Nico was incredibly angry.
Now, some might argue that Nico being angry was not an uncommon event, but Nico was angry. Not an 'ugh I'm going to have a son of Hades hissy fit because I can' kind of angry, it was a 'how dare you bastards mess with my family again, I am going to whip all of your asses' kind of angry.
Every single part of the situation at hand reminded him of...of Bianca's (her name...he could barely think it anymore) death - her dying because of a quest and him being powerless to stop it.
He could still remember every single part of the day he found out - the heroes returned home, sober and weary, and he ran out to greet his raven-haired idol, Percy Jackson. Percy, who had promised to bring his sister back alive. Percy, who was strong and confident and kind and open and everything Nico was not. Percy, Nico thought of as invincible. Percy, who failed.
He didn't blame the boy, not anymore. But the glaring truth was that he promised she would come back and she didn't.
That was the day his heart broke, the day he realized he could trust no one. No one but himself.
His sister's death had crushed him inside.
Nico refused to believe that he would let his sister die on him.
Never.
Again.
However, despite his determination, he was powerless. Absolutely and utterly powerless to save his sister - not to mention Percy, who was probably being tortured or worse and could be anywhere on the mothertrucking' planet!
Grrrr.
Scowling, the son of Hades resumed his pacing beside Hazel's bedside. Frank had gone to eat breakfast ("Frank," Piper said pleadingly, "You haven't eaten since yesterday. Please get something to eat...for Hazel, if not for me. She wouldn't want you to starve yourself worrying over her.") and he was left watching over the petite girl ("Nico, you're probably the only one who feels about this the same way I do. I know they care but...it's not the same. So please, just...watch over her for me?" "You didn't need to ask." "Thank you.") while the rest went to find some grub.
Piper almost wanted to charmspeak Nico to come with them, but the boy insisted he stay, since he ate some cereal earlier that morning.
The Cap'n Crunch almost made him feel better...almost.
Nico plopped down onto Hazel's bedside and stared. She was so delicate-looking, pale and thin, like a glass doll that could crack at any second. She was shivering in her sleep, and drops of perspiration dripped down her forehead.
Reaching out a pale hand, he swept some loose curls from her face and tucked them behind her ears. Hazel didn't respond.
A hand was placed on Nico's shoulder, and the boy jumped, instantly transforming his ring into a sword.
"Whoa, Nico, it's just me. Chill Death Breath." Thalia's tone was light, but her electric eyes were sober as she gazed at the sleeping girl.
Nico relaxed, putting his ring back on. He sank back down onto the bed. "Hi, Pinecone Face."
"Tch. You know only Percy can get away with that." Thalia muttered, but she smiled in spite of herself. "How's she holding up?" The daughter of Zeus turned her attention to Hazel.
"I don't know." The words were quiet and bitter, and Thalia nodded in understanding.
"It's hard, I know. Believe me, I know." The Huntress told him. "Hazel's my baby cousin too, y'know." She paused. "We weren't as close as the three of us, of course," by three she was referring to her, Nico, and Percy, "but we bonded a bit after the camps defeated Gaea and stuff. She's pretty strong, you know. Stronger than you give her credit for."
Nico sighed. "I know, but..."
"Nico. You can't do everything alone. Hazel's a fighter, I've seen that girl's determination. If she wants to wake up, she will."
"Then why hasn't she?" Nico said, and his voice carried his anger, his frustration, his fear. "Why won't she come back? Can't she see that this is hurting me, hurting us just as much as that wound is killing her?" Clenching his fists, the son of Hades let loose an animalistic snarl.
"You don't want a repeat of Bianca."
Nico stilled, staring at the girl's utterly serious tone. His eyes narrowed.
"And I get that. Losing a sister is tough, I've certainly lost sisters-in-arms with the Hunters. But tearing yourself apart about it...that's not going to bring her back! It won't help anything!"
"I get that! But what else can I do? I'm helpless, Thalia, just like last time."
