Third POV

After Percy left for Chaos knows what, everyone scattered. Bianca didn't know where everyone went but she wanted to find Nico immediately. Oh Gods, the past 886 years have been tough without seeing her little brother. Not so little anymore. She reminded herself. An immortal wouldn't like her to baby him. But Gods Bianca couldn't help it! The whole point of joining the Chaos army was that one day, Bianca could see him again. Did he change? Physically? Or mentally? Percy has been very tight-lipped about the events of Earth. She wanted to see for herself if Nico was truly doing "fine. Heck, even better than fine" as Percy claims.

Bianca first took a detour to the multiple cabins, paying respect to Artemis's one first. "My first big family." She sighed dreamily as she ran her hand down the smooth cabin walls. She hadn't seen Lady Artemis when they reached Camp Half-Blood, and wondered where she went. Bianca hopes she approves of her actions. Although she might not like that she did it all for a boy. Never mind the boy is her brother.

A part of Bianca will always belong to the Hunters. Nothing can change that. Her time as a huntress may be brief and filled with danger, but it was also the most alive she ever felt. The rush of a demigoddess. Her only regret was leaving Nico alone. That's why Bianca was here though, to make things right again. No matter what, she will somehow manage to get him to forgive her for her rash choices.

The next cabin Bianca went to was her father's. She had hoped Nico would be there but was disappointed. Nonetheless, whoever convinced Zeus to build a Hades Cabin deserves a standing ovation. It's hard to believe that the overbearing and arrogant king of the gods would allow this.

The cabin was beautiful as well. A completely black cabin with some windows around it. At the door, two torches burning with hellfire were crossed like an X. Bianca giggled at the drapes over the windows. Just for vampires. Whoever did them researched on children of Hades then. They were not morning people.

They were a midnight blue, decorated with skulls. Cute. When she went in, though, Bianca realized the cabin wasn't as empty as she thought.

"Hey, looking for Nico?" A girl that looked about her age asked, sitting cross-legged on one of the coffin-like beds. She smiled warmly at Bianca in greeting. She couldn't help but grin back. It was contagious, that smile. If she was a social outcast, then Bianca was on Order's side.

"Yeah. Do you know where he is?"

"He went to the Underworld a little while back. You'll have to wait a while for him to come back." She said, her gold eyes twinkling. "I'm Hazel Zhang, daughter of Pluto, Hades's roman counterpart."

"I'm Bianca Di Angelo, Nico's older sister by two years," Bianca says. She was her half-sister then. But something was weird with her. She's a returned soul from a long time ago. And it was easy to guess who brought her up. "Nico broke the rules, didn't he?"

She blinked those gold eyes of hers and nodded. "He was actually looking for you, Bianca, back then. Thanatos had been chained up and he hoped to bring you out without being seen. But you already rebirthed. When he saw me, he decided I deserved a second shot at life. I will always be grateful that I met him."

"Not rebirth." Bianca shook her head. "I went with Chaos to be a part of his army. It was better that way for both of us."

"So you are part of the commotion outside." Hazel said thoughtfully. "That makes sense. I was wondering how you got here."

"You don't seem surprised though," Bianca noted.

"I'm a goddess, Bianca," she stated rather than boast, "Zeus informed us that the Chaos Army would be coming and that the Earth sector would be here. It didn't take much to guess that the warriors would be from the dead. There aren't any living demigods that are missing after all." The uncomfortable look on her face told Bianca that she didn't believe her own words. She decided not to bring it up though, Hazel seemed nice. If she has secrets, Bianca wasn't going to pry.

"A goddess? Then what are you here? Shouldn't you be doing your duties or something? Heck, shouldn't you be at Camp Jupiter?" Raina's soldiers had gone crazy when they knew that half-bloods had a camp named after their planet. Who's idea was to name the planets after the gods?

