For the millionth time, Nico cursed himself for ever agreeing to sit with Jason Grace. It was the weekend- which meant Jason had invited Percy, who was visiting from the city, to sit with them. The two were seated side by side, bickering loudly over last night's controversial capture the flag game. Nico tried to tune them out, his eyes scanning the horizon- they should be here any minute now. His fingers tapped rapidly on the rim of his plate.
Reyna, Rachel, Tyson, and Ella were expected to come back to Camp Half Blood this afternoon. It'd been nearly four months, but it'd evidently been a lengthy process trying to decipher the remnants of the Sibylline books. Sure, Nico had made the occasional visit, but he still missed his friends at Camp Jupiter. Reyna was probably the closest thing he had to a best friend- he was glad she'd be here soon, though worried as to why she'd made the trek. I'll explain in person, was all she would tell him via Iris Message, her eyebrows furrowed. Plus, he wished his sister Hazel would be in attendance, though he knew she and Frank would be plenty busy running the camp in Reyna's absence.
Out of nowhere, a huge grape smacked across his cheek. He snatched it, glaring at the boys across from him. Jason returned a mock-glare, popping another grape into his mouth. "Dude," he said, while chewing. "You need to chill. I'm sure it's nothing."
"Yeah," Percy added. "Besides, it'll be cool to see Reyna again. I haven't seen her since…" he frowned. "Dang. I guess not since the war."
"Yeah, well," Nico muttered, still transfixed on the Big House. "I have a feeling this isn't a vacation." Just then, a black SUV pulled over the crest of Half-Blood Hill. Even from the pavilion, Nico could tell Reyna was at the wheel. He stood up abruptly, waving absently at the boys. Trying not to run, he stepped briskly between the tables, nodding at Piper, Annabeth, and other campers as he passed. He was just stepping off the marble when someone caught his arm. Rolling his eyes, he swung around, knowing who he'd find.
"Will, I seriously gotta go-"
"Are they here?" he asked, his blue eyes bright and clear. Nico nodded, suddenly very aware of Will's hand still on his elbow. He shrugged him off, walking backwards.
"See ya," Nico stuttered.
He turned clumsily and took off to the Big House. He didn't realize there was a small smile on his lips.
The past four months had been…interesting. After the Giant War, he finally felt like he'd made lasting bonds with his comrades, especially the Argo 2 crew. But it was really Will Solace who'd gone above and beyond to make him feel welcome. He must've remembered Nico's bitterness of his exclusion after the Titan War, because Will went totally out of his way- annoyingly so, sometimes- to ensure this time would be different. He introduced Nico to all of his friends (and he had a lot), asked for help at the infirmary (even though there really weren't any patients these days), and sometimes even sat with him at the campfire, or at meals.
Besides, it was easier to be with Will, somehow. Maybe it was because he knew what had really happened with Octavian, and the explosion that had killed Leo Valdez. Sometimes, when Nico was with Jason, Piper, or even Percy and Annabeth- he felt crushed with guilt, suffocated with it. He struggled with it every day, as he saw his friends' insistent faces scanning the horizon, or organizing scouting missions. Had he killed Leo? Leo had definitely died, that was for sure. But there was a weird tingle that accompanied the sensation- something not quite right. Despite it, Nico felt gravely certain of one thing- his friends would never see him again. Not in life, at least.
He shoved the dark thoughts aside as he clambered up the steps to the front porch. The door was cracked open, and he heard Chiron greet the 'prophecy crew', as Reyna liked to say. Nico tentatively entered the foray, knocking lightly. They turned as he entered, the light from outside slicing through the doorway.
"Hello, my boy," Chiron said. Rachel waved, smiling, though she looked distracted. Tyson and Ella were already heading out the back door, off to go see Percy, Nico assumed. Reyna didn't smile, but embraced Nico briefly, before studying him. She sighed, shaking her head,
"And you've grown even more since I saw you last."
"I'll be taller than you soon," He taunted.
"Never." her mouth tugged upwards.
"How's Hazel?" he asked immediately.
"Just fine. I swear, that girl will overthrow me soon enough."
Chiron cleared his throat. "Now, the matter we discussed?" Reyna and Rachel exchanged meaningful glances. Nico's stomach felt queasy. Chiron led them to the living room, where they sat in the comfortable chairs in front of the crackling fireplace. Nico didn't know if this discussion was meant to include him, but no one objected as he sat down.
Chiron turned to him, regarded him coolly. "Nico," he began. "Have you noticed anything odd at camp?" Nico frowned, considering. With Gaea gone, and the Oracle stolen, there wasn't necessarily anything odd- there wasn't really anything at all. Nico shook his head, shrugging.
"The spirit of Delphi has been taken, as we all know," Rachel said. "And at first, to be honest, I thought it would be a blessing. No more quests, no more wars."
"Well, none that are foretold." Reyna interrupted.
Rachel sighed. "I suppose. But as we have seen, it looks like without the spirit, the Fates themselves are distraught. Aimless. They don't know how to spin their looms anymore, when to cut the strings."
"And the gods have no way of knowing how to act. It's capable of becoming a dangerous…" Reyna paused, considering her word choice. "Situation. The Oracle is both a blessing and a devastating curse, but it must be returned."
Nico blinked. What were they saying? After four months of blissful peace, now they were supposed to go bring all those prophecies back? Reyna sensed his discomfort.
"None of us are eager to see more danger. But without it, the universe is quite literally going nowhere. Do you understand why this is necessary?" Nico sat up straighter, aware of all the eyes on him.
