Hey readers! Just a quick update: the story will now wrap up at 71 chapters instead of the original 100. I'd planned for some additional arcs, but finishing with the war arc felt like the strongest way to close out this story. To give everything a satisfying finish. Thank you for following along—hope you enjoy the final chapters!
The world came back into focus as Nico staggered out of the shadow, his hand clenched tightly around Michael's collar. Just in time, he thought, heart pounding as he threw the younger demigod toward Lee with a grim expression.
"Keep a better eye on your siblings," Nico muttered, his voice sharper than usual as he dusted off the remnants of shadows clinging to his jacket. He didn't even glance at the blown-up bridge, his focus zeroed in on Lee, who was pale as a ghost, holding his brother in an almost vice-like grip. Nico could feel Lee's panic radiating off him, see the thin line of blood from a small scrape on his temple where he'd likely thrown himself against a shield to defend.
Lee's voice was almost a whisper as he cradled Michael. "What were you thinking?" he asked, staring at Michael with a mixture of horror and confusion. "Do you have a death wish?"
Michael, half-shaken but also seething with determination, pushed himself out of Lee's grip with a glare. "The healing tent was surrounded!" he practically shouted, his voice high with desperation. His fingers were clenched into fists, nails biting into his palms as he struggled to hold Lee's gaze. "They were coming from every direction. What else was I supposed to do? Just wait around until they closed in?" He gestured back toward the demolished bridge, eyes blazing with the fierce determination only a kid desperate to help could have. "At least now they're stuck on the other side, and we bought some time!"
Lee opened his mouth to argue, his jaw tight, but no words came out. He was stuck between anger and a strange pride, his lips pressed into a thin line. He turned his head away, looking over at the smoke curling from the remnants of the bridge. When he looked back, his face was pale, jaw still clenched, and his hands shook just enough to be noticeable.
Nico cleared his throat, crossing his arms as he watched them with that same no-nonsense, deadpan stare that made everyone instinctively straighten up. "Look, Michael, I get that you wanted to help, and you did… but next time, don't just throw yourself at an explosion, yeah? Leave the hero complex to the professionals." He shot Lee a pointed look as if to say you know better before glancing back at Michael, his eyes narrowed with an unspoken challenge.
Michael's defiance flickered under Nico's gaze, and he let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his messy hair. "Fine, whatever. But next time, don't expect me to just stand by and wait for everything to blow up around us," he muttered, voice tinged with frustration, though he refused to make eye contact. His jaw was tight, the shadows under his eyes dark from exhaustion, but his posture was tense, and his face betrayed just a hint of pride.
Lee sighed, dragging a hand over his face and trying to mask his exhaustion. "You're not alone, Michael. None of us are. That's the whole point of fighting as a team." His tone was firm but laced with the kind of protective worry that came only from someone who had lived through too many close calls. He softened as he continued, his voice almost a murmur. "Just… don't go off doing stupid things like that again. We'd all rather deal with a thousand monsters than… than that."
Nico rolled his eyes, trying to keep his face impassive as he watched Lee fuss over his younger brother, patting down his shoulders as if to check for injuries. Finally, he shifted his gaze back to Michael, and his tone softened ever so slightly, though he kept his snark firmly intact. "Seriously, if you get yourself blown up, who do you think is going to clean up after your mess, huh? I've got my hands full as it is."
Michael looked up, eyes wide for a split second before narrowing into a glare. "I don't expect anyone to clean up for me," he shot back, but there was a hint of something softer in his expression now, an acknowledgment buried beneath the stubbornness.
Lee let out a tired laugh, the tension finally easing from his shoulders as he gave Michael one last ruffle of his hair. "If the Ghost King tells you to avoid blowing yourself up, you probably should listen," he said dryly, his tone warmer now.
Nico shrugged, a smirk creeping onto his face as he adjusted the strap of his sword. "Yeah, well, just consider it a bit of free advice." He turned away, glancing out at the horizon, watching the dark shapes of approaching monsters moving in the distance, regrouping.
