It turned out that Nico couldn't control the mist as I could.
"Only a certain few people were trusted by Chiron to do that, or even had the power." He looked pretty impressed by my abilities. I blushed.
We took an old pick up truck from the parking lot, and I used the mist to make everyone around think we were the owners. There was a full tank of gas, so we could go pretty far before having to ditch it for another. Keeping the same car for a long period of time was risky with the mortal police. Even though they could easily be fooled, it's better to stay clear of the messiness.
Nico drove. I wasn't opposed. I usually had to drive when my father and I traveled (he was usually drunk or half drunk). This was a good reprieve.
"So tell me about camp."
His eyes scrunched in thought, but his eyes stayed on the road, giving me an opportunity to study him. I came to the decision he had to be at least a year older than me.
"It's amazing, really. There are cabins for each godly parent, although there isn't one for Hestia. You'll have to design your own. I can help you if you want."
"No."
This gave him a confused expression. "What do you mean 'no'?"
"Nico, no one can know who my mother really is. The gods are already split about allowing me at camp. I don't want any of their children causing problems, especially with this big threat coming."
"Skye, most of the kids at camp aren't like their godly parents. Like I said before, we all have family issues, and that almost always is a result from our godly sides."
"Please, Nico," was all I could say. He had to understand. This had to come out in my time, when everyone was ready.
I could see his mind working. "Alright. It's your business, and I will respect that, but there are certain demigods who will be on your side. There are people at camp who can help you, especially if its war we are dealing with."
"And are you one of these people?"
I saw him smile as he turned to look at me. "I'm the leader of the group." I could feel my face turn the color of my hair, and his smile intensified.
"Thanks. So who else? Give me a briefing on the life of Camp Half-Blood."
I had heard of powerful demigods. Sometimes Apollo would tell me certain stories about his favorite heroes. He always said there would be a time that gods would be telling stories about me, and that I would meet these heroes on my own terms. He never told me names, though. He didn't want me to revere them. He wanted me to think of myself as being on their level.
"Well, the leaders are older. Percy is 21 now, and so is Annabeth. They've been at camp longer than almost anyone. They've also been through hell and back, literally. If you want anyone on your side, it will be them." He talked about them with a reverence in his voice. He respected them, and it was very obvious.
"Okay, who else? Make sure its people who you trust. This really can't get out, Nico. We have to be careful who we are telling."
"I know. Annabeth and Percy won't keep a secret from the others of the Prophecy of Seven, although they'll get your permission before sharing your secret."
"What's the Prophecy of Seven?"
"It was the last Great Prophecy, declared by the Oracle of Delphi. Actually her name is Rachel, and she is also on the list."
"Okay, this list is growing. Who are the other seven?"
"Well, a few died in the war with the giants. You said you knew about the war, right? Well some didn't come home with us."
"Wait, you were part of the seven?"
Nico smiled, but it didn't touch his eyes. "The first part of their mission was to rescue me. After Percy and Annabeth fell to Tartarus, I had to lead the others to the Doors of Death. I guess you could say I helped out."
I heard this story. Apollo mentioned it a lot. There were only three demigods to ever return from Tartarus alive: a son of Hades, a son of Poseidon, and a daughter of Athena. This would be about the time it hit me. I gasped.
"You're him, aren't you?"
Nico just looked mildly confused. "What are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about. You're the son of Hades from Apollo's stories."
Nico actually laughed. "Yeah, most likely, considering I'm the only son of Hades alive right now." He smiled down at me. "Don't worry. I have a feeling you'll be joining the story pretty soon."
I let this sink in for a few minutes. I needed to take Apollo's advice: think of myself as their equals, not their inferior. It was easy with Nico; I had fought beside him already. I was worried about the others.
Which led to my interrogation. I asked him all about the others. He told me about Piper, the charmspeaker and daughter of Aphrodite. Next was Jason, son of Jupiter, but he said these two might not be at Camp Half-Blood. Something about living in both camps, splitting time between the two, because one was Greek and the other was Roman. He also said Annabeth would tell Piper even if she wasn't around, which would then most likely lead to their return to Camp Half-Blood. Great, now I'm a guest of honor.
I liked his description of Leo the best. I figured we could fight well together, given that he creates the flames and I control them. On the other hand, Nico warned that Leo had to be taken in doses.
"And that's about everyone," he said. I realized that was only five out of seven. Two didn't come home.
"Who were the others?" I whispered. His eyes got hard, and I saw his hands tighten on the steering wheel.
"One was Frank, son of Mars. The other was Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto," he nearly whispered the end.
Pluto. His sister. His sister died on that quest.
"I'm sorry, Nico. I shouldn't have pried."
"It's alright. I'm used to losing the people I love. I haven't had the easiest life, but one thing I learned about myself is that I can't hold a grudge. Not on the gods and not on life. I know they would want me to keep living." I wasn't sure who 'they' were. It made me sad to hear him like this. I had had my own hardships, but I never want Nico to hurt like me. I leaned into him and put my hand in his, a sign of comfort. We stayed like this for hours, in silence, until I eventually drifted off to sleep.
