Summary: Nico and Will settle into a "normal" life in Camp Half-Blood. However, normal does not last forever as a mysterious god appears and takes something away from Nico. From his past. (Post-Trials of Apollo, Complete, Adopted, Reuploaded.)

Chapter 16, Restraining Myself From Strangling Cupid

Written by: Mia (abnormalcookies)

Edited by: Mia (abnormalcookies)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Percy Jackson franchise(s). I do not gain anything other than entertainment and practice in writing.

A/N: Enjoy reading :)

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I CHARGED TO CUPID.

Not the best choice, I know.

Cupid chuckled and side-stepped. I anticipated this and halted on my heels. "Where is my mother?" I glared into his blood-red eyes of hunger. He smiled, which surprised me. It wasn't confronting or challenging. It was genuine.

"Why don't you listen to my plans before seeing her. I swear on Styx if you listen with an open mind I will release her if you wish." A streak of lightning flashed combined with thunder.

I looked at him curiously and glanced at Will. He nodded courageously. "Very well," I said reluctantly.

He paced around the room. "You strike me as odd, Nico di Angelo," he addresses, "your love destiny is entwined with confusion. Yet not helpless, you will find love just after a few tries." Cupid's eyes sparked to Will, briefly.

"But since the Diocletian scepter moment, I've kept a close eye on you. You've suffered, Nico di Angelo. A lot. Your story, it's filled with the despair that no demigod can have in their worse dreams. I've never been so conflicted before because of a demigod. Only my wife did that. You influenced me to take action. I wanted to gain your approval, my mother tends to like stories like these. She might be the reason for your current love problems."

"You mean Aphrodite sent me that dream!" Will exclaimed before gazing out of the castle on Aphrodite's temple angrily.

Cupid gave an irritated look, "my mother can be and is significantly invested in these things," he turned back to me, "now, I wanted to correct my doings, so I stole your mother's soul."

He groaned. "I came to the fields of Asphodel to gain her, and it was not easy. Promising souls love and blah blah blah." He opened and closed his hand mimicking excessive talking.

"And I plan to make your mother a goddess." Those words etched into my ears. So painfully like nails being hammered in.

"A goddess?" I was repeatedly bewildered. Cupid nodded, "that's why I needed my full power. When you turn a mortal into a god, you give up a small portion of power. I am an erm Minor Olympian god, so it can be more difficult for me to perform. Yet, I am very powerful, and planning it on my sacred day makes the chances better."

My mind fuzzed trying to work again, "Gods." I muttered unintelligently.

"So will you allow me to do this?" He questioned me. I glared at Cupid. Analyzing his ruby blood eyes that pierced through my very being not so long ago. It could be a trick, and I couldn't be weak.

I needed to be cold, tough, unpredictable like the shadows. Like my father wanted me to be.

But my mother. Now, she's all I have. And Bianca rebirthed so I'm alone. I had Will, but things ended messily.

My own conflicts clouded my mind. I was going to be biased but then I realized. Someone was being tangled into this mess.

"I don't know. There's like two more days until Erotidia. Can I have time to decide? That way, Cupid can still conserve his energy for the possible event."

Cupid glanced at Zephyros, who nodded encouragingly. "Very well. Roam Olympus. Think carefully, it is not so easy to return immortality." He warned.

I nodded, showing my understanding. I left the temple leaving Will. The bright sun shined in my face. I felt homesick for some reason and continued to trek away.

"Hey, Nico," Will called after me. I cringed and turned, "yeah?"

He took a deep breath, my nerves rattling and trembling like skeletons. "I know you'll choose the best decision. And as your friend, I'll support whatever choice you make."

I was slightly confused and surprised, "t-thanks." I stuttered. He gave a closed-mouth smile, "what are friends for?" He put his arm on my shoulder. I tried to convince myself to act naturally. But this uneasy force melted my emotions, it forced my walls to tumble down.

I knew all of his smiles were fake. Yet, for some reason, I played along. "What do I do, Will?" I sighed begging for advice. Will glared at me intensely.

"The answer is clear, Nico. What is your fear?" He asked bluntly. "My fear? How does that relate to anything!" I retorted.

"We are following a prophecy right?"

"Sun and Shadows together

Must face strange weather

Angel's soul hidden away

Capture it before brought dismay

To heaven's home must they return

For fairness heading to love sacred burn

Shadow's fear must be faced;

Time's limited be paced." He recited carefully.

"Rachel said you are shadows' right? What is your fear?"

I stared at him stunned, "to lose more people." I blurted out. Will looked at me uneasily. "Then, you must face your fear. Before Erotidia."

"How!" I argued outraged.

Will shrugged. "Don't mean to sound like a god, but you need to figure that out. I can't help you."

Feelings of frustration crowded my vision, "where are you going!" I yelled. He stopped but his back still faced me. " I need to talk to my dad," Will said and continued walking.

I grunted. "Fine then! leave! Leave when I need you most." I whispered that last part.

I detected the Hoare, "excuse me, what time is it?"

One looked at me bored, "around midnight. The sun always shines at Olympus." The group moved on.

Erotidia was tomorrow and I was more alone than ever.

I was always alone.

"Mio tesoro." A voice whispered behind. I spun around on my heels.

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A/N: Next chapter we meet that voice! (C'mon we all know it's Maria di Angelo!)