"You're a monster," Annabeth yelled, crying as she pushed me away.
Nico grabbed my arm, supporting me, and glared at her like she used to glare at Rachel.
Before the River Styx. Before I killed Hades. Before I lost control.
"Annabeth," I said, my voice raw and pleading. "Please."
She turned and fled, leaving me alone with the new god of the Underworld.
He hadn't judged me, he wasn't mad at me or scared of me, and he was going to let me stay in Hades with him.
I took one final look at the sky. One last breath of the salty brine of the ocean. My last meeting with nature.
Achilles had been right.
I felt a single tear run down my face and was surprised when Nico hugged me.
"I'm sorry," he said stiffly, trying to comfort me.
I smiled weakly. "Home?"
"Home."
Twelve years later
I grabbed Nico's hand fiercely, needing to know he was close.
Camp Half-Blood. One of the homes I lost that day.
My other hand reached for Riptide.
"Excuse me," a girl announced, bumping into me.
I squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. She looked exactly like Her.
"We're here for the Little Big Three Celebration." Nico explained.
Her cruel eyes looked us up and down. "Both of you? Alright, names."
"Nico di Angelo, god of Death, son of Hades and Percy Jack son of Poseidon." I told her.
Her eyes widened and she took a step back. "I'll get Annabeth."
The little girl ran off down the hill and shortly returned with the one person I never wanted to see again.
"Hey," I said hoarsely, refusing to meet her unfeeling grey eyes.
"Percy," she replied haughtily. "Hazel, get Chiron."
Nico frowned. "May we come in?"
She nodded and I had hope.
"You have a daughter?"{ I asked, stepping across the invisible barrier.
She dipped her head again. "Two. Hazel and ?"
"Just one. Bianca." I replied, smiling hesitantly. At the god of the afterlife.
She blinked a couple of times then nodded. "Where is she?"
He sighed. "China. Maybe? She's been spending time with Persephone."
Annabeth laughed. "I never liked her, if you don't mind my saying."
"Go ahead, I don't like her either."
He walked ahead, head tilted towards the sky.. Maybe giving us some space.
"I'm sorry." she whispered.
"So am I"