Nico:
Songs, food, and storytelling.
It was an interesting hour that seemed to go on for far too long, in Nico's opinion. Food was fine, sure. Storytelling was okay, yeah.
But songs. Nico couldn't sing.
Luckily, he didn't really have to. Piper and Jason were vocal enough for the entire group, belting out whatever lyrics happened to match to the tune being presented to them. They were loud, and corny, and basically the closest thing to a 'perfect couple' he'd ever seen. It made him want to barf.
He almost wished Annabeth were there, with them. Just to see an argument break out. Nothing huge, just… A Percy and Annabeth spat. 'Walmart is better, Wise Girl,' or, 'Philosophy and psychology are two very different things, Seaweed Brain.' Something like that, all cutesy and opposite of how the Graces were. He didn't like the perfect couple stuff, he would rather hear a fake argument.
And maybe see Percy smile as big as he used to.
The night went on, and everyone talked about everything that Percy had missed since his 'death': Rachel's disappearance of the Oracle spirit, Reyna's retirement from the Legion, Nico's recent relationship stuff, Grover's fight against a rabbit in North Dakota- stuff like that. And of course the Graces had to retell the great battle between Jason and a racoon on their honeymoon in Oklahoma. Nico groaned every time he heard it.
Everyone wanted to hear more about Percy, of course, but he'd been adamant that they all wait a little longer, brushing them off. They couldn't really use Hope to get any information, seeing as she was currently asleep. Instead, they settled with eating their hotdogs and s'mores, recounting the 'good old days.'
It was well past midnight when they'd started the fire, which had been kind of strange since the sun had still been up, but now it was dark. The stars and their own fire were the only things keeping the shadow from enveloping them. Nico thought it was really… comforting. Being beside so many people from the old days. Especially Percy.
He only wished…
Nico shook off the idea, physically shaking his head to rid himself of the thought. It would always linger at the back of his head, to which he would most definitely try to hold it back. Jason, the man directly across from Nico, saw this and raised an eyebrow. Nico waved off his concern.
Nico looked over towards the ocean, not even ten feet away. Nico couldn't tell if it was Percy keeping the water back, or perhaps the shore was naturally shaped for it to happen, but the water seemed to circle around them in a crescent shape. The moon was just starting to rise, and with it he felt a calmness he hadn't felt in a long time. Something almost irresistible.
Loved.
Surrounded by his friends, this family, Nico felt loved. While they all laughed and talked and smiled and acted like the stupid teenagers they had all once been, he wished he could freeze this moment. The moment where Piper was throwing marshmallows in the air for Jason to catch in his mouth. Where Grover kept accidentally burning his food. Where Reyna and Rachel both argued about why the artist should look into painting a mural of the cabins here. Even Thalia, the grumpiest of the bunch, was having trouble not smiling.
The moment that Percy would glance at all of them, his smile only growing bigger.
His grip tightened on the s'more in his hand, almost crushing the graham crackers. He almost had the urge to pinch himself, arguing that this might just be a hallucination. That they might just all be fake, and Nico was actually stuck in some cave about to be eaten. It just didn't seem possible. It didn't feel real.
Percy caught all of their attention with a soft whistle, steadily growing louder until everyone shushed. All eyes turned to him, his silhouette behind him growing taller as he stood. The fire, if it had been magical, would've become a darker color in the tense seconds of silence. Percy still smiled at all of them, switching eye contact between them all as he went around the circle. Finally, he sighed contently.
"I want to thank you all for being here, really. I didn't realize how much I missed you all until I saw you again." He admitted, still standing. He lifted his cup filled with (blue) hot chocolate, still smiling. "I want to propose a toast. To all of you, just being here." He said.
"I'll drink to that." Reyna said, and they all raised their glasses to the statement. He chuckled, taking a sip. They all followed in kind.
Percy wasn't done. "I used to be… really bitter, towards the gods. I mean, I still am a bit bitter, but I was also kind of angry at all of you." He winced as he spoke, rubbing the back of his neck. "And it was totally unfounded, because you've all been nothing but good to me." He said, and Nico didn't miss the way he held eye contact with Thalia. "Still, I'm sorry that I never told you that I was alive.
"But, I'm not sorry about what happened afterwards, either." He said, giving them all sad smiles. He was still standing, but now he had his empty hand in his pocket. He looked down, into his drink. "I met… these amazing people. An amazing family." He said, looking back up. "They took me in. Got me back up onto my feet. I wasn't in the best place after the… attempt. But when I ended up running into one of them, he gave me a reason to keep going." He said. Everyone was silent for a moment, not talking. The fire crackled warmly. No one had to ask who he was talking about.
"I think I'd like to meet them." Rachel said quietly, and Piper was quick to nod her head.
"I think we'd all like to." She said, and even Nico found himself giving the idea a curt nod. Thalia, on the other hand, didn't tear her gaze away from the fire.
Percy smiled. "I'm glad to hear that… but it'll have to wait." He said, and Nico instantly locked onto the reluctant tone in his voice. He analyzed the way the son of Poseidon moved, shifting his weight. His hand left his pocket and ran through his hair. "I'm… kinda… going on a quest."
His words were met with stunned silence.
"There's something happening. Hydra attacking New York, the public knowing about Theseus… and there's other stuff. I've had this feeling for a long time. The gods know I'm back, I'm sure of it. And I don't doubt they'll try something, if I'm not looking for it." He said. "Which brings me to my offer."
Nico was still trying to process his words when Piper and Jason both looked at one another sadly. Percy's next words almost tore Nico's mind up. "This place is safe. At least, it will be in a few months. I plan on adding in new cabins later. Building a bigger dock, adding in some magic protection and stuff like that." He said. "It's going to be safe."
The insinuation that he was making wasn't going over Nico's head, but it was really starting to give him a headache. He winced when he tried to think about it. "Another Camp? In the land beyond the gods?"
Percy shook his head, looking between them all. No one was really paying much attention, trying to wrap their heads around it. "It won't be another camp. More like a retirement home. A place for demigods and Avengers to-"
"And Avengers? Mortals and demigods, living in the same place?" Thalia asked, sounding skeptical. Nico saw something flash in Percy's eyes. The same darkness as when she'd made Hope cry.
