The Returned

Camp Introduction

Espiravit POV (Nico)

50,000 years and here I am back again in this place.

It was hard enough before to truly earn my place. I can honestly say that back then I didn't think that I belonged due to my parentage. I always felt like an outsider in my home and it certainly didn't help being out of time. My friends made me feel better, especially Percy and Will.

Will Solace, son of the sun god. A golden haired beauty who never failed to brighten my life. I always felt like I was walking on sunshine when with him, until I wasn't. I never knew why he broke up with me, just that he wasn't into me anymore. As tough as it was to hear it just was.

And then there was Percy. The first boy I liked or rather I thought so. He was always so brave, kind and loyal. Who could ask for someone better. He always barrelled in through the camp to his anchor Annabeth who seemed to balance him off perfectly. I always compared them to the shore and the sea. One full of energy, coming and going as it pleases but always returned to its steadfast partner which was its home. Then the shore found some new waters and the sea was lost, no longer with an anchor. To make things worse, all the fishes that swam with the sea abandoned it to perish with the sand, leaving the sea lonely. He was so happy. A ball of energy and joy wrapped up in an almost perfect boy. Now his joy was reserved to only a few. Lucky me, practically his little brother who serves with him dutifully, I am priviledged enough to be one of those few. I must say however with all the time that has passed I do miss the boy that I knew as a child. Despite the immense power, experience and so much more I gained with my time with Lady Chaos I'd give it all away so that Percy could get the happy ending he deserved. Forever with the woman he loved so dearly. It took him forever to fully recover from her. Often time long ago he'd cry when he thought he was alone. I didn't know how to comfort him outside of just being there but my company always seemed like enough. He always made me feel like I was enough.

When he told our group where we would be going for our assignment I was worried. Moreso for him than myself. This would be the first time seeing our old family since the whole incident. I wasn't sure how he would react. I can see him now using sarcasm as a defense so he doesn't feel, but I know better. I know he is hurt but I won't bring it up yet. We have a job to do and we will fulfill it before focusing on the emotions that is bound to plague us til we leave.

Oblitus POV (Percy)

I thought about it clearly. I don't want my dad to be distraught any longer. He had to suffer for 50 long years during my absence. Albeit that is a mere raindrop in the ocean of time that he has been alive but he deserves it no more. He always did love me dearly despite the little he was actually allowed to interact with me. Even being out of the water I can still sense its turbulence. Even more so on a smaller scale the Earth quakes in sorrow and the horses unsettled as if missing something that can't be explained. I have no connection to the underworld but I imagine that Hades is in a similar predicament with Nico gone.

Everyday since we left I've had the need to protect him. He followed me out of the safety of the camp in the midst of my heartbreak, leaving everything he knows and loves. He has progressed steadily all throughout the ranks, a formidable ally and an even better friend. In the decades that I still yearned for Annabeth he was always by my side whilst I wept. I never did tell him just how much it meant to me but I think he could tell. He's the best brother one could ever ask for and I'm glad that with the ultimate promotion came the ability for him to see his sister again.

I will let Incantor be our proxy to set up the meeting with our fathers. They will need to set it up in front of the other gods and I do not wish for them to figure things out too early plus I'm sure that she wants to see her mother after so long. It has been almost 20,000 years for her and I know she misses her. Unlike the rest of us demigods she never did stop using her godly powers. She always expressed that despite the distance she always wanted to feel like she was close to her mother. Unfortunately using my powers didn't just remind me of my father, it also reminded me of the young man who stole the love of my life and that was just too much baggage to carry. Instead I used the power that I recieved from Lady Chaos to create illusions. Illusions that would comfort me. The look of pride on my fathers face at every victory, simple moments with my mom and even hanging out with Grover before he took over the job as the God of the Wild. I also use blue food to remind both myself and Nico of my mom. I could never quite get it to taste like hers but it was still a fond memory. I regret not asking Lady Chaos for the chance to say goodbye to her but I didn't want to bring her any trouble.