Elves and Demigods

Chapter 9 - Nico

Going to camp Jupiter was no problem. Nico had done that a million times, even when camp half- blood was a secret that the Roman demigods didn't know. No, the problem was that he had to go with a group, that too with strangers, no less. Very weird, elfy strangers. And there was no Will, either. 

Worst. Quest. Ever.

Maybe not as bad as surviving Tartarus on his own, but this was a close second. Nico scanned his team mates. Sophie, Keefe, Linh, Wylie and Calypso. Calypso, wasn't a stranger, but she might as well be one. 

"Uh", the blond elf- Keefe said. "What do we do now?"

"We go to camp Jupiter", Apollo said.

"Yeah, how?"

"In my car."

"What's a car?", Wylie asked. "Is it that wheeled thing?" He pointed at Apollo's sun chariot/ car.

"Yes", Apollo replied. "You don't have cars?"

"We light leap."

Apollo's expression was priceless. "Light leap? You travel with... Light? How have I not heard of it? I'm the sun god!"

"They're elves", Nico said blankly.

Apollo whistled. "Well, let's not waste much time. We need to get you to camp Jupiter."

"In a car?" Linh asked worriedly.

"Right", Sophie said. "You've never been on a drive."

"I'm not sure It's safe", Wylie said.

"Is your car the sun?" Sophie asked Apollo.

"Yes, and I assure you it's safe. There have been a few accidents with the sun chariot before, but that was because I let demigods drive. I will drive this time."

"Let's get going then", Nico suggested impatiently.

Apollo converted his sports car into a large jeep, so that everyone could fit in. Linh and Wylie entered first and they sat in the back seats on one of the sides. Calypso claimed the co-driver seat. Sophie and Keefe sat on the seat opposite to Linh and Wylie. Nico decided to sit next to Wylie. Wylie and Linh were sitting so close it looked like they were cuddling. And Nico caught Keefe trying to scoot closer to Sophie.

It only made him wish Will was here.

"Everyone buckle in", Apollo called.

"What does that mean?" Keefe asked.

"Wear you seat belt", Nico said. Since all the elves except Sophie were new to this, Nico helped them into the seat belt.

"Get ready", Apollo said.

Linh clutched Wylie's had and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Keefe was making a fist and then opening it. They looked... Scared.

"Is there a problem?" Sophie asked, who must have also noticed their anticipation.

"Well- you know, Foster. We've never been in a vecihle before", Keefe said.

"You mean vehicle?"

"Yeah, that."

"There's no need to be scared", Nico assured.

Sophie said. She gave Keefe's hand a gentle squeeze. That seemed to brighten him up.

Nico turned to Wylie and Linh. "It will be safe. We do this all the time."

"But do human cars normally fly?" Wylie asked.

"No. But it won't be very different." Nico didn't like lying to them, but the last time he had been in the sun chariot was when he had first seen camp half blood. He was a silly kid then, playing mythomagic cards and ogling over Percy Jackson. He was with Bianca, and Thalia had driven, only to crash- land the sun chariot. He shook his head to drive the thoughts away. 

"Aannnd here we gooo!" Apollo cheered as he started the jeep/ chariot and took off into the sky.

Keefe, Wylie and Linh screamed.

"Calm down, guys!" Sophie said. "See, it's fun!"

Keefe silenced himself but was holding on to Sophie's hand. Nico knew he was actually having the time of his life. Wylie and Linh were shivering.

"It' so loud", Keefe complained with his eyes shut tight.

"It's okay Keefe", Sophie said, placing her free hand on Keefe's shoulder, as if to steady him.

Yep, Keefe must be enjoying this ride.

Nico decided to look outside. It was mostly a blur because of the car's speed but he could make out the roads and buildings below them. The mortals would see them as the sun, though Nico couldn't quiet understand how.

In what seemed like forever but must have only been a few minutes, Apollo announced that they were going to land just outside camp Jupiter.

"Here we go!" Apollo said.

Nico took a deep breath to brace himself. He knew this was the start of a whole new chapter, something bigger than Kronos or Gaia or Python.