Nico di Angelo and the Goblet of Fire

Chapter 8: Will Storms the Underworld

You could say Will was exhausted. That would be an understatement. You could also say that Will was furious. That, as well, would be an understatement. But neither of these things were the emotion that affected Will the most. He'd call it determination. Months of his boyfriend missing-he knew exactly what Annabeth had felt when Hera had taken Percy. However, the Queen of Olympus had acted quite nonchalant the first time Will went to Olympus. That had been four months ago, when Will had woken up and found Nico missing. Well, he'd found Nico missing after three days. First, he'd thought he was just with Hazel, but Nico would've said something, and Will had been tired that week. He was still tired. Just more angry.

Currently, he was traveling across the U.S. in the hopes of finding Nico. Actually, the main intention was to get to the Underworld. And to do that, he had to go to California. So he'd been on trains, buses and rented bikes or scooters. For a fourth. The rest he'd been forced to walk. The camp was fine-nothing was happening actually. Most of the campers had been in school, and strangely enough, Chiron was not responding. Will had tried to contact Chiron numerous times, but all his messages went unanswered, showing black. He didn't know what that meant-and he was certain it wasn't good.

He hadn't called anyone after Chiron-he'd only had three drachmas, and he needed to save one for entrance to the Underworld, but when he went to Sally Jackson to get more, she'd looked at him like he was a stranger. Will had concluded that something-or someone-was messing with him and Nico. First having people not remember anything, then having no one remembering a person! Will thought that no one knowing who you were was worse.

Thankfully, on his journey to L.A. he encountered no monsters. The only means of defense Will had was his longbow, which he was only passable at. It wasn't very smart for him to be travelling alone, but Will was sensible. He didn't get himself into trouble like Nico.

Will came to a halt in front of DOA Recording Studios. He paused for a second to stare at the doors and contemplate his life. Was he even doing the right thing? Maybe Nico was in the Underworld. That was unlikely, though. Will's best chance was that Hades had information.

Will opened the door to a freezing gust of wind. A man in a Italian suit looked up, showing a skeletal face. Charon flickered in between living and dead-it was disorienting.

"Never thought I'd see a son of Apollo enter here. Not an alive one, at least," Charon rumbled, his voice deep and shaking.

Will took a shaky step forward. He couldn't look scared. You're doing this for Nico, he reminded himself. You're doing this for Nico. You can be brave. "I would like entrance to the Underworld," Will said quietly, but his voice didn't quiver.

Charon nodded, rubbing a bony jaw. Will contained his flinch at the grating of bones. "I don't do charity. Do you have money, Apollo boy?"

Will nodded, stepping forward and sliding his last drachma over.

Charon picked it. "Suppose it's enough for one trip." He waved an elegant hand towards an Italian gondola.

Will stepped over the souls there. Their pleas were breaking into his mind, making him lose concentration. He had to keep up the facade. He had to remain calm.

On the way down the Styx, Charon's form became completely a skeleton. Will wasn't alarmed, seeing as he had already seen it. It must have been an Apollo thing.

Will climbed out of the gondola onto the barren shoreline. "Will you take me back?"

Charon laughed. "No. You had enough for one trip. You're staying down here, Apollo boy."

Will finally shivered at this. "Well, thanks anyway."

Charon tipped his hat. "Make it back to the surface, and you need another ride, you have me. For the right price."

Will flinched again, but turned around before Charon left. When he looked back again, the boatman had vanished. Great.

Will strode forward, forcing himself to stay calm. He was a doctor. He could perform surgeries and not blink an eye, but the underworld frightened him.

The lines of the dead snaked around a sleeping Cerberous. Was that good luck or bad luck? It forced Will to go in. After all, he had no way out.

Will snuck around the enormous hellhound, making his way to the palace of Hades.

He entered the iron gates, which swung ominously shut behind him. He could've swore he'd seen the skeleton guards smirk.

Hades was leaning on his throne, almost like he'd been expecting Will. "I presume you've come to ask about my son?"

Will kneeled. "Yes, Lord Hades."

"I have absolutely no idea where he is. However, Hera does, and I don't wish to interfere with her plans. The Underworld is one of the few places that resists her influence." Hades said calmly, like he didn't care about Nico.

Will gulped. "Thank you, Lord Hades." So Hera had been lying. She had always been the one to meddle in affairs.

"May I ask one thing?" Will said tentatively.

Hades arched an eyebrow. "I suppose," he said with graceful elegance. His aura spread throughout the room, making Will want to cower and curl up in his bed. And maybe cry.

"Could you send me to Olympus?" Will asked.

"No. I will not do anything for demigods."

"Can't you do this?" Will practically begged. He needed to leave. He couldn't be stuck in the Underworld. He couldn't fail.

"My answer remains the same," Hades said. "No. I will, however, give you a ray of sunlight. Use that to the best of your ability, and you will be able to leave the Underworld."

Will swallowed nervously. This would be the best offer he could get, and he knew not to push it anymore. "Thank you, Lord Hades."

Hades nodded and closed his fist. There was a cracking noise, shaking the entire cavern. The ceiling opened to show a tiny hole. Sunlight. It was L.A.-thousands of meters above.

"Use it wisely, boy," Hades said. "I will close this soon."

Will nodded and focused on the beam. He felt it warp around him. Then everything exploded into bright light and the throne room vanished.