"You act like it'd be impossible. I've been doing it for five years." He said. "And, yeah, they'd all live here. Hazel and Frank, if they want to come they can as well. I've already made the offers on the land around here, which I know they'll take, and we'll be able to expand and build. Homes, neighborhoods- all protected from the outside world."
Nico glanced around the circle at his friends, watching their reactions to Percy's offer. Thalia looked absolutely pissed, as if the idea insulted her. Reyna seemed to be trying to wrap her head around the idea. Grover was skittishly looking around at the trees. Piper and Jason were, of course, sharing a look, and Rachel had gone quiet.
Percy spoke up again. "It's going to be safe here. I'm not asking you to move in, or anything. But at least consider it."
Thalia stood up, the fire reflecting in her eyes. She looked like she was about to strike him with lightning. "This is complete bull." She said, looking between them all. Her fists were at her side, tense. "Percy, you're wanted by the gods. They'll wipe this island off the face of the Earth-"
"Why can't you see what a good idea this would be? All of us, together again. Safe. Secure." He said, stressing each word. He matched her anger with his own, and Nico noticed the sound of the waves behind them crashing against the shore.
"Oh, like you haven't heard of New Athens yet! Or what about New Rome, huh? You know, the places that monsters haven't been able to get into for the last three hundred years! What's so important about this place, right here, in Alaska? What's the difference between there and here?" She yelled, and vapor started to form far above them all. Thick clouds already starting to rub against each other.
Nico felt edgy suddenly, ready to pull his sword out of the shadow if he had to. Thalia, like the clouds, had a bit of a skill when it came to rubbing people the wrong way. Nico could smell the lightning storm brewing. Percy's eyes were so dark, Nico couldn't see the irises anymore. His hand was going to his pocket.
"It's not just about demigods, Thalia! There's a lot you don't know about- people that need somewhere safe to go! The Avenger's have saved the world, just like we have! And where were we, huh? Letting the gods dictate what fights we could and couldn't be a part of-"
Thunder rolled overhead, and Nico could see Jason stand up as well. His eyes were starting to glow, his brow covered in sweat. Nico could feel the electricity in the air, barely contained. Probably by Jason himself. "Both of you need to calm down! You're going to blow this island off of the map if you don't stop!"
Thalia shot her brother a glare as the wind started to pick up. The fire started to flicker. "The gods will just send monsters! They'll keep coming and coming, and they won't stop until you're dead, Percy!" She screamed, and Nico reached into the nearest shadow and grabbed the hilt of his sword. It was taxing to pull it out, especially with the wind and his mist only a few hours ago, but he did it without passing out.
Percy continued arguing anyways, his sword now drawn. Thalia's bow appeared in her hand as well. "I've fought worse, Grace. I've done things you couldn't even imagine! I've stopped so many threats before they could enter this world, to get to everyone. I've fought, every second of everyday, because I can, and I will keep the people I love safe!"
"You're lying!"
"Prove me wrong!"
"ENOUGH!" Jason screamed, the wind barely letting his voice be heard. He didn't have a weapon like the other three cousins, but lightning struck the the ocean with such force that Nico's ears rang. It had to have been a mile away, at the least, but he felt like it was right in front of him. "Put your weapons away! Just SHUT UP!"
Thalia, of course, kept going. "I watched, everyday, as you hurt someone! Someone you promised never to hurt!" She said, her gaze cutting directly into Percy's. "I've seen the casualty every time I visit her! Every time she thought she had found you! Every time she begged that I help her because I was the only one that would still listen!"
Percy's grip on his sword was becoming as strong as steel. Nico could see veins on his knuckles. The vein on his forehead was bulging. Nico stood, seeing if he could calm them down through magic instead of words like Jason. He reached down, deep into the Underworld, calling on silence. Silence that he'd known from his time on the run, living down there.
He took a deep breath, as if he were sucking the silence from the Underworld and blew. Blew with as much force as he could onto the fire and the people surrounding it. His lungs felt like they were being vacuumed out as he did, but for a few precious seconds all he could hear was his own beating heart and the people surrounding them.
Even the storm couldn't get past the absence of noise. Wind still went past them, but it didn't touch their ears. The fire was roaring, but you couldn't hear the flames sucking up oxygen as it passed by. Lightning struck again, but it appeared to be further off. Dulled. Muted. It was as if they had all been dunked underwater.
They still shouted, but it was as if they were slowed. Nico could feel their words, rather than hear them. "She trusted you to contact us. To let us know you were safe. I didn't listen when she did. She spent every hour alone, barely eating or sleeping, looking for you." Thalia said, but it was almost a whisper. Her bow was gripped just as tightly in her hand as Percy's sword in his. "Where is she now, huh? Why isn't she with us."
It felt like hours before they heard his reply. His eyes were quivering in rage. The ocean was rising around them, blotting out the stars. All across the water, pillars of water were ascending towards the clouds, as if fighting. A war zone, completely turning nature against itself. "She betrayed me." He said, his voice hard with malice. "I never wanted to talk with her again. She confronted me, barely a week ago, and told me she was sorry." He chuckled morbidly at that. "That she's the reason, for all of this. That she ruined my life." He threw his sword up, and caught it again, angling it towards the ground and thrusting it into the dirt. The sound doesn't even register.
"Well, I've had it with her controlling my life like this! I don't want her here, is that what you want to hear? Annabeth Chase will never set foot in my life ever again! I swear on the River Styx!" He said, and the silence was shattered. Thunder and lightning shook the ground with such force that they were all forced onto their rears.
They all picked themselves up, one by one, until they were all at least on their knees. Nico's ears rang, and for one frightening moment he thought he mind have gone deaf. Something smelled like it was burning, and Nico had the sneaking suspicion it was his own nose hairs. Spots danced in front of his eyes.
Then Nico saw the fight.
Thalia was shooting arrows, silver flecks of moonlight that appeared like tracers in and out of his distorted vision. The fire had gone out, hot embers scattered across the ground and small flames sprouting in the salt-dried grass. The space between the beach and the homes were littered with pockets of lights, shadows flickering.
