Nicholas' head was pounding as him, Jason, Piper, Nico, Frank, Hazel, and Leo reached the Doors of Death after defeating Clytius. He remembered the words of Nemesis: "Someone must stay behind. And when the time comes, do not despair."
Percy took a step back in the Doors of Death and Annabeth scrambled to pull him out, shouting at him that there must be another way.
"Percy! Don't be a hero!" Leo pleaded dramatically. "Don't be a fool with your life!" He said as Frank held him back from going after Annabeth who was going after Percy but was at once held back by Nico.
"NO!" The Daughter of Athena screamed before Percy pulled her into a kiss which he thought would be their last. But in that moment, admit the panic, Nicholas made up his mind. He yanked Percy out of the elevator and stepped in his place. The Heroes all screamed, crying.
"Nick, you can't—" Piper said in a desperate tone. The doors were almost closed.
"Sorry Pipes." Nicholas said, looking at everyone firmly in the eyes as this might be the last time they would see him.
"There's always another way!" Hazel chimed in.
"GET OUT OF THERE!" Nico practically shouted at his older brother. He didn't want to lose another sibling. Not yet.
"Yeah, you should know me by now, Nico. I don't really follow orders." Nicholas said as he winked before the doors closed fully. They all slammed against them, banging on the doors as his friends and his brother were calling out his name.
The elevator started falling into the abyss, the air being sucked out, causing Nicholas to lose his consciousness.
***
The place Nicholas was in was dark and he couldn't see a thing. His stomach twisted as he tried to get up, but his body felt weakened, making it difficult for the Son of Hades to stand.
Panting heavily, Nicholas let out a grunt and pulled himself up before whipping out a dagger that coated itself in flames. He could see more clearly with the flames. The place he was in was a large cave. Large stalactites and stalagmites covered the ceiling floor. Green moss was present on the walls and the air was cold and damp as it filled his lungs. As far as Nicholas was aware, judging by the size of the cave and a low growling coming from behind, he wasn't alone.
What came next was the sound of what might be claws scraping against the floor. Breathing heavily, Nicholas turned around and saw a pair of yellow eyes staring right at him. And then, slowly emerging from the darkness, was a Chimera. It roared loudly, its three heads baring its fangs as it charged towards the Italian.
C'mon Nicholas. This isn't the first monster you have fought.
He thought to himself as he got into a defensive stance, raising the flaming dagger high. The chimera was getting closer, and Nicholas could see that it was much larger than most—more powerful perhaps.
On second thought? Run.
The urge to flee was overwhelming, his instincts screaming at him to escape, but a part of him wanted to fight. The chimera was getting closer, two of its heads spitting out fire while the other spewing acid.
And then it him. Nicholas smirked before shadow travelling above, landing on top of the chimera and slashing its back with the flaming dagger. Slashing the skin, the beast roared in pain, its three heads whipped towards Nicholas, and it bucked and twisted to throw the demigod of its back. The left and right heads snapped towards him while the middle one tired to burn him with fire.
"WOO!" Getting ahold of the three headed monster, Nicholas did the most Leo Valdez thing ever: horseback the chimera.
"Hey. That wasn't so ba-AAAD!" Nicholas was cut off as the chimera let out a roar, trying to throw him off his back as it twisted furiously. It's eyes showing nothing but rage. Having enough, the chimera leapt and flew across the cave. But this wasn't new to Nicholas. He used the flaming dagger to stab the chimera's right wing, causing it to lose its altitude and starting to crash towards the ground, Nicholas successfully guiding it outside of the cave.
