~ * Prunella * ~

Inescapable

The closer Percy got to Eurynomos' forest the less convinced he was that was an actual forest. The tree-like structures were blacker than night and perfect in their stillness. As observed on his first day, they were void of anything that might be considered foliage. They stretched on far above Percy's head and as he peered into the forest, little light seemed to penetrate their imposing bark.

Right, Percy thought. No big deal. He would just stroll through the creepy maybe-forest until he reached Eurynomos' house. No biggie. Steeling his nerves, Percy held his head high and took a step inside the forest. His foot made no sound as it landed on the hard ground and nothing rushed out to eat him. He took that as a good sign. Three steps in and Percy had to blink fiercely to adjust to the sudden drop in light.

Last task, last task, last task, Percy repeated to himself, hoping the chant would somehow inspire confidence in his breast.

The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he pushed deeper into the forest. He paused, casting his eyes around the dense space. Nothing moved. Nothing made a sound.

"Nico?" Percy called, body tense. Nothing came forth from the shadows.

"Nico, dude, I really hope that's you because it would suck if it wasn't. Don't keep me in suspense."

Percy really hoped Nico was keeping him in suspense. The gloom of the forest pressed around him like something tangible, settling in his lungs and weighing him down with every slow inhale.

"C'mon Nics—" Percy wasn't willing to entertain the idea that it could be anything other than Nico lurking in the shadows "—hey, do you know who Eurynomos is?"

The gloom sparked in front of him and Percy reacted—he would have had his surprise guest in a headlock except they were gone as soon as they were there and Nico stared at him, one eyebrow raised, two arms lengths away.

"Dammit Nico," Percy gasped, clutching his chest like a damsel in distress. "Don't do that."

"Eurynomos?" Nico repeated, invading Percy's personal space. His eyes were wild, jaw clenched.

"Yeah—Nico, can't you warn me like a normal person? I was literally calling your name—"

"You can't go to Eurynomos'."

Percy froze, frowning.

"What? What are you talking about Nics? I have to—Melinoë gave it to me as my final task. I gotta steal something, an urn or whatever. Hope it's not like a used ashes filled urn, because that'd be kind of gross—"

Nico reached out, grabbing Percy by the shoulders and yanking him closer until his nose was inches from Percy's own. Although his features were youthful, there was a weariness in the corner of his mouth, an eternity in his eyes. They were very nice eyes actually, the dark almost black irises weren't like the darkness that pressed around him the last few days—and oh Nico was talking.

"—you can't Percy. Eurynomos is—is—" Nico's eyes flickered around Percy's face as he searched for words, mouth working soundlessly for a moment. "He's the daimon of corpses."

Oh. That . . . was terrifying. A daimon. Of corpses. That seemed like just a little bit of overkill, whoever decided that.

"But I have to," Percy reminded Nico, reaching up to cover Nico's hands with his own. Nico's fingers dug into his skin, refusing to let go.

"Would it really be so bad to live down here?" Nico asked, eyes drilling into Percy's own. "I can protect you from Melinoë, she won't dare hurt you with me around. I know the world is dark but it has those stupid dandelions you thought were so cheerful and—and you'd be alive. I would keep you safe, Percy, please, Eurynomos is . . . . He'll kill you, without hesitation. He's giant and powerful and unstoppable and there's nothing I can do against him. I only have so much power down here, Percy. I can't save you from him."

"And I'm not asking you to," Percy said, gently prying Nico's death grip from his shoulders. He didn't let go of his fingers right away, squeezing them gently. Nico's eyes were wild and desperate and Percy's heart gave a little pang at the sight.

"I appreciate all your help Nico, but I don't need protection," Percy said, releasing Nico's fingers. "I'm not as helpless as I look."

He grinned . . . Nico didn't look particularly convinced. His mouth turned down, his face closing off.

"Would it be so terrible for you to live here." Nico's lips barely moved.

"No! Yes? I mean," Percy groaned, pressing a hand against his eyes. "No, it wouldn't be terrible to be here with you, that'd be great, I really like you, Nico, you're great. But here? In Melinoë's realm? You know that sucks. It's dark, it's gloomy, there's no sun or freedom and Melinoë rules, no matter what even you try to do about it. You said it yourself, you don't have that much power down here. That would suck."

Nico's face didn't change. Percy allowed himself a moment to consider the offer. It really wouldn't be terrible to spend forever with Nico. Percy liked him, a lot. He'd done so much for Percy and always for nothing in return. But Melinoë ruled this realm, not Nico, not matter how hard he tried. There had to be a reason Nico disappeared when the she-demon was around. And there was no telling what she would do to him, to them, if Percy stayed. She could lock Percy up, she could outright kill him. There was no saying what the she-demon would do. Staying here was no guarantee of safety, Nico had to know that.

Percy sighed. "I'm sorry Nico."

"I can take you to Eurynomos." Nico could have been made of stone for all he moved and emoted.

"Thank you."

Nico turned stiffly on his heel and began walking. Percy had to take quick strides to reach his side and made the mistake of looking over at Nico's face. It was hardened and blank and it tugged at Percy's heart until it felt like his insides were torn to pieces.

"Hey," Percy cleared his throat, valiantly shoving emotions back down his throat where they belonged, they couldn't do him any good now anyway. "Have you ever heard of the Ghost King?"

Nico's footsteps faltered which Percy took as a yes.

"Because Melinoë mentioned him too," Percy babbled. "She kind of warned him about him? Which is weird, don't know why she would try to help me? She said, how did she put it? Oh yes, he would misguide me under the 'portends of companionship'. Jokes on her, I have no idea what that means."

He tried to laugh but the sound came out strangled and kind of pathetic so he stopped. Nico, somehow, impossibly, stiffened even further at his side and Percy sighed.

"The Ghost King . . . ," Nico gave his own sigh, "the Ghost King won't bother you."

Nico offered nothing else so they walked in thick, depressing silence for a few more paces.

