Chapter 1
Camp
Percy pulled up to the camp with a young demigod in the backseat of the van.
"Come on kid," he said, his voice flat.
"You sure I'll be safe here?" Amy asked. She was a eleven year old girl with blonde hair and grey eyes, a daughter of Athena he was certain.
"Yeah, I told you, the camp is protected by magic that keeps the monsters out and you'll be able to learn how to defend yourself," Percy said. He climbed out of the van and stalked toward the Big House listening as the girl scampered up beside him.
When he reached the porch he saw Chiron and Mr. D playing their usual game.
"This is Amy," Percy said, gesturing behind him. "I gave her the brief rundown about gods and monsters, but she should probably see the orientation film anyway."
"Good work my boy," Chiron said, moving away from the table to greet Amy. "Welcome to camp Amy, I am Chiron and this is Mr. D."
Ignoring Mr. D's response Percy headed toward his cabin. Chiron called after him, "Percy, I'm sure you need to rest after retrieving Amy, but if you would come by the Big House tomorrow at nine I have a proposition for you."
"Will do Chiron," Percy said, not even looking back.
Nico watched as Percy walked into his cabin and slammed the door behind him. He was worried about his cousin. He had tried talking to Percy, he had even carried messages back and forth between him and Annabeth in Elysium several times hoping it would cheer him up, but nothing seemed to break Percy's despair.
"Nico," a voice called from behind him. Nico turned around to find Will standing there.
"Hey Will," he said, looking back at Cabin 3.
"You've got your worried face on Neeks," Will said, putting his hand on Nico's shoulder.
"Yeah, it's Percy. I want to help him, he's one of my best friends and my cousin to boot, but I don't know what to do."
Will turned Nico around to face him, meeting Nico's eyes with his own. "Nico," he said softly, "There isn't anything any of us can do. There is nothing physically wrong with him, it's emotional, and you can't force him to talk. You should know that better than anyone."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Come on Neeks, you went through a phase like this yourself, after Bianca died."
"I know, but Percy is the one who pulled me out of it."
"Yes, but he only was able to do so once you went to him for help. As much as we care, we can't force Percy to get better if he doesn't want to. All we can do is let him know we are here for him if he wants, and that we care about him. And all of us, you, me, the seven, Reyna, Chiron, all of us have let him know that already."
"I know, I just... I hate not doing anything."
Will pulled Nico into a hug and said in his ear, "I know." Pulling back Will grabbed Nico's hand, and dragged him along.
"Where are we going Will?" Nico protested, laughing.
"To the infirmary, I want to see how your energy levels are, and if they've stabilized yet. I thought they would months ago, but they're still erratic. You really did a number on yourself, transporting the Athena Parthenos halfway across the world."
Nico laughed again, and let Will pull him into the infirmary, putting all thoughts of Percy to the back of his mind for the moment.