Ch29
Nico continued to help Will with the wounded well into the next morning. He managed to get some rest just in time for the battle to heat up. He didn't know what happened but apparently, Percy and Kronos fought in the throne room of the gods just in time as the Olympians arrived. He saw them fly towards the top of the Empire State Building and thought he was going free when Bianca came up to him with Artemis by her side.
"Nico the council would like to see both you and Will Solace," Artemis said.
He nodded, "I understand." He turned to Will who gave him a small smile. I won't blame you if you want to blame me he thought as he followed Bianca and Artemis inside of the Empire State building. If they try to hurt him I will say it is my fault.
"Nico it's ok," Bianca said as she patted his back.
"Thanks," he said as he looked at her and Will who also gave him a reassuring smile.
They eventually arrived at Olympus and Artemis led them to the main room where the Gods sat. Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia were standing in front of the thrones. Artemis went up and sat next to her brother Apollo who was staring at Will. He felt his father's gaze on him, it was neutral as if he were wondering what to do with him.
They all bowed in respect as Zeus looked at him with a piercing gaze. "Nico son of Hades and Will son of Apollo you both raised your blades against Olympus and had it not been for Percy Jackson here I would've punished you both. Do you have any words for what you both did?"
Nico gulped, "It was my fault Lord Zeus. Kronos captured both of us and Will chose to stay with me. He is my friend and I swear on the Styx that he only supported me and was loyal to Olympus the entire time." He felt the eyes of everyone around him. Percy and Annabeth looked at him in surprise while Will smiled at him. "If you wish to punish me I will accept it," he said.
Zeus looked at him and nodded, "Artemis had told me that you both weren't involved personally in her capture and since I have promised Percy Jackson to not harm you I will grant you both clemency."
He nodded, "I understand Lord Zeus but if I may ask may I at least redo Artemis's cabin. I defaced it and wish to restore it."
"My cabin is already fixed but if you wish to build a new one you may along with your own cabin," Artemis said. "I forgive you for what you did and recognize that you had nothing to do with the murders of my former hunters."
He smiled at her and nodded, "I will accept that request and thank you Lady Artemis." He said with a bow.
Zeus nodded, "Good now do not cross Olympus again, I won't be so merciful next time."
He nodded, "I will Lord Zeus than you."
"Good now Artemis my daughter," Zeus said turning to the goddess. "Your hunt and our children have often had an antagonistic relationship. I understand that your hunt is a haven for women but for some reason it became some sort of anti male group."
"That's putting it mildly," Aphrodite mumbled as the other Olympians avoided saying anything but nodded their heads.
Artemis sighed and nodded, "Unfortunately some of my hunters believe that. Do not worry I will stomp out those thoughts."
Zeus nodded, "Good. I understand the need to protect your hunters and to offer women a haven but all these things with Hades's children wouldn't have happened without Bianca Di Angelo using the hunt as a cover."
"I know father and I will put a stop to the misandry that some of my hunters have," Artemis said. "To be honest sometimes I even think they go too far in their dislike of men."
"Good, however for now I must put a restriction on your hunt. Every demigod you recruit must have at least spent a summer at camp," Zeus said firmly. "Furthermore a small contingent of hunters should visit the camp every summer, their powers will be reduced to that of a normal demigod and they are to build good will and not harm or degrade the other campers or men do you understand?"
Artemis didn't look happy but she sighed, "Yes father I will arrange for that but my hunt is low on people now."
"Um I actually may know someone who might be interested in your hunt," Percy Jackson said as all eyes turned to him. "Bring Calypso back immediately and you can invite her."
There were some murmurs among the Olympians but neither Artemis nor Zeus appeared to disagree with that idea, "That could work. Father make sure she is brought to the camp as soon as possible," Artemis said.
Zeus nodded, "Fine. Then I hereby end this meeting."
Nico breathed a sigh of relief as they all exited the main room. "We will see you guys in camp," Percy said awkwardly.
He nodded, "Yeah be there soon," he said as he turned around and saw his father walk up to him.
He gulped as he felt his father's gaze on him, "Lord father forgive me for fighting against you," he said with a bow.
Hades sighed, "Well I am just glad you made the right choice in the end." Hades then looked at his sword and his eyes narrowed, "Is that my sword?"
Nico felt his face redden, "Oh yes forgive me father," he said as he took it off of his belt and presented it to his father who looked like he wanted to tear it off of his belt.
