In the darkness, one finds light. (Solangelo)

The goddess of ghosts is banned from the Underworld.

Had about three hours to kill today, so enjoy the next chapter a bit early. Be sure to read the authors note at the bottom, as I will be making a request. Thanks to everybody who reviewed yesterday! I loved reading them, it made me so, so, so, so happy. Enjoy.

The darkness of Achlys's cloak suffocated him. Nico felt the soft, sheen fabric wrap around his lungs, and squeeze the air from his chest cavity. Nico's mouth was agape with shock, and he wanted to let loose an angry scream. He wanted to kick, and fight back against the minor goddess, but the material was too constricting. He felt his body traveling through the shadows of the world. Suddenly, as fast as it all happened, the fabric was gone, and Nico was dropped ten feet from the air, and hit the hard pavement with a groan. 

"Great Gods of Olympus." Nico mumbled. Now he knew how Will felt. 

"What in Hades domain is this, Achlys?" A low rumbled voice echoed throughout the room that Nico had found himself trapped in. He managed to lift his head, and look around. 

He was contained in the seance room of the House of Hades. A round room used by head priestesses to summon powerful spirits. Spirits like my sister, Nico thought. Looming in front of him were the Doors of Death. Dormant as the day Nico, and his friends closed them. The doors stretched up the huge expanse of the wall, but instead of their former open status, the doors were now bound with chains, and over a hundred padlocks locked them in place. 

"A gift, ma'am. A gift for you." Achlys hissed in her demonic voice. Nico hauled himself off the stone floor, and instantly wanted to lay back down. Melinoe stood in front of him in all her glory.

Melinoe was technically Nico's half sister. The daughter of Persephone, and Hades. She was split in appearance straight down the middle. Her hair was parted equally, half black like his own, and half pure white. On her black side, she had hardened skin like a mummy, and two void like black eyes. It was said to symbolize Hades, and her position as Goddess of Ghosts. Her white side had pale, colorless skin, and dainty features. This was said to symbolize Persephone's despair when she returned to the underworld for the winter. 

"Why would I want one of my demigod siblings?" Melinoe snarled. Her face contracted in a a snarl, and she turned her back away from Nico. Nico's hand rested on his blade, and he took a half step toward her. 

"Melinoe." Nico said, his voice wavering. He hadn't faced Melinoe since he retrieved the sword of Hades with Percy, and Thalia. Melinoe had taken on the ghost of Nico's late mother, and Percy vanquished her while he stood paralyzed with fear. Not one of his proudest moments. 

"I come in peace." Nico finished. He slowly brought out the tattered scroll out from his black cloth bag. Melinoe watched him with caution. 

"I need your help. I need to know the whereabouts of this spirt." Nico finished, unrolling the scroll, and holding it in front of his face for Melinoe to look at. She was across the room, but in an instant she flitted toward him at light speed. Nico tried his hardest not to flinch as she leaned close to the scroll. Inspecting the photo with her void-like eyes. 

"I know her." Melinoe said, flitting across the room again, and eyeing Nico with regard. 

"Can you tell me where she is? Please I come in peace." Nico repeated as he returned the scroll to his bag. Melinoe was a powerful goddess. She could control the dead, and take on the one thing that feared Nico most. His past. Nico had a lot of ghosts, and he didn't have indestructible Percy here to save him. He had to keep Melinoe calm, and carefree. 

"Peace." Melinoe said with a scuff. "Mother, and father wanted Peace. Don't haunt the living during the day. Don't upset the balance between living, and death. Don't do this, Don't do that." Melinoe said in a mocking voice, her hands waving around her head in wide, and wild gestures.