Talking with aphrodite

Artemis : What... No...

Aphrodite : Oh really what about your lieutenant.

Artemis : .. Please don't go-

Aphrodite : Or Athena

Athena across the room : WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT!

Shared Secrets part 8/8

This is the final part of this fic. Let me know what you think, if you have any questions or if their are any obvious grammar errors. Only part one is on here, but you can read the rest of the fic here. 

Lacy and Valentina knew something was up with Drew since she returned from New Rome. Well, Drew had been acting a bit nicer since she began talking to Reyna but this was different. Drew actually listened to their ideas and was a bit more helpful when it came to beauty tips. When either one of them asked her what was up Drew would act like nothing was wrong and add something snarky to prove it. She also would avoid talking about Reyna and hardly said her name. Valentina and Lacy were going to find out why and they needed Piper’s help.

Piper knew something had happened between Drew and Reyna since she first spoke to Reyna the day after Drew left. She seemed happier and when Piper pointed it Reyna would say there'd been less problems with the legion giving her a few more minutes to relax. Piper bought none of it but let it go until Reyna and the Legion arrived at camp. Drew would talk to Reyna briefly then disappear for hours and she knew from Reyna, Lacy and Valentina that they were close and would probably spend every spare second together if they could.

What really told Piper something was going on between them was when she found Drew  watching Reyna train. Piper understood that watching Reyna train was fascinating.She was toned, agile, and strong, and today she was wearing leggings and a sports bra which showed off just how much muscle she had. Even Piper got lost for a few seconds. Focus.

Piper turned her attention back to Drew who had scooted a bit closer. She had a small smile and her eyes were carefully taking in Reyna’s form. It reminded her, a bit, of Annabeth whom Piper had once caught watching Percy so intently that when Piper walked up behind her and asked why she had jumped and quickly answered with something along the lines of ‘for science’. The only difference was Drew was further away from Reyna than Annabeth was to Percy. Part of Piper wanted to scare Drew but decided instead to talk to Reyna.

“Hey, I thought Drew was done with the stalking?”

“She is.”

Piper looked back at Drew. Was she pouting? “Then what is she doing?”

“Watching.”

“And you’re not bothered by it?”

“Not at all. I don’t think it’s that different from when you watch me train. I know you were watching me a few seconds ago.”

Damn, she did see me. “Why do you notice everything?”

“Training. Speaking of which, can I get back to it? I'm sure we can talk more later.”

“Yeah sure.”

Piper was leaving the training grounds when Lacy approached her. “Piper, can I talk to you about something?”

“Is something wrong Lacy?”

“Yes, and no. Drew has been acting nicer than usual, and Val and I think it has something to do with Reyna because Drew used to talk about Reyna a lot, but she stopped a few months ago.”

“So Drew and Reyna are acting differently.”

“Val and I want to figure out why, but we need your help since you’re friends with Reyna.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“When Silena was cabin leader if one of us was acting weird Silena made all of us sit in a circle and we would talk about it. 

“An intervention of sorts.”

“I guess.”

“We need to get them in the cabin without them knowing what we’re doing.”

The sisters came up with a plan and began letting other siblings know to put the plan in motion. That night after the campfire, Piper would bring Reyna to her cabin for a sleepover. There she would figure out why Reyna is acting different.

A few hours later Piper and Reyna were walking together. Piper looked down and noticed something sticking out of one of the pockets on Reyna’s belt. 

“What’s that?”

“Nothing.”

“So then you can show me.”

“No. It’s not yours.”

Piper tried reaching for it only to be held back by Reyna. She tried again and again until she managed to grab it. She opened her hand and found a flower without the stem. It was made of violet tissue paper and had a chocolate in the center. Piper had crumpled many of the petals.

“A flower?”

“I told you, it’s not for you.” Reyna sounded angry, but when Piper looked up she looked sad like a grade schooler whose project was just trampled. 

“Why don’t we talk about this in my cabin. I’ll help you straighten out the petals.”

“Alright. But I’m mad at you.”

In the cabin they found many of Piper’s siblings to be inside. Piper led Reyna to a bed and handed her back the flower. 

Piper walked to Valentina and whispered “Find Lacy and Drew. Take your time but not too much.”

She walked back to Reyna and began to help her fix the problem Piper caused while muttering apologies as they worked.

Drew followed Lacy and Valentina back to their cabin. She was told one her siblings was having a fashion emergency and Drew needed to settle a debate. Drew was happy to help her siblings look their best. After all she was very fashionable, but when she entered the cabin she was concerned. Her reine was sitting on a bed and siblings were nearby prepared for a gossip session.

“Reyna. What are you doing here.”

“They said I couldn’t leave, and I didn’t feel like fighting.”

“What’s going on between you two?”

“You knew about this, Dear.”

Lacy smiled. “I know you could have predicted this would happen. You’ve been acting different for months.”

“If it’s any consolation,” Piper added. “Reyna has been acting a bit different.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, please. Reyna, you’ve been happier. I love that for you, but you go from talking about where you took Drew to avoiding talking about what actually happened. And the flower.”

“Flower?”

Reyna held out the paper craft. And Drew’s eyes went wide.

“You remembered?”

“Of course. You said any accomplishment deserves to be celebrated.”

“I did.” Drew examined the flower noting the wrinkled petals and knowing Reyna wouldn’t be so careless. “Okay, which one of you messed up the petals.”

“That would be Piper.”

Drew narrowed her eyes. 

“She did help make it better.”

“It is beautiful.” Drew sat next to Reyna. “So tell me, how many times did you have make this.”

“Six I think.”

“Okay before you two get really cute we need the whole story,” One of Drew brothers said.

“I’m guessing we’re not getting out of this.”

“Absolutely not, Drew.”

“Alright. Where do you want me to start.”

“Your trip to New Rome in February.” 

Drew nodded and began with when Nico dropped her off. She told the story with as much detail as she could remember. Over time she began to get closer to Reyna. It started with holding hands. Drew reached for Reyna, stopping just short of her hand. Reyna met her the rest of the way. Then Reyna had her arm around Drew. Finally, Drew ended up sitting between Reyna’s legs with her hands resting over her girlfriends on her stomach. Drew made it through the last four months. Their first kiss, letters after Drew left, and Drew’s nickname for Reyna (Reine).

Reyna give her input now and then either correcting Drew on some details or adding something Drew missed. Other than that she remained quiet, content with holding Drew. 

And the entire Aphrodite cabin was happy for them. As Drew told the story they all listened carefully with occasional “Aw”.  Piper and a few others asked Reyna questions through out the story that she answered.

“So it’s your anniversary. And you need a date. Or do you already have something planned?

“We can help with it.”

“What do you have in mind?”

Different siblings began to give their ideas. “There’s the beach.”

“Oo. the beach. Dinner under the stars.”

“Or you can leave for dinner and sneak back in later.”

“Or the Artemis cabin. No one is ever in there. And I don’t think she’ll mind.”

“Or here. We can make this place look nice.”

“Either way we can cover for you.”

“I think we’re going to let go of the beach. What do you think, Reine?”

“It was the first date and the trip to Oakland. I don’t mind where we go as long as I get to spend time with you.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. You know, you planned all the last activities, let me plan this one?”

“Of course.”

“How about here, for dinner?”

“Alright, but there is one problem with that. How are we supposed to get food in here?” Lacy asked.

“The tent the Hunters gave me contains fresh fruits, always. I can leave it here for a bit.”

“I might be able to get some other things, and we can always pick up meals.”

“There should be snacks in the camp store and if not, Will keeps some snacks in the med bay,” Drew added. 

“We’ll figure it out. You two do whatever you think you need to,” Lacy said.

About two hours later just before the cabin went to the mess hall Valentina and Piper led Reyna and Drew back to their cabin. The entire cabin had done a great job of making the place date worthy. They laid out a few soft blankets on the floor with a tray of assorted fruits and what looked like chicken and mac n cheese. Candles were laid out at various points of the cabin and at some point incense were burning making the cabin smell like roses. 

Drew’s siblings bust into a collection of voices asking if they liked it, hopes that they have fun (but not too much as a brother had said). Drew gave many of them hugs as they left. Reyna gave Piper a thank you and told Aurum and Argentum to move to the side.

Reyna and Drew sat next to each other sharing the bowl of chicken mac n cheese. They talked and had a good time. Even Aurum and Argentum were relaxed laying on the edges of the blanket. Drew kept the flower Reyna made her admiring it in the light. She never had anyone she dated before make her something. 

“I got you something too.” Drew placed a wrapped package in front of Reyna.

“What is it?”

“You’ll have to open it, ma reine.”

Reyna did. It was the Wonder Woman comic Reyna wanted to read, but she hadn’t found the time to go to buy it. “Thank you mi amor. How did you know this was the one I needed?”

“You told me which one you were reading in your letters, so I did a bit of math to figure out how long it would take you to read a book and guessed which one you would be on. Then you told me you couldn’t find the time to go buy it so I did and hopped you didn’t.”

“You did math?”

“You know, I’m actually fairly good at math.”

“I’m sure you are.”

They were both silent for a few seconds. 

“Reine.”

“Yes, mi amor.”

“Tu es mon amour.”

“Lo sé, tú también eres mi amor. I’m glad you said it though.”

“How much French do you know.”

“Only the parts that sound like Spanish.”

“Wanna learn more?” Drew asked leaning closer.

“I’m sure I can.” Reyna said meeting Drew’s lips. “How good of a teacher are you?”

“Don’t know, I’ve never taught anyone before.”

“I guess we’ll find out.”

The cabin members returned to find Reyna holding Drew whispering in her ear, making the asian laugh. Her gold and silver dogs were curled up nearby. All of Drew’s siblings found it adorable and very domestic of their sister.

“Was your date good?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Piper, Lacy, Valentina, and others joined them on the floor. 

“You guys are adorable.”

“Thanks.”

“We’re always happy to help.”

“A few wondered where you were at dinner. I told Frank that you were taking a nap and not to bother you unless he wanted to clean the stables.”

“Thank you, Piper.”

“Seriously, though, Drew? Of all the people you could have dated.”

“Hey!”

“She can be nice. She’s smart too.”

“I can be nice to everyone but you.”

“Does that mean I can be rude to you?”

“Nope. My girlfriend might beat you up.”

“Will not.”

“Aw why not?”

“Don’t get into a fight that isn’t necessary.”

“Not even because someone is bullying your girlfriend.”

“Drew, amor, Piper only picks a fight with you because you sassed her first. And you’re both stubborn.”

“Am not!” protested the sisters.

They let go of their petty argument fairly quickly letting the cabin dissolve into chatter about the day filling Drew in on what she missed during her date until they all decided to go to bed.

Reyna laid down first holding up the blanket for Drew who settled in pressed against Reyna. The blanket covered both of them and Reyna put her arm around Drew providing enough support so she wouldn’t fall off of the twin mattress. Reyna fell asleep with the faint smell of hibiscus and cinnamon hitting her nose.

In the morning she woke to voices saying she and Drew looked so cute,  “I didn’t know Drew could sleep so long,” “They look so peaceful,” and “should we wake them?” Reyna sat up carefully causing a few of Drew’s siblings to jump. 

Everyone quickly recovered. Reyna slipped on her boots, Drew got ready for the day, and as others finished getting ready for the day they chatted on their beds waiting for everyone to be ready to go to the mess hall. 

At the mess hall Reyna went to check on Frank before heading to the Aphrodite table. 

“Everything went well last night?” “Yes. Where were you last night? Piper said you were taking a nap?”

“I was tired.”

“Is that- are you wearing Drew’s perfume?”

“I slept in the Aphrodite cabin. Perfume is the smell of the place.”

“Okay.” Frank said. He wasn’t sure whether or not to believe it.

Drew reached for Reyna’s hand as soon as the teen sat down. She held it the entire time she was eating and sat a bit closer no longer concerned with her siblings finding out. Part of her loved the idea of sharing this with them, but when it was a secret it was fun too. Though finding them to be so supportive reminded her of the way the cabin was when Silena was cabin leader, and that was something Drew found to be amazing.

Later that day everyone gathered in the arena to settle the debate over which camp was better. They were going to select one person from each camp to run in a foot race. Campers on both sides were trying to decide who should go. Aries and Mars cabin members challenged each other for the spot and the rest looked between their cabin leaders and their cabin or their Praetors and their friends. 

“Alright, that’s enough,” Reyna yelled. “I’ll do it.”

Every one fell silent. Who ever Camp Half Blood chose would be up against the Praetor. Annabeth began whispering to the other cabin leaders and others began talking once more. 

A voice cut through the noise. “I can do it.”

Everyone turned to the direction of the person’s voice. Members of the Aphrodite cabin moved out of the way revealing Drew as the source. “I can do it.” 

“Drew, no offence, but this isn’t the time.” Annabeth said.

“Annabeth, Drew is a fast runner.” Will said. 

“I was invited to join my school’s track team.”

“I’ve never seen anyone faster. She helped me out during the war running supplies to others in my cabin and bringing the injured out of the battlefield.”

The cabin leaders whispered to each other once again until Clarisse spoke up. “Some one in the Aphrodite Cabin used to go on runs with Silena. Silena said they often beat her in races. And anyone who knew Silena knows she was the fastest on her school's team. Was that you, Tanaka.”

“Yes.”

