They reached the shore just as the sun began to rise. Nico and Percy stayed in the back talking about Mythomagic and the truth behind the gods and monsters. Bianca walked with the girls, though she listened in on Percy and Nico's conversation occasionally. She didn't want to show it but she felt just as giddy as Nico was acting. Zoe and Phoebe led the group towards San Francisco. After a couple hours of walking, they made it just outside of the city. They stopped for a break a little ways off the road where no one would spot them.
"How are we going to get to New York? We can't just walk the entire way." asked Bianca. Zoe and Phoebe smirked before Zoe closed her eyes for a couple seconds. All of a sudden, a silver chariot appeared right in front of them. Nico and Bianca stared in awe. Percy smirked and climbed into the chariot followed by the others, though Grover had to be carried up as he was too busy swooning. Artemis stood at the helm in her twelve year old form and gave Grover a disgusted look. She noticed the two demigods in the back and gave Bianca a smile.
"Hello, child. My name is Artemis," she said. Bianca gave her a thoughtful look. Nico's eyes widened.
"You're Artemis! The goddess of the hunt and the moon!" Bianca slapped her brother upside the head making him glare at her as Artemis gave her a smile. She ignored Nico and returned to grab the reigns. Soon they were up in the air traveling at an incredible speed. Nico was incredibly put out which Thalia noticed. She gave her cousin a side hug.
"It's alright, Nico. She hates all males. Well except for Percy, but he's special. It's nothing personal towards you." Nico smiled at her. Zoe and Phoebe were talking with Artemis at the front while Percy was catching up with Grover. Thalia and Clarisse had the responsibility of filling Nico and Bianca in on whatever Percy had left out. They explained camp to them. Bianca was fascinated at the thought of the cabins and pegasi, but Nico couldn't wait to start fighting with a sword.
"Well actually you have to be ten years old to fight with a sword," said Clarisse. "How old are you?" Nico pouted.
"I'm nine. What can I do then?"
"You can use a dagger," smirked Thalia. Bianca looked nervous.
"Is that such a good idea? I mean why should we be trusted with swords and daggers? Isn't that dangerous?"
"We're demigods. We don't get the pleasure of living simple lives," said Percy joining in. "Monsters, like the manticore that captured you, can smell our blood. They look for us and will try to kill us or eat us. Learning to fight is the only way to defend ourselves." The di Angelo kids shivered at the thought of the manticore. Grover just bleated nervously. "But most importantly," said Percy gravely. "We are going to war. And the enemy won't stop just because you are nine or twelve. We all need to learn to fight. The fate of the world depends on us." After that the rest of the trip was rather gloomy. Nico and Bianca were extremely nervous now at the thought of having to fight in a war. The others just sat mulling over their own thoughts.
Soon Artemis' chariot arrived at Camp Half-Blood. It was just about noon and they could see the campers running around doing all sorts of activities. Nico and Bianca were completely enthralled. Chiron galloped out to meet them. He bowed before Artemis.
"Lady Artemis, questers, it's been a long time. I'm so glad to see that none of you are missing." They all smiled, though Bianca and Nico couldn't help but stare at the centaur. Chiron noticed and smiled at them. "Well hello. Who do we have here?" Bianca stepped up holding her hand out for him to shake. Chiron took it still smiling.
"I'm Bianca di Angelo, this is my brother Nico. We are children of Hades." Chiron's smile faltered for a split second before he nodded.
"We are so glad to have you. I'm sure Thalia and Clarisse can show you were to go." Thalia and Clarisse nodded and took the kids to show them around camp. Grover left to go find something to eat. "Now is there any new news?" asked Chiron to the hunters, Artemis, and Percy.
"The Titans have something big planned," said Percy. "Annabeth and Ethan Nakamura were captured and are now being punished on Olympus." Chiron frowned sadly at the thought of Annabeth. "They revealed that their master had a plan for Bianca and Nico but we rescued them before anything could happen." Chiron nodded.
