Chapter 21: Everything flows, and nothing gives way, and nothing stays fixed

Nico and Zagreus wandered through the poplar forest, which was more vast than they had anticipated. The trees stretched as far as the eye could see- as if they had multiplied during the sons of Hades' time in the cave. Nico found it odd that no creatures attacked them. The journey had been silent as soon as they left the cave's opening.

"Does it feel like we've been wandering in circles?" Nico held the sheet of paper that contained his mapping efforts. He squinted at it and looked around. "I could have sworn we passed by that copse already- it looks like Chiron."

Zagreus glanced at the collection of trees in question and tilted his head slightly. Nico was right: the trees did look like a centaur...a badly drawn centaur.

"We've been keeping dusk on our left and night ahead. Sometimes the dark can play tricks on you, brother."

Nico shook his head but held his tongue. They continued forward throughout the day, striking up conversations here and there but never staying on one topic for long.

Eventually, Zagreus asked, "When do you plan on speaking with Leo again?"

Surprised by the sudden query, Nico stubbed his toe on an exposed poplar root and stumbled, catching himself before he fell completely. "What?"

Raising an eyebrow, Zagreus repeated his question. "I said, when do you plan on speaking with Leo again?"

Nico slung his bag around to hold it in front of him. Instead of answering, the demigod unzipped the bag and put the map back into the main pocket for safe-keeping before closing the bag and readjusting it onto his back. He shrugged.

"I don't know. I...guess it depends on me. And when we stop."

Zagreus gave one curt nod. "I think here is as good a stopping point as any. How about we make camp, and then you get to work on practicing?"

Nico blanched. "Here? Now?"

Nodding, the god asked, "Is that a problem?"

"No," Nico answered. "Not a problem. Just...uh, I wasn't expecting it. That's all. I didn't think you would care about me talking to Leo?"

Zagreus shook his head at his half-brother. "It's as good an excuse as any to practice. And, it's always good to stay in touch with loved ones."

Scowling, Nico retorted, "He's not my loved one."

Zagreus smiled. "Whatever you say, little brother."

The two set about making camp which had little to do with setting up sleeping arrangements and all to do with securing a perimeter and identifying potential threats. Nico and Zagreus settled into sitting positions when they had made it as safe as possible. Zagreus sat across from Nico.

"Alright, Nico. Just like before, you need to clear your mind and listen for the shadows- the real ones. Not the shades. Alright? Focus on that and then create your tunnel."

Nico frowned. "What if he's not there? We never agreed on a time to talk again. He might not even be in his room."

Shrugging, Zagreus answered, "Then he's not there. But, he'll know you tried, and you'll have gotten in some practice. Either way, I want you to open the tunnel before writing your note. Practice holding and maintaining it while doing something else. Little jaunts like this will help your stamina."

Nico reached into his pack and withdrew one of his last remaining sheets of paper, followed several seconds later by a black fountain pen. He sighed wearily and uncapped the pen, setting it to the paper.

"Stop!"

The commanding tone in Zagreus' voice caused Nico to jerk the pen upwards away from the paper and automatically reached for his sword. His eyes darted around the small clearing. Seeing no immediate threat, Nico looked up at Zagreus, startled. "What? What's wrong?"

Frowning, the god told Nico, "I said to write the letter after you've opened the tunnel. I want to see what we're working with and how long you can hold it."

Nico groaned in disgust, his hand leaving his sword. He picked up his pen and scowled. "Seriously? I thought you saw something bad in the distance or...so, we're not being attacked?"

Zagreus cocked one eyebrow in amusement. "No. Of course not."

Nico grumbled. "I don't see why I have to keep the tunnel open and then write."

Smirking, Zagreus informed Nico, "Consider it a test of endurance."

Nico made a face but, sighing, set the piece of paper aside and purposely relaxed his shoulders. Then, closing his eyes, Nico let the sense of darkness flow over him, washing over his senses in greyscale. The shadows at the edge of the forest scattered lazily across the ground like cats languidly stretching after a long nap. Hesitating for just a moment, Nico took a deep breath and swallowed heavily.