“Alright,” Annabeth said. “You can run. You and Reyna change into appropriate clothes and meet back here in five. We’ll set up.”

Five minutes later Reyna and Drew showed up in proper running shoes. Reyna wore grey joggers and a matching crop top. Drew wore black leggings that transitioned to pink and a matching pink sports bra. Frank handed Reyna Camp Jupiter tank top while Piper handed Drew a similarly designed Camp Half blood tank top.

In five minutes campers smoothed out the arena’s dirt track and added the line that would serve as the start and finish line. The two racers were lined up toes touching the line. 

“I hope you two at least stretched before this.” Will said.

“Okay,” Clarisse began. “At the sound of the flare gun you two will run to prove which camp is better.”

Leo looked excited as he stepped up holding the flare gun. Where he got it no one knew. “Alright, people count down with me.”

“On your mark!”

“Get set!”

“GO!” 

Reyna and Drew took off. Campers yelled encouragement. As Reyna and Drew approached the first curve they appeared to be teasing each other. One would speed up making the other follow. Then they would slow down briefly. Camp Half blood (and anyone who missed Reyna and Drew’s run in February) were shocked that Drew was keeping up with Reyna. 

As they approached the second curve Drew began to sprint. Reyna cursed and followed. They kept getting just a step ahead of the other. Just steps before the finish line Drew tripped just barely catching Reyna’s foot taking Reyna down with her.  

They both crossed the finish line. 

Reyna laughed and asked Drew if she was okay. 

“Yeah, I’m fine. You?”

“I am.”

Drew kissed Reyna. They could hear the people freaking out around them. When Drew pulled away Reyna whispered “I think everyone knows. Reyna stood up. She felt a bit of pain in her ankle, but she could put her weight on it without much problem. She offered Drew her hand and pulled her girlfriend to her feet. 

Drew winced and moved to balance on her toes on her foot. “Does your ankle hurt this much?”

“No, not really.”

“How long have you two been together, Reyna?” Annabeth asked at the same Will said, “What the hell, Drew. I thought we were friends. You’re supposed to tell me these things.”

“Sorry, Sweetheart.”

“Not long.”

“You two hurt?”

“Nothing I can’t handle, Will.”

“I’m alright, Hon.”

“Damn, Tanaka. You were holding out on me.”

“I am not being your target so you can practice your aim.”

“Since you crossed the finish line together it means both camps are equals.” Frank said.

Shortly after everyone left returning to their usual routines leaving Drew, Reyna and much of the Aphrodite cabin  in the arena. 

“I think I need a nap, Reine.”

“Then let's head to your cabin.”

They began slowly walking. They didn't make it very far. Drew’s ankle hurt more than expected. Reyna rolled her eyes and offered to carry Drew. She accepted. It was fine until they were about 100 meters from the cabin. Turns out Reyna’s ankle did not like the extra weight it was supporting, but Reyna pushed through. 

Drew was placed on her bed, and Piper- who stopped to see Will- offered them ice packs. Drew and Reyna sat next to each other on Drew’s bed elevating their ankles and icing them. Reyna offered Drew some of her water mixed with lemon and unicorn draught. 

After a few moments Drew placed her hand on the center of Reyna’s chest. “Can I lay here?”

“Yeah.”

Drew patted Reyna’s arm. “Up.”

Reyna listened and adjusted her position to accommodate Drew. Once Drew was settled Reyna returned ro reading her new comic book. She went to turn the page when Drew stopped her. “I’m not finished reading yet.”

They read the story together. Drew asked Reyna frequent questions and Reyna was more than happy to answer them. Drew loved how excited Reyna sounded talking about the particular comic series but also related facts. She continued to ask questions, grateful that Reyna didn’t tell her to stop talking. She looked over at the bunk that used to be Silena’s and smiled remembering one of the many nights when they were younger where Silena told her that love could be found in even the simplest of things, and Drew believed it.

P I C K (S)  O F  T H E  M O N T H: D E C E M B E R

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

Wild Embers by Nikita Gill

Hotshot Doc by R.S. Grey

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, History

Synopsis:

The Greek myths are the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney. They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. In Stephen Fry's hands the stories of the titans and gods become a brilliantly entertaining account of ribaldry and revelry, warfare and worship, debauchery, love affairs and life lessons, slayings and suicides, triumphs and tragedies. You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis. Thoroughly spellbinding, informative and moving, Stephen Fry's Mythos perfectly captures these stories for the modern age - in all their rich and deeply human relevance.

Why we love it:

modern retelling of the Greek Myths

a wide range of some of the best stories told with Fry’s humour, wit and intelligence

an entertaining read

this book will fulfill anyone’s curiosity about the Greek Myths

Stephen Fry is a wonderful narrator and would highly recommend the audio version of this book

Trigger warnings: n/a

Luna and the Lie by Mariana Zapata

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

The problem with secrets is that they’re too easy to keep collecting. Luna Allen has done some things she would rather no one ever know about. She also knows that, if she could go back in time, she wouldn’t change a single thing. With three sisters she loves, a job she (mostly) adores, and a family built up of friends she’s made over the years, Luna figures everything has worked out the way it was supposed to. But when one of those secrets involves the man who signs her paycheck, she can’t find it in her to regret it. Despite the fact that he’s not the friendliest man in the world. Or the most patient. Sometimes there are things you’re better off keeping to yourself.

Why we love it:

Zapata manages to capture the readers attention with her beautiful writing and fleshed out characters that you really do come to appreciate this well earned romantic ending

boss/employee romance trope

age-gap

family dramas

addictive angsty romance

Zapata is the queen of slow burn romance

Trigger warnings: past family abuse

Wild Embers by Nikita Gill

Genres: Poetry, Feminism, Nonfiction

Synopsis:

They have lightning in their souls, thunder in their hearts, chaos in their bones. Nikita Gill's poetry has captured hearts and minds all over the world; her inspirational words have been shared hundreds of thousands of times online, been plastered across placards on international women's marches and even transformed into tattoos. This collection will showcase mostly unseen poetry and prose, delving into ideas about passion, identity, empowerment and femininity.

Why we love it:

emotional journey

a tribute to female power, strength, self-love and empowerment

left with feelings of  being lifted up, consoled, reassured, moved and understood after finishing it

written in an interesting way, with spot-on analogies, simple, short lines that cut to the point, fairy tales retellings and praises to mythical goddesses

Trigger warnings: rape, mental and physical abuse, bullying, mental illness

Hotshot Doc by R.S. Grey

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Synopsis: Dr. Russell has a bad reputation around our hospital. The scrub techs say he’s cold-blooded, the nurses say he’s too cocky for his own good, and the residents say he’s the best surgeon in the world—really, just a swell guy!—on the off chance he’s within earshot. I try to avoid him and his temper at all costs. It’s just as easy to admire his sexy, grip-it-while-he’s ravishing-you hair and chiseled jaw from a healthy distance, preferably from the other end of the hallway half-hidden behind a plant. Unfortunately, my plan crumbles when my trusty ol’ boss decides to swap his white coat for a Hawaiian shirt. His retirement leaves me with two terrible options: switch specialties and spend months retraining, or take an open position as Dr. Russell’s surgical assistant. That means I have to stand near him in the OR for hours on end and anticipate his every need without letting his biting words and bad attitude intimidate me. Oh, and as if that’s not difficult enough, my silly crush on him—the one I’ve tried to stomp on until it disappears—might just be reciprocated. It’s fine. I’m fine. I take my job seriously. There will be no smoldering bedroom eyes across the operating table, no angry almost-kisses in the storage closet. (Well, no more of those.) What’s the phrase? An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Maybe I should go for a whole damn bushel.

Why we love it:

funny characters and cute banter (when they’re not arguing!)

enemies to lovers trope

side characters that are interesting

good development of the story

lovely relationship between Bailey and her sister

Grey’s Anatomy vibe

Trigger warnings: n/a

Nightwing x Reader: Mockingbird’s Betrayal (Part Two)

Summary: Black Canary and Green Arrow returned to the Cave emotionally and physically wounded after confronting Mockingbird, and losing. All Mockingbird could think about was revenge. After they were betrayed, the team lived in hidden fear. But Nightwing found her. He soothed Mockingbird’s corrupted mind, gave her a chance to escape the darkness consuming her, but she decided to disappear. Chaos had calmed, fear of Mockingbird’s wrath dissolved, everything was (almost) back to normal… Until Dinah brings a new addition to the team, and with it comes an unwelcome change.

And Mockingbird never stays away for long.

Word Count: 3881…

Warnings: Mockingbird is a warning all on her own to be honest, angsty

A/n: I was going to write this later, but I’ve been teasing you guys enough with spoilers/hints/a mood board, and it’s in high demand. Without further ado, here is the second installment of Mockingbird’s Betrayal!

Part One

“No…” Nightwing whispered and he took a step back. “She couldn’t…” Just like you knew it would, his heart shattered to bits. He expected you to simply leave the team, maybe with some bitter words, but this?

The whole mountain was completely silent and no one dared to breathe a word. Tension was rising, and some fear lay beneath it. Green Arrow and Black Canary were swiftly taken to the med bay for treatment, and even after the three older teammates returned to the Mission Room, nothing  was said. 

It took Nightwing a few moments more to process it, and then to realize. He didn’t know how bad your treatment was and how much it hurt you. At first, he was numb. The thought rolled around in his head, and then fury

Nightwing’s reaction was unexpected, but he had every right to be enraged. He whirled around to face his team, and his expression was frightening. “Was it really that impossible for you guys to show some respect and take responsibility for your mistakes?” His voice was frighteningly calm and level. “Is this what you wanted? To drive out a teammate, a founder of this team, one of our most important members, a close friend to some of us?”

“We didn’t think this was going to-”

“It doesn’t matter what you thought!” Conner growled. He knew very little of their disrespectful behavior, but he was definitely not part of it. “Mockingbird didn’t deserve that! Now she’s gone and you’ve put all of us in danger!” It had been a long time since Conner was this angry. You wouldn’t be surprised if some of his anger would eventually be directed at you.

“I don’t even want to hear an explanation. There is no valid explanation for you to give, anyway.” Nightwing said coldly.

His exterior was rock hard, but he was just so broken and wrecked inside. He wanted to cry, but he couldn’t. At least, not in front of everyone. Nightwing fell in love with you, and now you were gone and against him. You were one hell of a force to be reckoned with, and if it came down to it, he wouldn’t be able to hurt you. He wouldn’t fight back. Hell, he’d let you beat him bloody instead of hurting you.

But I wasn’t his choice to make. If it was an order, he would have to.

Telling Wally was hard. The moment the words left Dick’s mouth, Wally yelled and said he was lying. Mockingbird wouldn’t do that; (Y/n) (L/n) wouldn’t ever do that, right? He had known you for years. You put your life and blood and dedication into that team from the very beginning. When it finally sunk in, Wally didn’t know who to be the most angry at. You, or the team.

Contacting Kaldur and Artemis was a problem all on its own, but giving the actual news to them was even worse. Artemis was completely destroyed. Her best friend turned her back on the team she once loved so much, the team she grew up with as Mockingbird. There was no real Mockingbird left, anymore. Just an empty shell filled with a burning hatred that lacked your heart and soul.

It left Kaldur numb. What had pushed you so far to betray your friends? Your family? It was hard to make Kaldur angry, but the whole tragedy made him furious. It was hard to contain it, seeing as how he and Artemis were undercover on Black Manta’s ship. Their undercover mission was something you didn’t know about. But if you were to ever find out…

The first interference you made was difficult. Conner was only there to make sure Arsenal wouldn’t take it too far in case they encountered you. Otherwise, Conner wasn’t part of the original plan that you analyzed.

You hesitated. After the younger four (Arsenal, Blue Beetle, Impulse, and Wonder Girl) were downed, you hesitated to hurt Conner. He never hurt you like the others did.

You pulled your fist back to punch Conner, a small chunk of Kryptonite hidden in your palm, but you stopped the second you saw his blue eyes. You were there when he came out of his pod in Cadmus; granted, he tried to kill you at first, but the respect you formed eventually morphed into a friendship.

“Mockingbird, please!” Conner pleaded. “This isn’t you! You aren’t thinking straight!”

Your heart thudded in your chest. “This is me, Conner! I’m not coming back!” You tried to swing at him, but a small part of you stopped the action. Were you truly willing to assault your friend with Kryptonite?

‘He’s not your friend anymore!’

Your startling red eyes, wherever those came from, snapped over to Arsenal when he yelled, “Traitor!” He directed his weaponized arm in your direction, and any sort of connection with Conner you felt snapped.

The last thing Conner saw was the green glow of Kryptonite in your fist before it collided with his face.

You were in your hideout, which you turned into your own cave with all of the advanced tech you still had, built, and secretly retrieved from your old room in Mount Justice. You wished you could have stuck around to see their horrified faces when they came to clean or your room.

The new cave you called your own was in the basement of your childhood home. The house itself was in very poor condition. The roof leaked, there was mold everywhere, some rats scampered here and there, and the whole thing was ready to collapse at any given time. It hadn’t been inhabited for twelve years, until now.

About two years ago, in order to work on concealing more of your identity, you erased the address and location of your very old house. It wasn’t an extravagant house in the slightest; no one would usually want it by looking at it from the outside, and it blended in quite well with the other few abandoned homes around it. Not even Dinah remembered where your original home was located.