"Tell me about Nico," Percy blurted out as he ducked under a low-lying branch of one of the ink black trees.

"What are you going on about?" Nico snorted, his words laced with bitterness. He still wouldn't look Percy's way.

"I want to know more about you," Percy pressed. Before I have to leave you went unsaid and Percy had to swallow hard.

"Haven't I already told you that story, twice now." Nico's face twisted, a scowl edged deep in his face.

Percy shrugged. "Not really. You told me about your dad and stepmom but not about you."

"I'm damned to Melinoë's realm for all of eternity," Nico reminded him, his voice expressionless.

"Yeah, but that's not who you are."

Nico fell silent for a moment. "There's not much to tell. I'm not very interesting."

"That's not true!" Percy objected, nudging the guy in the side. "You can disappear into shadows, your sense of humor is almost as great as mine! And you helped this poor helpless idiot out of the goodness of your heart. That's pretty interesting if you ask me."

The tips of Nico's ears were red again.

"Come on," Percy all but begged, stepping close so their sides were almost pressed together. "Please, Nico?"

Nico sighed. "I had a sister—her name was Bianca. She was just barely older than me and it was only the two of us for a long time. And there was this stupid game I invented, it was really stupid and I was real young okay? And it was stupid but she played it and it was all about gods and goddesses and monsters or whatever—it was really dumb but she always played it with me—"

Percy watched as Nico talked, the shadow of a smile on his face as he spoke about his sister and his (really, really stupid) game they used to play. Percy couldn't keep a soft smile from his own face as he watched how Nico's eyes lit up with something almost akin to life talking about his dead sister and the things they used to play.

"She sounds amazing," Percy said when Nico's words trailed off, pandering into silence. "I bet that game wasn't half as stupid as you make it sound."

Nico didn't make any retort.

"Nico?"

"We're here." Nico stared forward, his lips barely moving. The warmth that settled into his voice when speaking of his sister vanished without a trace, icy stillness left in its place.

Percy stared at Nico's face a moment longer, at the curve of his dark eyes and the flat line of his mouth, before pivoting to spy what lay before them. The forest broke, the darkened branches of the trees curling away to reveal a house. Well, it was probably a house. It was house-shaped, albeit dark and broken in multiple places. A real fixer-upper that honestly looked beyond repair. There was no grass on the lawn just blackened soot and on the porch, the door stood half ajar. Percy craned his neck to see inside the darkened doorstep but could make out only shadows. When he turned his gaze back to the lawn he noticed white objects protruding from the soot. His stomach gave a sickening lurch—they were skeletons. A skull rested just before the porch, its mouth open in a grotesque grin.

"Eurynomos' abode."

Any other time Percy would have teased Nico about such an antiquated word—abode honestly—but the seriousness in the man's voice and the weight the words carried gave his tongue pause. Percy swallowed hard.

Percy felt Nico move and, turning, watched his hands curl into fists.

"You can't go," Nico said, breathing hard.

"I have to go," Percy reminded him, trying to keep his voice gentle

"Eurynomos will kill you, don't you understand?"

"What will Melinoë do to me if I don't?"

"I can protect you!" Nico all but shouted, emotions bursting through his stony exterior. He spun around, grabbing Percy by the arm hard enough to bruise. "I will protect you, Melinoë won't—"

Percy let his hands curl around Nico's wrists. "And what then Nico? I can't hide in the shadows like you can. I can't touch the untouchable water or turn flowers into wine. I'm mortal, from the mortal realm. I need drinkable water and food and—and sunlight and warmth and freedom—" Percy's voice broke and it was only then he realized there were tears in his eyes. He blinked hard, trying to get them to disappear. God but this was so hard.

"And I will die here, eventually. I'm mortal, I only live so long," Percy reminded him. "So really, no one gets me forever, you or Melinoë."

"I won't live my life in fear, under someone else's control or by someone else's rules, Nico. I can't do that."

Nico breathed heavily, fingers digging into Percy's arms. When Percy pulled at his wrist though, he didn't fight Percy, letting his fingers fall slack and the mortal man pushed him away.

"But hey," Percy said, unable to stop his voice from wavering a little. "If I fail, I'd like you to teach me that game."

"If you fail, Eurynomos will kill you."

"Yeah well." Percy couldn't look at Nico's face anymore. He turned his back and stepped out of the forest. "Maybe the Ghost King will bring me back to you."

If Nico had a response to that, Percy didn't hear it. The black soot outside Eurynomos' door burst into little dust storms with every step Percy took. He repressed a shiver as the cold cut through his thin clothes. He couldn't tell if the air was colder here or just felt that way without Nico beside him anymore. He made it all the way to the porch before his resolve broke and he looked back. Nico was gone. Percy tried to pretend he didn't care.

The door creaked when Percy's fingers closed around the cold, dented knob, the sound making Percy cringe as it continued its high pitch as he pushed it open. Taking a deep breath, Percy stepped inside.

The house was dark, but this darkness was different from the one that plagued Melinoë's abode. It clung to Percy's skin, sticky and hot, filling his lungs and settling heavily there within. Percy took another deep breath and took another step. The door swung shut behind him, back to its barely opened position. The self-shutting door would have freaked Percy out more if he weren't so concerned with the muttering that now filled the air.

Percy blinked his eyes hard and strained to see through the clogging darkness, his fingers twitching behind him as they tried to find anything suitable to use as a weapon. His fingers closed around something long and thin as he strained to hear through the darkness.

"Oh no, oh dear, oh oh—"

A shape took form in the gloom and Percy almost recoiled when he realized the figure muttering to itself towered over him, twice maybe thrice his height. The giant—what else could it be?—stood hunched over in the middle of a sparsely furnished room. It rang its hands as it fretted, its back to Percy.

"Oh no, oh no, I will be in so much trouble, I will, I will—remember, remember, remember!"

