***Authors note

Sorry this took awhile but here's the next chapter :) Happy New Year everybody! Enjoy reading!


Whoever was trying to change the world, Nico was certainly not in the mood to deal with them.

It all made sense now to him though; the strange hellhounds, the stolen underwear, the failed attempt to pit Zeus against Hades. All in an effort to make this blackmailer's scheme to end the gods reign in double time. The cliché, overused, thug thought idea, which Nico was frankly sick and tired of. It would be the third time he was protecting these beings, beings which Nico believed didn't deserve saving.

Why don't we just let it play out, just for once?

But Nico knew he couldn't do that. He needed to see this mission out and needed to end the blackmailer's plans because in the end it was Will that needed saving, not some stupid god.

Fulfilling the quest would haul the impending death on Will.

The feeling of death had been circling around Will, and hadn't stopped since they arrived at Camp Half Blood. Not even his father was worth ten thousand of that life, and Nico would do anything to save him, the loss of his mother and sister had taught him such.

Nico could never tell Will of his burden. Their place in the quest would be put in jeopardy and Nico wanted him by his side, at least then he could protect him in someway. But Will knew that Nico was upset over something. Nico had barely spoken a word at dinner, wouldn't look in his eyes when they danced at the reception, and as Calypso explained what happened to her father, Nico felt himself shrink into the shadows as his heart skyrocketed to the ground.

Now, as he began to sheath his stygian sword, Nico felt himself become consumed by confusion and helplessness. He needed an escape. The quest would be an outlet for everything.

"And you still have that look on your face. Whatever's on your mind, you gotta tell me. We're a team, me and you."

Will's face looked concerned and punched Nico light heartedly on the shoulder. The blonde haired demigod slung his bow over his own, and continued to frown at Nico. Nico didn't even move his mouth into a half smile, so consumed in his thoughts.

"Let's go meet with Chiron." He droned numbly, completely disregarding Will's uneasiness. But as he began to walk off, Will grabbed hold of his wrist tightly and held him back, making Nico look at him. A thousand things seemed to flicker across both of their eyes, a silent communication that both didn't dare to speak in words.

It was not enough.

Nico pulled away, turned his eyes downcast and mumbled.

"I just need to sort my headspace out, I'm fine."

The earth and sky were silent that morning for the first time in the past two days.

It did nothing to lesson the tension between the two.


It was late morning now. The chosen ten were gathered. Strapped to the max with weapons and supplies, the journey anticipated was the focus in all minds. Nico assumed the decision to go on the quest was a tough one for most of the demigods, but he was surprised that no one had backed out. Nico and Will were really the only demigods fighting full time, the rest had maintained a relatively serene way of life. He hoped the quest would be short, but yet again he wondered why so many demigods were needed for the journey.

"Leo, are you sure the Parthenos is ready to travel?" Chiron asked with concern.

Leo nodded and smiled.

"The last demigod to use it was in January. She's been ready for months now."

The Parthenos. Named after Athena herself, Leo had built the ship concoction for demigods to use in their future quests. Now it would be the first time Leo had led the ship in his own. Compared to the Argo II, Nico was not sure if it would meet its standards. But technology had changed since then, and he was eager to be proven otherwise.

"Very well then. Is everyone prepared, ready?" Chiron persisted. He coughed in his elbow making the feeling of death grow stronger around Will. Nico shuddered inching further away from him.

"Yes Chiron, we are ready to leave, but are you sure you're ready for us to?" Calypso said with a cheeky grin. The group laughed, Leo especially. Nico even managed a short throaty noise to escape his lips.

Chiron shook his head at her playful comment.

"Yes child of course, I'm only making sure you will be safe. It's just…well, never mind" Chiron waved everyone off. Calypso tilted her head to the side, pressing him to continue. Chiron closed his eyes.

"It's so strange to see all of you on this quest together again, after so many years. Ten adult demigods on a mission... This kind of thing hasn't happened in the history of the gods reign."

Chiron began stroking his beard thoughtfully. His words were distant, almost if he was talking to himself rather than everyone.

"It's different from when you were children and l I worry the quest is asking for trouble. You all have family, children, careers to get back to. You shouldn't be doing the gods dirty work, not anymore. Each of you has had your fair share of challenges to overcome, more than any demigod to enter camp half blood." Chiron continued passionately.

"You promise me this will be the last one. All of you. No matter what Rachel spurs." He added seriously.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement and mumbled something along the lines of 'I promise.'

Content with their answers, Chiron clapped his hands together. The centaur's seal of approval was stamped for the quest.

"Off you go then, to Greece it is. Come back with stories to tell the kids."