You silently thanked past you as you finished stringing a chunk of Kryptonite onto a necklace. Easier to keep it there than to have to dig through your pocket for when you need it.

Fortunately, you felt safe enough to rest; you needed it. Just because you became a villain, and got more powerful, didn’t mean you had no need to sleep. If anything, sleep was crucial at this point in time.

You put your feet up on the desk/console and leaned back in your chair, taking a deep breath and exhale. Your eyes slowly closed and you tried to relax… But you couldn’t. Before you could fall asleep, a nightmare attacked you. Something, no, someone attacked you. You let your mental walls down when you calmed, and that was a mistake.

You sat there for a few fleeting moments, and then you snarled. You felt her; you knew who it was. And it made you furious.

“Get out of my head, M’orzz!” Your shout was heard out loud and in your head, and you shoved her out.

M’gann felt like something snapped in her head, and it was horrendously painful on her end. She clutched her head and let out a pained scream, and she fell to her knees. Back when you were on the team, if you didn’t want her in your head, you’d either ask her to stop or you’d gently push her out. But this time, it was violent and uncaring.

Conner immediately knelt down to help her, easily irritating La’gaan, but he didn’t care. “What did you see? Do you know where she is?”

Tears were gathering in M’gann’s eyes, but she still had the strength to speak. “I saw that she was in a basement with computers, but not where it was. I saw her nightmares, they were awful, and I felt how angry she was. She’s hurt and enraged… because of us.”

M’gann felt like she was also to blame for your betrayal, but in reality, she hadn’t done anything to hurt you in the slightest. But they all had some idea, no matter how small it was, about what was going on behind the scenes.

“And I get that, but did she really have go so far as betraying us!? Beating Black Canary and Green Arrow until they’re bleeding!?” La’gaan shouted.

An angry growl rumbled in Conner’s chest. “Nightwing told me all about how you and the others acted towards her, disrespected her, and ignored her orders. She regularly took the heat for everyone’s mistakes, when you were the ones who should have taken responsibilities for your actions.” Conner gently helped M’gann back to her feet. “So until one of you gives a valid and acceptable reason for your behavior, think very hard before you put all of the blame on Mockingbird.”

The young Kryptonian knew he should be angry with you. He should be hating you and wanting to hunt you down. But it wasn’t your fault. The actions against you triggered your anger, and it led to something more because of it. They made you feel unwanted, useless, and unappreciated. You were a hero you greatly deserved respect, but you got the exact opposite instead. That was what made Conner angry.

Meanwhile, Dick sat on his bed in his apartment with his face in his hands. Hunched over and with his elbows on his knees to support himself, he was desperately trying to choke down tears. He missed you. He loved you, but now you were gone and against him.

“I should have tried harder.” Dick mumbled. “I should have gotten them to stop. This is my fault.”

He’d been so absorbed in his guilt that he didn’t notice the open window, nor did he see the woman sitting on the edge of it. You figured you would pay him a visit; you were ticked that he had M’gann get into your head, and you would fight him if you were provoked, but a part of you missed him.

“No, it isn’t.” Your smooth voice shocked him and he all but flew off the bed, snatching his escrima sticks from his nightstand.

The urge to cry didn’t disappear as Dick looked at you sitting there. His heart cracked again when he saw your red eyes, but it didn’t make him care for you any less.

“What are you doing here, Mockingbird?” Dick’s voice was weak and his grip on his escrima sticks was loose. He didn’t want to lay a harmful finger on you.

“M’gann got into my head for a bit today. Not too happy about it, honestly.” You toyed with the knife in your hand, flipping it between your fingers without a single cut. “I came to chat about it, if that’s alright with you.” The grin on your face would have scared most others, but Dick wasn’t affected at all.

His blue eyes stared into your own and your heart stuttered. “I didn’t know that happened. I didn’t instruct anyone to do that.” Dick sounded like a broken man. But judging from how distraught and wrecked he was, he might as well be one. “I’m sorry.”

“Now you’re sounding like me; apologizing for something you didn’t do.” You jumped through the window and stalked over to him. You still had the throwing knife in your hand, but you didn’t see any fear in his eyes. You weren’t surprised. “I should be furious for you not trying hard enough, but they wouldn’t have stopped anyway. Not without severe consequences.”

Dick tossed the escrima sticks back onto his nightstand and you noticed the dark rings under his eyes. Did your turn really affect him that much? An inkling of guilt touched your heart and you winced.

“It’s not the same without you. I’m not the same without you.” Dick sat back on his bed and he stared at the floor. “I’m supposed to detain you, but I can’t bring myself to fight you, (Y/n).”

The use of your name somehow calmed you a bit, but you were confused. “And why is that? You’ve never hesitated in sparring before; that was always fun.”

“This isn’t sparring, (Y/n)!” Dick exclaimed loudly and you raised an eyebrow. “It’s because I love you, damn it! I can’t bring myself to fight against you, instead of with you.”

His confession was so powerful and meaningful and full of truth, it almost knocked the wind out of you. You took a small step back and Dick swore he saw your red irises dull a smidge. “What…?” You whispered, not trusting your voice.

Your mind was screaming at you to stop being weak and beat him to a pulp, but your heart took over for the first time.

“I love you, (Y/n). I didn’t tell when I should have and now you-”

You moved faster than he thought you could. You sat down next to him and kissed him, something you’ve wanted to do for years. Dick’s lips were soft against yours, and you giggled when he jumped in surprise. It felt like he drained all of the anger out of you; he was your life preserver.

Not long after, he wrapped an arm around you and put the other hand on your cheek. Dick was torn, He was kissing the woman he loved, but also the woman he was supposed to take in. This could be considered treason. His head said no, but his heart said ‘fuck it’. Dick let out a soft, heavenly sigh as the love you both had for each other surged through his veins. 

Before it could go further, you slowly pulled away and put your forehead against his. Neither of you were going to smile. Tears were welling in his blue eyes and your own. The red shade had almost disappeared, but you knew it wouldn’t last long.

“Come back to me…” Dick’s voice was cracked and shattered, pleading for you to be, well… you again. “Please.”

“I wish I could… But I can’t.” You said solemnly. You then whimpered, and it took only seconds for Dick to discover why; your eyes let him see the battle you waged against your mind. “No matter what I do, they wouldn’t accept me. They wouldn’t let me join the team again, not after what I’ve done,” You pulled away completely and you got back to your feet, and Dick stood just as fast. “And do you really think anything would change? With how they act towards me? I’m dangerous! I’m barely in control anymore.”

Your words proved to be true as the red in your eyes flickered occasionally. “You don’t have to join the team. You can stay here, with me. We can patrol Bludhaven like I do every night.”

“I’ll come back when everything is okay again, alright?” You jumped toward the window you came in, and Dick’s cry broke your heart.

“Don’t leave again, please.” The tears he held back fell down his cheeks. “I can’t watch you leave again-!” He stood in front of you as a sob threatened to escape him. Dick put his hands on your cheeks in a desperate attempt to get you to stay, to change your mind.

You put your hands over his bigger ones as the red ever so slowly took over the (e/c). You refused to give into the bad before you left, so you did the first thing that came to mind. “What I’m about to do next is because I love you, okay?” You blinked away a final tear.

Dick slowly nodded, having no clue what your next move was.

You took a deep breath, and before Dick could move a muscle, you threw a mean uppercut to his jaw. He was out before he could blink, and you cringed when his heavy body fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Nightwing felt how hard your punches were for at least a week after you were last seen. No one spotted Mockingbird anywhere. You flew off the grid. You took your cave with you, wherever you ended up going, and no one, absolutely no one, could find you. Every scan for your life signature, all over the world, came back negative. 

Were you dead? Many people thought yes, but then again, many people thought no. Did you give up the life of Mockingbird? Not a chance. Were you ever coming back? No one knew. 

But Mockingbird never stays away for long.

“It’s been only four months, Dinah!” Oliver hissed quietly so no one else could hear. Well, Conner could, and he ignored it to the best of his ability, but he agreed with him. “We don’t even know if (Y/n) is dead! Do you really want to take that chance!? The moment she finds out that you replaced her and named Avia ‘Mockingbird’, who knows what she’ll-”

“(Y/n) has clearly lost interest in us, or is dead. There shouldn’t be anything to worry about.” Dinah said coldly as she watched Avia interact with the team. “Face it. (Y/n) is never coming back. Someone has to take her place.”

As another teenager, they accepted her quite well. It’s the Mockingbird part that put them a little on edge. Hell, they straight up didn’t like it. The older members thought it was a horrible idea; the chances that you were dead or gone for good were very, very slim.

And why call Avia ‘Mockingbird’ when she has no powers, let alone mocking abilities. It didn’t make sense to them, but it was Dinah’s decision and the team wasn’t allowed to give any input. Dinah changed you and you changed her.

Avia Marshall was a short thirteen-year-old girl Black Canary found on the streets. Avia wasn’t all skin and bones and not weak either, and she showed great promise with her skills and morals. She knew of the previous Mockingbird, and that you betrayed the team, but she wasn’t told the truth as to why. Dinah and the others simply said that you went rogue because you were power-hungry and that your anger was uncontrollable. It was a blatant lie, but Avia didn’t know that… yet.

Avia asked Nightwing about you. She wanted to know more about her predecessor, but he refused to talk about you. She connected the dots and concluded that he was in love with you before you double-crossed them. Nightwing wasn’t in on the lie, either. Ever since you kissed him and knocked him out, he barely breathed a word about you to anyone. Not even Wally.

The second Mockingbird looked down at the symbol on her chest and wondered about you. Avia knew that she wouldn’t be able to and just the urge to do so would be bad, but she wanted to meet you. Despite knowing that you were extremely dangerous and most likely still alive somewhere, she wanted to know who (Y/n) (L/n) truly was.

Avia was a curious teenage girl, and to pass the time, she explored almost every room she could access in Mount Justice. Like you, she was also rather skilled in breaking into things, and somewhat good at breaking out, but not nearly as good as you.

She quietly shuffled through the library, looking over everything she could possibly see. Avia liked libraries; they’re peaceful, quiet, and books were everywhere. There was a small desk and chair in the very back corner of the library, and it was pretty much personalized, like an office cubicle.

A thick layer of dust coated the entire thing, so she blew away all the dust with a few strong puffs. The dust made her sneeze, but she continued to search through the various items that were neatly placed.

In a drawer, there was a tablet Avia had never seen before; obviously built by hand, but it was so much more advanced than modern-day devices. The other drawer had a decent-sized stack of file folders, all of them labeled ‘Case Closed’ and ‘The Doctor’. She made a mental note to read them later.

The lamp off to the side still worked, and at this point, it seemed like the desk hadn’t been used in a couple years. In the top middle of the desk stood a small picture frame. Avia perked up and quickly snatched the picture frame from its spot, blowing away more dust in the process.

It was a small collage of pictures taken over the years. One was a picture of you and the team when it first started, and the other pictures were taken as time passed. It was obvious that you and Robin/Nightwing grew closer and closer. You two went from standing as far apart as possible to him having an arm around your waist paired with two giant grins. Some team members came and went, but you two were always there

The Mockingbird symbol easily helped Avia pick you out from the group of people. You looked so happy, overjoyed to be with your believed team, but things were so very different now. You didn’t look like the kind of person to betray your family for more power, not one bit. Just holding the picture in her hand had Avia suspecting that you weren’t as power-hungry as you were said to be.

~Two Months Later~

You sat in the basement of a cozy cabin hidden deep in the forests of northern Minnesota. The computers were on and running, but you were pretty much just watching TV. One monitor played the news, another played a soap opera that you muted out of spite, and another played a nature documentary on wild birds.

Multiple smaller monitors showed live footage of the expertly hidden security cameras around the perimeter, and the only activity you’d seen for weeks was a herd of deer that frequented the area.

You scoffed at the soap opera monitor and finally turned it off in disgust. “More dramatic than high school…” you grumbled.

However, your eyes landed on the news and the live recording made you slam your hand down on the metal table in rage. There stood your team, fighting Black Manta on the coast of California, but that’s not what made you angry. There was a new girl on the team…

And she was wearing your old suit.

All forms of entertainment, except for the news, disappeared as you fingers flew across the keyboard. The only sound was the rapid tapping of the keys as you effortlessly hacked into Mount Justice’s systems, something you hadn’t done for at least six months.

Sure enough, Black Canary’s new protégé, Avia Marshall, held the mantle you never gave away in the first place. You were angry, you were hurt, and you were very upset. You were getting better. You were gaining more and more control over your mind and your emotions. But now that you found out, all of your hard work went to waste.

You looked over to the big glass case that perfectly displayed your Mockingbird uniform. Your reflection showed your eyes that weren’t (e/c) anymore. They were red again.

‘It’s time to put it back on. It’s time to go back home.’

Ace Of Clubs

For the dear and super patient @kawereen, who not only graced me with my some amazing comics and pictures about my Demetra, but also makes this fandom a funnier, brighter place thanks to her art! I strongly suggest you to check her work, because it’s seriously amazing!

