The UN speaks.
A Mortal and A God Find Kin.
Nico fails at staying hidden.
|Chapter 8| Meetings, Musings, and Great Job Nico, You've Done it now
"Wake up," Percy whispered to Annabeth.
Annabeth groaned and turned over.
"C'mon love, you gotta get up."
"No."
"Chiron needs us at the big house."
"Well, I need more sleep."
"I'm going to pick you up if you don't get up."
"Mhm. Of course, you will." She said as she burrowed deeper into the blankets.
Percy shook his head, a small smile on his lips. Annabeth opened her eyes a smidge and curled even deeper into the bed. She was calling his bluff.
"Well, you leave me no choice then." He smirked and scooped her up off the bed. Annabeth struggled for a moment then sighed, relaxing in his grip. "Nope, c'mon you can walk on your own." He gently set her down allowing her to find her footing.
She glanced around and her eyes landed on the clock. "Percy...why does Chiron want to see us at five in the morning?"
Percy shrugged "I don't know." He threw her a sweatshirt. "Here, it's cold out."
After pulling it on and donning her black uggs, the two of them walked to the big house. While on the way over, Annabeth asked "Do you think it's something bad? I mean it's just us two he's called."
Percy's grip on her hand tightened. "I don't know. I really hope it's nothing bad," he ran a hand through his hair, tugging on the grey strands he had regained during their trip to Tartarus "But we both know our luck."
The rest of the walk to the Big House was filled with a tense silence. When they finally arrived, they climbed the steps and opened the door. The first thing they saw was Chiron, his head bent low over papers. But at the sound of their footsteps, he looked up.
"Thank you both for coming at such short notice." He said. He motioned them to sit, as he poured mugs of coffee for the two.
"No problem Chiron. What seems to be the problem?" Annabeth asked.
"It's not a problem per se." He handed each of them a mug, then continued. "It's more of a strange turn of events."
Percy leaned forward slightly and raised an eyebrow at the centaur. "A strange turn of events you say? What happened?"
"This morning a letter arrived." Chiron took a letter off a nearby table and placed it in front of the two immortals. "It was from the United Nations. It was an invitation to attend a session in three weeks."
Annabeth looked confused. "But the UN isn't supposed to meet again for almost six months. Unless…" she sucked in a breath. "We are being invited to an out of the ordinary meeting for the UN." She paused, clearly thinking hard. "This is to discuss demigods, isn't it?"
"You would be correct Annabeth. The letter says they hope to create a peace treaty between us and the nations of the world."
Annabeth and Percy shared a glance. Percy clasped her hands in his and smiled. "Hey look, I know this is weird but we got this right?"
Chiron cut in saying, "If you do accept, which I expect you to do, you will be put under a lot of pressure. It's not going to be easy. These people will be relentless and try to get whatever they want. Before you go there, I need you to make a list of your demands. Do not give up these demands, and your beliefs. Do not back down. I know that neither of you is big on pulling the immortal's card but stand your ground. They will push you around, and try to get you to cave in."
Annabeth smirked, "Of course."
Connor Stoll was, unfortunately, at a complete and utter loss as to what to do. The young Daughter of Demeter had screamed, he had shushed her, then she had collapsed. She now was a dead weight in his arms.
Connor really didn't know what to do. He couldn't pick her up without hurting her tender back, and using the common form of transportation for gods, teleportation, would jostle her even more. His brother was no help, seeing as he was talking with the police, talking about punishments for what these mortals had done to her.
Unsure as to what else to do, Connor gently set her on the dirt, making sure that her wounded back wasn't touching anything. He sat there for a minute before a police officer sat next to him, joining Connor in his almost vigil state.
"So…" the office ventured, "How'd you know to come here?"
Connor looked at the officer "Lady Demeter, her mother," he gestured towards the daughter of Demeter, "Told my brother and me of her daughter's prayers towards her. Due to the Ancient Laws, Demeter couldn't intervene. However, seeing as Travis and I aren't bound to the Ancient Laws, we could. And you know the rest."
What had happened was the two immortals, filled with a fit of unconquerable anger at someone hurting their kin, had ventured to a police station nearly 15 miles away and told them of the situation at hand. Together the group had driven to the small town, arriving in record time.
When they had gotten there, they had been greeted with a terrible sight. The young Daughter of Demeter was being whipped in the centre square. One of the officers then fired off a shot, hitting the man who whipped her in the leg. He had collapsed immediately. The other officers then drew their guns, pointing them at the crowd, and telling them to stand down.
Meanwhile, Connor and Travis had rushed to the girl's side. Travis had been the one to cut her bonds, and Connor had been the one to lift her off the ground, only for her to collapse into his arms.
