Lovely

NICO DI ANGELO

HERE YOU GUYS GO.

Nico facepalmed. "That's why."

The man in front of them had a smirk on his lips. His bluish eyes were staring into Nico's narrowed almost black ones. He had dark brown hair that, in the light, looked pitch black. The man was tall, almost six feet, probably, and his muscles were defined. His tight shirt outlined his abs and biceps. He seemed to be in his early twenties, but with mythical people, they're usually about 10,000. He almost looked like—Nico shook his head. No.

"If it isn't Niccolo himself."

Nico glared at him, and if looks could kill, the man would be six feet under. "It's Nico, you idiot."

His smirk stayed. "Feisty, isn't he?" he asked Hazel.

Hazel stayed silent. With her eyebrows furrowed, she asked, "Nico, who is he?"

The young demigod didn't seem to register her question. "Leave. Now," he growled.

The man chuckled, as if he were amused by Nico's response. "And why should I?"

"Because you're not welcomed here."

Jason, Leo, Piper, and Frank finally caught up with Nico and Hazel.

Leo panted, bending down with his hands on his knees. "Geez, how are you guys not tired?" He then turned to the man. "Nico, you didn't tell us you had friends!"

Nico turned his glare to Leo. "Shut up, you dumba—"

"Nico!" Hazel shouted.

He grumbled something under his breath. It sounded like 'he started it'.

The man cleared his throat. "You need help."

"Do not."

"Do too. I can take you to the Doors."

Nico turned back to him. "Really? How?"

"It's right this way." He opened the door to the small, black building.

Nico hesitated. On one hand, the man would make it easier for them by leading them into it. On the other, what if he was leading them into a trap? Nico didn't want to risk it, but what other choice did he have?

"Fine." He entered the building, followed by Hazel, Frank, Leo, Jason, Piper, and finally the man.

The tall stranger winked at Piper before Jason pulled her closer to him.

-ˋˏ ༻✿༺ ˎˊ-

"Just this way!" the man said.

"You've been saying that for an hour," Nico complained. He wasn't one to whine, but he was starting to get frustrated. "I'm starting to think you don't know where you're going."

He opened another door. "In there."

Nico sighed and walked in. The rest followed. 

"Now where?" the son of Hades asked.

"One second." The man quickly slammed the door and locked it.

Nico rushed to the door. "Hey!" He banged furiously on it. "Open the door!"

The man's voice could be heard on the other side. "You demigods truly are dumb." His footsteps faded away.

"Ugh!" Nico fell against the door, head in his hands. "Of course . . . I fell for it!"

Jason sat beside him. "It's not your fault, Neeks."

Nico glared at him, causing Jason to throw his hands up in surrender. "Nico," he corrected himself. "It's not your fault, Nico."

"I was the one who agreed! How is it not?!"

Jason put his hand on his. "How could you have known that he was a fraud?"

"It was obvious!"

The blonde sighed. "Come on, get up. Let's find a way out of here, yeah?"

Nico reluctantly nodded and Jason pulled him up. They, along with Leo, Piper, Frank, and Hazel, looked around for something to help them get out. 

The group tried punching the wooden door.

Nope.

Cutting it with their swords?

Not at all.

Running and slamming themselves (Leo) into the door?

Nothing but a loud scream from the small boy.

Kicking the door?

The door wasn't affected—at all. It was as if the door was indestructible. For the first time in forever, they all were truly hopeless.

More than half a thousand words. That's good, right? 

~ME