Nico and Adri floated to what looked like a black platform. They floated through it and were dropped onto in as soon as they were above it. "I-What is this place??" Nico asked, standing up and dusting himself off. "Help me up, di Angelo!!" Adri commanded. He helped her to her feet and they both took in their surroundings.

          They seemed to be on a square platform that was floating and was maybe about 500 metres wide. It had no walls but a few hundred-odd metres in front of them, they saw the joint of crossroads. Only then did they realize that they were on one of the roads that joined in the middle.

          They walked to the crossroads, noticing a kind of cauldron in the middle. "Why is it doing that thing??" Adri asked hesitantly. "What thing??" Nico questioned her. "That bubbly thing. Is this what tar looks like when someone's melting it??" "Why are you so wei- Actually, yeah.. Probably." Nico replied, after thinking for a second.

          "Look, there's a note!!" Adri exclaimed, pointing to the side of the cauldron. She picked it up and Nico heard her mutter 'Fancy..' under her breath. Wondering what exactly was fancy, he peered over her shoulder. He was close enough for his breath to be felt on Adri's neck. Adri jumped a little as she felt him breath down her neck. "Sorry, couldn't see what was written." He apollo-gised flusteredly. Adri squeaked out a 'No worries.' and shifted so he could see the note clearly.

          'This cauldron contains water from the river Styx. Your final test is straightforward. One of you must agree to sit in the cauldron and let the other leave successfully. One must be willing to sacrifice themselves for others.'

          Only now did the duo realize how the cauldron was the perfect size for someone to sit in. "I mean, it is straightforward.." "So, you leave and I'll sit in the cauldron.." "Don't be stupid, di Angelo. You've got more experience. You're the one that's got to go.." "Adri, this quest requires your powers.. You must leave me here." Nico protested. "If you even thought I was going to leave you alone, well think again. I'm am NOT leaving you alone." Adri said, with a tone of finality.

          "Hmm... Looks like it's hard for you to decide... Oh well, maybe this will convince you..." said an ethereal voice from somewhere above them. It wasn't angelic, it sounded cruel and perfect. As the thing said those words, sharp black rocks started jutting out of the platform. One almost skewered Adri but Nico pulled her aside.

          "Thanks... Oh Gods!! They're getting bigger!!" "Nico, please leave me here!!" Nico just snorted, took a deep breath and jumped into the cauldron before Adrienne could even process it. Adri looked at him stunned, unable to speak while Nico was just as dumbfounded. "It. Doesn't burn??" he said.

          "You have both proven to be pure and selfless twice now. I deem you worthy of attaining the second key." said the voice, but this time, its tone was much softer. Before the mysterious voice's tone felt like the demigods were its playthings. Now it sounded as if they were two pets who mastered a new trick.

          A black feather floated from somewhere above and stayed in the air at eye-level to Nico. "I guess this is the second key.." he said, taking it, though he was weary of it.

          In a flash, both of them found themselves back in front of Hecate. "M'lady, I hope you find us worthy. Please enlighten us." asked Adri politely. "Very well. Step forward, Nico and Adrienne." They did so and the goddess placed each of her hands on their foreheads.

          Though the pair couldn't see it, a flash lightened itself under the goddess' hands. Inside their heads, they both felt something pushing itself in. They tried to resist it, but it just felt so comforting and familiar. Like a daydream playing out in your mind during a particularly boring class. They had a mental image of a cherry blossom tree, a bridge, a victorian style library and a cozy fireplace.

          The flash went off as fast as it came and the demigods were left slightly dazed. "Wha- That library is my dream home..." Adri muttered in a small voice. Nico shook his head, trying to clear himself of the image of the fireplace. He knew the fireplace too well. It used to be in his childhood home. He didn't want to be reminded of that again. So he focused on Adri. He felt like, for now, she was the only constant thing in the cave. He knew he'd be stuck with her for the next 10 days, plus, truthfully, she had rubbed off on him.

          "Take the book and you should be able to read it now. But, under no circumstances can you open the book in the Underworld. Also, the two keys you have collected, the chain and the feather, I can assure you that you will be in need of them later on in your quest. So," she flicked her wrist and a door made of shadows appeared to take them to Boston. "please go through and meet your friends back in Boston."

          And that is why, my dear friends, Magnus found them disheveled, stony-faced and murderous. After being told that Alex went back to Valhalla, Adri and Nico decided that they'd return to the room they were sharing.

AN: Sorry for not uploading for a loong while... I hope you like it!!

Yours,

Helene