Percy was standing in the surf, sword drawn and casting a brighter bronze glow than anything Nico had ever seen. Perhaps it was the fact that Nico had been… loose, using his powers so frequently, but he was almost certain he could see the same glow leaking from Percy's chest. Making his eyes look like greek fire.
Everyone else was just as dazed, just as confused. Everyone was looking between the two children of the big three like a tennis match.
Thalia's arrows never came close. Water from the ocean leapt out and froze, intercepting the silver and causing them to turn end over end into the water, taking their gleam with them. Percy's face was twisted in rage, his entire body trembling with unused power. Nico felt like he was stuck in the middle of a hurricane.
Then he looked up and realized he was in the middle of a hurricane.
In fact, as Nico came to he realized that maybe things weren't as they had seemed at first glance. Nico was almost certain that the Percy's frozen water was leaving the ocean before Thalia had even fired an arrow at him. Nico could see that Thalia was the one backing up.
And Nico could see that Thalia was afraid.
"You have to bring it up, don't you? You just HAVE TO REMIND ME THAT WE'RE ARE FATHER'S CHILDREN?" Percy screamed, the water retreating away from his steps as he advanced towards the hunter. "I TRY TO APOLOGIZE! I TRY TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT, BUT I KEEP FORGETTING THAT A CHILD OF ZEUS CAN'T STAND LOSING AN ARGUMENT!"
Nico blinked a few times, picking himself up off the ground and onto shaky legs. His eyes were starting to focus better. The wind, which had briefly let up, was now back in force. Nico could feel the air being sucked from his lungs again.
The storm had grown radically, jumping from a thunderstorm into a hurricane. Nico could feel the air around them start to cool, his breath becoming visible as the seconds ticked by. Frost started to gather on the ground around them The stars had disappeared, and the eye of the storm itself only let the moon in, as if Artemis was making sure nothing bad happened.
Thalia was nearly on the edge of the property now, almost inside of the forest. Undoubtedly, she would have an advantage against him there, but Percy reached his hand out and an almost clear sheet of white jumped between each tree, becoming a wall. How it was solid, and what it was made of Nico couldn't say. What he knew was that when Thalia backed into it, she recoiled, her hunter jacket, jeans, boots, and even her skin was coated in frost.
Percy was swinging his sword in his grip, the metal humming in the wind. Nico was pretty sure it was steaming as well. "You want a fight so bad, you don't get to leave until we've fought." He said, his voice carrying over to the son of Hades. Nico blinked, watching as Thalia slung her bow over her shoulder and pulled out her knives.
Nico was in awe of how his cousins fought. Percy had definitely improved since Camp, although at the time it had seemed impossible. His sword was as fluid as the water that seemed to hang around him, almost bending around Thalia's guard as he stepped closer and closer, not giving her any room to maneuver with. Nico had done his training, of course, but Percy seemed to have advanced past Nico's knowledge of swordsmanship. Most swordsmen didn't let an opponent with knives close to them.
Percy threw the rule out the window, stepping close enough that mere inches separated them.
Thalia and Percy exchanged blows, celestial bronze and silver scratching aggressively against one another. Thalia was constantly moving backwards, forced into a defensive position with every stroke of Riptide. She was gritting her teeth, her breath clearly visible as Percy pushed her back, not giving her so much as a millisecond to compose a strategy. At one point, Thalia tripped over a rock. Riptide nicked her cheek and Nico felt his breath hitch.
Thalia kicked Percy back with such force, the son of Poseidon actually had to take a step back. Thalia's fingers brushed against the marred skin, looking down at the blood. "You used to better at controlling your anger when you sparred." She said, already gaining better grip on her knives. "Did I strike a nerve, coward?" She asked. Percy roared, his sword going downwards in an arch that might've caught any other opponent in the shoulder. Thalia sidestepped easily.
"Because I'm the coward! After all, I've been making jabs at host for the past few hours!" He said, blocking one of her knives from catching him in his neck. "Oh, wait! That would be you!" Percy's blade came down so fast, Nico bet Thalia's instinct was the only thing keeping her from getting cut. She jumped straight backwards, barely avoiding serious injury. She sent a lightning fast series of punches at his face, but he dodged easily. On her last jab, he caught her fist.
Nico winced sympathetically as he saw Percy twist until her knife had fallen from her grip and she had cried out in pain. She jumped upwards, her legs tucking in and springing outwards into Percy's chest with enough force that his breath was released in a mighty whoosh. Both were left on the ground, panting. Thalia clutched her wrist, wincing still.
"I think this exactly what you wanted, really- a fight. Some way to prove that you're still in control." Thalia said, starting to stand. Percy followed after, eyes bright with untapered contempt. "Even though it's obvious you're not." She said, backing up as he stalked slowly after her. She managed to reach the steps of the porch where they had first entered earlier that same day. The wood creaked under their weight.
Riptide swiped at Thalia, the metal catching the light of the flames around them. Nico shivered, watching Thalia easily block each attempt at cutting her. In the confined space of the porch, she was in control. Naturally, she kept goading. "And it's not like this would ever really be a home- Camp is home. New Rome is home! This place looks pretty, but this isn't home." She said, dodging the reach of Percy's sword.
Nico saw out of the corner of his eye that everyone was standing off to the side like himself. They each watched, fixated on the tension being released in such a show of force. This was going beyond a physical spar- this was a lot of deep-seated issues being brought out into the light. Nico could see how sincere Percy's sneer was.
Percy was still forcing Thalia back, but now it was obvious she was letting him, completely in control. There wasn't any way he could hurt her, and so she waited until his guard was constricted and struck. Her knife was like her arrows- trailing moonlight. When it slammed against Percy's sword it gave off a spark of glaring light. "This is just a desperate plan to try to pick out who you want- who you think deserve it." She held him back with her knife, their hilts interlocked. "You are being a coward, hiding from the Olympians."
Percy pushed Thalia back with a roar, his icy breath actually frosting over Thalia's face. She recoiled in shock, her hair freezing and lips turning blue. Riptide swung in a deadly arc, cutting through one of the pillars stretching from the ground to the roof. Wood splintered, and it only seemed to enrage him further. "You don't know anything, Thalia." He said through gritted teeth. "I'm not afraid of the Olympians. I would rather fight through every major and minor god and goddess before I bow to them again." He said.
