Ancient

Chapter 1: Beginnings of a Curse

Existence~

Sometimes flare is the best way to go. Chaos and her brothers have forced us into a state of scattered essences. My Brother, Armegeddon, and my Sister, Genesis, have agreed to my plan.

We will slumber until the time has come to restore the balance of the universe. Tartarus is a fool, and he will be the downfall of my sister's treacherous two children. He knows naught what he has. His arrogance will be the downfall of him.

Although the plan is in effect, I worry for the complications that will arise. The spell to bring us back was vaguely worded.

The one struck by this dagger will bear the Ancients curse. To become those Ancient that no longer live.

I also worry for this new curse that my nephew, Order, made. Domain's curse is something just as powerful as the one I made. I will worry about it later.

For now, I will sleep.

Tartarus~ Present Day

How dare he! That puny half-blood will pay! No mortal defies a Primordial. I smile sadistically as I remember that fateful day. The day I stole the dagger from my uncle. It is an elegant fragile looking thing. Made of an unknown beautiful transparent silver material. It shimmers and tapers into a jagged point that is meant to break off.

I ready the blade as the half-blood approaches again to pass me in order to get to the doors of death. I smile and throw it. The dagger strikes the half-blood in the chest. I let him slip by and watch as he collapses after crossing the threshold of the doors of death.

Let him enjoy this 'gift' I have given him.

Nico's POV~

We defeated Hecate's bane. Relief is the most prominent feeling in us. Hazel did brilliantly against Phaesphae. (AN: Mother of the Minotaur. Did I spell it right?)

I turned to where the doors of death were, and my eyes widen in horror. I bolted to Percy and Annabeth. Jason followed my path and realized what had me in such a frantic state.

There was a dagger impaled in Percy's chest. The sense of victory we felt earlier is gone. Frank reached him before I did. He yanked it out and tore strips of cloth off his tattered shirt. He frantically tied them around his chest. Then Frank backed away and turned into a horse.

By then I had reached them, and Annabeth stirred. She helped me lift Percy and place him on Frank. Then she got on his back and carefully place her arms around Percy. Frank took off once they were firmly on his back. Hazel used her powers over the Mist to guide us out of the still forming Labyrinth.

Hedge had the Argo II waiting for us. Frank bolted up the ramp and I shadow traveled to the infirmary. One minute later Frank came in carrying Percy. Percy looked so small in Frank's big arms. Frank gently set him down on one of the beds.

Annabeth limped in and I had to stop myself from glaring at her. She does not deserve Percy. She reached a chair near his bed and sank into it. Exhaustion is evident in her posture. Within a span of a few minutes she had nodded off. Leaving me to keep vigil over Percy and make sure he is clean. I will not think about that very awkward half hour. Also Annabeth was transferred to a bed.

Many hours passed before Percy finally shifted. Pain marred his beautiful features and a slight whimper escaped his lips. I crossed the room quickly. He seemed to calm down. He woke up five minutes later. He looked at me, and I saw recognition flare in his eyes.

"Nico?" His voice was so weak and vulnerable.

I cleared my throat and replied, "Yes Percy. It's me."

"It hurts", he rasped.

"Where?" I was immediately concerned.

"My back, my head, oh just every where." His breaths became harsh gasps. His eyes flicked rapidly around the room. His fingers twitched violently.

I frowned. Concern clouded my features. I reached over and grabbed the nectar on the table. I gently loosened the bandages around his chest and trickled a little bit on to the now near invisible wound. Wait, near invisible? I'm no Apollo kid, but even I know that a knife wound should not be near invisible after being treated with nectar. As I treated it with nectar again, I decided that I will ponder this later.

I gently turned Percy on his side to see if anything else was wrong. Then I gasped. Branded onto his back was the strangest symbol I have ever seen. It was an Infinity symbol that stretch from shoulder to shoulder. A double helix(DNA strand) slashed down the middle of the two spaces in the infinity sign, very much like a pair of eyes.

He trembled slightly, so I looked him in the eyes and said, "Sleep." My voice was deep and hypnotic. His eyes became unfocused, and with the aid of the shadows, he dropped off into the realm of Morpheus. I hope he does not have any nightmares.

New story. I seem to be making more of them lately. My thanks to the authors of Blackened Dawn and Perseus Jackson the Monster Shifter. To Han50 and Svren, who gave me this idea, I thank you. (btw you should read their stories. Great stories.)

I have another story that requires my attention now.

So I will take my leave.

Enjoy :)

Nightshade

P.S. I would like a review. Or some one telling me if I'm doing something right or wrong.