The Underworld

Nico stood in his spot seething after sending the demigods away before turning towards his father, " HOW COULD YOU DO THIS " he bellowed toward his father, who simply rolled his eyes at the demigod, which did nothing to sate his anger.

"Nico, do you really think after everything Percy has done for me, I was on board with Zeus's idea to do this? Poseidon all but threatened war with Zeus and if anything I'm inclined to agree with him. Threatening the demigods who are on their first quest will do nothing to solve the problem it's Zeus's fault " Hades drawled out causing his son's anger to falter as he pondered what his father had said before his shoulders slumped slightly, he knew Percy's luck had to be the worst in the world

"What's the quest even for? Why do they need Percy " Nico asked his father who sat up straight on his throne whilst addressing his son,

"Zeus wants him to kill a few monsters that Artemis wasn't able to, the council agreed the new demigods aren't trained enough for it so they decided to bypass the oath sworn to Percy " Hades replied tutting. Nico's eyes bulged incredulously, he couldn't believe that Zeus was trying to bypass possibly one of the most important oaths he had ever taken purely just to help Artemis.

"Zeus is going to kill us all, Percy asked for ONE THING and he couldn't keep even that he is going to be so pissed " Nico replied seriously, Hades nodded his head in agreement. He had respect for the demigod and it might be in his best interest to parlay with Poseidon in case things went sideways which was almost a guarantee.
" I agree son, I am going to go meet with my dearest brother regarding this, I suggest you help the demigods It is not their fault. It looks like they are about to wander into the Lotus Hotel so try and stop them from going in there " Hades suggested to his son who simply nodded and flashed away. Whilst Hades Flashed himself towards a beach, and before stepping in the water he prayed to his brother requesting access to his domain. He wanted s few minutes before he felt something approaching, and too his surprise instead of his brother Delphin had come instead.

" Lord Hades, how can I assist you? " The god asked, staying in the water as he enquired with the God of the dead.

" I wish to speak to my brother regarding some personal matters " Hades replied firmly,

" Lord Poseidon is currently unapproachable he has requested for no meetings to take place as he is busy " Delphin replied back, denying the request of the son of Kronos who simply cocked his head to the side.

"Delphin my friend, This is a meeting that needs to happen I will deal with my brother and no consequences will befall you I promise, " Hades said sincerely to the dolphin god, who sighed and gestured for the god to come into the water with him, hesitantly he took to the water before he was able to grasp onto Delphin, who muttered some words even Hades didn't understand. " What did you just do?!" he asked

" Its ancient Atlantean, it will protect you from drowning or feeling the pressure in Atlantis. " Delphin replied simply before flashing him to Poseidon's Palace, leading Hades through a few hallways before approaching a door. " Poseidon is in here my Lord " The god informed before bowing curtly and disappearing to who knows where.
Hades opened the door to see his brother studying some texts and what looked like maps, he cleared his throat slightly to notify his brother of his presence.
"HADES?" Poseidon enquired jumping up from the desk he had been behind, his eye narrowing as he looked at the God distrustfully.

"Hello brother, I think we need to have a chat " Hades smirked ruefully before closing the door behind him.

"—-

Anastasia, Chloe and Hector stumbled around LA for a short period of time, all of them had lost the colour off their faces. Chloe was still shaking slightly from their encounter as they started to reorient themselves around Las Vegas

"I'm so sorry guys I really didn't think this was going to be happy this is all my fault " Anastasia apologised as her quest-mates protested her statement.
"You never could have known Nico was going to react like that it's okay, we will come up with something else maybe Thalia the lieutenant of the hunters?" Hector replied back to her as he looked around he could see Chloe's hands shaking slightly at her side, he grasped her shoulder and looked at her comfortingly and she smiled in response. " Cmon guys lets go get some good, need to stress eat" He smiled mischievously, his comment eliciting chuckles from the 2 girls slightly easing the tension, as they walked around trying to find some food they saw a man beckoning them from the entrance of a hotel of sorts. They approached the doorman who beamed at them,

"Please enter Mr and Miss's, your rooms and complimentary room service are available for you to use, " he said in a pleasant tone. This caused a look of confusion amongst the demigods, who looked at the man in confusion,

" We didn't book any rooms or anything like that what do you mean?" Anastasia asked tersely, a sense of unease in her gut and she scanned around to see if it was a trap from monsters.

