Nico
Traveling straight up gave Nico a head rush. He decided not to show up right on the torch, who knows what was waiting up there. Instead he materialized in the statues arm and climbed the ladder up to the top. 'I swear if you die on me Aaron I'll kick your ass.' He thought to himself. As Nico reached the top he took in a deep breath. 'You have to do this.' He thought as he reached the landing. Through the door he saw the railing, and tied to the base of the green torch was Aaron.
'NICO!" Aaron screamed for help. Nico started to approach him, but paused.
"How do I know it's you?" Nico questioned. He had been fooled to many times for his liking.
"Of course it's me you ass! Get me out of here." Aaron called back giving him the annoyed face Nico had come to know so well. It was defiantly him. Nico ran to cut his chains off when Tiffany walked from the other side of the torch.
"Well, isn't this a site. The antihero turned superhero. How precious." She was wearing the ritual robe Piper talked about. Nico wanted to cut through her body, but he knew that wasn't going to work. 'Gotta work smarter' he thought to himself.
"Wait. I don't want to get in your way." He bowed.
"Seriously kid? You think I'm stupid or something?" She gave a displeasing look.
"No." Nico lied. "If you know us so well, you know I tried killing myself not too long ago. I hate the way the Demigods are run this world just as much as you do. I'm here to ask for an alliance."
"Nico what the fuck?" Aaron yelled out.
"Umm, like I'm not interested so….no" Tiffany rolled her eyes, and telekinetically took some blood out of the cut she made on Nico's neck earlier. She took out an already bloody knife and dropped the blood on it.
"Okay…" Nico teased. "But I'm pretty sure you're going to need someone who can help you take on the Olympians." Tiffany studied Nico while contemplating his sentence.
"Take on the gods?" She replied.
"What? You mean you only planned on stopping with Demigods. I was sure a women of your intelligence and talent had bigger plans." Nico could see a twinkle shine in her eyes.
"Of course. Yes, that's the plan. How exactly do you think you could help with that?"
"I know them. I've been to mount Olympus, and the underworld. I've seen the people they've punished. I know how to operate. That could be very useful in taking them down." Nico embraced his darkness to conceal his plan. He saw the pain on Aarons face, it was almost too much to bare.
"In return you save yourself. I respect self-preservation." She smiled.
"I respect power." He replied.
"You liar!" Aaron cried out. "You're a fucking traitor!" His words were attacking Nico's heart, but he couldn't let her see that. Tiffany started to pace and scratch her head with the dagger.
"Okay, I think you may actually be worth something. I can always kill you later anyway." Tiffany turned to Aaron and began chanting in Latin. Nico saw the blood of the dagger turn gold and she raised it above her head. Nico realized his blood was going to kill Aaron and all of his friends. He needed to think of something, and fast.
"Just some questions." He blurted out. "How'd you get to be so strong?" With her back turn was he was able to shoot a look at Aaron. Hopefully asking 'Trust me' wasn't asking too much. Tiffany stopped chanting, and turned around.
"I can't concentrate with you asking questions you know." She was getting snarky.
"It's just I've never seen a witch as strong as you before. I've seen children of Hecate herself fall to your power." Nico knew every demigod had a fatal flaw, if he was right Tiffany did to. If he was wrong; goodbye world. Tiffany registered what he said and started to smile.
"Well, I've always had a little more of a gift than those Greek girls. I've always believed the witches of Salem were stronger. Then after what happened my senior year….Let's just say I see the magic around me clearer than others." Her sinister smile let Niko know something was up. As she turned to start chanting again, Nico racked his brain. Aaron was not dyeing, not that day, not like that. He thought of his test and remembered allowing Aaron in to his heart. Losing him was not an option. Suddenly the dream version of Leo popped up in his brain. 'Leo of course! Her senior year!' he almost yelled.
"What did you summon your senior year?" Nico's questioned looked like it annoyed Tiffany less than the last one, but shocked her more.
"How-How'd you know about that?" She studied Nico suspiciously. Nico had faced the terrors of the underworld, but this girl was causing his adrenalin to rush. Nico looked down and saw that the athame's point was now parallel to the ground pointing towards him.
"Call me a fan" He forced a smile. "When we researched you we came across an article that said your school was plagued with dead chicken and occult symbols. They're only a few rituals I can think of that requires a blood sacrifice, most of them bringing something into this realm."
"Well someone's done their homework. Sounds like I have a little bit of a stalker."
"Don't worry, it's not like I have any ugly baby pictures." Nico felt like he was going to vomit, but acted interested in this conversation. As they shared a laugh, he didn't take his hand more than a foot away from his sword. He had to be ready if she struck.
