This is being posted at the same time as the previous chapter so I have nothing more to say :)
WARNING: (Slightly ~idk~) graphic scene – it will be picked out and can be skipped for the more sensitive readers. Younger readers advised to not read it.
Once we had all got down the ladder I turned to Hazel, "So where next?" I asked impatiently. My sister whipped her head from left to right, looking down each corridor and looking more worried by the second. "I'm sorry Nico I don't know, there are tunnels everywhere." She answered dejectedly while shaking her head, a comforting hand was placed on her shoulder. I smiled gratefully up at Frank, my sister would be ok with him. In the meantime, I had to find the lost son of the sea "Its ok, it was a long shot anyway. Does anyone have any ideas?"
Five minutes. That's how long we stood in silence. Each of us trying to think of a way to find Percy without having to search the whole place. That was until Thalia had a bright idea. "Mrs O'Leary. Can you call her Nico?" She asked suddenly breaking the silence with her bright smile. "Sure, why?" I fired back at the huntress. "Well, she's his right? And hellhounds can track people, if they have a scent to go from or know them well enough." By this point she was throwing off sparks. "And, well, Mrs O'Leary doesn't know anyone more than Percy. Hasn't she spent the last hundred years alone waiting for him?"
I felt a smile begin to creep across my face, I nodded slowly at her. Unfortunately, the others looked more confused than ever. "I can call her down here, she'll just shadow travel ad no one will think it's odd because she is technically a monster. Mrs O'Leary will then be able to smell Percy and lead us to him." I explained slowly. As I spoke Jason carefully reached out and touched his index finger to his sister's arm, absorbing the electricity that was quickly getting close to us all as her excitement built. Luckily she didn't notice and the son of Zeus managed to keep his hand. They all seemed to understand now as the rest of the seven and Calypso began to grin as well. We were getting close now. And everyone knew it, we were going to get Percy back home.
I left the others whispering, and deciding on an attack plan as I crept off to a shadowy corner. When I got there, I did one sharp whistle and called Mrs O'Leary's name into the shadow before explaining to her what I wanted. "We are trying to find Percy but we don't have much time so we need you to sniff him out becau-" I didn't even finish my sentence before a solid wall of black fur smashed into me and sent me crashing to the floor. When I managed to look up the giant hellhound was grinning down at me, saliva running from her mouth. I looked behind me to where the others were laughing "I think she's ready to go" I stated.
Luckily it was quite easy to get Mrs O'Leary off me (for once). And we were soon ready to go. I nodded to the others and we redrew our weapons before following our Hellhound down the tunnel and hopefully towards Percy.
You know it's surprising how few monsters come near you when you are following a two-ton hellhound. And even if they do see you they generally get eaten. And, can I just mention it's creepy having said hellhound then smile at you with her teeth coated in monster dust. Just about every monster in the tunnels had quickly backed away when they saw Mrs O'Leary coming towards them, we only got to kill five. Until we reached the cells that is. I had to admit Thalia's plan was brilliant Mrs O'Leary had never once strayed from her path, not taking any time to think about where she had to go – she just knew. Alone it would've taken us hours to reach the holding cells but with her it barely took half an hour to navigate our way through the winding passages.
We only stopped to rest when we reached the cells.
I took a deep breath and turned towards the team. Each of them looked nervous and I must've looked no different. We had all seen Percy in the throne room, he was utterly destroyed. The titans had had almost 24 hours with the hero since then and they knew it could be their last chance to have some fun with him – they wouldn't waste that. He could be a hell of a lot worse than yesterday and we all knew it. The thought scared me, terrified me in fact. I didn't know how I would react to seeing him that way, especially not since my old feelings for the son of Poseidon had begun to resurface. But I had to keep it together. Everyone else was looking at me to lead the mission, I couldn't be weak. I refused to fail Percy at the final hurdle, it would break me if I did. I needed him and he needed me. So, I swallowed my fear and set a determined expression on my face. I took a final deep breath and nodded to my friends. Gathering their courage, they repeated the action as I turned to face the door, heaving it open.
Our steps clattered noisily along the ebony stone floor, echoing down the passage. We tried to be quieter but nothing worked, there was just this eerie echo that wouldn't go away. The noise awoke every prisoner in the cells, they all began to groan and roar at us as we passed. We looked in every cell. Analysed every monster. We soon all came to the conclusion that the further we went the more tortured they looked, and still no sign of our friend. "Nico," Piper whispered, edging closer to me. "We need to find him quickly someone might have heard all this." "I know Piper." I replied, in the same hushed tone. "But if it comes to it me, Hazel and Mrs O'Leary can get us away." 'At least I hope we can' I added in my head, but I wouldn't tell her that she'd be too frightened.
