Leico Valdangelo... The Beginning

Chapter 11

Dedication is to WonderingEyes. Thanks for the support to start writing again. :)

POV Nico

I'm walking through the streets of Italy! It's kind of hard. I cannot remember my childhood here with my mother and Bianca, but I feel like I should. All I have left of that time is the language. There's nothing that I can do about that, I guess. I sigh internally.

I glance over at Frank and Hazel and immediately want to kick Frank in the head. (Hey, don't judge me. I'm flexible enough). He's a good guy and all... but... he is holding my little sister's hand. I think my reaction is a perfectly suitable reaction for any person in my position to exhibit.

Maybe that's just me.

I shake my head and scan the streets, finally finding the one we're looking for, and I lead our small party down it. Hazel expresses her unease upon seeing La Casa Nera, and I, quite frankly, agree with her.

I glance around and see what must be thousands of lemurs. The ghosts are definitely not happy that we are here. I do remember something my mom used to do. She'd always tell Bianca and me ghost stories.

Frank prompts me to talk more about my family. I tell him about mom and Bianca and what little I can remember of my time in Italy. As I talk I use the negative energy I've gained up remembering all the things I've lost to keep the hostile spirits away from us. It should work. They should listen to the son of Death. If they don't, we're definitely boned.

My mind drifts to Bianca and consequently to Percy. Percy broke his promise. The one person I trusted... No. Get ahold of yourself.

I thought I had slain at least this one demon.

If I trusted Percy and he changed so drastically, can other people in my life do the same thing to me? Leo said I could talk to him and trust him. He seems to be a kindred spirit to me. Not a role model, but one of my peers. What if he's exactly like everyone else and betrays me in the end? Or worse, what if he thinks I'm just some kid to pity, who's been through too much? I don't think I could handle that.

I snap out of my thoughts when Hazel trips and angers the beasts. They prepare to charge as I pull Hazel away, onto a side street. As it turns out, Zhang makes a good distraction.

One of the monsters breathes onto Hazel, and she collapses, poisoned. Suddenly, all I see is red. I won't lose another sister. I slash the monsters out of existance and call for Frank, who is struggling with the others.

When Frank reaches us, I urge him to leave me. I'm unimportant and stupid anyways. I could have just cost my sister her life. How much worse a brother could I be? "Just take Hazel back to the ship," I say.

Before he can do anything, we hear, "Your friends can't save her. Bring her in here." In my desperation, I don't even question this person. They're probably going to screw me in the end, and be evil as fuck, but all I can think about is Hazel as we enter the Black House.

Hey guys. Figured this was a pretty definite stopping point seeing as in the book, Nico becomes corn in the next chapter here. Not sure how to write Corn!Nico... Hope you all are enjoying the story. If you want comment, vote, follow, or just keep reading. I don't care as long as you're here. A thousand thanks. -LeofreakingValdez