The rest of the dinner went well. Connie didn't ask Nico many more questions, but Nico was able to answer the ones she did ask without giving anything away. When the monster from earlier that day came back Nico excused himself, carefully grabbing his sword. Toby watched him worriedly as Nico crossed to the door where the monster was standing. Nico and the monster glared at each other for a long minute before Nico turned and left the restaurant followed closely by the monster.
"Where is Nico going?" Connie asked Toby in confusion. "Who was that man who followed him?"
"That wasn't a man." Toby murmured sitting up straight in his chair and looking after Nico. He wanted to go with Nico, but he knew that he would be useless against that thing without the right weapon.
"What?" Connie asked her eyebrows drawn together in concern. Toby made himself look away from the door to smile at his mother.
"Don't worry about it mom, it's one of those 'what you don't know can't hurt you' things." Toby reassured her but she didn't look convinced.
"But you know so it could hurt you?" She asked staring hard at Toby. Toby avoided her eyes.
"But I can defend myself better than you can. Unless something has changed since the last time we met." Toby raised an eyebrow, his mother shook her head and sighed.
"I guess I missed my chance to watch you become an adult huh? You've become so mature." She commented smiling ruefully.
"Oh my god, if Masky was here he would be laughing so hard right now." Toby said laughing and explained when his mother looked confused. "I think Masky thinks of me as the little brother he never wanted. He and Hoody look after me most of the time. I mean it doesn't help that he's just too much fun to annoy." Connie laughed and shook her head at him. Toby smiled crookedly at her and then glanced at the door hoping Nico would be back soon.
"So you live with those people now? Masky and Hoody?" Connie asked looking down at her water and stirring the ice cubes around with her straw.
"Not just them. Nico lives with us too and L.J, Sally, BEN, E.J., Jeff, Jeff's dog Smile, and Slenderman who me, Masky and Hoody work for. It's great, we all take turns cooking and cleaning up and we all get along really well."
"So I guess you wouldn't want to come back to live with me again." She said still not looking up. Toby looked at her in shock.
"I can't mom. The only reason the police aren't after me anymore is because they think I'm dead. Slenderman and BEN have a way of working together to keep us safe I think if I left them I'd be found." Toby explained putting an arm around her because he could tell she was upset.
"I'm just a bit lonely is all sweetie, I'm sorry."
"No mom, don't be sorry." Toby said giving her a gentle squeeze. "I'll come visit you okay?"
"Okay." Connie said wiping away the beginnings of a tear and smiling at her son. "Please do. It's been awful not knowing how you were. I had a feeling you weren't actually dead but still." Toby winced, he could imagine how hard that had been on her.
"I'm sorry I would have tried to contact you sooner if I had known but.."
"I know. There was no way you could have known." Connie assured Toby who nodded.
Finally Nico came back sliding into his seat. There was a cut on his cheek that was bleeding sluggishly but he looked pleased enough with himself that it was obvious he had won. Toby smiled back at him but Connie looked a little worried again.
"Are you okay Nico?" She asked him gently. Once a mom always a mom, Toby smiled.
"Oh ya I'm fine, it only got one hit in." Nico said wiping the blood of his face with a grin. There was a light in his eyes that Toby was very familiar with. This must be why Nico didn't feel the need to kill humans at all. He had something else, Something more challenging. Toby grinned back at him basking in that light.
"Shouldn't you clean it though?" Connie suggested and Nico grimaced in a clear, 'I don't wanna' way. Toby laughed and redirected the conversation so his mom couldn't pressure Nico. Once everyone was finished first course, Connie offered to get them desert, Toby perked up at t idea but Nico shook his head.
"You guys can if you want but I have a job to do tonight, and now that it's dark I should get going." He said apologetically. Toby groaned softly.
"You're right, Hoody's been there by himself all day I should take over for him." Toby agreed.
"But sweetie it's your birthday tomorrow, you have to let me at least buy you some cake." Connie objected. Nico was startled. He had no idea that it was Toby's birthday, he would have just let it slip by without anything.
"It's okay mom." Toby laughed. "I don't really celebrate my birthday anymore, besides we've been too busy lately to do anything. I doubt tomorrow will be any different and you know what sugar does to me." Connie was still reluctant to let them go but she followed them out and hugged Toby one more time before letting him jog away. Nico went to follow him but Connie grabbed his sleeve before he could.
"Could we talk for another minute before you go?" She asked her eyes wide. Nico winced at being touched and she let go quickly but kept looking at him with her wide sincere eyes. Toby hesitated looking back at them.
