-"Just because I told you, you could use your powers doesn't mean you can overuse them!"-
-"Calling Jules-Albert to help, together with other zombies doesn't mean I overuse them, Doctor Mother-hen."-
-"Did you just made a joke?"-
-"I guess you'll never know."-
After almost a month since that conversation, Percy did try to make it up for his 'attitude', he talked every other day with Nico via Iris-message and that's how he found himself together with Will in New York once again. Monster activity stated going back to normal, and many of them were a little bit blood-thirsty, and vengeful. It was no longer safe for powerful famous demigods like Annabeth and Percy to stay in the city, much less New York.
All Camp vans were busy, as well as the Roman's trucks. So who better to help the legendary couple move to New Rome than Nico and his zombies?
The Undead workers were going back and forth, carrying Annie's books and clothes together with Percy's stuff. Hades had provided a black camper van. From the outside it was just like any other, but from the inside it was big as a small apartment and luxurious, almost for royalty. Black, gold and dark-cherry leather modern-victorian furniture, two big beds, a kitchenette, a small bathroom and a smart t.v.
Hopefully, this trip would last less than two days with Jules behind the wheel. He had this magic to accelerate without any police officer noticing it, also he didn't sleep so he just kept driving and driving. It was actually nice from my father to grant him his only wish: to drive. Annabeth and Will were watching the news, paranoid that something will go utterly mad, just like last time, just like before the war. Everything had been really calm, just like now, everyone was worried, the gods didn't communicate with his children. Dionysus hadn't returned to Camp. When Nico told his father, the Lord of the Underworld promised him to inform him if anything was strange after he returned of the Winter Council Meeting. He just had to wait 22 days for that.
This winter promises to be a long one Nico thought before taking a well deserved nap.
He woke up again, like every night, to a now-well-known hand shaking his shoulder.
-"Nico? Everything alright?"-
His sight slowly coming back to him -"Yes, Will. Nightmare, as usual. Don't worry."-
-"You know that if someday you—
-"I know, you'll be there when I need to talk. Where's Percy?"- the Ambassador of Pluto interrupted the healer.
-"On the co-pilot seat, searching for any threats."-
-"Thanks."-
The son of Hades stood up, making his way through the van, reaching he front of it.
-"You should rest."-
Tired eyes looked up at him, dark circles and eye-bags showing. -"Huh? What do you mean?"-
-"It's my turn to watch out. Go relax, sleep, watch t.v., whatever you want. Just rest, got it?"-
The War Hero nodded and left without any other word.
-"Jules? Combien de temps?"-
-"Six heures."-
Nico felt giddy by the time they arrived to New Rome, everybody was sleeping but him. He just couldn't wait. He loved the Roman Camp, he loved the city, built with precious architecture, just like his old home. Two demigods were standing outside the Caldecott Tunnel, opening the doors, already waiting for them. Just as they entered, he descried Reyna, Frank and his little sister Hazel together with plenty Apollo descendants and sons, waiting to meet Will. The van stopped, automatically Nico pulled on his formal mask, just for the sake of the praetorian law. His workers had woken up the rest, everybody formal, just like they agreed before.
They went out the vehicle after him.
-"Praetors."- they said in unison, everybody kneeling but Nico. Being an Ambassador of a god gave him certain power, a high rank actually.
-"Ambassador, greek campers, a pleasure, as always."- saluted Frank with a new-found confidence in his voice.
-"Everything is ready, stand and follow us."- continued Reyna, turning around, entering the Camp across The Little Tiber.
It was quite the journey, walking in silence while reaching the city. As always they left their weapons with Terminus and waited for him to examine Annabeth and Percy's belongings. He gave them a free pass. Later on, the group divided, the undead following Aurum and Argentum towards Percy's villa, granted to him for his brief Praetor status. Will going with his siblings to explore New Rome, and the rest to the Senate House to sort the matter of the Greek's education and stance in New Rome. The formal façade dropping as they entered Reyna and Frank's office.
Hazel was the first to react, jumping to her brother, wrapping her arms tight around his neck. The son of Hades rarely smiled, but his sister always managed to make him to outline a really big one, almost as big as they ones he gave everyday when he was a little kid. The kept hugging each other for a while, without the need to say anything, they're company was good enough. They knew each other enough to know how much they missed each other. When they let each other go, he went for the female praetor, softly hugging her, burying his face on the side of her neck. Her strong steady grip on him made him feel safe, somehow like how Bianca used to made him feel, so alike and different at the same time. Like Hazel, they didn't let each other go after a long time. Finally, he extended his hand towards the big Asian-Canadian guy.
-"Frank."- he said with a low tone, staring directly into the other's eyes.
-"Nico."- the praetor responded with a fake confidence, shaking the Italian's hand.
-"My dear brother,"- interrupted the dark-skinned girl - "I love you but I would very much appreciate that you kept yourself from intimidating my boyfriend."- she said between giggles.
