The Eight Part Soul

Prologue

Nico's POV

"Son, I have another job for you," my father, Hades started without preamble. Typical.

He was sitting his throne per usual at his kingdom staring down at me. Seven foot tall and regal yet so chilling, Nico got used to that presence for two years now, but still slightly uncomfortable with his father.

"Yes, Father?" I asked. I just wanted the details and to do it quick. Will promised a good day together when I was yanked here by the shadows. Great timing, Father.

"From a few sources, I found out that another fool decided to have a go with immortality and unfortunately succeeded," Hades scowled at this. Those crazy people who tried immortality always lead to revolts in the Underworld and tons of paperwork for Hades. The horror of paperwork... I shuddered at the one time Hades gave some of it to me. No wonder adults hate life sometimes.

Hades continued, "I only found out about this now and I need you to help me and I need you to release those dammed souls that should have been dead by now to the Field of Punishments where they belong."

"Souls? More than one? More than one fool who chased immortality?" I asked, unbelieving. There was always one crazy every few decades but more than one right now. What bad luck is this?

"Not exactly," Hades smiled a cold, mirthless grin that looked evil funny. "But you know what to do..."

"Yes, Father," I nodded. Immortality or not, they are still souls past their expiration date and of course, souls like that are easy for the son of Hades to release to the Underworld, like Daedalus. At least, he accepted it. Others... well... I was still good at my job.

"Good. Your senses will be able to hone on in those souls and the shadows will be able to help you reach there. Now, be off with you," Hades shortly dismissed me.

"Yes, Father," I said. I'm going to travel to camp first though for Will's surprise. It was going to be fun.

                                   ***

I shadow traveled back to my cabin where Will was waiting with that slightly crooked smile on his face.

"So, another job from your dad?" Will asked. Well, duh. He saw me captured by shadows, my father's favorite way of sending me to his palace... What a dumb question.

"What was that, Angel?" He asked, eyebrows raising.

Did I say that out loud? I cussed.

"No need to be so feisty, Angel. Not good for you."

"Whatever, Dr. Annoying. So what's the big surprise."

Dr. Annoying... In case anyone is wondering about this pet name, let me explain...

It was a few months after the battle of Gaia that Leo came back with Calypso. At that time, I called Will 'Sunshine'. Only for Leo to call Calypso the same thing. When he heard me call Will that, he said, "You can't call your boyfriend 'Sunshine'. I call Calypso 'Sunshine'! And it's perfect for the SuperSizzed McShizzle's girlfriend 'coz she's hot."

"Well, who said I can't call Will 'Sunshine'. It's not like the thing's copyrighted or something," I said. A sign I have spent some time with Percy Jackson. Then again, maybe I've always been like that. I had some dumb ideas in the past.

A moment of silence dawned on us before we said the same thing. "I copyright the use of 'Sunshine' on my significant other!"

Unfortunately, Leo went further...