"You go on Toby you know I'll be able to catch up to you." Nico called and Toby's eyes flicked back and forth between Nico and his mother before he nodded and rounded a corner. Once Toby was gone Nico turned back to Connie doing his best to keep his posture approachable and not cross his arms. He didn't want to alienate his new boyfriend's mother. "Is something bothering you?" he asked when she still hesitated.
"It's just when you left earlier Toby said it was a "what you don't know can't hurt you" thing. But he does know because he's dating you doesn't he? He said not to worry but will he actually be okay?" She asked softly, she had an innocents in her eyes that was like Toby's. Nico didn't understand it, both of them had seen so many things but their eyes stayed so alive and innocent. It almost hurt him though he couldn't say why.
"I can't deny that maybe knowing has put him in more danger. I haven't lied to you, but I have edited because there are things that only become aware of your existence once you're aware of them. In my attempt to be open with Toby he has learned about more of those things than maybe he should have, but there's no going back now and I didn't want to lie to him. Or even tell him half truths.
"I'm doing everything I can to keep him away from those things that could hurt him and I haven't even told him a third of what I know. There are many worlds separated by veils existing in the same place. It's part of my job to exist between those worlds and make sure they don't meet. I had to tell Toby about the world I was born into but that is the only one I have made him aware of. There are still at least four that I know of and Toby doesn't. I hope I can keep it that way because as it is my life expectancy isn't more than two more years, and I don't want to force that on Toby."
"How did that happen to you?" Connie asked her eyes even wider though Nico had hardly thought it possible. He shrugged.
"I was born into it, I was conceived in one of the few clashes between world. And once you know of a few of those worlds you just start noticing the others as well."
"But you're keeping Toby as safe as you can?" Connie asked not allowing herself to be side tracked.
"Of course I am." Nico assured her. "Toby means a lot to me and, even though I can't be fully honest with you about what I am, I can tell you in good conscience that you would be hard pressed to find anyone more powerful than me outside of the realm of gods. My protection counts for quite a lot." Suddenly Connie hugged him. For a minute Nico froze but then he hugged back.
"I'm sorry." Connie mumbled as she let Nico go. "I'm just glad Toby finally has the friends he deserves."
"It's fine, I'm just not used to being touched, most people try to avoid me." Nico assured her.
"Well anyone who makes my son happy is in my good books." Connie laughed smiling at Nico. "Now you should go catch up with him shouldn't you? And please try to make sure he visits like he said he would."
"I'll do my best." Nico agreed softly and stepped out of the ring of light from the storefront, shadow traveling away. The last thing he saw was Connie's surprised expression, maybe the mist was thin for her already.
Hoody jumped when Nico appeared beside him but didn't pull his gun on Nico. Apparently he already was used to Nico's surprising entrances and exits. Hoody nodded at Nico, and Nico nodded back before looking up at the second floor, the third from the left where the light was already off. Nico supposed since they had been looking for him all of the night before last, they hadn't got much sleep. Thorough explanations and planning the night before, it made sense that they would go to bed early. That was good, Nico didn't want to go in while they were both awake, really he only wanted to talk to Jay not Tim.
It wasn't long before Toby came running up, he seemed surprised to see Nico was there before him, but it didn't last long.
"I can take over for a bit now if you want, Hoody." Toby suggested. Hoody shook his head and looked at Nico questioning.
"How long have the lights been off?" Hoody shrugged and held up one finger. "One hour?" Nico asked and Hoody nodded. "Then I might as well go in now. I'll be back soon." Hoody gave Nico a thumbs up and Toby wished him luck. Nico stepped back through the shadows.
In a moment he was in the two bed room Tim, Jay, and Shade had chosen now. As Nico had hoped they were both asleep. There was a desk against the wall by Jay's bed. Nico padded over to it and sat down letting his eyes adjust to the dark until he could see Jay's expression, which was a grimace, Nico was suddenly startled by Shade smirking on the floor close to the window. "Hey Nico, hows it hanging?"
"Shade?" Nico asked as he fully saw his friends silhouette. "Long time no see."
"Same here, It looks like Jay is waking up."
Sure enough, Jay started to get restless, of course it was hard to sleep with a strange presence in the room and even mortals could sense Nico's presence, as well as two people talking. Tim who shared Masky's body was used to it so Nico had figured it wouldn't wake him, but he knew it would bother Jay. Before Jay could wake up, Nico drew his sword and when he saw Jay's eyes first beginning to flicker open he murmured.
