Nico's Quest

Chapter 10

"Nice one," agreed Walt.

"Show her how it's done!" called Julian.

The only one who didn't cheer Zia on was Nico. She sneaked a glance toward him and saw that he was watching, but seemed too drained to speak. He managed to give her a tired smile, then turned his attention back to the uraei.

With Aziza's fall, the enemy seemed to be pulling back, perhaps to regroup. Zia wasn't sure if it was a trick or not, at first, and watched warily as they all retreated to the opposite edge of the roof. Then they retreated further, some using their magic to levitate them down, others using bird charms brought to life.

Julian hurried to the edge after them and watched them go. "They've gone down to join with their comrades. It looks like they're having a strategy meeting and they're not attacking the terrace anymore either."

Zia looked up and saw that the uraei had retreated with their keepers as well. She turned toward Nico again and saw him slumped against the stairwell's door, ashen-faced, sweating, and breathing heavily.

Before she could sprint toward him, Alyssa reached his side and dropped down beside him. They spoke softly, so Zia couldn't hear what they were saying, but Nico nodded to Alyssa then closed his eyes.

"One of us needs to go report this to Percy and Amos," said Walt, taking command of their little group. "Julian, do you mind?"

Julian agreed readily. "I want to hear what happened down there too."

"Get some food for us while you're down there," said Alyssa. "Something high in sugar or caffeine, or preferably both."

Julian nodded again and headed to the door. "Sorry, Nico, but you're going to have to move for a second."

"S'alright," said Nico as he drug himself away from the door.

Zia forced herself to move toward him slowly, then knelt so that she was beside him. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Nico opened his eyes and gave her a tired smile. "Yes. Just exhausted."

"I'd cast Undead Malediction on you to recharge you if I could," said Felix, suddenly at the top of the stairs, his arms laden with food in brightly packaged wrappers. Zia wasn't quite up to date with the modern world, but she was able to recognize several of the more popular candy bars, like Snickers and Hershey's, and there were some things in clear wrappers that appeared to be snack cakes. "And before you guys ask, yes, I have permission to be up here. Julian asked me to bring you guys some food and stuff. Who wants a Pepsi?"

Nico gave a very tired laugh and watched as Felix pulled apart the six pack of Pepsis. "You're awesome, Felix."

"I'm not supposed to 'linger' up here, but you guys want to know what's going on, yeah?" said Felix. "Well they sent a bunch of shabtis and some demons at the terrace, and Bast and Percy cut them down and were like, 'Fools, send us a real enemy to fight!' So the House of Life freaks sent this guy who controlled water up against them -"

"Oh, gods!" Nico choked then doubled over laughing. "Of all the people to send against Percy!"

"Yeah, seriously," agreed Felix. "That's like pitting a level one water sprite against Poseidon! Then Bast and Percy were like, 'Oh no you didn't just challenge the son of Poseidon with his own element!' And then Percy took control of the water that the guy was levitating on top of, and suddenly the water wouldn't hold him up anymore, so he went crashing down, like a barrel off Niagra falls, and then SPLASH! He hit the river! And Percy and Bast watched over the railing and waited until he came up for air and KABOOM! He dropped all the water the guy had been controlling down on top of him! It was sick!"