"No you're not." This time, Thalia's voice held a lot of anger. "Stop selling yourself short you idiot! What would Hazel say?"
Nico's arm reached up and slapped Thalia's cheek, his eyes full of smoldering fire. "Stop talking about her like you care!"
The Huntress bit her lip, her cerulean eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Alright, if it's a fight you want then it's a fight you'll get." She waved a hand sharply towards the boy. "Get outside. Now."
Princess Synthia was on a mission.
She had every outline memorized, every possible outcome calculated thoroughly, and every response carefully and meticulously planned out.
Her elite group was ready, she was ready.
It was time.
Time for the most important mission in her life, perhaps in her multitude of lives.
She was, after all, only a youngling, which meant she had not yet had her Rebirth.
Rebirth, after all, required a young dracanae spilling demigod blood, letting the ichor of the gods that ran through their veins stain her hands. Then, she would disintegrate, and be reborn a full dracanae.
She was one of the last dracanae to be created, after the males had died out.
So she was incredibly behind.
This mission meant everything to her. Synthia could get her mother's respect, her own power, her friends' admiration. Her mother granted her permission to spill the blood of one of the sacrifices after their Lord was finished with them.
Her Rebirth was coming and she could hardly wait. She had wanted this forever, and it was about time she achieved it.
She was royalty, after all.
And royalty would get whatever they wanted, no matter the cost.
Shaking her head, she let loose a smirk worthy of the Cheshire Cat.
Those pathetic demigods would never know what hit them, not until it was too late.
"Crysstiana, time to initiate Operation Kρυμμένο φίδι. Let's go."
"Yes, princess."
"The rest of you, you know what to do. May Great Dracliaesacra guide us."
"May Great Dracliaesacra guide us."
"Apollo, you are certain?"
"Absolutely, there's no way it can't be. It was his magic, I'm sure of it."
"Then the demigods know nothing?"
"I don't think so. His magic was very faint, shrouded almost. There was no way any of them could've known. I certainly didn't tell them."
"We must inform the children that-"
"No, Athena."
"Father, see reason. They're only children, and they have Poseidon's child, can't you see they're going to attempt the ritual? They deserve to know what they're dealing with, Father."
"We cannot involve ourselves in mortal affairs-"
"This is not a mortal affair! You of all people should know this! You fought him yourself!"
"Athena-"
"We ourselves should be preparing at this very moment! The battle is coming, Father, and I must warn them. I pray to Mother Rhea that you will see reason. He is coming back, and he will find us."
"Athena's right, Father. This is bigger than just a simple rescue mission, they need our aid. The Hazel girl is going to die if that magic contaminates her completely, or Uranus knows what else might happen."
"...Very well. I will send Hermes as a messenger. Warn the other gods immediately, Apollo. Athena, come with me. We must examine the prisons of the others."
"Yes, Father."
"Yes, Father."
So. Hi guys. Um, sorry?
Yeah, I promised an update soon and I'm fairly sure this doesn't count as "soon" in your book. Instead of rattling on about my excuses, I'll announce the stuff you actually care about.
Firstly, I need more results for the Hazel dilemma! If you're reading this and love Hazel, vote to let her live! If not (well, firstly, how can you not like Hazel?) then vote for her to die! If you like drama, go for the drama! I'm still getting mixed results and I need to have a significant majority to decide the direction the Hazel arc is going to take.
This chapter, speaking of the story, sure had some drama, huh? O_o Synthia's making her move (fun fact - the Greek name of the operation means "hidden snake". Take it how you will), the gods are debating, and Nico and Thalia are gonna duke it out? The craziness!
I know most of you are probably pissed at me right now, but hey, at least I updated, right? Right?
*dodges rotten tomato* Okay, I get it.
Much love to you readers! You guys are what keeps this story afloat! Review, share, enjoy, and don't forget to vote :D
Oh, and happy Friday the 13th! ;) Perfect day for an update, I'd say.