The last two 'remembers' were punctuated by sharp knocks to the giant head inflicted by himself. The force of it had Percy stumbling back. He accidentally clanged into a metal hanging behind him, the pieces noisily jostling—and the giant whirled.

"Who dares intrude?" it roared, shaking the very foundation of the house with the force of its cry.

"Ah, I'm—I—" Percy brought the long object around, hit with a rush of relief strong enough to make his knees weak at the sight of the pointed end. The giant was, well, giant and Percy, panicking, decided the best way to avoid a direct attack was to ask: "What are you trying to remember?"

The question confused the giant, who froze with its arms spread wide. Its face (masculine, probably male) convulsed. "What Master wanted me to do!" he all but whined, brow furrowed. "He told me to do it and I can't remember and now I'll be beaten!"

The giant let out a wail and, like the roar, it shook the very floorboards beneath their feet. He sniffled, reaching a great hand up to wipe his nose (eww). The movement brought his eyes back to the poker in Percy's hand and he frowned.

"You're not master," he said suspiciously. "Are you here to hurt me?"

"No!" Percy said quick, letting the poker drop down unthreateningly to his side (he would undoubtedly need it later). "I am here to ah—collect something. Yeah. But ah, I can maybe help you remember what Master told you to do first?"

"Oh," the giant's face went from malicious to benevolent so fast it was like he was a completely different creature. "Really?"

"Yeah, um," Percy thought. "Were you supposed to clean something maybe?"

The giant frowned. "I don't think so."

"Ah, take out the trash?"

The giant shook his head.

Percy thought. "Ah, look—" he frowned. "What did you say your name was?"

The giant stared at him. "I—" his face trembled, his great eyes filling with tears. Percy stared, more alarmed than when he thought the giant was going to attack him. "I don't know. I can't remember."

"Oh." That was . . . sad. He studied the giant's face. "Well, okay, I'm going to call you Bob is that okay?"

"Bob?"

"I mean, unless you don't—it's the first thing that came to my mind—" Percy stammered as the giant gave a terrible cry.

"I am Bob! I am Bob!" he cried and Percy couldn't tell if that sobs that shook his great form were from happiness or sadness.

"Thank you, thank you!" Bob sobbed and Percy didn't have time to bring the poker around before the giant was on top of him.

Bob strangled Percy—no wait. This was a hug. He was being . . . hugged.

"Ah." Percy blinked into the sweaty, soot covered cloth of Bob's shirt. "Um. There, there?"

"You gave me a name!"

"Ah, yes?"

"Thank you, thank you."

Percy tried to pat Bob on the back the best he could, his arms were kind of pinned to his side, and tried to be patience in waiting for Bob's sobbing to die out. But he was keenly aware of the passing seconds, Nico's warning echoing in his ears. The band around his wrist was lukewarm, its heat dwindling with every great sob Bob gave.

"Um, Bob? I'm, ah, real glad you're happy and stuff but ah, I'm kind of on an errand right now and there's a tight schedule."

"Yes, yes, sorry," Bob sniffled, pulling back and wiping his eyes.

"I ah, am sorry that we couldn't remember your task, Bob," Percy said and he actually felt real bad about it. He didn't want Bob to be beaten. Guy grew on him quickly.

Bob nodded and despite the tear tracks on his face and puffy red eyes, he looked sagacious. "That is okay. You gave me a name. That is better than remembering."

"Okay," Percy whispered, a lump obscuring his words. He cleared his throat. "Ah—I don't suppose you know where the urn is, do you?"

Percy wasn't sure if that made sense. Surely a place like this had to have more than one urn and who knows what Melinoë wanted—

"Ah yes," Bob said, nodding his head sagely like Percy made sense. "In Master's study. Down there, passed the kitchen."

Bob lifted a great hand and pointed. Percy followed his finger to a gaping hole near the corner that evidently served as a doorway to the next room.

"Okay. Ah, great. I'll just . . ." Percy looked at Bob. He didn't want to leave the giant now, not to a fate that would mean beatings and, if the scene Percy walked into was typical, forgetting his new name.

"Complete your task," Bob said kindly.

"Okay," Percy took a deep breath. If he left Nico, he could leave Bob. "Good luck, Bob."

"Good luck, friend," Bob saluted as Percy walked away.

Percy's throat closed and he didn't fight the urge to look back this time. Bob smiled, his face serine and hand held in farewell as Percy passed into the other room. Percy forced himself to look ahead. True to Bob's words, he found himself in a kitchen. Albeit it a strange, barren kitchen. There was a table with a chair that only had three legs and a bowl emitting a rotten stench sitting atop the table. In the far corner, there was a hearth, it's embers a dying gray, with hints of pink teasing the coals.

That's not what caught Percy's eyes. No, what caught Percy's eyes was the woman lying in the dirt before the hearth, her clothes and skin indistinguishable from the thick layer of soot that covered her. Still not what caught his attention the most though. What really stood out in this strange picture was the fact that the woman was reaching her bare hands into the coals to try and coax the pink glow back to a flame.

"What are you doing you're going to burn yourself!" Percy called without thinking, rushing forward as if to stop her.

Unlike Bob, the woman wasn't fazed by his sudden presence. She didn't even blink up at him.

"I need to tend the fire," she whispered, her voice hoarse and barely human as she clawed at the coals. "I need to tend the fire. Need to tend the fire."

"Hey, hey, hey," Percy objected, thoroughly alarmed now. "You're hurting yourself and besides the fire will never grow that way—"

It was the wrong thing to say. The woman wailed. The bowl clattered off the table and onto the floor, Percy's teeth went on edge and he knew he had to do whatever it took to make the terrible noise stop.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he panicked. "Here, just, I'm sure you can tend the fire with—?" The poker clanged against his heels as he whipped around searching.

Oh.

Duh.

"Tend it with this!" He thrust the poker forward into the woman's groping hands.

The wailing ceased. "A . . . a poker?"

"Yeah so you don't have to use your hands and the metal should work better than your skin? It's not moist or damp and you won't be in pain so you can think clearly," Percy babbled as she closed her fingers around the poker.