Lee followed Nico's gaze, a rare moment of seriousness in his eyes. "You know they'll be back soon," he said, voice low.
Just then a scream pierced the air like a crack of lightning, and instantly Nico, Lee, and Michael whipped around to the source. Across the battlefield, sparkling in a disturbing mix of glitter and blood, an Empousa hissed, thrashing as Silena raised a dagger gleaming with ancient power.
The monster lunged forward, claws outstretched, but Silena was faster. She twisted gracefully, her movements fluid and precise as she drove the dagger into the Empousa's heart, her face set in fierce determination. The monster let out one final shriek before exploding into a cloud of dust, flecks of glitter catching the fading sunlight in eerie, floating sparkles.
Pollux was dragging his twin, Castor, who had a deep gash on his leg, towards a group of Apollo kids that had set up an emergency healing station in the cover of a half-destroyed subway entrance. Silena's gaze flicked briefly to them, concern evident in her eyes, but she quickly refocused, her expression hardening as she assessed the demigods left scattered around her. With the bridge down, the immediate threat was delayed, but the rumble in the distance hinted that it wouldn't be long before monsters found another way across.
"Alright, everyone, listen up!" Silena called, her voice loud, clear, and carrying an unexpected authority that left no room for argument. Demigods snapped to attention, drawn in by the calm but commanding tone of her voice. "We're moving out—everyone left in this sector, fall in line and follow me! We need to get to a more secure area, and we're not losing anyone on the way. Let's go!"
Lee watched as Silena moved among the demigods with a natural grace, supporting those who were limping, giving quick words of encouragement to those who looked panicked, and issuing quiet but firm commands. Her eyes scanned every face, not allowing herself to miss a single person. It was like she was born to lead, and it made something inside him settle, a strange sense of trust and admiration.
As the group began to move out, Lee ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "She's something else," he muttered to Nico, who had reappeared beside him, his expression unreadable as always.
Nico just shrugged, though there was a flicker of respect in his eyes as he watched Silena rally the others. "Yeah, she's got guts," he admitted, his voice low. He glanced at Lee, raising an eyebrow. "Probably more than some of us, don't you think?"
Lee snorted, shaking his head. "No argument there," he said, watching as Silena offered a reassuring smile to a younger camper whose hands were shaking as he clutched his weapon. "She makes it look easy… keeping everyone together. I'd be a wreck."
Nico rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "Well, she's probably spent less time practicing brooding in corners," he said dryly, crossing his arms as he observed the group's progress. "But she's got something more than guts. It's… hope, maybe. Not everyone has that right now."
A few feet ahead, Silena paused, glancing back to make sure everyone was keeping up. Her eyes met Nico's and Lee's for a moment, and she gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment. There was gratitude there, and maybe a flicker of understanding. They both nodded back, a silent agreement passing between them, even as Silena turned and continued leading the group down the crumbling street toward a safer area.
As the group walked, Castor limped slightly, leaning heavily on his twin. Pollux muttered something to his brother, who managed a weak laugh, but there was a grim determination in both of their faces as they kept moving forward. Nico noticed how Pollux kept casting glances at the twins, assessing their wounds with a practiced eye. He'd probably already memorized the path to the many healing tents scattered around Manhattan and was ready to sprint there with Castor if he had to.
Silena's steady voice cut through the whispers of fear and worry that floated through the group. "Stay close, everyone. Remember, this is about staying together, keeping each other alive." She paused, turning to look back at the group as they crossed another street, her gaze piercing and calm. "We're all going to make it out of this, alright? No one gets left behind."
In that moment, Nico saw something in her—something fierce, something pure. She wasn't just fighting for survival. She was fighting for them all to make it through with hope still intact. It was the kind of determination he rarely saw, the kind that made him wonder if he'd ever been that hopeful. Silena wasn't just surviving; she was leading, and every step she took seemed to reinforce the unspoken promise she'd made to all of them: they would get out of this.
