-Nico-

"Ah...Nico di Angelo, am I correct?" The voice asked. Since his face was hidden by a dark hood, I couldn't see him. Apparently, dark hoods were making a comeback.

My hands shook under the table. This man, no monster, had killed many people; I could sense it from the way he seemed to give off death. "Why are you asking?" I shot back. "Why should I trust you?"

"I am the Dark Lord. If you wish your, ah, significant other to live...you will have to serve me." The man said. That was it-anyone who called Will like he was nothing more than a pawn, a tool to use me...no way would I call this weirdo 'Lord'.

"Don't you dare hurt Will," I snarled. "Don't even think about it."

The man laughed, throwing his hood back. I drew in a breath. His face was chalk white, with no hair, and his skin seemed stretched as if it was a membrane. His eyes were the color of fresh blood (Not that I had any problem with that), his mouth lipless, and (don't laugh) his face had no nose, more like slits for nostrils (like a snake).

Even though his features made me shiver, I kept thinking 'This is all a dream. Do not worry. Also, why in Tartarus am I dreaming this?'

So of course, my surroundings became clearer and I could actually feel the ground and everything else in this stupid place.

"You think that you, a muggle, cannot stop me, the greatest Dark Lord of all time? Do you think that a boy like you, who is too loyal to his friends, can stop me, Lord Voldemort, from killing them? You are brave, di Angelo. I respect that." he said, his weird eyes looking at me.

"You can join me. You can save your friends from their doom. The only thing you have to do is find Harry Potter."

Voldy Dude watched me with that terribly annoying mildly amused expression. The way he looked at me reminded me of Minos, Eros, Nero, and everyone else I hated and used me as a toy. I didn't want another random innocent to be killed. Not if I could help it. But if I could get some answers...

"Y-yes. I agree." I hesitated.

Moldywarts answered. "Good. And as for an extra precaution..."

The dream rippled and Old Moldy cursed. "You're waking up now, boy! I can't do this while you are awake, but know that I will come into your dreams again, di Angelo!

Just know that I can see what you are thinking. Don't even think of lying to me again, child of Death."

My last thought before I was rudely interrupted was: "How does he know?"

"Nico! Wake up!" someone was being terribly annoying, and from the direction of the sun (one benefit of having an Apollo kid as a boyfriend), I could tell it was five something in the morning. Whoever was doing this was really asking to be vaporized.

I opened an eye and saw Will (yes, he was said boyfriend), in all his annoying glory.

"What is it this time? Peleus died and needs to be zombified?" I asked grumpily, sitting up.

Will rolled his eyes. "No, Death Boy. Chiron's asking for you to come to the Big House. Something to do with that cat and the decapitated head meeting last month," he shrugged.

"Did he explain why do we have to get up so early?" I asked, trying to sound annoyed. In truth, I was glad Will woke me up. I didn't like to think that weird man in my dream wanted to do with me.

"No...well, uh..." Will fiddled with the watch on his wrist, like the way he does when he's nervous. Not that I ever think about that.

"Yes?"

"...it's better you see it in person." he finished

I raised my eyebrows. "That 'it' better not be something that will destroy everything in camp and blow up the universe that we worked so hard to save. Also, you have that U thing on your face that makes me think you are up to something. For example, doing all of the above."

"First of all, that's Leo's smile, not mine! Second of all, the same applies to you, but it'd involve more dark underground magicky stuff." Will protested. "Third, well...they might destroy the camp. No, I was pretty sure I told the naiads not to kill them. But hurry, we're wasting time."

I sighed and rolled out of bed. "Happy?"

"Whatever, Mr. Darkness. Let's go before everyone else wakes up."

As I changed into a better outfit, I saw Will staring in the direction of the canoe lake. It reminded me years ago when we crashed into it when Thalia was driving the sun chariot. Bianca had been there back then. She told me that she just wanted time by herself. Back then I was fine with that.

But now, I wish I could have gone with her on the quest. At least I could've died with her, so she wouldn't be alone. I shoved the thought aside. There was no reason to think like this at six in the morning.

"So," I stepped into the cold morning light. "What was this 'they' you were talking about?"

Will managed to crack a smile at me, but I could tell he was distracted. His sky-blue eyes weren't into it, and he knew that I could tell. We hung around each other so long we didn't need words for a conversation.

"Just let me show you."