Hi, gang! If you're wondering why I didn't put this up yesterday, I'm a little behind on my writing so I decided to start spacing out the updates to one per week for a bit. Motivation's been low lately and I've been too busy at work. I won't ever give up on this story, but I'm hitting a bit of a slow patch. Hopefully it doesn't last long.

Anyway, thanks as always to all of you who reviewed last week! Enjoy!

XII
NICO

According to the map Nico had picked up by shadow-traveling to the nearest city, there were a total of ten cemeteries in the Deam Wilderness, the closest of which was only a mile from where he, Leo, and Reyna had appeared after escaping the forest. They had to hope that once they re-entered the Wilderness, Moros wouldn't catch up to them until they were ready for him. Probably a vain hope, admittedly.

"So why a graveyard?" Reyna asked as the trio made their way at a fast walk through the dark forest.

"There's a lot of spirit energy in graveyards," Nico answered, climbing over a particularly large log. "It's much easier to bridge a path between our world and the Underworld. The two planes are… closer, more connected in places relating to death."

"No wonder cemeteries always give me the creeps," Leo muttered with a shiver. "They make me feel like I've got one foot in the grave. Guess it's actually true."

"Basically."

Nico reached sideways to snatch Leo by the arm as he stumbled and almost fell, having had to do so over a dozen times already since they'd reentered the forest. It was good Leo was on his feet, but the knock on the head must have triggered a minor concussion, because he was still dizzy and a little out of it. Even so, he'd insisted on coming along to help, and since Nico didn't have time for Leo's 'everything-is-dandy-don't-worry-about-me' act, he hadn't argued. But now he was starting to rethink that decision.

"Look, are you sure you're gonna be able to do this?" he asked with a frown once Leo had steadied himself. "You realize how easy it'll be for Moros to get the jump on you like this, right?"

"Isn't that the point? I'll be fine. I just gotta get him to that cemetery you showed us on the map, right?"

"Yeah," Nico agreed. "But what good's it gonna do if you can't run and he snags you before you even get there?"

"That won't happen," Leo insisted off-handedly. He grinned, though Nico noticed him blink hard as though he were trying not to see double. On top of that, the minute he turned forward and took a few steps, he proceeded to trip over something on the uneven ground and stagger sideways into Reyna. She grabbed his arms to steady him, his hands latching onto her shoulders, but as soon as he was upright again she quickly let go and took a few steps backward.

With an odd, unreadable glance at Leo, Reyna said shortly, "I'm… gonna go scout ahead," and walked briskly off into the trees.

"What was that about?" Nico asked once she'd disappeared.

Leo gave a short, frustrated sigh as they started walking after her. "I told you she hates me."

"I don't know. When you were knocked out earlier, she seemed pretty worried."

"Really?" Leo asked, raising his eyebrows.

Nico shrugged in response. "Looked that way. You remember what I said about being a team, right? If you guys have stuff to work out, you should probably get to it."

Leo was quiet for a minute, his jaw flexing back and forth and his eyebrows knitting together. He looked like he was thinking hard about something, trying to puzzle something out. Then his shoulders seemed to sag and he sighed. He started to say, "We—" but broke off immediately as a surprised shout cut in from somewhere ahead of them. A surprised shout that sounded a lot like Reyna.

"Uh-oh," Nico muttered, before both boys broke into a run.

They didn't have to go far. After only a few yards, Leo yelled "Ow!" and skidded to a halt as something fell against the top of his head. Nico stopped a few steps ahead of him and spun around as Leo grimaced and picked up the object that had hit him—and Nico was surprised to realize it was Reyna's knife. It must have fallen hilt-first, because if Leo's luck had been just a little worse a concussion would've been the least of his problems. He seemed to realize this as well, because his face seemed to pale a bit before he craned his neck backward and looked up. "Reyna?" he called with a yelp of surprise.

High above them in the shadows, Nico could just barely make out Reyna's form, which looked to be hanging by the ankle from a rope or a vine attached to a thick tree branch. She was struggling to free herself, but she must not have been getting anywhere, because a second later Nico heard her sigh and grumble, "I am getting so tired of this forest."

"Nice of you to hang around," an amused voice cut in, and Nico turned to see that Moros had materialized right beside him. He scrambled backward in alarm, but the spirit took no notice and continued to grin up at Reyna. "I thought I might'a scared you guys off."

Nico shot a meaningful look at Leo, telling him they might as well get the plan under way. Leo seemed to get the message, because he folded his arms and rolled his eyes dramatically. "Us? Scared?" he scoffed. "You're gonna have to try harder than that. Unless you were hoping that look of yours was enough to send us running, 'cause in that case you might be onto something." Moros' gaze dropped to Leo and he arched an eyebrow, and Leo went on, "Seriously, could you turn around or something? I think I'm starting to feel sick."

Moros narrowed his eyes. "You know, bro, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were tryin' to rile me up."