The officer cut Connors train of thought by chuckling slightly before taking off his hat and placing it over his heart, in an almost salute-like gesture. "I can promise you that we will do all in our power to make sure everyone here is sufficiently punished for their actions." He swallowed loudly before looking the young god dead in the eye and speaking again "They have broken many laws, ones that make them eligible for life in prison. I will see that everyone here does not get off easy, for what has been done today is never going to be okay."
They sat in silence for a moment before the officer asked, "What's her name?"
"Willow Taverns. Quite ironic seeing her mother is Demeter."
"I suppose. The world is full of irony."
Connor's lips tugged up into a tight and strained grin. He nodded his head in mutual respect before calling his brother over. They discussed for a moment as to how to transport her back to camp, and eventually decided they would teleport back there. It wasn't the best option, but it was the best option they had.
Together the two immortals lifted the young girl and after a nod to each other, and a yell for the mortals to cover their eyes, they teleported away.
Nico Di Angelo is the enigma of Kings School.
He's strange in all the wrong ways, he gives everyone the feeling that something is off about him. His mannerisms, his attitude, hell even his posture is just so off-putting. Everyone from the 4th graders to the 12th graders is terrified of the 9th grader.
People are almost certain he is a demigod. Unfortunately for him, he has done a terrible job at hiding that. No one can agree on his parentage though. Some argue he's the child of Hecate, for his extreme vibes of death he gives off. Some argue he is Thanatos' child. The bolder ones whisper Nyx, and some even name Hades as his father.
No one is sure about who his parents are, but they are sure it is a god related to the underworld. He always seems to radiate death and darkness to a level that terrifies those who meet him.
His eyes are as dark as onyxes, and his light olive complexion contrasts greatly with his midnight hair. His fingers are long and thin, the only adornments being a silver skull ring and a sleek black watch. He is always wearing an aviator's jacket, and the multiple patches make it seem as if it's been nearly ripped to shreds multiple times.
Its March 21st, 2011 and danger seems to hang low over New York City, like a wet wool blanket. Heavy, dark, and annoying. Everyone is glancing above the Empire State Building where Olympus lies, an unreachable dream. Many are wishing that they themselves were immortal. Free of responsibilities, and have managed to escape this hellish world.
None of this seems to bother Nico Di Angelo. Everyone but him is consumed by wary glances all around, and hoods pulled low in an attempt to seem unimportant. They're slouched over, trying to be smaller. But Nico Di Angelo is for once, standing straight up, and his eyes aren't glancing around like everyone else. He is focused and clear. He's looking at the world as a man on a mission.
No one notices, too busy rotting in their own misery to notice the 15-year old who isn't acting like how he normally does.
Nico Di Angelo sits alone in the cafeteria. He's slowly eating a greasy slice of cafeteria pizza, and sipping from a black water bottle. The mortals don't know it but the water bottle isn't filled with water, instead, it's filled with nectar.
Nico loves how nectar tastes to him. It tastes like the Hot Cocoa he would always drink in the Lotus Hotel with Bianca. It never fails to remind him of better times, and although it sometimes makes him long for them, he's learned to embrace the memories.
Nico is midway through biting into the Pizza when he hears Jason Grace's voice in his head. NICO! It was a prayer, one of the best ways for immortals to communicate.
What's wrong? Nico says immediately, picking up on Jason's frantic tone.
Jason sighs and Nico can almost see his hand running through his hair. There's a crowd of mortals heading towards your school, chanting about kidnapping a demigod. I think they mean you.
Wait...what? Nico said, not quite believing what he was hearing.
You heard what I said. I have no idea how they knew that there was a demigod there, but it has to be your school and henceforth you. You're the only demigod we have on record there, and it's like the only school in their path. Get out of there Nico. Jason advised sounding more frantic as he kept speaking …er… praying.
I'm not leaving. Nico replied stubbornly.
Nico, don't go looking for a fight. Jason chided.
I'm not looking for a fight, Jason. Nico defended.
Then what in the name of Jupiter are you doing? Jason questioned, sounding almost like a mom. Nico resisted the urge to chuckle at that. Chuckling at seemingly nothing was bound to make people think he was insane.
I'm not looking for a fight, but I'm not gonna run away like a coward. I also don't wanna know what would if they get here and there's no demigod insight. But there's plenty of young kids here they can terrify. Nico explained.
I hate that you have a point, Jason sighed, stay safe Di Angelo.
Will do. And the connection was cut.
Nico sighed and picked up his tray. He walked over to the trashcan and dumped his food in, having lost his appetite. Unfortunately for him, he still had nearly fifteen minutes before they would be let out for recess.
While he silently sat at his table he quickly did a mental checklist of what he had on him. He had his sword, a couple of spare daggers he could summon if need be, and a beautiful new shield that was disguised as a wristwatch.