"Is that all?" Artemis shook her head. Everyone looked at her confused.
"Where are my hunters?" Chiron paled.
"They are in the arena. They haven't let anyone in since you all left." Zoe and Phoebe laughed. Artemis nodded and left to get her hunters. A couple of minutes later she returned with a group of twelve girls. They ran up to Zoe and Phoebe and gave them hugs. When they saw Percy they glared at him. Percy just smirked at them.
"What are you smiling at, boy," one hissed out. Percy put up a hand to his chest and gasped out, pretending to be hurt.
"Atalanta! I thought you would recognize me!" The hunter looked absolutely confused while Phoebe and Zoe just stifled their laughter. Artemis shook her head. The hunter stepped forward to give Percy a piece of her mind when she looked at his eyes. She stumbled backwards.
"Ga-Gabriel?" she asked tentatively. Percy nodded with a smile. Atalanta's eyes widened before she launched herself at him pulling him into a hug. Artemis, Zoe, and Phoebe smiled while the other hunters roared in anger.
"Let her go!"
"How could you break your vows?"
"Milady! She's hugging a male!" Artemis laughed and looked at Chiron who was also struggling to contain his laughter.
"I feel like Percy will need to explain some things. He will be coming with us." Chiron nodded at the goddess. Percy let go of Atalanta and paled.
"No, no I don't think that is such a good idea, Arty." The hunters just looked confused. They had no idea why this boy was still human and not a jackalope. Zoe and Phoebe gave Percy a predatory smirk.
"Come on, Percy. You're not afraid of us are you?" Percy paled even more. Atalanta laughed at his face. Artemis took pity on him and looked at her hunters, getting their attention.
"I will explain everything soon. But for now we are going upstate to make camp." The hunters glared at Percy but listened to Artemis. Percy looked at camp longingly.
"Can't I stay here? I want to rest!" Artemis just looked at him pointedly.
"You're coming with us. You have centuries to make up for." Percy sighed and followed the hunters. He walked up to Chiron who was just smirking.
"Yeah, yeah laugh it up. Just tell the others that I love them if I don't return." Chiron laughed and smacked Percy on the back. Percy frowned, took a deep breath, and left after the hunters.
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Chiron was impressed. Nico and Bianca had really taken part in all the activities. Unfortunately, since there wasn't a cabin for Hades, they were stuck in the Hermes cabin. They didn't seem to mind, however. Thalia and Clarisse showed them the entire camp. When they had finished with their tour they had met Chiron in the Big House where they would watch a short introductory film. The children of Hades had been totally engrossed. At the end Nico wanted to go learn how to fight and Bianca wanted to find the pegasi, but Chiron told them they had to stop by the infirmary first. They complained but Chiron wouldn't budge. They had to make sure the children had not suffered any lasting harm by the Titans.
Chiron grabbed his sword and strapped it to his waist and went on his daily run around the camp's borders to make sure everything was in order. He came galloping up to Thalia's tree when he saw a figure lying face down on the ground. He panicked when he recognized the dark, messy hair.
"Percy!" He hurried as fast as he could to the demigod. When he got closer, Percy lifted his head exhausted.
"What?" he asked. Chiron frowned.
"What happened?" Percy groaned and sat up.
"The hunters made sure I paid for leaving them years ago." He rubbed his shoulder. Chiron laughed and helped Percy stand. Percy just glared. "It's not funny. I hurt everywhere." Chiron laughed even harder.
"Come on let's see if we can't get you some nectar." Percy smiled gratefully. A couple minutes later, he was walking out of the infirmary feeling good as new. His stomach growled and he realized he hadn't eaten since yesterday and even then it had only been a quick snack before they had attacked Mt. Othrys. He walked into the dining area and found Nico and Bianca sitting at the Hermes table. Thalia was sitting with them talking. When Percy walked up they all looked up and flinched.
