Chapter 4: Nico

*4 Days Ago*

Nico had no idea what to do. He had said to Hazel that he was going to look for the Doors of Death, but had no idea how to do it. The Doors of Death. Hmm. He was standing at the edge of the River Styx, watching the currents swirl, as he tried to form a plan. He tried to think of what he knew about the doors. They were the smaller exits that formed between the Underworld and the mortal world. With Death chained up, monsters could find their ways back from the Underworld much faster. He stood up. He had decided to ask he would need help.

"I cannot help you, the gods can't help their children, you must find your own path." Nico had gone to his father, and now was with Hades in the castle throne room.

"But father, it's important!" Nico protested. "Can't you help me?"

Hades sighed. He spoke up. "All I can say is that the small doors are impossible to find for mortals or half bloods. Only spirits, soul, or ghosts can find them. You'll have to look for the one big door, the most powerful Door of Death, that Gaea is controlling."

"Tell me where it is!"

"I can't. Gaea has hidden it, but even if I knew I can't do your quest for you."

"Okay. Thanks for the help...I guess." said Nico. He left the palace, thinking as he walked. I have to find the most powerful door, he thought. As he walked through the Underworld, he came to the entrance of the huge abyss, Tartarus. Staring into the pit, a flash of light caught his eye. It was far down, twinkling, as bright and small as a star. Nico stared at it, he had never seen anything like it happen before. He started toward it walking deeper down the sloping edge of the pit.

Suddenly, he found himself at the very edge of Tartarus. He was standing at the edge of a cliff. The ground rose up behind him. As he turned, he saw three Earthborn, rise out of the ground. Nico drew his sword.

"Stay back!" He yelled.

Drop your sword, came a voice whispering in his ear.

"Gaea." said Nico. His eyes on the Earthborn, who had him cornered but hadn't come any closer."Your asleep. You shouldn't be able to talk."

I will be awake soon, she said. And your going to help.

Nico knew at that moment he had been lured to the side of the cliff. "You led him here." he said with a heavy heart.

You heroes aren't that bright. Gaea said. Now drop the sword, or your sister dies.

"You have Hazel?" Nico asked.

Your sister and her friends had their little quest ended early. Answered Gaea.

Fighting back a bitter taste of defeat in his mouth, Nico dropped his sword. "What are you going to do?"

Gaea didn't answer, instead the three Earthborn rushed at him, and before he could defend himself, they pushed him into Tartarus.

He awoke sometime later. He was tied to a pillar looking a huge set of set of white doors, The Doors of Death.

"Why have you brought he here? Where am I?" He shouted.

Rome. Came Gaea's voice. Far underneath it. As for why I brought you here, it's all part of the plan.

"What have you done to my sister? Why isn't she here?" asked Nico, but his mind had already formed a unpleasant answer.

On her way to Camp Jupiter, of course. Replied Gaea sounding amused. They may have freed Death, but Camp Jupiter will be soon destroyed by my army. As for you, your friends from Camp Half Blood will come find you. Percy Jackson wouldn't leave you here. And when they come, they will walk straight into my trap.

"You tricked me!"

Yes of course I did. I knew you wanted to defeat me, to get revenge when you learned about what I did to Bianca.

It was true. Only days before he had learned that Bianca hadn't been reborn, but had been sent to the Fields of Asphodel by Gaea, to wander the Underworld for eternity. Nico hadn't told Hazel, because he didn't want to worry her. Nico could feel the rage building inside him.

"Bianca was in Elysium, she deserved to be on the Isles of the Blessed for eternity, not the Fields of Asphodel!" Yelled Nico.

I knew in your anger you would come after me. Replied Gaea. You were always very loyal to your sister. Didn't she tell you holding grudges was a fatal flaw for children of Hades? Except not only will you die, but your friends too.

"They won't come after me." Nico said. "They'll carry on without me."

We shall see.