Chapter 20: Nope

Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, NOPE! That was the only thing Nero could think about the whole idea. He didn't want to be the One. Especially the One to end or save the world! It was a huge responsibility and one that Nero surely didn't want to have, not in a lifetime. He didn't have the will to study for a Math test, that's a lot of responsibility and yet he is now given one in the shape of a book that reads, "Hello you're the one to possibly destroy the world, you're hell's number one target. You're going to be taking on a lot of crap for the rest of your miserable existence." That was a nice thing to have on you're mind, it was like adulthood came in a second. But ten times worse.

Nero looked at the book while Chiron simple said, that not to worry. He didn't know what to really think other than nope, so Nero just stated out loud. "I'm so not doing this no way in hell! Oh wait I probably shouldn't do that because I AM HELL'S PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ONE WHO PROBABLY WANT TO KILL ME AND DRAG ME DOWN!"

"What do mean you're not this? What happened?" Asked Chiron who was slightly shocked at the outburst, then he rolled his way to Nero who got up and was now pacing about. He then picked up the book then looked at the boy who now was biting his finger. Chiron then sighed knowing that people sometimes freak out. Then again some of these demigods never had this put on them, a war between Heaven, Hell, the gods against angels and demons, man against men while monsters fight others. This isn't just a war like Percy stopped, that war would have looked like a pillow fight compared to what Nero was going to face soon. If he chose wrong; then he will suffer such a pain no demigod has suffered yet.

"Look Nero you're destined." Chiron was then cut off.

Nero swatted the air in frustration. "Like I give a damn! What about my mother, what about my friends, speaking of which I need to go back to them, to school to my normal life. I don't belong here, I must have been missing for like what a few days now?" Nero said, "I am fine with being a god's child, fighting demons, getting hurt in the name of protecting others. Even being Artemis' adopted son I don't mind that, but I can't be the one to decide the fate of every human." He frowned. "Sorry but I don't think I am the right guy for this. Maybe someone else should do this."

Chiron read the book that was before him, old scripture that not even the gods or Vatican have in their library. The words read. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end." God didn't mean just himself, but the two he constructed in the woman's womb. They would be the beginning and end. "I'm sorry but this isn't your choice. You're here and you're going to fulfill your role in life no matter what."

He wasn't lying; the truth was there, no matter what happens you will always play a role in a life and in a story. In a massive design everyone has a path and story that will branch out into someone else's story.

Nero didn't want to listen but it did sink through. "I am going to end the world?"

Chiron let out a massive sigh in pure frustration. "You're being childish. You do have a choice."

Nero turned his head and with a baby voice said. "But I am a child!"

Chiron put the book where he got it and for a second thought about something. "You're not the first demigod who had the weight of the world on your shoulders, you know?"

Nero stopped for a second. Looked at him and answered "Thalia? I know she had the fate of the world before she turned sixteen. And like she is now like supposed to be thirty or something?"

"No she was part of a prophecy and she could have let the gods be destroyed, well not destroyed but be taken to the underworld. And I don't know her age, all I know is she was a tree for a while, but she then came back at the age of fifteen. She is a difficult subject I supposed. But no even more so, his name is Percy Jackson."

"Uh… ok, he had been apart of an end of the world type of deal?" Nero just stared, red eyes making Chiron nervous.

"Well yes, but he had more motivation, and a little less… whiny." Chiron said.

"Well excuse me for having the world and realization of the life I was handed to me fall down so suddenly after I touched a freaking magic BOOK! A magic book. A book is telling me what my life is now? He does say it doesn't it? You told me right?" Nero said.

"Well no but just relax. It happens to the best of us." Chiron stated. Remembering when his memory was wiped for a day thanks to a practical joke by his family.

Nero felt lighter, it was a nice feeling knowing that he wasn't the first to kind of freak out but still embarrassed he wasn't strong enough to handle it. "Sorry."

"It's okay. You are the first I've see who has lived for seventeen years blissfully unaware from this world that you have been brought into this life. So I am not entirely surprised that you are in this state."