"I have you know I was a gorgeous baby. Everyone said I had the prettiest blue eyes they'd ever seen" She teased. Nico forced out another laugh to cover that Tiffany may have opened a can of worms. 'Baby with blue eyes grows to have one blue one green…how often does that happen?' His mind wondered what Tiffany talked more about her childhood. "You know, keeping you around maybe a better deal than I thought" Tiffany's giggle was high and annoying. He couldn't let her break is concentration.
Nico believed there had to be a connection with her eyes changing and her powers. It was a long shot, but it was all he had. 'I see the magic around me clearer than others' Tiffany's words rang in his head. Nico stared right into her green eye. It was piercing and welcoming all at the same time. It was enchanted. 'Her eye is what is giving her power. Someone gave her more magic her senior year, which meant she was working for someone a lot more powerful.
"I have a question." She said standing directly in front of Aaron. "Why do you guys do it?" Nico's face must have read as confused because Tiffany sucked her and explained herself. "Like, why go on all those quests to save the gods, or do them favors. They seem all about rounding up their kids when they're in trouble, but now that Demigods are about to bite it….they're nowhere in sight."
"They don't meddle in mortal problems. I guess they consider this mortal versus mortal. But it's not like any of them are winning a parenting award anytime soon." Nico paused for a moment allowing Tiffany to relax. The knife was now pointing towards the ground. "So can I ask, if you don't mind, is this a mortal versus mortal?" Nico was testing the waters carefully. Tiffany lowered her head and let out a smile.
"You believe I have a silent backer?" she questioned as Nico gulped hard.
"Don't think it's because I believe you aren't strong enough, It's actually the opposite. You need to be pretty powerful to even get on their radar….It my theory is correct." Nico was trying to be a general as possible. Hopefully if he lied generally enough, she'd narrow everything herself. It was a little trick he picked up from a street physic. He watched Tiffany as she started leaning into her hand and playing with her hair.
"You are pretty smart. How'd you figure out I summoned her?" Tiffany was starting to sound more annoying. She reminded him of a girl that would scream as loud as she could if she saw that guy from that boy band.
"I don't know. I just figured someone as clever as you would pick someone as clever as her." Nico's heart started to speed up. If he could figure out who gave her this power, maybe he could find her weakness.
"Personally I find her way more interesting than her sister. I've always been obsessed with her and her stories." As Tiffany spoke the wind started picking up. She continued ranting about why she loved the anonymous figure, not knowing the wind was blowing harder as she spoke. It was responding to her. If he could just get her to say the name.
"Yea I really loved her to growing up. I just loved to say her name." Nico knew it was a long shot, but he had to try something.
"SHE'S JUST AMAZING!" Tiffany shouted against the wind. "CIRCE, CIRCE, CIRCE!" As she screamed the wind started to howl louder. The volume increased all around them until a very clear "NOOOOOO!" could be heard. Above the torch a women I a silk dress started fade into view. The first thing Nico noticed were here piercing green eyes; the same as Tiffany's right eye.
"What part secrete partnership didn't you understand!" She barked down from above them.
"Hey girl! Listen its cool, Nico is joining our side." Tiffany was now smiling from ear to ear. She had to truly believe her and Circe were best friends.
"You fool! He can't be trusted, he's one of the most depended on Demigods of this generation. On top of the fact he's a son of Hades." Speaking his father's must have tasted like vomit as Circe almost gaged saying it.
"I have no alliance with the Olympians, I'm here to serve you." Nico gave a bow without taking his eyes off of sorceress.
"My sister hated your father, it would not be loyal of me to not hate you as well. If I'm not mistake it was your sister that defeated Pasiphae was it not?" It seemed like her eyes were getting greener and more intense.
"I have no ties to her either. Unlike you I have no love for a half-sister." Nico's felt his heart tear saying the words, but his face didn't change.
"A test!" Tiffany yelled. "We can test him. Kill the boy." She said with a smile on her face. This girl was definitely a sociopath. She offered the blade to Nico. He had to take it or they would know he wasn't trust worthy
"Do you remember nothing!?" Circe screamed before Nico could touch the handle. "He can't kill him! A child Greece cannot complete this ritual! That is the whole point why I didn't do this my damn self. I'd use a Roman, but they are about as good at magic as you are in Algebra. I wasn't left with many other options." As Circe finished Tiffany levitated to meet her.
"I don't like people insinuating that I'm stupid. I'm about to pull off the biggest spell that's ever been done so don't pretend as if I'm just some sort of pawn. You need me remember."