Bat the other shadows away. Ignore them- ignore the shades.

Once the most prevalent shadows faded to the background of noise in his mind, Nico reached toward the lighter ones- the natural darkness on the ground. The shadow he chose seemed calm under his manipulation- pliant and amiable. Unbidden, Dionysus' voice sprang into his thoughts.

The shadows from before- the shades- willful in their need and wants would string him along endlessly, only going where he requested after sapping him of much of his strength. Like trying to control a tidal wave or sudden rainstorm.

The natural shadows- the ones that sighed and whispered soothingly along the edges and under the radar- were the ones for him- the willing shadows, waiting for direction and deigning to help.

Just like therapy, Nico surmised. Resisting treatment and willfully putting myself in harm's way...or willing to try.

Shaking his head at the parallel, Nico pushed the realization to the back of his mind and reached toward the shadow, pulling it toward him until he had a good handle on it. Then, picturing the underside of Leo's bunk and the shadow cast on it from his table side lamp, Nico forged a tunnel. He eased the two shadows together until a sturdy-if somewhat small- tunnel sprang into existence. He opened his eyes and grinned up at Zagreus, who returned a smile.

"Now we wait and see how long you can keep it open."

Nico nodded and stared into the shadow on his end. To think that Leo existed on the other side of that tunnel...

"Well? Are you going to send a note?"

Shaking his head at his own folly, Nico hurriedly picked up the piece of paper he had earlier set aside and neatly printed:

Leo-you there?

Nico folded the paper and, holding his breath as if making a wish, sent the note through the tunnel. He sat quietly, nervous hope filling his chest. He watched and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Zagreus sat down cross-legged next to his half-brother and offered him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry. At least you're getting some good practice in. He's probably out doing-"

Zagreus never finished his thought as a wadded-up ball of paper came flying out of the shadow and hit the god on the nose. He spluttered for a moment in indignation while Nico, ignoring the god's plight, snatched up the paper and uncrinkled it, smoothing it against his leg so that he could read:

McShizzle is in the HOUSE!

A smile broke over Nico's face like the rising sun. He grabbed his pen and scribbled a response.

Thought you might not be there. You okay?

He took the time to neatly fold the paper and sent it back through. He only had to wait a minute or so before receiving Leo's response.

The paper came flying back out of the shadow- literally. Leo had folded the paper into the shape of a paper plane. Grinning, Nico unfolded it and read:

Yeah. Excellent, Ghost Boy. Lit got back in last night, and we just stayed up late talking, so my whole schedule is a little off whack. What about you? How are you doing? Have you killed Zagreus yet? Is that why you're not back yet? When ARE you coming back?

Nico's eyes traced over the words, and he was about to write a response when Zagreus snorted. "Kill me yet? Like you could!"

Nico turned his head to the side and glared at his half-brother, curling the paper so that the god could no longer read over his shoulder. "Do you mind?"

Zagreus arched an eyebrow and said coolly, "Not at all." But Nico, still staring at the god through narrowed eyes, moved several inches over and turned so that he faced Zagreus, limiting the god's ability to read the note. Zagreus rolled his eyes and snapped, "Fine! I won't read it. Not like it's that interesting anyway!"

Huffing, Zagreus climbed to his feet and walked some ways away, watching and observing the expanse of trees around the two. Nico waited until he was sure that Zagreus wouldn't come back before writing his answer.

Glad to hear Lit is back. Did he have a good trip?

I'm doing well. Have NOT killed Zagreus yet. Knowing him, he'd come back and haunt me anyway- he'd find it amusing.

I don't know when we're coming back. We still haven't found Hypnos, but I feel like we're getting closer.

Nico folded the note up quickly and threw it through. His eyes widened in horror after several seconds, realizing he had told Leo of his purpose of being in the Underworld. The note returned in record speed.

Finding Hypnos? He's missing?

Nico scrawled an answer back quickly.

Please don't tell anyone. I didn't mean to tell you. No one else is supposed to know.

He sent it back through and held his breath. When it came back, the letter seemed to have a tone of confusion and disappointment.

