Forgotten prophecy

Chapter 36

"About time you got back." Thalia said, glancing up at Ryker when he strode into the Big House. "Anything?"

Ryker shook his head once. "Nothing more than a few stray monsters." He said quietly. "They're dust by the way."

Chiron came limping up to them with one arm in a sling and a heavily bandaged fore hoof. He had been injured in the battle against Atlas's forces and was now occupying his time by coordinating the camp's defenses. The Hunters of Artemis had decided to stay and assist them, much to the campers' delight and immense relief. "Let's be glad that they were not intending on a second attack." He said gravely, placing his hands on the pool table and staring down at the defensive layout they had drawn up. "I'm not sure that we could withstand a second assault of such magnitude. Not without severe casualties."

Ryker leaned against the wall and glanced to the side when Nico stepped out of a shadow in the corner of the room. Nico nodded at him and strode to the table, thoroughly surprising Thalia and Chiron. "Nico, a little warning next time." Thalia said, fervently shaking her head. "Where have you been?"

"The Underworld." Nico answered coolly, clearly unconcerned with Thalia's surprise. "Silena was taken from Eylsium-."

"Silena?" Thalia cut him off, one eyebrow raised in confusion. "Silena Beauregard?"

"You didn't tell her?" Nico asked Ryker, frowning.

Ryker scowled. "Tell her what?" He growled. "That we rescued some girl from Python?"

"That was kind of important." Nico shot back.

"To you." Ryker countered. "I couldn't care less."

"Enough." Chiron said loudly, interrupting the inevitable argument. "Nico, what's this about Silena?"

"Silena was taken from Elysium against her will." Nico explained. "She was being held prisoner by Python in a jar. They forced her to accept the Oracle of Delphi, which means that Thanatos can't take her back to Elysium. Not until we have a better idea on what exactly is going on here. I heard that you were attacked, what happened?"

"Atlas." Chiron said darkly. "He staged a surprise attack and nearly overwhelmed us. If it was not for the Hunter's assistance I fear that the Camp might have been lost. As it is, we have many demigods who require the funeral rites. Once we finish here, would you be willing to assist us Nico?"

"Of course." Nico's face softened for a moment as he remembered the list of names Thanatos had shown him. A feeling of anger suddenly filled him and he whirled around on Ryker. "You!"

"Me." Ryker was unconcerned with Nico's anger, but he tensed all the same. "Something bothering you?"

"Why didn't you protect them?" Nico demanded. It was irrational and very unfair on Ryker's part, but Nico was furious all the same. So much death had been caused for the simple fact that Ryker had been so obstinate in his assistance. If he had just given in to the gods' whims like he should have perhaps more deaths could have been avoided. "You act like such a big shot, like you are some great fighter, but you haven't done anything. You can't protect anyone. You only get people killed or captured."

Ryker rolled his eyes. "I kept myself alive." He answered back with a smirk. "If the others couldn't do the same, well, I guess they just weren't good enough were they?"

It was a curious thing, Nico's anger. Ryker watched as the pale demigod shook with rage, his face contorting into a fearsome scowl. The shadows around the Big House seemed to spread further along the walls, creeping towards Ryker like the roots of a tree. "How dare you?" Nico whispered, his eyes malevolent. "How dare you act like their blood is not on your hands?"