Nico's POV
Nick, Percy, and I walked along the river Acheron, heading towards the Pavilion of the dead, where the judges awaited our arrival. The river Acheron twisted menacingly across the landscape of the Underworld. It held teddy bears, books, jewelry, and other possessions that held great meaning for the souls of the dead throughout their lives. Being a son of Hades gave me a unique and rather unflattering view on the afterlife. It was nothing special and could, at times be worse than life. My mother, Bianca…death powers didn't even help when it came to what you really wanted to do.
"There it is," Nick said, bringing me around from my reverie. I focused on the gold pavilion standing majestically before us. It was the only brightness in the otherwise dark landscape. We walked up the stairs, which were carved from celestial bronze, a lot of celestial bronze, as Nick and I exchanged glances. I watched Nick as we ascended the stairs. His black eyes glinted with mystery, magic and sadness. He had frizzy raven black hair, that appeared half straight, and half curly as if he had made his hair straight, but naturally it curled like that of someone with an afro. Candles were placed around the vicinity and wherever the light bounced off his hair there was a dark blue tint. His skinned appeared to be a mocha color, very light brown. I licked my lips admiring him.
Nick was definitely attractive, but did I love him? I wasn't sure yet. His little stunt with the Stars of Night seriously impressed me. Although, I still wanted to know what kind of wound he had sustained during his excursion. I found myself staring at him, he carried himself with such confidence, but I knew he didn't think he did. He had a horribly low opinion of himself, but I wanted him to see how amazing he really was. He had his eyes scanning everything, his body tense as if he was expecting an attack at any moment, like a jaguar, slow and cautious, dangerous and beautiful.
"Who are they?" Percy asked in wonder, I understood why. They wore, what must have been, expensive and ancient robes of white and gold. They held gilded staffs of various designs. They had masks of gold, which depicted separate emotions. Pain, sadness, and other harder to determine emotions, but I thought I made out anger as well as confusion. Their number totaled to four, seated around a crescent moon black table, seated in black chairs gilded in gold and silver, probably meant to represent night and day. I was just about to speak, when Nick began to explain.
"The Judges of the Dead? They were demigods, sons of Zeus I believe. From left to right, at least according to mythological standards is, Aikakos, Rhadamanthys, Minos, and Triptolemos. Aiakos was the guardian of the keys of Hades and the judge of the men of Europe. Rhadamanthys was lord of Elysion and judge of the men of Asia and Minos was the Judge of the Final Vote."
"What about…Tripoly?" Percy asked.
"Triptolemos," I said, trying not to laugh, "Not much is known about him, some say he wasn't even a Judge of the Dead, but from what I have been able to gather he presided over the souls of the Initiates of the Mysteries."
Percy chuckled. "Should I even ask?" Percy inquired slyly.
"The Initiates of the Mysteries," Nick began.
"-Refers to the mystery cults that gained popularity in Ancient Greece, starting in the Mycenean period, but was a major part of the Hellenic period." I continued smiling at Nick.
"It later spread to Rome as well," Nick finished smirking at me, and I'll admit it made me blush. I felt my face heat up as blood rushed into my pale complexion. I ducked my head quickly, embarrassed. How did he have this effect on me?
"Impressive, son of Nyx, not many Greek demigods, know that little tidbit of history." The judge on the far right, whom I assume is Triptolemos said with a hint of appreciation and amusement.
"Not really, my mother had me study many things, and I just read a lot. I could be in college right now, if my life wasn't dominated by Gods, monsters and now dead people." Nick said sarcastically.
Aiakos cleared his throat. "Yes, well, shall we get started?"
"You never let me talk to anyone, at least their alive! You three are the only people I talk to. If you can even call us people anymore." Triptolemos mumbled this last part.
"Trip, that's enough. Akkie, Manty, let us begin." Minos hissed. "Who will address the court?"
Percy, Nick, and I looked at each other. Nick nodded at me, smiling. He mouthed "You'll be fine."