Hades took the sword from him, "This sword is a powerful thing that shouldn't have been made," He said with a sigh. "Anyway when you and your sister are ready come to the underworld there is someone you need to meet."
He was going to ask who it was but didn't want to push his luck. "I understand father," he said with a bow.
Hades nodded and he swore he saw a small smile on his face, "You too Nico," he said as he turned around and disappeared into the shadows.
"Yeah dad isn't an emotional person," Bianca said. "Don't take it personally."
"Yeah I can tell anyway Bianca I'm sorry again," he said. "I want to talk but lets do it at camp if you can."
Bianca nodded and looked him in the eyes, "Yeah I would like that Nico. Do you want to head back to camp with me?"
"Sure lets go," he said. "Do you want to help with the construction of the Hades Cabin?"
Bianca nodded, "Of course I won't leave it all to you."
Nico laughed, "Well I am glad to have you back. Oh can you ask your other hunters if they want anything different in their cabin? I do plan on keeping my word on that."
"Sure I'll ask them. You really grew up when I was gone huh?" Bianca said.
Nico felt his face redden in embarrassment, "Yeah you can say that." The two of them laughed as they exited the Empire State Building and made their way back to camp.
Will Solace was going to head back to his siblings. He wanted to be with Nico but he knew he wanted his privacy. "Will," called a voice that made him jump.
He turned around and saw his father Apollo walk towards him. He quickly bowed, "Lord Father."
Apollo looked at him with his bright eyes and to his surprised pulled him in for a hug, "I missed you so much Will," he said.
He felt shocked at receiving attention from his dad, "Th-Thanks Lord Father," he said as he hugged him back. He couldn't help but feel a bit awkward since he had never met his dad before, but he felt nice.
"Oh just call me dad," Apollo said with a smile.
"Fine I will," he said with a smile.
"I'm glad you are safe," Apollo said. "Your mother was distraught that you left, I was also very sad."
"Sorry I didn't mean for all of that to happen," he said. "I wanted to protect Nico from Kronos's influence, please don't blame him dad."
Apollo sighed, "Don't worry I won't. You care about the son of Hades a lot don't you?"
Will avoided his father's gaze and felt his body warm up, "Yeah I mean we are friends and all and we went through a lot together." He felt flustered when talking about Nico, he couldn't tell why but he was a close friend and he was very dear to him
His father laughed and patted his shoulder, "I understand son. Now when you can call your mother she is distraught."
He nodded, "I will dad don't worry."
Apollo smiled at him, "Good. I am really glad you are back Will. Be safe now and good luck with your friend." Apollo then winked at him. "Now if you excuse me I have to go to the camp quickly," he said as he disappeared in a golden cloud.
Will felt his face redden as he returned to his siblings. I mean we are friends. I know we are close and everything. He shook his head he knew Nico was his friend too but he couldn't explain why he was so nervous when talking about him, it wasn't fear because he knew he wanted to be there for Nico.
I won't let you feel unwelcome Nico you are my friend and I care about you a lot and I will make sure you are always welcome at camp he thought as he returned to his siblings.
The next few days at Camp were hectic for Nico. He and Bianca helped make the Hades Cabin and even redid the Artemis cabin by himself. He repainted the inside of the Artemis cabin and washed the sheets and despite Bianca's offer to help him he wanted to do it by himself.
He wore an orange camp shirt now and honestly felt happy. He helped the other campers, mainly Will and his siblings with the wounded but other than that he mostly kept to himself. While people tried to be nice to him he could still tell that a lot were on edge and he would have to work extra hard on regaining their trust but he knew he wasn't alone.
He looked over at Percy Jackson who was directing some campers apparently he and Annabeth are a thing like Silena and Beckendorf but he didn't care, I can't explain it but I no longer feel the same way about him. Yeah is cool but I don't care if he sees me or not. In a way I think Will is a great person and just as much of a hero as Percy is, without him who knows what I would've done.
He headed back to his cabin and found his sister on one of the beds. "Hey Nico I was wondering if we could talk," she said with a serious look.
He sighed. Well we might as well get this over with. He nodded, "Sure we should do that," he said as they both moved to the small table in the room. They sat across from each other and there was silence for a bit before Bianca spoke up.
"Nico I am sorry I pushed you away," Bianca said looking at him in the eyes. "It's just that with the hunt I felt so free and I enjoyed my time there and I wanted a break from always having to look after you. Not that I don't mind doing that," she said quickly.