" It has all been arranged for you at the behest of the management, they have arranged your amenities and rooms for you all" The doorman replied in the same positive tone as he brandished, 2 room keys and what looked like 3 credit cards towards the demigods. Hector hesitantly took the cards which caused the man to smile and gesture to the open door.

Despite their unease, they started to shuffle towards the door but before they could fully enter, a voice found their ears.

"STOP" A gruff voice shouted at all of them as they swivelled around to see who had called them, as they turned they saw the stony face of the price of the underworlds looking at them. Causing the blood to drain from their faces. Thoughts of what he had come back to do filled their heads as he slowly walked over too them.

"Don't go in there, It is the lair of the Lotus-eaters you'll be trapped in there for gods-know how long" Nico tutted as he ushered them away from the door, and the demigods stood petrified in fear after their last meeting

"Lord Nico I'm so sorry it's not these guys fault if you want revenge it should be on me," Anastasia said bravely as her eyes became a bit watery, she reached her hand slowly to her pendant ready to summon her father before she could do so Nico gave her a confused look,

"You misunderstand I'm here to help you with Percy, I'm sorry I reacted a bit earlier my father explained. I'm not here to kill you or anything guys I swear" Nico said apologetically the demigods looked at him hesitantly before looking at each other. After coming to a silent agreement between themselves, Anastasia looked at the god,

"Okay I believe you, how can you help us with Percy?" She asked the price of the underworld who pursed his lips slightly,

"Although he is 100% going to kill me, I'll flash you to his house" Nico grimaced, he held out his hands towards the demigods who all linked hands together before taking his hand. In an instant, the demigods felt a horrible sensation of being flashed to a new area. Stumbling on the floor the demigods started to reorient themselves and found themselves around a small cabin. " This is his house, I'd imagine he is in here," Nico said delicately, it was obvious to the demigods although he didn't show it he was slightly nervous. They all approached the cabin and knocked on the door, hearing footsteps inside the door unlocked and swung open to find a woman before them. She had stunning blue eyes and rich auburn hair which flowed down just below her shoulders.

She smiled politely at them before speaking "How can I help you today"

Nico took initiative and stepped in front of the demigods before smiling back at the woman

"Hi we are looking for Percy you wouldn't know where he is would you?" He enquired, the woman simply smiled before opening the door fully allowing the party to enter. The demigods looked around with interest, this was as much information about Percy Jacksons' home life causing them to buzz with excitement. The woman walked around to a kitchen counter before presenting them all with a tray of cookies tinged with the colour blue.

"I believe we have not been introduced, I am Leto " she smiled before looking at Nico " And I believe you are Nico Di Angelo, Percy speaks highly of you, as for the others I am not familiar with who you are" she spoke softly as she scanned her eyes over the questing demigods

Anastasia stepped forward and took a cookie before speaking, We are from camp we were sent on a quest to find Percy. I'm Anastasia and this is Hector and Chloe " as she gestured to her friends, the newly named Leto frowned slightly after hearing they were on a quest to find Percy but managed to compose herself.
"Where is Percy? He should be at home by now" Nico questioned as Leto glared slightly at him, before sighing,

"He went to the National Finals for his swimming team in Vegas," she said defeatedly, as the questers all groaned

"We justttt come from there and I have no intention to go anywhere near creepy hotel again" Hector complained as Chloe nodded her head in agreement before speaking out

"It's late now shouldn't we sleep before trying to find him in all of Las Vegas then at least if he tries to fight us we have all our energy," she said whilst looking at the rest of her quest mates, she didn't notice the dark look that crossed Nico's face after her statement but held his tongue but Leto was far from pleased.

" What do you mean fight Percy, " the Titaness said sharply whilst glaring at the young demigods, " If your intention is to fight him I will flash to him and take him where you will never find him " as her eyes took a powerful hue of dark blue causing the demigods to pale slightly Leto may have been a minor titan but she was still more powerful than all of them.

Silence reigned across the whole room, the tension thick in the air before Nico coughed, breaking the tension slightly before Anastasia spoke out,

"We don't want to fight him but my dad told me Percy wouldn't be happy with Zeus tracking him down so expect anything " she replied to the angry Titan who eased off her glare to the demigods.

She sighed before turning around and walking off into the corridor, returning shortly with a few pillows and blankets

" Percy will not hurt you I know that for a fact, here's some bedding you can sleep in here. Nico will take you to him tomorrow" Leto said curtly before turning around into a bedroom and shutting the door firmly behind her. The demigods all let out a sigh they didn't know he'd been holding in, they situated themselves and tried to get a good night's sleep