She finally looked up at him, blinkingly slowly, owlishly. Her eyes were off gray, maybe they were once blue, and were the only part of her face he could discern with all the soot. She turned back to the hearth and nudged the coals with the poker. She looked up at Percy in wonder.

"Thank you," she breathed as if he'd given her the world.

"Ah, you're welcome?"

"No, thank you. Master took away the pokers and made me tend this fire with my bare hands. I . . . thank you for bringing it back."

"Ah—" Percy wasn't sure how to respond to that. He mostly felt sad. "What's your name?"

"I am Andromeda."

"I'm sorry Andromeda," Percy said wearily, staring at the hopeless hearth.

"No, thank you," Andromeda returned.

"Can't you just leave?" Percy asked desperately.

"Where would I go? Master would find me and I would be worse off."

"Did you eat the fruit too?"

Andromeda's brow furrow. Or so Percy thought. The soot on her face burrowed in a bit. "No. My mother traded my freedom for riches. Now I am here."

Another child punished for their parent, Percy thought as his hands curled into fists. His felt like he swallowed more soot than all that covered Andromeda when he asked, "Where is the study?"

Her eyes were understanding as she pointed. "Through that door."

"I'm sorry," Percy repeated as he turned his back once more.

He could feel Andromeda's eyes on his back. The four steps to the next door felt an eternity. Fate didn't grant him any time to linger or second guess himself because the second the door opened, another figure was upon him.

"Umph!" Percy cried as the figure knocked him to the ground.

Heavy paws dug into his shoulders, the creature's weight forcing the air from Percy's lungs and as Percy blinked, winded, at his attacker, he realized two rows of sharp teeth bared at him. A dog had tackled him to the ground. Except this was no ordinary dog. No the creature on top of him was as large as a bear, with massive paws and teeth, both dangerously close to all the vital parts of him. The dog's fur blended into the darkness and red eyes trained on Percy's throat: it was a hellhound. Whelp.

"Ah," Percy gasped out, regretting relinquishing the poker to Andromeda. "Who's a good boy?"

The hellhound tilted its head.

"You are, yes, you are a very, ah, good boy," Percy gasps out. The words were stifled because of the giant hellhound on his chest.

The hellhound made a noise—was that a whine?

"The best, the best boy!" Percy coughed, trying to push at the hellhound's paws without appearing hostile.

The hellhound's maybe-whine turned into a growl and he immediately turned pushing into petting.

"Yes, yes, good boy, good boy."

Oh, dear gods please work, Percy thought desperately as the hellhound bowed its unbelievably massive head, teeth coming closer and closer. It gave Percy a sniff, then plop sat back on its haunches, giant paws removed from Percy's chest. Percy immediately rolled over, coughing and hacking as he tried to refill his lungs with precious air. The hellhound watched him, head tilted to the side. It must have gotten impatient because it gave a low bark, shifting on its haunches.

"S-sorry but you kind of, ack, squished all the air from me," Percy coughed, pushing himself into a sitting position.

The hellhound stared.

"Um, good boy?" Percy offered again, patting the beast's foot. A thud echoed in the air. Percy froze . . . then realized it was the hound's tail wagging.

"Oh yes, good boy," Percy repeated, with feeling this time as he grew bolder and reached up to scratch the hound under its chin.

Thud, thud, thud. A tongue as wide as his hand popped out and licked a path from Percy's chin to forehead. He could feel his hair sticking up after his unwanted bath.

"Thanks, buddy," Percy grumbled, wrinkling his nose as he felt a glob of saliva roll down his cheek

"Woof."

The bark rattled Percy's teeth. He clamped them together in an attempt to save his tongue.

"Thanks, buddy," he repeated, petting the giant hellhound one more time. Thud, thud, thud.

"Woof." The hellhound went again as Percy got to his feet.

"Gods you're big," Percy said reaching out to scratch behind one giant ear, which was level with his shoulders. The hellhound's tail wagged some more and Percy couldn't help the twitch his lips gave. He always wanted a dog.

"Good boy," Percy said with feeling, patting and scratching the excited pup.

"Alright, so I'm supposed to find urn of some sort buddy. I don't suppose you know what I'm looking for?"

"Woof."

To his surprise, the hellhound leapt forward, the ground shaking with every mighty bound. It crossed the dark room in three quick bounds, coming to a halt before what looked to be an old, abused desk. More cautiously than his canine friend, Percy crossed the floor, his heels coming down slowly for fear of traps or anything else nefarious. Nico's fear of Eurynomos set Percy on edge and when he finally reached the hellhound's side, he fully expected something terrible to happen.

The desk was ornate, or at least had been at one time. The large brass decorations were eroded and the gold trimming rusted. Sitting in the middle of the rusted desk was an urn. One glance told Percy this was what he came for. Unlike everything else he had seen in all of Melinoe's realm, the urn was neither decayed nor faded. It appeared to be solid gold, its surface polished and shining so bright, Percy didn't know how he missed it when he walked in. Black arches adorned the shining surface, curving out to form delicate designs that in turn formed a story. Percy traced the patterns with his fingers; a beautiful maiden reaching up to pick a fruit; the maiden surrounded by twisted trees; the maiden leaning over a well while a male figure lurked in the background; the male handing a bucket to the maiden; a field of wheat; the male holding a bread loaf to the maiden; a terrible witch chasing the maiden who fell into the male's arms; finally the maiden and male sharing a kiss.

The urn was the most beautiful thing Percy'd ever seen. He could have stared at it forever if the hellhound hadn't whined and bumped its giant head into Percy's chest.

"Oof!" Percy stumbled, steadying himself with a hand on the hellhound's head. He scratched it behind the ears as he shook his head.

"Okay so . . . here it goes," Percy sighed. He hesitated a second longer before reaching forward. His fingers closed around the urn, feeling dirty and unworthy. Slowly, gently, he lifted it from the desk.

