PROLOGUE: A NOTE FROM THE FATES

Nico di Angelo didn't often show love, not anymore, but he always had love for his sisters. For Bianca, who was there from the start-until she wasn't. For Hazel, who he had brought back to life, and given another chance. And for Layla... who had gone missing over two years ago.

She just... vanished. There was no sign of where she could've gone, or how she vanished in the first place.

Nico knew that she wasn't dead-if anyone would've known, it was him. But her soul... wasn't there. It was like one day she just ceased to exist.

He remembered when Percy told him she was gone, too. Nico had been Iris Messaged an hour after Layla's disappearance, Percy quickly asking if he knew where Layla had gone. Nico could only frown for a moment before saying he had no idea where she had gone.

Nico searched by himself for an hour, before growing more worried and arriving at camp to check there. He shadow travelled to a nearby tree, immediately meeting up with Percy and Annabeth, and upon finding that Layla was still missing, the panic really began to set in.

Eventually, half the camp was on lookout. It wasn't like Layla to leave Camp Half-Blood. It was her home-the only one she had. She wasn't like Nico. She didn't travel around aimlessly, looking for a place to stay. She loved camp, and the people in it. So for her to leave out of the blue was unlike her. Even if she were to leave, she would've told someone.

So, despite their best efforts, Layla could not be found. It was like she had vanished into thin air. However, there wasn't a day that went by where Nico wasn't off looking for her, because he'd be damned if he didn't find his sister.

Two years. Two fucking years without Layla, and Nico was still looking. He had found Hazel somewhere in that time, and the Greeks and Romans had discovered each other, and almost started a war. In the end, they fought side by side to defeat Gaea.

Nico told Hazel all about Layla-not as if she was dead, but so that when they did meet, Hazel could better understand her sister. Nico didn't doubt that the two would get along, however, as they were both quite alike.

Slowly, the rest of camp began to give up hope, despite Nico promising that she wasn't dead. Even his father, Hades, had said she wasn't dead. That didn't stop most from believing she would never return home.

Will Solace believed Nico, though. He always did, and Nico was so grateful for it. He thought that maybe if Will didn't believe him, he would've given up hope too.

But strangely enough, while thinking about his lost sister while talking to Will about random things, Nico began to feel dizzy. Will immediately grew worried, holding a hand out onto Nico's arm. "Nico?" Will asked, but his voice barely came through, "Nico, are you-" he couldn't finish his sentence, because he began to sway too.

Before Nico could try to steady himself, everything went black. He began to blink rapidly, and the haze cleared. He looked around and-what the fuck? He was in a movie theatre?

"What just happened?" He turned to the voice on his left, surprised to see Jason Grace standing there, holding his stomach as if to not throw up.

"Dude, you think we know?" Percy stood close by, rubbing his temples, with Annabeth close to his side. Nico slowly glanced around, coming to the quick realization that he was surrounded by a group of demigods-both Roman and Greek. Grover, a satyr, was also there.

"Why are we in a movie theatre?" Conner Stoll spoke up next.

"Who cares," his brother, Travis, said, "I feel nauseous."

"Guys," Annabeth quickly spoke up, pointing to a small table and chair which Nico had yet to notice. They were placed in front of the movie theatre seats, and the table had a small piece of paper on it, as well as three stacked books. "There's a note." She quickly rushed over to it, despite her nausea. The others watched as her eyes scanned over it, before she frowned. "It's in English... I... hold on."

Frank Zhang walked up, hesitating before holding out a hand, "I can read it." He said. A few looked confused, but those who knew him well knew that he was one of the few demigods who weren't dyslexic. Annabeth glanced up at him before handing him the note, and he scanned over it quickly before his eyes widened and he looked up.

"Read it." Jason nodded encouragingly.

Frank huffed before clearing his throat, speaking loud enough for the entire room of demigods to hear.

"Dear demigods,

You've been gathered here today to finally learn about where Layla, the daughter of Hades, has been all this time. There are three books exactly, which you must read. Each book is from her perspective, and visuals will be shown on the movie screen as you read.

Time outside of this movie theatre will be frozen, and all your necessities will be provided. We ask that you all take a seat and begin the first book.

Before you begin, however, we must brief you on where Layla is. Layla has been stuck in another universe-on a world where the sun has scorched the planet and a virus has taken over. A company known as WCKD does tests on children to try and find a cure by sending them up into a Maze to study how their bodies react to the new environment.

The rest of your questions will be answered. Once the entire trilogy is over, Layla will return.

From, the Fates"

The room went dead silent before shouts broke out. Nico, however, couldn't speak. He stared at the note in Frank's hand, watching as the buff boy set it down on the table before exhaling heavily as he processed the information too.

The Romans didn't know much about Layla, but word had spread of her disappearance, so to hear that this was happening, was a shock to everyone.

Nico felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned, and Will was looking at him with deep concern. "Nico?" He frowned, watching as Nico held back tears. He didn't like to talk about Layla anymore, and this was all too much.

Will brought Nico into a hug.

Soon, the chaos died down. Annabeth had to stand on the table and shout out to everyone to get them to quiet down. They all looked to her in surprise, before waiting for her to speak. Annabeth glanced at Nico for half a second, before looking out to everyone else.

"I think it's safe to say... that we probably won't be able to leave until we read these books." Annabeth gestured to the Stoll brothers and a few children of Mercury who had attempted to break out of the doors that looked to be exits, only to have no luck. "So, the best thing we can do is sit down, and read them. I know a lot of you have been worried for Layla, myself included, so I don't plan on leaving until we're done here. Besides, the letter was from the Fates... we can't not do what they say." She reasoned.

There were a few mutters of agreement, and some demigods began to take their seats. Jason looked around, "how about we take a small break in between each book, if we can." He suggested, "to stretch out our legs... process it. Talk about it."

Reyna nodded in approval, turning to face the others, "any complaints?" She asked. No one bothered to do so. She nodded once more, "very well. Everyone take their seats-then we can start the book." She referenced the letter.

"Who's gonna read?" A voice called out from the group of demigods. "The majority of us can't."

Frank sighed as multiple sets of eyes went to him. "I can read the first book." He suggested. He was growing more comfortable in his own skin, especially with being a praetor, but he was still self conscious. Upon seeing nods of encouragement, and appreciative looks sent his way, however, he felt more comfortable with reading.

Frank walked over to the table, picking up what looked to be the first book, before sitting in the chair next to it. He then waited patiently.

The demigods around the room began pairing up with friends-the seven (minus Frank) sat closer to the front, with Nico, Will, Reyna and Grover sitting next to them. The others finally finished taking their seats, and the movie screen turned on in a blinding light as Frank opened the first book.

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lizzie speaks...

again... it's mostly gonna be from layla's perspective because that's what they're there for. ik that's not how these type of fics work... but i'm lazy (i won't lie to you)

sorry if you wanted the gods there... they aren't. it's just the demigods and grover (i couldn't leave out grover <3)

anyway, enjoy. don't forget: if you would prefer to read this without the 'reading the books' theme, the original fic is called Six Feet Under, and it's on my account now!

also for ppl reading this in time with me posting, i'll post chapter one tomorrow morning. it's almost 4 am and i'm tired so here's the prologue but omfg i need sleep lol