"I would've. But you see, there's this event that is coming up in a week. I arrived yesterday so I can spend some quality time with Nico. When it's over, I will return to Camp Jupiter to help with the war. For now, I have faith they know what to do. Besides, Nico is my brother. I'm the Goddess of Forgiveness and Underground and he's the King of the Ghosts. We don't have as much time as before and I try to not waste a single second of it when we're together." Bianca smiled. Although she was mad at Nico for breaking the rules, at least he got a sister to take care of him so he isn't lonely.

"That sounds so sweet, Hazel."

"You can hog Nico though. I understand. You're only here until the war ends and I know you would want to spend as much time as possible with him."

"Are you sure?" It bothers her how Hazel knew exactly what she was thinking, but her half-sister probably could read her emotions off her face. Percy told Bianca bluntly before that she had a horrible poker face.

"Definitely. I'm kept busy, being a Roman Goddess and taking care of my children. Although, if you don't mind, I would like to get to know you as well." Hazel smiled shyly and ducked her head a little. Shy? On a goddess's face? Gods, how the world has changed. "I would love that. We are sisters."

"Hazel! I'm back! Frank isn't with you, right? Because-" Nico suddenly arrived from the shadows, only to stop short. Bianca slowly turned around to face him. His face was ashen white as the two children of Hades stared at each other, him in shock and denial, her checking to see how different he had become. The innocent light he always had was gone. Understandable. His skin was much too pale, a common trait for a child of Hades, and he looked too thin. Had he been eating? Bianca's motherly side flared up. "Nico-"

"You're not here." He cut her off. "You're just an illusion or a cruel prank someone is playing on me, right?"

"It's not fake, Nico. I am Bianca." She said as gently as she could, stepping closer to him and clasping her hand over his. He's grown tall at least, now close to her height. Bianca could distinctly feel Hazel calling the shadows to her and shadow-traveling away. Either to give the two space or avoid Nico's turmoil of emotions, Bianca wasn't sure. Her poor brother is trembling now.

"You're not real. You're not real!" He tried to wrench his hand free but she held on, her training put to good use.

"Nico. I'm real. I'm really here."

"How can you?! You died eight centuries ago!" He continued with his struggles as Bianca went even closer, using her other hand to hold his shoulder. "Your soul was lost! You were gone! For good!"

"I'm sorry, Nico." She whispers, feeling tears trying to escape. She didn't hide them. "I'm so sorry I made you feel that way. My soul isn't lost. I'm sorry I made you think that. But I swear, Nico. It's me. I'm right here. Fratellino, I swear on the River Styx. This isn't a prank or illusion. I promise you. I am right here."

Finally, he stopped.

"Bianca?"

"Nico," she whispered hoarsely. Gods she's missed him. With a sob, Nico dived and hugged her tight, not letting go. Bianca hugged him back equally tight.

After a while, their tears dried off and he pushed her away. "How are you here? Why are you here?"

"Oh, Neeks." Bianca sighed. Now wasn't the time to tell him. "Surely you saw the commotion outside?"

"I heard snips of it." He said unbelievingly. Bianca bit her lip. It's been 886 years, she wasn't sure how he was going to react. "I'm part of the army that came here to help fight against Order and save Earth," she says slowly.

"Army?"

She gave him the short version of the army, how the Earth sector were all dead demigods over the past years. His silence scared her. It was like when Percy informed him that she had died. That wasn't a happy day. Bianca hoped he wasn't going to run away. She didn't want her brother to run away. From her.

"You were out there this whole time? Letting me think you were dead? Let me blame Percy?" His anger, although mostly directed at her, seemed directed at himself.

"I wasn't out there forever, Nico. When you went through the Labyrinth, I was still dead. Chaos didn't come immediately. It was only after the Titans War."

"You mean others are still alive?" His glare didn't tone down. He was holding a grudge for not telling him earlier. Bianca didn't want her only visit here to argue with him.

"Yes. Silena, Beckendorf, Ethan, Michael. And every other demigod."

"Luke Castellan?" Bianca hesitated. "Chaos didn't find him in Elysium, Nico. He couldn't find him. Luke either went to rebirth immediately or he's gone."

Nico's face never changed. "He deserves to die. Deserves to forever be in torment."

