Chapter 14: Together Again

Nico slept dreamlessly that night, though failed to sleep peacefully with the consent interruptions of disturbing thoughts that brew in his mind. Not entirely understanding why, but the anxious feelings clearly started after the not-so-settling conversation with his father last night. The unexplained threat in the Underworld that hung in the air, both father and son found it hard to breath in. Can you blame them? The Underworld has always been an isolated area. Not many people were too keen on visiting there, below civilization and life; it was never really known to be a tourist attraction.

Hades never had to worry for its protection. Now he is afraid that he just might lose more of his souls' allegiance to this mysterious 'angel'. Leaving the Death Lord weak and exposed, which brings back Nico's worries. He feared for his father. If anything were to happen to Hades, what would be the possibilities of anything of that to effect Nico? Or Hazel for that matter? The whole world even? What would all of it be if Hades were to fall?

Bump! Cump!

Nico broke out of his thoughts at the sudden slams that came from the cabin's door. On que, Sol appeared at the bed's end, bowing slightly to Nico before turning his attention to the entrance.

"Shall I fetch the door for you, Master Nico?" He ask, a determined look that also matched his words.

Nico blinked the drowsiness from his eyes, glancing towards the ghost's request in puzzlement. Gathering what the ghost just said.

"'..F-fetch the door'?...No!" He proclaimed, "N-no, that...won't be necessary!"

At that, he slipped his shoes on and made his way to the doorway before the spirit could make any further action. He had to keep Sol hidden, for now. Anyone that saw the ghost waiting on him, no doubt that they would ask about it. Not that Nico won't be able to come up with a lie for, but Sol was undeniable the case that would blow their cover. The poor old spirit would probably tell his whole life story (if he remembered it, of course) like the grandfather to his grandkids.

Not their burden to know, Nico thought as he grab hold of the door's handle, pulling it open, only to become face-to-face of two males' chests. Having to tilt his head a bit to meet the owners, he didn't know if he should smile in delight or groan in annoyance. There, Jason Grace and Percy Jackson both stood before him, yet the morning sun shone behind them. Its blinding rays causing Nico to squint away with a hiss. Noticing the child of Hades' disturbance, Jason took upon himself to push the boy's buttons further.

"GOOD MORNING, SLEEPING BEAUTY!" announced the blue-eyed teen with a slight smirk.

"It's about time you finally answer, we've been knocking for like-ten minutes!" Percy added.

Rubbing his temples from the unnecessary loud greeting, Nico responded with only a grunt. Why did he bother with these two, he had no idea. Cause you can't help but love them, Nico's subconscious told him. Okay, before anyway says anything: no, not that kind of love. Well, not anymore anyways. He did however had a crush on Percy but that was a long time ago. After getting to know more about him, Nico sorta lost interest in the son of Poseidon. It took time to recover after Nico's confession, but now they were just best of friends. Cousins to be more exact. Guess he should've realized that the Big Three kids weren't meant to really mix in well. It was actually more disturbing to think about one of them hooking up the more you really think about it. Jason on the other hand, has always been a good friend of Nico's. He annoyed him to heck but at least tolerable.

"Yeah, we were thinking about going in buuttt we knew you wouldn't like that." Jason commented. See? Tolerable.

He would too. Nico is uptight with his personal space and privacy. He let out a non-humorless laugh. "What if I was dying?"

Percy answered with a shrug. "Then you'll really be on your deathbed, I guess."

Jason punched Percy's shoulder heartily after that; either for the careless comment or terrible pun, it was a good chance it was for both. Watching the two amuse, a realization came to Nico.

"So, the travel back to camp Half Blood was successful, I gather?" Jason nodded while Percy answered with an unenthusiastic "yep."

"We actually bump into each other on our way back." informed Jason, "we got here around midnight, everyone was asleep by then."

"So…" Percy chimed in, a mocking smirk plastered on his face. "We, Jason and I, took the liberty and honor to come up to see our boy Nico here and escort him down to breakfast."

Jason glanced at Percy shockingly. "Wow, Percy. You used the words 'liberty' and 'escort' in a re-defining sentence." It was Percy's turn to punch.

Before Nico could replied, Sol appeared beside him...Right there in front of Jason and Percy.

Mighty Hera!

Also, to make matters worse, the spirit's sudden presence made Nico literally jumped of surprise. Which Percy and Jason noticed. Not knowing what to really do, Nico awkwardly stood there, glancing back and forth. To living, to dead, to living again, to dead again.