"Gods, Golden boy! You look like you've been molested." It was true. His hair was in all directions and his clothes were torn. Nico and Bianca looked at him in horror. Percy just glared at Thalia and walked to get his food. He offered some food to himself and Artemis, who he could have sworn he heard chuckling when he did so. He sat back down by Thalia.
"I went with the hunters. They decided to show me how much they missed me." He grimaced and rubbed his shoulder again. "Gods Atalanta really can hit hard." Thalia smirked, but Bianca and Nico were confused.
"Why do the hunters like you so much?" Percy just sighed.
"Long story short, I used to help out with the hunt before I had to leave for a long time. They aren't too happy with me for not going back or saying hi in so long." Nico nodded and kept eating but Bianca just looked at him with a calculating look. Percy flinched. If she didn't have black hair and I didn't know any better I would think she was a child of Athena, he thought.
"What?" he asked her. She didn't move.
"I thought the hunt was all girls. How did you get to help them?" Percy just stared at her expressionless.
"You're nosey, you know that right?" Bianca flashed him a smile. Thalia laughed.
"I like you, cuz." Bianca smiled but didn't look at Thalia, keeping her eyes trained on Percy. Percy glared at her.
"You won't let this go, will you?" Bianca shook her head, still smiling. Percy huffed. "Fine, I'll tell you. Nico put that spoon down I don't want you spitting on me." Nico put his spoon down but stuck his tongue out at him. "I guess I can tell you everything now that it's not exactly a secret anymore. You see I'm not a demigod like you." Bianca looked confused.
"What are you? A monster?" Percy chuckled.
"No. My real name is Gabriel. I was the oldest child of Kronos. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Hestia, and Demeter are my full brothers and sisters." Bianca and Nico's eyes widened. Bianca tried to get out of her seat to bow but Percy threw a roll from his plate at her. "Sit down. I hate it when people bow to me." Bianca took her seat again, blushing. Nico snickered at his sister. She swatted him on the head, shushing him.
"So you're really a god?" asked Bianca. Nico looked at Percy in awe. Percy shrugged.
"Yes and no. It's complicated. I'm the god of balance. I left Olympus because the gods had become too powerful which would have led to us becoming just like the Titans. I went off the grid, so to speak, for thousands of years. Then I saw that war was coming and I needed to be a part of it. I put all of my godly essence into a mortal body. So now I am fully god and fully mortal." This time Bianca looked at him in awe.
"So you're the oldest of the gods?" Percy just smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, but I'm also just a demigod now. So don't look up to me like a god or anything. Just think of me as an exceptionally powerful and badass demigod." Nico laughed and Thalia rolled her eyes. Bianca just smiled.
"What should we call you?"
"Percy. I'm Percy now," he said. They all enjoyed the rest of their lunch. They talked for hours before Percy decided to take them down to the arena to get them some armor and a weapon. Thalia, not having anything else to do, joined them. When they got to the arena, Percy left to get some armor and weapons. He walked into the armory. He found some light leather armor for both Bianca and Nico. He looked around hoping to spot anything that would work. He found a nice sword that seemed to be the perfect length for Bianca. It even had its own sheathe. Finding something for Nico proved to be much more difficult. Nico couldn't wield a sword for another year, but there weren't really any good daggers anywhere. He closed his eyes and reached out with his mind. It took him a couple of minutes since he hadn't done it in a long, long time but he finally found what he was looking for.
Hades, he said into Hades' mind.
Gabriel?
Yes. I have a favor to ask of you.
Percy walked back out of the armory a couple of minutes later with a wide grin. The others were standing there impatiently. Nico was going on and on about everything and Bianca looked like she was going to take Thalia's spear and impale her brother. Thalia was just standing to the side trying to ignore the annoying nine year old. Percy walked up behind Nico and flicked his ear. The son of Hades yelped and jumped away from him. Everyone just laughed.