"It's alright Bianca," he said. He looked into his sister and he no longer felt resentment, "I realize that you need to lead your own life and that you wanted to be on your own, sorry for being a brat to you."
"Oh Nico you are still young it's natural to be selfish," Bianca said. She sighed as she looked at him, "Nico if you want I will leave the hunt."
Nico stared in shock at what she said and saw that she very much meant it, "What why? I thought you love the hunt."
"I do but if you want me to be with you I will leave it," she said.
He stared at his sister and saw that she meant. He shook his head, "Bianca does the hunt make you happy?"
Bianca looked to the side and nodded, "Yeah it does."
"Then stay I want you to stay where you are happy," he said firmly. The words came out of his mouth easier than he expected but he knew that he had to respect his sister's choices, besides he wasn't alone anymore he had a whole family here at camp.
Bianca stared and him and sighed, "Well thank Nico. I love the hunt sometimes I wonder if I should've thought out my decision more. I already spoke to Lady Artemis and she said I am free to negotiate an exit whenever I wish."
He nodded, "Well Bianca I want you to be happy. Choose the path that makes you happy and I swear I will accept it."
Bianca smiled at him, "Thanks Nico," she said as she got up and hugged him. "I am glad to have a brother such as you."
He returned the hug, "Thanks. You are my sister and I love you."
Bianca pulled away, "I love you too Nico. Now I'm going to be helping Thalia rebuild the hunt, apparently Percy said there is someone he wants to introduce us to."
He nodded, "Cool sounds good. If I find anyone I'll send them your way."
Bianca nodded, "Well I'm glad you no longer hate the hunt. Anyway lets go have some fun here while I am here."
He nodded and the two exited their cabin together. Bianca sat with him at the Hades table though he often encouraged to sit with Thalia which she did a few times, Thalia also was welcome at their table.
A day later a boat came carrying Percy's friend. He, Bianca, and Thalia ran to the beach as Percy helped a girl out. She had long flowing hair and looked pretty, her countenance was calm but he could tell she was excited to be here.
"Guys this is Calypso," Percy said as he introduced them to her.
"Nice to meet you all," Calypso said with a smile. She looked beautiful and looked both relieved and awed at being on land again.
"Calypso this is Thalia the head of the hunters I was telling you about," Percy said. "Do you still want to know about them?"
Calypso nodded, "Yeah I don't know anything about this world and I lost my immortality, besides I don't care for men right now."
Thalia nodded, "Well come me and Bianca will tell you all that you need to know."
Nico nodded at Bianca as the two girls went off into the camp to talk. "So are you planning on staying here Nico?" Percy asked.
He looked up at the son of Poseidon, "Yeah I am." He looked into Percy's eyes and he didn't feel anything outside of a slight admiration. How do I put it like he is cool but Will is cooler. Arter all Will has done so much more for me; Percy isn't really my type, I don't know how to explain it.
Percy smiled at him, "Well I don't know you well but I want you to know that you are always welcome here."
He nodded, "Thanks I know." Deep down he knew that this place would accept him. He was shocked at how fast his old friends greeted him like an old friend. From Connor to Silena no one made him feel like an outcast or a traitor.
"Well see you around I guess," Percy said.
"Yeah you too," he said as he turned and walked away. However, as he walked Will was crouching down by a tree. "Will what are you doing?"
Will got up and his face reddened, "Oh I just wanted to see what was going on." Will avoided his gaze and was looking to the ground. "Are you going to hang out with Percy?"
He shook his head, "Nah he's cool and all but I'm not close to him or anything."
He swore Will's eyes lit up for a second. "Oh cool. Um are you going to want to hang out with Silena again?"
What is with him he is acting odd he thought as he noticed Will was a little antsier than usual. "Not now she is with Beckendorf planning a date. Are you doing anything?"
Will shook his head, "No but I am planning on seeing my mom."
"Well I hope she is well. When you have free time did you want to see those Star Wars movies?" He asked.
Will looked at him and he swore his eyes were brighter than usual, "Of course I'll let my mom know and then we can arrange something."
"Sounds good," he said. "Want to get some ice cream?"
"Sure why not," Will said as they both walked to get some ice cream.
I am so glad you are my friend Will he thought as he smiled looking at the camp. He knew it would take a while for people to accept him but he knew that Will would always be there for him and be with him.