"Nico." Bianca framed his face in her hands. "That isn't fair. Yes, he's made mistakes. But in the end, you need to remember he was manipulated by Kronos and sacrificed himself at the end."

He glared at her. "Easy for you to say. He didn't try to kill you."

"He was responsible for kidnapping Artemis that led to the quest that took my life though." She reminded him.

"Right." Nico muttered looking down. "So I can blame him for your death then?"

"Nico." She sighed loudly.

"I just missed you, Sorella." He mumbled, hugging her again. "I thought I would never get to see you again."

Bianca was going to cry. No, wait. She was already crying. "Oh, idiota. I will always find you again. We can't be separated forever. I'm so sorry, Nico, that I made you wait so long."

"You left me." It wasn't accusing, he said it like it was a fact. "You left me, and I was alone."

It would've been better if he screamed it at her. "Nico." She choked. "Fratellino…"

"But I don't care." He said firmly. "Maybe long ago I would've, but I've grown, Bianca. I forgive you."

Bianca hid her face on his shoulder. "My precious brother." She weaved her fingers in his dark mob of hair. "Mio dolce Nico."

When Bianca pulled back, she was sure her eyes were red. She had never been a pretty crier.

He seemed to forget he held a grudge, thank gods, and smiled at her smugly. He didn't seem used to it though. She sighed. "Nico, why are you still so pale? And thin?"

He blinked and frowned. "Really, Bianca? Barely an hour and you're already mothering me?"

"Yes. If you can't take care of yourself then I'll have to do it." He scoffed.

She softened and pulled him in again for a hug. "I have missed you. A lot." She murmur. "Me too, Bee." Bianca smiled at the nickname he used to call her.

She went over to what she assumed was his bed and sat down, patting the spot next to her. He immediately sat down without hesitation and Bianca couldn't help messing up his hair again like when they were kids. That has been so long ago now. It was in the 21st century. Now… it was the 30th century. It's been so long. "Now that we got that out, why don't you tell me what's been happening these years," she suggested. He immediately sat down, but Bianca couldn't help notice he looked a tad bit uncomfortable. Did it have to do with why Percy told the Army to speak of her as if she died? If it did, why? Oh, Percy.

Silena and Charles decided to take a walk around Camp Half-Blood after he was done building the Army's temporary home.

As they walked, she wondered what had changed after 882 years. Or was it 883?

There were definitely more campers running around. Silena thought she saw Katie Gardner. Or was it merely a descendant who looks like her? She wasn't sure.

There were more cabins now. Silena smiled, recalling what Jason told them about Camp and how Percy used her wish after the Titan's war to give a cabin to every god, Hades included.

Charles stroked her arm as they greeted several campers who recognised them. Well, recognised Charles since they went to his cabin first.

"I can't say cabin 9 changed much," she murmured to her husband. "Of course, it did, dear. Didn't you see all the new weapons? And new buttons. I wonder where they lead to. I can sense my siblings' work underground. And-" Silena rolled her eyes as he rambled on and on about the changes, smiling in adoration. He was beautiful when he was in his element.

She perked up as she saw the pegasi. "Charlie, look!" He stopped his rambles and looked at where Silena pointed, smiling fondly as he saw the majestic horses. "I think I can guess our next stop." She tiptoed and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Charlie!" Silena knew she was being unfair. He could never refuse her. But, truly, she couldn't help it this time. They are so cute!

—

It took barely a minute to get there as she was too excited to walk slowly. By the time Charles caught up, Silena was already petting a foal named Ren.

"Isn't he adorable?" She crooned. "Of course," Charles said. When Silena glanced back, his eyes were on her, not Ren. Figures. She smiled anyway.

"They all are. The foals I mean. Just born like three months ago." A new voice said. Silena never heard him before, yet it sounded familiar. A young boy, around 15, walked towards us, hand holding a bucket of water and a bar of soap.

"I'm Derik, son of Aphrodite." He said. Silena's brother then. Gods, a fine one as well. A heartbreaker Silena was sure. Perhaps she could give him some tips on how to find the perfect girlfriend/boyfriend. She's not picky.

