards. He landed heavily in the snow, ten feet back, gasping as the wind was knocked out of him.

"Leave him alone," Will screamed at his dad, hands balling into fists. "How can you say that? I don't hide during battles! I stay in the infirmary to heal people!" Nico had never seen Will, or his dad, so enraged, especially not at each other.

"If that's what you want to call it," Apollo growled.

"Back off," Nico snarled at Apollo. He moved to point his sword at the God but before he could he found himself knocked backwards again. He landed with a loud "Oof!"

Apollo raised his hand, palm glowing, towards Nico-

Nico barely saw what happened next.

With a yell Will ran at Apollo. "Will don't!" Nico screamed at him. Will wasn't even armed, or thinking clearly. Before Nico could move to try to help there was a blinding flash of light. He flinched and was forced to cover his eyes until it passed. A second later it did, and Nico found himself still on the cliff in the snow, with wind and snowflakes gusting around him.

Except now he was very much alone.

"Will?!" Nico pushed himself up, screaming. "WILL!" There was no answer. His voice echoed over the trees and back to his own ears, terrified and alone. He spun in the snow, looking around desperately.

It was useless. There was no one else in sight.

He didn't know how long he stood there, screaming Will's name, but eventually his voice was hoarse. His eyes were prickling dangerously.

Movement in the distant tree-line caught his eye. Running forward he picked up his sword where it had fallen from his hand when he fell. Two ghosts, he realized, familiar ones. Bianca and-

Nico turned and ran, unwilling to see it. Unwilling to listen to what they had to say, or interact with them at all. This isn't happening, he thought, this isn't happening, this isn't-

He ran through the opposite trees, down the driveway, and straight for the school, any structure that seemed safer than what awaited behind him. For a paralyzing second he considered that the door might be locked, that he would be stuck with this new reality. It wasn't, thankfully.

He threw himself inside, slammed the door, bolted it, and then slide down against the wall. He sat there shaking violently.

He did not understand, could not understand how this had happened. It had come so fast, without warning… he had barely had time to lift his sword. And this… this was not something he could accept. Will couldn't be gone.

And yet he was.

Nico's eyes burned savagely and before he could help it, he was crying. How did he always end up alone? How did he always manage to fail to protect the people he loved? How come it felt like all he did was try and try and yet still ended up on the bottom, left behind, forgotten?

Why him?

The question lingered in his brain. Were the Gods right, all those years ago? They had hunted him relentlessly, torn apart his house- nations, really – wanting to kill him. Because he was apparently too powerful. Was being a child of Hades really so bad? he wondered. Of course, it may have just been the pact of the Big Three, but he had only been eight. His head flooded with questions suddenly, ones he had finally began to move past over the previous years. Was there really something wrong with him?

Nico's mind felt crowded with dark thoughts all of a sudden, as he sat there in the shadow of his old school. A part of him felt these thoughts were absurd, completely irrational – this was all in the past- but another part couldn't be sure.

It was then that he noticed the door across from him.

It did not belong in the school; the old wood did not match the others along the hallway, and besides, he had already seen this door before. It was the same door he had seen in his old house, the one he had refused to enter.

Nico stood, heart hammering in his chest. Clovis had said to look for something unusual, hadn't he? Nico couldn't remember this door in his past. Couldn't that technically be considered unusual? He moved forward slowly, until he stood directly in front of it, staring at the handle. His heart pounded.

Anything was better than sitting here…

Almost without feeling, he opened it and descended down the stairs. He walked slowly, gripping the hilt of his sword. At the bottom he found… nothing.

He was in a pitch black room. He reached out a shaking hand, feeling for a light switch. He found it and flicked it on.

And nearly jumped out of his skin.

In the far corner sat a man, hunched over. His attire was entirely black, shimmering spectrally like smoke. His skin was the color of milk, his eyes dark galaxies that were trained on the newcomer. He did not move an inch as he stared at Nico.

Nico stumbled back, reeling. He gripped his sword tightly in his hand.

"Who are you?" he gasped, terrified from the shock of seeing him. There was a malevolence surrounding the man he had never felt before… well, only once.

The man's eyes glinted. "I think you know who I am," he said quietly. "We're old friends, you and I. Or don't you remember?"

Nico shook his head silently, pulse racing. He wanted to flee, to run back up the steps, slam the door shut, and never stop running until he was safely back at camp. But that wasn't an option.

"I know who I think you are," Nico finally managed to choke out. "But I also know it's not possible."

"I think you would be surprised by what is possible for someone as ancient as I am," said the man. "Go ahead," he said quietly. "Who do you think I am?"

Nico swallowed. "Tartarus," he rasped out.

"Guilty as charged," said Tartarus.

Nico stepped backwards, back hitting the cold wall behind him. A jolt went through his body.

"But-" Nico stammered. He was shaking violently, whether through fear or shock or both he didn't know. "That's not possible. You can't be here."

"Of course I am not really here," said the man. "I am locked away, far beneath the Underworld." Nico was still frozen in fear. When he did not answer the man continued. "You seem to have found yourself in quite the dilemma, child of Hades. Look at you, all alone, trapped in this Labyrinth."

It took Nico a second to find his voice. "I'm not trapped. I can still find a way out…"

"You might have," Tartarus agreed. "But unfortunately for you I have asked my dear friend Morpheus to seal off the exit for now. I am afraid there will be no leaving for you, son of Hades."

"That's not possible," Nico whispered. "You're-"

"Locked away, yes we've established that," said Tartarus. "However that does not mean I have not grown strong enough to have some influence outside of my prison. I have… certain allegiances."

Nico wondered if he was going to throw up.

Tartarus continued, "I have a proposition for you, Son of Hades. I will allow you to leave this place… if you agree to grant me one favor, when I ask."