"Why are you asking me?"
Rachel looked down at her hands. She heaved another sigh. "We've been examining the remnants of Rome's ancient Sibylline books. It has all the prophecies that ever were, or will be. But as you know, much of it was burned long ago." she faltered. "We don't know if it is complete, but we, ah…we found something that we believe applies to this situation." That word again. Situation. Nico's stomach pooled with dread. Please not another quest. "Ella offered the first stanza. In fact, that's practically all she's been repeating these months. But then, in the books, we found another stanza that seems to fit with it. I'm not sure if it's complete, but it goes like this:
The fall of the sun, the final verse
Is redeemed through Apollo's curse
For four the wrath will be endured
Through Death the Fates are cured"
Rachel paused, avoiding Nico's eyes. It was strange to hear Rachel recite a prophecy not as the Oracle.
"I'm still not seeing how this connects to me," Nico said. Reyna smiled grimly. "The 'Death' is capitalized."
Nico frowned, the implication crystallizing. "You think I'm 'Death'?"
"It seems to be the only logical explanation, as the only child of Hades besides your sister. No offense to Hazel, but we both know you are the most powerful. This is a pressing matter. If we had more time to ponder it, perhaps we might find a different interpretation. But, yes- we believe you are Death."
I am Death. Nico thought bitterly, staring numbly at the flames licking the fireplace. Flames, just like the ones that had slain Leo. He swallowed roughly, tearing his eyes away from the fire.
"The spirit of Delphi is trapped in its home, at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi in Greece. The monster Python has taken it, and guards it. He is Apollo's worst enemy, but after what we have seen this past year, I don't think it's anything you can't handle. It should be a quick quest- maybe a week or so. Are you in?" Reyna's tone was gentle but firm. It wasn't really a question.
Nico raked his hands through his hair. "So the fate of the universe depends on this?" he asked drily. Reyna smirked, but didn't argue. "Fine."
Rachel smiled slightly. "Thank you, Nico. Believe me, the last thing we wanted to do was send you on another quest, not after all you've been through. But…as you said, the fate of the universe does depend on it. No pressure."
"No pressure." Nico repeated.
"So, a few logistics," Chiron said. "'For four'. Usually you are only permitted two companions, but this is an exception. You may take three."
"All right," Nico mused. "Well, Rachel- you're the host, shouldn't you come?"
"Absolutely not," Reyna interjected, her voice loud. "She is a mortal. I will not allow you to take her."
Nico raised his eyebrows, holding up his hands defensively. Rachel was silent. "Okay, then. But small problem- she's the host. How am I supposed to get the spirit from Delphi back to Long Island?"
"With this," Rachel murmured, reaching behind her neck and unclasping a necklace. It was one she'd always worn, though Nico had never bothered asking why. "This is one of the Oracle's amulets. It doesn't have any power of its own, really, but it does have the strength to contain the spirit for transport…for a limited amount of time. The spirit is just like a green vapor. But if you hold this to it, and surround it with the spirit, it should know to enter."
"Should?" Nico muttered. Rachel pressed the necklace into Nico's hand. It looked ancient- the metal was carved with intricate designs, and the amulet was beautiful, but hollow. Rather than a gem, there was empty space- where the spirit would preside, he assumed.
"Anyways, so Rachel's out for questing companion. Reyna?" he asked hopefully. But she was already shaking her head.
"I am sorry, but after so long away from Camp Jupiter, I doubt it would look good for the praetor to leave yet again. And Frank's new to this, I must help him. Besides, there are plenty of worthy heroes right here. Why not Annabeth, Percy, Piper, Jason, or-" She stuttered to a stop. Leo. She cleared her throat. "You will have no trouble finding volunteers, I believe. But there is one line you must consider."
Rachel took over. "'Is redeemed through Apollo's curse.' Now, obviously, Apollo isn't going on this quest with you. He's still grounded." Nico almost laughed. An immortal god, grounded? "But, I can only assume Apollo's 'curse' means the tendency for his children to have- or had- the power of prophecy. It isn't even a hundredth as powerful as an Oracle, though it is something. The spirit will be attracted to Apollo's bloodline."
Reyna raised an eyebrow. She'd had enough Iris Messages with Nico to know where his thoughts were.
"You're going to need a child of Apollo," Rachel continued, not seeing the exchange between Nico and Reyna. "And a powerful one at that. Like, that head counselor. Will, right?"
Nico groaned. "He's a halfway decent fighter, but he's an amazing healer. A miracle worker. I mean, I guess." Reyna was definitely supressing laughter now.
"He's the one who healed Annabeth's poisoned dagger wound in the Battle of Manhattan, right?" Rachel asked.
"That's him." Rachel nodded, satisfied. "Yeah, I like him. He'll do. You can convince him, right?"
"Probably."
"And you can discuss with him who else the two companions should be."
Nico nodded, peering out the window above the couch. He could just see the infirmary from here. Already, his heart was pounding. And it wasn't for the long trek to Greece. It wasn't about the enormous snake monster waiting to bestow his 'wrath' on them or whatever. It was the idea of doing this with Will Solace.
He stood suddenly, nodding at Chiron, Rachel, and Reyna in turn. "You're welcome," he said suddenly. Reyna chuckled. "Thank you, son of Hades."
He grinned, despite the danger ahead. He had an even harder task to complete right now- how to ask Will to go with him on a quest to Greece, to fight his father's worst enemy, and get back a spirit that only brought doom- but without seeming like he was trying too hard.