Ch32

Ethan drew his katana and sliced the air, the blade shinned brightly as he did a few moves from an old kendo manual he found. The blade shinned brightly in the sun, its glow almost other worldly as the sun danced off it.

This isn't some regular standard issue katana foot soldiers. From what he learned war trophoies were common in the Pacific theater and among them were mass produced katanas. Looking at the blade something inside of him told him it was special, very special. It damaged a monster just like a weapon for a demigod.

He sheathed the sword and gently traced his eyepatch. It took some getting used to but he did not regret his choice at all. I'll change the world for the better.

The sound of wings caught his attention as a familiar black Pegasus landed near him. "Hey Blackjack," he said as he went to stroke the Pegasus' hair. "Percy told you I needed you for a bit right?"

The Pegasus neighed, probably asking him where he wanted to go. "I'll be right back."

He quickly gave Blackjack some water and donuts before showing him the coordinates. "Uh yeah I need to go here," he said as he showed the coordinates on the map.

Blackjack snorted and turned to his side. Alright here I go. He mounted Blackjack and the Pegasi immediately expanded its wings and took flight.

Ojiisan. His heart raced as Blackjack flew through the air. He had never visited his grandfather's old farm, in part because it had been confiscated by the US government and sold off to other people. It was a fact that still his father's family, many of whom were still bitter about the lost land.

He always dreamed of taking it back but we never had the means to. His heart raced as he thought of his grandfather. It wasn't fair what happened to him. He traced his eyepatch, he'd be lying if he said he didn't want to create balance on his father's side of the family. Balance and retribution.

After a while Black began to descend upon a path of land. His heart raced as he recognized some of the features from old family photos. A few trees amidst rows of fertile earth that were covered in sod. Some things were new such as the highway connecting it to the outside world.

He motioned for Blackjack to land near what looked like the remains of an old foundation. His heart grew heavy as he dismounted Blackjack and looked at the remains of his grandfather's old home. "Ojiisan I'm here," he said softly

His eye grew wet as he took in the remains of his grandfather's home. The home his ancestors had built here in America only to have it taken away along with everything else they built.

He stared at the foundation of the house and the land, he didn't know what to feel or to expect. It was a somber feeling to be where his family lost it all.

Kicking some rubble he walked around the area while Blackjack followed him. He listlessly walked through the ground taking the somber landscape. This all belonged to Ojiisan. A pit formed in his stomach as he looked around at the ground which looked as if it hadn't been taken care of in agesA tear formed in his eye and fell onto the ground. Sadly it belongs to a property developer.

"Your family suffered a lot," said a familiar voice.

Turning around he saw a familiar girl sitting by a hearth. He quickly bowed. "Lady Hestia."

Hestia motioned for him to approached and to his surprise saw Japanese cuisine laid out on a picnic blanket. "Come help yourself," the goddess said calmly.

A warm feeling filled him up as he sat across from Hestia and ate the food which quickly warmed him up. "What are you doing here Lady Hestia?"

"Just passing by," Hestia said calmly. "This was your grandfather's land correct?"

"It was," he said solemnly.

Hestia poured them both some miso soup. "The Second World War tore apart many families. People like your grandfather weren't treated right due to circumstances out of their control." The goddess eyes flickered with embers. "Yet in the end people like your grandfather proved themselves and fought for a family that didn't want them."

He looked down at the ground. "The scars still remain." Picking up the bowl of Miso soup he drank it as a warmth filled him up on the inside.

"The Fates can be unfair but how we react will show the world what kind of person we are," Hestia said calmly. "Ethan Nakamura do you wish to be a true hero?"

He looked up and saw Hestia's calm gaze burning into his soul. "I do."

She then placed a hand on his head. "Then have my blessing and protect those close to you."

A flash of flaming then enveloped him.

Nico laughed as he brought his sword down on another opponent killing him instantly. The crowd in the stadium cheered as he raised his bloody sword for them to see.