"I'm Silena Beauregard and my husband, Charles Beckendorf," She said in turn.

"Part of the army that arrived a couple of minutes ago?"

"Yes." Truly, she shouldn't have been surprised. News traveled fast. Especially when they were in a camp filled with her gossiping siblings.

"You're my sister, aren't you? I thought I recognized you from somewhere."

"Oh?" Silena asked, slightly amused.

"Yeah, they have this wall in cabin 10 that shows every single Aphrodite kid who didn't do the ritual." The ritual? That was still going on? Silena remembered her. She recalled how she broke it. She didn't regret it. How could she? Her choice led her to have the best husband she could ever get.

"That must have been done after my time then."

"Oh yes." Derik agrees, sitting down on a stool and brushing adorable Ren. His coat of brown hair soon became white from all the soap. Silena watched in fascination.

"If you're a child of Aphrodite, what are you doing here?" Charles asked.

"My siblings and I have different interests. I prefer natural beauty. Like these pegasi. So I tend to stay here as long as I can."

"Are you actually 15?" Silena asked out of curiosity. His soul was so much older than his physical body. Derik looked up in shock before smiling. "I knew the Chaos Army would be smart, I just didn't realise how smart. No, I'm not just 15." Derik looked down, in a somewhat sad expression, she gauged.

"Zeus made sure that every demigod would stay immortal as long as they stayed faithful and loyal to Camp and the gods. One of the measures he placed after what happened 880 years ago."

"What happened then?" She asked. Derik flinched and glanced left and right hurriedly.

"You're lucky one of the gods didn't hear you. What happened was rather... sensitive." That just made them even more curious. Charles summoned two chairs, perks of Chaos's blessing, for them to sit. It offered her a glass of freshly squeezed apple juice but Silena waved it away.

"What happened 880 years ago?" Charles frowned.

Derik squirmed a little. "What I tell you might be slightly incorrect as I only heard it from others and wasn't actually there when it happened."

"It can't be that bad, right? I mean, the Gods have done many horrible things in history. You can't get any worse than destroying all of humanity."

"I suppose you'll be the judge of that." The smile he gave her sent her chills. It wasn't evil or anything. No, what Silena saw couldn't even be called a smile. It was a look of sorrow and regret.

Derik launched into a tale, one of Percy, a new boy named Andrius, and a horrible story of betrayal and torture. How Percy was abandoned and alone when she ran away. How they wouldn't give up even as she was gone from their lives and pursued her until the final thing, when Thalia made a headshot and Percy vanished from the face of the Earth for no one to ever see again. No one… but the Army.

Silena was shaking by the time he finished, and he didn't even give them the whole story, just enough details and not going into the gruesome parts. Gods... this is why she turned out to be an assassin. Why she told them not to tell anyone she was alive. In her mind, she hated everyone, too paranoid to think straight. Her only thoughts were whether the person she gets close to would betray her. No wonder she was so insistent on Chaos swearing and didn't let her guard down even after. That she was furious with Jason. It wasn't easy for her to confide in him and he immediately blurted out her secret.

At that moment, all Silena wanted was to give Percy a big hug and tell her that she understood. That she doesn't see the young girl as a monster. When she looks at Percy, she only sees a beautiful, flourishing woman.

"That is horrible. Unfair. Injustice. Percy didn't deserve that. Where is this Andrius? I will slowly rip his skin off with my bare hands and personally oversee his torture!" Silena yelled in outrage.

"He disappeared, I'm afraid," Derik said. Silena struggled to rein in her anger but somehow managed. Somehow. Only centuries with the Chaos Army made her stop before she frightened the foals. Charles looked indifferent to most but if you truly knew him, you would see the rage behind his calm stance, the anger brimming in his eyes. He agreed that it was unfair. And while it was Andrius who was the mastermind, Camp fell for the act so easily.

"Tell me, Derik, do the gods regret their actions? Or do they say oh well, whatever?" She asked slowly. If they did the latter, she would have serious thoughts of transferring sides. Okay, not really, but she really will make their lives a torture while she stay here.

