A/N: Thanks muchly to the lovely ViscountessAberowen for her continued support and her eagle eyes when it comes to looking things over!

Chapter 10: One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.

"I didn't shadow travel or anything this time." Nico stared into the fine mist, watching as Dionysus drummed his fingers against his chin. "I promise."

Dionysus' eyes flashed a dangerous purple and his voice, when he spoke, was scathing ice. "No. Of course, you didn't. Not this time. What you did was much worse. Did you learn nothing from Apollo?"

Nico dropped his gaze and concentrated on his clasped hands resting in his lap. He swallowed and nodded. "I wasn't thinking-"

"That much," Dionysus stated with a withering glance, "is obvious."

Nico felt his cheeks flame in embarrassment and closed his eyes. "I was worried. About Leo." Nico's voice was soft and full of apology. "I'm sorry."

Dionysus sighed gustily. "I suppose I should be happy that you honored our discussion last time and reached out for help." He paused. "The entire Waystation came to your aid? How?"

Nico glanced up and nodded. "After we found Leo, I ran back. Everyone but Stan and Deacon and Georgie came- just in case."

Dionysus pursed his lips. "Well. That was fortuitous. How did our friend Litto take it when you told him to stay with Leonardo?"

Nico smiled wearily. "I think he was too tired to argue."

The Lord of the Vine nodded. "And the second creature?"

"Vanished. Faded?" Nico shook his head. "It sort of...dissolved. Into purple fire."

The god frowned. "Well, be that as it may, you have left us with another problem." Dionysus shifted and studied Nico. "Oaths, especially on the River Styx, are not to be taken lightly. You saw firsthand what can happen when an individual does not follow through with their word. You've suffered through the repercussions."

Nico nodded miserably.

"You heroes are so...brash. You let your emotions rule you. Even Athena's children seem to be ruled by emotion more often than not." Dionysus cocked his head to one side. "What do you plan to do? Should your father say yes?"

Nico shrugged uncomfortably. "I hadn't really thought about it. I guess if he says yes, I'll have to make sure Leo doesn't die for a really, really long time."

Dionysus was quiet for several moments. He steepled his fingers in front of him and rested his lips against his joined forefingers. "Most of our actions, Nico, have unintended consequences. Our words have meaning. Even gods must reckon with this. As you very well know, I, myself, lost a son several years ago." The god swallowed heavily. "I wanted to curse the gods and the titans, curse my father and the camp that had failed my son. But what good would that do? I do not have children frivolously like some gods. My children have been few and far between. So the loss of-of Castor was...difficult. And then, after Dakota…."

Dionysus trailed off, and his eyes, Nico noticed with alarm, became glassy.

"But what purpose would my cursing of anyone...what would it serve? Our words have power, Nico. And whether that comes back on us or affects those around us, we have to be cognizant of that."

Finally, the god focused on Nico. "Do you understand?"

Nico nodded.

Dionysus' shoulders fell. "This session was more of a check-in than anything. Is there anything else you wish to speak with me about?"

Nico cleared his throat and answered, "No, Mr. D."

"Very well. I highly urge you to speak with your father. Sooner rather than later. Styx is not a very patient goddess."

Dionysus raised his hand to wave away the mist and disconnect, but Nico blurted out before he could, "I'm sorry."

Mr. D raised an eyebrow and his mouth quirked to the side. "Whatever for?"

"I'm... I'm sorry about your sons. I can't say I really knew Castor but Dakota...Dakota was a good centurion and cared for the Legion. He served it well and...well, I'm sorry he died."

Dionysus' eyes sparkled, and his lips pressed sharply together. He gave a jerky nod and waved his hand, dispelling the mist and the connection.

Nico sighed but continued to spray the mist into the fan.

No time like the present.

"O Fleecy, do me a solid. Show Hades, God of the Dead and Riches, Lord of the Underworld, The Underworld." Nico paused for a moment before adding, "It's collect."

A light and breezy voice answered, "Please wait while we connect you."

What sounded like elevator music played blotchily through the connection. Several minutes passed until the mist crackled, and Nico could hear his father's voice coming through.

"I told you I don't want to try it, Persephone!"

"But, darling. You promised my mother you would eat more vegetables. Don't make me invite her over again!"

The picture came into focus, and Nico saw several figures seated around the dining table in his father's palace. Persephone held a fork with a singed-looking piece of green leaf on the tines. Hades leaned back as far as he could without pushing the chair away from the table.