"Did I hear of needing an escort, Master Nico?" asked the said spirit. Nico glared (lightly) at the ghost man. Not taking in the concern looks exchange from the two older boys in front of him.

"Ugh, you okay there, Neeks?" Percy asked.

Nico focused back on the two demigods, a blank look planted on his face. Arching a suspicious eyebrow, he was confused how they were acting so..calm? He suspected them to at least flip out at the ghost's appearance but not one of them even flinch. It took another two seconds to finally realize that they weren't even paying attention to Sol. Could it be…

"What were you staring at?" Percy pushed another question in. Jason also looking puzzle. They can't see him!

Rubbing the back of his head, Nico thought of something quick. He can't afford to look abnormal. "I-I j-just remember...that..I need..my coat!" He explained, "yeah, my coat. Burr! I'll go get it...wait here."

To prevent any protest, Nico slammed the door shut. It wasn't a complete lie, but sure felt like it. Making his way to the bed, where the coat hung at it's edges, Sol reappear beside him with a worry look.

"Anything wrong, Master?"

"Oh no, other than the small heart attack you gave me back there, I'm just peachy!" But he was not peachy. Not one little peach did he feel. "They couldn't see you...why couldn't they see you?!" Nico demanded.

He was starting to freak out. What if he was just imagining things? What if this is all made up? That there was no Sol, no 'angel' that saids there is? Everything. Everything that he had been experiencing, was all nothing but a dream? Everything he warn to his father and worried about, was nothing but a silly nightmare? Father is going to kill me, Nico gathered. No doubt about it; he practically set the Death God on edge over nothing.

Nico thought he was about to hyperventilate until Sol shook his head solemnly as he spoke. "Mortals can't see forgotten spirits. We have no identity in the eyes of the dead and to the living." He explained.

"...Oh."

Nico could slap himself now. Oh, Duh! He completely forgotten all about that. Some Ghost King, huh? Maybe he was going crazy. Although, a rumble that came from his stomach says other wise. Dropping the subject, slipping his coat on, he made his way back to the door where Jason and Percy stood waiting. With the fear of Sol being seen was push aside, Nico only has to do is act casual in front of everyone.

Something told him that wasn't going to be easy.

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Sure enough, it wasn't. As Nico walked along with his older cousins to breakfast, Sol traveling behind them. It wasn't so bad at first, until the spirit started requesting service. Nonstop.
"Shall I receive a drink for you, Master Nico?" or "Maybe clean the cabin while you're away?" or "Would you like a massage, sire?" or "I notice you stumbling on this rocky path, consider I carry you?"
Request after request after request. Nico knew Sol only meant well, but it was just becoming too much for him to handle. Acting casual was the last thing Nico was performing. He tried to ignore the ghost, that didn't last long. So, whenever Percy and Jason weren't looking, Nico would quickly glance back with his best death glare, "shushing" through gritted teeth. However, the spirit servant never got the catch on the please-stop-talking message.
"Would you like for me to save a seat for you, Master Nico?"
Sighing to himself, Nico answered back in annoyance. "Fine, just go!"
He order in a raspy whisper. Sol's eyes practically gleam, happy that he was able to be a used to his King. "On my way, sir!"
At that, he was gone. Before Nico could silently celebrate to himself, a voice interrupted his celebration.
"What was that, Nico?" Jason, who was glancing from his shoulder, along with Percy. They both waited for the son of Hades' reason.
"Oh, nothing...I was just thinking out loud." Nico excused.
"Gods, not you too!" Percy exaggerated. "Annabeth started doing that. College really getting her. She's gone three days without sleeping once"
"Sounds rough." Nico commented.
"Oh, tell me about it. Stress Annabeth equals mean Annabeth."
Jason laughs. "You two enjoying New Rome's University?"
Percy nodded. "You bet. I never thought school would actually makes sense for once."
"Yeah, heard they were patient but also challenging for students." Jason said.
"Not to mention dyslexia friendly!" Percy added.
The two boys went on about the college life and life after that. Nico tried to connect but the topic wasn't something Nico was worry about nor interested in. He was only fourteen, college was years away for kids his age. Either way, his education is no larger than a 5th grade level. He wasn't stupid nor non intelligent for that matter; his father made him learn from dead scholars, but a few lessons weren't enough to meet college requirements.

Not that Nico could care less. What could he possibly gain from it? He heard college changes people, but not him. He will always be Nico: son of Hades, freak of nature, that talks to dead people. So what's the point? To change your life, of course! People would say. Nico wasn't gullible though, he knew better than anyone that life was always marked in stone. Nothing could really change it, prevent it, nor cause it. You either had it or don't.

