Hey, guys! I've been excited to write this chapter because here's where I start the main events of the story. You'll get what I mean as the chapter's progress. Enjoy!
Jason opened the door to let Chiron wheelchair in. He had Iris messaged him, and he seemed delighted to hear about Nico. That was until Jason told him what Nico had informed him about.
"Where is he?" he asked, worried.
Jason pointed at the room he kept Nico locked in. "There."
He looked at the door, knitting his eyebrows. It didn't seem much to keep him in, yes, but according to Nico, it was fine. "How much time left 'til he's not himself again?" Chiron asked.
Jason shrugged. Honestly, he didn't pay attention to the time. "Maybe thirty minutes, more or less?" he guessed.
Chiron nodded. "What are you planning to do now?"
Jason has already planned a bit but he didn't think about this thoroughly. "I'll call my friends so we can track down Octavian. If we can do it tonight, great. If not, we'll hope for the best. Then, maybe you can help us find a way to bring Nico back?" He lifted one corner of his mouth as a suggesting look.
Chiron nodded. "That seems fine. I'll stay with Nico to try to find out what to do while you quickly go and contact your friends."
Jason was already on it. All his friends must have still been in the party, and judging by the time, the party must be coming to an end. The guys did cherish their sleep. He decided to Iris message Annabeth since he knew she wasn't much of a crowd person like the rest, so even if there were guests, she was the least likely to be around them. Sure enough, she was in the kitchen, seemingly looking for something.
"Gosh, Jase, you scared me," she said, clutching her chest. "We were so worried about you. You were gone and- What's wrong? You look worried."
Was it wise to tell them about Nico? Considering he didn't get permission from him to tell them, he guessed it was wiser to exclude Nico from the conversation. "I need everyone for this, Annabeth, and I need everyone now. Octavian's alive. And he's going crazy."
Her eyes widened. "What?" She shook her head. "I'll tell everyone. Where should we meet you?"
"Near Camp Half-Blood," he said.
She nodded and went off, so Jason was left to stop the connection and take his weapons. Well, only Gladius, really. It was what he used mostly.
He sighed, looking at the locked door once more as if telling Nico a promise. He will be back. With good news, hopefully. He smiled and then went to the door, ready to face the challenges of today.
"So Octavian's alive?" Frank asked with disbelief. If that shocked Frank, Jason didn't know what would happen if they figured out about Nico. Not that he wanted to mention him.
"Yeah, and I've been told he's five minutes away from Camp Half-Blood. To the right of it."
"Who told you that?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow. Was Percy doubting him?
"Someone who I promised to keep their identity a secret," he said with a harsher tone than intended.
Annabeth looked left and right. "Which right, though?" she asked.
Jason sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Right now, they were facing Half-Blood hill. "Let's try here," Jason said, pointing to his right. "I'd say we split up but that's not a good idea."
He got a couple of nods. Some of them actually looked scared, too. Octavian wasn't exactly powerful, but from the description, he was pretty sure horrible plans would happen if they don't stop him.
"Let's go," Piper said, getting out her bronze sword. The rest imitated her action and started walking. All the while, Leo was talking about how "five minutes to the hideout" can mean anything, or how better measures should've been taken. Jason wanted so bad to be deaf at that moment. He loved the guy, but he could be annoying at times.
Sure enough, five minutes have passed with them walking about all that could be seen is some trees and grass.
"Now what?" Hazel asked, clearly frustrated.
Jason sighed. "Seriously?" He leaned against the closest tree. "Should've asked for more info," he muttered. Just then, he felt something move behind him. He got up from his position and looked at what was going on. The tree that he was just leaning on started to literally open in half. Inside it was . . . nothing. It was empty. But underneath it was a hole. No, it was a path underground with stairs, actually. It was slightly dark, but there was light.
Jason looked at the others and gave a doubtful look. Annabeth motioned for him to enter. He nodded and started walking quietly there. On the side of the path there were torches that lit up the place. It was nice and cozy here, really, but knowing Octavian was there, Jason shivered. He could hear the footsteps of his friends behind him, but he knew they were trying their best to be quiet.
At the end of the path, Jason noticed they reached a room-like place, if he'd call it that. Its walls were made of metal, so it was creepily giving him the feeling of being trapped. This was where Nico was the whole time? So close? And trapped? He swallowed. He should've figured this out, but he had to be a mindless idiot.
He looked around, and at the sight of someone, he went back. It wasn't Octavian, but he didn't want to get caught now.
He turned back to the others, signaling them that someone was there. Frank pushed past him, mouthing, "I got this."
Jason trusted him with this. The guy was big. Anyone would be scared to fight with him. And not only that, but being praetor made him seem like someone not to be messed with. In fear of being exposed, Jason didn't turn around to see the fight happening, but the sounds of someone grunting made him turn around. Impressive. The guy was already on the floor, staring at Frank with fear in his eyes.