Nero hunched into a corner of darkness. He was still slightly freaking out, only for a good fifteen seconds or so to pass by and have him calm down. Getting up from his corner of darkness to look at the centaur bound in the wheel chair he nodded. But not with a hint of emotion hidden inside. Just a tired, dim fading light, light that is used to get through the day. Not sadness, but fear of what is happening.

Nero stared into the centaur's eyes, as did he. "What if I do something wrong? How do I know I messed up or not?" His worry was clear in his voice only to be emphasized by his slowly shaky tone.

Chiron gave a pity filled look at Nero; he looked like he wanted to tell him bad news but was trying to find a way to break it down in the most gentle way. As if he was a doctor about to tell his patient how much time he has to live. "I don't have a doubt in my mind you will see failure somewhere." He started, "Through your betrayals that may happen to you, or even through the lack of trust you may be had. Even to the sad truth that you will lose someone. But that doesn't mean it has to stop you. Like a river of time, you must go on and not stay put where you stand. Believe in yourself and do what this heart of yours tells you to do. Only then will you find a way for you to live in peace and acceptance."

It felt like he was being given a motivational speech at a retreat for priest, lead by the bishop. But either way he looked at it, the words eased his heavy heart. Nero just smiled, lightly. Not really knowing what to say other than simple words. "Thank you, Chiron."

Chiron felt a little good as he pushed up his chest subtly and said, "I have trained many heroes. But never once did I see a hero look at the face of danger and give up his whole life because he thought it was all just so pointless. And now I think I have finally seen a hero, come to terms with a set goal in mind, not to just save this world but to spare himself."

Nero looked at him and smirked. "I'm glad I am not the first, although close I will not go down so easily next time."

"I sure hope not, other wise I want my hour back." Chiron said.

"You should go for comedy, I think you'd be a great background character making good snide remarks. Kind of like my friend. Which by the way, I need to go see. They may have been attacked." Nero wasn't too sure about what the demon's intentions were one hundred percent but he did know that anyone he had contact with might have been endangered.

Chiron shook his head whilst drinking the tea he had picked up. "Not a good idea at all, think about it. If they captured your friends, they would have sent a message. An invitation to go get them back but the thing is they haven't, why? Because they don't know where they are. It might have something to do with your scent not being traceable until a certain point in time. Well not properly by any means. You haven't been detected until last week, the day you met your first monster, and demon. Who also did a camouflage just to get to you by using your neighbors to not be detected by the hunt, which also sensed your power. If your birthday was last week, nearly on what was it. Sunday, but you barley celebrated it properly with your friends on the Monday. Then they only got a slight bit of your power scent. Rendering them safe for now. Unless you were to go there." His reasoning was pretty fair, but Nero did celebrate his birthday with his mother on Sunday, as it was really his true birth date. But did it on a Monday since he was born at eleven forty-eight on February ninth. Then that means his mother was safe too.

"That makes sense. But may I ask. Why was I undetected for so long?" Was it like that for all demigods he wondered, Nero just didn't know.

"That I cannot answer without guess work. Maybe your father put a barrier on you as a child to not have any monsters sense you. That is something you should take with him." Chiron said.

"Great." Nero said as he went and go the book. "Well since I feel better, I guess I will have a read into what this book says about the end. Maybe I can figure something out and try to avoid any possible bumps that may happen. I don't know but now. I am not going to give up. I have to protect my mother's world with all I have." Although he truly didn't feel that way, well not the whole fight the demons and all evil but for his mom he did. No he still was scared, and wondering if it was best for him to be alive.

"Good, I was hoping you would have the will to fight. Otherwise raising a son would be a lot tougher that it would seem." The voice came from the entrance to the study, Nero looked to see the hunt leader and moon goddess standing there. She had a silver jacket with fur for the hood, light faded blue jeans with some grayish silver tennis shoes.

"Artemis… when did you get?" Nero was going to ask but the goddess had to speak.

"Chiron," She began. "Will we be having capture the flag? I am sure my hunters would love the challenge of fighting against the whole camp."

Nero's jaw dropped so fast in confusion that he though he'd loss it if it weren't attached to him. "Are you joking? That's a lot of people, and for us."