Another enemy defeated and another power up. Kronos was making him stronger by the day teaching him personally how to use his powers. Bianca I'll save you. The gods have toyed with our family enough.

"The winner is Nico di Angelo!" Luke announced.

He looked up at his hero, Luke was everything a mentor should be brave, strong, and handsome. Just looking at him made his heart race I'll be a hero like you and protect Bianca.

"Begin the next match!" Luke ordered.

A cyclops emerged from the stadium gripping a large bat in his hand. Alright another opponent another chance to gain experience points.

He gripped his sword tightly as a wicked smile spread across his face. As soon as the bell rang the cyclops charged at him. Bianca I'll save you. Slamming his sword into the ground he summoned a series of skeletons to hold the cyclops back.

The cyclops roared as it swatted the skeletons away. Bianca you're my precious I won't let you get away from me. He lunged at the cyclops and thrusted his sword into its eye. The monster roared in pain as it fell to the ground.

The crowd cheered as Luke got up. "Ladies and Gentlemen the Ghost King has won again!"

"Ghost King!"

"Ghost King!"

"Ghost King!"

He raised his sword basking in the glory of their chants his heart racing as he saw Luke give him a smile of approval. He's a real hero just like in Mythomagic.

Luke motioned for him to come up, he hated to stop practicing but he couldn't say no to Luke. As soon as he arrived upstairs the son of Hermes patted him on the back. "Good job Nico."

His heart fluttered as he looked to the ground. "I-It's nothing. What now? Can I get Bianca back?"

Luke sat him down. "If you are ready we scouted where those hunters are keeping her."

His brow furrowed. "I'll take her back one way or another." He gripped his sword tightly, no one messed with his sister.

"That's the spirit." Luke patted his back. "Rest up and then you can go."

After taking some ambrosia he took a quick nap and found himself in Kronos' presence. He bowed to the Titan. "Lord Kronos thank you for this opportunity."

Kronos chuckled. "You have great promise Nico, this summer I shall great use of you. In return you'll be reunited with your sister forever."

"Thank you sir." He bowed again. "I swear those so called gods will pay for separating us." He learned the truth from Luke and Kronos how he was a son of Hades and stolen from his mother, how the gods tried to take them and turn them into their puppets. The worst thing his sister was currently brainwashed into being one of them but he wouldn't let that last. He would make sure they pay for separating them and for all the damage they caused.

The next morning he got up and after getting ready Luke gave him the coordinates of the mission. "They are near a park up in Oregon be careful." Luke patted him on the head.

"Th-Thanks." He was fluttered at the attention Luke gave him, he really was like a hero brought to life. "I'll try to talk some sense intoa her, if not I'll force her here myself."

"Don't worry we'll do all we can to bring her to our side," Luke said firmly. "Good luck."

He quickly ran to a shadow and took a deep breath as the familiar sensation of the shadows enveloped him. Bianca here I come.

Within a minute he found himself in the dark foods of Oregon. Carefully gripping his sword he walked through the area. After walking for a few feet he heard voices, they sounded like little girls.

Advancing through the brush he saw a creek with a few girls, yet one of them caught his attention. Bianca. He recognized his sister laughing and chatting with some girls. She must be coping, damn them they have been mistreating her so much she is coping.

It took all his will power not to charge at them, but he was outnumbered. Taking a deep breath he concentrated on his powers and slammed his sword into the ground. The ground shook as he summoned a few skeletons that charged at the girls.

As they screamed and drew their bows he charged at them. Swinging his sword he slashed one girl's arm off before stabbing another in the gut. Take that you kidnapper! The girls screamed as his skeletons fell upon them. "Bianca!" His sister did a double take and nearly dropped her bow as he grabbed her arm. "Come on! Lets get out of here!"

"N-Nico!" She resisted but he pulled harder.

