Pathways

29 Nico

Things are moving too fast.

Man do I need a fucking nap.

But no, now I have shadow traveled to camp Jupiter, to find my little sister because I decided to solve another one of the worlds issues.

"Hey Goldie. Its been a minute," I say, walking up behind her while she is sharpening her long sword in the armory. Other campers directed me here.

"Oh Nico!" She jumps up and drops the sword. The kid crushes me in a hug and I allow it, patting her back a bit. I only allow like, four people to touch me. Hazel is obviously one of them.

She knew I was coming, I IMed her yesterday.

"I can't stay very long, but I need some help," we sit on some benches and she goes back to her sword.

"The mist. Right. I haven't had too much experience yet. I contacted lady Hecate, she is willing to meet with you to work on the issue. Go tonight, down to Persephone's garden. I know its a lot of traveling but that seems to be a safe place. She would say what was going on but there is even talk around here of something fishy. You mind filling me in?" She gives a long explanation. Of course I have to go right back to the garden. But it makes sense, Seph and Hecate are friends, and the underworld is safe for now.

"Mortal issues bleeding into our world. We are still gathering info. I dont want to involve the camps if I can help it," I reply grimly.

These kids don't need another war.

She nods in response.

...

After dinner she sends me off and I melt my way through the ground, to the gates of my fathers domain. I always go to the gates. I pet Cerbie and hand him my dinner leftovers before running in, all the way to the garden without stopping.

Golden flowers are scattered everywhere. The place looks like an ethereal treasure box. I see Hecate instantly, sitting at a table sipping on tea. She is in the form of a teenage girl, her long black hair is braided back. She is running her hands along some white lilies that are set on the table.

I sit across from her, minding my step. You never want to step of Seph's plants, especially not the black Dahlias, trust me.

"Its good to see you again child," the goddess muses. Her dark robes and interesting jewelry are what give her away the most. She has a raven skull necklace, different types of crystals also hang from her neck and ears.

"Yeah," I never know what to say to gods or goddesses. Over the years I have learned they are pretty human.

"I see you and young Percy are forming new alliances to fight the next big thing. The Other is no easy feat. But I do understand. These mortals are probably our best bet with the gods staying away. The Other possesses a very powerful weapon. One that can kill us. Be weary," she says, pointing her long black nails at me like I'm getting a scolding.

"So we are hopelessly outmatched again?" I sigh.

"Yes. But hope is not lost. The weapon is incomplete, he will come to earth soon, I cannot say when though. I am unsure. Regardless, I have what you need, I am working to represent the mist as we speak but I have enchanted some stones for your mortal companions,"  she hands me a simple black bag, full of shiny violet stones.

"How do they work?" I question. Magic isn't my forte.

"You can hold them without activating them, hand them to the mortals and activate them by saying Vlépo. Its simple, they will grant these mortals sight. The enchantment should last as long as I allow it. Meaning they may have it as long as they need it," she explains.

"Cool. Magic rocks. Is it bad that I kind of want to eat one?" I ask. They look like purple gushers, can you blame me?

She lets out a soft laugh at that. "I must be going. Best of luck to you child. I will be in contact if I can help any further,"and in a flash, an actual flash of swirling blue and purple the goddess disappeared.

I really don't get magic.

And so I trudge my way back into the showdows, holding my breath and bouncing around until I make it back to that compound in upstate new York

Im ready to pass out when I get there, and the arguing between the adults doesn't help.

Thats when I see a newer face, one I haven't seen yet. He has long black hair thats wavy and gelled back. He wears green and black, with gold accents. He looks tired, exasperated even, and he has some weird bracelets on.

"Who's this dude?"

Aaaaaaaa

Sorry for the wait and the short update. But hey. Next chapter will be very very interesting. And you get some classic sarcastic Nico here. So please enjoy.

-LC