Percy looked at his sword, recapping it and shoving it into his pocket. He took a deep breath, letting Thalia's own red face thaw through the frost. He brought both hands up in a defensive position, his eyes growing darker. "I can keep everyone safe. I can keep myself safe." He said, voice dangerously even. Thalia raised her daggers, taking a stance as well. The fight resumed, hand-to-hand.
Percy brought his palm up, slamming it into Thalia's stomach while advancing several steps. The daughter of Zeus made an annoyed noise in the back of her throat, backpedaling until she reached the steps leading off of the porch and back onto the grass. The storm was still brewing, it seemed, but to Nico it looked closer to boiling over. Lightning flashed in the clouds above, followed closely by the loud claps of thunder.
This was going too far. Something inside of Nico snapped to attention, turning to the way they were both holding themselves. He remembered back to his first game of Capture the Flag, when they'd both exploded when Zoe had crossed the boundary first. He remembered the storm they had almost caused then, right in the middle of Camp. His head spun just soaking in the intense hostility towards each other as they exchanged blows.
If they weren't stopped, Nico doubted they would just 'surrender' and let it all go. They were going to tear each other apart.
Nico turned to Jason, about to ask why they weren't trying to stop them when he saw the son of Zeus straining against some invisible force, his arms held above his head and his back hunched. Sweat poured down his face, even in the cold weather. His breath was so thick and shallow, he looked like he might be vaping. Piper stood right beside him, whispering in his ear words that Nico couldn't hear.
Instead, he turned to Reyna. He probably should've turned to her in the first place. She, like the rest of them, was entranced by the fight going on in front of them. Nico could still hear the clanging of metal and occasional swear word, but he knew how easily that could change. Nico feared the silence that might come again, but this time without his help. "We need to stop them!" Nico yelled.
Reyna didn't seem to hear, fixated on the fight. Grover and Rachel seemed to be in the same position.
Nico heard Thalia cry out in obvious pain, and when he turned back to the fight his eyes almost flew out of his head.
Percy stood over Thalia, sword resting at his side and breath heaving. His free hand was balled into a fist and his eyes seemed to reflect the storm's rage. The daughter of Zeus was on the ground, curled into a ball and shaking. Her breath was less even, more shaky. Each puff seemed to snake towards Percy, as if he were sucking all the air around her to him.
Nico almost flipped out when he saw the blood.
Thalia's arm was bleeding. Not heavily, but this was most certainly not a shallow cut. She went to stand, putting pressure on the wound. Her left hand gripped the wound on her right arm while her other hand gripped a knife. She pointed it weakly at Percy.
"Don't make me do something I'll regret later." Percy growled, but raised his sword anyways. "I didn't start this fight. Apologize right now, and we'll stop."
Thalia was still breathing heavily, but held her knife tightly in her enclosed palm. "You mean to tell me you don't regret cutting me? Or do minor flesh wounds not concern you, Mr. big bad Avenger." She took a deep breath, trying not to appear weak. Her skin was already several shades paler. "I don't cower when someone hurts me. Bring it on, Kelp Head."
Percy grit his teeth, his grip on his sword tightening. He raised Riptide, going for an undercut that would-
Nico's blade deflected the blow so effectively, Riptide nearly flew from Percy's grip. The son of Hades stood between his cousins, blocking Thalia from getting hurt. Whatever intentions Percy had, Nico saw a painful possibility in that last move. He could've carved Thalia's face up, or cut off a hand. Either way, Nico took three steps back, forcing Thalia behind him. He pointed his blade at Percy.
"Don't you dare turn against me." Percy muttered, rebalancing Riptide and taking a fighting stance. Nico mirrored his actions, trying to figure out if he knew the fighting style, and the best ways to counter. He didn't.
"For the record, I'm on your side on this." Nico said, looking Percy in the eye. "But Thalia's loud mouth is making you do some pretty messed up stuff right now, and you aren't in your right mind." He said. The daughter of Zeus hit Nico across the back of the head, but cursed right afterwards in pain, so Nico didn't really feel bad. Besides, he was right. Thalia was in the wrong.
… Right?
"Don't interrupt this fight." Percy said, advancing a step. Nico stood his ground. "She's a big girl, di Angelo. If she wants to start a fight, she better be ready to finish it." He said, seething. The wind was really picking up now, making Nico shiver. His shirt rippled around his torso, chilling him to the bone. It was like Hades had cranked the air conditioning in the Fields of Asphodel again.
"You're out of control. Look around! If you don't stop-" Nico said, gesturing to the clouds and wind and the freaking hurricane that was currently trying to rip the nice little buildings from their foundations. "-we aren't going to have a retirement plan!" He said.
Percy seemed to hesitate, and for just a moment looked like he was about to stop fighting.
But Thalia wasn't done. "It's not like it'd stop him." She muttered. "Give it a week, I bet he finds another cabin in some far off corner of the world to call home. Maybe he'll even invite us!"
Percy lunged, Nico deflected. He was seriously starting to wonder why Thalia was even invited.
Out of the corner of his eye, during the fighting, Nico saw Grover, Rachel and Reyna talking amongst themselves. Nico internally argued that if their first instinct wasn't coming to help him fight off the angry son of Poseidon, they needed to evaluate where their friendship currently was. Piper was still talking to Jason, but she was looking at Nico.
In that moment of less attentiveness than should ever be spared while fighting a master swordsman, Nico saw a flash of bronze aimed directly at his head. He was barely able to block it, but when their swords met he realized his mistake. The tip of Riptide slid between his palm and the sword grip, sliding against his skin and sending the blade hurtling onto the ground behind him. It was the disarming maneuver. One of the first one's Nico had learned.
"Stand aside, cousin." He warned, his sword now pointed at his throat. Nico was afraid to even gulp, instead choosing to take another step back. Thalia was now directly behind him, pushing against him. He didn't have to wonder why when he felt the cold, rhythmic lapping of water against his ankles. They were being forced into the water.