As we were walking I became aware of a low sobbing sound resonating down the passage. With each step I took it got louder, and louder, and louder. Until I couldn't bare it. I knew who it was and I couldn't take it anymore but just as I was about to start running a pair of large hands grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. Jason. Who else would it be? The older boy bent down and looked me straight in the eye with such empathy as I had never seen before. "Nico, are you sure you can take this?" He asked in a caring voice. "It's just you know how you feel as well as I do so stop pretending you're fine. I know you're a mess inside, just take a minute." My eyes widened as I shook him off. "Does it sound like he has a minute." I hissed. "I haven't been there for him for 100 years and by the gods I swear I won't waste another minute." Tears clouded my vision as I whipped round and carried on marching towards Percy. As I left I noticed the son of Zeus had made sure no one heard what he said to me as they were all a short distance away talking, but soon stopped as they noticed me hurry past.
I only stopped when I reached the top of a winding stair case. Closing my eyes for a brief moment I prayed for courage from every god I could think of. And then I took a deep breath, told Mrs O'Leary to guard the entrance, and began to descend.
Blood. The sickening stench of blood. It was everywhere. I had never smelt so much of it, not even in the wars, I was almost too terrified to walk around the final corner. But my legs propelled me forwards despite what I told them. Slowly I stepped out and surveyed the room in front of me. Half was solid back stone just like everywhere else, but then there was a glass wall. The room inside looked as if it should hold an animal at a zoo. I suppose that's what he was to them though, a dumb animal used for entertainment. What was inside though, I can barely describe.
WARNING GRAPHIC SCENE
Shackles hung from one wall, and a post stood in a corner. Blood stained the floor and walls around them, some darkened and brown some just a day old. The far wall was a symbol of pure power, weaponry of all kinds hung there. All used and left uncleaned. But what shook me most was what was the centre. A raised stone dais stood there, ruby red pearls rolling down the sides and dripping in puddles on the floor. In my shock, I had all but forgotten the wails that ran around the room, emanating from the shivering boy stretched out along the top of the table. Fastened down so tightly his bonds cut deeper every time he moved.
My cousin. How could that be my cousin? Tears streamed down his harrowed face mixing with the blood and the grime, staining his skin. The only way to describe him was abused. I had never seen such a tortured soul – even in punishment. Now I was closer he looked as if he hadn't been fed in weeks and every inch of his skin was cut. Oozing bright red blood. The very same blood that was forming rivers along the table. He was a hero, the one who had sacrificed so much for us all. And he had truly paid the price. How could we ask him to face the one who did this? How could I do that to him?
END OF GRAPHIC SCENE
I could bare it no longer; I fell to my knees at the bottom of the glass. My own sorrowful tune joining his own. I couldn't look but I knew I would have to. But not now. I tried desperately to shadow travel to his side but I couldn't. I was left to uselessly pound against the tough glass that separated us, wishing I could do something. Anything. I didn't need to look at my friends to know how they looked. They would be the same as me. No one could see a friend in that state and not.
I don't know how long I spent there, crying. But after some time, Leo came and placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at his tear stained face, water still flowing freely down my own. "The door," he managed "I've unlocked the door." Before I had even decided to do it, I was on my feet and pounding my way desperately to the door. In seconds, I had flung it open and was by my cousin's side. But I hadn't thought the noise startled him and he began to panic, screaming, crying more, begging for me to not hurt him. "Percy. Percy. It's ok. I- I'm not going to hurt you we are here to get you out. Ok?" He barely listened to me though. He kept thrashing in his bonds, just worsening his condition. Pulling more blood from his body.
He was only going to carry on hurting himself. So, I did the only thing I thought I could. I pulled out my sword and with one quick slash cut through the chains and sheathed my sword again, hoping he hadn't seen the blade. As soon as his bindings were gone the son of Poseidon rolled off the table and scurried away to a corner. Still crying and rocking slightly but slightly calmer now he could move. "Please d-d-don't I promise I'll do whatever you say my lord j-just don't ple-please." He begged over and over again. I didn't know what to do, he thought I was Kronos. Helplessly I looked back at the others but they were just as confused as me.
I couldn't think straight, so I didn't. I filled my head with the images of the Percy I knew and loved, the Percy I was fighting for, before slowly crouching down and edging towards him slightly. "Kelp head it's ok it's me Nico." I reassured him, but he wouldn't take it. "No, no you're testing me again. They wouldn't – wouldn't come for me." he sobbed. "He hates me, I know that. I- I know I am hate hated. Please don't hate me my king." I choked down a cry of my own, Percy had never even called Zeus his king. How long had it taken Kronos to beat that from him?
