II Lullaby
After the breakfast welcome party for Nico, the two of them went straight to the training room. It was just like any other rooms in the Institute but twice the size of it. It was filled with weapons that you can probably see in those ancient movies. Longswords, katanas, maces, clubs, axes but the most sacred weapons were The Seraph Blades. It was forged by The Iron Sisters from blood of Angels where they emit special glows and only fellow Shadowhunters can use or touch them. Nico recognized some of the seraph blades that hung from the walls. The ceilings have illuminated all those glowing paintings, cherubins, angels and the special cup Mortal Cup given by Angel Raziel to Jonathan Shadowhunter. The first of their kind.
"And here you will see the-" he stopped talking then looked at the young Shadowhunter staring intensely at the blades. Percy was stunned at Nico. His eyes tell the innocence he makes. The way he looks at the Seraph Blades, sure he'd seen a lot of it from his era but to actually hold it was kinda cute and adorable in his idea. Faking a cough, Nico quickly went back to his gaze back to him. He handed him a small sword that matches his body build. Nico merely managed to lift the weapon with his two hands struggling not to fall.
"Don't worry, Nico. We'll just learn the basics." Pery said picking also his weapon but with much more weight and size. It was a double-edged sword with runes all over it. Clairvoyance, Sight, Strength and Agility were the visible ones to read, some of them were already forgotten or much powerful ones that wasn't a part of the Gray Book. The young Nephilim's eyes were full of determination that he would excel in these types of things.
"No! Do not toy with me, Perseus! I can perfectly kill a demon without learning the basics" Nico argued.
"And yet you don't even know how to properly hold your weapon. And stop calling me Perseus, it's Percy. P-e-r-c-y. Percy. Memorize it in your head." his face was serious and not giving any more joke stuffs. He was definitely on instructor mode. Nico wanted to protest and called him again but he wouldn't dare to turn around. True to his words, Percy wouldn't acknowledged anyone who calls him by his full name making the young Nephilim agitated in calling him Percy.
"Perseus, this is not the time to be such a hypocrite!" Nico yelled but Percy wouldn't still turn around. Why are you such a stubborn person? Clenching his fist as they round up, he took a deep and muttered "Percy" hearing it, the old Nephilim finally looked his way towards Nico but he was astonished on him. His deep brown eyes were had mixed with his deep circles around the eyes. Strands of his hair was already covering his face. Wanting to laugh at him, he didn't want to offend Nico's feelings. The runeless body of Nico tells that he can still save himself and lived as a normal person but he wouldn't back down on what his relatives want him to do. A duty of a Nephilim eh?
Nico who was standing in front of Percy, not moving an inch in his place mutter something which he couldn't hear but knows that he was thinking something. "Per-" couldn't continue, Percy swung his sword with Nico's. Adrenaline rushed to his instincts causing to block the older Nephilim's weapon.
"Rule number one: Never let your enemy distract you." he said then as their swrds clashed each other. Tingling sensation came in his body. Enjoying. Nico di Angelo is enjoying himself exchanging powerful slashes with Percy Jackson. What is this feeling? Is this what Bianca felt as she trained herself as a Nephilim? Did Mom and Dad felt this too? Why didn't they allow me to hold Seraph Blades in the Venice Institute? What are they so afraid of what I can do? Questions were popping in his head, reminiscing the days in his own time. His parents, even his older sister is scolding him on not to touch the mystical weapons or even step into the training hall.
A few hours of explaining the basics, the two of them were sweating a lot from the hits and clashes of swords. Percy's shirt was soaked with sweat not that it wasn't bad for his image. Nico on the other hand, catching his breathe had knelt on the ground making the sword fall in his grasp. Realizing what happened, Percy helped him get up offering the young Nephilim to assist him in getting back to his room. He shrugged the idea making his way back by himself leaving Percy alone in the Training Room.
"You sure could use a lot of rest, Seaweed Brain" a female voice said. It was from a woman with blond locks tied in a ponytail with striking gray storm eyes wearing a baby blue shirt and jumper shorts and knee-high folded stepped forward snaking her hands in Percy's waist. He did the same removing the spae between them causing their lips to meet each other.
"Perfect timing, Wise Girl. I could use some company right now." He grinned.
"By the Angel, Percy. It's either about Chiron or The Stolls."
"Haha. For a change it's not about them it's about him."
