Percy Jackson: dark waters

Chapter 10

As I went inside, I noticed that something was off. In the living room I heard the TV was on and playing. I quickly drew my sword and summoned shadows around me to give me some stealth advantage. I prowled, staying close to the walls. When I got to the doors leading to main room, I silently willed them to open. As they moved, I saw horrifying scene. The room was covered in rose petals and on TV was some romantic comedy. The worst kind: so cliche that Aphrodite could not bear watching it. But what really scared me, was the message written with pink fire on the wall:

"Love never forgives - Eros"

Nico's POV

I started to shudder involuntary. All my memories of previous encounter with him returned to me. I tried resisting it, focus on something else, but my mind kept coming back to that moment. He forced me to admit to myself what I tried so hard hiding. I loath that I am different. Why? Why me of all people in the world?

I managed to sit on the couch before culling myself into a ball. My mind wandered to Will. What was he thinking? If anyone heard us, we would be resented by the camp. Jason said that times have changed, but how could society change this much? No! I don't believe it. We would still be persecuted... 

I slowly calmed down. With a snap of my finger, whole house was cleaned and everything returned to how it was. Only when I turned to look at the wall that burned with pink flames only moments ago, the message was still here. Burnt into my wall. "Love never forgives". What in the Zeus underpants is it supposed to mean?

Just then I felt my father summoning me. I quickly shadowtraveled to his palace. I knelled before the throne. My father was there... smiling? Then I noticed that Persephone was sitting next to him. 

"Welcome my son. I summoned you to inform you that My wife managed to break out from her mothers hold and came here." For someone new to this realm, Hades would sound at least indifferent if not grumpy about it, but I knew him better. He was jumping with happiness on the inside, but couldn't express it. I was glad for his happiness. Truth to be told after I became immortal, he stopped distancing himself from me. He no longer fears he will loose me for ever. I think my father was quite lonely without Persephone down here. She is also slowly warming up to me. She said she is thankful I keep her husband company while she is away. Then she threatened me that if I ever do anything to hurt him, she will make Tartarus seem like a playschool. And I thought I can be scary. 

"Ekhm." Ups. I zoned out. "As I was saying, thanks to Seph... I mean my wife, we also got a very valuable info: Zeus is seeking alliance with a powerful monster. We don't know, who is this beast, but he already stroke a deal. In exchange for an artifact, this creature will support him. We must not let that happen. Issue a quest at the camp to get it done and return here. I will have one more task for you." 

"Yes father. I will do as you wish. But if I may... would you and Lady Persephone wish to... watch some movies together? Likeafamily?" I said last words almost faster than Will did when asking me out. Hades looked surprised while my step-mothers expression looked like a mix of surprise and... Happiness?

"Uh... Eh... Yes. I think we might..." Father stumbled upon his word until Persephone cut him out. "Of course Nico. We will gladly spend some time as a family." To my surprise, her voice sounded really sweet. I half expected her to have voice more like Hera. Regal and full of might. "now go with the quest and see you later."

Without further notice I disappeared in the shadows

Percy's POV

I spent last few days with Bianca analyzing the underworld and stopping her from having breakdowns. It was really hard considering I was barely holding, but somehow I did it. In between analyzing the maps of Tartarus and reading myths, we trained.