"I gave you power, do not forget it sweetie." Circe's eye lit up as thunder roared around them. "No enough bickering. You revealing my role may already put the plan in jeopardy. It can be any moment when the one of the gods may butt in. Kill the boy quickly." Nico had one chance, and sprang into action. He raised his sword and aimed for the chains around Aaron's as he began to swing down, he felt a force nock into his side. Able to turn his head quickly he saw that Tiffany had her hand extended and telekinetically pushed away from Aaron. Nico's body flew over the railing and began to fall down to the Statues base.
Avoiding panic Nico breathed the air around him in and felt the failure tug in his stomach. He opened his eyes as he hit the floor of the entrance to the torch. Aaron really had restored his shadow traveling; just another reason to save him. When he looked out through the doorway he saw Tiffany standing with the glowing athame above her head. Nico charged with a battle cry to hopefully distract Tiffany. He needed to buy more time. Tiffany swung her head around, and started to raise her arm. Before she could bring it all the way up Nico felt a quick wind brush past his hair. Suddenly Tiffany was thrown back on the ground screaming in pain. Circe looked as if she was going to finish Nico off but was then thrown back as well. Nico approached Tiffany who still screaming to find a silver arrow sticking out of her right eye, her Green eye. Nico ran over and pulled it out causing the scream to intensify. When he removed the arrow the eyeball was attacked to the end. As he gazed at it, it glowed gold, and dissolved into dust. He looked down at Tiffany who glowed as well, then returned to her normal color. Circe's powers were taken out of her.
"What the Fuck!" She screamed. "I'm going to murder you!" She shrieked and raised her hand. Nico felt a push against his chest, but didn't move. She put her other hand up and a weaker nudge pushed his shoulder. She was back to normal. Nico looked over the railing and saw the little dots that were surrounding the statue in a perfect circle where now beginning to move in different directions. He spells were broken, and Nico assumed there must be a lot of confused college kids down there. Nico gave a half smile and extended his sword.
"I can even that out for you if you want." He said pointing the sword at her blue eye. Tiffany let out a shriek and through her hands up. A cloud of smoke surrounded her, and when it disappeared she was gone. "Now she's a fucking magician." Nico rolled his eyes. He stared at the Arrow that was in his hand and began to study it. He realized he had seen an arrow just like it before…In the vision of Aaron's mother. If it was the same type of arrow that meant it came from the same person. Their mystery hero had to be cupid.
"Umm, a little help her please." Aaron said struggling to break free.
"Shit, sorry." Nico ran over and cut his chains free. As Nico helped Aaron up he focused on their hands that were connecting. Another surge of energy passed though him, but he didn't want to let go. As Aaron stood straight up Nico looked into his eyes still holding his hand. Then he pulled him in and gave him a hug.
"Well this is uncharacteristic for you." Aaron said as Nico squeezed.
"I'm just glad we didn't let the world get destroyed." He responded with a cheesy smile and let Aaron go.
"Umm ok." Aaron said laughing. Nico must have squeezed to tight because his face was turning red.
"I'm sorry, am I interrupting?" The voice from above them questioned. Nico looked up and saw Circe flying with the arrow coming out of her stomach. "You may have the protections of your idiotic parent, but this is far from over." Circe started to turn transparent as she spoke.
"Looks like your running to me." Aaron snapped back.
"Little boy, I've been working on this plan for years. I hope you didn't think I didn't have a plan b?" Circe was almost completely out of view except her piercing eyes. "The poor excuse for a witch already took care of most of the ritual. I just need someone to put that dagger threw your heart." When she finished Nico walked to the Athame and threw it over the railing.
"Well unfortunately for you the only people up here are Greek, and your knife just went Bye bye." Nico crossed his arms standing confidently when Piper ran out from the doorway covered with blood and bruises.
"I wouldn't be so sure you're all Greek." With that she vanished. Nico turned his attention to Piper.
"Oh my God are you okay?" Aaron asked holding her up.
"Jason's too strong, and too fast. We got to get out of here." She panted.
"But Tiffany's spells are broken. He should be fine now.
"NO!" Piper screamed when I was fighting him he mentioned the "Immortal Sorceress" being his true master. And judging by the girl that just disappeared I'm assuming it wasn't Tiffany." Nico looked at Aaron and back at Piper.
"It's Circe. She controlling Jason. Jason is here plan B. He's not Greek, He's Roman." Nico looked back at Aaron whose legs started to shake. A fight with Mr. Marine looked like it really scared him.
"You guys talking about me?" The three turned around and saw Jason rising up from below the lookout point. In his hand was the Athame. "Someone lose this?" He questioned with an evil smile. As the thunder started to roar again Nico grabbed both Piper and Aarons hands to not stick around for the lightning.