Ch33
Nico tossed and turned in his sleep as the familiar presence entered his dreams. Young hero I will give you the strength to get your sister back.
"No she'll come back," he responded. "She said she will."
Foolish boy she has been brainwashed into the hunt you must save her if you wish to see her again. The voice said.
His heart pounded, he missed Bianca and the feelings of loneliness grew every day. She left you here, the gods are cruel Artemis should be punished for what she did. Serve me and you'll be reunited with her.
"But she'll come back I know she will," he whimpered. The camp was pretty lonely, only Silena really spoke to him. He wished Bianca and Percy were here, that way he wouldn't feel alone.
When the time comes seek me out. I will give you the power to be strong, to be a hero to take back your sister. She was tricked by Artemis don't believe what others may say. Trust me Nico di Angelo I am the only one who can reunite you with your sister. I'm the only one who can make you a real hero.
"Reunite us?" He mumbled. "I-I'll think about it."
We'll talk more in the future stay strong in the meantime. If you want to be a real hero follow my commands. Only then can you save your sister.
Nico woke up on the ground. He rubbed his eyes the crowded Hermes Cabin slowly woke up. Just who is he? The voice made him uneasy but his words were so enticing. I want to be a hero. That way Bianca won't need the hunt.
With that he got ready for the day. As an unclaimed demigod he was stuck in this overcrowded cabin with a bunch of people. Each day it was the same struggle to get any kind of attention. As much as he hated to admit it the Hermes Cabin seemed to find him annoying for whatever reason.
Why did she leave me? She was the only person who cared for me and she just left me with a bunch of strangers who could care less for me.
He wanted to cry himself to sleep at times, each night the cramped floor was getting colder than the reception he was getting from the others. They don't care for me. Bianca where are you?
Hi sister was all he could think about. With each passing day his mind returned to her. She'll come back. He kept telling himself. Repeating those words to himself each day as he became more and more isolated from the other people in the cabin.
He tried to smile but each day it was harder and harder to force it. Bianca please come back soon. The only person here that seemed to tolerate him was Silena. The daughter of Aphrodite always had time to speak and talk to him in private.
"Hey Nico how have you been?" She asked as she came to sit next to him during some free time. "You doing ok?"
He nodded rocking slowly where he sat. "Yeah I just miss my sister," he muttered. "She'll come back right?" He looked at the Mythomagic cards, someone stole a bunch of them, he didn't know who and he was too scared to try and fight for them.
Silena sat down next to him, they were in a secluded area away from the other campers. "You know I'm sure she'll come back," She said soothingly. "Just focus on getting stronger for her ok?"
"Ok," he muttered. "Hey if I may ask are those Hunters that bad?"
Silena shifted in her seat and frowned. "The Hunters of Artemis often prey on girls. They don't believe in romance and think that romance is a weakness."
"But why do they abandon their family," he asked trying to hold his emotions in. "Bianca started avoiding me ever since she joined them." He did his best to hide the sorrow in his voice. Why would she just leave him like that?
Silena looked around to make sure they were alone before looking him in the eyes. "Nico those Hunters aren't always ethical. They sometimes coerce people into joining them. It's sad but that's the way they are."
Her words hit him in the gut. Was Bianca tricked? The more he found out about these hunters the less he liked them. "I wish I could save her," he muttered clenching his fists.
Silena got up and patted him on the shoulder. "I'm sure you will. Just be strong ok?"
He looked up at her and nodded. "I will. I'll be a strong hero so that she won't have to rely on them. I'll save her from their grasps." I'll get you back Bianca no matter what.
Triton bowed to his father. "They are heading west to save Artemis. The Ophiotaurus might be following them."
Poseidon nodded. "Good. Keep an eye on them. The enemy might be wanting to use that creature." His father shook his head. "Whatever plans they have we must be cautious. Go watch over them and protect them if necessary."
"Yes father," he said with a bow. Both of you be safe. Don't fall for any traps. With the capture of Artemis and the appearance of the Ophiotarus something could easily go awry.
He trained Percy and loved watching him grow. Percy be safe. Apply all that I taught you and be strong.
"Go monitor our forces off the coast of California," Poseidon our. "Your siblings may need back up."
"As you command," he said with a bow.
His father sighed and rested in his chair. "With the upcoming solstice we will have to discuss the threat of my father. Hopefully Artemis is freed by then."
"I'm sure she will be," he said. He shifted where he stood. "Lord father if I may ask, what will you do about Lady Hecate?"
The goddess of magic remained in custody with only his father and Lady Hestia talking to her sometimes for nights on end.
His father frowned. "We are working on it. I'm sure we'll make the right decision. With things as delicate as they are we will have to tread carefully and make our options that best serve our interests."
"Will the other gods go along?" He knew that Olympian politics were tricky but right now the gods couldn't afford to be too selfish. With the minor gods watching as closely as ever we will have to play our hands well.
"I've been working with Hestia to spread some words around," His father said. "Time will tell how our negotiations will go." His father's tone was of non compromise. His gaze telling him to not prod too much.
Hopefully all goes well for our domain It was his duty to protect his father's domain while his father looked out for their influence above.
"Anyway go off now and keep an eye on things on the west coast," his father said looking at him with a calm gaze. "Keep an eye on your siblings and help them if needed."
"I will do as you command father," he bowed. As soon as he left the palace he snapped his finger and was fully armored with his conch in one happen and his trident in the other. Percy Chrysaor be ok. I'll assist you when the time comes.
Hecate sat in her prison cell her body chained with celestial bronze. The goddess of magic was left to ponder in Poseidon's realm while awaiting her punishment.
Closing her eyes she used her powers to peer into the future. As goddess of different paths she could see a bit into the future. She winced as she saw her children dead and sprawled on the ground.
She wanted to scream and cry as she saw them dead on the ground. All I want is respect. Yet she was still a mother, she knew that it was only a matter of time before Zeus condemned her and order her children and lovers to suffer for her decision.
Taking a deep breath she debated her options. I could suffer or I could negotiate a better for myself and my children. She was valuable all she had to do was play her cards right and get the best deal for herself and her hcildren.
The jail cell opened and she could feel Poseidon and Hestia's presence approach her. Taking a deep breath she looked at the door. I must survive for my children's sake.
