Wanted: The Dark Kingdom (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chapter 41- Switching Sides

Wanted- The Dark Kingdom

Chapter 41: Switching Sides

A wind from the North blows,

bringing with it those who lie below.

With them, spreads the infection,

to what may be the darkest connection.

A crown forged from the tears of good and bad,

will choose the king whose army stands.

The light leads and the dark follows,

to the first jewel of the girl who borrowed

Then, the dark leads and the light follows,

to the second jewel of a man's true horror

A king shall be crowned where the first king stepped,

putting an end to their world's unrest.

~

When Erebus' armada had arrived a few days ago, Nico had chosen to sleep on the beach alongside several other demigods who were probably sick and tired of being on a ship at that point. From that very first night, being asleep under the infinite starry night sky was a huge blessing and relief. Yes, the sand constantly found a way to sneak into his sleeping bag making the process of falling asleep harder, but he didn't mind it. Not at all. The world around him was so calm at night, it was as if the world had actually stopped for a moment. All his problems, fears, threats of war and undecided loyalty vanished and he was left with nothing but a still calm that always made him dread the morning to come.

And the soft crashing of the waves to shore alongside the soft sea breeze that rustled through the trees behind him almost made him believe that his world was worth fighting for. But Nico had known from that very first night that his newfound temporary peace was in fact, temporary. And so, the few quiet nights turned to nights of careful planning. Nights of scheming and imagination. Nights of never-ending debates with himself of where his loyalties lied. With who his loyalties lied.

He knew his priorities: himself, his sister and his old friends. They were who mattered. Not Erebus. Not Jason. And certainly not Percy. He didn't care about their issues. Only he had to care. At least pretend to care. Because his priorities fought on Percy's side. And up until now, he was considered to be Percy's enemy. Nico had no choice but to get in on with the winning side. But what would Percy do to him? He couldn't possibly accept him right away? Percy was no fool.

But Percy was his best decision. And he hated himself for knowing and believing so. He had to get the Trident that had been in his pocket ever since he stole it from Jason away from Erebus. What if Jason remembered it later on? Poseidon had told him about it five years ago, but Jason could eventually remember it. For all Nico knew, the Trident could be completely useless. It's use and benefit to him gone long ago. How could they have forgotten about it when he and his friends arrived on the island five years ago? How?

Nico decided he was better off hiding amongst Percy's people than staying here. He just had to be careful not to get caught. He didn't remember the castle or camp well enough, but anything was better than staying here. And so, he decided. On the same day of Erebus' planned-surprise visit to Percy's side of the island, at night, Nico would sneak off.