Cullen Rutherford X Artemis Trevelyan

Artemis shook her head, exasperated. Sera showed her thousands of times how to do that damned thing. The young elf repeated the instructions day after day, while they were travelling through the Emerald Graves, mercifully sparing her jokes – at least, the lewdest ones. Artemis had thought it would be easy and funny making a flower crown for Cullen, once back in Skyhold, and she tried to learn standing around the fire even when the others were soundly sleeping in their tents. When they had seen Skyhold fortress at the horizon at the end of their journey, Artemis was sure she had mastered the art of making flower crowns. Yes, maybe her first tries hadn't been a complete success, she grimaced remembering Cole's worried voice about her work - Too forceful, she grabs and pulls, but her fingers don't listen and the flowers are in the wrong place. They are not happy to be wasted - but surely all her training had improved her abilities. She had giggled, imagining her Commander with that particular crown on that beautiful head of his. A true prince from the fairytales, she had smiled playing with the coin she always wore under her shirt, the thought keeping her company during the return travel. But now, with blossomed embrium and crumpled crystal grace on her lap, sitting alone under the gazebo in Skyhold's garden, she wasn't sure she had had a great idea. 

“Ok, just one more.” she sighed to herself, sticking her tongue out in the effort to do all the passages in the right way. Sera's voice was clear in her mind, repeating all the steps together: pick a flower, turn it making a circle, tie it, now pick another, pass it through... “Oh, Maker have mercy!” she roared, when her work started to untie once again. Ignoring the two or three guests who were shooting her perplexed glares, Artemis stared at the petals and broken leaves spread on the ground around her feet. The Inquisitor let herself fall on the grass, trying to save at least some of them. It wasn't going to work, she groaned, pressing her back against the wall of the gazebo, realizing it wasn't very much she could save. She rubbed her eyes, furious. It wasn't just the fact that she wasn't abale to do such a simple thing as a crown flower. No, what truly bothered her was that she wasn't going to give one to Cullen. Artemis bit her lip. She had already painted the entire scene in her mind. He'd surely protested it was a silly thing, but he'd let put the crown on his head and they'd have a laughter together. She sniffed. She wanted to see him laugh. It was all about make him smile. She knew he wasn't sleeping properly, especially not after what they had witnessed at Adamant. She had had nightmares for weeks, about the Archdemon following her, slauthering her companions as the Breach was open again in the skies. Usually, she woke up screaming and sweating, wildly kicking the sheets away. Cullen was always there for her. He had brought her cups of fresh water, and passed tenderly a damp cloth on her cold skin, pushing back her sweaty locks. He had hold her against his chest, murmuring reassuring sweet words, letting his heartbeat to lull her in the sleep again. A true knight, doing his best to make her feel better. She had to leave Skyhold for the Emerald Graves shortly after Adamant, and she knew he was going to face the nights alone. Seeing him again after the mission had just confirmed her suspects. Luckily, Artemis sighed, sniffing quietly, she had left Cassandra at Skyhold, so at least Cullen had been forced to eat. But he still couldn't sleep, not as much as he needed. Artemis passed an hand through her hair. She couldn't fight his nightmares, but she could at least make his days happier. Easier, maybe. She wanted to try, but it seemed that her plan wasn't working. “Arry?” Cullen's voice was just a bit louder than the wind between the leaves, and when she moved her head from her knees, he kneeled beside her “Love, what's wrong?” His eyes probably noted the mess of half - destroyed flowers around her – he always noted much more than people realized – but he was also wise enough to let her explain. Artemis blushed. He was always so calm and... appropriate, contrary to her. Even if the age gap between them wasn't huge, she felt like a child, sometimes. Instead, she wanted to be his equal, someone he could rely on. Someone who could help him as much as he helped her. She blinked and he frowned slightly, kissing her forehead “It's okay, if you don't want to talk. Would you like to get some rest or something? Or if you prefer,” he continued, tenderly brushing away a leaf from her shoulder “I bet we can sneak in the kitchens and grab some of those chocolate pastries you like so much.” She was hugging him before she could restrain herself. Despite his armor, he welcomed her in his arms, solid and warm. Her safe place in that mess that was their world in those days, she realized once again. “I wanted to do a flower crown for you, but I couldn't.” she sighed, pressing her face on his neck, sensing her ears burning for the embarassement. She was the one who was supposed to console him. Artemis appreciated, however, that his gentle grip around her didn't falter, even if his voice sounded puzzled “A flower crown for me?” “I know it's not my brightest idea.” she muttered, forcing herself to be brave and look straight at him “But... I wanted to help you. Oh, Maker, I sound like Cole.” Being the clever man that he was and knowing she needed time when it came of feelings, Cullen waited patiently for her to put in words the twirling mass of thoughts in her brain. “Adamant has been tougth for all of us.” She could see him stiffened and she knew his mind was showing him again her fallen in the Fade, the flash of green light, the shrieks of the Archdemon. She put a hand on his cheek, pressing her fingers gently “Hey, look at me. I'm okay. But you... I know you're having trouble to sleep.” “Are you worried... for me?” he sounded incredulous “You're the one who fell into the Fade and fought the Nightmare and...” And she had been forced to leave Stroud behind. Artemis kissed his lips “It's not a race, love. I think we both had our problems there. My silly plan was to give you a flower crown so you'd smile... hopefully. Luckily for you,” she frowned, gesturing at the crumpled flowers around them “it seems I'm unable to do it.” For a moment he just darted his gaze between her and her work, clearly debating something in his mind. He spoke a moment before she was going to beg him to do it. “I'd be glad to help you.” “Sorry, what?” she gasped, big turquoise eyes wide open. The Commander scoffed a little laughter, rubbing his neck “I... ah, my younger sister, Rosalie, had a thing for flower crowns, and Mia taught me how to do them, so I could make one if she was helping our mother and Rosie would ask for it.” She almost squeaked thinking about a child Cullen, all golden curls and scratched knees, busy to entertain his little sister. Cullen wasn't very generous of details about his past, and she respected this, but she couldn't deny she treasured every splinter he gave her. Names, a random memory, a song: she felt honored to hear all of it, knowing it was a good sign he was starting to allow himself to think about his family again. Right now, however, she was surprised he didn't find her idea ridiculous and she was stunned he was able to do a frilly thing like a flower crown. It turned out he was really good at it. Sat near her in the garden, aloof or simply unaware of the prying eyes around them, Cullen chose new flowers, showed her how to make little rings with the steams. He had taken off his gloves, and his fingers moved sure and quick. Artemis was leaning against him, her chin on his shoulder, completely enchanted, listening to him talking about his first tries. “Rosalie was totally upset seeing my first supposed to be crown.” he chuckled, shaking his head “So I did another one. And another. At the end, she found the tenth crown acceptable enough to  put it on her head... for three minutes.” “I bet you couldn't feel your fingers after all that work!” she joked, rubbing his back. He winked at her “They were sore, but nothing compared that time I picked some wrong flowers that made my hands red and covered in bubbles.” Flower after flower, word after word, a crown emerged from what before was just a random assortment of petals. He grinned at her “Well, what do you think?” She beamed “I think you're an amazing man, Cullen Rutherford.” He chuckled, rubbing his neck with his free hand. When he put the crown on her head - “Beautiful! So, so lovely.” - and maybe a couple of kisses on her rosy lips, she protested slightly “That was meant to be for you!” “Oh, don't worry, now it's your turn to show me if I have been a good teacher!” Making a flower crown with him, Artemis realized, was funnier than struggling alone with her task. First of all, she enjoyed the touch of his fingers correcting her hands. Second, he was spending time with her. Just the two of them, a bunch of flowers, and soft smiles. How could she not feel blessed? Her voice broke the quiet in the garden, when the sun was starting to settle down. “I did it!” The Inquisitor couldn't hide her pride. Truth to be told, it was a poor flower crown, with holes and half broken petals, not close at all to the one he had done. But it was a flower crown and Cullen was smiling, so she lifted her work “May I?” Cullen bent down slightly – giant of a man, even sitting he was a good foot taller than her! - and Artemis carefully put the crown on his head. “Well, what do you think?” he asked, a big smile on his face and a soft light in his golden eyes. She put her arms around his neck “The crown is awful, but you look perfect.” “As you do.” it was his tender reply, before stealing another kiss “And the crown is perfect. Thank you, love.” Cuddling against his chest, Artemis thought she was the one who should have thanked him. But he gently lifted her chin, kissing her deeply and for a good time. When the kiss was over, she couldn't do anything more than smile. And he smiled back.

Blood of a Mayan--LAST CHAPTER! :D

Thirty-Three: Euna

Growth by Death and Death by Growth

(or: A Jaw Dropping Conclusion)

 Warning: This chapter is why this book has a Graphic Depictions of Violence warning. Proceed with caution.

               There was too much noise. Euna could hear every domesticated plant within at least a mile: the ones under-watered, the ones diseased, the ones with parasites, the ones calling for more sunlight or less. Some cried for Demeter to return to the land, to give up this grudge against Hades and make it spring. Others were excited for winter’s nap. She could hear the prayers and wishes and despairs of every farmer, every gardener, and every fifteen-year-old cursing their duty to mow the lawn.

               The energy surging around her felt unwelcoming. Euna’s body wanted to disperse into the ground to get away. Somehow, she knew she could and it took all her willpower to keep pieced together, else she’d melt like one of those creepy, old-school claymation videos.

               Euna couldn’t focus on the room around her until she heard her sister’s scream.

               Everything came into heightened awareness.

               The turquoise flames exploded towards the ceiling.

               Santiago roared in elation, “Now—now that is perfect.”

               Pax sobbed hysterically in his chair as Kouta tried to restrain Kally. She’d shot to her feet and fumbled with her Argonaut statue, but Kouta had gone for one of his guns. Before he could withdraw, Kally had punched him in the shoulder wound three times and kneed him in the groin twice, shouting very uncharacteristically vulgar remarks.

               Axel sat up only to slump back into his chair, eyes fluttered closed. Merry covered her ears and crushed her eyes shut. Calex also tried to stand but crumbled to the floor.

               When Lapis conjured her Egyptian axe out of the air, Pax finally managed to move. Although he didn’t withdraw his daggers, he stood between Lapis and Kally, shoving Lapis backwards.

During all of this, Santiago stood at the edge of the twisting fire pit, laughing cheerfully. He rolled two walnuts in his hand, cracked them, ingested their hearts with a grin, and discarded the shells into the flames like he had with Euna’s sister.

The fire snaked around Joey, changing her screams to choked garbles, to silence. Euna couldn’t tell if Joey had ever been standing there. Like the other morning, in their backyard with the Huntresses of Artemis, how the hydra’s acid snuffed out the life of the apple tree, wiping away years of memories, smiles, and care, the turquoise flames wicked away JooYeon Song.

               The people at the table behind them were laughing at all of this. Santiago was laughing.

               Euna could remember what Persephone had said, “What happens to our little sister will not be your fault… a rising god will kill her.”

               Euna stood.

               Across from her, Hiro had been trying to get a clean shot at Kally or Pax—difficult since Kally was wrecking Kouta. At Euna’s movement, he turned towards her.

               Before he could redirect his dart, she threw her empty ice cream bowl at him. The bowl smashed into his diaphragm, knocking him backwards and onto the ground. Hiro gasped for air, gawking at her from the floor.

               Euna grabbed the closest item she could for a weapon: the stupid beach towel. There was something sturdy under it, though—knowing her luck—she’d unsheathe it only to fight Santiago with a roll of bubble wrap.

               Instead, when she tore the material away, Euna felt cool metal sharpen her awareness. The blade was a Greek sword. Under her touch, the edge morphed and expanded into something far more comfortable: a militarized scythe.

               Hello, spawn of the Sickle Wielder, a chilling voice cooed.

               “Shut up,” Euna muttered. There was too much talking. She didn’t need inanimate objects chatting along with all the plants and gardeners.

               The blade’s transformation caught Santiago’s attention. He quieted his laughter by coughing into his hand. He grinned at her and nodded to the flames. “You shouldn’t have flipped my son’s van,” he said.

               His van?! Euna stared at him for a moment before her lips parted slightly.

               All that was between she and Santiago was the oak, ice cream social table. Euna shoved it with the palm of her hand.

               The entire table skid out of her way, slamming into the Pax children and Kally. Those standing were thrown down beside Hiro. Axel released a strangled cry when the table pinned him against his seat and jammed him and his chair a foot backwards.

               The room went silent as Euna approached Santiago. Even the cackles from the other guests hushed.

               She glanced at the fire. There was no trace of her sister. Somehow, Euna knew—even if she extinguished the flame—there would be nothing left of JooYeon Song.

               The scythe felt hot and eager. Euna rolled her fingers along the familiar cross between a weapon and a farm tool.

               Santiago’s expression had become quizzical as he examined her from head to toe. “Why, my lovely dear, what have you hidden here—”

               Euna didn’t wait for him to finish his sentence. She swept the scythe at him. Her reach was longer. She should be able to slice him to pieces and give Pax his father’s tongue as a consolation prize.

               But Santiago dashed his cane against her blade.

               She used the momentum to redirect for a second strike.

               He blocked her again.

               He was faster than she was.

               “I can tell you have the strength of a goddess, Euna Song,” Santiago said through that stupid grin, “but you think too much like a mortal to use it. I hope you relish the fact that you could have saved your sister had you known the true value of such power.”

               Santiago attacked her. His weapons may have been shorter, but his cane was easier to wield in the tight space between the table, the throne, and the fire. Euna grit her teeth as she found herself retreating under a battering of cane strikes. As soon as she parried to defend, his cane would snap around to hit her other side. She couldn’t keep up. He was a more experienced fighter than she was. And he’d rounded her back towards the howling flames of the pit.