"I've got something for the two of you." Bianca and Nico looked at him eagerly. "First, for you, Bianca." Percy pulled out from behind his back a beautiful short sword. It was in a black sheathe covered in jewels. "You're father gave me this for you. It's made of Stygian iron. Only a child of Hades can wield it." Bianca took the sword with shaking hands. She took a step back and unsheathed the sword. It was beautiful, shining brilliantly in the sunlight. Nico jumped up and down and turned to Percy.
"What about me?" Percy chuckled and pulled out a similar looking sheathe though it was much smaller.
"This is a Stygian iron dagger. Your father gave it to me to give to you as well. He also gave me a Stygian iron sword for you, but I won't let you have it till you turn ten." Nico pouted but took the dagger eagerly. Thalia pulled out her spear and stuck it in the ground sending a little shock into the others. Percy glared at her and the di Angelos jumped.
"Alright, playtime is over. Now we train."
They trained for hours. Nico and Bianca both proved to be very skilled despite it being their first time. Soon it was time for dinner. Percy took them to the Hermes cabin to stow their weapons away since they couldn't take them to the dining area. They met Thalia and went to go eat. The others in the Hermes cabin were initially wary of Nico and Bianca but when Percy glared at them they got over it. The other cabins weren't happy having the two there but didn't dare confront Percy. None knew everything that had happened, but they knew the gist. Rumors were circulating that Percy was really a god. No one really believed that though. They couldn't believe that the twelve year old boy in the Hermes cabin was really a god.
After dinner they all went back to their cabins for the night. The rest of the week went by quickly. Percy couldn't believe that it was almost Christmas time. So much had happened so quickly that he had completely lost track of time. He couldn't wait to see what camp was like in the winter. It turned out to be pretty much the same. The magical border of the camp kept the snow away. On Christmas Eve Percy left for the city to spend Christmas with his mom. He told her all about his quests and about Nico and Bianca. They were quickly becoming some of his best friends. On Christmas morning he got an Iris message from Luke. He had finally recovered from all of his injuries and was out of the infirmary. Percy felt bad, he had completely forgot to go visit him. Percy spent the night with his mom and her new boyfriend Paul Blofis.
Percy was so glad that his mother had finally found someone that loved her. He loved Paul too. He was funny and knew a lot of ancient Greek mythology. Sally, it seemed, had told him the truth; that the gods were real and that she was a clear sighted mortal. Paul had just laughed until Percy asked him to look at him. The second their eyes met Percy knew that Paul was absolutely perfect for his mom. Paul had also seen that Percy was much more than he seemed. He sat down on the couch and listened as Percy explained everything to him. He even told Paul the truth of who he really was.
The end of his visit came much too soon. He returned to camp on New Year's. He was glad to see all of his friends. Luke had taken to helping Nico train while Thalia and Clarisse worked with Bianca. Percy joined Luke and after a couple of weeks they decided to have Nico and Bianca spar with each other. Bianca managed to beat her brother, just barely. Percy, Luke, and Nico pouted while the girls gloated.
"Not even a god can help you, Nico." Nico stuck his tongue out at his sister. Everyone laughed. Percy put an arm around Nico's shoulder.
"It's alright, Death breath," he said. Nico glared at him for the nickname. "We all know that you just let her win." Bianca growled and tackled Percy to the ground. Percy pushed her off laughing. Everything was going well. The days went by and still Percy didn't feel anything was going on with the Titans.
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"Bend your knees a little. Don't grip your sword so tight. Widen your stance." Percy walked around Nico and Bianca correcting their form. They had grown so much since Percy and the others had saved them from the Princess Andromeda.
"Why do we even have to do this?" complained Nico. Percy walked up in front of him.
"We don't have to. Show me what you got. Attack me." Nico smirked and charged Percy. He swung his sword, but Percy stepped to the side and shoved him hard just below the arm. Nico was knocked off balance and fell to the ground. He groaned and stood back up. "We don't have to go over this, but if we don't you'll end up just like that or even dead." Nico just nodded grimly and got back into position beside his sister. Bianca just smirked at her brother.
