WARNINGS: Indirect HOH spoilers


He's an eleven year old boy. To be more specific, he's an eleven year old son of Hades, which is a role that comes with its own set of rules.

He's supposed to be self-sufficient, able to survive in a world full of monsters that want to kill him on his own. He's supposed to continue his father's legendary rivalry with his brothers, make sure that he keeps away from the children of Zeus and Poseidon.

He's not supposed to hero worshipping someone, and definitely not the only living half-blood child of Poseidon. Especially not considering the fact that he's the hero of the Great Prophecy, a role that Hades desperately wants him to fulfil.

But – well, Percy's always taken the time to be kind to him. And despite the fact that he was responsible for the death of Bianca, the kindness he offered was too rare for Nico to dismiss completely.

So no matter how much Minos advocated that he kill Percy, that wasn't something that Nico had ever considered. The thought of Percy lying dead, his sea green eyes lifeless and his dark hair matted with blood – even the thought of it made Nico shudder.

But he still avoided the other boy as far as he could. To face Percy meant facing things that he just wasn't ready to deal with – he wasn't ready to examine his feelings just yet, and keeping away from the cause of them meant that he didn't have to do that.

Of course, Percy just had to turn up at Geryon's ranch. He was grateful that he was still alive, of course, but having Percy be his knight in shining armour again – well, that didn't exactly help his determination to avoid all thoughts of the Child of the Sea. A knight in shining armour- but he refuses to think about that.

He's fine at the ranch. The work helps to tire him out, which in turn makes it easy for him to avoid any and all unwanted thoughts. There's a part of him that thinks he's on his way to getting over it all – Bianca was right, he does blame her. And now that he's faced that fact, he can start getting over his feelings of betrayal at the fact that his elder sister chose to be a Hunter instead of staying with him.

Maybe he can even get over his admiration for Percy Jackson. He can finally be the son that a child of Hades is supposed to be, can finally be the Ghost King he's supposed to.

And then he walks into the courtyard one night, and there's a ghostly man with a pointed beard. Somehow, Minos has found a way to become corporeal without his help.

He should be worried about – he knows he should. But before he can question the Judge of the Dead, Minos starts talking.

"Perseus Jackson is in danger," he whispers. "Kronos' army grows closer to him. Without you, Master, there is little chance of his survival."

Percy had wanted him to remain at the ranch to protect himself – but Percy is the one in danger of dying now. And Minos reminds him that this is his chance to be Percy's hero, to save him the way the older boy has saved Nico so many times.

There's a part of him that thinks – Maybe Percy will notice me now. Maybe he'll finally notice me instead of Annabeth. Maybe he'll finally see me as something more than a child.

He's still not ready to face his feelings – far from it, in fact – but Percy's in danger, and Nico has no choice.

He has to go.


So, it's official. House of Hades has given me way too many ideas for revisiting the original books through Nico's eyes...

I hope you guys liked this! Please don't forget to drop a review on your way out :)