We watched the camper s for a while and helped those who were injured. Then Jason flew in, followed by Frank and Hazel in a chariot driven by two pegasi.
"Hey guys!" Said Hazel
"Hey!"
"Jason did not tell us anything. He just flew into the camp and began yelling our names. Then we rushed to him and he just told us to follow him." said a breathless Frank.
"So....whatsup?" said Hazel
"Well ...." Annabeth told Frank and Hazel all that happened.
"Great. All we need are more impossible quests." said a clearly agitated Hazel.
"At least we won't have to fight any god or goddess this time" said Leo.
" How do you know?" said Percy
"I don't.... Its just a feeling" replied Leo
Just then, the shadow of a tree close to them shimmered then Nico, the son of the god of death Hades, appeared out of the shadow. He stumbled and hugged the tree to stay on his feet.
"Nico!" cried Piper
They ran to Nico.
"I hate shadow travelling." mumbled Nico.
"That makes two of us" replied Leo sarcastically
Nico glared at Leo.
"Sorry" Leo mumbled
Nico cleared his throat and stood up straight.
"Lord Hades summons you.
"Lord who now?" said Leo
"Since when did you start calling your dad 'Lord'?" asked Piper
"You don't wanna know why." replied Nico with a grim face.
"Soo.... How do we get there?" said Hazel
"I'll shadow travel all of you." Nico said
"What? All of us?" Piper asked
"You won't be able to stand for a week!" Frank said
"Trust me. I've been through worse.....much worse" Nico replied with a mournful look
Percy swallowed. He hated to think what Hades had been doing to Nico for Nico to actually call him 'Lord'.
"Now all of you please step in the shadow of this tree." Nico said, gesturing to the tree he had come out from
Hesitantly, they all stepped into the shadow. Nico closed his eyes and all everyone could see was black as they plunged into the shadow.
"We're here." Nico said.
Percy opened his eyes and saw that they were in an empty restaurant.
"Wait a minute, isn't hell supposed to be all dark and spooky with damned souls all over the place?" asked Leo
"This is not hell smart guy" Frank said
"Then what is it?" asked Leo
"Its one of hell's gate ways." Hazel said
"Follow me." Nico said.
He walked across the restaurant to the counter then he pressed a button on the counter and suddenly the wall close to the counter began to change. It materialized into a stairway leading down into darkness.
"Shall we?" asked Nico
"Lead the way" Percy said
They began the descent. Leo summoned a fire ball. Which startled all of them.
"Sorry the place is just so dark" Leo apologized.
"Well warn us before you do that next time" Piper said.
"Fine" Leo said
They continued their descent then suddenly an arrow whizzed by Percy's head.
"What the-" Percy said
Then an a army of monsters appeared out of nowhere and charged at them.
They drew their weapons and prepared for the impact.
