Ch30

The crackling of green flames danced across the night sky, casting an otherworldly glow over the gathering at the pyre. Percy looked around as he saw the children of Hecate laugh and play with magic. This is pretty nice. Hecate's children made a fancy looking Christmas tree that glowed ominously and gave of a warm feeling.

"Enjoying yourself?" Alabaster asked. The flickering light accentuated Alabaster's features. The son of Hecate had matured and while still on the skinny side looked more in shape.

"Yeah. You guys always celebrate Christmas like this?" Alabaster had invited him and Ethan to the Christmas celebration and they both were enjoying their time.

Alabaster nodded. "Yeah we do."

"Hey Percy!" Lou came up to him with a calm grin. The way she smiled made his heart skip a beat. It wasn't just the green flames that seemed to fluster her; it was the genuine joy that illuminated her face. "I'm really glad you could make it."

He couldn't help but return her smile, his heart lightening at the sight of her happiness. "I like seeing you too," he replied, the words slipping out effortlessly. It felt good to share a moment of connection with someone, especially amidst the mystical energy of the night. "So you guys usually celebrate Christmas like this?"

Alabaster nodded. "Yeah we usually have a big Christmas celebration."

"Come on lets offer up food to mom," Lou said. "Percy you and Ethan can participate too."

He shrugged. "Sure."

"Yeah why not," Ethan said.

As they circled the pyre, offering sacrifices to the enigmatic green flames, laughter and chatter filled the air. The air crackled with magical energy as they all laughed and talked about their lives and talked about their most recent quest.

The crackling green flames illuminated their faces as they found themselves in a moment of the festive celebration. The warmth of the pyre mirrored the warmed his soul, gazing into the emerald inferno, couldn't help but ponder what lay ahead. "Have you guys thought about what the future holds?" he asked. "You know about all these things of the gods.

Alabaster leaned back and shrugged, a nonchalant smile playing on his lips. "Things are fine, the progress for our mom's glory is happening. Just hoping the camp becomes more accepting of us."

He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'more accepting'?"

Ethan frowned. "You can't force people to like Percy."

He shook his head. "If it's not right for you, it's not right for anyone. Camp Half-Blood should be a place where everyone feels accepted."

Lou smiled. "It'll happen don't worry. We'll prove to the camp who we are and what kind of heroes we can be."

"I just know what it's like to have no one stand up for you and to be seen as an outcast. He gazed at the flames as the memories of his childhood passed through his head. "All my life I was an outcast, and seen as a trouble maker. It isn't right for others to judge you guys, you're all so friendly."

"Thanks Percy." Lou reached into a small pouch and produced a deck of tarot cards. "How about a little glimpse into the future?" she suggested.

He shrugged. "Lay it on me, Lou."

Lou shuffled the cards with a carefree look on her face. She laid out the cards in a pattern, her brow furrowing slightly as she studied the arrangement.

"You, Percy," she began, her voice taking on a theatrical tone, "are destined for an eventful life."

He laughed "Nothing about my life has been uneventful so far."

Alabaster joined in, adding, "True that."

They shared a moment of laughter, the tension of the earlier conversation dissipating like smoke in the wind. Lou gathered the cards and placed them back in the pouch.

"I'm serious, though," Lou said, her expression turning thoughtful. "Whatever lies ahead for you, Percy, I think it's going to be big."

A grin spread across his face. "Well, I'm always up for a challenge."

Alabaster nodded. "We'll be by your side along with your other friends."

He smiled at him, he was glad to be friend with Alabaster, Lou, and all the children of the Hecate. Eventually Lou left to hang out with her siblings leaving him and Alabaster alone

"Oh I've been thinking about something," Alabaster said looking to the ground.

"What is it?"

Alabaster took a deep. "I'm thinking of going to a mortal school."

He did a double take. "Why?" Frankly he'd rather have a cool hybrid home school where he learned magic.

Alabaster avoided his gaze. "It's just been a while since I went and I've been told it will be good for me."

There was something in Alabaster's tone that took him by surprise. The son of Hecate seemed half nervous and even half excited. Well he could use magic if anyone bullies him. He found that idea very amusing.

"I want to try to make it work," Alabaster said softly flames dancing in his eyes. "Not just for me but for my siblings if they want to go too."

"If you need help I'll be right there with you," he said.

