Don't drown (Nico di Angelo x OC) [discontinued]

XXI.

"So, will you explain?" Leo asked as all of them were gathered in the kitchen.

"Don't force her--" Nico tried to protest but Hellene smiled at him.

"It's okay. All of you deserve an explanation," She started taking a deep breath, "Plus, I'm better now. So, what Aphrodite said was... You'll find love in the face of death."

"Find love in the face of death?" Percy repeated, "Does that refer to Nico?"

"Not necessarily." Both Hellene and Annabeth said.

They looked at each other and giggled.

"Great," Percy frowned, "My girlfriend always outsmarts me and now my little sister too."

"Anyway," Hellene continued, "What me and Annabeth were thinking was that this words have double meaning. It could refer to Nico, but..."

"But that doesn't seem really logical," Annabeth followed, "So it might also mean... something else connected to the death."

"Like a dead sibling, family or friend?" Nico realized.

"Yes, Nico." Leo looked at him disapprovingly.

"Oh, sorry." Death boy turned to Hellene.

"Don't worry. It's natural for you."

"So, does anyone come to mind, sis?" Percy asked her and she smiled at her new nickname.

"Not particularly." She answered.

"Well, you know... gods often tell future stuff so don't worry too much!" Leo hugged her shoulders and Nico glared at him.

Hellene looked down at the ground. She remembered that Aphrodite was doubting her own decision. That didn't seem like something the goddess of love would do.

"Hey, guys I think--"

But before she could say anything the whole ship shook. Nico hugged her protectively but they both fell from their chairs. Leo managed to keep his balance and Percy was also protecting Annabeth.

"Are you kidding?!" Leo shouted loud enough so that everyone could hear him, "Again?!"

He ran off somewhere probably to check the engine.

"Are you okay?" Nico asked the girl in his arms.

"I'm fine. What was that? It shook us earlier."

"I'm not really sure but I don't think it's on our side." Percy and Annabeth walked towards them holding onto each other.

"Let's go check!" Nico suggested and they all nodded.

"Guys!!!" They heard a loud scream.

They turned their heads up from where the sound was coming from. An octopus-like creature was holding Leo upside down with one of its... eight legs?!

"Mind giving me a hand?" Leo shouted towards them.

"Aren't eight enough?!" Percy shouted back.

"Haha, you're hilarious! Now find a way to get me doooooown!!!"

All of them followed Leo while he was being swung around in the air.

"Um... We need to help him." Annabeth pointed to the boy whose face looked slightly green.

"Leo, hang on please!" Hellene shouted and Leo raised his thumb up which was actually down for them.

"He won't last long." Nico assured them.

"He won't need to," Hellene went in a fighting pose, "Percy!"

Her brother nodded and they went as near as possible to the creature. The siblings summoned water and attacked the creature.

"It lives in the water," Annabeth shouted, "It probably won't affect it."

A tsunami wave hit the octopus' face but it just looked angrier.

"That's not good, is it?" Percy spoke.

And as he said that a massive leg headed in Hellene's direction. She screamed loudly and tried attacking it with more water but it didn't stop it.

Nico ran in the way and tried hitting with his Stygian Iron sword but was too slow. The slimmy and sticky part of the creature's body wrapped around him and tightened its grip. Nico tried to free himself but soon fell unconscious as it was holding him.

Next, it went for Percy. He dodged the first time it attacked but after that it hit Riptide which fell from Percy's hand. He looked around confused and the octopus used his shock to strike. It caught it by his waist so he couldn't escape.

Annabeth took a step back. "We need to think this through."

Hellene looked back at the unconscious Nico. She also saw Percy's struggle and Leo covering his mouth about to throw up.

"We don't have time." The girl stated.

"But--" Annabeth tried protesting but the younger girl smiled at her.

"Annabeth, get back." She said more like a prayer than an order.

"...okay."

Annabeth didn't know what to expect so she just nodded and went back. She hasn't seen Hellene fighting seriously ever. That's why she was scared.

The small girl started shinning in neon green. Her hair started following the flow of the wind and went up. Her eyes turned completely white.

"I won't let you hurt my friends." Hellene said but her voice sounded double.

"Hellene..."