I stepped forward, a bit hesitantly. "I will." I said in the most confident tone of voice I could muster under the circumstances. Nick and Percy stayed behind me flanking me. Nick at my right, Percy my left.
"That is no surprise Son of Hades. I am Minos, as you may already guessed this is Akkie, Manty, and my right is Trip. We are the judges of the dead." Minos sat up a bit straighter in his chair.
"The only reason we are all in attendance is, because we have been ordered here by your Father, that and Akkie has a soft spot for demigods." Manty grumbled.
I raised an eyebrow questioningly, "Aren't you all demigods? Shouldn't you all want to help other demigods?"
Manty replied coldy, "Do you always help a demigod simply, because they are a demigod? Besides, we have been dead a long time and do not meddle in mortal affairs any longer, we judge the dead and we have fun, Gods permitting."
Trip was still sulking in at the end of the table. I thought I could easily get Akkie and Trip's vote, Minos and Manty were my problems I had to sway them to our side.
"Please explain in detail why you need the Scales of Justice, young demigod." Minos said sounding bored, as if he would rather be anywhere in the world.
And so I did explaining in great detail our adventures thus far. How Percy had arrived at camp, just returning from Poseidon's realm of Atlantis. How Nick had arrived at camp. Our mission to retrieve an artifact of immense power to aid in the protection of Camp Half-blood's borders. How they undoubtedly knew I had almost died en route to the Underworld. Percy and Nick filled in details where I left them out. I was thankful for their input. I tried to appeal to Minos and his logic and Manty with his sense of duty. I would soon find out if my ploy had worked.
"We need time to speak amongst ourselves. Please have a seat at the edge of the pavilion." Akkie send warmly, nodding behind us. I realized that this was the first time he had spoken throughout the entire proceedings. The three of us turned, almost in perfect unison. At first I was confused, we hadn't passed any seats on our way in. But, suddenly, exact replicas of the judges' seats appeared in a shimmer resembling a mirage that some mortals spoke of. I wondered if mirages were simply places the mist wasn't as strong and allowed mortals to see through it for moments at a time.
"Well those were not there just a moment ago." Percy said scratching his head before walking over and plopping in a seat on the end.
"Just realized that genius?" Nick said coldly, before sitting at the opposite end of Percy.
I sighed. Nick would not get over what Percy had done so easily, this I knew for a fact. What I didn't understand was why he wasn't mad at me? I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.
"Um, Nick?" I said hesitantly. Why did I feel like such a school girl? "Mind if /I speak to you alone for a minute?"
He nodded and stood up. I quickly descended the stairs hearing the click of his combat boots on the stairs behind me. When I reached the bottom of the stairs I turned to face him. I looked into his black eyes, which was probably a mistake. I immediately got lost staring into them. They were like galaxies of their own. Like a doorway to another world that promised me answers to questions I wasn't sure I could even comprehend.
"Nico?" Nick said as he gently brushed the hair from out of my eyes.
I blushed and mumbled something like, "um…wha?"
He chuckled, "Earth to Nico, this is Nick."
I focused on him, willing my mid to clear and focus. Once it did I was looking up at his smiling face and punched him hard in the arm.
"What was that for?" He asked, clearly amused. Amused!
"That," I said pausing for dramatic effect, "Was for running off and getting injured. And this," I said before leaning up and kissing him passionately on the lips. Which caused us to embrace and he lifted me up into the kiss, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I gently broke one of the most amazing kisses I had ever had in my life. "Was to say I really like you. What happened back there with Percy was a mistake of jumbled emotions. I'm not sure if I love you, but I really want the chance to find out." He lowered me to the ground smiling in a way only Nick could.
Just then Percy cleared his throat from the top of the stairs, "They're ready for us."
"We'll talk about this later." Nick said meaningfully as he entwined our hands and we walked back up the stairs together. I couldn't help, but feel worried though. Not only, because of the judgment awaiting us, but also the warning from Apollo. When he had helped Nick save my life, he had warned us Aphrodite was using us for her new favorite toys. I didn't know what that meant, but I was sure it was nothing good.