"Come on lets go before they find us," he said as he pulled her tightly. "Before more of them come!" His heart raced as he heard a horn.

Bianca pulled back. "Wait stop they're my friends!" It may have been that she was a daughter of Hades but the skeletons froze allowing the other hunters to fall back.

He frowned. "These hunters? No what are you talking about they kidnapped you." Great it's worse than I thought. His blood ran cold as he realized they must have brainwashed her harder than he thought. "Come on lord Kronos will help us. He'll show you truth of these people."

Bianca's eyes widened as she pulled away. "Wait Kronos?"

"Yeah Kronos. He saved me, he'll save us," He grabbed her arm but to his surprise, she pulled away. "Bianca come on we have to go now."

Bianca shook her head. "Nico this is wrong, Kronos is evil. Come on I can take you somewhere safe."

"No I can!" He grabbed her arm tightly. "Those evil gods just want to use us, look they already took you from me. Come back and Kronos can help us. Soon it will be like the old days when you took care of me." He spoke quickly, too quickly but he had to get his point across. These gods would do nothing but harm they, he had to save Bianca from this cruel fate.

Bianca pulled away her eyes watery. "Nico I'm not joining Kronos."

He frowned. "It's worse than I thought. Don't worry he can undo the brainwashing and you can help me too." He tried to grab her but she pulled away. "Come on Bianca it'll be like before when you took care of me."

"Nico please stop this," Bianca said softly. "Kronos isn't a good guy. Come with me and I'll take you somewhere safe."

His eyes began to water, he didn't want to use force but he had to defend his sister. "I'm sorry Bianca but I won't let them use you anymore. I'll-"

The next thing he knew a bolt of lightning hit him and knocked him back. "For Artemis!"

He quickly got up and grabbed his sword as a group of girls led by one with dark hair and a spear in her hand blocked their exit. "Bianca stand back I'll take care of them!"

His body shook as he glared at her. "Get away from her!" He was her brother and he would protect her as Luke protected him, he'd be a strong hero just like in Mythomagic.

"Wait!" Bianca stepped between them her bow in her hand. "Nico come with us. I'll take you somewhere safe." The hunters stopped their weapons drawn.

He swallowed the lump in his throat as he saw that the brainwashing was too strong. "Bianca come with me, please we'll be a family again. The gods they tricked you."

"I made my choice," Bianca said firmly. "I joined the hunters out of my own free will. I plan on spending the rest of my time with them, please just come with me and we'll take you somewhere safe."

No. His body shook. Damn those gods for brainwashing her. The air around him turned dangerously cold. "They're lying Bianca to you," He said softly. "It's all they do is lie. They hurt our family and Luke's as well. Please come with me and we can make this right."

"Nico," Bianca stepped forward but he pulled away.

"THEY TOOK YOU FROM ME!" He slammed his sword into the ground his rage building, no one took his sister from him. Bianca was his precious sister and his alone. These damn gods will suffer.

"Fire!" The hunters yelled as skeletons emerged from the ground.

He ran at Bianca and tried to grab her hand but she only moved away. "Nico stop this now."

"Only if you come with me," he said as he grabbed her arm

Tears fell down his sister's face as she pulled away. "No I'm not."

Rage swelled in him, the gods were going to pay for making her cry. He raised his sword in the sky "For Kronos!"

The girl in black hair charged at him with her spear. He swung his sword but she easily kicked him to the ground. "Surrender," she growled.

"Wait lets take him alive," Bianca begged.

He laughed as he got up. "Over my dead body. I'll save you Bianca I'll make you see how these gods really are." His gaze narrowed in on the hunters. "Kronos will save us along with the world from these evil gods. I'll be a true hero just like Luke and save you, mark my words."

There are too many of them. The skeletons were slowly being overwhelmed as his sister was surrounded by those damn hunters.

Tears fell down his face as he ran back into the shadows. Damn the gods for separating us. I swear they'll pay. He heard his sister call out to him but by then the shadows had enveloped him and soon he was back in the base.