The shield had been a gift from Hazel, Thalia, Jason, Percy, and Tyson for his 15th birthday. It was a mix of celestial bronze, stygian iron, and some good old titanium for extra strength. The front had a single carving; his symbol. His symbol was a skull, surrounded by thirteen pomegranate seeds, and behind it was the figure of a ghost.
Nico sat there for nearly ten minutes and with every minute his ADHD got worse and worse. He knew a battle was coming and he was already at the start of adrenaline high. His leg is bouncing up and down, and he's fiddling with the ring on his wrist. Nico checks his watch. It's 11: 55, five minutes till he can go outside and maybe then the ensuing battle will be easier.
People are starting to notice Nico's odd behaviour. It seems like he knows a battle is coming. He's checking his watch often, so on edge, it sets everyone else on edge. People are glancing around, sharing looks, seeming to ask the same question: What's going on?
The bell rings.
Everyone files out, and Nico makes sure to drop by his locker and grab an extra canteen of nectar, seeing as his water bottle is empty, and unable to shake the feeling he will need it.
As he gets closer to the door, his heartbeat starts to pick up, and the sirens in his head start to roar. He hears shouting, followed by a bang, then a stiffening silence. He's running now, and bursts out of the doors into the sunlight.
The sight he is greeted with makes his stomach drop to his feet. The first thing he sees is the 4th-grade girl, who had probably just been behind her classmates getting inside, with a gun at her head. The man who is holding it is a pudgy and red-faced monstrosity.
He's screaming and when Nico hears it, it takes everything in him not to barf right there. "TELL ME WHERE THE DEMIGOD IS OR I'LL BLOW HER BRAINS OUT!" Silence. The poor, poor girl has tears running down her face, and the teachers are looking between her, the man, and the others behind him, who are also carrying guns.
Nico takes a deep breath and draws his sword. The sound makes everyone turn to where he stands in front of the door. He grins, and it seems to hint at devious plans and a twinge of insanity. "He's right here."
He moves forward and the crowd parts around him, like Moses with the red sea. When he reaches the front of the crowd, he darts forward, moving too fast for anyone to see clearly. He tackles the man to the floor, releasing the girl from his grip.
She rushes to the crowd, and a group of seniors surround her, making sure that no one can see her. Eyes turn back to Nico Di Angelo, who is keeping the man down. He turns to look at the crowd and speaks. "Get inside." His voice leaves no argument as he turns back to the man and his mob. "This is about to get very messy."
Everyone rushes inside. They rush to classrooms in which they can see the battle that they think rages on outside. When they get there they see a sight that no one could ever have ever predicted.
Nico has gotten up from the man, who is backed up in the crowd. There has got to be at least forty guns aimed at his chest, but he seems unbothered. He is leaning against a pure black sword, a leisurely grin spread across his face.
The windows are thrown open so they can hear. The people in the mob are screaming about how they're gonna kill him, and others are screaming for him to stand down and beg for mercy.
Nico smiles a wide sadistic thing that looks like a monster's smile. "You are not going to kill me, and I'm not begging for mercy. Stand down, walk the fuck away, and no one gets hurt."
Before he can move there is a bang, and Nico collapses, only being kept upright by his sword. A couple of people shriek. His hands fly to his abdomen, and even from where they are they can hear the curses that fly out of his mouth. He looks back up at the crowd, and gasps go up when they can see his eyes.
They are pure black, and shadows seem to pool out of them. They can finally see the blood that leaks out of his abdomen, except it isn't blood. The brilliant gold liquid that is all over Nico's hand is ichor, meaning he is a god.
Shadows come in out of nowhere and engulf the mob. When they disappeared, everyone had collapsed onto the floor, and shadows lay low around them like the early morning mist.
People slowly make their way out, and Nico stands there, leaning against his sword. Before anyone can reach him, a wall of dirt flies up blocking their exit. The mist-like shadows rush to form a large black shape that eventually forms into two figures.
Before they can even process that, there's a woman hugging Nico, and brushing his hair off his face. Behind her stands Hades, Lord of the Dead. His face is murderous, and similar to Nico only moments ago, shadows seem to be coming out of his eyes. Maybe it's the black hair, the eyes, or the shadows that seem to cling to both Nico and Lord Hades, but everyone can figure out who Nico's godly parent is.
It's Hades.
The woman finally lets them get a good look at her. Her hair reaches down to her hips, even though it is braided in a complex braid. Her skin is the colour of cocoa, and her eyes are brilliant gold. Blood red flowers are woven into her dark hair and that's what makes them recognize the goddess. It is Lady Persephone, the Queen of the Dead.
No words are spoken to address the mortals, not that they expected to be addressed by two of the most feared Olympians. The only sign that they have even seen them comes from Persephone, who briefly glances at the crowd.
Hades walks up to his wife and child, and after a few words are traded, shadows engulf the three. When the shadows disappear, they are nowhere to be found.