Getting out his sword, Jason stepped forward until he was in view. The others followed him. Frank was already asking questions, but quietly, probably so he wouldn't be heard anyone else.
Jason pointed the sword at the guy and looked around. No one was in sight. Good.
"Let's try this again. Where's Octavian?" Frank asked.
"H-He's in there." He pointed to the right where a door in a corner was located. Such poor security he had. Though this guy was a sell-out, apparently. They had to keep him shut.
Jason nodded. "Keep him pinned here. I'm going in with Percy and Hazel. Leo, Piper, and Annabeth, you keep a look out in case anyone attacks."
Leo gave a salute. "Got it, chief."
Jason rolled his eyes. Ignoring him, he opened the door and got in. Though he felt proud leading the group. He had always been a leader, but there had always been the competition between him and Percy. Right now, it seemed they needed Jason since he held the information.
The feeling of happiness soon disappeared and got replaced with anger. There stood Octavian, talking to someone, but he looked at his three attackers in surprise. He narrowed his eyes at them, seemingly angry as well. But he was looking at Jason in particular. He must have known he did something. "I was wondering why he didn't come back," he said, taking out his sword from its hilt. "You did something, didn't you?"
Hazel and Percy did the mistake of letting their guards down in their moment of curiosity. "What does he mean?" Percy asked Jason.
Jason didn't look at them. He didn't want to say it. Not now. He needed to focus on Octavian. And defeat him. This guy was slowly building up an army to conquer all, and he used a charmed Nico to do it as a revenge. He was definitely going to pay. "He's not a puppet that you can control," he said.
Octavian raised an eyebrow, and then chuckled and stepped closer. Jason was having none of this. He extended his sword more as a warning. If he got closer, he wouldn't be afraid to attack. Octavian's smile never disappeared, though. "Yet I did control him, didn't I?"
"Jason," Hazel said before he could say anything back. "Who is he? Just stop avoiding the question."
Jason turned to her to give her an apologetic frown. He was planning on telling them, but right now, he couldn't. It was a secret that wasn't his own. A secret he wasn't allowed to tell without permission.
But how stupid was Jason to divert his attention from Octavian? Surely, he should've expected him to knock him down. But the way he did it made him furious. Well, he didn't know exactly how it happened, but he did feel a sharp pain on the left side of his face that made him lose his balance and fall to the ground. Jason gritted his teeth and held his sword tighter. He wasn't giving up. Nico needed him.
"I don't know how he likes you," Octavian said bitterly.
Jason lifted his head. He could tell Octavian was just trying to get to him, and he was glad that his friends caught up to that as well. From the corner of his eyes, he could see them in their battle stance, ready for attack.
Jason was feeling slightly dizzy, but that didn't stop him from standing up. "We all know what you're up to, so why don't you shut up?"
"Is that so? Did he tell you?" Octavian asked.
Jason scoffed. "What? You scared he isn't loyal to you? Guess what, he never was."
Octavian may be the bluffing king, but it appeared that didn't help in making Jason's words get to him, and he struck. Jason, by then, had luckily got his balance and focus back. He was able to block the attack with his sword. He was expecting another strike, but then Percy grabbed Octavian from the back and put the sword close to his neck.
"Just give up. Now that we know where you are, we can stop you," he threatened. And it wasn't empty. They all knew it was true.
The son of Apollo looked at Hazel and Jason as if studying them. "And how will you do that?" he asked.
As of now, Jason had no idea. And by the looks of it, neither did Hazel. Jason was about to say something clever about how they don't know yet but they'll win eventually, but then Percy grinned. What was he up to? As if he was reading his mind, well, Jason guessed he read his expression, he replied with, "Let's just say I have a magical item on me that's leading the Party Ponies right here."
Jason smiled at him, impressed. He didn't think Percy would be this cautious. Maybe it was Annabeth who told him to do this, but it also wasn't hard to believe Percy thought of this, too. Jason had gotten to know him throughout the years, and he found out just how Percy was smart. He was reckless and he had a big mouth, but he wasn't dumb, either. And right now, he was grateful he brought Percy with him inside.
Hazel's gold eyes sparkled with hope. It was perhaps the nicest thing to see an innocent girl like her get this happy. Of course, she was more mature now that she became nineteen, but she still had that innocent look and those big eyes. It was enough to make him confident once again.
He noticed Octavian's eye twitch in irritation, and that was when he knew they won. The guy would never show signs of weakness. Only annoying smugness and wickedness.
From outside, he heard Leo exclaiming happily, and loud yet muffled cheers. Both Jason and Hazel turned to see a mess of centaurs running around. Some had gloomy-looking minions in their hands as they led them out, and others were walking around, yelling, "Check the other room!" A few entered this room, looking at Octavian as if they caught the biggest fish in the sea.
