Before the Hunt and Diana left, the Goddess healed them all, including Nico and Mrs. O'leary, much to their surprise.
"Why did she only invite Reyna to join the Hunt?" Nico wondered, as they all climbed on Mrs. O'leary to shadow travel back to the Di Angelo Manor and plan their next move.
"Because the Hunt only accepts maidens," Hylla, the oldest and already late in her teenage years, replied with a smirk.
"M-mai-," Nico was a stuttering, blushing mess at the girl's confession, making the sisters laugh.
"It does not matter, I have a quest to fulfill before I even think about it," Reyna interrupted them. "I won't decide on an answer until we defeat Nero and rescue Bianca from the Lotus Hotel and Casino. Come on Mrs. O'leary! To the Di Angelo Manor!"
The Hellhound barked and shadow traveled away. "Nico!" Helena rushed towards her baby and hugged him back. "You are back!"
"I am," Nico murmured against her chest.
"Welcome back," Albert smiled vindictively, as he knew that two of the ones that had taken his life had paid. "Thank you."
"I knew you could do it!" Harry cheered.
"Not bad for a brat," Alexander smirked, but Nico could see the glint of pride in his eyes.
"I couldn't have done it without your help," Nico smiled at them, voice soft in gratefulness. "Or Herophile, Reyna, Hylla, Dedalus, and Mrs. O'leary. Thanks to all of you."
"Oh, Nico..." Helena was left teary.
"Ok! Enough of this! We still have Nero to deal with!" Hylla commanded. "Get going di Angelo! Use that compass of yours to determine where to go next!"
"I like her!" Alecander barked a laugh, as Nico followed Hylla's orders. "If only I was still alive and you wera a couple of years older."
"Alexander!" Albert and Helena groaned.
"Come back a later, with a spell that allows it, and I'll take you for a ride." Hylla promised salaciously.
"Not again!" Reyna whined embarrassedly.
"They are both worse than the other," Herophile murmured in disbelief. "I am new and can already see them burning the manor down."
"Shit! If an oracle sees it, then it must be true," Harry muttered, not knowing if she was joking or being completely serious.
"Don't encourage him," Albert chastised Hylla with an annoyed glare.
"What? Jealous?" Alexander teased, throwing an arm around Albert's shoulders, and dragging him close. "Don't worry, you are still my favorite."
"In your dreams!" Albert seethed, pushing him away. Meanwhile, Helena looked at the two knowingly, sharing a secretive smile with Herophile.
"I don't want to know, do I?" Nico stopped by the door of the living room, looking at the scene before him in trepidation.
"You don't!" Reyna cut in before either Alexander or Hylla could say a thing, she knew that those smirks spelt. "Where are we going next?"
"New York City," Nico answered.
"Interesting," Albert hummed. "You dealt with Commodus and Caligula in the seat of power of the Romans, San Francisco. And now you will be dealing with Nero in the seat of power of the Greeks, New York City."
"Olympus is in New York City?" Nico asked surprised, recalling his lessons with Albert. Olympus has always been in the seat of power of the Greek's. "I can see it, on the other side of the country of the Underworld, which is in Los Angeles. Fitting."
"Tell me about it," Reyna sighed. "What shall we do? Go now? Or wait?"
"I think we should go," Hylla announced much to everyone's surprise. "Nero will still be panicking by the sudden destruction of two members of the Triumvirate, even if it gave him more power with the destruction of the fasces. Last time you waited di Angelo it got two of the Triumvirate to gather an army. We can't allow Nero's monsters to regroup, not when he is not aware we know where he is, and we got the element of surprise!"
Everyone stopped to stare at the maverick daughter of Bellona in surprise, Alexander smirked slyly, but she ignored them and continued. "Thanks to Lady Diana, we are no longer injured. We are ready to go to New York City and give us time to scout Nero, before attacking."
"Then we go now," Nico agreed, as Reyna smiled proudly at her sister.
The three demigods went to take a shower to refreshen up, change clothes, and get a new pair of armors. After they had a warm meal, cooked by a 3 Michelini star undead chef working at the Di Angelo Manor. Once they had all eaten, Mrs. O'leary included, they grabbed their backpacks, restocked with provisions, a medical kit, ambrosia, and Kit-Kats, they climbed on Mrs. O'leary and shadow traveled to New York City.
From there they followed Nico's compass all the way to Nero's Tower. The tower, a monstrosity in the Midtown style, rises majestically into the sky, dominating the urban skyline with its sheer height and presence. Heavily fortified, the tower's defenses are evident in the strategic placement of security measures. Surveillance cameras, reinforced walls, and controlled access points create a fortress-like environment, deterring any potential intruders. The entrance itself is likely guarded by security personnel, further emphasizing the high level of protection surrounding Nero's domain.
"I feel many demigods and monsters in there," Nico told the girls grimly. "Albert's theory that Nero takes orphan demigods seems to be right."
"Shit!" Hylla cursed, this time no one berated her. After all, it was a shitty situation. One thing was fighting monsters, the other was fighting their own kind. Especially, since the demigods under Nero do not seem to have aa choice in it.
