Will

The smoke of Sandwich wafted through the entire Dining Pavilion. For some weird reason that only the nymphs knew, our staple dinner today was a huge basket of Sandwiches. The sacrificial fire burnt bright and yellow, like it enjoyed the taste of the Extra Cheese. Will looked at his half-eaten plate and sighed. Having just learned that he needed to go on a quest killed his hunger in a spectacular manner. Nico was sitting next to him, wolfing down Sandwiches. The boy had an appetite to rival Percy Jackson, although he had developed it in these days only. Maybe Nico was stress-eating.

Nico looked up from his plate and smiled. Will felt his face stretch into his most sunshiny smile that he kept only for Nico. Damn, he loved this boy. This feeling almost made him forget his pending quest. Almost.

From across the Apollo Table, he saw Annabeth getting up with her plate from Athena's table and come towards them. She sat with a frustrated grunt and smiled at Will and Nico. But her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Will felt sad for her. Of course she would be frustrated. She had been the part of two major prophecies, fought in major wars back to back, and held the responsibility of the future of the world on her shoulders. When finally she had a chance to leave all this behind and move on, she had to leave on a new quest, again. It was crazy how she had volunteered as Wisdom's child, although Will knew that it wasn't because of her wanting to save the day or because of some nobel cause. She knew something, a part of the puzzle. And that's why she was here.

"So what is it that you know?", asked Nico.

So his boyfriend was thinking the same thing, surmised Will.

"Why do you think I know something?", replied Annabeth.

"Come on, you hate quests. You have been going to college, trying to live a normal life. Then out of nowhere you come back to Camp and volunteer for a quest? That's very stupid for you to do without any reason", said Nico.

"Also, you don't have Percy with you. If you were coming for just a visit, you would have brought him. I think you haven't even told him you have volunteered for a quest", said Will.

Annabeth sighed and then laughed. "Well, look at you two, Sherlock and Watson. But you're halfway correct. I do know something. Although I am not 100 percent sure but it's a start. And, to answer your question, Will", she turned to him, " No, I haven't given Percy the slip. I have told him that I am going questing. And I have asked him not to come with me."

Will was surprised. Annabeth trusted Percy more than anyone. If she would have wanted anyone on her side during questing, it would have been him. To think that she wanted to do this without him, would mean that whatever she knew was majestically disturbing.

Nico must have been thinking the same thing, as he asked, "So what is it that has made you ditch Percy for a quest? "

Annabeth narrowed her eyes. Nico smiled. "I meant, not include Percy in this quest", he corrected.

"I have been having the same dream for over a month now", said Annabeth. "It is a voice, calling from a pit, asking for help. At first, I thought that maybe someone was tricking me, because of all the voices I have heard from the pit before and how helpful they have been", she rolled her eyes. "But then after a while, I started seeing my mother too"

"You mean Athena's voice was coming from the pit? ", asked Nico.

"No, not from the pit. The person in the pit is most definitely a man. But my mother started appearing at the top of the pit alongside... " she hesitated. "My mother, she said that I had to undertake this quest, I had to save this person, whosoever he is, from this pit. She told me the prophecy in my dreams and asked me to come here. So I did."

Nico nodded.

"Percy is having his exams this month and I thought that I could spare him this quest. Hence I came alone", Annabeth hastly added.

Will didn't believe the last part. There was some other reason Annabeth didn't bring Percy, but whatever it was, clearly she didn't want to discuss it.

"Chiron told us we leave tomorrow morning. I suggest we pack all necessary stuff we need and get some rest. I haven't the faintest of idea where to start our search, but maybe we'll know something by tomorrow", said Nico.

"I think I can help with that.",said Will. "Once during a surfing match between Poseidon and my dad that I was made to judge," Will held up his hands. "Don't ask about it please, I still have nightmares. However, my dad told me about someone who had a lot of information about the gods and their places of ownership. He said it might come in handy someday. Guess he was talking about this time. Maybe we can start with him."

"That's great, Will. So at least we know our first stop.", said Nico.

"Alright then, let's meet tomorrow morning. See you guys", said Annabeth and went back to her table as the dinner was about to end.

Will took Nico's hand and they sat down at the far end of the Campfire after the dinner. The Nike twins were engaged in a competition of who will eat the most s'mores and the entire Ares cabin was cheering them up. Sherman Yang was making daggers at Lou Ellen. Will could feel a big Ares vs Hecate coming up in a few days. Alas, he wouldn't be here to witness it. He took a deep breath and turned to look at Nico, only to find him looking at Will.

"Do you think Annabeth's dream is connected to mine?" asked Nico.

Will frowned. For almost a month now, Nico was having these dreams about a friendly Titan calling for help from Tartarus, a companion they had left back there. Nico was all ready for wanting to jump back into the black pit with our new friends, the trogs and help him out. The timing of the dreams and the similarities in the content did make sense, but Will had a feeling that both of the dreams were different.

"I can't be sure, Nico", he answered. "It might be the Titan, or it might be this new demigod Eridian. Now that I think about it, it is possible that the person in your dreams might be Eridian as well."

Nico nodded, but Will knew he wasn't satisfied.

"Maybe we have to take it step by step. Let's meet this know-it-all person you know tomorrow, and then figure it out from there.",said Nico.

"He's not a person, he's a minor god with knowledge of the universe"

"Should I be jealous?"

"Only if you want to be a minor god with the knowledge of the universe."

"Haha very funny."

"You started it."

Nico held Will's hand and looked in his eyes. "Promise me, you'll stick close to me. No matter what happens. I won't have you getting hurt in any way."

"I can take care of myself, Nico. And I can take care of you too. You promise to stick with me as well, okay?"

"I will."

Will put his head on Nico's shoulder and closed his eyes. The warmth of the campfire around him was keeping him thawed up. Listening to Nico's steady breathing, he felt at peace more than he had in a very long time. He took a deep breath and tried to take it all in. He knew it wasn't going to last. But today, maybe just for today, he would soak it all in and be content.