{1} They Say That Love Is Forever (Nico Di Angelo)

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℕ𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕥𝕖𝕖𝕟

Euphoria
*CUE SONG 5*

We rode the bus to the end of the line. It wasn't too far from where we would enter the underworld, so we just walked the rest of the way.

It was hot in LA. Really hot. I made a decision to roll my sleeves up as we walked and Nico looked over and saw. He took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
It felt strange to have my arms bare, but it felt good at the same time. I was tired of hiding.
I got a few looks, but other than that, it was smooth sailing.

We arrived at a building. I tried to make out the name, but since i have dyslexia, (not as bad as Percy, but its still there) I didn't have time to read what the sign said before Nico pulled me inside.

We walked into a waiting room type place. There was a reception desk with a man in suit sitting there.

He looked up and saw Nico and then he saw me and gave a glare. "Nico, what is that doing here?" The man asked. I knew who he was. Nico told me about him. His name was Charon (care-on).

Nico ignore his statement. "I need to see my dad."

"Not with that thing here" Charon said, pointing at me.

"My names Euphoria." I said, getting tired of being called Thing like an object. Or like a character off The Addams Family.

Charon scoffed. "What a ironic name." He said, glimpsing down at my exposed arms. I quickly rolled my sleeves back down. "Dont seem to happy to me"

Nico gave Charon a look. If looks could kill, Charon would be splattered on the wall. "Look Charon. Here. Take all the money. We just wanna talk to Hades" He said, taking a ziplock bag full of God Money out and holding it up.

Charon got a look of greed in his eyes and i knew we had him. "Very well. You know the way down, Nico. I dont need to guide you."

Nico threw Charon the bag and made his way to an elevator. I followed. I looked back and saw all the spirits wandering around. I could hear them in my head. I hated it. We stood in the elevator and I watched the number of floors we passed.
We made our way down. Way down In the elevator. The elevator had that awful waiting music.

"You know, when I offered to take you here one day, I wanted it to be under different circumstances." Nico said.

I gave him a tight smile. I couldn't think real clear. Sometime today i would be betraying everyone and kick starting a war.

"Hey, you okay?" Nico asked placing his hand on my upper arm.

I nodded. "Perfectly fine" i lied. "Just nervous about going to the underworld."

He nodded in understanding as a ding sounded and the doors slid open. The underworld was basically just like i envisioned it. Dark, gloomy, musty....everything a girl could hope for!

We made our way through it. We followed a path that led to a giant castle. And, my gods, was it beautiful. It was dark and it had a perfect mixture if Greek and Goth architecture. My two favorites.
Nico and I entered the throne room. Hades sat on his throne. He looked so much like Nico. Dark hair, fair complexion, dark eyes. Honestly, I completely understand how Nicos mother fell for him. Since it was fall, Persephone was here. She was beautiful too. She looked faded, though. Like a flower that was in the sun for too long and it got sun bleached.

"Why did you bring her here?!" Hades boomed before we even got a chance to speak. "Give me one reason I shouldn't destroy her right now and send her soul to the field of punishment!"

"Father, she does not want to serve her mother." Nico explained. Nico went on to explain everything. He even spoke of how I tried to kill myself, to which hades just rolled his eyes at.
"—so you see, father, she has no intent on betraying you" Nico finished.

My mind reeled. How was i to steal hades Helm? He had it in his hands, and it was much bigger than me. I tried to come up with a plan. Honestly, I didn't want to serve my mother, but i had to. For Nico. Maybe someday he will come to understand that.

Hades had his head turned and was distracted while he talked to Persephone. I eyed the Helm and my plan was made.

I turned to Nico. I knew if I didn't tell him now, i never would be able to. "Nico, whatever happens, please understand. I did it to save you. You mean everything to me." I said. Nico looked at me with a look of utter confusion. Then, i did something I never thought id do. I leaned in and gave him a soft, quick kiss. He looked at me wide eyed. "I-i love you, Nico" i said.

His eyes finally gave a look of understanding. He finally realized why i was saying all this. "Euphoria, please Don't -"

I didn't give him time to finish. I dashed towards Hades and grabbed the Helm. It shrunk when I grabbed it, so now I could hold it comfortably.

"What in the-" hades started but then he saw me running out of the castle. "I knew it!!" He yelled, shaking the whole ground. I felt tears threatening to escape my eyes, but i held them in.

I took a chance and turned and looked at Nico. He was just standing there, watching me run. His body was slouched over in defeat and his face held a look of sadness. And then i saw the tears running down his cheeks. Then the tears i was holding in, escaped.

I couldn't focus on him, though. I had to get this to my mom. I ran in the direction the voices in my head told me to. I ran through the field of punishment. The scenes i saw almost made me trip, but I looked straight ahead and ran. I ran as fast as possible. I eventually got to a river. I was skeptical to try to jump it, but i did and thankfully i made it.
I continued running. I finally found a path lined with bones. I followed it to my mothers cave.

She was there, waiting. She smirked when she saw what i had "well done, child." She said, approaching me. She took the Helm from me and her hollow eyes seemed to get darker. "Finally, i will rule as i was meant to!"

I felt the  hot tears running down my cheeks. "You promised you wouldn't hurt.Nico." I said.

My mother nodded. "I said that, didn't i? To bad you didn't have me swear on the Styx." She said as she laughed.

I fell to the the ground and I began sobbing now. "NO! Please!! DONT!"

"Love gets you no where." My mother said. "Loves for the weak." She said as she slapped me.

And then, suddenly another voice appeared. "Oh please leave the torturing to me, dear" I froze. No. Please anything but him.

My father appeared in front of me. "Hello, Euphoria." He said as he grabbed my by the hair and yanked me up. "Get up, girl!"
I cried and tried to fight back, but I couldn't.
Then he punched me. And then he punched me again, and again.

"Please! Dont!" I screamed.

"SHUT UP!"

I sobbed. He took me and threw me on the floor again. He pulled out and knife and pulled my sleeves up. He started carving into my arm. I screamed but then the pain faded. I felt myself losing consciences. And then i blacked out.