Nico’s legs wobbled, but he didn’t fall. Someone was at his back, standing firm. He turned to find Tyler there, with Emma beside him. She put a hand on Nico’s shoulder. Even Logan joined the group, glowering at Nico’s father, who continued scowling at them all like they’d stolen something.
“It’s not real,” Opal repeated. “We’re with you.”
Nico sucked in a shaky breath. Met his father’s piercing stare. The anger was still there, but also … something else. The whites of his father’s eyes. They were … glowing. They were red.
“He’s a figment,” Opal whispered. “This isn’t your father. It’s your fear.”
Warren moved closer to the churning, thrashing pool. “My job is all that matters, Nico. I don’t care how it affects you. That’s not important. It was never important.”
“Don’t listen,” Tyler hissed. “That isn’t your father, it’s a monster. It’syourmonster, Nico. You can handle it. We’ve got your back.”
Nico gasped, his head spinning like the frigid pool. “But … it might … some of it …”
“Doesn’t matter.” Opal pointed at Warren Holland. “That is a nightmare, and it needs to go away now.”
His father’s voice filled with menace. “Nico, get away from those brats. They aren’t your friends. They’re using you. They’relaughingat you.”
“That’s a bunch of crap!” Emma darted forward and jabbed her finger in Warren’s face. “Say whatever you want,liar, but he’s got us. We’ll always have his back.”
Warren’s red-tinged eyes narrowed. His hands curled into fists.
Nico slid in front of Emma and went nose to nose with his father. “You’re not real.” He wiped his eyes. Nico’s fear morphed to anger and he let it run. “What you said isn’t true. But even if it is, I’ll be fine. I have people who care about me. I’m not alone.”
The figment of Warren Holland glared at Nico, a vein throbbing in its neck. When it made no further move, Nico put a hand to his father’s uniformed chest. “Get out of here.”
He pushed.
His fingers shot through to nothing as Warren Holland vanished.
Nico felt something lift from his spirit. He took a rasping, choking inhale as Opal, Tyler, and Emma swarmed him in a hug. Logan stood a foot away and gave Nico an awkward shoulder pat.
The Darkdeep exploded.
A column of black liquid shot up from the pool tohammer against the ceiling, showering the room with icy droplets. At the same time, something metal scraped against the staircase.
Tyler ran over and looked up. “The Reaper’s back!” His voice shook with fear. Opal broke toward the steps.
Nico wanted to help her, like she had him, but couldn’t tear his eyes from the Darkdeep. Inside it, something dark took form. The ghostly outline of a face appeared. It stared at Nico with hollow eyes.
Despair flooded Nico’s mind. He wanted to whimper in fear but was too terrified to make a sound. He knew instinctively that this was no figment.
This was the Darkdeep.
It had come to finish them.
“Oh man, we’re so screwed,” Tyler whispered. Freezing black rain continued to fall around them. Emma and Logan backed against the wall.
Nico heard Death’s scythe hit the basement floor, trapping them in the chamber.
Opal planted herself before the Reaper.
“I get it now,” she said in a shaky voice. “It’s not enough to face you. I have to accept you, too.” She lifted Roman Hale’s dagger. “Accept to Overcome. I have to accept my fear, becauseit’sreal, even if you’re not.”
The Reaper raised its scythe. Brought it crashing to the floorboards.
I am the end of everything.
Opal cringed, almost fled. But this time she stood tall.