"It's only because you invited her over that I had to promise that- she bullied me into it."

Persephone pushed the fork further into Hades' face. "Why do you think I invited her? I've been on you for the last century to change your diet! And if the only way to get you to do that is to have mother over for dinner, I'll do it! For every dinner. Do you think I want to listen to her nagging me about why I couldn't settle down with a nice grain god? She's been after me to go on a date with Triptolemus!"

Hades caught sight of Nico. "Dear, I must speak with my son. He's-"

The Goddess of Spring's scowl made Nico take a small step back from the mist. "Not. Until. You've. Tried. A. Single. Bite." She glared at Hades and, without looking away, spoke to the third figure at the table. "Zag? Be a dear, won't you? Talk to Nico until your father decides to stop being so childish."

A young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties pushed his chair back and slowly approached Nico. Black hair fell into eyes that looked dark brown, but Nico knew where actually a deep red. His strong chin and high cheekbones gave him a regal appearance emphasized by his straight back and lithe gait. Black furs wrapped around his broad shoulders and the ropes of muscles in his arms and calves belied a wiry strength. He grinned as he approached, his sharp canine teeth glinting in what little light there was in the underworld dining room.

"Brother!"

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Zagreus. We're brothers now, are we?"

The grin melted into a calculating smirk. "Perhaps I'm coming to accept my little half-brother. Don't want to let father down now, do we?"

Nico shook his head. "I'll just wait. You don't need to keep me entertained."

Zagreus crossed his arms and held one hand up, inspecting his nails as if there were dirt beneath them. "Oh, don't worry, dear brother. I don't do anything I don't want to." His eyes flicked mischievously up to Nico. "Tell me, do you always go around making oaths to Styx?"

Scowling, Nico glared at Persephone's son. "How do you know about that?"

The god threw his head back and laughed. "Oh, please! Everyone knows! Don't you remember how much of a gossip Styx is?" Zagreus raised his eyebrows up and down and smiled slyly. "So, who's this Leonidas?"

"Oh my gods, Zagreus! Seriously. I-I didn't call to talk to you."

A flicker of annoyance crossed the god's face. "I'm trying to be a brother here. Why are you always so surly? Does mother need to turn you into a dandelion again?"

Nico felt his face twist. "She's not my mother."

Zagreus' eyes seemed to soften. "No," he said quietly. "She's not."

The god fell silent and studied Nico. The two of them stared at one another, unspeaking until they heard Hades yell, "Enough, woman-ummmmph!"

Persephone crowed in victory, and the two sons of Hades turned in time to see the Goddess of Spring and Flowers shove a forkful of leafy greens into Hades' open mouth. Hades gulped quickly, coughing and spluttering to avoid choking.

"What in Tartarus was that?"

Persephone beamed. "Pickled chard! With anise and cardamom. Did you like it, sweetling?" Perhaps it was because her eyes closed when she smiled, but Persephone did not see the shudder of disgust from Hades.

"Remind me," he leaned across the table and kissed Persephone on the cheek. "Remind me to personally torture whoever cultivated that horrible plant."

Hades rose from his seat, dropping an unfolded cloth napkin onto the surface as he did so. He called out across the room, "Zagreus. Perhaps you could join your mother in the gardens? I wish to speak to Nico alone."

Nico felt his heart sink into the pit that was his stomach. Of course, his father would be angry. Nico avoided looking at his father as the god approached. Hades joined his and Persephone's son before Nico. The Lord of the Underworld turned his head to his godly son.

"Now, Zagreus."

Without acknowledging a word, the younger god pivoted on his heel and called over his shoulder, "I'll be in touch soon, brother! I'm dying to hear more about this Leonidas!"

Hades sighed as Nico jerked his head up, glaring after his half-brother as the god linked arms with Persephone and left the hall.

"The River Styx, Nico? You swore an oath on the River Styx?" Hades' voice hung heavy with weary disappointment. "What in the name of Olympus above possessed you to do such a thing?"

Nico shrugged but, as he did, he heard Dionysus' voice echo through his head. You're either willing or willful. Either take part in your therapy or good luck when you join the shadows.

Nico licked his lips before speaking. "I spoke rashly. I was-concerned- about a friend of mine."

Hades arched an eyebrow in disbelief. "You were concerned. About a….friend?"

Nico nodded. "Leo's a friend."