I wouldn't tell anyone your business. Especially when you ask me not to. Why is Hypnos missing? Can you tell me? Is it part of the prophecy?

Nico worked his lower lip between his teeth, weighing his options. He was communicating through shadow, so it wasn't like the message would be intercepted by Zeus or anyone. But, if anyone were monitoring, it would be Arke...and how would she get news to someone about what he sent through the shadows? If she even still existed, she was trapped in Tartarus. And it's not like Leo would tell anyone- Nico trusted him to not tell. But, if the worst did happen and someone found out? If Nico put Leo in danger? Nico took a deep breath and glanced over at Zagreus. The god was still occupied with guarding the perimeter. Making a quick decision, Nico put his pen to paper.

Hypnos and a few others have gone missing. We believe they're making their way to Nyx's mansion.

After sending it back through and waiting for a response, Nico was rewarded with:

So, missing kidnapped missing or just regular missing? You didn't say if it was part of the prophecy.

Nico cringed inwardly. As much as he wanted to share with someone, to even lighten his own burden...he didn't want to stick that knowledge with Leo. It had been a mistake for Will to hear- that much was proved certain with the son of Apollo's staunch refusal to accept the prophecy and had led to the boy actively trying to forbid Nico to follow it.

Regular missing. We think. We're mostly just trying to gather information.

Yes. I think it's possibly part of the prophecy. Please don't ask me what part.

Nico held the note in his hand. His energy ebbed, and, he realized, he had to draw the conversation to a close.

I have to go now, Leo. Try to talk again tomorrow?

Nico threw the note back through the tunnel, his arms feeling like heavy led. The strain on his energy grew, and he knew whether Leo accepted the end of the conversation, the lack of a tunnel would force the issue.

Sure thing, Ghost Boy. Wish you'd tell me about the prophecy. I could help.

Be safe.

- Leo, Bad Boy Supreme

Nico smiled faintly and, scribbling on the paper as quickly as he could manage, wrote:

Happy Thought #2: Knowing I can trust you.

-Ghost KING

Nico let the note sink into the shadows and held the tunnel open for a moment longer before letting it collapse. Clearing his throat, he called out to Zagreus, "Done!" Instead of being clear and loud, his voice sounded faint and scratchy- as if Nico were ill.

Zagreus turned and approached Nico, eyeing him with interest. "You look paler than usual. How are you feeling?"

Nico groaned and leaned back against his bag. "Like I've been sick for days. I feel all weak."

Zagreus shrugged and knelt next to the demigod. "You used the right shadow. Of that, I'm sure."

"Why does it take so much of my energy? Just sending a note?"

"Well, remember I told you about planes? Back in L.A.?"

Nico frowned, trying to remember but shook his head.

Zagreus explained, "We're on a different plane than L.A. or Indiana here in the Underworld. If you were sending the note from a mortal city, it wouldn't take from you in such a way. You asked about how long it would take for a letter to arrive through the tunnel. It's not measured by time- all the time will be the same: the person on the other end will receive the letter exactly at the precise moment you send it. But, how much energy it takes the sender is not equal in all situations. Does that make sense to you?"

Nico nodded slowly, his frown slowly sliding off his face and curiosity taking its place. "I guess that makes sense. But why-"

The demigod cut himself short and frowned. Zagreus raised an eyebrow and prodded the boy with the toe of his boot. "Go on. Why what?"

"Why can't we shadow travel through the tunnels then? The ones we send letters through? Isn't it the same concept?"

Zagreus sighed and nodded. "It is the same in practice. But, you've created a tunnel with the specific intention of sending something small through. Shadow traveling requires a bit...more."

"Energy?" Nico studied his half-brother intensely. Sure, his ability to control shadows came to him naturally. Still, the theory behind it was intriguing and, he was coming to find, complicated.

Zagreus nodded but frowned. "Yes, but it's more than that. Think of your mortal mailing system. Like the notes you send Leo, something small costs a relatively small amount. Larger things require more- because of weight and dimensions. Correct?"

Nico nodded. "Is that why I had such a hard time transporting the Athena Parthenos? Why I almost turned into a shadow?"

