Sons of the Big Three

Confessions

Me: The moon is simply beautiful. Don’t argue with me, I will win that discussion. Artemis beats Apollo hands down in an archery contest, because she just does.

Nick: Artemis lover.

Me: (sticks tongue out at Nick while blushing and stuttering) Well, um, yeah, I don’t own PJO, I love Art… I mean, oh what the hell I can't even talk anymore.

Nick: Anytime, Master of the 2B Pencil.

Me: Shut up.

Nick: (Smirks) Well it’s time for me to speak now.

Nick’s POV

When Annabeth mentioned her idea of building a place for couples to stay at Camp, I instantly thought of Caitlyn.

And then my mind shifted to Lucy…

Argh, I am so confused with this all. Why did my life have to be this messed up? I knew that Aphrodite was most likely toying with my emotions.

Will looked at me. ‘Hey, let’s go, I’m pretty hungry now that lunch was mentioned.’

I grinned. ‘When are you not hungry?’ I asked, and he laughed and ran up to catch with Desmond. I smiled. The quest seemed to be doing Will good.

‘He looks happier,’ a voice said from beside me, and I turned around to see Percy and Annabeth watching my best friend. Yes, he was the closest to a brother to me, both he and Desmond, and they felt the same. We had grown close over the weeks of us at camp together for almost everything and then our journey here.

Although, there was still something about Will that nagged me. He was secretive and not very open. And there was also the unanswered question.

What had happened to him?

‘He does,’ I agreed after a while. ‘I think he just prefers to be out and about and travelling instead of being anchored to one place.’

They laughed. ‘Don’t we all?’ Percy asked.

Hazel and Frank, ahead of us, took us through another gate upon entering the camp and we walked up the paved road towards another city, the one that was surrounded by the river. The tiled roofs and golden domes rose up and gleamed in the glowing sun. The gardens were blooming with what I recognised as roses and other things. The cobblestoned streets were lined with painted houses, shops, cafes, and even parks. I saw the coliseum in the distance, as well as another arena near to it, maybe for racing or plays.

‘We’re getting closer to the Pomerian lines,’ Hazel said, slowing down with the others in front. ‘The city limits,’ she added, knowing that we three didn’t know what it was. ‘No weapons allowed, so no marching, because it’s the safe area. Also to prevent any assassinations in senate.’

‘That wasn’t pretty last week,’ Frank muttered. ‘Guy tried to kill me with a chair leg.’

I didn’t know if he was kidding or not but I decided not to ask. Surprisingly Will didn’t joke about it, but he was too focused on something in the distance.

‘How do you prevent weapons from not crossing?’ Desmond asked as we were a few metres away from the line.

Something appeared in a puff of smoke. A buff of a life sized man from the waist up. No arms, no legs, just a chest and head. He narrowed his eyes and looked at me. Yes, he looked at me.

‘Newcomers?’ the statue asked, and I stepped back in surprise.

‘Terminus,’ Percy stepped forward and nodded. ‘It’s been a long time since we saw each other, hasn’t it?’