The moment they converged with the other group, Nico could see the raw exhaustion etched into their faces. Cuts, scrapes, and makeshift bandages marred their skin, clothes dirtied with soot and sweat. Many of them looked dazed, as if still grappling with the fact that they were, against all odds, still standing.
As they moved through the debris-laden streets, Silena continued to bark orders, her voice strained but unwavering. Nico caught snatches of whispered conversations, snippets that revealed just how high the stakes had been. The battle had started strong for their side; with Manhattan asleep under Morpheus's spell, the mortals had been blissfully unaware, and Kronos's forces had been stalled at every turn. The island was encased in layer upon layer of protective magic. Drivers on the nearby New Jersey highways seemed to find every Manhattan exit mysteriously repellent, the product of Hecate's careful interference. Nico almost smiled to himself, impressed. It seemed even magic had a sense of urgency tonight.
"Spirits of the Hudson are still holding strong?" Nico asked Lee, who jogged next to him, casting a wary eye on their surroundings.
Lee nodded, pushing a lock of damp hair off his forehead. "Yeah, they've got most of the waterways barricaded. Anything that tries to swim through gets dragged under. It's… brutal, but effective." His voice faltered as he remembered something unpleasant, but he shook it off quickly. "Kronos's forces have no chance coming by water. And if by any miracle they get through, the Triumvirate ship barricade is waiting for them as the last line of defense."
"And the air?" Nico pressed, glancing at the sky as if he expected an aerial attack at any moment.
"Safe," Lee confirmed. "Boreas and his brothers have it locked down tight. It's ground assault only now. Especially, with the reinforcements from Camp Jupiter."
At first, those precautions had given them the upper hand, a strategic chokehold that had made victory seem not just possible but probable. But then, the Titans had unleashed Typhon, sending the Olympians scattering in a desperate attempt to contain the storm of chaos. Typhon's mere presence seemed to shake the very earth, and the terrifying news that even Zeus had restored Ares's godhood just to keep the creature at bay brought an uneasy silence over the demigods. Knowing that the Gods themselves had been forced to abandon Olympus to confront him left them with a hollow, chilling realization: they were alone now.
Nico saw the glimmer of fear in the others' eyes as they scanned their surroundings, tense and ready to bolt at the slightest hint of danger. It made sense—the Titans had begun to pull every dirty trick from the depths of Tartarus. Some soldiers had spoken of seeing shadowy beasts prowling the streets, twisted, dark things they hadn't recognized. Others swore they had seen the dead rise, animated by some foul Titan magic to terrorize the living.
One demigod from the other group, a girl with a wild halo of curls and cuts on her arms, caught Nico's eye as she leaned against a lamppost, her hand trembling as she clutched her sword. She let out a shaky laugh. "I was almost starting to feel good about this," she muttered to no one in particular, "like we actually had a shot." She shook her head, her eyes darting to the skyline. "And then Typhon showed up, and every dirty trick started rolling out…"
Silena overheard and shot her a sharp look. "We still have a shot," she said firmly, stepping closer to the girl. "We didn't come this far just to give up. We're all going to get through this. We have to." Her voice held a conviction that Nico found himself admiring. It wasn't the voice of someone trying to reassure others; it was the voice of someone reassuring herself.
Nico moved closer to Silena, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. "She's right," he said, looking at the group. "Kronos is throwing everything at us tonight because he knows we're close. We're making him sweat."
Lee chuckled dryly. "Gods, I'd love to see that guy actually sweat."
Nico smirked. "Let's make it happen, then."
Just as the group started to settle, another scream tore through the air, this time deeper, rougher, like something monstrous had just surfaced. They all stiffened, hands reaching for weapons, every pair of eyes wide and alert.
A massive figure lumbered down the avenue, something like a giant but twisted, skeletal in appearance, its arms unnaturally long with clawed hands dragging along the pavement. It seemed to be made of shadows, its eyes a sickly green that glowed like poisonous embers.
Nico felt a surge of cold dread. "Empousai weren't enough for him? He's sending shades now?"