"You need to calm down." Nico insisted, putting his hand against Riptide and starting to push it back carefully. Percy pushed back, keeping Nico in place. The son of Hades was getting really fed up with this now, his own anger bubbling up from his stomach to his throat. His next words were a bit more... forced. "Stop the storm or I swear to gods, I'll summon a small army and pass out for a full day!" He yelled.
"I'm not the one who caused it!" Percy said, jabbing his sword over Nico's shoulder (he didn't jump a bit, shut up) and pointing accusingly at Thalia. "She's the one that shoots lightning, remember? Her dad practically breaths-"
"And your dad is called the stormbringer! Honestly, you've even done this before, remember? Or do you not remember when I kicked your-" cue the incredibly loud thunderbolt that left Nico's ears ringing. "-when we fought at the lake?" She asked. "If you're so in control, why don't you stop this storm?" She accused.
"You know what?" Jason yelled, his face red from straining to keep the storm from killing them all. Piper was standing beside him, wiping away the sweat that was threatening to go into his eyes. His clothes were already drenched. "Why don't you both try to stop this storm, because you both started it, OKAY?" He nearly screamed. Piper was quick to nod her agreement.
Before Nico could respond, Thalia suddenly thrust forwards, her knife glinting in the moonlight. Her arm seemed fine, much to Nico's surprise. She must've had a piece of ambrosia on her. Either way, Nico could only watch as her blade flew through the air, slicing against Percy's temple. And falling onto the ground.
"Ow!" He yelled, his hand flying to his forehead and lightly touching the cut above his eye. Nico paled as he settled his glare at the two of them. His eyes darkened with untampered rage, and now both Nico and Thalia were weaponless.
"Thalia, you idiot." Nico seethed, backing up even more. Now the two of them were knee-deep in freezing cold water, and defenseless against a very angry son of Poseidon.
"You're going to wish a cut in the arm was all you had." Percy threatened, raising Riptide.
Suddenly, Nico was the one being shielded. Reyna stood between Percy and Nico now, and if the situation wasn't just the slightest bit familiar, Nico would've slapped himself. He couldn't see her face, but Percy hesitated before sneering again. Nico was shocked to see the expression on his face. It almost looked like…
"Percy, she's baiting you. You need to calm down-" She tried.
Percy cut her off, nearly screaming now. "SHES MOCKING ME!" He yelled, and the sound was so haunting Nico's heart skipped a beat. "I'm not a weakling!" He screamed, raising his hand. Suddenly, the water they were standing in started to move. Before Nico could even think how stupid they were for backing into the ocean to escape a son of Poseidon, he was tugged off of his feet and fell into the water, a few yards away from where he'd been standing.
Nico watched, helpless, as Reyna was thrust away in a similar fashion, landing on top of Nico with a resounding 'Oomph!'
Thalia was left standing, her fists raised in a vain attempt at defending herself and her expression one of defiance. Nico honestly couldn't move from where he was, and not only because Reyna was still sitting on him. The water seemed to be tugging at him, keeping him down. Rachel and Grover were stuck in place, not moving.
Percy raised his sword, rage completely overcoming his face. "You're wrong, Grace. I beat you. You lose." He said, his sword lowering again.
"Then why is it that I still don't believe you?" She said, her gaze as sharp as any weapon. "You couldn't stop the gods from taking everything from you before, and you can't stop them now." She paused, and Nico could hear her next words before she said them. "But at least Sally forgave you for not saving her life, right?"
Percy roared in anger, Riptide coming down in a blow that would probably kill a full grown Hydra when suddenly the only thing Nico could hear was wind. It blew across his face, screaming in his ears and nearly drying the parts of his body that were wet. Even the water parted from the intense blast of air that slammed into Percy.
The son of Poseidon flew. His entire body was shot forward like he'd been fired out of a cannon, skipping across the water like a stone. Nico might've been seeing double, but he was pretty sure he counted ten skips before he rested out in the water, far out in the bay. When Nico could see straight again, he turned to see Jason standing, arms in front of him and palms outward (airbender-style). His eyes were wide in shock.
Thalia must've jumped out of the way, because now she sat across from Nico, her short hair blown all the way to one side of her face. All of the girls were looking at Jason, awestruck. "Jason!" Rachel said, tone surprised. "What did you just do?" She asked.
Jason blinked a few times, limply pointing upwards, out to the water, to Thalia, and then to himself as he spoke. "But the- I didn't mean to- I thought she might- I really didn't mean to!" He said, trying to form the right words. "The storm was getting worse and Thalia was about to get sliced, so I thought if I used some of the storm to distract him…" He trailed off, his voice becoming strained as he held up the storm again.
It seemed to be dissipating, however, as Thalia and Percy had stopped fighting. Lightning still flashed overhead, but at least the hurricane was almost gone. The wind was less violent (although Jason shooting Percy with some of it must've had the desired effect of weakening it). Nico stood, pulling Reyna up with him.
Thalia stood, scowling at her soaked clothes and shivering. She marched past them all, picking up her knife and cleaning off the blood. When she looked up, they were all looking at her. She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. He's beaten, and probably out cold for the next few hours. He's gonna have to heal after that butt-whooping."
Nico scowled, stomping right up to his cousin. He pushed her shoulder, his anger bubbling up. He was freezing, his clothes were soaked, and his sword was probably going to freeze his hand when he picked it up. All Thalia seemed to care about was the fact she'd made a point. "What in Hades is your problem?" He demanded. "Percy just tried to offer you a home- doesn't that deserve a little respect?"
Thalia crossed her arms, scoffing. "Oh, come off it. As if any of you were honestly going to accept that offer." She said, looking between them all. Nico tried not to squirm. "You all know, deep down, this wasn't for us. The real Percy would've come back- no Olympian could've stopped him. Stopped us." She emphasized.
Nico went to object, but his voice caught in his throat when he actually thought about it, taking away Percy's voice of reason. Silently, he turned to look back at everyone else. They all appeared uncomfortable. Rachel wouldn't meet his eyes. Reyna even appeared conflicted.
And when it came down to it, Nico didn't feel comfortable, either. Nothing would replace Camp- surely Percy understood that.
… So why would he ever ask them to leave?
Nico suddenly felt a chill go down his back. This wasn't right.