Groaning, Zagreus closed his eyes and brought two fingers up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Father is so much better at explaining this." He stayed like that for a moment before lowering his fingers and looking at Nico once more. "Yes and no. You were transporting more than one person, yes?"

Nico nodded. "Me, Coach Hedge, Reyna, and the statue."

"So," Zagreus said. "Not only were you transporting three organic things- living things- you were also traveling a large-scale inorganic object. Shadow travel already leeches away energy from any organic thing that goes through it- that's why any time you take people with you, they feel weakened after as well- a little sick. There is a tax. But, inorganic objects- like the statue- have no energy to give. So, it takes it from the person maintaining the tunnel."

Nico frowned. "So, I don't understand how Leo could lose an arm or a leg if he came through the tunnel."

Zagreus shook his head before Nico finished speaking. "He wouldn't."

"But you said-"

"I know what I said." Zagreus shrugged. "I didn't have the time or patience to explain everything to you when you were sick. I just needed the two of you to not try it."

Scowling furiously, Nico asked, "Why?"

"I told you that the travel is instantaneous. So, once you send something in, it comes through, no questions asked. Now, think about what I just told you. You're already expending a bit more energy to get the letter through because you are responsible for that energy tax since it has none of its own to give."

Nodding slowly, Nico said, "Yeah. And if Leo came through, he would pay his own tax. He's living."

"Yes. But you forget that you still have to pay for him to come through in the first place."

Nico fell silent, and Zagreus continued.

"You have known nothing but what you taught yourself. As a result, you have allowed dangerous habits to form. Had you been properly trained, you never would have attempted to move the Athena Parthenos in the way you chose. With training, you would have been able to move in a predetermined pattern to your exact destination. You would know the precise amount of energy you have left to expend. You wouldn't have almost turned into a shadow yourself. Not knowing your own capacity and limitations and what reserves are available to you...and using the wrong shadows on top of that...I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it's a wonder that you've managed to stay alive at all."

Nico remained quiet for several minutes before asking, "So, if Leo had come through- there's no way I could have stopped him? And regardless of how much energy I had to give, the shadows would have exacted that price? And if I didn't have enough...I would have died?"

Zagreus nodded seriously. "Yes, Nico."

Nico looked at Zagreus with a somewhat melancholy expression on his face. "Why didn't father teach me any of this?"

Zagreus shrugged. "You know how it is with gods. They cannot interfere with their own children. Any other god with an aptitude for the darkness...well, do you really see them helping a son of Hades? A rival no less? Besides that, a lot of the other gods in the Underworld don't necessarily control shadows– they control darkness, like father."

Nico didn't say anything.

"But, it's a moot point, little brother. Now you have me. We'll train you up yet."

Zagreus smiled half-heartedly at his demigod brother and clapped him on the shoulder. "It's best you get some sleep. We should move on again in a few hours. So make the most of it while you can."

Nico woke up swiftly, the last images of his dreams searing into his mind: Celia and Miles, along with all of Dayspring crumbling to ash as Leo stood by his side, purple energy racing across the features of the son of Hephaestus'. Nico raised a shaking hand to his face and held it there, pushing his fingers against his closed eyes as if he could shove the gruesome images from his mind by force. They remained.

Nico opened his eyes and sighed heavily. If dreams were sometimes prophetic...what did his dreams mean? Glancing at the sky from where he lay, Nico frowned. The twilight sky darkened, verging on dusk-it had been just nearing the perpetual twilight when Nico had fallen to sleep. How could it now be that dusk was threatening to overtake the somewhat lighter twilight? They had not moved positions.

A wave of exhaustion rolled over him and his eyelids almost shut. But he forced them open. Hadn't Zagreus told him they'd only rest for a few hours? Another wave of sleep washed over him, and he blinked his eyes rapidly.

He called out softly, sleep heavily coating his voice. "Zag?"

All was quiet. With arms weighed down by the urge to sleep, Nico forced himself to sit up slowly and assess the situation. Nico discerned no movement within the camp. Zagreus' form lay still except for his chest's steady rise and fall.