A flash of lighting lit up the window behind the desk.

"Mrs. O'Leary! Bite the hand that dares touch my urn!"

Percy jumped as the voice boomed from the sky. At his side, the hellhound whined and cowered. It looked up at Percy, fear obvious in its red eyes. It whined then butted against Percy's chest, frantically trying to get the man to leave.

"Mrs. O'Leary! I told you to attack!"

Percy stared down at the hellhound, who shook and tremble with fear beyond comprehension as she tried to get him to leave. Percy's heart pounded painfully against his chest.

"I'm going," he promised, tucking the urn carefully under his arm. He had taken all of a single step out of the room (go go go a Nico like voice screamed at him) but all he could see was Mrs. O'Leary cowering.

"Mrs. O'Leary!" Percy shouted and the hellhound whined. "Come with me!"

She didn't need to be told twice. In one colossal leap, she was at his side and together they fled.

"Andromeda, throw your embers upon them!"

Andromeda watched as Percy and Mrs. O'Leary tore into the room. She held the poker tightly in one hand. She met Percy's gaze and steel formed in her eyes.

"No," she whispered, closing her eyes tightly as the house shook. Dirt fell from the ceiling, the ground trembled beneath their feet as an ungodly sound tore through the air.

Percy didn't hesitate this time. He tucked the urn under one arm, reaching the other out to Andromeda.

"Come with us."

She took it and they ran.

"Iapetus, kill them!"

Bob waited for them at the door. The giant didn't hesitate, holding the door open for the fleeing party, his face serene and set.

"My name is Bob," he said simply.

"Then come with us, Bob!" Percy called, pushing Andromeda out the door.

Mrs. O'Leary led the charge, bounding down the sooty yard, Andromeda pulling Percy along. Bob pulled the door shut and lumbered after the group. Percy's heart sore as he looked over his shoulder at the giant—they did it! He had the urn, he got them, they were going to—

The door burst open, flying off the hinges to clattered against the black soot. A skull went flying through the air and a roar, too terrible and fearful to be recounted, tore from the being in the doorway. It was larger than Bob, twisted and hideous and Percy knew this was Eurynomos.

At his side, Andromeda gave a little sob.

Like when the damning fruit fell from the tree into his hand, Percy didn't think. He pushed the urn into Andromeda's hands.

"Run. Keep them safe," he told Bob.

One of the skeletons in the soot held a gleaming sword in its eternal grasp—Percy wrenched it free and turned to face Eurynomos. The daimon was ginormous, a monster in his right, and power radiated from his massive form. Percy swallowed hard. The cold of the sword bit into his hand, awkward and too long. He was a stableman, not a swordsman but he dragged the others into this, he couldn't let them suffer for his selfishness.

"You dare break into my house, steal my urn, and turn my minions against me?" Eurynomos roared.

"I dare," Percy said with more confidence than he felt. He held the sword firmly, putting it between himself and the daimon.

He expected Eurynomos to attack then, to lurch forward with his grotesque weight and all of the muscles in Percy's body tensed in preparation. But the daimon stared at him, head cocked to the side. A twisted, ghoul-like grin edged up the monster's face.

"You are Melinoë's newest victim," Eurynomos chuckled. "Yes, she warned me about you. She thinks the one called Ghost King haunts your steps."

"What?" Percy asked despite himself.

"He never introduces himself as such, not anymore. Let me guess, the only who drew water for you, who turned the weeds into wine, is the one you call Nico."

Percy froze. "Nico?"

"Ghost King Nico," Eurynomos laughed darkly. "Feared disciple of the dead. Were he not bound to Melinoë's realm even the great midnight mistress would quiver before him."

"What?" Percy's head spun, his brow puckering. He pictured Nico, with his shoulders hunched but smiling as he talked about the games his dead sister and he used to play.

"The Ghost King, the one who holds the dead at his call, led armies in the name of the death himself." Eurynomos grinned. "You know nothing of the one you call Nico."

"That . . ." Percy blinked. "That's a lie."

"What other non-spirits do you see walking Melinoë's world, earthling? My prisoners, yourself and Nico . . . one of them is the Ghost King."

"I—" Percy shook his head. "Not Nico."

Eurynomos gave a ground shaking laugh. "Believe what you wish earthling you won't have to worry about it long! You shall meet your end here tonight!"

Percy barely had the time to bring the sword up as the daimon jumped. He slashed on instinct, the tip of the sword barely missing as Eurynomos pulled back before coming back at Percy with an upper cut. Percy threw himself backwards, barely able to hang onto the sword as he twisted out of the way. He twirled, slashing again but Eurynomos was unbelievably agile for his great size and Percy missed him. The dance continued this way, with Percy twisting out of the way only for Eurynomos to advance and it was only a matter of time before one of them slipped up.

Percy swung again but Eurynomos was faster—he caught Percy square in the chest and the mortal flew backwards, landing hard in the soot. Percy coughed, then gasped and gagged as soot filled his lungs. He scrambled to his feet, frantically searching for the sword for a moment until his fingers closed around the cold hilt, pushing himself to his feet. He was still hacking, tears stinging his eyes, when Eurynomos was upon him again. Percy swung and Eurynomos ducked. Learning from last time Percy scrambled back and Eurynomos next swing missed him.

Eurynomos roared, the sound frightening a primitive part of Percy's brain but he stayed firm, grasping the hilt of the sword with two hands as his adversary charged again. Percy sliced and watched, elated, as it clanged against Eurynomos' chest and—and bounced harmlessly off.

Eurynomos' laughter echoed in Percy's ears as the giant took advantage of his surprise and sent Percy flying a league back. Percy tumbled through the air, landing and rolling but he barely felt the pain. The sword bounced off his skin.

"Foolish mortal!" Eurynomos cackled, lumbering his way as Percy scrambled back to his feet once more, clutching the sword like a lifeline.

