7. The Fourth Addition

As the Revengists get cooled off, Leo hops off of his little podium to go congratulate Rin for her 'big win'. He mocks Ethan a bit but the son of Nemesis only smiles. He's a pretty nice guy, just kind of quiet. I have a sneaking suspicion that he let Rin win instead of her beating him fair and square because almost all the other times they have fought, he usually won by a land slide of a defeat. I would do something like that, I suppose. If I were to duel with Hazel I could easily win but I would probably let her beat me. It's the nice thing to do. Rin felt pretty proud of herself. Everyone knew it. She came up to me and bowed as if she were still in her home country, Japan. I returned the gesture.

"Did you see how I got him? Wasn't it good? Yay, I beat him again haha," she spoke, her accent slipping through. Her accent was cute. It made her seem even more childish. She was just a big ball of fun, and everybody thought so. Our fun little meeting time was interrupted by the sound of horse hooves pounding against the ground. They slowed down a bit. We all then saw Chiron, the centaur that was our activities director. Was he almost breathing heavily? No... no, he would have to be in a mighty hurry to be breathing heavily. The look on his face said otherwise. He had something to say.

"Nico," he turned towards me, " a word with you at the big house, young one."

I was shocked. And nervous. And maybe even a little frightened. Me? At the big house? I tried to think of something I might have done to cause trouble. Maybe someone saw me and Will and told what they had seen? What could I have done? What could I- My thoughts were interrupted by Chiron's voice. It was soothing, but very urgent.

"We must go to the big house. There was a- er, a situation."

My heart stopped. Had something happened to Hazel? Is she okay? What the hell happen-

"Your sister is fine, she is safe and healthy," he said, as if reading my mind.

I got the courage to look at him. "Let's go."

Rin's smile had long gone along with Ethan's who was trying to figure out if I had done something. Even Leo's elfish smile had vanished.

I followed Chiron to the big house in silence. He didn't try to break it which seemed out of character to me. When we arrived, the atmosphere seemed... cold. Chilling. It sent a shiver down my spine. Stein sat on the couch discussing something with Mr. D, whom I still secretly called the wine dude, and he looked actually interested. Of course, Stein stopped talking when I walked in and straightened up. He was the only one who smiled.

"Nico! Pleasure."

He knew I was nervous. Everyone could tell I was afraid.

"Nico, I assure y-"

Stein butted in before Chiron could finish, "There has been an incident, not too long ago. Not with anyone pertaining to you directly. On the other side of the globe, in Egypt, to be exact. There have been reports from numerous protectors that there have been some... ah, happenings shall we say, involving your kind of specialties. In simpler terms, death is surrounding a small part of Cairo, and it seems to be getting heavier and heavier and also on the rise. Now, this is a very large task to ask of you and you can always decline, but just think. You could go to Cairo, take care of the little problem, and explore a new place filled with new things you have never experienced before. It will be fully educational. You can hone your skills and learn new things of culture et cetera. This is all up to you. Whataya say?"

I couldn't speak. Me? Go to Cairo? I suppose it would be fun. And Stein is right about the educational value of it all. "When um... When would I go? And uh, would I be taking anyone with?"

Stein sat and thought for a few moments before answering, "I'm sure we could fund a few more people... Why not? Sure, go ahead and take a few!"

Stein was so cheery about this like it was the best thing that's happened in a long time. I could see through his little act. And I'm sure he knew I could. So why continue this childish play? Why not tell me the real danger? why not tell me what I was really going there to face? Oh well, I suppose I'll find out in Cairo.

"I'll go."

Stein's eyes narrowed for a split second, but he went to being his fake cheery self, "Well, great! I just know you'll have so much fun and learn so much! Alright. Good. C'mon then, I'll walk ya back to- where'd ya come from, your cabin? The arena?"

"Arena," I said quietly.

"Alright, then I'll walk you back." His smile made me sick. I wanted to yell at him to stop treating me like I had no idea what was going on but in all truth, I was clueless.

Once the door to the big house shut he became quiet. I glanced at him. His expression was hardened. I couldn't tell if he was mad, or just trying to let me know things in a simpler way and just didn't want to say it.

"This will not be easy," his voice was colder that the atmosphere of the big house. I shivered. "I am asking you in particular to do this because I know most others could not fulfill this task. You're power is very similar, but not the same. Remember that. That bit will help you. There is a young man, with an undetermined godly side. I need you to try and bring him here. He is different from you, and he will fight you every step of the way, but try to bear with him. Although you have your differences, you are much more similar that you imagine. Bond with him and make him your friend. Be careful. Also, you asked if you could take some people along with you. I really hope you meant people besides Skipper. Perhaps Rin or Ethan. Will might be helpful. Even Leo. Don't take Skipper. It would be highly misguided. Most of all. Please, please- just be careful. I trust you can get there and back, and if you need anything, you can always use an Iris message. You'll check you're backpack before you leave, I hope. I wish you the best of luck. Don't forget to enjoy yourself."

I had to think of people to bring with. The arena still had the same 3 people in it. Rin piped up when she saw me. "Nico-kun! Konbanwa! What happened, Onii-chan?"

"Well, I have a task to fulfill. In Egypt. And I uh, I need a team."

"Oooh, could I go? Could I go? I have never been to there before. I would so love to go there!"

I looked over at Ethan who didn't share his sisters enthusiasm.

"I do not want to go, and I do not want my sister to go, either," he spoke to me. Rin's face reddened as she went to hit her brother. She hit him multiple times before calming down.

"Nico-kun... I want to go. I don't care what my brother says. I want to go."

I opened my mouth to say something, but shut it and looked at Ethan who was silently pleading to me to tell Rin no.

"You can go," I said quietly. Ethan snapped. He stormed out of the arena. I felt bad for saying that and I didn't need an enemy, but his sister deserved to see the world and he just had to accept it.

"Dude. I wanna go! Think of all the hot chicks! Bruh, I'm sooo gonna go with you."

"Okay."


I told Will about the ordeal later and he agreed to come with us. He said for me to be extra careful and I told him I would. He kissed me afterwards. Only on the cheek, but it made my whole day.

"Luv ya Nico."

I blushed and didn't say anything back.


We met at midnight.

"Are you all ready," I asked.

"Hai."

"Ready as I'll ever be, dude. Ready to see the babes."

"Let's go, Nico."

"Right," I answered.

I explained to them how shadow-travel worked and when they said they were all good, I took them to our destination.


Egypt. Huh.

The first thing I noticed was the heat. The next, was the blackness and the ground rushing to meet me.