XXVIII
NICO
Will was right. Human emotions were fascinating. And in Nico's own opinion, as much as they had their own appeal, they could be simultaneously scary to experience too. They could bring out the best and beast in you. He was in awe to learn how powerful those emotions could be, and on what humans could do when they were driven by those feelings. Humans could also be powerful being if they wanted to be. They were powerful in their own way. Maybe Nico should take it back that emotions make one person pathetic.
Will had said that it was a pity that nothing beats inside Nico's heart before. He now understood why. He also pitied those beings who didn't get to experience what it felt like to love and to experience a roller coaster of mixed emotions over things and people. They missed out one of the best things in earth. They missed out what it felt like to be completely whole, to feel like your existence mattered in this world. And this was the last thing that Nico di Angelo had learned on his the last days of his existence.
The door of his cell opened. Two ghouls came in, ready to escort him for his execution. Nico just stood up without saying anything. His hands were chained. He was prepared for anything because what he had experienced these past few months in the living world was completely worth it.
One of the black ghouls was leading the way on the series of corridors, while the other ghoul was on Nico's back. He silently snorted as if he could go anywhere. He couldn't even shadow travel anymore.
Soon, they reached another hallway and at the end of that hallway was a big set of doors. The doors opened and they all went in. This was the first time that Nico went to Hades' throne. Everyone was prohibited inside unless you were invited. . . or of course, going to be executed. Nico couldn't help but be in awe as his eyes roamed around. Everything was made of obsidian marble and bronze. Everything was elegant and royal that truly fits for a king.
"Nico!"
Nico turned at the direction of the voice. He stopped dead in his tracks. Near the throne was his sister Bianca, held by two skeleton guards. Charon was also there grinning maniacally at him. Nico wanted to strangle the living daylights out of Charon.
"Bianca!" Nico was about to come towards his sister but his escort ghouls held him back and led him towards the throne where Hades sat.
Nico heard countless stories about what Lord Hades looked like. Most of them had said that he was a living nightmare, that you would tremble under his stare and you would choose death instead of remembering his nightmarish face. Initially, Nico had thought that they were all exaggerating. But now that he was face to face with the Lord of the Underworld, those stories were half-truth after all. Lord Hades radiated power. Nico could feel that. And Nico was sure that Lord Hades could incinerate everything with just a flick of his fingers.
Yet, for Nico, Lord Hades looked human that resembled Adolf Hitler or Napoleon or terrorist leaders who direct suicide bombers. Contrary to the stories that the Lord of the Underworld looked like a big monster covered in fur. Hades was ten feet tall dressed in black robes and a crown of braided gold. His skin was albino white, his hair shoulder-length and jet black. He lounged on his throne of fused human bones, looking lithe, graceful and dangerous as a panther.
Hades aura was affecting everyone in the room. Nico could notice that, every skeleton guards and ghouls, even Charon couldn't look directly at Hades. But Nico just felt. . . nothing. He was curious even as to what Hades could actually do.
"Lord Hades." Nico bowed in respect. "Please, this was all my fault please do not include my sister in whatever punishment you will inflict. It's only me."
"Nico, no!" Bianca sobbed. She struggled against the skeleton guards holding her "Please Lord Hades.-"
Lord Hades raised his index finger. Bianca fell silent.
Hades stood up. "Well, Nico di Angelo, you certainly caught my attention. You are the first to break all the three Sacred Rules at once in the living history of death angels. Even Sierra broke only one."
"My lord," Charon butted in, "I already warned him of what was to come but he never listened-"
Lord Hades narrowed his eyes at Charon. Charon whimpered and fell silent. He turned back his attention at Nico.
"So, death angel, what punishment should I give you for breaking those rules. Not just any ordinary rules but Sacred Rules! I gave you a second chance at the living and this was you've done in return?"
Nico remained silent. It was a rhetorical question. Lord Hades would probably smite him on the spot, bestowing him the punishment faster than he could exhale.
"I feel no remorse nor regret in you, di Angelo," Hades noted.
Nico looked up at Hades. "Because, I really don't. I've kept on telling this recently but I don't regret anything I've done. With all due respect, Lord."
The throne room fell silent too.
"Aren't you afraid of the punishment you will face?" Hades said, his voice was quiet but dangerous. "You will suffer for eternity."
"No."
Another silence.
Hades stared at Nico. Then all of a sudden, the lord of the Underworld roared in laughter. There's no humor in his laugh. The laugh was ice cold and sinister. The throne room trembled. The guards whimpered. Nico concluded that he had already pushed his limits.
"This death angel is really something." Hades sat back on his throne shaking his head. He continued to regard Nico. His eyes were steel on him. "I kept on thinking what is the worst punishment I could give to you, something that will suit your idiotic bravery. After you dare to violate the respected rules of the Underworld, rules that I created! When you turned back your loyalty to me! I should be giving you the worst of the worst punishment."
"Now, Nico di Angelo, suffer the consequences of your own actions. I bring you your punishment." Hades flicked his hand.
"No!" Bianca screamed.
Nico could feel it. He was starting to dissolve again. He looked at Bianca, who was crying. He smiled bravely at her. Then Nico vanished.
Nico appeared in a dark place. His chains were gone. He looked around. He frowned. Then his eyes widened.
"This. . . what I. . " Nico faltered. His heart was drumming on his rib cage.
Suddenly, there was a blinding light, somewhere on his side. He turned and then a deafening sound echoed.
Nico screamed.