Desperately, disbelievingly, Percy leapt forward and brought the sword down on Eurynomos' chest. The giant didn't even try to move and the force of the blow, the sword clanging heavily but harmlessly against Eurynomos, sent a shock up Percy's arms and rattled his teeth.

"Stupid, foolish mortal," Eurynomos repeated, reaching out to grab Percy by the scruff of his shirt. He lifted Percy off the ground with one hand, Percy screaming and kicking the whole time. He pounded his own fists against Eurynomos, kicking desperately, twisting and cursing.

Eurynomos shook him like a ragdoll, his limbs knocking against each other and head lobbing with a sickening snap. Percy's legs kicked uselessly and all he saw was the red of Eurynomos' eyes. He tossed Percy forcefully to the ground. Percy managed to turn himself so his shoulder crashed unforgivingly against the ground, pain shooting down his body and he gasped. He didn't get the time to so much as turn before Eurynomos pinned him under one giant foot, slowly putting his substantial weight on the trapped mortal.

Percy gasped, or try to. Instead, he inhaled soot and then nothing, because his lungs were being crushed, black spots flashed before his eyes. Gods Eurynomos was going to crush him to death. Percy tried to roll, to get free, but he couldn't breathe, he couldn't—

Then the weight was gone. Percy didn't hesitate, rolling over to hack out the soot and inhale air. He blinked hard, trying to clear the dark spots and found himself staring up at . . . Nico. Nico stood between him and Eurynomos. The sword that was always strapped to Nico's side was drawn, the blade dark and aim unwavering at the giant.

"N—n—" Percy tried to warn, his voice hoarse and barely audible.

"Ghost King." Eurynomos' eyes flashed.

"You will not touch him again," Nico snarled.

"You forget yourself, Ghost King," Eurynomos shouted. "You hold no powers down here, just cheap parlor tricks."

"I said you will not touch him again."

"So be it."

Eurynomos charged.

"Nico, swords don't work—" Percy gasped, forcing his weak arms to work and pushed himself shakily to his knees.

Nico held his ground and swung true when Eurynomos was close. Eurynomos roared, stumbling back as . . . as gold blood spurted from a wound on his chest.

Percy gaped. Nico turned quickly, roughly yanking Percy off the ground. He pulled Percy against him and, Percy felt like a thousand pins were pricking him, the world went black. Then the world came back and Percy was blinking at Nico's hysterical face.

"Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?" Nico asked, breathing heavily, running his fingers over Percy's forehead, finding a cut above Percy's eyebrow then moving on to check the rest of him.

"I'm okay—Nico I'm oka—ouch—" Nico found his injured shoulder. "Nico wait! There were, there were—a girl, a hellhound and a, ah, Bob, ah—"

"Percy!"

"Andromeda," Percy gasped, blinking at the girl looming over Nico's shoulder. His eyes flickered behind her to find Bob and Mrs. O'Leary lurking behind her.

"They're fine, they found me," Nico dismissed, feeling out Percy's shoulder. "I don't think it's broken."

"It's not," Percy said, rolling it. "It's, it's fine Nico, really I'm fine."

Nico ignored him, hands moving all over Percy to search out every scratch and bruise.

"Nico, Nico," Percy tried to placate, reaching out stem the frantic search. He grabbed Nico's hands. "Nico!"

Nico stared at him, breathing heavily, eyes wild. In that moment, staring into his black eyes, Percy could finally see what Eurynomos had been saying. There was something inhuman inside there, something powerful and mystical beyond anything Percy could imagine.

"I'm okay," Percy said speaking each word slowly. "I'm okay . . . thanks to you. How'd you do that? My sword couldn't touch him."

"My sword can," Nico muttered, not looking Percy in the eye. He tried to pull his hands away but Percy held on tight.

"Is it because you're the Ghost King?"

Nico didn't answer.

"Nico. Nico, hey look at me." Nico didn't look, just fussed with Percy's shoulder some more. Percy couldn't help hissing in pain and Nico looked murderous. "Ghost King or not, you're the one who came and rescued me. Three different times now. I don't care, Nico, I don't care what they call you."

Nico sighed, looking pained. "You should. Gods how are you still alive." He leaned forward, putting his forehead against Percy's.

"Bob? Andromeda? Mrs. O'Leary?"

"We're okay," came Bob's voice from over Nico's shoulder. "I have your urn."

Nico's breath ghosted against Percy's cheek. He could just barely see Bob through Nico's hair. Mrs. O'Leary brushed against his side and Percy wiggled an arm free to pet her.

"Good b—er, girl I guess," Percy said. He gently pushed Nico away, keeping a hand on the small of his back when Nico started to protest.

In the open space, he could see clearly now the scars that littered Bob's face, feel the matted fur of Mrs. O'Leary. Andromeda smiled thinly at him from Bob's side, holding her body tightly. The question that was so clearly edged into her soot covered features echoed in his own mind: what would they do now? Sure they escaped Eurynomos but there was nowhere to run in Melinoë's realm. He could even hear Eurynomos thundering somewhere in the distance. Where was there to run to? The daimon had said Nico could not protect them here in the she-demon's realm.

"Can they get out?" Percy asked softly, heart thudding painfully in his chest. He didn't just save them to lead them to their deaths . . . had he?

"There is a way . . . if they haven't eaten anything like you have," Nico muttered.

None of them had. Eurynomous wasn't exactly a kind host.

"They can get back," Percy said excitedly, grinning. Mrs. O'Leary gave a low woof rubbing against his legs.

"Yes . . . "

"Can . . ." Percy hesitated. "Can you show us the way?"

"I know the way," Nico sighed. "But you can't follow. The seeds . . ."

"Bind me here," Percy finished for him. "I know."

He looked to Bob, at the urn cradled in his large arms. Percy held his hand out and Bob, as gently as cradling an infant, relinquished it. Percy held it in the arm not around Nico, turning the urn over to see the beautiful scenes. The shine caught Nico's eye and he too turned. The scene facing them was of the maiden and the male tangled in their amorous embrace. Nico reached out, tracing their delicate forms with one finger. Percy had a perfect view of his face: wistful, longing and ultimately . . . resigned.