Nico instinctively grasped his sword, brandishing it as he stood and, stumbling several times, silently padded forward to the sleeping god. He reached forward, keeping his sword at the ready, and gently shook Zagreus' shoulder. He whispered, "Zag."

The god continued sleeping. Nico reached out again but hissed and pulled his arm back violently, staring in horror at the faint line of purple energy that danced over his own skin. He held his palm up to his face and starred, willing the sight to have been an illusion from the heavy exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him.

A spark. A line.

The dark umber and purple energy glowed faintly across his skin before fading away altogether. Nico swallowed heavily and turned his hand back and forth, waiting to see it again. But the energy did not show itself.

Shaking himself- trying to convince himself that he was hallucinating-he rammed the butt of his sword into Zagreus' shoulder, being none too gentle this time.

Zagreus groaned and rubbed at his face. "What is it?"

"Get up," Nico hissed. "Something's happening. This isn't right."

Zagreus' eyes fluttered, threatening to shut again, but Nico reached out and gently slapped him, his voice a harsh whisper.

"Get up, Zagreus! Something's wrong. Can't you feel it?"

Zagreus groaned again and struggled to sit up. "Why am I so tired? I don't even remember lying down."

Nico reached a hand down and hooked it under Zagreus' armpit, hauling the god to his feet. "Hypnos, maybe? But why would he be trying to make us sleep?"

Zagreus shook his head as if to clear the sleep from it. "If he was targeting us, we'd be asleep, and there'd be nothing we could do to fight it. No," Zagreus squinted into the shadowy dusk that fully settled over the poplar forest. "He's targeting someone else."

Nico scowled, looking out over the landscape, and his voice was dark. "Or something else."

Within minutes, the two were packed up and moving again, striding toward the direction that made their eyes and limbs heavy with weariness.

Zagreus elbowed Nico and pointed as the demigod looked up. "There. There's a full break in the trees. We're almost out of the forest."

Before Nico could retort, the pair heard a cry of pain in the short distance ahead.

Zagreus began running, Nico following closely on the god's heels. Breaking through the trees, the two brothers stopped short, Zagreus throwing his hand out to catch Nico before he fell into the yawning chasm directly in front of them. A cold wind billowed from the depths of the sinkhole. The hairs on the back of Nico's neck raised up, bristling at the familiar darkness.

Barely breathing, Nico whispered, "Tartarus."

Zagreus stared at the pit, a mixture of confusion and fury on his face. "But how-? This shouldn't be here!" A faint trickle of water could be heard over the whistling of the wind coming from the new entrance to Tartarus. Zagreus glanced up, and his voice sounded weak with astonishment. "And neither should that."

Nico followed Zagreus' dumbfounded gaze. Directly ahead of them, the opposite end of the pit rose significantly higher in the air, a vast stream of water cascading over the side of the hole in a torrential waterfall.

Nico looked at it, puzzled. "Is that...?"

"The Styx. But," Zagreus studied the opposite bank. "It shouldn't end there. This isn't where it flows into Tartarus!" The god sounded angry and had an edge of worry in his voice. "It looks like one of the banks might have fallen away in the sinkhole. But, how-"

Whatever Zagreus had been about to ask was cut off as the ground shook violently beneath their feet. Nico instinctively reached out and grabbed hold of Zagreus' arm, both to keep himself steady and to prevent the god from falling.

The grinding noise of shifting rock reached Nico's ears before a searing pain lanced his head. He dropped his sword and his pack, clutching at his temples, a furious purple light sparking behind his clenched eyelids.

We are waiting.

The words whispered through his head, and he wrenched his eyes open, fear striking him like lightning. The edges of the sinkhole on either side of him crumbled away, and he felt the earth beneath his feet begin to slide into the freezing darkness before him.

Another pain- physical and all too real- struck him on his wounded shoulder and scalp. He yelled out in agony and scrabbled to stop the pain, hands reaching up to stop whatever pulled on his hair. His fingers glided over a hand woven into his hair and gripping with all its might. He realized almost immediately that Zagreus had grabbed on to whatever bits of Nico he could reach to keep him from falling into the waiting dark.