Just an ugly reminder that you can't keep it forever as well.

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Soon they made their way to the Mess hall, demigods that were already seated would shout out greetings to the return two older boys as they went to their specialty table for all three of them to share; a personal gift after the War. It was better than eating alone, for sure. Not to mention, Nico was surprise to see Sol, sitting and waiting at the table. How did he figure out which table was his? Who knows. When Sol spotted his master, he waved him over while dusting the preserved seat with his seat (tried to at least).

"I did as you told me so, Master Nico!" Sol proclaimed. A proud smile spread across his face.

Nico wanted to praise for the spirit's generous gestures, but all he could do was give a hidden nod as he sat down on the bench. He hated himself for that. One of his very first lessons from his mother was not to be rude; to respect his elders, women, and (recently added) the dead. He noted to himself to say his thanks later.

Everyone ate loudly. Waffling down their, well, waffles. It was waffle Tuesday. Percy asked Jason how his quest was all about.

"Piper and I, along with Clarisse, had to go out to California to rescue these water nymphs from this group of cyclops. Something about it causing a drought or whatever." Jason explained through mouthfuls of waffle and syrup.

"California? Why didn't you drop by at New Rome a visit?!" Percy question, sounding offended.

Jason shrug. "We thought about it, but Clarisse isn't really fond of the Romans…"

"Oh…"

After that they went on eating in an awkward silence. Although peace was made between the two camps, rivelly still stood on its path from the Greeks and Romans. It's not by accident, just natural enemies for the last thousands of years and nothing were to due to change that history of hatred. Some were cool with it, though it still won't convince others anyway. Nico didn't care for either one. Greeks were to noisy and crazy for his taste. Nor was he a fan of the strict laws of control freaks that were the Romans.

Nico picked at the remaining two waffle squares. He only manage one down, which leaves a new record actually. Normally he could only handle a half of one. That brings hope in him, his appetite was slowing coming back to him. He lost it, after Tartarus.

And unfortunately, it wasn't the only thing he lost either.

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"Hey, I heard about the prophecy." Percy spoke up. Right now, done with their breakfast, the three boys sat there at their table just to hang out while they digest. Sighing to himself, Nico was afraid that this would be brought up. He really wanted to avoid the topic away from others. Though, that was just a wish to be lost in the beginning.

"A prophecy? What did it say?" Jason asked. Percy retold it to him while Nico thought he was going to vomit. Great, they can't be involve!

"That sounds...bad." Jason pointed out. Turning to Nico, he added with a wonder look. "What do you think it could mean, Nico?"

Nico, feeling completing trap, he knew better to avoid the question. They will get suspicious if he did. "I'm not so sure...hopefully it's nothing that we would have to worry about." Please, dear gods, change the subject!

Fortunately, his prayers were answer as Annabeth and Piper, dress in complete training gear, were walking their ways towards them. They took a stand behind their boyfriends, sharing flirtatious smirks as they swung their swords nonchalantly. The said boyfriends both exchange a pleasant hello to each girl.

"Are you talking about that prophecy that everyone is whispering about?" Piper asked.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Yeah, whatever that's about. Hopefully we aren't evolved. Is it too much to ask for a break?"

"Tell me about it." Percy replied. "You two look like you're going to train." He said, completely changing the subject. Both girls nodded.

"Well, college made me lose some practice. We were wondering if you three wanted to join us?" Annabeth offered with a knowing smile. Jason and Percy were fools to say no when it came to training. As expected, they leapt from their seats with radiant 'yeps'.

"You coming, Nico?" Jason called out to the younger boy. The four older demigods were already making their ways towards the training area.

"Nah, I'm good." Nico denies the offer. "You guys have fun." And with that, the four were gone. Leaving the the boy alone once again.

Nico didn't want to admit it, but watching the two pairs of couples made him wished Will was there. Maybe he could help him. Then again, the thought of Will being involved was the last thing he will ever do. He can't get hurt. No because of him. Not for his problem.

Nico watches his friends till they disappeared in sight. He hated the idea of any of them involve in his burden. He already did enough damage before. But that drove Nico to crazy. What if not telling them is a bad idea?...No. It had to be this way.

He can't afford to lose everything again.

tbc

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Welp I hope you enjoyed this LONG chapter! The next Polls will be set in the next one!

I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am! Really, It was so fun to write this story, I am glad it's going so well!

R&R!