Thalia wasn't done yet. Nico was starting to wonder if she ever would. "Besides, why would he bring me here if he was just offering us a home, huh? I'm an immortal huntress. I don't retire." She said, and honestly Nico saw the truth in her statement. "Percy isn't here to invite us to live with him- we need to convince him to come back with us."
Nico's gaze ripped back to Thalia. She looked serious, which was starting to scare Nico a little. "Are you crazy? The Olympians will shred him to bits before we even get back to New Rome!" He said.
Reyna stepped forward, grabbing Nico's arm to get his attention. "Nico, even if the gods knew where we were, they can't stop Percy from living in the United States if we all stand with him." She said, nodding to Thalia. "I understand what you're trying to say. Nico, Percy shouldn't have to hide away from the rest of the world- and the gods won't be able to stop us from helping him if the Camp's support us."
"But will they?" Nico asked, doubtful.
Reyna nodded. "When they see him, yeah, they will." She said, confident. "Everyone was skeptical when Percy was killed. It won't be too hard convince them, especially after all he's done for them."
Thalia smirked a little. "I can do you one better." She said. "Artemis was very vocal to me about how she was against what they did to Percy."
Rachel nodded as well, although he looked pale. Grover and Piper were both supporting Jason, walking him to the rest of the group. "Apollo was the same way- I wouldn't be surprised if Aphrodite or Hermes would agree. He's helped them both before."
Thalia scowled. "I wouldn't rely on Love and a Liar to help Percy." She said. "But if anyone can help Percy, Artemis can. Zeus actually listens to her."
Nico, briefly, thought of Hades. No doubt in his mind, Hades would be completely indifferent about the situation. It didn't concern him, the fact that Percy was alive. If anything, Hades might have to answer to Nico about why he wasn't told sooner. Nico had demanded to see Percy's spirit before, but Hades had always said he couldn't. He was possibly in on it.
"This is getting us nowhere." Jason said. "We can't just… force him back into the US. We need to come up with a plan. Convince him to come willingly- I want him back at Camp Halfblood." Jason admitted. Piper and Grover nodded in agreement. Reyna, Thalia and Rachel all nodded as well. They all looked to Nico for his answer.
Nico scowled, looking around at the buildings- at the home Percy was building. Sure, it wasn't camp, but it was still something. Thalia had complained that it wasn't camp, but Nico saw the potential. He'd been alone before, even when he was surrounded on all sides by others. Homes were built long after the furniture had been arranged and rearranged a few dozen times- home needed memories. It needed time.
Nico felt another gust of wind blow against his face. He sighed, turning his back to the buildings and facing his friends. He nodded his agreement.
This would've been a good home- but not for Percy. Not for them. "We convince him to come back. But if we don't get the him to play nice with the Camps-"
Suddenly, Rachel doubled over, nearly dragging Jason onto the ground with her. Nico took a step back, surprised. Reyna immediately went to help her up. "Rachel, what's wrong?" She asked, grasping her shoulder. She recoiled almost immediately, her hand smoking, crying out in pain. Rachel was curled up in a ball.
Nico thought the wind was picking up, until it was very clear there were voices coming out from the forests. Then, as Nico started to really get freaked out, Rachel started whispering as well. Everyone started backing up when the frosted ground around her began to steam. The grass began to pop out- and much to Nico's surprise, a dozen daffodils started sprouting from the grass.
"What the-" Grover started, then froze. He started sniffing at the air, his eyes widening with realization. "Pan." He said.
Nico froze as well, instantly remembering the old, fading goat man. The last thing they needed was a god to appear in front of them. "Grover, what's wrong?"
The satyr looked at Rachel, still sniffing. The whispering was getting louder. "The power- it's coming out of her… the blessing of Pan is stirring." He said, eyes wide.
"What exactly does that mean?" Piper asked nervously. She placed a hand on her stomach protectively.
Before anyone could speak, the circle of grass began to expand, to glow. Nico kept stepping back, moving out of the circle. Everyone was following his example, staying away. Rachel continued to tremble. Grover's eyes widened as mist began to fall out of Rachel's lips. Her eyes started to open, glowing an ominous purple. "It means," the satyr said, "She's about to give a prophecy."
Thalia seemed to be the only one able to speak. "But the Oracle hasn't been able to do that in-"
"Not the Oracle." Grover said. "It doesn't smell like the Oracle."
Suddenly, Rachel sat up onto her knees, her eyes opening fully. It was if a rainbow shot out of her face, completely blinding Nico and the rest of the group. When the light had cleared away, Nico saw Rachel's facial orifices smoking. Up above them, Nico gazed in awe at the night sky.
The clouds had been wiped away, dissipated and scattered so far that it was like it hadn't even been there. The stars were as bright as Nico had ever seen, reminding him of the cave crystals in New Mexico. But even more brilliant were the Northern Lights (at least that's what Nico assumed it was). It was too far south for them to be there, he thought, but they wiggled and writhed like a snake, twisting and sparkling.
Suddenly, the whisperings started to become louder. Rachel chanted with them, different words and phrases morphing out of the air and seeming to circle the group. Nico went to cover his ears at the sound. It wasn't the Oracle, but it wasn't pleasant, either.
"The Betrayed must face the accusers."
"The battle for the world must be won."
"Your enemies advance from all sides."
This wasn't a prophecy. To Nico, that was clear. Still, it was just as confusing to listen to. Each line was said in a different voice, each voice as horrible as the one before. Rachel continued.
"His eyes must be opened. His vision must be cleared."
"She will have to guide him."
Suddenly, Nico's instincts took a hold of him. The hairs on the nape of his neck stood on end. He turned towards the beach, and in no way was surprised to see the son of Poseidon limping towards them.
His face was set in a grimace. His hands clenched in fists, obviously angry. His shirt was torn, and it was obvious by the giant red welts he hadn't recovered from his flight. The right half of his face was completely covered in a welt, as if he'd been slapped. Hard. He walked right up to Thalia, grabbing her by the shirt and hoisting her up. Before he could speak, he noticed Rachel.
All the whispering suddenly stopped. Nico watched as mist peeled off of the trees, out of the ground, the rocks, the ocean, all being sucked into Rachel. She trembled as the power congregated in her. The world was suddenly silent.