Nico grasped the wrist of the hand that held his hair and tried his best to push himself back, feet trying to find purchase on ground that was quickly collapsing. In seconds that seemed to go by too slowly, Nico finally felt solid rock and dirt beneath his back and heels. He breathed a sigh of relief and, still holding Zagreus' wrist, opened his eyes to look at his brother. Red eyes met brown, and Nico hoped Zagreus could see his gratitude. Nico's half-brother gave him a slight nod- barely a jerk of his head-and sucked down great lungfuls of air. Nico closed his eyes and tried to catch his own breath, taking stock of his shaking limbs and a heart that threatened to beat out of his chest.

His hand still gripped Zagreus' wrist, and he was grateful that the other hadn't yet tried to pull away. Another cry- Nico could hear the trembling notes of rage and pain- echoed across the chasm. Nico pried his fingers away from Zagreus' wrist and struggled to sit up. Together, he and Zagreus looked across. Nico could not see the other side of the pit, but Zagreus sucked in a breath.

"It's Hypnos fighting a- a creature? No- not a creature." Zagreus concentrated on the figure in the distance before his voice broke low. "But, that's...that's not possible..."

Nico looked at Zagreus, alarmed at the sudden drop and panic in the god's voice. Nico swiveled his head back in the direction Zagreus gazed and squinted, trying to make out the god and whatever he faced. But it was in vain- Nico couldn't even make out the figure of Hypnos. He groaned and pushed himself to his feet. "Well, whatever it is, we have to help him. Come on."

Nico held a hand out to his brother, who took it and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Nico looked about the ground for his sword but, upon seeing only a blank expanse of rock and dirt, realized the pit had claimed both his pack and sword.

"Shit."

"Here." Nico turned to see Zagreus rummage through his pack before sliding something long out of it. Nico stared as the length of the weapon came out of the bag-impossibly long for the pack to have held it without some type of enchantment. Zagreus held out the staff to him. Or was it a spear? Nico glanced at it and frowned. Eerily similar to the weapon his father had wielded before Persephone had set about the forging of the sword Hades now used, it gleamed in the dim light of the Underworld. A solid thing made of Stygian Iron, two uneven prongs-like a lopsided crescent moon resting on its side-topped the head. It was nothing short of foreboding. Nico swallowed heavily.

"Where have you been hiding this? Does it change size like Percy's sword? Did you have a replica made of father's?" Nico reached out for the bident, hesitating only a moment before letting his fingers slide over the surface. As soon as he wrapped his hand around it, he felt the raw power flowing through the weapon.

He breathed out in disbelief. "This is father's." He jerked his eyes up to look at Zagreus, his gaze wild. "Why do you have this?"

Zagreus shook his head ruefully. "Mother gave it to my keeping. For you."

Nico looked at him, confused. "Persephone took it from father?"

"No," Zagreus said. "She knew of his intentions to give it to you eventually. But she-"

Another cry of pain pierced the air, and Zagreus wrenched his head around to look across the pit. "I'll tell you later. Come on!"

The pair began to run, skirting the edge of the sinkhole. Both were breathing hard once they came within range of the god. Zagreus faltered as they neared, looking toward Hypnos. Nico looked up and came to a halt, not understanding what he witnessed.

The god of sleep whirled about in the air, dodging tendrils of darkness- blacker than anything Nico had ever seen. He ducked and tumbled through the air, the soothing urge to sleep radiating out from the god. He dodged the darkness again, crying out.

"Stop! Please! Why are you doing this?!"

But the black tendrils kept assailing him, dissolving and reforming again and again. Zagreus cursed beside Nico and flung himself toward the fight, calling out to Hypnos.

"Stop sending sleep out– we're here to help! Where is Thanatos!?"

Hypnos spared Zagreus a glance but turned his gaze away as he barrel-rolled mid-air to escape a grasping tentacle of darkness. The sudden need to sleep fell away and Hypnos yelled back to Zagreus, "Mother's mansion!"