               I can help, the scythe whispered.

               “I told you to SHUT UP!” Euna roared.

               Santiago caught the crook of the scythe with his cane and twisted it down so the weapons were locked between them. He leaned in, using his height to push Euna down and back. She could feel the heat radiating behind her. The fire pit must have been directly at her back.

               Euna grunted as she planted her feet on the edge.

               “What’s the matter, lovely dear?” he hissed through a clenched jaw. Until then, Euna hadn’t noticed the wind tunnel spewing down from the ceiling, twisting around them, kicking up dust and ash. Despite how the flames raged towards the dome, casting that eerie light over the whole throne room, the temperature felt cold, colder than California should ever feel.

               “Look at this beautiful mess you’ve made. I don’t have to sacrifice you too, not the same way I killed your sister,” he said. The flicker of fire reflected in his dark eyes. They sank down to examine Euna’s lips before rising back to her eyes. “I can teach you so much. I’ll still eat your heart…”

               Euna wanted to scream in frustration when Santiago released one of the hands bracing his cane. Although the muscles in his other arm strained, he had no problem holding her at bay as he reached to touch her face.

               “But I won’t have to physically cut it out. Let me show you what power you have. Put down—”

               He got too close.

               Euna snapped her head forward and head-butted him.

               Santiago hissed in anger.  She’d hoped he’d lose his footing. Instead, his hand altered its route and clenched her neck.

Something gold and hissing spun in the corner of Euna’s eyes.

               A golden discus caught his shoulder and knocked Santiago back.

               The blow made him lose his grip. While he was still off balance, Euna slammed her body weight upward. As soon as Santiago’s cane slid off her scythe, she kicked at the side of his knee. If she injured him enough, maybe she’d gain enough time to swing the scythe in a full arch.

               Santiago’s knee snapped in the wrong direction. He howled. In a blur of motion, he retreated. Before she could slice him, Santiago slammed his cane into her stomach.

               They both staggered back, Euna carefully avoiding the fire.

               She righted herself, gasping for air.

               The wind tunnel around them died to a gentle breeze.

               Across from her, Santiago chuckled. She’d take a pop quiz every day at 4:30 in the morning for the rest of her life if she never had to hear that laugh again. She’d probably fail all of them, but she’d do it.

               He knocked his leg with his cane. The likely torn ligament made a sick squish sound before clicking back into place. He stretched out his leg experimentally. “Oh my lovely dear, how silly would I look with two gimp knees?” he asked.                

               Euna wanted to assure him: she could envision a legless Santiago exceptionally well.

               She could sense two people take a stand on either side of her. Tightening her grip on the scythe, she considered the best, quickest way to decapitate whichever henchmen they were. Then she registered the strawberry blond knot of Kally’s hair on her left.

               Kally was breathing heavily, miserably bruised, and hefting Lapis’s Egyptian battle axe. She looked scared, but ready to take out Santiago’s other knee if Euna called a, “one, two, three!” to make him fully crippled.

               On her other side, Pax stood with his two daggers drawn. Blood still dribbled from his lips and was smeared all over his chin and burgundy shirt. He trembled so violently, Euna wanted to tell him to sit down and leave it to the girls.

               He tried to say something inspiring, choked, and stomped his foot in frustration. He mumbled something like, “Augh! R ran’t e’en make sarastic remark!”  This seemed to distress him more than the hole in his tongue.[1]

               But Euna knew Pax and Kally would just get hurt if they attacked as a group. Santiago must have been strong enough to control Axel when he was younger, and Axel could definitely destroy any of them. She tried to think of any advantageous elements that she was missing, but Joey was better at remembering things like that, like these worthless god droplets.

               Whenever they went to fighting tournaments, Joey used to get so mad at Euna when she missed an “obvious” strategy against an opponent. That was how she’d always support Euna. Augh, you’d win the next bout if you’d just [insert strategy here] you idiot, and Euna always did, after Joey gave some scathing advice.

               As they stood there, the whispers, prayers, and whines from plants and humans off in the distance encroached on Euna’s concentration. Then came the jeering. Santiago was saying something to Pax. The words made Pax seize up in terror.  The table behind them burst into taunts and teases. Pax was shaking his head, babbling about how Santiago can’t hurt Kally.

               They couldn’t take Santiago in hand-to-hand combat. With the way he could let go of his cane to touch her face—he’d been playing with her. Maybe she’d taken Hemera’s drops, but Santiago was right, you think too much like a mortal to use it.

               Everything was getting too loud. Euna tried to focus to drown out all the noise. That’s when the scythe’s hiss cut through the others, You have the power of a goddess. Harness it.

               “There aren’t any plants in this room,” Euna snarled and shook her head.

               Don’t be a fool.

               “Shut up,” she muttered.

               This is why your sister died.

               As the scythe whispered, it was like time rewound and she could hear Joey’s scream all over again, ringing over the rambling of the plants and Pax’s incoherent protests. One thing stayed the same between the present and the audio flashback: the laughter. Santiago and his guests howled in glee, exactly as they had before.

               “SHUT UP!” Euna screamed.

               Everything went quiet: the plants, the guests, Pax, Santiago, even the little bit of wind left.

               With the silence, she could hear the faintest calling from something in the room, something very delicate, fragile, and small. Something she’d have to piece back together, in a way she couldn’t piece together Joey’s ashes.

               Without realizing it, Santiago had given her a very deadly weapon. As she felt around with her mind, she realized that she could destroy this whole temple if she wanted to. But she didn’t care about the temple. She just wanted to destroy Santiago and his family.

               With barely a breath of effort on her part, she helped all the seeds in the room do what they were most eager to do: she helped them grow.

Santiago stopped laughing. For the first time that night, his expression grew tense. He clutched at his stomach. That dumb grin crumbled into a scowl. “Euna Song…” he growled and spasmed once.

“Euna..?” Kally asked quietly beside her.

Euna ignored her.

The wind picked back up in an uncomfortable gust around the throne room.

Behind them, someone muttered, “I don’t feel so well…”

Another threw up.

The guests began to shriek in pain.

Kally turned around and gasped, dropping Lapis’s blade. It clattered onto the stone.

Pax dropped his daggers and grabbed Euna’s arm to shake it. Although she knew he was begging her to stop, all he could manage to say was, “Hop! Hop! Hop! My rother rate om. Hop!”[2]

Behind her, chairs toppled over.  Bones snapped. Skin and clothing ripped. Those who could still scream did so into the increasing swirl of icy wind.

At least Euna knew she’d never hear their laughter again.

Santiago coughed up blood. In the turquoise gleam of the fire, Euna couldn’t tell what color it was. Whatever the color of an almost-Mayan-Greek-god would be.  He snarled while he wiped the liquid onto the back of his hand. Those dark eyes blazed as he adjusted his grip on his cane.  He glanced over her shoulder, and she was pretty sure he could see what she’d just done to his son, Kouta.

She hoped he had cared about Kouta.

“I’m going to eat your heart and that of all of your friends,” Santiago growled. He took a step towards her.

Euna lifted the scythe into the air.

Leaves erupted from Santiago’s mouth. He gasped, choked, and tore them from his lips. Santiago tried to mutter something, probably in Mayan. She wasn’t going to give him the chance to use whatever magic he had or to get away.

Euna slammed the scythe onto the floor. As she did, a walnut sapling burst from Santiago’s mouth. Its branches punched through his button down shirt, spraying liquid across the room. Although the tree exploded upward too quickly, she knew it had ripped his jaw clean off. Santiago’s body collapsed onto the ground, though she couldn’t tell if that happened before or after the roots tore through his dress pants.

The branches didn’t stop growing until they touched the ceiling and until the trunk was at least a foot in diameter, enough to crush any man.

There wasn’t much left of him, but she had to be sure. That would eviscerate a mortal, but Santiago had claimed he wasn’t mortal. Quietly, Euna approached. I’m sorry, she thought to the walnut tree.

With a quick slice of the scythe, she cut the tree at the base. The top collapsed to the side, crashing into the flames. The branches snuffed out the fire.

All was quiet and serene in the forest that she’d created.

Euna felt a little lightheaded. She’d passed out after making two walnuts trees when they fought Python. This time, she’d made seventeen.

Pax had collapsed onto his knees beside her, staring at the fallen tree.

Kally stood at her other side, frozen in shock.

“Kouta?” someone choked out behind her. “Hey… Big Guns…”

Euna turned. There were sixteen full trees. Thirteen crowded around the larger table at the back of the room, creating a dense canopy to blot out the ceiling. Fortunately, Merry and Calex were situated far enough away from the table that they hadn’t been injured. They were unconscious, Calex on the floor and Merry in a chair.

Two more trees were on the other side of the table—presumably the two body guards that had grabbed Pax.

Axel sat where she’d left him, pinned between the ice cream social table and his seat. She couldn’t tell if he was awake, but his head was angled towards a surprising sight.

One tree stood apart from the rest, beside Axel and between Lapis and Hiro.

Lapis knelt beside the trunk and touched it with a trembling hand. She pressed her lips together.[3]

Hiro sat at the base of the tree, gathering the shreds of Kouta’s bloody shirt, pants and gun holster, like Euna had kicked over pieces of his favorite Lego building. He found Kouta’s two revolvers and jammed them into his belt.

Both of them were speckled with their eldest brother’s blood.

Euna had assumed they’d also eaten some of the walnuts left out on the table. Frowning, she hefted up the scythe and walked towards them.

Hiro let out a squeal.

Lapis whirled to face her. She shoved Hiro behind her with her good arm and backed them towards Axel. “Back off Grass Hipp—” Lapis seemed to realize the name Grass Hippie wasn’t appropriate anymore.

In a flash, Hiro fumbled in his vest, withdrawing something. He sprinkled some kind of dust in a rapid circle around he and Lapis, set a small slip of white paper on the ground, and clapped.

Euna didn’t care. That little protection bubble would probably shatter under her scythe. Even if that didn’t work, she was sure she could crush the barrier if she dropped enough trees on top of it.

Euna lifted her weapon.

Kally stumbled into Euna’s way. She took hold of Euna’s hands and struggled to push them down. Tears streaked down Kally’s milky white cheeks. Her green eyes were bloodshot from crying.

Until then, Euna didn’t realize that she, herself, hadn’t been crying. After Persephone’s warning about Joey’s death, Euna had done everything she could think of to keep Joey out of danger: she hadn’t wanted to go back to Camp Half-Blood, she hadn’t wanted to take any quests, she didn’t wanted them to attract any attention that would make them seem extraordinary, she’d been beaten by Kouta in a vain attempt at escape.

Just when Euna decided she’d make Joey proud, that they could relax, they’d been captured.  For some reason, Euna thought she’d cry more. Instead, she just felt numb and cold. The room, itself, felt cold.

“Euna—you—you did it. You got the big bad guy. You can stop now,” Kally said, her voice trembling as much as her fingers. When Euna didn’t move, Kally wrapped her arms around Euna in a tight hug. “I—I’m so sorry Euna. I’m sorry we couldn’t help her. But you need to stop now.”

Kally’s tears rubbed into Euna’s cheek. She stared at Lapis and Hiro through Kally’s mess of reddish hair.

Had Hiro and Lapis not helped Kouta capture them, their group could have ran back to camp. And Joey could have lived.

“Kally, move,” Euna said. The lightheadedness was getting worse. Euna could tell whatever god powers she had were failing. She didn’t have much time to finish this.

Kally shook her head.

Clapping erupted beside them.

Euna frowned. She had no idea why Pax would be clapping.

Kally released Euna as they glanced to the side. A woman sat atop the pithos alter with the pithos in her lap. She had black hair, quarter shaved on one side. The other side was long, and twisted wildly out of an attempted Greek plait. She wore a tight T-shirt that read Anarchists Unite, torn up black jeans, a lot of jangling, unmatched jewelry, dark eyeliner, and black stilettos. In the belt around her waist, there were grenades, detonators, and… a glass jar with a golden apple. Her eyes gleamed fiercely and she grinned in a way Euna imagined a serial killer would.

There were tears streaming down her cheeks, making her eyeliner streak. She rubbed them off onto the backs of her fishnet and leather gloves.

“Oh myself,”[4] she sniffed. “This is so beautiful. I feel like it’s the Civil War between Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood again.”

“Mmm!” Pax cried from the ground. He started to crawl towards her.

The woman hopped off the alter, her heels clicking loudly. She dropped the pithos so it shattered, scattering shards everywhere. She dashed to Pax’s side and whisked him into her arms, giggling and kissing his forehead. “Hello my Little Terror Muffin. Oh my! Now what has Santiago done with your tongue! My poor baby. Do you want some more ice cream to cool your wound? I can’t believe Santiago was negligent enough to let your ice cream melt!”

She was tall and strong enough to cradle Pax with a single arm. She used the other hand to lick her fingers and rub the dried blood off Pax’s chin.

Euna and Kally glanced at each other. Neither was surprised. After the events of the night, Euna was too exhausted and emotionally numb to care who this was.

Whatever the woman did must have fixed Pax’s tongue. He choked back a sob while whining, “M—Mom, D—D—Dad’s dead, and K—Kouta’s dead—Joey—and—and you set us up—”

“Shush,” she cooed softly. “I taught you better than to slander to someone’s face. Always behind their back.” As she spoke, she ruffled what little order was left to Pax’s jelled hair so it twisted wildly like hers.