"Don't smile, Bianca," said Percy. "Your form is sloppy. You expose your midsection too much." Bianca's smile faded and she turned her attention on trying to follow Percy's corrections. Suddenly the shadows around them started moving. Bianca and Nico's eyes widened in fear. Percy just smirked and watched. Hades stepped out of the shadows and smiled at his kids.
"Dad?" asked Nico, still a little nervous. Hades nodded. Nico dropped his dagger and launched himself into Hades' arms. Hades just stood there uncomfortably. He wasn't used to affection. Percy just chuckled.
"It's alright to hug your kids, brother." Hades glared at Percy but hugged his son tentatively. Bianca smiled and joined her brother in hugging her father.
"What are you doing here, Hades?" asked Percy. Hades pulled away from his children.
"Nico and Bianca need to learn how to use their powers. They won't be able to learn here in this futile camp." Percy nodded.
"Where are we going to learn then?" Hades smirked at Bianca.
"You're coming with me to my home." Nico didn't really seem to be able to think straight.
"Where's that?" Hades just looked at him with a pointed look.
"The Underworld." Bianca and Nico seemed crossed between nervousness about going to the Underworld and excitement for being with their dad. Percy waved goodbye as Hades shadow traveled them away. Percy started putting their practice dummies away when he heard a little cough from behind him. He turned around and smiled.
"Rachel! How's it going? Are you in New York?" Rachel was standing there in a rainbow looking at Percy's surroundings in awe.
"Yeah, we just got back yesterday. Where are you?" Percy smiled.
"I'm at Camp Half-Blood. It's the only safe place for demigods to live." Rachel frowned.
"Where is that?"
"Long Island." Rachel looked confused.
"How haven't anybody noticed you guys there? I'm pretty sure a bunch of teenagers swinging swords will draw tons of cops." Percy shook his head.
"The mist that we told you about helps guard us. Mortals can't see our camp. Plus we use a strawberry patch for cover. If anybody drives by they will just see a strawberry farm." Rachel nodded and smiled. "So what's up?" Rachel tugged on the hem of her shirt.
"Well you said that if I had any more questions I should call you this way. I've been noticing a lot of strange things and I just don't know who to talk to. You were the first person that came to mind." Percy nodded.
"I will speak to Chiron, one of the leaders here at camp, about letting you come. I'll call you back letting you know if you can. If not then I'll just meet you sometime and we can sit down and answer any questions you may have." Rachel smiled and thanked him. Percy broke the connection and finished putting the practice dummies away. Just as he finished Chiron came into the arena.
"Is everything alright, Chiron?" The centaur smiled and nodded.
"Yes, but you have a visitor." Percy frowned and followed Chiron to the Big House. He smiled when he saw an eight year old girl sitting on the porch waiting for him.
"Hestia! What's going on? Is everything alright?" Hestia gave him a brilliant smile and stood up.
"Everything is fine, Gabriel. It's time for you to come back up to Olympus. You have a promise to keep." Percy smiled warily but nodded. He told Chiron that he would be leaving before Hestia flashed him up to Olympus. He walked with he into the Throne Room where the others were waiting. They turned and Percy saw the exact same looks the hunters had given him a month ago. He paled and tried to run out of the room but Hestia blocked the door. Percy backed away fearfully into the corner.
Outside, the minor gods and nymphs were tending to their own business when they heard loud shrieks coming from inside the Throne Room. They all flinched when they heard an exceptionally loud scream. They looked at each other and shrugged. They didn't want any part in whatever kind of torture was going on. They had all learned over the years to stay out of the Olympians' ways when they were punishing someone.
A few hours later, Percy managed to get back to camp where he plopped down on his bed exhausted. Catching up with the others had been incredibly painful but he was glad to finally be back with his family. Soon his eyes closed and he drifted off into the realm of Morpheus.
A/N: I know this isn't the best chapter at all and is pretty boring but I felt like the story needed a little break from all the action. Things will pick back up next chapter. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, followed, and favorited. Hope you all are still loving the story. Let me know what you guys think!