Alabaster smiled at him and nodded his gaze flickering with a hint of excitement. "Likewise. Ethan when do you head back home?"

"Oh in a few days," Ethan said. His posture stiffened. "I want to visit my grandfather's old home if I can…I know it's no longer in the family but still I want to see it."

"Good luck. If you need Blackjack let me know." His gaze drifted to the fire. "My father talked to my and asked me to do something for him by next summer."

"What is it?" Ethan asked.

He frowned. "I'm not sure. He said something about helping an old acquaintance of his." During the solstice he talked briefly with his father Poseidon. It was a nice talk but his father asked if he'd be willing to do something for him and he decided to do it.

"Well hopefully he doesn't give you any trouble," Alabaster said.

"Tell me about it."

"Hey guys come on lets offer sacrifices!" Lou called out.

"On our way!" They quickly got up and headed towards Lou where the other children of Hecate were ready to offer sacrifices to the pyre.

Ethan sat in his room, the dim light casting shadows across the walls. His heart pounded in his chest as he heard a sudden, ethereal presence in the room. He turned to see his mother, Nemesis, standing before him. A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively bowed to the goddess of revenge and retribution.

"Mother," he greeted nervously, his eyes never leaving the ground.

Nemesis observed him with an inscrutable expression, her eyes sharp and calculating. "You are an interesting one, Ethan Nakamura. Tell me, why do you fight?"

He swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I fight to make you proud, Mother. I want to ensure that your name is recognized and respected. I want to bring justice to those who deserve it."

His mother tilted her head, as if contemplating his words. "Pride and recognition, hmm? Is that truly all that drives you?"

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I want to make a change. I want to make the world a better place, one where justice prevails. I want to be a force for good and bring balance to the world."

Nemesis studied him with an intensity that made him squirm under her gaze. "Do you truly desire to make a change, Ethan Nakamura? To bring balance to the world?"

He nodded vigorously. "Yes, Mother. I want to make a difference."

A sly smile crept across Nemesis's lips. "Your father desired retribution as well, he was driven by the desire to undo the injustice that was done to your family during the last war. Very well then. I can offer you the power to make that change, but it comes at a cost."

His eyes widened, his heart pounding even faster. "I-I'll pay any price, Mother. Just grant me the strength to make a difference."

Nemesis extended her hand towards him, and an otherworldly light enveloped her palm. "Close your eyes, Ethan. This power will be granted to your left eye." He obeyed, the room fading away as he lost consciousness and a strange sensation washed over his body.

His mother's words echoed in his head. "Bring balance to the world and punish the hubris of the prideful."

Nico di Angelo knelt in front of Luke and Kronos' sarcophagus. "They still have her?" His body was numb as he stared at the ground, his eyes growing heavy while his heart grew with rage.

Luke looked down at him and nodded. "They do. Unfortunately those hunters have a habit of brainwashing their recruits…I fear they might have gotten to your sister."

He frowned his anger boiling inside of him. "How dare they!"

Luke placed a hand on his shoulder and his heart softened as he looked up at Luke. He was so cool and seemed like a real hero from Mythomagic. "Don't worry we'll save her, but be aware they probably are brainwashing her. We'll train you hard so you can ok?"

His determination swelled inside of him along with the anger towards the gods for taking his sister from him. Looking up at Luke and his smile something inside of him fluttered. "Sounds good."

Looking up at Luke he saw a hero just like the ones in his Mythomagic game. A strong hero who was cool and fought his monsters along with other bad people.

They took her. His blood boiled thinking about it. They took my Bianca from me and are brainwashing her. He would never forgive Olympus for this, he would make sure the gods suffer for what they did to his family.

Don't worry Bianca I'm training to be a real hero. He clenched his fists. Like Luke I'll be a hero just like in the Mythomagic game.

AN: I lowkey like writing Nico as a villain. As for Annabeth, she'll learn to conquer her hubris and get rid of her prejudices. It won't be easy but she'll learn it one way or another.

I'll be giving Ethan some powers associated with Nemesis and he'll definitely be dishing out vengeance and punish hubris. As for Percy I may not ship him or may ship him with a child of Hecate, maybe Lou who knows. Romance will not be a part of this story.

Oh since it has been brought up yes I do use spells from Harry Potter but this is not a Harry Potter crossover. The spells JK Rowling used in Harry Potter are actual Latin so I just put them here as a fun easter egg.