And then it was as loud as a rock concert.
"TO SAVE YOUR WORLD FROM EVIL, THE HEROES MUST CONVERGE. THE ANIMAL, THE DEMON, AND THE BROTHERHOOD MUST ANSWER UNDER ONE BANNER."
The very wind seemed to be tugged out of Nico's mouth as he took several steps back. Rachel was shot backwards by the pure noise leaving her throat.
"YOU MUST CONFRONT THE ACCUSERS. YOU MUST RESTORE PEACE BEFORE THE DARK DAY."
The air was suddenly normal. The stars lost their shine, the lights disappeared. Rachel was left on the ground, her skin pale. All the wisps and spirits left her body in droves, returning speedily to the forest. Nico felt dizzy.
Percy stared, wide eyed, as everyone began to come back to their senses. And when they did, Nico realized what had just happened.
Percy had his prophecy. He was ready for his quest.
The lack of noise was just as deafening as the wind had been. Everything felt tense, like the next motion would mean the rest of the journey Percy was about to go on.
He blinked at all of them, a wild smile gracing his lips. "It worked." He muttered. "It was all theory, but it actually happened…"
Thalia scowled beside Nico, stepping forward. "What do you mean? What did you do to Rachel?"
Percy shook his head, his face instantly becoming serious again. "Native American tribes used to live on these islands. They had these shamans, or whatever, and some of them could do some pretty crazy things- commune with spirits, control the weather… even see the future." He said.
Nico felt it all click into place. Rachel was constantly zoning in and out, her strange behavior since they'd gotten to Alaska- maybe the connection before hadn't been strong enough? What changed? "Tsimshians." He muttered, and Percy looked to him, snapping his fingers.
"Those are the ones." He said, nodding. Percy moved forward, grabbing Rachel's shivering body. His arms went under her legs and head, picking her up and holding her to his chest. "But we can talk about all that later. I think we've had enough excitement for one night." He said, moving towards the cabin.
Thalia stood in the way (Nico was beginning to sense a pattern). Her arms were crossed and chin jutted outwards in defiance. "So what? We stop fighting because Rachel said a few words for some other pantheon?"
Percy paused, apparently realizing how odd it was he was so happy after being tossed into the ocean like a frisbee. Nico frowned when he just stood there, not moving for a long enough time to be considered suspicious. "It was an invitation. If you don't accept it, I won't be mad." He said.
Piper stepped forward, causing Jason to sway on his own two feet. Nico almost went to his side, but the son of Zeus waved him off. "Actually Percy… we talked about it while you were gone… and we don't think moving here would be a good idea." She said.
The look on Percy's face went from astonished, to pain, to anger, and then quickly transformed into the saddest expression Nico had ever seen on the guy's face. He looked heartbroken, completely and utterly crushed. It almost made Nico rethink packing his bags and retiring right out of college.
Then, as suddenly as it was there, it was gone. His expression went to acceptance, and he sighed. "I understand. Camp is kind of a hard place to forget." He said, his tone as wistful as his smile. "If you want, I can take you to the ferry tomorrow." He offered. "I've already got you a plane in Ketchikan- it'll take you wherever you want to go-"
"Percy." Jason said, stepping forward and placing his hands on his friend's shoulders. He stood up straight, looking Percy in the eye. "We really do appreciate what you tried to do. The thing is, without Camp, it just wouldn't be the same." He said. Percy nodded again, going to speak.
This time, Reyna was the one to cut him off. "Percy, we can't live here. But you could live with us."
Percy blinked a few times, his eyes hardening. He seemed completely unconvinced. "No. That's a horrible idea." He said.
Thalia stepped forward. "Listen, Kelp Head, and listen good. I could care less about all of this-" she gestured to the forest and ocean around them. "-when I know you could be ten times happier at Camp. A hundred times happier at Camp." She corrected. Percy continued to shake his head.
"Guys, just-"
"We'd get the Camps behind it. We could probably get some of the gods behind it if-"
"Seriously, it's not going to-"
"We wouldn't let anything happen to you, or Hope for that matter-"
"Just imagine it. I bet if the gods even tried-"
"I'm never going back." Percy said, his tone final.
His answer was met with silence. Nico could hear the wind picking up somewhere out over the water. A whale could breach, or a bear could walk out of the forest and Nico doubted they'd notice.
Piper, ever the charismatic one, spoke first. "Percy, we can beat the gods. They wouldn't dare attack the Camps. And if isn't a unanimous vote in the counsel-"
Percy put up a hand for silence. "The gods tried to kill me, Piper. They killed my mother, my father, and nearly took my sister from me. They took my hearing-" He pointed out his ears for the first time, and Nico saw everyone do a doubletake. Clearly visible, now that it was pointed out, Nico could see the blue plastic inside of his ear canal. It must've been hidden with the mist… "-and they tore me away from everything and everyone I'd ever known and loved." He said. "They are not getting a second chance at me."
If he wasn't holding Rachel, Nico imagined Percy would've stormed off. He would've gone into the woods, or more likely the ocean, and not come out until they had left. But, instead, when Percy brushed Jason off and moved towards the house, Grover stepped forward and grabbed his elbow. "Percy…" he began.
"Camp isn't my home anymore." He said, looking towards the house. "And this can't be it anymore, either. Not without the people to fill it." He said, biting his lower lip. "I might as well just leave the planet altogether." He muttered almost to himself. Nico was pretty sure he'd heard him wrong.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Nico asked.
Percy pretended he didn't hear him. "You need to leave." Percy said, sounding resigned. "The Avenger's need me right now… I shouldn't have done this yet. I should've waited to do this until after… I should've known that you might not accept my offer." He said.
Thalia looked livid. "Look, just because we didn't want to live here doesn't mean we don't want you with us. We can arrange a compromise with them. The fact that you haven't sought revenge after all these years says you aren't going to fight them- we'll make them let you in." She argued.
Percy scowled again. Nico shivered at the familiar look. If he wasn't certain this was Percy in front of him… Nico saw a scar. Icy blue eyes. Sandy blond hair. It made Nico's skin go pale and his eyes to go wide. "Thalia, it's not about compromise. After what they've done, they don't deserve a compromise." He said through gritted teeth. "You don't seem to understand- the only reason I haven't gotten back at them? I haven't had a reason to."