"I've heard from Chiron that you've become Nico's personal trainer. Percy why do you always end up with odd jobs? For God's sake!" Annabeth Chase was playing with her brewed coffee in the nearest coffee shop in town. Percy was explaining that he couldn't just leave the kid because not being the same time as them and he definitely needs assistance. The blond girlfriend took a deep sigh understanding him. He apologized to Annabeth intertwining their hands. Been a long time he thought since they saw each other.
Annabeth lives in California which is two hours away from New York. She is also one of the best Nephilim's in their generation or the second "best female Shadowhunter" beside Clarisse la Rue. She lives in California Institute and train together with other Nephilims being handled by Lady Athena, the Institute's Head. It may be small but they train the most effecient ones unlike other Institutes.
"I'm glad that Lady Athena agreed to let you leave the Institute, Annabeth." He said staring at her gray orbs. Annabeth getting tense making her face red. She wasn't still stable whenever Percy praises her. She always gets tense tapping her fingers on their table.
"It wasn't easy to persuade her though, I came here by an errand together with Malcolm. He said I could visit you while he does the errand. Gods, being chaperone by my brother is annoying! I miss you, Percy."
"Same, Annabeth. Same." He smiled kissing each other. They were all over each other with no care in the world than them. They continued talking about each other and what happened to them. Annabeth was fighting some demons and saving Downworlders. Sometimes they do errands from them, in exchanged for demon information. It's a crime to kill Downworlders by Nephilim and vise versa. It's a sacred law that must follow. Percy did the same but more dangerous missions were getting assigned to them. Clarisse, Stolls, Beauregards and others were always assigned to Percy to lead them which always did the best performance. Annabeth laughed, Percy joined-in when
"I see you're having a good time, Anna" they both looked behind and saw Malcolm, Annabeth's brother. The likeness was the same as hers, gray eyes, blonde hair and being one of the best tactician in them. He was wearing cashmere hoodie, bulky black pants and black and white slip-on shoes. Percy greeted him while her girlfriend scowled like Malcolm interrupted a good part.
"Always good to see you, brother-in-law" Percy shooked hands with Malcolm, he did the same but with fierce look in his eyes.
"Malcolm, you're scaring my boyfriend. Are you done on what we came here?" She asked. Her brother nodded and said that its time for them to go back to the Institute. Percy and Annabeth stood up leaving some cash on the table for their payment and left the building. Percy held Annabeth's hand one more time before they part ways.
"Take care, Seaweed Brain. Don't overestimate your abilities okay?" Annabeth said.
"Hey, I've got the Achilles heel you know? I'll be fine." Percy replied making her more pissed, she folded her hands and glared at him.
"Oh stop using metaphorical lines to me, you idiot! Just be careful okay"
"Yes, Wise Girl" grabbing Annabeth's waist, he pulled her closer to him. She was clenching his shirt like he doesn't want to end but Malcolm was calling him saying it's time to go. Annabeth let go and walk towards her brother. Percy waved to them and the two Nephilim entered the vehicle. Engines started to sound, moving at full speed.
His phone rang and saw the caller's name; Princess Warfreak. Clarisse. Curious as to why, he answered but he got a strange feeling after it. Screams, swords clashing can be heard in the background. Percy shouted for Clarisse's name but couldn't instead a very demonic voice can be heard sending gut feels in his stomach.
"Perseus Jackson. Beloved Son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson. You are one of the best Shadowhunters in this generation. Shame, I've known and killed more skilled than you are."
"Valentine? Valentine Morgenstern?! What have you done with Clarisse?" He shouted. The voice laughed maniacally and spoke.
"I am looking for a boy named Nico di Angelo but it seems that he isn't here. I so apologize for the trouble that I did in your lovely Institute but do inform me if you've seen the child. I promise not to harm anymore of the Nephilims or perhaps you wnted to join my army?" Valentine said like he was sincere in apologizing that almost wanted Percy to puke his intestines out.
"I would rather kill myself in giving you di Angelo you son of a-" Before he could speak more, the line was cut and adreline kicked in running faser than anyone to get back in the Institute. He was worried on everyone, his friends, Chiron, Clarisse, The Stolls but most epeially Nico.
Valentine said that he couldn't find Nico in the Institute. I swear to Raziel that if he left the Institute, I'm going to take a whole different level of training. He'd better not be thinking of exluding himself again.
Wait for me everyone!
Wait for me Nico!