I was out of options I had to get him to listen we were running out of time. "Percy look at me." I ordered in a commanding tone. I hated to do it but my theory was proven right as the demigod lifted his head to look at me. "I'm sorry I did that." I told him slowly "But I needed you to see me, look I'm not Kronos." He sniffed again as tears carried on rolling down his cheeks. "B-but why are you here?" he asked in a confused tone. "I've told you we are here to get you out." I explained, testing my luck and edging closer to him. Suddenly his eyes widened and he shook his head violently "NO NO!" He screamed "You need to leave now; I can't get out but you still can! Go!" I smiled softly at him, my Percy was in there after all. Just scared and hidden.
"Perce?" I began carefully. "Can I come sit next to you? It doesn't matter if not." I asked him gently. He hero thought for a moment before nodding slowly at me. I slowly moved to lean against the wall, trying not to make any sudden moves and trying to forget I was leaning against something damp that I hoped wasn't his blood. "My father called in a lot of favours and made some promises to Lady Styx." I began, making sure I didn't touch him. "I know you said that you swore on the Styx to stay here and do whatever Kronos wants you to, but, you are free. The gods agreed you deserved to be out of here and they convinced her to release you from the oath." He looked at me blankly, the last few tears dripping off his chin. "You can leave Percy; you can come home."
He shook his head again, but softer this time. "No, Nico. I have no home, the camps hate me and he would only find me. I might as well stay and save myself the pain." I didn't know what to say. He didn't believe me, he wouldn't leave. Fortunately, Jason saved me. "Bro, no one could possibly hate you after what you have done for us all. You sacrificed yourself to this to let us win the war for Chaos' sake." He piped up from where they had been waiting in the corner, trying not to scare him. For the first time the son of the sea seemed to notice them, he shrank back into the wall – unknowingly leaning closer to me. "Kelp head, you're our friend we would never let them hurt you. That's why we are here." Thalia tried getting through to him.
Percy blinked a few times looking between me and them. "T-Thals?" He questioned in a soft voice. "It's me." She smiled back at him. Confusion began to ripple across his face. "But the god's will- will, they'll kill me." She shook her head at him, her smile spreading slightly as hope began to blossom in her chest. "No. Percy, you are all of our hero. You are the living legend. Nobody wants to hurt you." She whispered softly to him. Finally deciding it was now or never I pried myself from the wall and offered him my hand. "Will you come home with us Percy? With me?" I asked hopefully. He looked at the others, they all smiled reassuringly and Thalia gave him a small nod. He seemed to remember and trust her. Eventually he looked back at me. I smiled lovingly at him, a smile seemed to tug at his own lips but didn't quite make it. He did take my hand though.
I felt like my heart was about to burst through my chest but I had to stay on task. We just had to get out and then we were free. Although that didn't mean I couldn't just hold his hand a little bit tighter. "Ok, right. We won't be able to get back through the building with Percy without them noticing so we'll have to shadow travel." I decided. "Me and Hazel can't go far and still be able to fight if needed so we'll meet in the alley we met in earlier. I'll take Percy, Hazel I'm guessing you will take Frank?" She nodded at me. "The rest of you take Mrs O'Leary, she will have to leave straight after though. She'll be too tired." My team nodded at me happily before carrying out the plan. Hazel and Frank vanished into a shadow and the others left to go up to Mrs O'Leary.
That just left me and Percy in the room. "Can you remember shadow travel?" I asked carefully, trying not to make him upset. The older boy thought for a moment before nodding slowly as if he was still unsure. "Ok, well I need you to not look while we do it. Because of the things you've been through you will seeing things a lot worse in the shadows. You get it?" I was still trying to be careful, I didn't know what the shadows might show him and I wouldn't have been risking it if it wasn't the only option. However, he nodded again and nestled his face into my hair. "You ready?" I whispered to him. "Yes" he breathed into my hair. Without wasting any more time I pulled the shadows to me and transported us to the alley.
Unfortunately, as soon as we reappeared alarms started blaring all around us. That was when we ran.
PERCY AND NICO ARE TOGETHER AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER!
Right I'm calm now. Anyway how did I do? I've never tried writing something like that, is it ok? As always if you have enjoyed the story please leave me a comment and favourite or follow to get the latest chapters. You guys are great for sticking with my non-existent schedule, so as always thank you for reading. See ya.