As soon as he was back at the Titan camp he fell to his knees and cried. "Nico what's wrong!" Luke ran over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Did you find her?"

He sobbed and slammed his fist into the ground. "Those gods brainwashed her and turned her against me."

Luke wrapped him in for a hug which made his heart begin to beat faster. "Don't worry we'll save her. Artemis and the Hunters brainwash those girls, you'll see her more this summer you could get her back I promise.

His anger and rage boiled inside of him. I'll save you Bianca. My precious Bianca I'll save you from those hunters.

"Nico we have another mission for you if you're up to it," Luke said softly. "Remember that man Daedalus?"

He nodded as Luke handed him a tissue. "Yeah what about him?" He cleaned his face and stood up to face look. Luke you're a real hero. Just looking up at the son of Hermes and his cool scar made his heart beat faster.

Luke placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "Go to that little hideout of his and see what he has to say about our offer. It's very important ok?" His words were soft and soothed his heart.

"I won't let you down!" He said firmly as he cleaned his face. "I'm sure he'll join us one way or another." Luke was a real hero and had done so much for him, he would do anything to repay the kindness Luke had shown him.

"Good." Luke sighed and shook his head. "The labyrinth is a pain to navigate and we've been losing a lot of people to the darkness."

"I'll find them!" He said quickly. "I already found lots of them!" There was a bit of pride in his voice, he would do anything to make sure Luke succeeded, after all he had been nothing but helpful with training him and helping find Bianca.

Luke smiled and patted his shoulder. "I know. Lord Kronos is very pleased, you've been very helpful finding paths for us in the labyrinth."

His face reddened. "I-It's nothing! I'll go find Daedalus and let him know his options."

"Good luck," Luke said. "I'll be monitoring our troop movements, if this labyrinth keeps giving us trouble…" The son of Hermes frowned. "We may have to find other means of transportation."

As soon as Luke left he quickly went to get some lunch. I'll get stronger Luke then I can save Bianca and take down those bastard gods for brainwashing her. After a quick rest he took a deep breath and found the shadows. Alright Daedalus time to make your choice.

The shadows enveloped him as his body traveled through the shadows. I'll make you proud Luke, I'll get him to our side one way or another.

The next thing he knew he was in one of Daedalus' many homes. The man in question was tinkering with some instrument with his large hellhound by his side.

He cleared his throne. "Daedalus Lord Kronos wishes to know your answer."

Daedalus continued to play with his machines without so much as glancing up at him. "I'm busy little boy, come back another time."

His blood boiled. Who was this guy to think he could ignore him? Luke sent him on this quest and he'll make sure he completes it with flying colors. "Kronos demands an answer! Swear to him and give us the key to navigate the labyrinth. You'll gain what you desire if you but if you don't-"

Daedalus cut him off with a snort. "Or what? Are you going to throw a tantrum and summon your undead? I swear children are getting ruder by the day."

"Excuse me!" His blood boiled as he drew his sword and brought it down on the table breaking Daedalus' machine in half. "I am not a child!" He yelled as the air around him became dangerously cold. "You better watch your back, you know very well I could send your sell to my father's damn realm."

Daedalus looked at him calmly and smirked. "Then what shall be of the labyrinth? Surely all those forces you have in there wouldn't want to perish?" The man shook his head. "Tsk. Tsk. Is this what the Titan army has to offer? A mere sniveling boy who needs his mother? No wonder your sister left you."

He froze as the air around him became dangerously cold. "WHAT DID YOU SAY!" Gripping his sword he was about to use it when Daedalus hit a few buttons on a remote control.

Immediately a blinding light filled the room forcing him to cover his eyes followed by a loud explosion. "Send Kronos my regards," Daedalus said as series of explosions ripped through the area.

Damn it. He swore as the ground beneath him began to shake.