"Come with me, boy. " Mr. D said to Rowan after he explained the bare bones of his mission to retrieve the two demigods children of Hades. Not mentioning of course they were Hades' children. Together, he and Mr. D walked over inside where the cantankerous god cast a ward of silence. "So you are gathering my Uncle's brats from The Lotus Hotel? Bianca and Nico."
Rowan gaped. "How do you know that?"
"A Place of ecstasy and revelry? Of course I know of it's inhabitants, it is a great source of power for me, as is all of Las Vegas." The man smirked. "I warn you only this once, be careful to not fall to the pull of that place, less you be lost to time itself."
Nodding, Rowan said. "Yes, Sir."
"Good... now, go, I have a pinochle game to win!"
And just like that, Rowan was gone, new magic mirror and many supplies in hand. He was ready for his first solo mission, to save demigods and give them a new home... he wasn't sure if he would be successful, but damn it he would try.
"""
"Hmm, what an interesting mortal." Persephone muttered, watching as the young Rowan take the Amtrak across the country towards Las Vegas from oracle. The boy was smart, using magic to manipulate the minds of mortals to get easier access across the country without a lot of money. It was underhanded, sure, but she could understand his need. "He understands empathy and loyalty more than most." She sighed at that thought. "It is no wonder this war will turn out so bad, what with the rampant abuse and vile abandonment so prevailing among the gods."
She turned her full attention to the Oracle, and sighed.
"I wonder if he knows Hecate has chosen to abandon us, that he will lose his ties to the gods once she declares her choices? Hmm,... I might have to step in, to prevent him from becoming a plant or statue. He is too valuable to lose, a gifted mage with a good heart, he would make a great ally to any one or a terrible enemy once he gains enough skill... yes, I think I might have to step up to the plate." The thought made her shiver, but she knew that if her husband and the Underworld were to flourish, she would have to intervene... and this might just be the way to do it.
"Yes, but how will I go about it,... I must be careful, less I garner the wrong kind of attention..."
:::
It was amazing how much easier it was to get across the country without destiny trying to screw you over. Rowan found that magic made it so easy it was almost insulting.A little spell here and there and boom, he was heading across the country in first class. Not a soul questioned it, and that was for a newbie of magic like him. What would it have been like for a master? He was sure he'd figure out in a few years.
He reached the Lotus Hotel and Casino after a few days of easy travel, and boy was he terrified. Agnes was whispering in his ear the entire time. "I will break you out of it's control, if fall under it's thrall, but still be careful."
And with that, and a spell to repel any pursuers ( A weak magic since any really determined bastard could get through) on him, he walked into the Hotel and was amazed by the selections. Games from all eras, food of all types, and water slides! It was a modern day fool's paradise straight from Pinocchio!
"No wonder people get caught in this place... focus Rowan, focus!" He slapped his face twice, and started to reach out, sensing anyone of any power in the building. He sensed over a dozen demigods. Their auras were like little road flairs, drawing his attention. It broke his heart, to know so many were lost to history due to this place. At least they were happy...
It was one after expanding his senses that he sensed Bianca and Nico, they felt like their father. A potent dark essence mixed with the salty sweet spike of humanity. Walking towards their auras, he found them in the food court, eating slices of pizza, having a clear argument. They were cute kids, with dark hair and pale skin, only Bianca's face was sprinkled with freckles. As he got closer, he noticed they were moving their hands around often, and in a rather specific way. It was kind of fun to watch.
"Hello?" He asked, once he got close enough. They both turned to him, smiling though Bianca had wise hesitation in her eyes. "My name is Rowan, I am a friend. You father has asked me to take you from this place, to take you outwards." He focused on keeping his tone level, peaceful and proud. He had no desire to anger or scare them. They were potent demigods, who knew what they could do.
The girl frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You father wanted me to take you to your next location, where you will eventually start attending school. I am a friend of your family, Bianca."
She nodded slowly and Nico beamed. "Hi there, I'm Nico, who are you?"
"Rowan, and it is nice to meet you Nico." He smiled, happily enjoying the boy's sweetness. He was maybe nine years old, and very cute.
"Why should we trust you?"
"A wise question... and one I am going to answer. " He sat next to them in their booth, holding out his hands, he summoned fire that made them both jump. "I am a witch, here to protect you both from potent evils. You both are special, I cannot tell you in what way, but you are special. What I can say is that horrible beings are after you both, and in knowing what you are changes your aura so they can find you. I swear by Styx, I am your ally."
The air rumbled and they both calmed down, he suspected their ties to the Underworld made them know of Styx even in their subconscious.
Bianca actually sighed. "I... ugh... okay. Where do we go? I have to keep Nico safe..." She looked annoyed at those words, but fiercely determined.
He grabbed her hand, after dispelling the fire. "To where we are led, I was asked to keep you safe, bind your auras, and teach you if possible. I suspect we are to be met by your father's minions. Now, please come with me before we are forced into more of this vile place's magic." And like that he they moved out of the Lotus Hotel and Casino, into the dry heat of Las Vegas. They managed to hurry into an ally, and he pulled out a vial of prepared potion. "I made this on the way over here, it is spelled to mask your auras, so you are safe. It has my blood in it, and I just need to apply it to your necks and chant a spell, it's oddly simple..."
Bianca moved first. "Me first." And he knew it was to keep Nico safe.
He applied it chanting the entire time before a warmth seared through the glowing sigil he painted on her. She sighed in relief and her aura faded. "Nico's next." And the spell was repeated.
"Good, very good." They all jumped as Alecto, in a lawyers outfit, appeared in a swirl of shadows. "I am here to take them, you saved them from sensing, I will protect them. from sight. Now go, Rowan. Remember your oath."
He bowed and turned to the kids, pulling them both into a warm embrace. "I will speak to you in dreams, to train you... be safe okay?"
They both nodded and soon they were gone, taken into a van by Alecto, off into the distance while he had to make his way back home. Looking down, he said." That was fast, glad they're safe though..."
And like that, he was off, back to camp, wondering where the danger would be...
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.