Silena tightened her grip on her dagger, looking over at him with a faint grin. "Nothing says they're worried like throwing their worst at us."
Lee stepped forward, positioning himself between the monstrous shade and the group. "We need to keep moving," he said through gritted teeth, looking over his shoulder. "Silena, get them to the next safe point. We'll hold it off here."
Nico was already moving, pulling shadows up around him like a cloak, his eyes narrowing as he studied the shade. "You think you can scare us with shadows?" he muttered, almost as if taunting it.
Silena didn't need to be told twice. She quickly ushered the others forward, giving Nico and Lee a last, fleeting look before turning her back to lead the group down a side street.
As she moved away, Nico couldn't help but feel a pang of worry for her. Despite her bravery, she wasn't a fighter in the same way he was, but she'd stepped up in ways none of them had expected.
Lee held his sword ready, his knuckles white as he glanced sideways at Nico. "So, what's the plan? Take it down quick, or…?"
Nico's mouth twisted into a dry grin. "Fast, but dramatic. Let's make sure it knows who's boss here."
The shade let out an eerie hiss, its glowing eyes narrowing as it studied the two demigods. Then, without warning, it lunged forward with unnatural speed. Lee and Nico sprang into action, sidestepping just as its claws scraped against the pavement where they'd stood seconds before.
Lee didn't waste time. He slashed his sword across one of its shadowy limbs, the celestial bronze slicing through the dark matter with a sizzle. The shade shrieked, recoiling, but Nico was already moving, pulling shadows from the ground and binding the creature's legs. It struggled, the darkness writhing around it like chains, but Nico's grip held firm.
With a fierce cry, Nico summoned a burst of energy, channeling it through his hands as he forced the shadows to compress, tightening like a vice around the shade. "You picked the wrong demigod to mess with," he said coldly, his voice barely more than a whisper.
The creature thrashed, its eyes flickering with a hint of panic. With one final push, Nico brought his hands together, and the shadows snapped, slicing through the creature as it disintegrated into a dark mist that dissolved into nothingness.
Lee let out a long breath, sheathing his sword. "Nice work," he said, looking at Nico with a new level of respect. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Nico managed a weary smirk. "Trust me, you're on the right side."
They shared a brief moment of camaraderie, a rare thing in the chaos, before Lee's eyes sharpened, glancing down the street where Silena had led the others.
"Let's catch up before anything else shows up," he said, already jogging down the alley.
Nico followed without hesitation, his thoughts a whirlwind but his heart steady. This was their world now—a world of shadow and light, of loyalty and the quiet resolve that they would make it out of this, one way or another. And no matter what the Titans threw at them, Nico knew they would be ready.
The tension in the air was thick, vibrating with the energy of a battle that felt like it could shatter reality itself. From his post, Nico could see flashes of the fight against Typhon lighting up the sky, bursts of fiery orange and blinding blue crackling like miniature explosions over Olympus. Even with Ares back at full godly strength, it looked like the Olympians were barely holding Typhon back, and Nico could feel the odds tipping with every monstrous roar Typhon let loose. The relentless barrage was pushing everyone to their limits, and the uneasy feeling that even the gods might lose was beginning to creep into his mind.
But he pushed that thought aside. He had to. Because down here, on the ground, his people needed him. Percy was off trying to convince Poseidon to abandon his own grudge match with Oceanus and lend a hand against Typhon. It was a dangerous gamble—Nico knew Oceanus could shift the balance of power in an instant if Poseidon were to retreat. But they had no choice.
As the weight of that thought settled over him, Nico felt two familiar presences step up beside him, barely noticeable except for the quick shadows that darted into his peripheral vision. Lou Ellen and Damien, his two closest friends, came to stand beside him, their expressions set and exhausted, but with a hint of relief to finally see him up close.
"Well, look who's still standing," Lou Ellen said, a smirk playing on her lips as she crossed her arms, feigning nonchalance. She had dirt smudged across her cheek, her dark hair tangled and wild, but her eyes were sharp, taking in every detail of their surroundings.
