Meet the future, Solace-di Angelo

Part 12

Ω|PART 12|Ω

Thank gods, that we could see the end of the tunnel. It was a very helpful warning. At the end of it, were some torches arranged into a circle. Their fire was the only source of light. Between each torch was a... I think a kind of cocoon, hanging from the ceiling. Then I remembered...that's where the kidnapped demigods were. In the cocoons.

"Guys, look! The cocoons. I think that's where the missing demigods are." I whispered, then pointed at the giant silk balls, in front of us.

"Yes. And I see the entrance to the Grove, too." Apollo whispered back.

"Well what are we waiting for?! Let's go!" Meg exclaimed. She stepped in before I could stop her. Eh, it's not like she'll get hurt.

We followed her in. My eyes were scanning every inch of the room. In the book, they might've had the element of surprise on Apollo, but now that I'm here, I will not be fooled. I slowly took out my dagger.

"Why did you arm yourself?" Apollo asked with subtle hesitation is his voice.

"No reason...no reason at all. Just...in case if troubles comes. I want to be ready."

"Why do I get the feeling that, that 'in case if' might just be a 'when'?" Apollo lifted an eyebrow.

"Apollo. Four eons. Four eons. F-o-u-r e-o-n-s! And yet you haven't learned your lesson. Your 'feelings' are sometimes, oh sorry, always wrong. They were wrong about Meg, they were wrong about Commodus, they were wrong about Neos Helios, they were wrong about Jason and tons of other things." I said. Fine, fine. You caught me! I have anger issues. I get too angry in stupid situations and I do stupid thing. Example: Spilling out his whole...well not whole but enough of his future. As soon as the words left my mouth, I froze. I looked at him with wide eyes hoping he either wouldn't understand the meaning or he wouldn't understand English.

"Wha- Meg? Commodus?! Neos Helios? Jason Grace?" He looked curious and terrified in the same time. "Did you- did you just spoil the future?"

I was just going to respond when bibbidi-bobbidi-boo, a giant roman emperor with his so called bodyguards just spawned in the middle of the room. Well not really but I was busy trying to not destroy the future so obviously I didn't saw them coming. Gods know what Meg was doing the whole time. I mean without me.

"Meg, dear! Come to papa!" The emperor, Nero, said as he opened his arms friendly for Meg. I don't know why but my brain told me to let out a super loud dramatic gasp and scream "BETRAYAL!!!" slowly, slowly, then turn it into an echo, until it's only a whisper.

Apollo's face fell on the ground. He looked devastated. His eyes were watery.

"Meg- What? Who is this?"

She looked down. "This is Nero. My stepfather..."

"That's right, my darling. And you've done a wonderful job!" Nero smiled.

I know you probably didn't understood why me and Meg didn't get along. Although it was Meg who didn't like me first, I haven't tried to befriend her. And there's why. She betrayed Apollo. She couldn't be trusted. Yes, in the near future, in Apollo's next quests she will be an ally. Meg will leave Nero and join the demigods. But that doesn't change that she's Nero's stepdaughter. That's doesn't break the link between them.

"Meg, we are friends. How could you do this to me?" Apollo sounded so vulnerable.

"I tried to tell you, to warn you..."

I felt awkward. The third wheel. If that wasn't a situation of live and death I would've brought some popcorn. Some coke too, I'm addicted to that drink.

"She has a good heart. But Apollo, you and Meg have been friends for just a few days, and only because I asked Meg to befriend you. I have been Meg's stepfather, protector and caretaker for years. She is a member of the Imperial Household." Nero slithered a hand on Meg's shoulder. I could see that Meg became beloved to Apollo.

"I risked my life for you!" Apollo said, amazed. "And that actually means something, because I can die!"

Nero clapped politely. "We're all impressed, Apollo. Now, if you'd open the gates. They've defied me for too long."

You're probably wondering 'But Bianca, how did they not noticed you?". Simple: I'm a coward. I'm terrified of dying. So, like a normal, sane person I hid behind a cocoon. My luck? I was hiding behind my dad's cocoon. But I didn't know how to get him out. I obviously couldn't burn the cocoon, since my dad would burn along with it. I started to get anxious. You know that feeling when you're breathing harder and it feels like you have a car on your chest, but in the same time it's not a panic attack? I get those a lot.

Ripping or cut it wasn't a good idea either. It would've taken too long and the Emperor would've stopped me. If not burn or rip, then what? I looked at my hands.

"Oh gods, please work!" I whispered. I placed my hands on the cocoon and concentrated. That's not easy for me. I'm not a pro at focusing on stuff. Certainly not in situations like this. Tho my pap' taught me a trick. It's a mantra.

"The sun, the moon, the truth." I whispered. The sun as in the light, Apollo, the moon as in darkness, Hades and the truth...it means that you always need to see the truth. To not let yourself slip or get fooled. To not believe lies that your telling yourself. Because in life you never, ever have a happy ending. Don't you dare believe that everything is going to be alright. Remember, in 'life' there's a 'lie', in 'friend' there's an 'end'. You must live in the moment, before it's gone.

My hands felt on fire, but I did not feel any pain. I channeled the light matter in me and managed to make it melt the cocoon. Slowly, it disappeared part by part. I could see Will's face. Suddenly he opened his eyes. Quickly I shushed him before he could freak out and attract Nero's attention.

I observed Apollo looking around for me as Meg ordered him to help her open the gates. Honestly, I couldn't care less about that. But Bianca, if Apollo dies, Will will be devastated! So what? So was Nico after his sister died. He's still alive, isn't he? My mission is to save Will and strictly Will.

As fast as he opened his eyes he closed them back. He was too weak to stay conscious. That's a good thing since I don't want him seeing anything he can't explain. 'Hey Bianca, how did you save me with light? You're a child of Hades.' What was I supposed to say?

The cocoon was almost done melting when finally, the Emperor noticed me.

"What is this?! Who are you?" He screamed. The cocoon melted completely and Will dropped into my arms. I smirked.

"Your worst nightmare, bastard." I blew him a kiss. Just as I was about to shadow-travel and head back to Camp, Apollo stopped me.

"Where are you going?! Help me! I can't do this alone. I don't want to die, Mary!" He looked at me with pleading eyes. In response I rolled mine.

"That's your problem. I'm only here to save Will, and only Will. With that said, arrivederci!" I grabbed my father and let the shadows embrace me as Apollo gasped and ran towards me, along with Nero's bodyguards. Obviously they were too late. They always are late...