"Lord Poseidon regrets the most," Derik said, describing what Poseidon does. Silena was a little gratified. At least he knew what he did was wrong. "The other gods go on in their everyday life but they do learn something. Lord Zeus is a bit fairer and doesn't try to murder any demigod without evidence, nor does he send demigods to do his bidding unless truly necessary. Lady Athena is ashamed of her daughter and does what she can to repair it by helping and paying more attention to her children. The others follow her ways except for Lady Artemis, who acts as if nothing has changed. Surprisingly, she was the only goddess who didn't try to kill Percy in any way. If I didn't know better, I'd say she like Percy and supports her." It was a far shot, Silena admits. Percy is a demigod, a forbidden demigod. She and Artemis barely communicate after Percy saved Artemis from Mount Tam. But what if they did? What if Artemis did like Percy and favored her? What then?

She never knew of a demigod being favored by Artemis outside of her hunt. Along with everyone else, Silena thought Artemis hated anyone outside her hunt. And those who rejected her offer to join the hunt were forever in her blacklist. Favored by Artemis was… a long stretch. She's not saying it was impossible, this is Percy they were talking about, but it comes off as rather dubious.

"Anyways, if you want to know more, next week, Monday, is the day we celebrate our lost hero."

That caught her attention. "Oh?"

"Every 20 years, we have a festival for Persephone. In memory of her to keep her achievements alive."

"Why 20?"

"That was the last time we ever saw her. She was 20 when she disappeared from the face of Earth."

She quickly did her calculations. "She was on the run for 2 years?!"

"Heck, don't ask me. I hear these things from the festival." Derik raised his hands defensively. "Besides, don't you know her personally? From what I have learned about Persephone, she is one stubborn girl and death seems to not be able to touch her."

How nice they have a festival, a memorial, on the last day Percy was on Earth instead of her birthday.

It was like they just wanted to remember what they did to her instead of who she is.

Roth had wanted to scout the camp with Victoria, they even planned and agreed on it, but at the last minute, she had disappeared with Seirína. Somewhere.

He gave up searching for her.

Seirína, as an ex-camper, was sure to know this place better than him, a newcomer. He could search for days and still not find them. So Roth decided to walk around camp, get himself familiarized with the place he would be staying at for Chaos knows how long. Sad to say he's used to her ditching him for Seirína.

They were closer than the couple were, but Roth didn't mind. Okay, he minds a little, but he wasn't going to bitch about it. Victoria never went into detail, but Roth knew she knew Seirà na before joining the Chaos Army. Can't really fault that.

He knew she loves him, and that was enough for him.

Roth went to the beach first, remembering how Seirína had told Victoria it was a beautiful place to unwind. He grimaced when he reached. Nothing about the place was beautiful. Either Seirà na lied or she didn't know. Earth was different, if he recalled. You could easily go there, but there were steps required to leave unless you had a powerful primordial-built ship that would take you away easily. It was because Earth was the first planet created by Chaos to host life, and where all the Gods reside. The ichor of the immortals and raw power counteracts with the stellar force of the Universe, making it more unique than the other planets and look more lively.

What he saw certainly resembled lively but… it didn't feel like it. There was no sign of life anywhere. It was completely silent. No demigods were near. To call it an ocean would be an insult. What happened to the god? Er… Poseidon was it?

"You shouldn't be here." Someone said sadly. Roth whirled around, hand on the hilt of his sword.

It wasn't an enemy though, thank Chaos. It was that girl. The one from the fields Roth saw with Victoria. He only saw her because when she sang, plants grew from newborns to full bloom. What was her name again? Kayla, Kara, Kate…?

"Katie Gardner. Immortal child of Demeter, goddess of agriculture. We saw you come here and I was the only one who dared to come close. You shouldn't be here. Lord Poseidon hates any visitors. Not even naiads stay here anymore." So that's her name. Katie. It was almost too common. Roth would probably forget it the next day.

"I'm Roth, commander of sector Saturn. And why does Poseidon hate visitors?"