Nico gave her a wry smile. "Barely. Surprised you two haven't been blown to bits yet," he replied, his tone dry but with a glint of genuine fondness in his eyes.
"Guess we're too stubborn to go down just yet," Damien chimed in, adjusting his grip on his dagger. He was breathing heavily, and Nico could see a fresh cut on his shoulder that looked like it had only been hastily bandaged. "Though, not for lack of Kronos's trying."
Lou Ellen rolled her eyes, reaching over and giving Nico's arm a light shove. "Oh, please, it's going to take more than some apocalypse-level threat to take us out," she quipped, but there was an underlying tension in her voice that gave her away. She knew how close they'd all come to falling apart in the last few hours.
Nico glanced down, his gaze softening. "I'm glad you're here," he admitted, his voice low and edged with an honesty he usually tried to avoid. "I… it's been a lot. More than I thought."
Lou Ellen's face softened, and she moved closer, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You're doing amazing, Nico. Look around. Everyone here looks up to you. You're leading them, holding this together when most people would've run for the hills."
Damien nodded, his usual smirk replaced by a rare, genuine smile. "Honestly, I'd follow you to Tartarus and back if it came down to it. And I don't say that lightly."
Nico gave a soft, exasperated laugh, shaking his head. "Great, just what I needed, a pep talk from the least responsible demigods on the planet."
"Hey, I'll take that as a compliment," Damien said, nudging Nico in the ribs before his face grew serious. "But in all seriousness, you've kept us together. All of us. This fight might be madness, but you've given us hope. Don't downplay that."
They all fell into a comfortable silence, gazing out at the chaos around them. The sounds of distant shouts, clanging weapons, and monstrous roars filled the air, each noise a reminder of the brutal war they were entangled in. The night was painted with flashes of power, Olympian and Titan alike, casting strange, harsh shadows across the battlefield.
Nico clenched his fists, grounding himself with the familiar chill of shadows curling around his hands. "I just wish I could do more," he said, voice strained. "I'm supposed to be leading them, but it feels like we're constantly on the back foot. Like… we're surviving by sheer luck."
Lou Ellen's gaze softened as she looked at him. "You're doing everything you can. You're fighting a battle that no one else could, Nico. And sometimes, that's all that anyone can ask for."
Before Nico could reply, a sudden rumble shook the ground beneath them, making the three of them stumble. Lou Ellen and Damien instinctively braced themselves, weapons raised as they scanned their surroundings. From the direction of Olympus, they could see a particularly bright flash, illuminating the sky in an ominous shade of red.
"Typhon's getting stronger," Nico murmured, his eyes narrowing. "And we're running out of time."
Damien gritted his teeth, sheathing his dagger and turning to Nico with a look of defiance. "Then let's make the time we have count," he said, voice firm. "We're with you, Nico. No matter what happens."
A small, grateful smile tugged at the corners of Nico's mouth. It was a rare expression for him, but in that moment, it felt right. "Then let's go. If we're going down, we're not doing it quietly."
Lou Ellen smirked, her grip on her staff tightening. "Couldn't have said it better myself."
With a fierce glint in his eyes, the light giving him an eerie intensity, Nico stood atop the pile of rubble, he looked out over the ragtag army of demigods who had gathered, their faces tense with determination. He held their attention with the ease of someone who had been through hell and back, more times than he could count.
"Since when did we ever wait around for the gods to get it together?" Nico called out, his voice cutting through the chaos like steel. "Did any of you expect them to swoop in and save us? Because I sure didn't. We didn't rely on their help when we set out to fight this war, and we're not starting now."
A few murmurs rippled through the crowd, hesitant at first but growing with momentum. Nico's words sparked something deep within them—a reminder that they had chosen to be here, to fight for each other.
"So what if the Titans think they have the advantage?" Nico shouted, voice edged with a mix of irritation and pure resolve. "We have more than just numbers and strategies. We have the stuff that they can't touch—the sheer will to stand up when the world says sit down. We've got glitter bombs, tanks, ambrosia snacks, and, oh yeah, the entire Underworld on our side. They won't know what hit them."