Something clicked inside Percy then, a decision he had been unconsciously toying with for a while now solidifying in his mind.

"Nico, I need you to take them out of Melinoë's realm."

Nico's lips twisted unhappily.

"Please, for me?" Percy all but begged.

"I'll be okay," he further convinced, holding the urn out as proof. "She can't deny me now."

Nico stared unhappily at the urn.

"It's going to be okay," Percy told him gently. He gave a crooked grin as he pulled away to stare at this strange man that had done so much for him. "Just get the others out for me. I can hardly mess it up now."

"Yeah," Nico said, staring at the urn. His dark eyes flickered up, lingering on the cut above Percy's brow.

"It's going to be okay," Percy repeated and, before he lost his nerve, pressed a chaste kiss to the corner of Nico's mouth. "Keep them safe for me."

Percy didn't dare look back as he turned, taking long confident strides away from his friends. Nobody called after him. Refusing to dwell on any thoughts least his nerve leave him, Percy rubbed the band around his wrist. It wasn't cold but the heat had dwindled to a mere whisper against his skin and he knew he had to hurry.

When he finally reached the steps of Melinoë's door, the band's heat was no more than the embers Andromeda once anxiously stirred.

"Melinoë!" Percy called, the urn cradled against his chest.

She didn't keep him in suspense. The whirl of the darkness was akin to a hurricane in its ferocity, the wind tore at his clothes and bombarded painfully against his skin. Percy bent over, wrapping his arms protectively around the urn.

"You!"

Melinoë trembled with rage when Percy peaked out from under the cover of his arms. She looked beyond demonic, all but foaming at the mouth. When Percy straightened and the urn became apparent in the circle of his arms, she let out an unearthly wail, one that had Percy's teeth chattering.

"I win," Percy shouted, his voice all but lost in the volume of her cry. He held the urn out triumphantly

It vanished from his grasp, appearing before the furious she-demon. Melinoë's chest heaved, murder in her eyes.

"How?"

"It doesn't matter, you have the urn."

"This is impossible, unheard of, un—" Melinoë's face twitched. "Nico."

Percy kept his face blank.

"The Ghost King you—"

"I know who he is," Percy said, cutting her off. "And I know what you did to him."

"Oh do you?" Melinoë snarled. "You think you know who the Ghost King is? What he has done? The armies he has led? The undead that followed his steps? The lives he has ruined, destroyed, cut short? The creatures he has tortured? And all in the name of the one who sired him." Thunder boomed overhead. "Hades, lord of the underworld."

"What? No, no that's . . ." Percy couldn't understand. Nico? A son of Hades? Nico couldn't be the son of Hades he was too—

"Think about it," Melinoë hissed, slithering closer. "The shadow-traveling, the ring, the sword, why do you think the phantoms never stray from the field? Even their listless, lifeless bodies fear the hollow shell of he who once was King."

"You . . ." Percy breathed heavily. He shook his head, once, then again. "It doesn't matter."

"It doesn't matter?"

"No." Percy thought of golden wine and a sword flashing in his defense and couldn't think of anything mattering less.

"He is the son of Hades, of hell and darkness itself and you think it doesn't—"

"So what if he is the son of Hades?" Percy demanded, temper flaring. "He's not evil, not my Nico."

Movement caught his eyes and, over Melinoë's shoulder, in the middle of the overgrown field, Nico appeared. From the soft look on his face, he had overheard what Percy said.

"A deal is a deal," Percy said, not quite able to tear his eyes from Nico.

Melinoë trembled. "You are free to go."

"And what about Nico?"

"That was not part of the deal." Melinoë appeared suddenly before him, her nose inches from his own, her gaping eyeless abyss boring into him.

"I know." Percy licked his lips. "But . . . but what if I stayed instead and you let him go?"

Melinoë's brow furrowed, her mouth falling opening.

"Think about it, you don't want word getting around that a mortal defeated you and if Nico's gone he can't help anyone else," Percy rationalized.

"No!" Nico materialized on the other side of Melinoë. His chest heaved, nostrils flaring. "No! Melinoë that was not the deal, you can't—"

Melinoë stared at Percy, head tilting to the side.

"Melinoë, you don't want to set me free, I'm the son of Hades, the Ghost King, for Zeus' sake—"

"Do you want people to hear about the mortal who defeated the great midnight mistress?" Percy whispered. "Would it matter more than the son of Hades breaking free?"

"You are free, Nico, Ghost King, son of Hades. Haunt my halls no longer. Waste your hours however you deem fit," Melinoë declared, reaching a hand up and curling her fingers.

Nico's eyes were dark and wild, a strange aura of power radiating from his form.

"No!" Nico cried, hand reaching forward as if to grab Percy . . . and he vanished. Just like that. No puff of smoke or dramatic thunder clasp just . . . nothing.

The echo of his cry bounced around the cracked walls of Melinoë's abode: no, no, no. Percy closed his eyes and tried to drown it out. His heart thudded painfully in his ears, no, no, no. He didn't regret his decision but he hated the sound of Nico's distressed cry.

It's okay, he thought silently, it's better this way, Nico. She can't torture me for all of eternity. Just one lifetime.

Melinoë's lips curled in contempt. "You think this is love? That the Ghost King loved you?"

Percy shrugged. It didn't matter what Melinoë said, not anymore.

"He begged to stay here and let me go free," Percy said simply.

"Foolish mortal. You will regret this."

"I don't think there's anything you could do to me to make me regret it," Percy replied.

"We'll see about that." Melinoë raised her hand.

Percy's hand flew to his throat as the air felt like it was torn from his lungs. The world changed. He collapsed onto a hard floor, cold and damp and lightless. He gasped and air returned to him. Percy took great, greedy gulps, coughing and hacking as he orientated himself. He couldn't see anything. Percy held his hand out, waving it before him but still saw nothing.

