Nico's PoV

I couldn't believe this actually happened. I prayed that this was a dream, but of course, it wasn't. I was actually in Tartarus for the second time in my life. I almost broke down and started screaming at the mere thought of it again, but I held it together. I wasn't alone this time. I had to get three inexperienced demigods and my idiotic boyfriend out of this hell hole. Idiota! Come diavolo ha fatto pensare che stava per arrivare alla spaccatura in ogni caso? Perché era così dei maledettamente convinto che doveva sacrificarsi? (Idiot! How the hell did he think he was going to get to the rift anyway? Why was he so gods damned convinced that he had to sacrifice himself?)

Great, now I'm even thinking in Italian.

"Allora, che cosa gli è successo a Hades Ari?" (I have a feeling this didn't translate correctly. Anyway: So, what the Hades happened to Ari?)

"We can't answer your questions if you speak Italian, Nico," Gab said softly.

I cursed under my breath. "I asked, what happened to Ari?" Gab glanced back at Annie and Nelson who were looking down guiltily. I felt my heart skip a beat in terror. Did I miss feeling her pass when I was diving after Will? I knew she shouldn't have gone on this quest! Why did Hades even ask her to go in the first place? "She's... She's not..."

"No! No, she's not dead." Annie said, shaking her head. "We were talking to Tar-"

"It's probably not a good idea to talk about him. Let's just say our friend down here." Gab said, cutting her off.

"Our friend down here?" I asked skeptically.

"I believe they were talking about me," a voice boomed out of the darkness, surrounding us as we froze in fear. "Ah yes. Nico Di Angelo. I get to see you again at last."

I took a step back and felt Will right behind me. He put his hands around me loosely for comfort as I drew my sword. "What do you want with me, Tartarus?" I asked while I tried my best to keep my voice steady. "Haven't you had enough fun with me?"

"Oh, don't talk like that." I couldn't pin point his voice. He hadn't actually manifested into a humanoid form, so I couldn't attack him. Rude.

"What do you mean 'don't talk like that'?" I shouted in irritation. "I think I have the right to be pissed at you!"

"Well, I wouldn't talk like that because I currently get to decide when I kill your friends," Tartarus laughed. "Oh, and I forgot to congratulate you on actually making friends. Also, is that your... Oh interesting! Never thought you would go for the sunny happy type." He laughed again. It was loud and booming, and it gave me an instant headache.

Will stepped out from behind me and got in front of my protectively. "Hey! Don't you dare talk to him like that, or I'll show you sunshine!"

"Will, no!" I grabbed on to his arm and tried to pull him back. He didn't budge. Curse his stupid height complex!

Tartarus laughed again. "Oh, Will. You are so brave. I admire that. I think I admire that so much, that I will reward you all with a little game. If you survive, you'll earn the honor of being personally killed by me!" His voice boomed around the cavern.

"Tempting," Gab said weakly. "We're very honored to even be in your presence, but we have an appointment in an hour. Maybe you can show us the exit instead?"

"Nice try, little demigod," Tartarus said in an amused voice, "but I think you can skip your appointment."

A second later, I heard chaotic laughter and screeching. I looked up and saw a flock of monsters flying towards us. They landed at our feet, and the hag in the front stepped forward. A voice that seemed to hover above the monsters spoke. "We are the arai, and we came to bring you curses!"

Annie stumbled back into Nelson, and almost fell over. I turned to Will, and his face was pale. "Run."

I was able to write two and a quarter chapters today! The next chapter will be up very soon. I realized that if I write the chapters out on paper, they tend to be shorter, so the next few chapters will probably be shorter than usual. Sorry about that. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter, and please put your weapons away when you read the next one. I don't feel like dying today, and I'm not sure I should post the third chapter I'm going to finish writing today until tomorrow. I don't know. You guys get to decide! Anyway, see you again in a few minutes!