NICK'S POV
I looked around taking in the grey landscape that seemed to shift. I focused on nothing counting my breaths slowly in and out. I remembered Nyx's training like it was yesterday. I could still hear her voice if I concentrated hard enough. "Dream walking is a useful skill for both communication and information. A son the Night must be trained in not just combat but skills of the mind. Your thoughts will dictate the landscape, do not let your mind wander."
I focused my attention on the edge of my vision. The edge of my superficial reality. It was a swirling mass of pitch dark inky like substance. As I focused harder the swirling mass began to take shape. There was many outlines of shadow figures. The general shape of a person but glowing red eyes. There was one that stood in front of the rest as if in a position of leadership. He looked different from the rest. As if he had a cowboy hat and a long overcoat. It was disturbing a person made of shadow...
I thought back to my training and struggled to figure out what these creatures were. Nyx had once said that the Night was about mystery and what couldn't be achieved in the light. Many times this attracts creatures of malevolence. She had stressed that the Night was also a observer and protecter, that the moon and stars catologed events like mortals using a calender. She had me read many books of myth and legend but not just greek which at the time I didn't understand.
These shadows were not from greek mythology but from more modern times. It was said they haunted mortals and possesed them. They were creates of violence and chaos. They suppossedly came from another dimension and most mortals could not see them.
Looking now at these monsters and remembering my encounter in the abandoned building, I could believe those stories to be true. Thinking back it was more like a warehouse, I thought. The scene instantly shifted back to the warehouse. That same shadow was there again watching me as it had before. I could feel the evil like a stain on my soul. I knew I couldn't stay long for fear of this shadow taking over my body. I let my mind wander to Nico and Percy in the Underworld. Fear flooded my veins as I watched shadows from many directions converge around our sleeping forms. They formed a cirlce around us staring intently. There was intelligence in those blood red eyes as if they were all planning something horribly insidious.
NICO'S POV
I woke up feeling a bit empty but not knowing why. I felt like something was missing. Nick still had his arm draped over me but something felt different, lifeless. I sat bolt upright, turning to Nick frantically. I shook him awake.
I watched his eyes fly open panic flooding his eyes,"We have to leave. Now," he said shakily. I nod quickly getting up to do the same to Percy. Percy yawned deeply and muttered,"What is it Nico?" "We have to move." I say urgently shaking him once more. I wait until I'm satisfied he won't go back to sleep and see Nick already looking in different directions as if weighing his options.
I'd seen Percy and Chiron look like this often. As if the world rested on their shoulders and they knew they were only human and that we all make mistakes. Nick was always sad as if he already knew his story didn't end well. But what demigod's life does?
"Ok. I'm ready." Percy said to me as he kept walking towards Nick stifling a yawn. I swear he could win a gold medal if the Olympics had yawning as a sport. I worked quickly to catch up and then keep up as Nick's speed was was as if he was trying to put as much distance between us and our campsite as possible. I made a mental note to talk to him about later as he stilled seemed shaken up over whatever his dreams had entailed. He also didn't know Percy all that well. So if possible I'll try to get him alone he might feel more comfortable that way.
Nick didn't stop until we reched the Gates of Hades leading to my father's palace. The towers streched above us for what seemed like miles. It arched and twisted in an almost distrurbing manner that always reminded me of intersecting veins or a really gnarled tree, but knowing my father it was probably the darker option. We all stood there a moment at the Gates the others probably lost in thought like I was. "Well, shall we?" I say before pushing open the Gates with an ear percing screech.