-"I know he's a good guy, but still I have to make sure that he understands that if he ever makes you shed a tear that is not from happiness I will gave him the cruelest death I can think of."- the greek answered with a smirk.
-"Now that I think about, Nico, Frank, will you be so kind to follow me? I believe my big brother own me a little tour through his own Villa."-
His Villa was located at the shore of New Rome's Lake, resembling his old Venetian House. Big, with creamy pastel yellow covering the walls with marble details. Caramel shiny wood making the floor, with Victorian-like furniture and enormous rooms. Particularly the living room, with various instruments and a chimney.
-"Are you planning to stay forever?"-
-"You know I can't stay that long, Father sends my into quests from time to time. But I intend on staying as long as I can."- the owner said while pouring himself a cup of red-wine. -"Anything you want to drink or eat? Hazel? Frank?"-
-"We're fine, thanks."- both answered.
-"So, sister dearest, I believe you didn't bring us here just because of my pretty Villa. What's on your mind?"-
-"Very well, this is what we're going to do. I'm going to go to visit Annabeth. You two will stay here. When I return, Frank, you shall not tremble under my brother's sight and you, Nico, you'll learn to trust Frank. I appreciate you caring for me, though, but both of you are two important men on my life, so you better get along. Understood?"- after that she turned around, exiting the house.
-"She can be scary when she wants to."- said the praetor.
-"I agree."- the other demigod confirmed, taking a sip of his drink.
-"I'm so worried, Reyna! What if I pushed them to much and they hate me now? Or what if they ended up killing each other?"-
-"Hazel, both of them love you. They would gladly give their lives for you. I'm sure neither of that will happen. Now please, let's enter."-
With a swift movement the daughter of Bellona pushed the other girl inside the magnificent Villa. She, herself had supervised the construction. It was smaller than her own Villa, but it was far more superb. From the inside you could see enormous chandeliers illuminating the rooms, the wall either burgundy, caramel or cream, depending on the room. The kept walking turning left into the living room once sight was nothing like the outcomes Hazel had imagined.
-"You think you're so good, huh?"-
-"Of course, amico mio, you'll eat those words and kneel in front of the King!"-
-"Really? Bring it on, di Angelo!"-
They looked into each other's eyes, both pairs deep brown, the tension between them was palpable. With a mocking smirk, the Italian raised his arm and exclaimed.
-"I, Nico di Angelo, with The Underworld Themed Pack, using my Tartarus Card defeat your King Zeus Card and banish all your cards. I declare myself the Champion of Mythomagic!"-
Just like a fish, Frank opened his mouth and closed it, and opened it, and closed it and so on.
-"Well, that went better than expected."-
-"I told you there was nothing to worry about, Hazel."-
People were gathering around The Fields of Mars. Crowds eager to watch the two great warriors fight against each other, not for death, not for war but for friendship. The Roman one was already waiting when the multitude opened a road for the stranger. The silence was complete but not intimidating. It was full of the expectation. Steps made by boots were heard. The warrior reaching the roman.
-"Choose your best warriors and form a legion. Let's start this games."-
The audience roared.
-"And how are you planning to defeat them?"- the warrior said in a mocking tone.
The greek grinned and raised his hands. The earth started shaking, hands coming out of it, enough to form a phalanx. -"With the best warriors Ancient Greece has ever seen."-
And so, they started.
Achilles, Theseus, the first Jason, the first Perseus, Peleus, Cadmus, and so on raised their sword to fight against the great romans. Two pairs of brown-onyx eyes found themselves across the battle field. As if it was destiny, nothing stopped them to walk into the middle, raised their swords, Imperial Gold against Stygian Iron, glare against glare, smirk against smirk.
It was a beautiful dance, graceful in its own way. Time seemed to stop, they had only eyes for their own battle. They audience didn't matter. Neither the "fallen" warriors, they didn't even noticed that they were alone now. Just a duel, without any sort of power that can give advantage. A step forward, another one and then one step back. Block, attack, block, attack. They were so close now.
-"You're dead, my dear Ambassador."- said the female praetor with a small smile of satisfaction holding the tip of her sword agains his throat.
-"As well as you, Praetor."- replied the greek hero moving his powerful sword at the back of her neck.
The darkness of the room was no longer as comforting as he thought it would be. He was looking through the window, staring at the reflection of the moon on the lake. Small tears falling out of his eyes. He was so submerged on his own mind that he didn't noticed when the door opened.
-"You don't need to hide them."-
The crying boy turned around to see his blonde friend.
-"I need to be strong, strong for my sisters, strong for everyone else."-
Apollo's son sat next to him. -"What for? We're no longer in war, you are allowed to feel."- he sighed -"And if you ever want to talk, you know I'm here."-
-"I know, Will. Someday, maybe, thank you."-