Zagreus took aim at one of the black coils, but Hypnos shouted, "Don't touch it!" Zagreus pulled his blade harshly and threw himself back to avoid the oncoming darkness.

He glared over to the god of sleep and asked, "Why?"

Hypnos did not answer but gazed desperately into the darkness. "Father! Why this attack? Can we not just speak to one another?"

A furious roar sounded from the dark mass, and purple energy crackled over the dark form.

Zagreus stared in horror at the writhing shadows. "Father...? You mean-"

Hypnos shook his head. "It's just a manifestation. He's not really here- I don't think he knows what he's doing!"

Zagreus ducked as a trunk of darkness rushed toward him. "He's trying to kill us. That's what he's doing!"

Nico watched the situation, unsure of how to help. It seemed like the two gods were playing keep-away from the ancient god- no offense, only defense. Nico's heart leaped into his throat as he saw a thin tendril seeping upward into the sky and getting ready to lash out at the gods from above. Neither Hypnos nor Zagreus noticed.

Nico rushed forward, yelling out to the pair, "Watch out!"

Zagreus, without even looking, leaped to the side and rolled, trusting in Nico. But Hypnos, as if noticing Nico for the first time, only looked at the demigod, confusion falling over his features.

"What are you-"

Nico's only response was to strike at the god of sleep with the bident, butting Hypnos to the side with a painful crack of iron on his shoulder. The god scowled at him furiously, but realization melted across his face as the tendril of darkness slammed into the earth directly where he had been standing just moments before. Nico stood gasping in front of the god of sleep. "Next time, listen!"

Hypnos stared at the demigod in shock for a moment before his eyes darted to the right of Nico. Zagreus called out, "Move!"

But it was too late. A tendril of darkness slammed into Nico from the right, knocking into his side with such force Nico could hear his ribs crack. He grunted as he fell onto his left side, pain lancing through his still sore shoulder wound. He scrambled to his feet, thrusting his weapon forward at a diagonal, clutching it with both hands as he saw the blackness begin to reform for another blow. Zagreus took two steps toward the demigod, but another snaking tendril crackling with purple energy forced him to sidestep.

"Father! Please- you must stop! Do you not recognize me?" Hypnos' plea rang with desperation typical of a child. "What ails you?"

Another coil of darkness slashed downward toward Nico, and he raised his bident which took the brunt of the blow. The force pushed Nico back several feet, and he was all too aware of the chasm looming behind him. He barely had time to breathe before another attack forced him to the edge. He felt the frigid air ghosting across the back of his neck.

"Enough!" Zagreus bellowed into the air, his voice carrying across the land in such a way Nico would not be surprised if Meg could hear it all the way back at DOA records. "I am Zagreus, God of Rebirth. Son of Hades and Persephone, Lord of the Dead and Goddess of Spring. I am the crown prince of the Underworld, and you overstep your bounds, Lord Erebus."

The darkness tensed and withdrew slightly, coiling like a snake preparing to strike. Air hissed across the open expanse of ground. Nico stood shaking at the edge of the pit, the shaft of his weapon clutched in his hands. The darkness-Erebus-stood between him and the solid ground that held Zagreus and Hypnos. The hissing continued, and it took but a moment for Nico to realize the protogenoi was speaking in ancient Greek.

"Little son of mine. Struggle no longer. There is much you do not know."

Hypnos stared at the manifestation of his father, eyes wide. "I know what I have seen in dreams, father. More than most."

The darkness undulated, mist-like, and altogether insubstantial. "You know nothing. And I...am tired of the passing of time. Always sleeping. Never waking. It is time for it to end."

The darkness swelled and grew, becoming more and more solid, gaining form until Zagreus spoke again. "Leave this place, Erebus. You do not belong here."

"Not until I get that for which I came."

The darkness swirled, and Zagreus and Hypnos readily fell into fighting stances. The darkness exploded, surging back into the pit, pulling dirt and bits of rock with it in its sudden departure.

