The Rogue Emperor (A Riordanverse Story)

BONUS: Nico Meets a Roman Princess

Nico shadow travels himself and Will into the Underworld, right in the center of his father's throne room. Thankfully, it was spring and his stepmother was not around to harass him for the impromptu visit. He hadn't exactly announced his arrival to his father and his father wasn't one to be bothered without prior warning.

He  was here with a specific intent. Like Livia and Augustus had predicted, the Romans were curious for an update on the Tiberius situation. Nico was curious on the emperor situation as a whole given that the imperial couple were convinced that the Triumvirate's souls were beginning to stir. It was concerning to say the least and Nico wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Hades is nowhere to be found, his throne empty. Nico turns to looks at Will, who's a bit ashen from being in this realm. Will had been here before when they saved Bob the Titan in Tartarus and it had taken its toll on both of them, but especially Will. Nico knew that his boyfriend had nightmares still and it hurt him that coming back probably was a bit triggering, but he insisted on coming incase things got out of hand.

"You should have told him that you were planning on coming down," says Will with a smirk. "Hades doesn't strike me as a man who enjoys spontaneity. Like someone else I know."

"I'm spontaneous!"

Will laughs. "You keep telling yourself that."

"Dad?" hollers Nico, hoping to summon his father.

"Why don't we just ask what's his face to take us like Livia suggested?"

Nico rolls his eyes; Will had teased him about Germanicus one too many times for him to march his boyfriend over to the judges' tent, if he was even working today. "No."

"Okay what about the other guy? His brother...jar man."

"Drusus?"

He shrugs. "I don't know his name, I wasn't invited by your new best friend."

"She's not even my friend, Livia's] like-"

There's a thundering sound and the room shakes as Hades poofs into existence. "Nico...oh and William."

"You know you can just call me Will, sir," he says sheepishly.

"You didn't drop by to see your dear old dad, did you?"

"No, we'd like to check on Tiberius."

Hades frowns. "What about him? He's still here. Trust me, I've heard the endless complaining."

"Do you think we could look for ourselves? It's not that we don't trust you, but Hazel would like some visual confirmation."

"It's a volatile situation."

Nico furrows his brow confused. "Please?"

"Don't say I didn't warn you..."

Hades takes them to Elysium, the best part of the realm. Nico had been here before and it was definitely his favorite part; everything was so beautiful and everyone was so happy. Good people went here, heroes, do gooders, people like Nico's friends from camp would end up here. One day maybe Will would end up here when he died. Nico wasn't sure what was going to happen when he died or if he could even die. He'd taken the title of Ghost King and that had to mean something here; perhaps his father's favor would allow him to live forever in this land.

It was hard to not be envious of all the souls that ended up here as they got to send eternity having fun all the time; it was a constant party. It didn't surprise them that whoever was keeping Tiberius in check was in Elysium as it seemed like Livia and Augustus' whole family was here. Nico wasn't sure how much punishment the emperor would be getting in a place as great as this, but he had to hold out hope that his father wouldn't have let the imperial couple sway him.