What?! (Stollico)

Chapter 26

Connor's POV

Travis yelled when Nico disappeared, kicking over a nearby trashcan. He had his forehead pressed to the wall, fists clenched and breathing hard. I wrap my arms around his waist comfortingly.

"Hey.. There's other places too. We'll find him, ok? We'll get him back." I assure.

"Connor I'm telling you now, if you hadn't come with me I would've probably killed someone by now." Travis sighed.

"Exactly why I'm here. I keep you sane." I chuckle.

"Yeah, you really do." Travis said, turning and kissing me.

I smile and happily kiss back. "Now let's go find our little Nico."

Travis nodded and took out the map, looking where to go next. One of the red dots glowed a bit so Travis shrugged and pressed it. Shadows surrounded us as we were taken elsewhere.

"Orlando, Florida..." Travis muttered. "Why the hell would he be in Disney land?" He wondered, looking at all the rides.

"Big crowds. Easy to get lost in." I shrug.

"I hate this." Travis sighed. "The only thing that goes through my head is 'why?'"

"Same here." I say. "We'll find out, don't worry."

"I just want to find Nico." Travis mumbled.

"You and me both." I give a small smile.

He nods and we begin walking around, sticking to the sidewalks and such. The sun was barring down on our heads. Me and Travis agree to go change into shorts and find somewhere to put our stuff. We go into a bathroom to change quickly and Travis cuts the sleeves off our t-shirts. When we exit we ran into a lady who stopped us.

"Hello boys. Would you like a specter key?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" I asked.

"You can't recognize a goddess?" She scoffed.

"Persephone? What are you doing here?" Travis asked.

"Being bored. Its too dark down there, I need a little light every now and then." She said.

"Oh." Travis nodded. "What's a specter key though?"

She opened her palm and there was a small key that looked almost transparent. "This is a specter key. Insert it into any door lock and then step inside. Your own personal storage."

Persephone handed Travis the key and he went up to a door, putting the key into the lock. When he opened the door it was just a plain white room, about the size of a normal bedroom.

"Woah." I say, looking inside.

"It's useful. As soon as Nico or that eilodon spots those backpacks or weapons of yours, he's gonnna run. This way, you'll have access to all your stuff and you'll blend in." Persephone says.

"Thank you, my lady." Travis said, giving a small bow.

"Farewell and good luck, this is the last you'll hear from me and Hades until you get Nico." She said, vanishing.

We put our stuff in the room, keeping our own dagger concealed on us though. After we finish we exit the room, closing the door. When we open it again it was just a small store. I grin and Travis hands me the key.

"I trust you with it more." He smiles.

I grin and nod, slipping it into my pocket. "Onwards then."

Travis nods and we walk around the park, keeping our eyes sharp. I'd catch a glimpse of Nico's dark hair before it vanished into the crowds again. It was a while before we actually saw him, no crowds to escape in around us.

"You wouldn't want to cause a public disturbance, now would you?" He spoke, turning to face us.

"Let him go." I say with balled fists. "Now."

Travis runs up, dashing behind him and pushes him between two of the stores. He keeps him pinned as he struggles against Travis. I come up, grabbing the vial and pouring it into his mouth. He goes to spit it out by I keep his mouth shut, forcing him to swallow.

"Ha! That'll only keep me asleep for a bit. Have fun getting me to a god!" He laughed.

Travis rolls his eyes and I keep him pinned as Travis pulls out the map. "The nearest entrance is about a mile north from here."

"What?! Where'd you get that?!" He exclaimed.

"Hades." Travis said simply.

"Blasted gods always helping on quests that's not how-" the golden eyes faded, the Eilodons finally falling asleep.

Nico gasped, was breathing hard, and his knees buckled. I quickly went and lifted him up, princess style. He let his head fall against my shoulder, whimpering slightly.

"Hey we got you now ok?" Travis whispered, gently running a hand through his hair. "Its gonna be alright." He went to push one of the purple dots but frowned when it wasn't a button. "I guess we're walking.."

"One mile isn't so bad." I say.

"You want me to carry him?" Travid asked.

"I'm not a weakling." I roll my eyes and he chuckles. "Let's hurry up and get to Hades before the thing wakes up."

Travis nods and we start walking north, Nico napping in my arms.

~time skiipppp~

We had finally made it back into the underworld, us having to fight a couple monsters along the way. Nothing too big. Anyways, we made our way through the palace to the throne room and Hades stood when we entered, walking over to us.

"Thank you boys." Hades said. "Now I can take care of this pest."

He put two fingers on Nico's forehead, waiting a moment. Nico lurched and clutched his head as Hades pulled the spirit right from him. There was a golden ball of mist in Hades' hand. He grinned wickedly before taking out a jar and putting the mist into it.

"I'll handle that thing later.." He said.

Suddenly Nico was trembling again, breathing hard. Hades said it could've been aftershock of having that in him but Nico had a look of terror on his face.

"H-Hazel." He gasped.

#CLIFFHANGER
Hehehe
BYEE