The demigod parents laughed. The rest grinned. The excitement to leave their ordinary lives and jump into the shoes of their teenage years was finally upon them.


"And then we got into this huge battle with hellhounds-O'leary should be at your house now by the way." Will explained with wild hand movements, pointing at Annabeth and Percy while keeping his eye contact fixed on Calypso.

She looked perplexed as he began explaining the adventure Nico and he had encountered on their way to the wedding. Everyone else around the dining table continued to buzz with excitement. Breakfast had been eaten. The only evidence of the feast were empty plates and the giant milk stain left from when Frank had knocked over the carton.

Nico had to admit; the Parthenos was great. The dark and mysterious colour scheme of the interior was doing wonders for him. Although he wasn't really sure about the sofa chairs around the dining table. Leo seemed to relish in the idea though, his legs kicked up and a huge smile on his face, despite the serious circumstances and his delayed honeymoon.

"You look kind of impressed-you feeling ok?" Reyna asked, pushing Nico lightly in the arm, shocking himself out of his daydream. She was sitting beside him, kind of quiet too, not like her usual bossy self.

Nico laughed. "Yeah I'm fine, just admiring this ship. I think Leo nailed this design, it's a hundred times better than the Argo II."

"That's probably because you were in a jar half the time and couldn't appreciate it as much as everyone else." Reyna teased.

"Hey! You were on the Argo for like five seconds and then you had to bring the stupid statue back to camp half-blood with me. So you should understand my impressed feelings. " Nico retorted with ease. Reyna laughed.

"Ok you win, but seriously what's up? You keep staring at Will like he's gonna disappear." Nico could tell Reyna was preparing herself for a defensive response, but all he could do was freeze. She knows, she knows, she knows

"Is it really that obvious?" Nico whispered faintly. Reyna lifted her eyebrow in surprise. She wasn't expecting that answer.

"No, I'm not sure what you're on about. I just figured something's up because I know you like the back of a book. You've been avoiding Will's gaze the entire time we've been on here." She said. Nico let a little breath escape his lungs. His secret was safe.

"We had a fight. We decided we needed some space." Nico explained. It was partial truth, but Reyna was never going to be that gullible enough to believe him.

"I'm not going to press you, but if you need someone to talk to that's not Will or Hazel, I'm here. Your secrets are safe with me." Reyna put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Nico nodded gratefully.

He knew he could tell her about Will and she wouldn't say a word against him, but he just couldn't bring himself to. The secret was buried deep within him; it would take a lot of poking and prodding to get that information out. Nonetheless, Reyna's support had lessoned the burden a little.

"Thanks Reyna." His voice was filled with relief.

"Anytime Nico." She smiled warmly in reply.

They sat together in a comfortable silence watching the rest of the team. Most of the demigods around the table began to tune into the conversation between Will and Calypso. Nico eventually became aware of Will looking at him from the corner of his eye. He had spotted him laughing. Nico pretended he didn't see Will looking at him.

"You know, you're kind of quiet yourself actually." Nico noted suddenly.

"I am?"

"Yeah

-Want to share anything?"

Reyna sighed.

"Nothing really, I'm pretty much a clean slate. I'm just thinking about the life game. Everyone in this room seems so far ahead in it. I feel like I just begun." She said reflectively.

"Even me?"

"Yeah, even you. Despite what you've told me, you and Will up until this point have hit the sweet spot. You're both so solid, so whole and healed. There's nothing but unconditional love between you too." She explained wistfully. Nico felt like he had been punched in guts, and swallowed his pain down. He nodded and hoped Reyna wouldn't look at him. She didn't. Reyna continued to gaze towards the ceiling.

"What about Conner? You guys seem to be going strong. "Nico pointed out.

"We are. I just don't know if we're going to last. I haven't felt the sweet spot yet. She sighed. Nico scoffed.

"You've got nothing to worry about, trust me. It's early days and it takes time to find that place." Nico told her easily.

"That's the problem. I'm surrounded by ten, fifteen-year relationships. And here I am, just holding onto a three month one. It's overwhelming." She explained honestly.

Nico beckoned her to listen in closely.

"I can tell you right now, everyone in this room has at some stage wished they were back to where you are right now. You have freedom to explore anything. Don't feel overwhelmed; feel liberated. You've got nothing holding you back or stopping you. Most importantly, you don't have to deal with the fear of losing someone." Nico almost choked on the last bit.

"Thanks Nico." Reyna whispered.

"Anytime Reyna" He replied.

The two quietest half bloods in the room continued to stare at Leo's interior design, appreciating it as much as Leo and his sofa.