The last line echoed out, pulling a rallying cry from the crowd that seemed to cut through the night itself. Damien and Lou Ellen exchanged looks, both of them grinning like they were ready to charge into battle, laughing at the absurdity and thrill of it all.
But just as Nico paused, catching his breath after that last, fired-up declaration, the ground shuddered beneath them with a bone-rattling quake. Loose rocks tumbled down from nearby debris piles, and the air suddenly grew thick with an unearthly chill. Shadows lengthened and deepened, taking on a palpable, almost tactile darkness.
And then, from somewhere in the darkened field, there was a gasp as a shimmering fissure split the ground open. Out of it emerged a massive black carriage, wheels forged of obsidian, drawn by horses cloaked in shadows, their hooves striking green flames into the earth with every step. The crowd parted, staring in stunned silence as the carriage moved forward, and there, seated in terrifying, otherworldly elegance, were Hades, Persephone, and Demeter.
Hades wore his usual somber expression, his gaze scanning the battlefield with a blend of disdain and intense focus, but there was something fierce in his eyes. He radiated power, the kind that could freeze an entire room solid. Persephone, resplendent in a dark gown embroidered with blood-red poppies, held her head high, the light of the flames casting her in a dramatic, haunting glow. Her gaze met Nico's for a heartbeat, a small nod of pride softening her otherwise fierce expression. Demeter looked slightly less pleased to be here, her usual warmth tinged with discomfort, but even she held an aura of fierce determination.
Lou Ellen's jaw dropped, nudging Damien with her elbow. "Dramatic much?" she whispered, grinning.
"Right?" Damien replied, wide-eyed. "And here I thought the glitter bombs were overkill."
Nico, for his part, held back a smirk, though his eyes gleamed with an unmistakable mix of pride and relief. He'd known his father was coming, but this? Hades showing up with both Persephone and Demeter in full godly regalia? Now, that was a statement.
Hades dismounted, his dark robes sweeping over the scorched earth as he approached Nico with a gaze so intense it felt like a silent conversation. He offered a nod, the subtlest gesture, but in that moment, it was as if an entire lifetime of understanding and mutual respect passed between them.
"You did well, Nico," Hades said in his deep, resonant voice, loud enough for those nearby to hear but still somehow feeling private. "You've held the line, gathered allies, and prepared to face the impossible. I am proud."
The words left Nico feeling like his heart was about to leap out of his chest, but he kept his face composed, nodding back at his father. "About time you showed up," he replied, snarky but grateful. "Wouldn't want you to miss the big finale."
A smirk played at the corners of Hades' mouth. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Persephone stepped forward, her expression softer, and placed a gentle hand on Nico's shoulder. "We're here for you. All of us," she said, her gaze shifting to the demigods around them. "You've all proven your strength in ways the gods could only dream of. Today, Olympus fights beside you."
And with that, she turned to the demigods and nodded, her gaze warm but commanding. "Let's show the Titans what it really means to face the Underworld."
Demeter raised an eyebrow, her mouth twitching into a reluctant smile. "I must say, Nico, I never thought I'd see the day when I would be joining this particular battle," she said, her tone laced with begrudging respect. "But here we are. Let's make it count."
The demigods and spirits around them seemed to straighten up, resolve flooding back into their eyes as they watched the gods—Hades, Persephone, Demeter—join them in the fray. This wasn't just a battle of demigods anymore; this was an all-out war, with both gods and mortals standing side by side.
Nico took a deep breath, looking at his father, his friends, and the legion of demigods he was leading. This was it. The culmination of everything they'd trained for, everything they'd fought to protect. And now, with the Underworld itself behind them, they had more than a fighting chance.
"Alright," Nico called out, raising his sword high as green and black shadows coiled around him. "Let's make them regret ever thinking they could take on New York."
A roar of battle cries erupted, the demigods surging forward, the flickering green flames casting eerie shadows as they charged into the night, uniting under the banner of Olympus and the Underworld.