Disclaimer - I do not own Percy Jackson or Harry Potter.
I would like to dedicate this chapter to akdkksks, the first person to add my story to their reading list.
Nico's POV
Minos taught me everything I know. He introduced me to shadow travel, which, although it tired me out greatly, was an awesome way of getting around. He told me of my parentage, my ability to raise and command the dead, temporarily of course, we wouldn't want souls escaping back into the mortal realm. I had tried to contact Bianca, but every time I tried her spirit wouldn't come forward, it was really starting to frustrate me. Minos and I were camped on the bank of the River Styx. I wore ripped black jeans and a battered aviator's jacket that was several sizes too big, unzipped over a plain black shirt. I tended to the campfire (hellfire, of course) and started throwing my Mythomagic trading cards into it. I couldn't believe I ever liked that game, it's so childish. So much had changed since last year, I was stronger, more powerful and also a year older. I had spent my eleventh birthday with Minos, who had been encouraging me to get revenge on Perseus for letting my sister die. I still had no memory of my time before the Lotus Hotel and Casino, but that was a work in progress. I gazed across the River Styx and muttered "I've failed. There's no way to get her back." I suddenly felt a little hope and turned to Minos. "Is there? Speak." I commanded him. You see Minos wasn't a regular man, no he was the ghost of King Minos from the Greek 'Myths' and I, as a son of Hades, could control him.
"It has never been done," he said. "But there may be a way."
"Tell me," I said eagerly.
"An exchange," he said. "A soul for a soul." My eyes flashed with anger.
"I've offered!"
"Not yours," Minos said. "You cannot offer your father a soul he will eventually collect anyway. Nor will he be anxious for the death of his son. I mean a soul that should have died already. Someone who has cheated Death." My face darkened as I realised what he was suggesting.
"Not that again. You're talking about murder."
"I'm talking about justice." he replied smoothly, trying once again to worm his way into my thoughts. "Vengeance." I had a bad feeling he would end up convincing me, but I was going to resist for the time being.
"Those are not the same thing." I said. Minos let loose a dry laugh.
"You will learn differently when you get older." I stared at the flames, pondering over what he was saying.
"Why can't I at least summon her?" I cried desperately. "I want to talk to her. She would... she would help me." I continued uncertainly.
"I will help you," he promised. "Have I not saved you many times? Did I not lead you through the maze and teach you to use your powers? Do you want revenge for your sister or not?" Everything he said was true and there was no denying it. We would have to enter the Labyrinth again to complete our goal and it would be extremely difficult, not to mention the fact that our goal ended in murder. It's for Bianca. I thought, trying to convince myself. I turned to the fire to hide my face from Minos as a tear traced down my cheek. "Very well. You have a plan?" I barely listened as he explained all the details of our journey, all the 'many dark roads to travel'. I wiped the tear from my cheek as I grabbed the few possessions I had: the necessaries (food, water, hygiene related items), extra clothes, my stygian iron sword I had received as a birthday present from my father to keep my alive, and the little Mythomagic statue of Hades. I had managed to get it back after briefly shadow traveling to camp in the dead of night and had promptly collapsed after my return journey. Minos had helped me get back on my feet and after that incident I was much more inclined to listen to him than before. He stood by the campfire, illuminated in its unnatural, blue glow, waiting patiently for me to gather my stuff. We then set off to a small café in Manhattan, as it had an entrance to the Labyrinth carefully concealed in the cellar. Last time had been pretty safe, Minos had led me away from most of the dangerous traps and monsters, but I had a bad feeling about this time, the same feeling I had when Bianca went on that quest.
Hello again, my little readers :) Not many people have actually read this so far (19/08/21), but I hope in the future more people will find and enjoy this. I'm going to try and complete and publish a load of chapters in one go before only updating about once a month. That way there is still a lot of the story to read before waiting for the next one, rather than if I only had two chapters and you had to wait a month before another one. If you like this so far, tell your friends and leave a vote (you can vote for each chapter so if you like each chapter, then vote each chapter).
Thanks for reading