Sun-kissed Angel (a Solangelo fanfiction)

CHAPTER 8: MIDNIGHT WATCH

Jason

Jason knew he wouldn't have the luxury of sleep. It was five minutes before when he went out if his cabin.

Clarisse was in the front lines.
She faced him. "The Golden Boy is here." Sarcasm never left her voice.

Orders were told. The others on duty scrambled as they took off their armor. Demigods on second watch fanned out next to Jason.

As soon as Clarisse was gone, they assumed their positions. Lou Ellen was faintly bouncing on the balls of his feet.

They patrolled the border for an hour.

"You must care for Nico that much," Lou Ellen said after they scouted the perimeter for ten times in a row.

"What makes you think that?" Jason asked.

Lou Ellen pointed at his face. "It's painted all over your face."

Jason sighed. That he cannot deny.
"The man has suffered enough. He doesn't deserve to go through more pain."

Heck. He  suffered  a  lot  more  pain  than  demigods  deserve  in  a  lifetime.

"Nobody deserves such fate." She said. "The Fates wouldn't give him pain he cannot handle. Everything happens for a reason. We just have to believe. He will come out a better person out from his tragedy."

Jason stared at her. He didn't know where this is coming from.

"If only I can have a word with Nico," Jason muttered.

A smile crept up Lou Ellen's face. "We can fix that."

"Excuse me?"

She faced him with ease. "I can find a way to reach Nico. The question is, are you willing to die?"

****†******†*******†****†

Jason knew Lou Ellen was a daughter of Hecate but she didn't live to his expectations until now.

Lou Ellen explained about the ritual. She called it death  sleep. It was supposed to keep him in a coma long enough for him to find Nico and deathly enough for him not to breathe in that time.

She placed a golden drachma on Jason's pocket.
"You know what to do?"

Jason nodded. He was nervous.

"Drink this," she let him drink a white syrupy substance.

Not a few seconds later, he felt groggy.

"What was that?" He asked. His tongue betrayed him.

"Some stuff," she replied.

Why  won't  she  tell  me?

Jason fought the urge to close his eyes. "Are you sure I'll find Nico?"

She settled down the cup and faced him. "It's up to you to find him. But don't worry, children of the Underworld are acquainted to Death and Dreams. If you can't find him, he will find you."

Jason closed his eyes. "I hope you're right."

She smiled. "Sweet dreams Jason."

†*******†*********†******†******

Jason stood in a dark, dank place. He raised his sword for faint light in vain. It doesn't glow or whatever. He scanned the surroundings. From the looks of it, he was in a cave. A very large cave, he can't even see the end.