Chiron chuckled. "Don't worry so much Nero, Artemis' hunt is greatly skilled compared to the majority of the campers, but still. Can they handle two hundred and more?"

Nero looked shocked. "Wait what?"

Nodding Artemis had only the highest expectation for her hunt, and so this would be a great test to see how strong they are. "Of course, I just wonder where I will be placing Nero…"

He backed off a little, "W-w-wait please, I can't participate."

Chiron and Artemis looked at him as if he was stupid. She asked what exactly did he mean by can't.

"I don't have energy really to play, I'm still exhausted even after what happened with the demon… I just don't think I can play." He explained.

Chiron stopped on the floor with frustration. "Well that isn't very sportsman like of you, we had a whole armor set and weapons for you to use."

Nero went slacked jawed. "What do you mean armor and weapons!? We kill each other for sport!?"

Another laughed from Chiron, only this time he was joined by Artemis who explained to him. "No one dies, at least so far in the past ten years I think."

Nero gritted his teeth and mumbled under his breath. "So we do slaughter each other to near death for your sick pleasure."

"What was that!?" Artemis demanded.

"Wha? Nothing!"

"Oh don't give me that, you answer your mother when she asks you a question you got that?"

Chiron interjected, "We don't kill each other for sport but what we do is fight for the flag like it was a game, a video game with swords, shields, spears, bows, just weapons in general with magic."

Nero laughed once. "Sure why not lets through in some fireballs too. Now I defiantly can't play, I have no fighting experience whatsoever."

Artemis countered. "So what were those demon fights that occurred?"

Nero looked shocked as if he was being betrayed. "It was dumb luck. Nothing more. I don't remember what I did fully but I know I didn't do some cool blow exchanging fist type of fight."

"But you still won." Artemis claimed.
"I can't beat you can I?" A sad Nero asked.

Chiron rolled to a desk and got a small bottle with some liquid. "You can't beat a goddess, and especially if that is your parent. How about you serve as medic?"

Artemis and Nero both said quickly, "No!"

Then went back to arguing.

"But I don't want to fight! I need more training, plus I need to read this book." He lifted the glowing book.

Artemis stared and looked back. "What's this Chiron?"

Chiron then explained what he told Nero. Artemis seemed to understand.

"Still you're going to fight, you're part of the hunt and you need to pull your own weight. So let's go now. You need practice so we will get you some. Thalia is recovered by the way. She is moving about now."

Nero was stunned for a moment. He had forgotten about her condition for a while, he felt shame rack him in the manhood as he didn't pay enough attention and care for her. What kind of friend was he?
"Thalia…" Nero muttered.

"Say Nero let's go right now and get you some water and a sword, then after we can eat. Deal?" Artemis said looking at him in a cool manner.

"Sure I guess, but don't kill me."

She grinned devilishly. "Don't make it easy for me then."

Nero looked back at Chiron who was drinking another cup of whatever was in the teacup. He mouthed 'Help me please' only to be hit with a smile and a wave saying "Bye-bye".

"Well… as long as I get food, and better at fighting." Said Nero, "but can we go talk to Thalia first I just want to make sure she's ok."

Artemis stuck out her tongue and had a blank eye stare after saying, "Awe baby brother is worried about big sister." In a child mocking tone.

"But seriously are we going to have me fight against the campers?"

Artemis let go of Nero's shoulder and let him walk behind her on his own.

"Half won't play this day, but don't worry, one hundred isn't even close to beating thirty of my best." She grinned with pride. "Maybe I should send you with the enemy team, at least it will be a little more fair."

Nero sighed. "Great, getting my butt kicked by them. That's what they probably wanted for a while now right?"

"Yep."

Sighing Nero continued. "Well at any rate. I'm taking a shower after training."

Thanks for reading. I'm going to try to focus less on this story and focus more on my personal novel, as that will most likely be my way to make some money. And yeah. I will see you next time. Maybe later this week. Like in a few days. I don't know depends on my mood, motivation. And just. Well the time.

Also Nero's theme (updated)

D-technolife

Self vs Self- Pendulum

The Fountain - Pendulum

Ans to the reviewer who asked if I like pendulum.

Yes. I love them so much