“I said I would do what I could to keep the family together. I did that and am doing that. And you and Axel asked for a way to stop your father. I provided everything you needed. I—” She broke down into giggles. They reminded Euna of the repeated gurgle of the Joker. “I—shockingly—had little to do with this.”

Pax sniffled. “How—how are you laughing? I—I thought you l—l—loved Dad.”

Upon considering what Santiago had said earlier to Pax, I only do this because I love you, Euna thought she might want to pull up the dictionary definition for Pax after all of this was over.

The woman bapped Pax’s nose with a finger. “Oh, I do, but Santiago and my little Discordians would not have wanted to go out any other. This was lovely.”

Kally cleared her throat. “Who in Hades are you?” she demanded, more aggressive than Euna had ever heard her before.

The woman glanced up at Kally and Euna. That smile was savage. Euna had to wonder if this person even saw them as human.

“Oh!” She snapped her fingers. “I should have introduced myself and my friends.” At my friends, Kally glanced around. Euna darted her eyes about the room, but didn’t see anyone other than their group, the remaining Pax family, and the trees. She tightened her hold on her scythe.

“I’m not invited to parties very often so I tend to forget proper social protocol. I’m Eris, the Goddess of Chaos, Discord, and Strife. This is my daughter, Atë…”

At another snap of Eris’s fingers, a girl appeared in a swirl of smoke, lounging on Santiago’s fallen tree trunk. She kicked her legs back and forth like this was the perfect spot for a picnic. She had short, multicolored hair and wore punk style clothing, similar to her mother. She curled her fingers at Kally, either in a gesture of greeting, or maybe some failed attempt at telekinesis to drag Kally closer.

“Kally, I believe you two have already met,” Eris asked.

“Being a doormat. That might be her fatal flaw,” Atë affirmed with a smile.

Kally scowled.

“You’ve already met my nephew, Phobetor—”

As she said it, Euna felt everything waver, like the world blinked instead of her.

A faceless, humanoid monster appeared behind Eris, wearing nothing but a pink and blue bowtie. He huffed and fixed his bowtie.

“And I’m sure Melinoë is off terrorizing and doting on some mortals,” Eris said as she walked past Kally and Euna. Her jewelry jingled and stilettos clanked. Euna traced her movements with the scythe. “And it would probably get a bit stuffy if we physically conjured Python here but she doesn’t need to be present for me to pick up all the orphans in the room.”

She paused in front of Lapis and Hiro’s protection bubble. She offered her spare hand out to Lapis. “Come along my little cuties. We’re going to wreak havoc on the land, make the sun set, and probably attack Camp Half-Blood if Phobetor doesn’t have a severe bout of conscilepsy and fall awake at an inconvenient time.”

“It’s a debilitating disease,” Phobetor huffed.

Lapis hesitated. She clutched Hiro’s arm, frowning. Her eyes darted to Axel.

“Don’t worry—I’ll drag him along for the ride too!” Eris giggled. She wrapped her free hand around the collar of Axel’s shirt and lifted him out of the chair. Axel groaned in pain as she hefted him up as though by a kitten’s neck scruff.

Pax mumbled a protest.

Eris shrugged to Lapis and Hiro. “Unless you want the young killer who murdered your dad and brother to finish the job.” She gestured with Axel’s body towards Euna. Axel’s feet slide across the ground and he whined.

Euna wondered if there was a good way to get Eris away from Pax and Axel. The calls of the plants and prayers of agriculturalists had quieted. The room temperature had gone back to that of a chilly California night, not the icy howl from when she fought Santiago. Her legs felt weak. She realized she might not have enough energy to wield the scythe properly, let alone use the trees to fight.

Kally snatched Lapis’s battle axe from the ground. “Put them down,” she snapped.

Atë, Phobetor, and Eris all gave heartfelt laughs.

Atë gave her a sly smile. “Why? So Axel can kidnap the Oracle again? So he can threaten to kill you when you get in his way? You’re fun. I love people who don’t learn.”

Kally’s lips quivered, but she didn’t lower the battle axe.

“We’re not coming with you,” Pax whispered and squirmed in his mother’s grasp. “Your… your ideas only ever hurt people. You told us to go to Camp Othrys. You told us to get the Golden Net and Backbiter and come here.”

“But of course I told you to get those things. You’re my little champion, Ajax. Who else could sneak into the gods’ throne room to get coals out of Hestia’s fire? Especially with them so jumpy after that Luke-lightning bolt incident. And who else had the connections and leverage to get the Golden Net from Bunker Nine?” She leaned down to nuzzle her nose against Pax’s.

He wretched away from her touch and wormed out of her grip. Once his feet landed, he wrapped his arms around Axel’s stomach to pull him away from Eris.

“You only needed them for yourself,” Pax choked out. When Eris released Axel, Pax stumbled to hold his brother up.

“Well, no. Not only, Little Terror Muffin,” she said and frowned. “I was thinking democratically. You, Santiago, and I all had ideas that could be helped with them, but my ideas were much simpler and could wait. Now that you’re done playing with them, I’m going to need you to share.”

Lapis stood up. “Hey Dartface, break the bubble. We’re going with her.”

Hiro, wide eyed, glanced from Lapis to Eris to Euna. Slowly, he picked up his talisman paper. He hopped up and tucked tight enough to Lapis’s back that Lapis sighed. As they walked towards Eris, Lapis picked up the Golden Net from the ice cream social table. Euna had to wonder how she’d managed to untangle herself from it beforehand.

Euna’s feet felt like they were going numb. Although she tried to hide the intention behind her motion, she set the scythe’s base on the floor so she could lean against it.

Pax’s jaw dropped. “You—you can’t go with her. She’s—”

“You and Axel left us with Dad twice, Ajaxapax,” Lapis growled. “And I’ll bet you didn’t even have a second thought when you were out with your little boyfriend at Mount Othrys. And now you want us to do what? Go braid our hair at Camp Half-Blood and have sing-alongs? What do you think it’s been like with you and Axel gone?!”

Hiro stuck his tongue out at Pax and made some gestures that must have meant something rude in sign language.

Pax looked ready to burst into tears again. He hugged Axel tighter around the waist. Euna hoped—for Axel’s sake—that Axel was unconscious. Else that bullet wound must have been burning.

Eris’s frown deepened with thought. She tapped her lips with one of her black fingernails. “That’s two new playmates for Atë. But I will need that scythe to kill my sister.” She sighed. “Hemera thinks she and mom are just bickering, but I know what that is. It’s attention. She’s mom’s favorite. Have you ever been the ignored child, even though you’re far more devastating than your siblings? Augh!” She threw her head back with that hysterical, malicious laugh and gestured towards the fallen tree. “Look at that, I’m monologuing like this deadbeat.”

The goddess’s gaze shot to Euna. “I’ll be needing Kronos’s scythe,” she said.

Euna scowled.

I’m yours now, Daughter of the Grain. Don’t let her take me, the blade whispered.

“Shut up,” Euna snapped. With what was left of her strength, she lifted the weapon so it was ready to swing if Eris got any closer. Had Euna any more energy, she would have welcomed it. From what she understood of this conversation, none of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Eris’s “ideas.”

The goddess paused, her frown twitching up into an ecstatic smile. “Actually… you keep it. The scythe is better in your hands. Mortals are always so much more creative than gods.”

With this decision, she turned, set one hand on Lapis’s shoulder and another on Hiro’s, and pushed them over beside Phobetor. As they took a stand beside him, Hiro huddled against Lapis. Lapis glared at Phobetor. “What are you looking at?”

Phobetor huffed in offense. “I literally don’t have eyes right now!”

Eris giggled and glanced back to where Pax held Axel. “Little Terror Muffin, are you sure? I’ll give you Reese’s Sticks and hugs and tickles. I’m only trying to hold the family together. You’re pulling it apart. Look Muffin, I even wore the shirt you made me.” She pulled the ends of her shirt down to show off the Anarchists Unite script.

Atë tilted her head to the side, examining Pax carefully. “I told you that you were going to make the wrong choice. What if you’re more of a danger to them being part of the group? You’re pretty clumsy.”

Pax couldn’t seem to answer. He just shook his head violently, half-stumbling to drag Axel beside Euna and Kally, seeming to divide the room for war. Currently, they were a little outmatched.

Eris smiled softly. “Alright Little Muffin, but I can’t have you and your friends getting in the way right now… and all of you do need a good vacation. I think I’ll send you somewhere that treats attempted patricide and murder quite nicely.”

“Y—You said you were going to attack Camp Half-Blood. We’re not going to let you do that,” Kally said, trembling.

Although Euna wanted to agree, she also wanted to tell Kally they needed a serious tactical retreat. Kally must have forgotten she was talking to three gods. Merry and Calex were drugged to the point of unconsciousness. Axel, their tank, was probably out cold. Pax was a blubbering mess. She and Kally were both too exhausted to properly fight and Joey…

Joey was dead.

An icy rage clenched Euna’s stomach, despite the urge to collapse into a nap. Everyone had been talking about how this scythe could cut out a god’s heart. Maybe she’d have just enough strength to cut out Eris’s.

“I already told you,” Eris giggled. “I don’t like to directly do anything. I just set bombs into place and watch them go off. I already set yours. I’m excited to see whether your team or Percy’s missteps first. Phobetor, make our friends easier to transport, if you’d please.”

“With pleasure,” the creature said and snapped his bow tie.

Then, like they’d only been shadows at the precipice of dawn, Atë, Eris, Lapis, and Hiro disappeared. The uncanny, faceless humanoid melted into black tar and began to expand, bubbling over the floor, walls, and creeping up to the ceiling.

Euna stumbled away from the creeping obscurity, but realized—as the rest of the world crumbled into a dark vortex of nothingness at the edge of her feet—that she was already asleep.

Phobetor had already won this fight. Eris would easily be able to whisk them wherever she wanted.

Very little changed as everything shifted to fit her nightmare. The forest disappeared. Kally was swept away by a giant snake.

But little on Euna changed. Her hair was matted against her face with sweat and dirt. Her body trembled with power and fury. The rosewood box with golden filigree was in her other hand. Joey’s quest box.

Before, Euna couldn’t imagine what could make her as angry as she was in her nightmare. She didn’t understand where she would get the scythe.

Now, she understood why she was staring at the swirl of infinity, thinking about how she was going to crush them. How she’d wipe them out one at a time. She didn’t know who they were yet.

Before the dream consumed her, Euna had to wonder what could make her feel this much more hatred than she already felt, and if she’d find out as soon as she woke up.

  This is the music that inspired this book: Discord--Living Tombstone

And this is the theme song for the Song Sisters: Elastic Heart covered by Written by Wolves

While this might sound obnoxiously cheerful after this ending, thank you for getting through book two of Traitors of Olympus: Blood of a Mayan. Despite you potentially hating me right now, I’d love to get feedback on what you thought of this story! Don’t be shy—these books get done because of your support :D Let me know who your favorite characters are, what were your favorite parts, if you ship anybody, who you most want to punch in the face, and anything else you’d like to say. (Oh! And definitely please comment if you guessed Pax’s mom. I know quite a few of you did!)

I’m going to be editing and breaking up Whispers of a Snake and Blood of a Mayan over the next month, but the first chapter of Attrition of Peace should be out by May—hopefully earlier.

Thank you all again for going through this adventure with me. I hope you enjoyed!

 And lastly, yet again, I wanted to call out to my editor and friend Mel ^^ As much as you were furious about the end of this book (sorry! I swear it’s all for plot!) this series wouldn’t get done without you, your support, and all the tea and hot chocolate you shower me with XD

[1] “I can’t even make sarcastic remarks!”

[2] “Stop! Stop! Stop! My brother ate some! Stop!”

[3] Euna isn’t going to care enough to alter Lapis’s gender from the assumed one to the proclaimed one at this current moment of emotional distress.

[4] I feel like all the gods have to say this at least once.

Fanfic Recs

I’ve been meaning to make one of these for a long, long while and so here it is! Amazing fics that I’ve read and enjoyed a lot =) I hope you’ll find something that you might enjoy, too, along the way. And feel free to share any fics you’ve read/written, I’d be more than happy to add to the list!

Artemis Fowl:

Why One Must Not Attempt to Analyze A Child Genius, fiercejinx - Complete, G. "Artemis Fowl had retired half a dozen counselors from St. Barleby's already this year." Here's how. Six chapters, one for each psychologist losin' it.

Blue Exorcist:

To Be Good, Kizmet - Complete, T. Yukio had always been the good twin, intelligent, studious, disciplined and, most importantly, not a demon. It was obvious that he only wanted what was best for Rin. Yukio's intentions were one thing Rin would never question, no matter what. After Father Fujimoto's death Yukio went quietly insane. No one noticed.

Danganronpa:

A Farewell to All Futures, Yukari - Complete, Not Rated, Oneshot. One of them in theory belonged to the chosen ones, but still wondered if his life had any meaning.

The other one had a chance to become the chosen one, but still wondered if his decision was right. Basically the first, very brief meeting of Komaeda and Hinata before the world went completely insane, because we probably won't get to see it in the anime.