"Just a friend." Hades' left hand cupped the god's right elbow as he tapped a finger against his chin.

Nico sighed in irritation. "Yes. Just a friend."

Hades shrugged. "Be that as it may, my children should not be throwing oaths around frivolously over people who are just friends. If he were your enemy, I might be more inclined to understand your choice in words."

Nico clenched his teeth together and remained silent.

"Well, piccolino?"

The son of Hades looked to his father, "Piccolino? What am I? Five?"

While Hades' pale skin held no tint, his eyes seemed to widen in panic. "Isn't that what fathers call their sons? I could have sworn that's what Garibaldi said."

Nico rubbed a hand across his eyes and chuckled, taking comfort in the fact that his father was trying. "I get what you're doing but, well…"

"Well, what?" Hades gazed searchingly at his son.

"I'm not a kid." Nico looked up and rolled his eyes, a slight smile playing across his lips.

The Lord of the Underworld regained his composure and nodded. "Very well. You still have yet to ask your question."

"My question?" Nico frowned in confusion.

Hades simply arched an eyebrow.

Nico worked to force the words out. "Father, may I be in charge of overseeing the punishment of Leonidas Valdez once he dies?" He hated himself for the words that fell from his lips. He didn't mean them, didn't want to be the one in charge. He had just been so worried and wanted Leo to answer him. It felt wrong asking his father to let him punish Leo. So, so wrong.

Hades studied his son for a moment, emotions unreadable behind his dark eyes.

"No." Hades cleared his throat and repeated louder. "No. You may not be the one responsible for punishing Leo's soul in the afterlife should he be handed that decision after judgment."

Nico sighed in relief, realizing just how worried he had been about the slim possibility his father might say yes to teach him a lesson.

Hades' black eyes remained fixed on Nico's face. "But, realize that your words have power, Nico. Even I cannot release you from an oath. Had you not swore to ask me but had sworn you would, indeed, punish the boy...nothing within my power could have stopped or rescinded that oath. Don't forget that even if what you swear is not within your power, you will still have to find a way to make it so or risk breaking your oath. It's a losing battle, Nico."

Hades looked back toward the door where his son and wife had retreated. "There are oaths worth making. People for whom are worth making oaths."

The Lord of the Underworld looked back to his son. "How are your talks with Dionysus coming?"

Nico gaped at his father. "You know about those?"

Hades rolled his eyes. "Please. I am your father, after all."

Shrugging, Nico didn't respond.

Hades frowned. "Dionysus...he does not offer his help lightly. Disappointments have made him bitter. Besides those who went mad in Daedelus' Labyrinth, he has not aided a demigod so closely in centuries."

Silence fell over the two of them. Nico kept his gaze fixed on Hades' chest, studiously avoiding his father's eyes. Hades shifted, uncomfortable in the quiet. "I do believe I should join Persephone and Zagreus in the gardens before they make any more adjustments. Your stepmother has been on a watermelon tourmaline kick lately, and I cannot stand the colors together."

Nico nodded and lowered his arm with the spray bottle, prepared to break the connection. But, much like Nico had earlier with Dionysus, Hades continued talking.

"Nico. I am proud of you. While it might seem like adventures and quests make a hero...it is challenging to escape the shadows that plague us. It is even harder when we live in those shadows. But, I am...thankful you have such strength to fight against them." Hades nodded once and added, "Be well," before the mist dissipated and his image was lost, replaced by the interior of Nico's room.

The son of Hades sat in silence, unmoving, for several minutes.

Why does being well require so much work?

He started at a sudden rapping upon the door. Two voices argued outside.

"I said I was going to knock!"

"Why does it matter which one of us knocks? What are you- five?"

"Shut up!"

"No, you shut up!"

Nico yanked his door open, revealing Stan and Deacon shoving each other with scowls on their faces. As soon as they noticed him, they stopped and turned.

"Hey!"

"Hi."

Nico frowned. "Hello…?"

Deacon put his arms behind his back and shouldered Stan. "Ask him."

"No," Stan elbowed Deacon back. "You ask him."

"Will someone just ask me something? Otherwise, I'm shutting the door."

Stan took a deep breath and spoke fervently, "DoyouwannaplayagameofMagicwithus?"

Nico's eyebrows drew down in confusion. "What?"

Deacon pulled his arms from behind his back and held out a deck of cards. "He's asking, do you want to play a game of Magic with us?"

