Chapter 5

Unexpected Powers

Nico realized they were surrounded. He and Percy might be able to take out take out the people cornering them but then ten more Demigods came backing up Clarisse. She knew they didn´t stand a chance. Nico was thinking on what to do when suddenly Ben screamed: „Everyone garb each others hands!" Nico knew what he was about to try. He wanted to Shadowtravel. „Ben", Nico stated. „this is too difficult -"

„Trust me!" Everyone held hands and they began their Shadowtravel. They landed right next to the flag of the enemy team. Jason, who was protecting the flag, looked surprised seeing them, grabbing his sword. Nico remembered the energy he used at his first Shadowtravel. And he only transported one person. Ben must be at the edge of death. He turned around to see a Ben who wasn´t even out of breath. „How did you-"

„I am very surprised to see you guys appearing out of mid-air.", Jason said. „But luckily, we have some backup with me as well." Around about twelve more people came out of the bush behind Jason, everyone with weapons in their hands. Nico held his sword made out of Stygian Iron in front of him, Percy took his sword, Riptide. Annabeth grabbed her dagger, Nico didn´t see Will or Ben get weapons. Will held a short sword he grabbed from the weaponery. And Ben suddenly had two curved-hilt swords made out of pure darkness in his hands.

They all jumped into the fight. Two Hephaistos-Boys were trying to disarm Percy, who easily deflected their attacks. Will was caugth in an intense fight against a girl from the Nemesis-hut. Nico fougth five younger kids who didn´t allow him to go help out Will. Annabeth seemed to have a staring battle with four guys. They all knew her, so they were cautious. He saw Ben standing in front of Jason. Nico hoped Ben could fight, because Jason was one of the strongest fighters together with Percy. Jason attacked Ben, who quickly blocked his attack with one sword to attack with the second one. Jason, who expected this jumped to the side and he and Ben started a battle that was only matched by speed when Percy fougth Jason. Nico saw Ben´s weapons flying away. Suddenly Ben turned, with another sowrd in his hand, again made out of darkness. As Jason didn´t expect this he got disarmed and Ben went to help out Will, who was clearly struggeling as he is not a fighter. Jason laid on the floor, unconcious. A few moments later every enemy was on the floor.

They let Ben grab the flag and get the victory for their team.

That evening after the campfire Nico went to Will, who was treating the wounded Halfbloods from the game. When he saw Nico he smiled: „What´s up?"

„I wanted to tell you about the offer I have gotten."

„What offer?"

„Ben and Jason asked me to go with them to the mission."

„So… are you going?", Will asked.

„I was thinking to go, although it will be dangerous."

„When is the life of a Demigod not dangerous?"

Nico smiled. „Oh, Solace, you and your sarcasm."

The next morning Ben came running to Nico, who was talking to Jason about the mission. „Nico!", Ben screamed, out of breath when he was next to them. „I found out a thing I can do!" He grabbed a rat, the house rat of one of the Hermes kids to be exact and closed his eyes, concentrating. Suddenly the eyes of the rat turned black. It stood up in a way that looked way too human. Then its eyes turned normal again and the rat fell over. Ben looked like he just ran a Marathon, breathing heavily. Ben just controlled a living being.

„How did you-?", Jason was as amazed as Nico was. Everyone knew Ben was powerful, but the extend of his powers seemed to grow every day.

„That was – scary", Nico said. „Promise me to not do that again." Ben nodded, still exhausted.

Nico went to Chiron, who was once again talking to Mr D. „-I will have to inform Zeus about this!", Mr D said, right before he noticed Nico. „Chiron", Nico said. „Ben has even greater powers than we expected. He can-"

„Look, Chiron!", Mr D shouted. „That´s why I have to inform the Olymp. This boy is very dangerous!" Chiron sighed. „Nico", he said, still sounding very calm. „How about we go inside and talk about this"

As they sat down inside and Mr D went snitching to Zeus Nico started: „As it turns out, Ben can control living beings using nothing but his mind."

„So – like Piper, as she can convince them to do almost anything?"

„No – like control – do whatever he wants with them." Chiron had a concerned look on his face.

„Not even the Olympic Gods have these kinds of powers."

„But the whole controling-thing costs him a lot of energy.", Nico added.

Someone knocked on the door- the door of the closet. Chiron opened the door to see three familiar faces- Zeus, Athena and Dionysos. „Hello", Zeus said, smiling. „We are searching for a boy called Benjamin Dimson, he´s twelve"

As Nico walked through the Camp towards the Hermes-hut everyone looked surprised to see three gods, one of them being the king of the universe, walking around. Nico knocked on the door and Connor opened, just to see three Olympians looking right at him. „Did I do something wrong?"

„Connor", Nico said. „Where´s Ben?"

„Oh, he just went to the training ground with Percy."

As they arrived there Nico saw Ben´s amazing fighting style against Percy, who barely managed to block all attacks. As soon as everyone realized that there were 3 gods standing there everybody fell on there knees. Everyone, exept Ben, Nico and Percy. „Hello, Halfbloods", Zeus said. „Who of you is Benjamin?"

„M-Me", Ben said, scared.

„Dionysos, you were right", Athena said, looking at Ben. „This boy has the aura of a god."

„Ben, who are your parents? Are they both gods?", Zeus asked.

„My father is Erebos", Ben replied. „My mom was mortal"

„Don´t you mean is mortal?", Zeus said. Athemna whispered him in the ear.

„Oh- ", Zeus stuttered. Percy laughed. „Percy Jackson", Zeus said, seemingly not too pleased to see Percy again. „You still didn´t learn anything about respect. Luckily, we can ignore you for once." Zeus looked back at Ben. „So- who is this Erebos – god you mentioned?"

„Erebos is the god of Darkness.", Nico said. „More powerful than all of you."

„How come we never heared of him before?", Athena said, not believing a word of what Nico told them.

„He has been held captive by Gaea and Tartaros. As Gaea is dead now, she can´t help Tartaros hold Erebos any longer."

„That – is not good",Zeus said.

„Oh really?" Percy said with a very ironic sound to his voice.

„I AM SO CLOSE TO DISSOLVING YOU INTO ATOMS, PERCY JACKSON!", Zeus shouted. „YOU BETTER SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Zeus calmed down again. „However, how do we know if you are right"

„I can tell you", a deep, dark voice said behind Nico.