"Can you keep us in the shadows as we scout the tower for Nero's fasces?" Reyna turned to Nico, who grimaced in return. "Er... maybe Mrs. O'leary... can do it?" She asked hesitantly.
"She would be detected," Nico shook his head, pointing at the inscriptions around the main door. "That is a barrier for monsters, see it as the magical version of a security alarm. No outside monster can enter."
"What about demigods?" Reyna inquired.
"Nothing, most likely he does not see us as much of a danger." Nice sorted dryly. "Or maybe he does not put one against demigods because it might scare off unsuspecting orphaned demigods, he lures in. They might realize something is up, if any time a demigod enters the tower an alarm rings."
"He will regret that soon," Hylla promised viclousty.
"Anyway, taking all three of us… might be dangerous. I will need both of your Bellona's blessings. Otherwise, I might end up being claimed by the Realm of Shadows, I do not want to lose myself to the shadows."
"Anything better than coming face to face with the enemy from the get-go," Reyna assured him. "We will support you."
"Then let's finish this quest!" Nico stated with determination, before dragging them with him into the shadows.
The experience of shadow walking was an unsettling ordeal for Reyna and Hylla, a stark contrast to the abrupt and sudden nature of shadow traveling. Unlike the almost instantaneous tug at their guts that accompanied shadow traveling, shadow walking induced a nauseous and disconcerting sensation. The very act of traversing the shadows left them feeling wrong, with shivers coursing down their spines as an icy chill seeped into their bones.
For Reyna and Hylla, each step within the shadows felt like navigating through an otherworldly realm where the boundaries between reality and the unknown blurred. The disorientation and discomfort accompanied every stride, making it a taxing experience that left them feeling physically and mentally drained. In contrast, Nico appeared to be an exception to the disconcerting effects of shadow walking. If anything, the shadows seemed to embrace him, and he moved through them with an uncanny ease that hinted at a profound connection. While Reyna and Hylla grappled with the unsettling sensations, Nico appeared at home within the shadows, navigating the ethereal landscape with a familiarity that set him apart.
The effort Nico exerted to keep all three of them enveloped in the shadows settled heavily on his shoulders. Yet, despite the challenges, Nico's demeanor suggested a certain comfort within the shadowy realm. It was as if the shadows themselves were an extension of his being, and he moved through them effortlessly, unaffected by the disquieting atmosphere that weighed on his companions.
As the trio shadow-walked through Nero's Tower, their perspective shifted to an unconventional vantage point, seeing everything from beneath and looking up. The world around them transformed into shades of black and white, creating a muted and surreal tableau that added to the eerie ambiance of the shadows. From the shadowed vantage point, Reyna and Hylla observed the demigods within the tower with a mixture of shock and dismay. The inhabitants, dressed in the finest clothes and appearing well-fed, presented an outward facade of luxury and privilege. Despite the material comforts that surrounded them, the demigods within Nero's Tower seemed to exist in a state of perpetual discontent.
"A golden gilded cage," Nico murmured sadly.
"There!" Hylla hissed under her breath. Following her directions, they made it into the fasces room. "No other protection?" Hylla raised an eyebrow, as Nico finally let them out of the shadows. "He is truly confident."
"Destroy the fasces! The two of you! Before the alarms activate!" Nico panted as he fell to his knees in exhaustion.
"You don't look good," Reyna knelt beside him. "Gods! Nico! Your hand!"
Nico flinched and then he followed her gaze, his hands were almost intangible as they started to look more like one of his shadows than a human. "Hurry!" Nico growled, taking more ambrosia and ate ten packs of Kit-Kat, the chocolate did quite a lot for his energy. "I'll be fine!"
"But..." Reyna tried to protest, worried about her friend's health.
"Reyna!" Hylla barked, making her sister turn and glare at her. But Hylla was having none of it. "Get your head in the game! We are in the middle of a quest, and you are not acting as a daughter of Bellona!" Taking a deep breath, Reyna collected herself and joined her sister to destroy the fasces. "It's not working!" Hylla growled, just in time for the alarms to ring and the three of them getting locked in the room.
"The fasces now possess the power of three immortal ex-roman emperors," Nico bit his lip worriedly. "Which means, it needs three divine attacks… three demigods."
"Nico!" Reyna protested, when she noticed him stumbling to stand beside them. "You are in no condition to be standing up, much less help us!"
"We don't have another choice!" Nico snapped. "I help, or we die!"
"At least, allow us to use the Blessing of Bellona," Reyna sighed as she and Hylla gave him a boost of power.
"Let's do this!" Nico exclaimed, as he took out his Stygian Iron Falcata sword and got into his combat position. "3..."
"2..." Reyna murmured.
"1…" Hylla smirked viciously.
"Now!" The three of them shouted, charging towards the fasces at the same time the doors were slammed open, and someone screamed. "No!"