One of them, who wore a tie-dye hipster shirt, smiled at Percy happily and said, "Dude! Long time no see!"
The other just chuckled and motioned towards Octavian. "He means: nice job. We'll take it from here." Percy gladly handed Octavian over to him, though they were met with angry protests from the augur. The centaur punched him harshly in the stomach, which made Octavian bend and wrap his arm around himself, and then the centaur said, "Shut up, kid! Just be grateful. I'm much more nicer than Zeus." He held him once again from the arms and pushed him outside.
Jason stared at the exit in amazement and then looked back at Percy. "Thanks, bro."
Percy grinned like an idiot. "Of course, can't take all the credit. Annabeth would kill me. I just thought of the idea. Annabeth was the one who did it."
Jason nodded. "Ah. Makes more sense."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Percy asked, offended.
Jason just smiled at him and motioned outside. "Come on. Let's go. I don't want to be stuck here a minute longer."
The others seemed to agree as well because they followed him outside the room, and then to the surface. All of them were cheering and smiling. That is except for Jason. He kept thinking about Nico and how in the name of Tartarus they were supposed to fix the problem with him.
He noticed Hazel glancing at him every few seconds. He would've asked her what's wrong, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Unfortunately for him, she was the one who came to him and said, "What was Octavian talking about back there?"
"Hmm?" he asked, acting oblivious.
"Oh, stop it. You know what I'm talking about. Spill," she said.
He looked down at the grass. Even if Hazel was Nico's sister, he couldn't tell her a thing. This was Nico's secret to keep, and he wasn't going to say anything without Nico's permission. "I want to tell you, but I can't," he said.
"You can't? What does that even mean?" she asked.
"It means I can't spill someone else's beans," he clarified even more.
"Oh," she said. "Sorry for prying, then. It just sounded so important when you were talking about 'him', whoever he is."
He gave her a smile. At least she understood. He liked this about her. No wonder Nico had wanted to protect her when he was around her. She was too innocent and pure. "I'll tell you in due time. Just not now."
"Take your time," she said. She gave him a thin smile then rushed again to join Frank.
As he looked at the two, he couldn't help but admire the couple. If only he could be that happy.
Jason had never been so nervous entering his house. He knew he shouldn't have stalled and walked around the neighborhood for what seemed like hours until he finally decided to face this. He couldn't help it. He was too scared to know what had happened to Nico. If he wasn't himself anymore. He probably was now that Jason took his time.
He opened the door and noticed Chiron on the wheelchair, waiting for Jason to come. He looked at him with concerned, fatherly eyes. "How did everything do? Are you all right?"
Jason wrapped his arms around himself – a habit he formed when he was insecure or nervous. "Things went all right. And I hope I'll be all right." He gave a slight smile. "The Party Ponies came."
Chiron chuckled slightly. "Oh, I hoped they didn't cause any chaos."
"Too late for that," Jason said humorously despite the pain he was feeling inside.
The smile was finally wiped out from both their faces. Chiron nodded towards the door holding Nico back. "I'd check on him every once in a while. Poor thing's scarred." He gave a pitiful look towards the door. "And he's reverted back to…"
He didn't need to continue. He didn't need to. Jason understood what he meant. He's reverted back to that monster, Owen. "I don't know what to do," he whispered. He was scared. He felt like he had failed both Nico and himself.
Chiron moved the chair closer to Jason and held Jason's hand. "Grace, look at me." So he did. "I've seen this before. The effect on his is bad, very much worse than the other cases I've witnessed, but this isn't the end. He can be brought to his normal self. He's still there, as you have seen today." So there was hope. "You need to try to bring him back. With the right pace and the right people, it's possible."
Jason nodded. "That's relieving. Thanks."
Chiron gave him a smile. "For the safety of Nico and the rest of the demigods, I'd do anything." He started moving his chair away from Jason and towards the exit. Before he reached for the knob, he turned towards Jason. "Just a tip: start doing this alone at first. He seems to deeply care for you. When he'd comfortable enough, bring in someone else he's close to. Perhaps Hazel Levesque."
Jason nodded again and said, "Thank you, Chiron."
"No problem." Then Chiron was out of the apartment.
For now, Jason didn't want to deal with not-anymore Nico. For now, he needed to relax a bit and just go to sleep. He'd start with Nico tomorrow.
Okay, so I just started off with the main thing now: Jason trying to get Nico back. This is basically the story. Now, now, don't complain that the fights and everything seem rushed. I know that. I just want to get over with them so I can start with the main reason I wrote this fic in the first place. It is one of my favorite ideas, to be honest. Also, Jasico had consumed my life even more now, so I'm more of a trash than before. PLUS (million exclamation marks placed incorrectly here to emphasize this point) I am almost done with exams, and that means more time to write. Yay!
Hope you liked this chapter. If you'd like to say anything, don't forget to leave a feedback. Any kind is appreciated.