"I want to tell you, Roth, I really do." Katie hesitated before sighing. He didn't understand what the big deal was. Why couldn't he know? Why was it a secret? "Everything will be revealed next week, I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while. Tell your army not to go near oceans and ponds. Not unless they want to live. Lord Poseidon has abandoned these parts of his kingdom. He has long forgotten about us. The fishes cannot live, nor can aquatic plants. You may view this place as quiet and peaceful, but there is no life."

Now he was even more curious. "The Earth sector has never mentioned this."

"What is your newest warrior from Earth?"

Roth thought back. If it wasn't for Victoria's friendship with Seirína, he wouldn't have bothered. "I think the last warrior is from 830 years ago. When Tartarus awoke and rose from his home."

Katie nodded as if it was expected. "The sea's change was very slow. We only realized the change about 700 years ago, long after Poseidon retreated to his home in Atlantis. Besides, the ocean doesn't look different from outside. Unless you came regularly to Earth, I doubt you could have sensed anything."

Roth doesn't bother himself with such events, but recalls hearing Jason saying that camp was perfectly normal the last time they checked. Either they didn't scan the ocean—a sloppy mess on their part—or it was hidden by powerful forces. Who would hide from Lord Chaos's view though? It made no sense. He didn't bother Katie with it.

"So, Lord Poseidon is a forbidden subject?" Roth tried. It was best he gathered as much information he could without gaining suspicion and Ms Gardner gave him the perfect opportunity.

"Yes." Katie sighed again, tired this time. "I was there when he left, Roth. It was no easy choice but he didn't let anything sway him. Not even Sally and that is a miracle itself. No one can go against Sally, not even Zeus dares to. I think… everything will be back to normal if she came and forgave him. Maybe our lives will finally be a little easier when that happens."

"She?" That just narrowed it down to half the population of the Universe. Not including the dead.

Her forest-green eyes widened but she nodded. "Lord Poseidon's first ever mortal daughter, Persephone 'Percy' Jackson." Roth frowned and opened his mouth to say "Percy is a part of the Earth sector" when someone barreled into him. He barely managed to keep the two of them upright. Victoria smiled at Katie, secretly pinching him.

Roth could barely keep in a wince but he did his best. For someone looking so delicate, her hands sure are tough.

"There you are, Roth. I was searching for you! Wanna go on our scouting now?" Katie, sensing she was no longer required, left while reminding them not to go near water.

As soon as she left, Victoria slammed her elbow into his gut. "For Chaos sake, babe, what?" He asked after catching his breath.

"The first time her identity was revealed, it was Jason. I am not having you reveal her identity and force me to choose between you and her. Got it?" She said seriously, a glint in her flame-like eyes.

Roth smiled sheepishly, just remembering the promise they gave Seirína before coming here. It was lucky she came. He didn't want to be skinned alive or choke on his own blood because of Seirína. "I don't want her to hate you, Roth. You can't go around spilling her secret like you almost did. It's a good thing I came to find you after talking to Annabeth." Who's Annabeth? He figured it was the wrong time to ask. Besides, he could do so later.

"Weren't you with Seirína?"

"She went to do… stuff." She replied, pulling at her hair, a sure sign she was uncomfortable.

"She went to do her other job, didn't she?"

"Yes." It didn't surprise him. Not one bit.

"Katie told me some interesting things." He told his girl about everything. "A festival. Rín won't be happy." She muttered to herself. "Not much we can do there. I suppose it was predicted, coming here. I hope she'll be ready though. I sent her a telepathic message to be prepared. Not sure if she got it. That head of hers is forever trying to do too many things at once. Listening to my message might not cross her mind."

She was right about Seirína doing too many things at a time. Roth thought even newer recruits would know that.

"Hopefully she gets back soon, if she doesn't hear." Victoria was still saying. He pulled her away from the sea. "Shall we scout?" Victoria blinked a couple of times. "What- oh, yes. I'm sorry, I forgot for a second."

Typical. Roth smiled and kissed her brow where a cute frown wrinkle was forming. She giggled. "C'mon then." It would've almost been romantic if they weren't scouting for a war that might destroy this planet.