As Nico, Reyna, and Hylla charged toward the fasces, the air crackled with a malevolent energy. The fasces, infused with the power of three immortal ex-Roman emperors, responded to the imminent threat with a surge of dark, magical energy. The oppressive force pushed against the demigods, attempting to repel them and maintain its hold on the room. Nico gritted his teeth, feeling the weight of his exhaustion, but determination burned in his eyes. He raised his Stygian Iron Falcata sword, its blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. Reyna and Hylla, flanking him with the Blessing of Bellona coursing through their veins, mirrored his readiness for battle.
As they closed in on the fasces, the magical energy surrounding the artifact fought back fiercely. Dark tendrils of magic lashed out, seeking to hinder their advance. The air hummed with an otherworldly resonance, and the room seemed to resist the intrusion of the demigods. However, the trio pressed on with unwavering determination. Nico's falcata cleaved through the magical barriers with each swing, the Stygian Iron biting into the dark energies. Reyna and Hylla, empowered by the Blessing of Bellona, moved with calculated precision, their weapons cutting through the metaphysical resistance.
The fasces, sensing the imminent threat, pulsed with a sinister glow, attempting to unleash its stored power. But the demigods, fueled by a desperate resolve, synchronized their attacks. Three slashes simultaneously cut through the dark aura surrounding the artifact, each strike carrying the divine essence of a demigod. The room echoed with the clash of weapons against the magical forces. The fasces fought back with a final surge, but the combined might of Nico, Reyna, and Hylla proved too much. With a blinding flash the fasces shattered, defeated.
"Now, that's what I call a rush," Hylla cackled her legs feeling like jelly from the aftershock, as she stood up and went to help her sister up. "Not bad… Nico."
Nico laughed. "You've finally me my name."
Hylla slapped him in the back. "After the last couple of days? You've earned it."
"Gods! It's only been three days," Reyna groaned in disbelief.
"Maybe for you it's been three days, but for me it's been a whole year of preparation," Nico chuckled.
"It shows," Reyna assured him seriously. "There was a reason why the quest proceeded so smoothly."
"We almost got ourselves killed by an army of monsters, saw a God and an oracle die, and I almost became a shadow," Nico recounted in sheer disbelief, bordering into hysterical. "What part went smoothly?!"
Hylla chuckled "You don't know half of what really happens to demigods in quests."
"And you do?!" Nico turned to her. "This is your first quest!"
"We heard all kinds of tales back at Circe's Resort & Spa," Hylla replied shamelessly.
"Do you have ANY idea of what you've done?!" Nero screamed, startling the three demigods. They turned towards the door where a pale, trembling Nero stood with a squad of roman demigods and Pandai behind him. He was about to burst a vein, as he stalked forward in seething rage. "Millenniums of hard work and meticulous patience all thrown to the drain in three days!"
"Weren't you listening? It was almost one year in the making," Nico replied dryly, with a deadpan. After the weekend he had, a dead ex-roman emperor did not scare him, especially when his symbol of power had been destroyed.
"Y-you!" Nero's glare was pure hatred as he stepped towards Nico. However, before Nero could make it far, Mrs. O'leary shadow traveled before him and...
"Did Mrs. O'leary... just eat Nero?" Reyna asked dumbfounded.
"Yes, she did," Nico answered, laughing hysterically.
"I knew I liked her!" Hylla declared, cackling like the mad woman she is.
"You've defeated the roman emperors," the leader of the Pandai stepped forwards, as the trio looked at him warily. However, their eyes widened when they all knelt before them- even the orphaned demigods!
"Well shit," Hylla summarized their situation perfectly.
"Whose Hellhound is this one?" The leader of the roman demigods, a son of Bachus they deduced from his tattoo, asked. "The one who took the leader of the Triumvirate?"
Reyna and Hylla exchanged looks, before swiftly answering: "Nico di Angelo!"
"Hail, Emperor Nico di Angelo!" They kneeling demigods proclaimed.
As the proclamation echoed through the room, the Rodriguez-Arellano sisters seemed to revel in the horror written across Nico's face. Panic surged through his veins, but his protests were met with laughter and further insistence.
"I'm graecus!" Nico tried to assert, his protests falling on deaf ears. The sadistic amusement on the faces of Hylla and Reyna only intensified as they knelt before him, adding to the absurdity of the situation.
"All hail Emperor Nico di Angelo!" They cackled in unison, thoroughly entertained by the unfolding spectacle. Even Mrs. O'leary, the massive hellhound, seemed to play along, lowering her head in a bow that only fueled Nico's frustration.
"Girls! This is not funny!" Nico pleaded, his panic escalating as the absurdity of the situation unfolded. However, his protests were met with continued laughter, and the sisters seemed to revel in their mischievous prank.
"Che scherzi brutti state facendo! Smettetela!" Nico babbled in Italian, resorting to a string of frustrated and panicked curses. The sisters, unfazed by the language barrier, continued their laughter, thoroughly enjoying the chaos they had unleashed. "Stai scherzando? Ma cosa sta succedendo qui?"
"Che scherzi brutti state facendo! Smettetela!" - "What nasty jokes are you playing! Stop it!"
"Stai scherzando? Ma cosa sta succedendo qui?" - "Are you kidding? What is happening here?"