Here's your post! And the plot thickens even more! Enjoy!
Chapter 29
There was bad horror film scary, and then there was fighting a demonic bat lady scary. Unfortunately, Will had to deal with the later. He hung back while Nico charged the Fury. The spirits, Michael, Charlie, and Silena, were prying at Hazel's cage. Whenever they tried to touch the Stygian Iron bars, their hands burned and blistered, making them howl and retreat. He cringed as he watched the bars glisten maniacally. Whenever he thought about the material, he could feel Nico stabbing his leg with the blade over and over again. He was luck he didn't die from that.
Suddenly, Nico fell to the ground in pain. Will rushed to help him, but Nico was back up before he could get to him. The child of Hades lunged and slashed with his sword, but Tisiphone was too fast. She dodged every attack he threw at her. Seeing his boyfriend's struggle, Will quickly notched an arrow. He took a deep breath before letting the arrow fly from his hand. It sailed over Nico, past the Fury, and right into the lock of Hazel's cage. He turned to face Tisiphone, ready to throw something at her.
"You want to try and hurt my boyfriend?" He growled. "Do you? Because, you see, I hated you before... But now, I'm going to kill you and send your ugly, demonic ass back to Tartarus where it belongs!"
"I will not stay dead! The doors have opened! My sisters and I will-" She would have continued boasting if Nico hadn't stabbed her in the chest. The monster laughed as she disintegrated into gold dust.
"Come on, we have to hurry before she comes back." Nico said as he helped Hazel out of the cage. She was too shocked to speak, so instead, she gave Will a big thank you hug. She and Nico weren't similar at all. Hazel was always so happy, and Nico was always just so... Nico. "Will," The son of Hades snapped. "We have to go. Now. We have a war to fight."
Will turned to Michael. He opened his mouth to say something, but his Michael cut him off. "No cliché moments, little brother. I will see you again, I promise. Hopefully not soon, but I promise. Now, were off to the eternal party! See you around, di Angelo." Beckendorf nodded in his direction. He saw Silena slip Nico a little wink. His boyfriend winked back, and then they were gone.
Will revised his first statement. There was bad horror film scary, then there was fighting a demonic bat lady scary, and then there was two hundred miles per hour horse ride scary. Nico couldn't shadow travel them all the way to camp, or else he would be to exhausted to fight. That was where the crazy fast horse part came in. Hazel whistled to signal her horse, Arion. He was the fastest stallion in history, so fast he could run on water or up cliffs. He sat farthest back on the horse, and he was pretty anxious about falling off. In fact, if he hadn't been clinging to Nico's shirt, he would have most likely fallen.
They managed to go through entire states in a matter of minutes. That couldn't be safe at all. If he fell off, by the time Hazel noticed he would already be cities behind them. So basically, ridding mythical horses is not a good idea if you don't have a strong grip.
When they finally arrived at camp, they were greeted by a large group of campers from both camps. Reyna, Frank, and the fifth cohort had showed up to help defend Camp Half-Blood. The rest of the Romans were back at Camp Jupiter preparing for an invasion. Annabeth approached him with his golden armor.
"You're gonna need this," She promised. He took the armor and nodded. She leaned in to whisper to him. "I know what you're thinking. I know you think you won't make it. Trust me, you will. You are strong, and smart, and kind. You have a reason to fight. Your friends, your family, your home... Nico. It all depends on if you give it your all. I expect deaths; I'm a realist. Please don't be one of the bodies we have to bury. Your friends need you. Camp needs you. Nico needs you. Good luck, William." She wrapped him in a tight hug. He hugged her back, and then told her to prepare herself. He put on his armor as she walked away.
"The prophecy says we're gonna try to prevent fate," Nico said. They were on the balcony atop the Hades cabin, overlooking camp. "What is that supposed to mean? How are we supposed to fight our fate if we don't know what it is?"
"I don't know. Annabeth thinks that we're both going to survive though. She's probably just saying that. I don't think I'll be able to make it through this one, Neeks. Before we go, I just wanted you to know that I- I... I really- just- I love you, Nico. Always. No matter what."
"Stop talking like that," Nico shivered. He looked like a warrior, in his black armor. "We can make it through. We will make it through. We have to. You and I, we're just supposed to be together. It's fate, I can feel it. Don't fight fate. We're supposed to stay together, Will. Maybe that's what it means; either we both live, or we both die. I'd prefer living, but as long as I'm with you, I'll feel alive."
"Then we'll fight our hardest, protect our home. As long as we're together..." He said. For once, Will was certain about something; he could never be separated from the stupid kid.
"As long as we're together." Nico repeated. And Will knew he meant it.
Oh my gods, I was trying to read Paper Towns last night, but somehow I lost my copy in my room. I literally started crying. Literally.