Great, he thought, pushing himself to his knees and then his feet. He shuffled blindly, arms outstretched. The ground felt rough and damp; the only sound to be heard was a distance drip, drip. Percy shuffled until his fingers brushed against something. A wall. Percy put his left hand palm up against the wall and began walking. One two three four five. Five steps wide . . . or long . . . or something whatever. One dimension was five steps. One two three four five. The other way. One two three four five.

A square, Percy realized. He was stuck in a tiny, windowless, doorless square.

"Hello?" Percy called and his voice bounced around the tiny space, echoing in his ears. His heart pounded and soon it drowned out even the ever increasing sound of his breath.

Was this it then? Was this where Melinoë designed to keep him for the rest of eternity? In this tiny, dark, damp, inescapable closet?

Percy sank to the floor, his back against the wall. His legs stretched out before him, barely able to properly sprawl without hitting the opposite wall. He pulled his knees up to his chest, unable to bear the reminder of his captivity.

"Styx."

Percy pressed the palms of his hands into his eyes, trying to force back the panic. He didn't do idleness, he needed to move, how did you move in a place like this? He needed sunlight, gods even the overgrown field had some kind of light. He couldn't be trapped in this inescapable closet forever, he couldn't, he couldn't, he—

Breathe, Percy reminded himself, breathing in sharply through his nose. Hold it.

One . . . two . . . three—

He didn't last four seconds, taking in quick, panicked breaths.

He tried again.

One . . . two . . . thr—

Oh god, what if she never let him out—?

One . . . two—

Ever?

One . . . tw—

He was going to go insane.

One—

He would die here, insane and raving—

Remember! Remember who this was for!

One . . . two . . .

Bob, with his giant kindness and scar-covered back.

One . . . two . . . three . . .

Andromeda, with her soo- covered face and burned hands.

Four . . . five . . . six . . .

Mrs. O'Leary, big and sloppy kisses marred by burnt hair and fearful whines.

Seven . . . eight . . . nine . . .

Nico. Nico with a bucket full of forgettable water. Nico sitting in a field of dandelions with the past in his eyes. Nico with a sword drawn and determination in his mouth. Nico screaming and reaching for Percy as he disappeared into freedom.

Ten.

Time was nothing. Everything was nothing. All that mattered were the soft breaths he took and the numbers he counted off to keep him sane.

The sound startled him. It was soft and had he been anywhere else, it would never have caught his attention. It sounded like wind, but there was no wind in Melinoë's realm. Except the swirls the mistress herself made—had Melinoë returned? Was she going to take him somewhere worse? His head snapped up, eyes uselessly searching the darkness as he pressed himself flush against the wall. He couldn't help the thrill of fear that ran through him. Melinoë promised his regret and he feared whatever horrors could be worse than this.

A hand slapped over his mouth and Percy reflectively started to scream when a familiar voice silenced:

"Sh! Don't scream!"

Nico?!

"I'm going to move my hand but you have to be quiet okay?"

Percy nodded, dazed.

"Okay."

The hand moved.

"Oh gods I've gone insane," Percy moaned.

"You haven't," not-Nico sounded pained but not the good kind of pained, the you're-annoying-but-I-like-you-and-therefore-tolerate-it kind of pained but the I-feel-emotional-pain kind of pained. The hand was back, on Percy's forehead this time, pushing back hair. Percy couldn't resist leaning into the touch. Hey, if it was an insanity induced delirium he might as well indulge.

"I'm real," not-Nico insisted and something golden glowed.

Percy's eyes squeezed shut immediately, so adjusted to the absolute darkness that even this little light hurt.

"Sorry, sorry," Nico muttered and Percy dared to crack his eyes open again.

Nico held a goblet of sorts in one hand and it was this object the emitted the light. Nico's features were barely visible and Percy blinked stupidly at the phantom kneeling before him. He reached out, letting his fingertips brush against Nico's cheek. It was warm.

"Styx, you're real," Percy breathed in disbelief. "Dammit, Nico what are you doing here?!"

"Shh," Nico repeated, looking frantic. He looked terrible for a guy recently granted his freedom from an eternal bond. His eyes were wilder than usual, the bags under them darker, hair resisting gravity. "I figured out how to get you out of here but we have to hurry before she realizes I'm here!"

"What seriously—?! Okay, wha—what do you need me to do?"

Nico pushed the goblet under Percy's nose, holding it with both of his hands. He spoke rapidly, the words tripping over each other and jumbling together in a nearly incoherent mess. "Underworld food, either made in someone's domain or by someone's hands, binds beings to them if consumed. You ate three seeds of Melinoë's plant but if you consumed more of something that belonged to someone else . . ."

He trailed off. Percy glanced down into the goblet, blinking to find a golden liquid inside. He knew, without having to ask, that it was Nico's dandelion wine.

"If you drink it—all of it!—then, then the bond will be stronger and you'll—"

"Belong to you instead?"

Even in the dark, Percy could see Nico flush.

"I won't, it's not like that—I can release you, I promise, I swear, you'll be your own person on your own will, I would never. Just to get you out of here, I mean, I—"

Percy cut him off. "I trust you."

He reached out, tangling his fingers through Nico's around the cup. He pulled both the cup to his lips, effectively dragging Nico closer until the other's face was separated from his only by the cup . . . and drained the goblet dry.

A/n Good lord maybe I should have broken this chapter up. But it's still not the longest one yet, part of the Little Mermaid holds that record . . . albeit only by about 300 words but still. There's the end of Prunella! I hope it wasn't too crazy. I know a few parts here were a tad rushed but rhig122 assures me that it works so I'm trusting her judgment. When will the next fairytale be out? I have no idea, I haven't started writing it yet and the outline is only kind of done. I might hit you with an obscure variant of a well-known classic but we'll see.

Anywho, thank you all for being amazing. I hope you enjoyed and please let me know what you thought ~ *