Bad Poetry of a Lopsided Heart, IcicleWieldingManaic - WIP, T. Komaeda likes to write letters that he never sends. However, one time Hinata accidentally receives one addressed to himself. He also feels a responsibility to watch over Komaeda after the events of the first trial. You know, just so nobody else gets killed.It's a good thing Hinata doesn't know who the letter's from, huh? Komaeda/Hinata, slow burn.

just looking at you i enjoy myself, suitablyskippy - Complete, Mature. “Hm?” says Komaeda, and looks down at the grip he’s still got, cold and clammy and squeezed uncomfortably tight. “Oh – that! Of course! You know, sometimes, Hinata-kun – sometimes I forget, when I’m touching you! Because it feels so natural. Like you and I are one, almost! Like we were always meant to be this close – do you know what I mean? Do you feel it?”

“You’re still holding my wrist,” says Hinata.

Komaeda lets him go, and then he touches his elbow, gently, as though in consolation. “With my luck the way it is,” he says, “no one’s gonna be able to kill me unless I let them.”

(Someone's got to die next, and Komaeda would really, really like it to be him!)

Long Road to North, Urponator - WIP, T. There’s nothing as hopeless as a life being a regular salesman at a regular office. And after waiting for years for his life to change, he can’t contain his excitement as he finds himself threatened by a knife, held by a brown-haired stranger on the run. Komaeda/Hinata, slow burn, AU.

Death Note:

A Forgotten Encounter, Alex Prosper - Complete, T. Light is faced with his first murder case at age nine after meeting a strange, hooded teenager in Harajuku. Dupin becomes the one special thing in his childhood, long forgotten. This is L and Light's true first meeting, but they will never know it.

Genius is a Curse, Bloodshot Eyes - WIP, T. If Light had never touched the Death Note, would he ever have found an escape from the depression and boredom that plagued him? Would he have had a future at all? Undertones of Light/L, dark themes.

Leave the Light On, Ne Quittez Pas - Complete, T. Light had dealt with admirers before, but nothing like this. Between an unknown stalker and a mass-murderer with a God complex, it's unlikely that Light will ever sleep again... unless an insomniac detective can help him put a stop to both. Light/L, dark themes.

Detective Conan:

It's Raining Men, Hallelujah, Asuka Kureru - Complete, Oneshot, T. Conan already has some kind of corpse magnet power, but when Heiji is in his orbit the corpses actively come to them. From above. Witness.

D. Grayman:

Fair Play, liketolaugh - WIP, T.  Cross hated his master. Really. Allen fucking Walker was the most infuriatingly mysterious human being on the planet - but even Cross couldn't say Allen had done a bad job looking after him. Oneshot series.

vertigo, hurryup - WIP, Mature. Los Angeles, 1951. Allen Walker, a private eye of cult celebrity status, has been running from his past for a long time. Howard Link, an LAPD cop rising quickly through the ranks, finds himself caught between that which is lawful and that which is right.

As Sunset Boulevard crackles with caged heat, the thread of their investigations meet. With them, corruption, obsession, and celebrity meet in a game of chess that holds the entire city as its hostage.

The descent into hell is easy. All it takes is a little push.

Durarara:

If We Ever Meet Again, Shitsuren69 - Complete, T. AU. Mikado thought that the biggest event in his life was when the love of his life ran off with his best friend. This was, of course, before Celty invited him to Ikebukuro. Eventual Shizuo/Mikado. Prequel to Operator.

Comments: I just really love the way this one was written. From Mikado getting along with Walker and Erika to the falling out in the beginning with Kida and Anri. It makes when they meet again all the more interesting! And there's this one scene that will always stay in my mind - Mikado jumping off the roof, fully expecting Shizuo to catch him. I know, I know, what is the likelihood of something like that happening in real life, right? Still, I got a kick out of reading Izaya's reactions in this story. In addition, this story gives me the same vibe as the series - it's about different forms of love.

Thirty-Two Steps, Nanimonaimono - Complete, Oneshot, T. He guesses it's time to make Anri fall in love with Mikado like she should've from the start. As he opened his mouth, Masaomi fought the ridiculous, overpowering urge to stop and shout that he's been in love too long for this. Kida/Mikado.

Final Fantasy 7:

Beloved, Sinnatious - Complete, Mature. It all starts when Cloud tries to leave during the middle of a Loveless performance. Genesis/Cloud. Tifa/Cloud.

Dishonorable Discharge, icynovas - Complete, T. Seeking a new career, infantryman Cloud Strife attempts to get fired from ShinRa.

Off the Line, esama - WIP, T.  In which Cloud gets a Virtual Reality Dream Console – ShinRa's latest in virtual reality technology. Aaand everything pretty much goes downhill from there. Vincent/Cloud.

The Fifth Act, Sinnatious - Complete, T. Cloud has an accident with a Time materia. There are people to save, and for that, some people need to die. 

Comments: This is a pretty well-known story in the FFVII fandom, and let me tell ya, it’s worth every second of the read. Even if you haven’t played the game, this sort of storytelling will drag you in and keep your attention. You’ll be left wanting more!

My Hero Academia:

but you gotta get up at least once more, simkjrs - WIP, T. Izuku’s never run into this problem before with anyone else, but it’s still not much of a problem. “Oh, that’s alright,” he says. “I don’t have a Quirk.”

Tsukauchi stares incredulously at him, and then looks at the iron bar that Izuku is currently straightening with his hands.

Midoriya Izuku does not let his lack of a Quirk prevent him from being strong.Also known as that one AU where Izuku follows the ridiculous training regimen of Saitama from One Punch Man and becomes stronger than anyone ever imagined he could be.

Persona 4:

Dare Disturb the Universe, jackdawq - Complete, T, Oneshot.  A creeping, nagging sense of repetition: rewind, replay. Yosuke/Souji, Naoto/Kanji.

Days Without Nights, Angevon - Complete, T. Years after the events of Persona 4, Yosuke Hanamura is married. Then his wife leaves him. Yosuke/Souji, slow burn.

First Impressions (Seventeen Variations), jackdawq - Complete, T, Oneshot.  It sucks to be the new transfer kid. Right?

Reversing Arcana, Sinnatious - Complete, T.  P3, P4. Six months after Souji leaves Inaba, he wakes up to his house on fire. The Investigation Team are the only ones who know he survived. But that's only the beginning of their troubles.

Ten Steps, chisotahn - Complete, T. Written for a prompt over at badbadbathhouse. "Souji never told anyone about being able to enter the TV. So, even though Chie and onward somehow ended up with Souji, Yosuke never wound up knowing about the shadow world. For months on end, Souji has been keeping his otherworldly adventures a secret from his predictably ignorant (yet suspicious) boy [best] friend (though he's still your Magician).

Preferably later in the game, Yosuke appears in a Junes-exclusive interview (bonus if the media was filming Junes without permission), and thus, dungeon time ensues." Only... well, slightly modified. ;) You'll see! Yosuke/Souji.

Psycho Pass:

Unconventional Normality, scorchedtrees - Complete, G. AU: In which Akane joins Division Four to work alongside Inspector Makishima.

Servamp:

Fragile Bonds, Atherin Ashura - WIP, T.  A silent walk home from school can change the outcome of so many paths. Fears arise, secrets that are closely guarded come to light and partnerships can crumble. But if one can survive through it, a brighter, more certain, tomorrow awaits. Kuro + Mahiru, sloth pair friendship.

Honest is Your Only Policy, faecakes - WIP, Explicit.  Being Ex-Lovers can be complicated, especially when your ex happens to be Tsurugi. Mikuni/Tsurugi.

Unmasked, stirlingphoenix - Complete, Explicit, Oneshot. "The smile falls from Mikuni’s lips and he dons a more pensive expression before reaching forward and taking a piece of the paper bag between his fingers.

'I want this gone,' he says casually, like it’s only a suggestion, and not the demand Jeje knows it is. Once again, he feels as if he’s being pinned down by Mikuni’s gaze, and he can hardly think." Jeje/Mikuni.

The World Ends With You:

Blindsided, R. Seldon - Complete, Oneshot, G. Neku has something to say that Joshua does not particularly want to hear. One-shot. Warnings: spoilers; mild, kinda-sorta one-sided Joshua/Neku. Or just Josh being, um, obsessive. Spoilers for endgame.

Dust, DarkRulerDominica - Complete, M. After surviving three weeks of the Reapers' Game, Neku demands that Joshua return him to the world of the living; Joshua agrees, but there's a catch to the deal…. Dark themes. 

Comments: As a thriller/horror story, this one is damn good. It answers one of the glaring questions from the game: what happens to the bodies of those who are playing the game?

Perfect, Infamousplot - Complete, Oneshot, T. One month. That was all the time he gave Kitanji: four weeks, 28 days- give or take a few. Well, now he's down to three weeks. A whole week wasted. Because SOMEBODY, though he won't name any names -Neku Sakuraba -, just won't freaking DIE! Now, he's sprinting through the RG with a gun, a psycho on his tail, and only one goal in mind: Kill the proxy. Now.

The Red Queen series, Kay (sincere) - Complete, T, unfolds in four parts.  In which someone who has been too long alone finally reaches out, building a bridge between his world and another's. It has been decades in coming, and it isn't easy, but the more difficult the ordeal, the greater the reward -- just like in any Game. 

Tokyo Ghoul:

mamihlapinatapai, sinshine - Complete, T, Oneshot. 

“Hey, babe,” he crooned into the phone. “I know you're thirsty but you can't keep calling me at work like this.”

“Hide.” Came the exasperated sigh and he couldn't help but smile at the sound. “You're not really at work, are you?”

“Nah, I'm just getting something to eat.” Hide took another bite out of the dismembered arm he held and licked a drip of blood up his wrist before it could hit his jacket. “What's up?”

Your Cross, I’ll Bear, PTchan - WIP, T. “You make him sound like the hero of a shonen manga or something,” he couldn’t help but comment.

“Who knows,” Koma replied just as Irimi stood to deliver the order. “Maybe he is,” he winked. “And you would be the sidekick right?”

Kaneki sweatdropped, but chuckled all the same. A story with Hide as the main character, huh… he thought, wringing his cloth in the sink before hanging it on the rail and picking up his notepad. Well, if it’s him… then it would surely be one filled with hope.(Or: that fic where Hide wakes up in the past just in time to prevent the Tragedy that was Kaneki Ken's life... by taking it on himself.

Of course, it doesn't have to be a Tragedy.)

Yuri on Ice:

a glide in your step, Yuu_chi - Complete, T, Oneshot.  Ah, Yuuri thinks as his skates touch down on the ice, and even as Yuuko watches him it’s the weight of Viktor’s eyes he feels on his shoulder blades, I’m not ready to let this go. Victor/Yuri.

fight for you, write for you, third - Complete, T, Oneshot.  The thing is, Yuuri had completely forgotten about his account on Figure Skating! until he sees the email in his inbox. He doesn’t know how he ends up awake at 3 AM defending Victor’s reputation from strangers on the internet. Victor/Yuri.

i see quiet nights poured over ice, ohhotlamb - WIP, T. He’s a despicable man, but what he offers is the truth. I’ll make you a winner, he says. And he knows -

This is one thing that Yuuri can’t refuse.

like your french girls, ebenroot - Complete, T. "Victor," Yuri begins, lowering the eighteenth sketch of the figure skater Victor drew this week, "you have a fucking problem." 

--in which Victor is an artist, Yuuri is his figure skating muse, and Yuri is so done hearing about their stupid love story through Instagram. Victor/Yuri.

stay young (go dancing), ryuuzaou - Complete, Explicit, Oneshot. Victor/Yuri.

“Do you do this with every pretty boy that serves you champagne?” Yuuri asks, finally a touch of humor in his tone.

“I’ll admit, I’m the flirty type,” Viktor says, “but I haven’t asked to kiss any.” Oh, fuck it. Yuuri throws caution to the wind and says, “You won’t have to.”

aka: the one where yu-topia onsen caters a celebration party for viktor nikiforov's fifth world championship win, and viktor takes interest in the super hot waiter.