"Don't scream or do anything to wake Tim. I just want to talk but if he wakes up things can go very bad, very fast." Jay's eyes snapped open and looked on Nico even though he could probably only half see him.
"And how could that be? We're both bigger than you and stronger I bet." Jay said scowling but he kept his voice low.
"Honestly I thought you had spent enough time dealing with non humans to recognize one when they're under your nose. It doesn't matter that you two are physically stronger than me when I could take your life with no more than a touch or the right words." Jay stiffened under his blankets.
"If you could kill us so easily why aren't we already dead." He hissed angrily his eyes burning into Nico but Nico didn't flinch or look away.
"He doesn't murder people, If he has to he makes the soul go to the underworld. Only I murder." Nico looked over to see Shade standing in the window a creepy silhouette in the moonlight.
"But he works with."
"Shhh." Nico interrupted when Jay's voice started to rise. "Yes I work with Masky and Hoody, but despite what you think we are working against the Operator and Alex. That's why I am here, it isn't efficient to split our recourses like this. We were planning to remain undercover and combine our forces that way but obviously that didn't work out." Nico couldn't help shooting a glare at Tim. "Now we're willing to be open about this, no secrets, cards up on the table so that we can all focus on the real threat here."
"Why would we work with you? You've already lied to and threatened us." Jay growled out.
"I thought this might be a good example of the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Nico sighed. "But if that isn't enough, then keep in mind that we have something you don't. An idea of what the Operator is and how to get rid of him permanently. You can get rid of his puppets all you want but unless you can get rid of him. Which to be clear a human can't. He will just obtain new puppets and I don't doubt come back for whoever destroyed his last ones."
"If you're not human what are you?" Jay asked.
"That is a fair question and I will answer it, but keep in mind before you ask anything else that knowledge is dangerous. Once you have knowledge of something it has knowledge of you, that's probably how the Operator can always find you. Do you understand?" Jay nodded. "I am called the ghost king or the prince of the underworld. I have control over the dead and some control over death."
"If you're such a hot shot why are you bothering with us?"
"I don't know how but Alex has escaped the underworld. He was dead and in the fields of punishment but now he's alive again. I need to know how he did it so I can stop anyone else from getting out. And before you think that might be a good idea, keep in mind that if Alex was the first one out it means that the escape route is near the fields of punishment where all the worst people go, so if anyone else gets out it will be more of the same." Jay opened his mouth to say something and then his mouth closed and he swallowed seeming to understand the full implications of that. "I know this is hard for you to take in but basically the deal is, you help me find Alex and get the information you need and I will make sure that you will forever be rid of both him and the Operator so you can live your normal mortal life out in peace."
"What about Tim?" Jay asked looking suspicious. Nico shook his head.
"Masky and Tim have the same energy and Masky is involved in something much bigger than this. If Tim choses not to return control to Masky, I can't guarantee either of their safety because Tim will find himself part of the same world as Masky with none of his knowledge about how to navigate it."
"So that's why you didn't want him awake." Jay murmured and Nico nodded.
"I don't know anything about Tim I've only known Masky but I can promise you that as long as either of them is around, you won't be able to have the normal life you've worked so hard for. The feel of Masky's energy will draw in to many things who will be angry when they find out that Tim isn't him." Jay sighed angrily and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Can I have some time to think."
"Of course you can." Nico agreed. "Come meet us tomorrow if you want. You can choose the spot and time if it will make you feel better."
"The parking lot of Rosswood park at 2pm tomorrow? Everything important seems to happen there anyway." Jay grumbled.
"Sounds good." Nico agreed easily. "If there are any problems we have Masky's cell number, though I guess it's Tim's now. You might want to take it from him if you plan on keeping this secret from him, just blame the disappearance on us. Come on Shade, lets get going."
"I'm not a liar like you people." Jay shot back angrily, Nico just shrugged.
"Suit yourself, now can I leave the way I came in or would it make you feel better if I pretended to be human and actually used the door?" Nico smirked as he saw Jay shudder.
"H-how did you come in?" he asked nervously.
"Watch closely." Nico instructed and made sure that Jay's eyes were on him before melting into the shadows a lot slower than usual just to make his point. If Jay had had any doubts about the validity of his claim to be inhuman, they should be gone now. In a second, Nico was back in the alley with Toby and Hoody.
