Nico and Will fall for what feels like days. Their only comfort is each other. Nico whispers three words to Will to fend off the darkness: “I love you” (291).

They plummet toward reddish black ground. Will believes Nico can save them. Nico calls on all nearby skeletons in Tartarus to build a bone ramp, which slows their fall enough for them to survive. Safe on the ground, they laugh uncontrollably at what just happened before Nico passes out.

Nico is unconscious after using his powers. Will oscillates between gratefulness and love for Nico and guilt about how much he relies on Nico to take care of him in the Underworld.

He decides to use nearby rocks, bones, and Gorgyra’s boat to build a makeshift shelter. He then climbs a nearby hill, hoping he can get a clue about where to go.

As a healer, he is fascinated by the regeneration pods. When his foot accidentally slips on loose gravel and punctures one, the goo burns his skin and leaves welts. A flock of regenerated monsters emerges: Stymphalian birds, the same monsters that disguised themselves as pigeons and attacked Will in Washington Square Park. They pick Will up, carrying him in the air.