"If I were trying to rile you up, you'd know it," Leo replied. He walked toward Moros and Nico took the opportunity to take a few slow steps backward while the spirit's attention was elsewhere. "So are you really a ghost, or do you just play one on TV? Like, if I try to touch you, will I go right through you?" To demonstrate, Leo stuck a hand out and waved it through Moros' chest, passing through the spirit like he wasn't there.

Moros cringed and stepped back, feet floating above the ground. "Harsh, man," he said, wagging a finger. "How would you like it if I went stickin' my hand inside you? Maybe I should give it a try." He reached toward Leo, who leapt sideways out of the way.

"Whoa, sorry," Leo insisted, holding up his hands. "I just wasn't sure you were real. I mean, when I first saw you, I thought you were a joke. Who dresses like that, seriously? What, were you some kind of groupie before you died? Or just one of those posers that mimics celebrities?"

Moros chuckled, but the laugh was so dry that it was obvious he wasn't amused in the slightest. "That's cute, bro, but—"

"That's it—Nyx," Leo interrupted, snapping his fingers. When Moros frowned, he went on, "Sorry. That weird-looking face and hair of yours seemed familiar and I've been trying to remember who you reminded me of. I got it, though. You're a dead ringer for your mother. Tough break, man." He shook his head in mock sympathy.

Moros' smirk vanished immediately. "What did you say?" he asked, voice suddenly low and threatening.

Leo shrugged. "Nyx. Never met her personally, but I've seen her. Not much of a 'goddess', I gotta say—she's even uglier and less impressive than you." Nico cringed, wondering how smart it was to insult the Queen of Night and hoping she didn't happen to be listening in from wherever she was. The words got the desired effect, though, if the expression on Moros' face was any indication.

"My mother is the most powerful and beautiful goddess of them all," the spirit said scathingly, a snarl contorting his ghostly features. "Those other gods could never stand up to her. And how dare you say otherwise? If I called her here, she'd destroy you before that mouth of yours took another breath. A child like you isn't even worthy to say her name!"

"Child, huh?" Leo repeated. He looked sideways at Moros and smirked, saying, "I'm not the one threatening to cry for his mommy."

That seemed to do it. Moros screamed angrily and charged at Leo, both ethereal arms outstretched. Leo dodged to the side and laughed, before turning and bolting off into the trees. With a furious yell of "We'll see who's crying when I'm done with you!" Moros sped after him.

The instant they were out of sight, Nico turned and looked up at Reyna as she asked dryly, "How about getting me down from here?" He stepped back against the nearest tree and a quick shadow-travel-jump later, Reyna was safe on the ground again. She picked up her knife from where it had fallen and said firmly, "Let's go." And together they headed off after the others.

They shouldn't have been far from the cemetery, if Nico had pictured the map correctly in his head. As long as Leo was able to evade Moros long enough to get him in position, they were in the clear.

After a minute or so, they found it. The trees thinned and ended in a jagged line surrounding a small collection of scattered headstones. Some looked relatively new and well-taken-care-of, but others were worn and broken, probably centuries old. Nico could feel a cold surge of power as he and Reyna crouched just inside the line of trees, eyes peering through the darkness to where Leo and Moros stood facing each other amid the assortment of graves.

"Now?" Reyna asked, grip tightening on her dagger.

"Not yet," Nico replied with a shake of his head. "I have to meditate first—establish a connection to the Underworld. Shouldn't take long, but he can't see me until I'm done. We can't draw his attention." Reyna clucked her tongue and scowled, but she followed his instructions and remained still and silent, her eyes trained forward on the spirit of doom.

As Nico sat down on the ground and crossed his legs, resting his hands on his knees, he shot a glance through the darkness to make sure time was still on their side. Moros hadn't summoned any ghost-hounds, which was a good sign, but judging by the look on his face he was heading in that direction. He was saying something about how his power was only a fraction of Nyx's and he still wouldn't need her help to finish off a few weakling demigods and was glaring at Leo, who was inching slowly back away from him and guiding him to the very center of the graveyard—just like Nico had told him to.

Taking a deep breath, Nico closed his eyes and let the darkness around him thicken. He slowed his breathing so it was barely more than a tiny tickle of air movement, reaching with his mind for the world of the dead that lay beneath him. As he did so, the sounds around him seemed to become sharper—he could hear leaves rustling and insects buzzing. He could even hear Reyna's steady breathing beside him, feel the beating of her heart. He was instantly aware of every living thing within a mile radius of the cemetery—and every dead thing buried beneath it.

"It's a good thing we're in a graveyard, kid," Moros' voice said bitingly, and Nico spared a fraction of his concentration to listen just in case things got ugly. "'Cause I'm about to bury you."

"I'd like to see you try," Leo replied lightly. "Actually, strike that. I'd like to see you fail." Moros growled in anger and Nico heard his fingers snap. A vicious snarl, an intake of breath from Reyna, a surge of fire, a howl. Then Leo laughed, and Nico knew everything was alright.