Nico would have laughed, had he not been shaking so bad. "You want me to help you?" he asked, already shaking his head. "I'll never help you. I'd rather die."

Nico looked behind him at the door, back the way he had come. Almost as if he had read his mind, Tartarus rumbled, "Flee, if you like. I will not pursue you, you have my word. You would be safe out there. Nothing could harm you. No one will hurt you. You can stay in the Labyrinth for all of eternity, until everyone you know is lost and you fade away into nothing. No Elysium, no rebirth. Eventually it will be as though you were never born. But know this; if you stay, you will never know what might have been."

"I don't care," Nico said hollowly. "I won't betray my friends."

Tartarus sighed, a sound that shook the entire room. "Such a pity and a waste. If that is your decision then who am I to argue? It is a shame. I suppose I will have to use the other one instead, that son of Apollo."

"Will?" Nico's voice jumped an octave. "Stay away from Will."

"It is one or the other, Nico di Angelo. You or him. One of you will have to help me. I would prefer it to be you. Do you not think we are alike? Am I really so bad? You met me before, and you survived. I think we could make quite a good team, wouldn't you agree?"

"No," Nico snarled. "I'll never help you!"

"So be it," said Tartarus. "It will be the other one then."

His form flickered like he was about to leave and Nico yelled, "Wait!"

Will's face flashed before Nico's eyes, messy blonde hair, halcyon blue eyes. Nico recalled how before they had left he had looked at Will and prayed that darkness would never be able to hurt him like it had Nico. The thought was unthinkable.

Tartarus turned and looked expectantly at him. "I am waiting…"

"Just one favor, right?" Nico asked, feeling his stomach twist.

"Just one favor," Tartarus promised. "When I ask."

"And you'll let me out of here? To my friends?"

Tartarus smiled. It was a twisted one, more of a leer. "And I'll get you out and back to your friends."

"And you won't go after Will?" Nico checked again, stalling.

Tartarus chuckled. "I am not trying to trick you, son of Hades. Yes, I will leave your precious son of Apollo alone. Of course, I cannot promise for any other Gods…"

Nico chewed his lip. He was stalling. He knew he would hate himself if he did this, but so what, right?

And it would help protect Will.

"I accept."

The next thing Nico knew, he was falling to his knees in lush, warm grass.

"Nico!" A warm hand touched his shoulder and he reacted. Grabbing the connecting arm, he twisted, kicked his leg out at the person's feet, and a second later was on top of them with a sword at their throat.

It was Will.

Nico stared at him, too shocked to register much.

"I was so worried. Are you okay?" Will asked in concern, despite being pinned to the ground with a sword at his throat.

Nico stared, floundering. No words seemed to be enough to express how he felt. Instead he flung himself forward and hugged Will.

It was, without a doubt, the most awkward hug he'd ever participated in, even rivaling the one Jason had given him before. He couldn't really get his arms around Will, what with him being on the ground, so instead he just sort of dug his hands under him as best he could. Then he half-collapsed on him, with a heavy thump. Will patted his back awkwardly.

It took Nico a minute to realize he was crying. At first he didn't really know why. Just relief at being free, he supposed.

Then he remembered.

He remembered the terrible thing he had done, the promise he had made. It felt like dream, a nightmare, like it hadn't quite been real. He could recall everything that had happened, but he just didn't quite believe it yet.

He felt sick, and ashamed, and disgusted with himself.

And he could never tell Will.

"Thank the Gods," Will muttered from under him. "I was just about to go back in after you!"

Nico pushed himself up immediately and stared at Will in disbelief.

"Uh, what's wrong?" Will asked.

Then Nico (extremely gently) slapped Will's cheek. "Go back in?" he almost yelled. "Are you crazy!?"

Will looked at him, shocked. He smirked. "You're welcome, Death Boy. Now, not that I don't enjoy this, but would you mind getting off me?"

Nico flushed but did as Will asked. "I'm glad you're okay," he muttered.

"Me too," said Will, sitting up. "I'm glad we got out!"

"No kidding." Nico allowed Will to pull him to his feet. He looked around to see that they were in a sort of canyon. Blood-red poppies filled the field. Behind them was a small cave, which Nico presumed was where they had just come from. He shuddered. A promising pathway wound up around the canyon.

"So I guess this means we're ready to go find Lou and Cecil? I'm gonna take a wild guess and say it's that way." Will pointed up the pathway.

"We need a plan first," Nico said quietly. "We can't just walk in, especially if they want to hand you over to Python."

"I've got an idea." Will turned to Nico eagerly and eyed him up and down, a smile already growing on his face.

Nico looked at him doubtfully. "Is it better than your last plan, in which you almost broiled yourself?"

"Yes!"

"I doubt that." Nico muttered. "Fine. Hit me."

Muahahahahahahahaha! Don't kill me. :D

P.s. I have reason to believe that Tartarus is my spirit animal.

JudithMarshallah-Thank you so much! I am glad you are enjoying the story. I know I have been updating slower than usual as of late because I have been busy with college, but I decided that that was preferable rather than rushing anything.

Superspreegirl89- Thanks for the input! I completely understand where you are coming from, about Lou and Cecil not getting as much time, and I was aware of it as well. I have so far tried to keep it completely about Nico and Will but I think I will start adding in more stuff about them as well.

Risa Silvara- Thanks for reading/commenting! I may end up adding more details to the other character's pasts, although they probably won't reliving any parts of it like Nico did in the last chapter (but you never know!). Of course, I intend to get more in depth with Will's past now, too.

MeridaAtMidnight- Well, at least I wasn't months late, I suppose. We will be hearing more from other characters in future chapters, and those outside the quest-party (demigods and gods) will start getting more involved. I don't want to spoil anything though!