Nico stood frozen in the doorway. He couldn't remember the last time he had played a card game. A while back, Frank had mentioned playing MythoMagic together. But, after he'd been promoted and returned to New Rome, plans had fallen through.

"Uh, I...sure? I don't know how to play though."

Deacon smiled widely. "We'll teach you! Here!" The boy shoved the deck into Nico's hand. "We'll start you off easy- just Standard Modern. We won't get you started on Commander yet. It's overrated anyway."

Stan rolled his eyes and crossed his arm as Nico turned the deck card-face up and studied the cards. "Speak for yourself. Commander rocks."

Nico ignored the continued squabbling between the two demigods, focusing instead on the cards. The first card on top read: "Forsaken Sanctuary." What looked to be a ruined temple, the roof collapsed to view the misty gloom beyond, sat atop a dual-colored background of white and black. The card was designated as a Land with the card text reading: Forsaken Sanctuary enters the battlefield tapped. An arrow revolved to the right, followed by a white sun symbol, "or," and a black skull. Additional text at the bottom read: "Prayers will curdle on the tongue and be heard by rotting ears.~ Minaldra, the Vizag Atum."

"So," Nico held the card out for inspection. "Is this like an energy card or something?"

Deacon glanced at the card, ignoring Stan's continued insults. "Oh. Yeah. It's a land card. You tap it for mana to cast spells." Deacon turned toward Stan. "Are you ready to play, or are you going to just keep ranting like a child?"

Stan stuck his tongue out at his brother. Deacon shook his head and proceeded to walk toward the staircase. "Come on then!"

Nico's fingers curled around the deck, an unexpected excitement beginning to creep over him. "Where are we going to play? Will it be alright playing with three people?"

Stand walked next to him, humming slightly. Deacon replied from in front. "Downstairs. We should be- multiplayer is fine. But, there's actually four of us."

The trio made their way down the stairs and into the grand hall. "Who else is playing? Georgie?"

Stan stopped humming and pulled a face. "No way. Emmie and Jo have her gardening right now. Besides, you don't want to play her yet- she has a group slug deck that will make you hate the game sometimes."

Group...slug?

"Okay, so…?"

"Oh!" Deacon craned his head back to look at Nico. "Leo said that he'd play if we invited you! We were already planning on asking you. But he said that you used to play some other card game and that he thought you might really be into this one!"

Stan grinned wickedly from beside him. "He has no idea what he's getting into. He thinks it's a kid game. I can't wait to lay a combo on him. That jaw is gonna drop!"

They entered the grand hall and crossed to the large dining table where Leo already sat, a mug in hand. Leo glanced up and caught Nico's eye.

"Hey there, Ghost Boy. Feeling better?"

Nico smiled lightly. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? When did you even wake up?"

When Nico and Lit had finally found the son of Hephaestus, his impish face had been deathly still and pale. Nico couldn't help but think that he had never run so fast as he did running to the Waystation for help. After getting help and making it back to the Waystation, Emmie informed Nico that Leo had a severe concussion. A gash in his shin from the sprinkler head had to be stitched back into place. Other than that, Emmie promised Leo would be fine.

Flushing, Leo scratched his head with a free hand. "Oh, well. Couple hours? Maybe? Emmie and Cal cleared me. Just gotta stay up for a bit and if I nod off, I need someone to wake me up." At Nico's disbelieving look, Leo spoke to convince him. "¡Estoy bien! I'm good. Honestly."

"Well," Nico looked over to the kitchen. "Let me get a drink, and then we can start playing?"

Stan and Deacon nodded and took seats at the table across from Leo. Leo smirked, a smug smile settling on his face.

"Already got you one." Leo pulled the chair out beside him and indicated for Nico to take a seat while pushing an additional mug toward the empty spot. "Hot chocolate okay?"

Nico studied the offered seat and the steaming mug before looking up to catch Leo watching him nervously. The son of Hades smiled warmly and settled into the chair beside the son of Hephaestus. "Hot chocolate is perfect. Thank you."

Nico took a cautious sip from the mug and sighed with contentment. Stan and Deacon squared their shoulders and looked at the two older boys, serious expressions settling across their faces.

"Alright, let's go over the rules then, and we can start playing. In a standard game, each player starts with 20 life…."

Nico's focus on the instructions faded in and out as he sat beside Leo.

Maybe getting better isn't so bad…

"One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again." ~Abraham Maslow