The Guardian of the Underworld

Chapter 14: Nico

What was that in front of him? A hooded figure... they looked dead. "Charon?" Nico said in a whisper. "Why aren't you back at work?"

The person stepped forward and threw their head back with a laugh. "The Dark Lord had me come here. Said the dead could wait."

"What does he want from us?" Nico tilted his head to the side, still in shock that his father would send him here. "Isn't he always busy running council meetings?" 

Charon chuckled and shook his head, the hood of his cloak still thrown over. "Ay, but he said this was important. He wants you three," he pointed a finger towards the boys before continuing on, "along with all your other friends. Said to be expecting something." 

At the mention of this 'something,' the two hellhounds circled around happily. Had this been why they had met Bobo? Was he supposed to help them get to wherever they needed to be?

Again, Charon pressed the matter and glanced around looking for everyone else. "It's urgent. He needs to see you all immediately..." Trailing off, he walked around them and glanced out to the water. "Where did everyone else go?"

Will and Frank looked to Nico for the answer too. "Oh, uh, they went down to Poseidon's Palace. They haven't come back yet." He twisted his ring around his finger and grew a little more nervous. They'd been gone longer than they should've been and Nico was worried that something might've happened. 

With a sudden gasp, Charon threw his hands in the air with a look on his face as if everything now made sense. "Ah, I see. Well then, we can have Bobo stay here and wait for them while all of you take Mrs. O'Leary.

Stuttering a bit when he spoke again, Will tried to grasp at his words. "You- you called him Bobo," he looked from Charon to Frank with a hand up to both of them as if that would piece everything together.

"I believe I did. Does he not look like one?" Charon gave a wink before sighing and gripping his cloak again. "Well, I best be off. Do be careful." And with that, he vanished into a cloud of smoke and left the boys wondering what to do next.

Frank spoke for the first time since they had seen Charon and was left with his eyes wide. "How- where- I-" Not able to form full sentences, he made his way over to Mrs. O'Leary and slid onto her back. Taking a deep breath, Frank looked at Will and Nico with a somewhat confused expression. "Should we listen to what the dead man said to do, then?"

Nico couldn't help but smile at that description and followed behind Frank, unknowingly dragging Will with him. "Alright, Bobo, you stay here. When the others come back out, take them to my father. Got it?"

Bobo made a grunting sound and continued walking around them. Once they were all on the back of the other hellhound, Nico patted her side and spoke in a low voice. "Come on. Take us to the Underworld."