The Beginning of the End

PJatO Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan for he created the awesomeness that is Nico di Angelo. And everything else related to Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus. Aside from the Gods, of course. They are all copyright by the old Greeks. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.

Two Years Ago Bianca's POV

"Bianca! No,no,no! You're pronouncing the words all wrong- it is 'Brisingr Reisa' not 'Brisingr Rise-a'" the exasperated enchantress exclaimed.

Learning another language was a hard business; Alabaster and I had to learn the first language that had been verbally spoken ever, by Gaia herself. But it wasn't enough just to learn how to speak it, we had to learn how to use runes as well.

Alabaster already had a rough idea, but I had to learn from scratch. In fact Alabaster was having a better time here than I was, even though Circe tried to be cold to him. He was the first male who had actually enjoyed the Island of Circe without being transformed in some way.

When we got here, Circe told me to stay in a waiting room for my makeover as she led Alabaster off. I knew exactly when she found out that Alabaster had already been provided with counterspells for her usual trick of turning people into pigs, or guinea pigs, which is what I heard she liked to do these days. When she found him still standing there, distinctly human, she let out a scream of pure frustration, which must have nearly deafened Alabaster... and me since I had followed them there.

Eventually, though she calmed down and agreed to take us as students, though not before a visit from 'our mother'. Apparently though, there were certain things we had to learn before I could even see my first potion. We needed to learn things like physics, chemistry and biology and how to dress well along with proper Victorian etiquette. Or at least that was for me; Alabaster just practised sword-fighting with automatons, though he was nowhere near as good as Percy he still tried hard.

The sciences were because if I was to manipulate the world using magic, I need to realise what I was working with and if there was an easier way to accomplish a certain task. For example, it was apparently easier to transform and alter appearances by messing with genes than it was by simply saying the right words and willing it to happen. Magic was apparently extremely energy consuming to use, Hecate's children have the same potential as one of the Big-three children, and it's just that using magic takes more energy than using inherited power, which leads to less impressive results.

The other things were just something that Circe insisted on, though who was I to argue, especially since going through loads of dresses was a bit fun. The only thing that I did in my free time was practice archery and using other long rang weapons. Circe was of the opinion that if magic had been truly mastered, physical fighting was unnecessary but after hearing how this place got wrecked in the first place, I figured it's better to be safe than sorry.

I was blasted with a wave of heat as the ball of fire I was levitating fell and burned my desk. "Adurna" I tried, summoning some water with a wave of my hand.

"Daydreaming, were we?" asked Circe, "Well, it is impressive that you could summon water with that little effort, but remember what I said. Since you somehow have an easier time manipulating earth how about seeing if you could use that. Fire is just as easily put out by water as it is smothered by earth, which you could have used to your advantage."

I thanked my lucky stars that she did not question my skill at earth manipulation since every magic user was different and had different skills.

I glanced at Alabaster, who was sitting on the desk next to me. He was grinning from ear to ear as he would have yet another opportunity to boast about his magical skill at dinner. As he was so fond of reminding me, he could use spells like Gelu Semita, which would allow the caster to use ice as a method of transportation, while I was stuck with levitating fire balls.

Suddenly, however, his grin was replaced by a look that grew increasingly more worried. He looked around then and once he saw me watching him he went back to normal but his cheeks were just a little bit redder.

"Lady Circe," he looked up at the goddess, "Could I have permission to temporarily postpone my studies for a couple of years. An important issue has arisen in the mortal world, one that I must see to at once"

That was not clever. Circe looked outraged and launched a fierce tirade against him, detailing that he was her best student and nothing could be so important that he would abandon us for a few years. She was right though and without his bright attitude, this place would become unbearable.

Eventually, he accepted the fact that he was not allowed to leave but I wasn't sure that he wasn't lying when he promised on Olympus that he would not leave. Throughout the rest of the day he seemed so tense and when we were free to train with actual weapons, not one automaton was left with a head.

Though I did not prefer to, I could change Crescents form into a sword and today we duelled like we never had before. I swung low and he would just jump, high and he would duck. Fine, I was rubbish with a sword. I changed it back to a bow and used my power over the earth to turn the ground he was standing on into sinking sand. Using the distraction, I fired shot after shot but most of them were deflected by his force field.

I realised that I was going to have to play dirty and used my power over the dead to raise a body. I had not prepared for what sort of body though.

It was one of Circe's dead attendants, with rotting flesh hanging on her bones and a chilling look of fear on her face. Horrified, I released the body and surrendered. Alabaster, far from looking disgusted as I was, had a look of grim determination on his face. I squeezed his hand and that was instantly replaced with a crimson blush. Was touching me that embarrassing?

We both went to bed early that night.

The next morning, Circe shook me awake. "Bianca, Bianca! Alabaster has left the island!"

My eyes shot open as I leapt out of bed. "What!" I screamed frantically. I should have known something was up, I was so going to kill that idiot when I found him.

"He left a note, I haven't read it yet, I thought you might like to read it with me."She held out an envelope which I practically snatched from her before ripping the envelope off. I pulled the letter out and began to read.

Dear Bianca and Lady Circe,

I need to leave now, my siblings need my help in the war. My Lord Kronos is rising and I am one of his strongest demigod generals. I am not wrong in pledging to destroy Olympus. They are the ones whose descendants destroyed this Island and killed all the inhabitants, even that one we found yesterday Bianca. I will liberate the world from their power hungry king.

Bianca, you are amazing, no matter what your ancestors are like; you are funny and kind and strong, yet so vulnerable at the same time. That's what made me fall for you. It may well be that we never meet again, in this life at least. Bianca di Angelo, daughter of Hades, I love you. I realise that puts you in a very weird place but I can't leave without you knowing the way I feel about you. I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something for us and we give them something in return. I don't know if that's true but I know I am who I am because of you.

I'm Sorry

At the bottom of the piece of paper there was a stain that looked as if had been made by a tear. It was joined by another as I fell to the ground and clutched the paper to my chest.

Sad Scene... Poor Bianca

Hi guys sorry for the rushedness and the small chapter. Please review , all suggestions are welcome. Would you guys like me to continue this or start another story, Jadis: The life and times of the White Witch and her Successors. Please tell me if you think that I haven't made the relationship work.