Chapter 2 - Nico: "I Hate Scythes"

I was standing in the middle of a forest clearing by the side of a crystal clear lake. The same place I keep dreaming about since I came to camp. The lake's waters rippled and sparkled under the daylight. Sun shone above in a soft array. A cool breeze blew past. Before me, by the opposite side of lake, stood a big oak tree. By the base of the tree stood a magnificent throne. The throne was made of gold and silver. Beautiful intricate etchings of various animals, plants and even humans were carved on its whole structure. Polished gemstones of different colors and sizes were inlaid, adding to the magnificence of the throne. Around the base of the throne was the most beautiful and magnificent dragon I've ever seen. It was a whole lot bigger than Peleus. Instead of leathery wings, it has feathered ones, similar to the wings of a bird. Each feather were clean and arranged in perfect rows. Its scales and feathers were transparent white, shimmering in a spectrum of colors as light struck it. The lower length of its tail were lined with spikes and ending with a row of broad feathers up to the tip. Its head was collared with feathers and its talons were sharp yet clean. Smoke trailed off from its snout as it slept. All around me, animals milled around, playing, and napping. The lush greenery around me swayed with the cool breeze. Just like the same dreams I had the nights before, the throne was empty. The animals kept looking at the throne like they were expecting someone but didn't came.

The sky above darkened. Gray stormy clouds covered the sky. Lightning streaked above. A deafening thunder rolled by. Rain poured heavily and wind lashed furiously around me, bringing with it fallen leaves and broken branches. The animals ran in fear, searching for shelter from the storm. Above, an eagle soared unharmed amidst the storm. Its cry sounded like a trumpet of triumph.

Then, the worst part happened. The ground shook below my feet. A fissure cracked the earth. A chasm opened up, swallowing the lake and the throne, together with the big oak tree. Black fumes spewed from the chasm. The fumes reached up the sky, knocking the eagle out of the sky. It fell down to the chasm, closing like the teeth of a hungry beast, swallowing the eagle into nothingness. All around me, the ground softened into mud. I tried to move but my feet got stuck. I began to sink. The ground trembles and opened, and just like the eagle, swallowed me whole.

I jolted awake. My body trickled with sweat. I closed my eyes as I calmed my breathing. I stared at the moonlit cabin, barely listening to the breathing of my cabin mates over the silence of the night. I pressed my knees to my chest. The horror that took place eleven days ago is still fresh in my mind. I tried not to think of the possibility of Tartarus coming back to get me but I knew too well that a huge war is about to take place. We all do and we can't escape. I lifted at my wrist and watched the dove pendant dangled and sparkled in the moonlight. I closed my eyes and grabbed at the happy memories that the three of us had made. Memories I wished I could back to. Memories I wished I could spend with Clarisse and Christine again. Christine...I bit my lip. You said you will come back, you liar! So why...why didn't you...why did this have to happen...how could you?! I lay down and covered my head with pillow. I sobbed until sleep finally took over me.

The next morning, the son of Hades was waiting for me outside. I greeted him which he returned with a quiet nod. I followed him toward the stables. Today is one of the days where Clarisse have to spend almost all her day to train new arrivals. During this days, Nico become my company for the entire day. Despite being quiet every time he's with me, I began to learn to trust and rely on the guy. Sure, he is a Hades kid but that doesn't mean he's a bad guy. He can be talkative at times but those are very rare. I know the reason why he's looking after me: it was one of Christine's wishes before her death. She had given her trust to Nico to look after me. I know I must be angry at him for not saving her and I did. But that was a thing of the past. I know very well he didn't want that to happen in any way. I'd forgiven him and that's all that matters.

As we walked past the wide fissure that opened up eleven days ago, he took notice of the charm bracelet.

"Oh this?" I lifted my wrist. "Actually, it is Christine's. I got it last night from her dog. Markus just appeared suddenly with the bracelet around his neck. Once I took it off him, he ran off. I tried following him but he suddenly disappeared." I lowered it and touched the dove gingerly. "It was actually given to her by her aunt. The only blood relative she knew. I don't actually know how Markus got it at all, but for all I knew...she isn't wearing this when she descended down the Underworld, even though it's very important to her." I looked down.

Nico shifted at his feet, obviously finding the topic a bit sensitive. "She isn't wearing that back then..." He said.