Nico dug his bident into the earth and, with one hand, shielded his eyes from the dust that the sudden gale picked up and flung against him. He sensed more than felt the darkness close thin tendrils around his ankles, tightening until his feet were yanked from beneath him and his knees slammed into the ground.

Gasping for air against the blowing wind, he tried to scream to his brother, "Zagreus!"

Nico fell onto his front, his shirt riding up and rock scraping against his chest as his feet pitched over the side of the chasm and his legs dangled into the abyss. He dug his nails into the ground, desperately trying to stop his descent, watching as thin sparks of purple raced over the backs of his hands. Then, finally, the tendrils of darkness slipped from his ankles and receded into Tartarus with a whispering sigh.

The wind died. Zagreus slid to a halt near the pit's edge, one hand reaching for Nico and the other for the weapon. Afraid to let go of his precarious hold on the small rocks, Nico waited for Zagreus' reassuring reach.

Sudden pain and purple light stabbed and flashed behind Nico's eyes. Gasping, his muscles spasmed, and he let go of the bident, nails raking through the dirt as his body weight pulled him further into the pit. The panic and pain in Nico warred against one another. Nico felt his hands leave the safety of the surface surrounding the hole, and, for just a moment, he felt weightless- only air above, below, and all around. He was falling.

But then his body slammed full force into the side of the pit, Zagreus' hand wrapped firmly around Nico's left wrist. His shoulder screamed in agony, the newly formed scar tissue pulling in a terrible way that made Nico's stomach churn. He brought his right hand up and grasped at Zagreus' hands, nails digging into the god's flesh. His heart pounded unsteadily against his aching rib cage and his breath came in quick gasps.

Nico's desperate eyes met his godly brother's. Fear and panic flooded the brown irises and Zagreus sucked in a breath at the horror-stricken look on the demigod's face. Nico's voice broke as he whispered, terrified of the abyss below. "Please. I don't want to go back."

Zagreus' face hardened, and he spoke harshly over his shoulder, "Get over here and help me. You owe us that."

Hypnos, his face pale and pallid, peered over the edge and took a deep and shuddering breath. But, he reached out and, taking Nico's right hand, helped Zagreus haul Nico back up and over the side of the pit.

Nico shuddered and lay still on the ground, curled in on himself as he tried to control his breathing. His right arm wrapped protectively about his torso, and, he realized with a jolt, Zagreus rubbed a hand in circles across his back. He felt his chest tighten with embarrassment, but he did little to protest- he was in no shape to do so. Then, as it had in previous situations, Dionysus' voice sprang to his mind: "You're worthy of help."

As Nico's breathing calmed, he became aware of the conversation taking place above his head.

"Why was Erebus here?" Zagreus' stern voice rang with anger and frustration. "What did he want?"

Hypnos' voice held a vague edge of curiosity. "I thought it was obvious?"

Nico felt more than saw Zagreus and Hypnos look down at him for a split second.

"He hasn't been awake for centuries. Why now?"

The voices slowly faded as Nico became lost in his own thoughts. Why had Erebus tried to pull him into the abyss? Unless it had to do with the prophecy. The words spoken by Rachel Elizabeth Dare echoed through his mind:

Another battle, ceaseless war

Like all the countless ones before.

Two find an end, what'er shall be

And fall to abyss, one time and three.

First long gone in days since passed,

Second, for knowledge whole and vast.

The final and the first in one:

The ending of the world begun.

Look into a depth unknown

All hope is lost if seen alone.

Unless a sacrifice is made-

By fire, madness, or by shade:

Endless peace draws near at last

That death-that rest-won't be surpassed.

Nico swallowed heavily. He had almost fallen...again. Should he have given in? Should he have let go and allowed himself to fall for the second time? He stared at his hands-watching as a faint trace of purple energy seeped into his skin.

What's happening to me?

He was still lost in his thoughts and wonderings when another voice whispered through his mind. Not Dionysus. Not Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Not even his own inner voice. It echoed through his head like leaves scattering along a cold road, scratching against the pavement in a quiet flurry.

We are waiting, Nico di Angelo. We are waiting for you.

"Everything flows, and nothing gives way, and nothing stays fixed." ~ Heraclitus