Everyone's heads shot up, as they heard the words from the oracle's lips Eight demigods must unite To rescue love from Evil's might Through storms and showers they must travel To the lost island where they must battle Freedom or victory one must choose In the end it is friendship that will lose But this time there was no question on who would go on the quest, for Piper McLean, Will Solace, Hazel Levesque, Jason Grace, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, Frank Zhang and Nico Di Angelo's skin started glowing. The eight demigods looked at each other in horror. The oracle hadn't given out a quest ever since...well you know. The only one who did not seem surprised was Nico. Who just seemed to wallow in the moment. "It looks like we have a new quest campers. It was about time!" Chiron stated. As the campers started to disperse and chatter died down, the eight demigods all sat at the large table and tried to decode the prophecy. "Well, "love" is obviously referring to Aphrodite who went missing a couple of weeks ago." Annabeth stated. "I know! Maybe by "lost island" they mean the lost island waterpark in Iowa" Percy looked at the group, obviously very proud of his detective work "Percy, I very much doubt that the goddess of love was kidnapped and taken to a waterpark." Annabeth said. "You never know. Maybe it's like a haunted water park or something. She seems to get stuck in those a lot" "Anyway," Annabeth said, cutting Percy off from saying anything else stupid. "I believe by "lost island" it means Lemuria. The so called 'lost continent' or 'lost island' located in the Atlantic Ocean. Off the coast of Florida." "That would make more sense." Said Piper, staring daggers into Percy. Percy shrugged. "Freedom or victory one must choose" what is that suppose to mean?" Jason asked. "Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe it's referring to someone not apart of the quest." Said annabeth, remembering Bob and what he had given up so they could escape from Tartarus. She looked over at Percy. Who looked at his shoes. Neither of them had forgotten Bob or their time in Tartarus. It was still hard to think about. In the end, the only person who hadn't spoken was Nico. As everyone started to leave Will grabbed Nico's hand and dragged him to the edge of the lake. "Nico, you can't go. You're not fully healed! We haven't even tested your underworld-ey powers, we don't know what will happen if you use them." "First of all they are not called underworld-ey powers. Secondly, it's not up to you what I do or don't do. I don't have a choice, and neither do you. We were chosen for the quest, we have to go." Nico stared at will, Knowing he had made a pretty good point. "Fine. But don't think I won't be keeping a close eye on you. You're still my patient. You won't your powers unless absolutely necessary, you will be eating full meals, and getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Or else you'll be spending a month in the infirmary. Got it deathboy?" Nico gave one of his infamous death glares, and weakly nodded. Over the summer, Nico and Will had become very good friends, well maybe 'friends' wasn't the right word. They both wanted to be more than 'friends' but didn't want to ruin what they had by scaring the other off. To get to the coast the eight demigods decided to take a camp van. Annabeth was voted DD (designated driver) much to Percy's dismay. Jason, hazel, Frank and piper in the middle row, and Nico and Will in the back. Jason nudged piper, nodding his head in the direction of Will and Nico, who were debating on which God would win in a fight, Apollo or Artemis. "What?" Piper asked. "Do you think they will get together?" He asked. "Do you think Nico is ready for that? I mean he hasn't even told hazel that he's ......you know.....I didn't even think Will liked boys?" Piper whispered, looking over her shoulder to make sure Hazel hadn't heard her. Luckily hazel and Frank were sharing earbuds, Hazel clearly into whatever Frank was playing. It was true. The only people Nico had told about his sexuality was Jason, Percy and Annabeth. He still clearly hadn't fully accepted this part of himself. Jason shrugged. "I don't know if Nico is ready for that, but they do seem to like each other quite a lot." "Maybe they just need a little push." Said Piper, with a mischievous look in her eye. "Sounds like a plan" Jason said, fist bumping Piper. "Ok. Let's set up the tents. We'll stay here for the night, then start driving again in the morning. Frank and Hazel will share a tent with Percy and I. Piper and Jason will share a tent with Nico and Will." Annabeth stated. "Wait, hold up. There is No way I'm am staying in a tent with him." Nico pointed at Will. "Yeah! I don't want to either!" Will said, crossing his arms. "Sorry Nico, but Annabeth already had this planned, and it would be unwise to go against one of Annabeth's plans." Said Piper said winking at Jason. "Actually Will or Nico could sleep in our tent." Said frank, trying to be helpful. "No no he can't! Cause um.......I want to sleep in your tent." Jason said. "Yes! Jason and I had a huge fight in the van and we can't sleep in the same tent or I might hurt Jason." Piper stated. "Really? I was sitting right next to you, you guys didn't seem to be fighting." Hazel claimed. Piper gave a look of complete annoyance, knowing what she would have to do next. "Well we didn't want to drag anyone else in our relationship drama so we just tried to keep quiet about it.....it's just really hard to talk about." Piper said, starting to cry a little at the end. Hazel sat down with Piper and tried to console her, giving Jason a complete look of hate. "Yeah.....well um let's just start setting up the tents....." Percy said trying to change the subject. After all the tents were set up Nico and Will went to a nearby water hole. Will picked up Nico bridal style and ran to the endge of the lake. "Don't you dare throw me in that lake solace!" Will threw him in the lake. Suddenly a skeleton threw Will in as well. "I told you no underworld-ey powers unless you were being attacked!" "I was being attacked!" "Attacked by monsters! Not me Di Angelo!" "Oh so I'm just suppose to make an acception for you is that it?" Before nico nor will realized, they were an inch from each others faces. Both of the boys stared at each others lips. Will looked into Nico's eyes, not knowing what was going to happen next, only hoping. Before either of them could make the next move, Percy jumped in the lake, splashing both the boys. "Nico! I didn't think you would like swimming." Percy stated "what? Why?" Nico asked. "I don't know....I just didn't think it would be your type of activity." Nico rolled his eyes and splashed Percy. Soon all of the demigods were in lake. Later that afternoon Will and Nico went back to the campsite. "I have to say, I was kind of surprised to picked for this quest." Will stated. Nico looked at him in complete confusion. "What? Will, what are you talking about? You're one of the bravest, most powerful demigods at camp. I saw you during the battle of Manhattan, you were amazing!" "Well I mean, I don't have cool powers. I can't summon the dead, I can't control water, I can't control plants. I'm not a fighter." "Don't you get it? The planet doesn't need anymore fighters. What it desperately needs is more peacemakers, healers, storyteller, restorers. We need more people like you Will." Will looked at Nico a light blush on his cheeks. "Well look at that, the Ghost King does have a soft side." "Shhh! Not too loudly! If people knew they might expect me to be nice." At that the two boys started laughing. "Holy Hera what is-" Before will could speak, the two boys were surrounded by about 30 monsters. Nico frantically looked at Will, who was smiling ear to ear "Until the end deathboy?" Nico gave a light smile. "Until the end sunshine." Nico summoned a few skeletons, sent some monsters to the underworld, and used the shadows to destroy any monster within a mile. Will wasn't doing so bad himself. He used his supersonic whistle to stun the monsters before shooting them with his arrows. The problem was, the more they killed the more they kept coming. Nico could sense something, death, coming for Will. Frantically, he tried to take on as many monsters as he could. But facing three hellhounds and a Manticore was too much, even for a child of Hades. He didn't hear the footsteps behind him, he didn't sense the Chimera lifting its tail to strike. "NICO WATCH OUT!" Will jumped between him and the Chimera, hitting it with an arrow, but not before it struck him in the chest. "Will!" Nico caught Will as he fell to the ground. Seeing Will passed out, blood dripping forehead, challenged Nico to do the unthinkable. He lost all his control to darkness. His eyes glowed black. Shadows swirled around him. He created an earthquake so powerful, all of the monsters lost stability. (On the other side of the forest) "Did you guys feel that?" Frank asked. The trees started shaking, the shadows moved a mile a minute towards the campsite. "Something's up. We need to go now!" The demigods sprang from the water, running as fast as they could towards camp. What they saw was incomprehensible. Shadows were swirling around Nico creating a 360 degree shield. He created something that resembled a black hole in the ground, sucking up about 20 monsters. Annabeth spotted Will. "Quick someone cover me! We need to get some ambrosia to Will asap!" She said running towards the hurt demigod. But no one needed to shield Annabeth, for at that moment, Nico lifted his arms, chanting, "Afypnizo πιστεύουν ψυχή Mesa!" The army of monsters then turned to ghost. "Εγώ ο βασιλιάςu φiαντάσματος σας εξοργίζει!" A large tremor split in the ground, the monsters were quickly pulled into the gateway to the underworld. The demigods stood there frozen, Nico di Angelo just destroyed an entire army within a couple of minutes. Hazel approached him. "Nico! What did you-" He turned to Hazel, eyes completely black. He looked at her, thinking she was trying to attack, he sent shadows tightly around her. She dropped to her knees. Nico raised his arm, preparing to give the final blow. "Nico I'm your sister. What are you doing?" Hazel choked out. "Hazel!" Frank yelled. He ran up to her. Followed by Percy and Jason. Shadows swirled around them. Tightly binding them to a tree. They struggled against the shadows, but it was no use. "Nico please! You used to be obsessed with Mythomagic but before that you were obsessed with pirates! You wear a lot of black but your favorite color is green." Percy said, trying to jog Nico's memory. He stopped and looked at Percy. "It's working! Um...you used to be a corn plant! But before that you were a dandelion!" Yelled Frank. The shadows around them loosened a bit. "You saved me from the underworld. I didn't expect it but you became the best brother I could've ever hoped for." Hazel croaked. The shadows unfastened just enough for the demigods to step out. Nico stood there. Eyes glowing black, staring at them. Jason walked up to him, followed by Piper and Annabeth carrying Will by the shoulder. "You're fiercely protective about the ones you care about. You think everyone despises you, but you couldn't be more wrong. We all love you and just want you to be happy." Nico's eyes stopped glowing. He closed his eyes, and fell to the forest floor. Jason caught him as he hung weakly in his arms. "Quick someone get him some nectar!" Slowly, Annabeth dripped some in his mouth. Nico's eyes opened. "What....what happened?" Nico asked weakly. The group stared at each other, contemplating on whether or not they should tell him. Percy was the first to answer, "Well you killed a whole army of monsters, but after, you kinda attacked us." Nico's eyes were wide, he looked absolutely heart broken. "Nico it's alright. No one got hurt. We all loose control sometimes." Percy tried to reason. "On enemies," Nico corrected. "Not on the people you're fighting besides. I spent years learning to control my powers, trying to be different from the rest, but I looks like we're all the same." He looked at the ground, expression turning stone cold. "Nico what are you talking about?" Jason asked. Nico got up and left the group. After a moment, Annabeth spoke, "Children of Hades. Hitler, Stalin, Zagrues. At one point they all became mad with their powers, turning into power hungry monsters, destroying everything in their path." "That's crazy! Not all children of Hades are like that! Look at Hazel." Frank said. "Hazel's different. She's a child of Pluto. Her powers don't draw from darkness. Unlike Nico's. He went through Tartarus, lost his family, had to deal with...stuff. It takes so little to corrupt a child of hades." Annabeth counterfacted. "How could you say that! It's Nico! He's not going to become Hitler. He's just kid!" Jason angrily stated. "I'm a child of Athena, Jason. I see reason. He's strong and determined but with everything he has been through...it's only a matter of time." Jason stormed out, along with Will. "Where you going?" Jason asked Will. He stepped in the woods. "I'm going to find Nico." After an hour of looking, Will finally found Nico sitting on a log. "You know you can't just insult your doctor and get away with it." Will said. Nico looked over, clearly surprised to see will. "What?" He asked out of complete confusion. "You heard me. Do you really think I'm that bad of a doctor, to one day let my favorite patient become insane?" Will sat beside him. "Nico, I, nor anyone else at camp for that matter, are going to let you become the next Hitler or Stalin. We care about you too much." Nico looked over I him, he looked truly touched by Will's words. "I care about you too ya know? I know I may not seem like it but-" Nico looked into Will's eyes. "I really do." He moved a piece of Will's hair, revealing a jagged scar. "It's fine, really." Will stated. "You could've died Will. You stood between me and a Chimera and took a blow to the head. Exactly how dumb are you Solace?" Before Will even had time to answer, Nico kissed him on the cheek. "Come on Solace, lets get back to camp." He said grabbing Will's hand. "Shhhhh! Jason your going give us up!" Piper whispered to Jason behind a bush. They both left the tent to Nico and Will hoping that they would make out or confess their feelings to one another. "Will your doing it wrong! That part doesn't go in there!" Nico scolded. Piper and Jason looked at each other eyes wide, thinking that their plan worked a bit too well. "How am I suppose to know? I've never done it before!" Will justified. "You know what I'll just go first. You really suck at this." Piper tried to hold Jason back from doing anything stupid, but it was too late he was already barging in the tent. "WILL SOLACE YOU CANNOT TAKE MY LITTLE BRO'S INNOCENCE HE'S ONLY-" With confused expressions, Will and Nico looked up from their match of Mythomagic. "Is Nico not allowed to play Mythomagic? I'm really sorry I had no idea." Will said, hoping that Jason wouldn't kill him for letting Nico play Mythomagic. Jason looked at them, eyes wide. Finally, He spoke. "Um no! That's fine I just thought you guys were um-" "Oh my gods! You didn't think we were playing cards against humanity did you?! I swear I would never!" Will explained. "Oh I've heard of that game! Doesn't it talk about....you know?" Nico asked. Will nodded eyes wide. "Um ok well have fun with your game.....I'm going to go um....meet Piper by the campfire." Jason stammered. Even from a mile away Nico and Will could hear Piper laughing hysterically. "I still can't believe he thought we would play a game like that. It's rated R!" "I know! Sometimes I don't what goes through that Sasquatch's mind. Hey um Will I need to talk to about something." Will looked at him, worry etched over his face. "Yeah anything." Nico looked around, making sure no one was listening. "This quest....something's up. The Oracle suddenly starts working? And chooses its participants? Also, I've been having these dreams. Even before the quest had started, they're warnings. It has to do with..." Nico looked over at Will seeing the worry in his eyes, he knew he couldn't tell him. "Has to do with what?" Asked Will. "I mean I just think that maybe there's more to this. I think it might be some sort of a trap." Will thought about this. "I mean maybe. I guess it would make sense. There's only one way to find out." He gave a small smile. "Come on Deathboy, lets hit the hay." "Will you dork no one says "hit the hay" Nico chided. "How would you know Deathboy? You're not even from this century." Nico hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey violence is never the answer." Will said as he started tickling Nico. "Ahahaha! WILL STOP!" Nico was out of control with laughter. "Oh my gods Nico! You are SO ticklish." "Tell anyone and I will send an army of skeletons after you." "Don't worry about it deathboy. I don't want anyone interfering in my attack anyway." Nico looked horror stricken