"How did it go?" Toby asked immediately bouncing slightly.
"Pretty well." Nico answered absently pulling the dog whistle he kept on a cord around his neck out fiddling with it. "Jay wants to think about it though, he asked to meet us in the parking lot of Rosswood park tomorrow at two to discus farther. Will that be okay?" He glanced at Hoody and Toby who both shrugged.
"F-fine." Hoody agreed, though he still sounded annoyed. Nico nodded and blew the whistle.
"I think it's broken." Toby said.
"It's for hellhounds, essentially a dog whistle, we're not supposed to hear it."
"Is it made out of bone?"
"Yes."
"Human?"
"Probably." Nico answered with an absent minded shrug listening carefully for the sound of Mrs. O'Leary's heavy paw steps. Shade laughed as he walked over to the hellhound and petted her nose
"I told you you'd fit in perfectly with us." Toby said chuckling. Nico looked at him in surprise before smiling, yes he supposed that was a fairly 'creepy' thing.
"I need to talk to my father tonight. I'm sorry I'll be back again before the meeting tomorrow." Nico promised as he finally heard Mrs. O'Leary's paw steps coming closer and then she rounded the corner. "Hey girl do you want to go visit Cerberus?" Immediately Mrs. O'Leary's tail started to wag franticly at the sound of her friend's name. "Alright you're going to have to take us there because I'm shadow traveled out for a while.
"Good luck Nico, if you'll need it." Toby said uncertainly. Nico smiled at him and gave him a quick hug and kiss.
"I doubt it. Me and my dad get along pretty well, and don't worry I won't be gone long." Then he climbed on Mrs O'Leary's back and she ran through the nearest shadow into the underworld.
Unsurprisingly they came out near the gate where Cerberus was. He barked at them in surprise, but as soon as he realized who they were he started panting and wagging his tail. Mrs O'Leary romped up to him immediately and they started sniffing each other, each of Cerberus' three heads taking a turn saying hello. Nico left them to play and wandered deeper into the underworld shooing away the furies who tried to bother him with bureaucracy and heading straight to the palace. His step mother wasn't there because it was summer and Nico wasn't entirely sure whether to be grateful for that or not. It was true that Persephone didn't like Nico very much, but it was always easier to locate Hades when she was home. Finally Nico made his way into the throne room and to his relief his father was there, not to his relief his father was scowling.
"I'm sorry for bothering you father but I promise it's important." Nico assured quickly.
"It had better be." Hades said his frown deepening. "Important and short, there is much discord between the gods right now."
"Someone has escaped the fields of punishment." Immediately Hades fell still. "His name is Alex Kralie and he was killed by someone called Tim nearly two years ago. Yet somehow was found recently in the mortal world and not as a spirit."
"Are you sure?" Hades asked looking worried.
"I'm sure dad. I'm working together with a few friends right now to try and capture him so I can find out how he did it. I think I'll be able to handle this situation on my own but I think it's important enough that you should know."
"Indeed, indeed." Hades said absently running one hand over his face. "All the veils are thinning, things are not going well, there will be problems soon. I already knew that, this is just more proof."
"Is there anything I can do to help dad?" Nico asked, he didn't like how worried his father looked that meant something was even more off then Nico had realized. This was obviously not an isolated incident if Hades was talking about all the veils.
"What you were doing. Find this Alex, find out how he got out, who is anyone he was working with and see it you can stop it. Is there anything you need to accomplish this?" Nico started, it was unusual for his father to make such an offer.
"Two things dad. Alex is under the protection of something that I think is a mass or consolidated spirits. I've heard of such a thing before but I have no idea how to fight it." Nico trailed of as Hades nodded.
"I don't have time to tell you about such a thing but here." Hades pulled a book out of nowhere and handed it to Nico, who was grateful to see it was in ancient Greek. "This should tell you what you need to know and what else?"
"It would help if the friend I am working with was properly armed. At the moment his weapons are only suited to mortals and not demigods." Hades gave Nico a sharp appeasing look.
"You trust them to help you?" Hades asked after a minute.
"Yes." Nico answered immediately. "Yes completely."
"Very well." Hades sighed. "What sort of weapon does your friend prefer?"
"Hatchets." And once again Hades pulled the weapon, a celestial bronze one, from the air and handed it to Nico.
"Now I must go." Hades said and with no more affair he was simply gone. Nico stared for a moment at the place his father had been, sighed and turned to walk out of the throne room. Now and then he wished the gods would be clearer about what was happening.