He looked between them all, his eyes darkening as he spoke again. "If they know I'm trying to rejoin the camps, they'll try to kill me." He said. "And when they try… there won't be any place on Earth I won't go, no wall I won't tear down, no monster I won't kill that will stop me from getting my revenge." He said, his aggressive tone nearly causing them all to cower. Rachel shivered in his arms.
Grover shook his head. "Percy, they can't hurt you. Not when we all stand beside you."
Percy pushed past them all, moving to put Rachel into the cabin. "You can't guarantee that. And I still have a quest I need to go on." He said.
Suddenly, Piper was right in front of him, her eyes panic-filled. "Percy, what kind of quest are we talking about?" She asked. He just kept walking, not speaking. Nico fell in behind him, grabbing his arm.
"We can't just let you go, Percy." He said, fed up with all of… this. Whatever it was. Nico felt like they were all being used- Rachel especially. They were all here to… what? Leave their homes and stay with him forever (albeit, after retirement)? This suddenly felt really selfish. "We just got you back. You can't just leave."
Percy's face twisted back into a scowl. "I've got my own plans I need to deal with. And the Avengers are counting on me- the world might be counting on me, if the threat is as dangerous as I think it is." He said.
"All the more reason to just leave it to the Avengers." Thalia said.
Percy stopped, turned, and nearly shoved Rachel into Nico's arms. He walked right up to Thalia, toe to toe. "I am an Avenger." He hissed. "Stop pretending everything revolves around the Greeks- I've seen more than the Olympians ever made me see." He said.
"Percy, we can help-" Piper began.
"I don't want it." He hissed, turning his angry look on Piper.
Piper's expression became serious, and much to everyone (but Percy's) dismay, she pulled a glass jar out from behind her back. Nico hadn't even known she'd been carrying it before now. "Percy, you aren't in any condition to go on a quest- not now, at least." She said, her hand moving to the lid. "We have to take things slow- the Camps need to know what the Olympians did, and they will believe you. Imagine if you had both the Camps helping you-"
"You don't trust the Avengers? Or me on my own?" He asked, switching his gaze between the jar and her. Nico was getting that weird feeling in his stomach… and in his head. His eyes fluttered a bit, and he had the strangest urge to go back to Camp. To have a nice long talk, and not stop until Percy's name is cleared.
Charmspeak. It had to be.
And Percy wasn't affected by it, it seemed. Piper looked just as surprised. "Percy, come home with us." She said, her hand tightening on the lid. "Come back to us."
Percy hesitated, then pointed limply at the jar. "My dad gave that to you, didn't he?" He whispered. Piper nodded. "I'm not going back. I have a job to do." He said.
When the jar opened, several things happened at once: Percy jumped towards Piper, reaching forward in what Nico guessed was an attempt to grab the jar. Jason jumped towards Percy, intent on protecting his wife. Grover jumped towards Jason, as if sensing the movement. And finally, Piper closed her eyes while pointing the now open jar at the son of Poseidon.
Grover pushing Jason away had been a brilliant idea, as it turned out. His furry goat hindquarters propelled him at the blond like a bullet, tackling him. Meanwhile, Percy's eyes bugged out of his head, his mouth dropping open as he gasped for air. The jar began to shake in Piper's grip, although that could've just been because of her nerves.
Water seemed to leech out of the container, moving towards Percy and wrapping around him. At first, Nico was sure that Percy was the one doing the reaching, and that they were screwed, but Percy wasn't moving. The water continued to ensnare him, leaving no part of his body untouched.
And then, to Nico's horror, Percy dissolved.
The water simply fell to the ground freely, Percy with it. It was as if they'd been looking into an iris message, and the connection had been cut. They all stared, horrified, as the water was sucked back into the jar, and the glass lid fell back into place. They all stared, blinking, until Reyna looked at Piper.
"Did you just-?" did you just kill him? Nico heard the unfinished question quite clearly. After all, death was his specialty.
Which is why, with both relief and assurance, he shook his head. "No, Percy's still alive. I can feel his spirit." He said, a tingling sensation travelling down his spine. He closed his eyes, trying to find a connection. "It might've been a portal. If I can figure out where it sent him…"
Grover shook his head now, Jason pushing him off as he did. "No, that isn't it, either. The Empathy link is still strong here. I wouldn't be able to sense him so strongly if he'd disappeared." He said.
Thalia scowled at Piper, her anger flashing like lightning behind her eyes. "Where in Tartarus did you get that?" She said, pointing at the jar. Piper looked pale, obviously shaken up. Her grip on the jar was shaking, and her knuckles white.
"P-Poseidon came to me in a dream." She said, looking between each one of them, then down at her feet in shame. "He told me I might need it. He said if things got out of hand-"
"Piper." Jason said, and his tone made his wife wince. His expression was one of hurt. "Wha- why not tell us? Why didn't you get rid of it?" He asked.
She shook her head. "I did try getting rid of it- but it was in the kitchen, just before we came out for the cookout. I didn't think I'd actually need it…" She trailed off, then her eyes went wide. "But Poseidon said that I'd have to throw it into the ocean after I'd captured him. We can just reopen it." She said, already starting to pry at the lid. She heaved with exertion, her expression becoming more and more desperate.
"It's no use." Reyna said. "A god gave it to you- a god has to open it." She reasoned.
Suddenly, Nico heard a tink from the object in question. His eyes widened when he saw what was in it. "Holy- guys! Percy's in there!" He said, already going to grab the jar that Piper was jostling a bit too much for his liking. He (gently) took the glass in his hand, putting the contents up into the moonlight for everyone to see.
Sure enough, Percy was in there… and about as big as a bug.
Everyone watched, wide-eyed, as bug-Percy desperately banged against the side of the glass, trying to beat himself out of the cursed object. His fists, legs, and even his head (probably by accident) made contact with the glass, each hit resulting in a little tink. They all stared, too surprised to say anything. The sea beat against the shore quickly, as if eager to pull the glass out into the ocean.
Grover gulped loudly. "That's- that's a problem." He said. Nico nodded in agreement.