"Yeah...but the thing is, it's made of Imperial Gold and it can turn into a weapon." I stepped back and willed the bracelet to turn to a weapon. Soon enough, it grew into a scythe, glinting under the daylight.

Nico jumped back in surprise. "What the?!"

"Sorry. I should have warned you."

He studied the weapon cautiously. "A scythe...not a good choice of a weapon."

I shrugged. "It's what it turned to. I don't think I can change it."

"Right..." His shoulders slumped. "You should turn it back to a bracelet. I don't think a pegasus fancies having a rider with a scythe. Especially with Blackjack, Percy's pegasus. Kronos and Percy got a very bad blood between them. He might stomp on you."

"Right. Never show the pure black pegasus a scythe if you don't want to become a pancake." The scythe shrank back into a charm bracelet.

"You...you should not use it much." He scratched the back of his neck. "I don't think a scythe could get you far in a battle. You should just stick on to other weapons like swords or maybe bows. Not that I'm good in archery, you know."

I sighed. "I understand."

"Well, the pegasi's waiting for us. Let's go."

Being on the ground and feeling nature with your own hands is one thing. Seeing it's fully glory above is another. It gives you a thrill you will never feel on ground. It let you show things you will never see at close view. It was scary yet wonderful. I looked down and saw Nico sitting on the grass while Blackjack nipped on his hair. Blackjack is the only pegasus I've known to approach the son of Hades. Nico stroked his head as he watched me fly above. Soon enough, we landed and met up with Nico. He helped me refill the pegasi's troughs. Blackjack rubbed his head affectionately on my hand.

"Christine had ridden Blackjack a few times." Nico said. "They're quite close. He must have knew your connection to her."

I ran my hand on the pegasus' mane. "I guess. Though I wished I could understand him."

"You can ask Percy. He's a son of Poseidon. His dad's the father of horses. He can understand them. Maybe he could translate it for you."

"I'll put that in my mind." As we finished our chore, a loud boom reverberated throughout camp. Nico and I hurried outside and saw a huge smoke coming from the armory. A group of Hephaestus kids ran out of the armory, coughing and wheezing. Some campers had gathered to help them, bringing pails of water.

"Oh...must be Leo." Nico said and went back inside the stables. I watched as the head counselor of Hephaestus cabin went out, followed by his girlfriend. Percy had ran toward the armory and summoned water from the canoe lake to extinguish the fire inside the building. I simply shrugged and went back inside.

I stood by the doorway, watching Nico brush Blackjack's coat. I tried not to remember what happened eleven days ago. It was never his fault. He didn't want that to happen. No one did. I touched the charm bracelet.

"I'm so sorry..." Nico's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He had stopped brushing the pure black pegasus' coat and was now staring blankly at the walls of the stables. His face grim and filled with guilt.

I tried to wave it off. "It wasn't your fault. No one wished for that to happen."

"But I was there..."

"But it was her decision. She could be pretty stubborn at times."

"Still, I could have done something."

I inhaled, biting my lower lip. My shoulder slumped. "She died for a good cause. She wouldn't want it any other way."

Nico didn't responded. I hauled myself to work. I poured a pail of water to Porkpie's trough as Nico sluggishly brushed Blackjack's coat.

"What if...what if she's still alive?"

I almost dropped the pail. I looked over at Nico who met my gaze. I looked away.

"I-I don't want to be too wishful...yet..." My voice trails off. "You told us she's gone. You're a son of Hades. You know when one is gone or not."

"Yeah...you're right..." His eyes glazed over like he was first taking in his surroundings after a deep slumber. "But...Tartarus wants something from her. He wants to use her to avenge Gaea. He wouldn't let her die one way or another without getting what he needs from her."

"Which is?"

His shoulders slumped. "I don't know." He shook his head weakly. "It's not like a single demigod could destroy the gods. Even if she's a daughter of the queen of the gods or of one of the Big Three."

I gazed at him. He must be feeling more guilt than any of us, even if it wasn't his fault. I tried to smile the brightest I can, hoping my charmspeak would work well. "We should hurry up now. It's almost lunchtime. Clarisse would be worried if I don't come just in time."

"Yeah...you're right." The guilt slowly disappeared on his expression. My charmspeak must have worked now but it won't last forever. Deep inside, he's still carrying that horrible feeling. I brushed off the hair on my face and went back working.