Song: Hall of Fame by The Script

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Nico's POV

The realm of the dead was so... Dead.

I liked it.

The way to Elysium was a long one, but nevertheless I tackled it on foot, wanting to conserve energy. Unfortunately this involved cutting through the Fields of Asphodel. And all those chattering spirits got a little irksome after a while.

I remembered finding Hazel down here years ago... gods, it seemed like decades ago.

Asphodel was so endless...

And the spirits were so annoying.

Ugh.

It got to the point where my feet just hurried me along and my brain occupied itself with contemplating this whole bizarre situation.

Hades saying he cared for me? Hades giving Percy Jackson a chance to continue his life? Since when?

If I was dreaming, I hoped I'd never wake up. It was a good dream.

After an immeasurable length of time I jolted from my thoughts as Elysium's beautiful gates loomed before me.  Finally. My feet were starting to throb.

I approached, almost a little hesitant, and placed a hand on the bars.

Open.

The gates swung open and my eyes, long accustomed to the dark, were taken by surprise in the sudden blinding colour.

The road beneath me was paved with gold. Trees clustered like emerald gems and a spring chuckled nearby. Here and there, dotting the rolling paradise, little villas rang with music and laughter. Laughter rode the breeze and rustled through the leaves, sliding down the stream, and leaving a trail of transparent bubbles that popped open in a chorus of mirth. I inhaled deeply and tasted happiness.

My first steps were tentative; I'd never been here, never felt like this ever before. But soon enough I was half-running, half-laughing, feeling lighter than I had in years. I felt like I could run for miles and never tire. Sing and never lose my voice. Get high on the pure atmosphere and never come down.

Running, running, off the path and through the quivering woods, past smiling people who shouted greetings to me. And then one shout stood out from the rest.

"Nico? Nico di Angelo?"

I skidded to a halt, jumped around, and placed my hand on the tree to steady myself. Barely out of breath, I searched for the source of the voice in the group of people approaching me through the trees.

"Nico!"

And then I saw him. Him and the girl holding his hand, the girl with sparkling golden hair and a smile dancing through her eyes, and parting her lips.

The breath left my body.

"Holy Hera," I gasped. The spell lifted its grasp to allow me to speak. "Beckendorf? Silena*?"

They were here?

I thought back. Well, they would have to be here... Unless they were reborn. I did anticipate meeting someone. There were probably thousands of demigods, heroes, and saviours all throughout Elysium. It does seem odd, now that I think about it.

That tiny chance.

"Nico, that is you! Silena gasped, and covered her mouth with her hands.

"Please tell me you're only here for a visit!" Beckendorf smiled at me. "Silena, dear, he doesn't look dead."

She was still staring at me, and I got a weird feeling in my stomach. It was as if she was seeing into my soul.

"Yes, he does!" Silena stepped forward, and put her hand on my cheek. I'm a lot taller than her now.

"You've grown so much," she whispered sadly. "I miss growing." Her hand moved to my shoulder. Beckendorf gave her other hand a supportive squeeze, and cleared his throat.

"So, uh, Nico. I'm guessing you're here for a reason..."

I stood up taller. Percy.

"Percy."

They spoke in unison.

"Percy? What does Percy have-" Silena gasped as her eyes widened with realization.

"Percy?! He's down here?" She looked at Charles, then back at me.

"Oh no. We haven't heard about that! Or about anything, really... Maybe they would know..." She rambled on, and pointed to the group of people waiting a few trees back.

I scratched the back of my neck.

I couldn't find any familiar faces, and honestly don't want to raise anyone's suspicions.

But I had no choice. This was for Percy, not me.

...But was it?

Silena looked at me expectantly. I could tell she was holding back questions.

A large breath of air escaped my lips.

"Yeah, I'll go talk to them." They both nodded, and fell into step beside me. As we got closer, I could make out each face clearly. Everyone had an air of carelessness. Like they had no worries, and were as happy as anyone could possibly be.

Happiness. It's overrated.

They all smiled at me as I entered the circle. The girls all wore matching white tunics, as the guys were clad in brown. I wonder if there's a dress code. Their curious smiling faces snapped me back into reality.

I was just going to get straight to the point. The  happiness was killing my badass aura. Plus, I have a certain demigod to save.

A fake smile plastered itself onto my face. "Has anyone heard of Percy Jackson?" Everyone shook their heads. Well, all except for one.

A short red head stepped forward. She smiled, and did a quick bow.

"I am Ankatha, and I believe I have heard of your Percy."

My Percy...

"What is it? Have you seen him?" A note of urgency creeped into my voice. Ankatha only giggled.

"No, young one. My dear friend Karasevde was at his descending."

"Where- Where exactly was, um, this descending?" I was trying extremely hard not to lose my patience.

She pointed to the far East.

"At Porta caeli. It's the entrance to this land. He'd probably be very near there." My patience was wearing dangerously thin. I thanked her, and turned back to Charles and Silena.

"Before I go.... Is there anything you want me to pass on?" They shared a glance, then shook their heads. Charles spoke this time.

"We don't want to reopen any old wounds." I nodded, raised a hand in farewell, and turned towards the Porta caeli.

Well, here goes nothing. I breathed in deeply, and set off running, into the great unknown.

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A/N: Heeeyyy! We've both discovered each other's knack for drawing, so we thought: Why not add art for each chapter?! So we'll be adding art to the new chapters, and the older ones as well!

~Calypso101202 & dreamingupastorm