"Now I see why your doom-aura is out'a control," Moros said. "You got a death wish, don't you? Fine. I don't make a habit of grantin' wishes, but I'll make an exception for you, bro. Let's take that head injury of yours a step further." Another snap of the spirit's fingers, and this time Leo suddenly screamed in pain. Beside Nico, Reyna tensed and started to rise, and he could feel her heartbeat picking up speed.

Nico reached out and grabbed Reyna's sleeve. "Wait," he said, eyes remaining closed.

"He'll kill him!" she shot back in a harsh whisper. Nico frowned and opened his eyes in time to see Leo stagger to one knee, both hands tightly gripping the sides of his head as Moros watched with a smug expression. He looked over at Reyna to see her staring at him with intense, almost angry eyes. Realizing that she had a point, he let go of her without a word. Immediately she sprang to her feet and rushed out into the clearing.

Moros didn't notice her at first, and Nico decided to take advantage of the distraction as best he could and shut his eyes again. He only needed a few more seconds before it could start.

When Moros yelled in anger and surprise, Nico knew Reyna must have successfully attacked him as he used magic, just like she did before. "You!" the spirit snarled at her. "Here to save your boyfriend? Or would you rather die with him?"

Time was up. Nico opened his eyes, feeling the shadows cling to him, and stood up, fixing his gaze on Moros. He opened his mouth and started muttering under his breath—an ancient Greek spell to banish an escaped soul back to the Underworld where it belonged. He hoped Moros hadn't realized yet what was happening and—more importantly—wasn't strong enough to resist it.

Then, just as the spirit turned toward Reyna with the obvious intention of attacking her, he seemed to freeze in place, his arm outstretched. "What the—?" he muttered, eyes dropping to the uneven ground as smoking, shadowy chains suddenly sprang out from the dirt and wrapped themselves around his wrists, ankles, and neck. "Hey! What is this? Stop it!"

Still reciting the spell in a low whisper, Nico stepped out into the cemetery and Moros' eyes snapped onto him. "You," he growled. He lunged toward Nico, but the black chains held him back as they began to sink below the ground, pulling the spirit with them. "You can't do this! Mother will set me free again! Then she'll destroy you! All of you!"

Spell finished, Nico folded his arms. "Nyx doesn't control the dead," he said coldly. "I do."

"NO!" Moros screamed. He pulled and fought against his binds, but to no avail. The smoking chains continued to drag him slowly but surely beneath the earth, back to the land of the dead. "You can't doom me! I am doom! Stop this now!"

Nico's memory flashed back to an hour or so ago, when the spirit had almost killed him with a fatal disease. A sense of morbid satisfaction spread through him and he stepped forward, coming to rest just out of Moros' reach. "You know that moment of panic, right before the end?" he echoed the spirit's words with a smirk. "You feel it yet?"

Moros' eyes widened with fury—and possibly a touch of fear. He screamed in frustration and thrashed his arms uselessly before he was finally pulled into the shadowy ground and silence fell over the graveyard.

As the spell finished and the otherworldly connection broke, Nico felt his energy drain out of him like a dam had been opened. Suddenly weak and tired, he sank to his knees, his eyelids drooping with exhaustion. He'd never actually used that particular banishing spell before, though he'd known in theory how it would work. And it wasn't something he was too keen on doing again in the near future.

"So… he's gone?" Reyna's voice asked. Nico looked up to see her watching him with a slightly nervous expression, like she was afraid he'd decide to go ahead and send her to the Underworld while he was at it. He wasn't exactly surprised, or offended, for that matter. It can't have been the most comfortable thing to watch.

"Yeah," he responded, his voice winded and breathy. "He won't be bothering us again anytime soon."

"Awesome," Leo said in a slightly slurred voice, and Nico turned to see him stumbling unsteadily to his feet. His balance was still off-kilter, though, and he staggered sideways against a tombstone, a hand on his head and a grimace on his face. "We should, uh… find… wait, how did we get here again?"

"The dragon…?" Reyna supplied uncertainly, eyebrows drawing together.

"Dragon, right, yeah," Leo agreed with a frown. "Let's go find it." He blinked hazily and squinted at Nico and Reyna, pointing a finger at the empty yards of air between them. "You four split up and look. I'll… wait here and…" They never found what Leo planned to do, however, because mid-sentence he promptly collapsed onto the ground and passed out.

Reyna looked at Nico and raised an eyebrow. "Four?" she repeated.

Nico sighed heavily, dragging himself to his feet. "Let's just get him some ambrosia so we can get out of here. I don't think he's fixing anything like that."

Nico: "You know that moment of panic, right before the end? You feel it yet?"

My brain: "BUUUUUURN!"

Hahaha XD So anyway, next update probably won't be until sometime next week, unless my schedule suddenly frees up and the block in my mind drops. Leave me a review in the meantime? Later days!

-oMM