When Chrion opened the door to the Big House, his face grew into a textbook example of 'fear'.
"N-Nico? Is that really you?"
"Who else could it be, Chiron?" Nico replied, his tone flat, dead and unreadable.
Chiron started. He snatched up his bow and arrow from the table behind him, and, in one swift, blink-and-you'll-miss-it-movement, had the arrow aimed directly at the centre of Nico's forehead, ready to fire. Nico, meanwhile, did not even flinch.
"Do not come any closer!" Chiron barked (or should I say 'neighed', seeing as he's part horse?) "I am prepared to defend this camp with my life! If you agree to peacefully leave now, then neither you, nor your hellhound, will come to any harm!"
"Chiron, I do not wish to hurt anyone."
"But... You..."
Tentatively, Nico stretched out his arm and gently tapped the tip of Chiron's bow. As soon as his deathly pale fingers made contact with the hard wood, the bow disappeared, and was instantly transformed into a mass of coarse, black sand, which then dropped to the ground. The ash-like substance lay scattered at Chiron's hooves, and had dyed his usually shining white flanks a color which was darker than midnight itself.
"I don't wanna see anymore violence. People should know by now that it's not gonna solve anything."
"...How..."
"My control over death is getting stronger, that's how. Now, sit down. I have something I need to discuss."
Chiron tried to slow both his breathing and heart-rate down, for fear of a complete overload. There was nothing unusual about this. Just another regular demigod, seeking his age-old guidance. Nothing to be afraid of.
He kept telling himself that, yet it seemed to have absolutely no effect. Chiron knew that he was immortal, and that this boy's unnatural deathly powers would have no affect on him, but for some reason, some strange, unknown reason, he could not stop shaking with sheer terror.
"You're afraid, aren't you?" Nico murmured as he plonked himself down on a nearby chair. "It's alright. Everyone is. People always say that they don't fear death, that they've 'lived their lives to the full', and that 'death is the next great adventure', but when the time comes, they kick and scream, and cling onto their lives 'till the bitter end, even if it's hopeless."
Chiron stared in disbelief. Was this really the same hyperactive boy who had arrived at camp all those years ago, wielding a pack of collectors cards and demanding to know how much attack power he had? Was this really the same boy who had felt uneasy about watching the orientation film, because he didn't think his sister would approve? Was it really him?
He doubted it. Tartaros had changed him, molded him into a different man entirely.
"That maybe so, Nico," Chiron replied, trying to regain his calm composure. "however, I'm guessing you came here to see me today to talk about more pressing matters than death philosophies, wouldn't you agree?"
Nico nodded. "It's about The War."
"The War? But, Nico, neither side has fought for the past year... It's over."
"That's what you think." Nico answered cryptically. Tutore barked in agreement.
"My boy, what are you trying to say?"
"There has been no formal end to the war, meaning that Gaia could strike at literally any time. I believe that now, at this very moment, she's only laying low to lure us into a false sense of security, and will attack when we least expect it. It's only a matter of time."
Us. We. So Nico was still on the side of the gods, after all. That was certainly a relief - fighting against a boy - no, man - who radiated so much power would be akin to trying to fight a tornado head on, Chiron just knew it.
"I see..." answered Chiron, deep in thought. "So, you're saying we must once again prepare for battle?"
"No, I'm saying the exact opposite. We need a peace offering."
"Peace? My boy, I'm afraid that when dealing with a monstrosity such as Gaia, peace just isn't possible."
"Have you even tried?" Nico snapped back at him. "You say 'peace isn't possible with Gaia', when you haven't even attempted to make the peace yourself! You've given up on it without even trying! War is the first action you and everyone else always jump to! I'm starting to think that you and all the gods don't even care!" he suddenly shot up out of his seat and began pacing furiously up and down the room. "All the lives lost... All the friendships broken... But you don't give a crap, do you?!" He was pretty much screaming now, his hoarse voice filling the room with his anger. "You're immortal - why should you care?! Doesn't affect you, huh?! Am I right?!"
"Nico..." Chiron gently tried to place his strong hand on Nico's abnormally thin shoulder, but he quickly shoved him away.
"Don't touch me!"
After that, Nico froze. His face fell, and he sunk back into the sofa. Although his head was bowed low, Chiron could just make out tears forming in the teenagers black eyes.
"I'm sorry, Chiron... It's just... Tartaros."
Tartaros. With that one word, Chiron understood all.
"...Nico, where have you been for so long? What on earth have you been doing?"
"It doesn't matter, it's none of your concern." Nico looked up at him. "All I came here for was your consent to put this war to an end. And if you love your pupils as much as you claim to do, then you would give it to me."
Chiron sighed - as much as he hated to admit it, the boy was right; something HAD to be done, they couldn't just go on living like cowards for much longer, or else only the gods knew what would happen.
"Very well then, you have my permission. However, you must take 2 other campers with you; it is most unwise to venture into Gaia's domain alone."
"I'm not alone." Nico insisted as he once again sank his fingers into his hellhound's warm fur. "I have Tutore... And as for the last person, well, I have someone in mind... One of the few people I trust..."
End of Chapter 3! Sorry if Nico seems a lil' OOC, it's only cuz this is set a few years in the future, so his personality has obviously developed a bit. Hope you liked! :D Please review, that would mean a lot :3