Percy Jackson: dark waters

Chapter 9

A series of natural disasters went throughout the US. Country went into chaos. In every major city there were riots. People lost everything to fires, floods, massive rains and plagues. With each day, it looked worse. Government tried to control the situation, but it only worsen it.

Meanwhile in Mythological world, Gods kept fighting one another. Their spheres of influence crashed with one another, causing more and more destruction. Some like Hestia and Hermes tried their best to help humans, but nothing could really be done. Zeus and Poseidon Battled constantly. With Sky and Seas so unruly, United States and Canada were cut off from the rest of the world. No humanitarian or military help could get there. 

Demigods all took their sides. Some decided to side with their godly parents, while others stayed with their camps. On rare occasion, demigods betrayed both their camps and parents to go side with their friends or just support the cause. Monster attacks increased tenfold. Behind every corner there would be a new threat. There was never so much chaos since Trojan wars. And all because Percy was banished to Tartarus. Who could have anticipated that Annabeth's death would lead to this. 

The days have passed and situation was not looking good for Zeus. Poseidon had majority of strong gods on his side, and quite few of minor ones. Meanwhile, Zeus only had few Olympians and other gods. Even if camp Jupiter at the beginning was in better position, after desertion of their both praetors AND Pontifex Maximus, they got thrown into disorder. While they were struggling to settle the chain of command, Greeks grew in strength. Both camps became kinda like fortresses. 

Nico's POV

After civil war broke out, my father tasked me with securing the camp. I was to stay there and be it's protector. I tried to protest and argue that I would be of better use leading armies somewhere, but deep down I was happy with being sent here. It gave me a chance to meet Will again. After Giants' War, we became close friends. And I would never say it out loud, but he is kinda cute. We hung out often when my father did not require my presence and help with current matters. 

Right now the two of us sneaked out to the forest. I tried to protest, but Will insisted. I start to see a pattern here... We got to where the Zeus' Fist was. Now it was just a pile of stones that was also a beginning of new salt water creek. Poseidon himself destroyed the rock formation in rage. I am so glad camp is protected from bad weather, or we would probably be drowned in rains.

Near the salt creek, I found a picnic blanket nad at least 7 happy meals. Seriously? It was just a phase. I needed it for spells. it's not like I go to McDonald on every occasion. I swear if Stolls spread some rumors again, they are gonna be the ones called Death Breath for next month. I will make sure of it! 

"Since your birthday is today, I decided to make a little surprise for you. Stolls said you love Happy Meals, so I got you some. I couldn't choose on a toy, so got all 7." Will said with brightest sunshine of smile I've seen so far.

"Stolls are gonna have a nasty surprise tomorrow." I snapped under my breath. "Also, my birthday is in a month. It's 28th of January not December." Even if it was completely mixed up and most likely a prank from Travis and Connor, I had hard time suppressing the smile. Usually, I did not get any birthday party since I was pretty much always left alone. Ok. I chose to be alone. It was never Bianca's fault she died. Nor was it Percy's... There was really no one to blame but me. I was a spoiled brat back then. She was so tired of looking after me. I get why she wanted to be free. It is all my fault she is gone. And after death, she chose rebirth. Not waiting for me...

"You ok?" Will asked. I realized that I must have been lost in thoughts. I felt a tear streaming down my cheek and quickly wiped it out. 

"It's just that since Bianca's... I did not have a proper birthday party in years. And nobody to celebrate it with." I managed to regain my usual dark and gloomy facade, but I fear it was too late. Instead of saying anything, Will stood there for a moment. Suddenly, before I had time to react he hugged me tightly. At first I stiffened, but after few seconds I relaxed and embraced the hug. 

When he let me out of his hold, we sit down and started eating. We ate and talk and ate and talk a bit more. After we devoured 3 happy meals each and shared the last one We laid back on the blanked and looked up to the crowns of the trees. It was... peaceful. Of course, being demigods we could not lay there for too long, our ADHD acting up. Will broke the silence.

"So... I was wandering... Would you like... Maybe you would... Are you busy this Friday?" He finally managed to get this out of himself after few attempts. Mentally, I facepalmed.

"I don't know. Is fighting in the biggest civil war of the millenium enough to say I'm busy?" I barked before realizing it sounded more rough than I wanted it to. I saw his face darken and facepalmed myself mentally, but harder this time. "That was sarcasm Will. I am free unless an army of angry romans attack us. Or some monster decides to pay us a visit. Or my father finds me another thing to do." I started babbling a bit like Will did a moment before. What in the Hades name?

"Because I was wandering if you were willing to maybe... gooutwithme?" he said last few words so fast I did not have a chance to make out the meaning.

"Could you not speak faster than Hermes runs Solace?" I barked again. Am I turning into Mrs. O'Leary?

"I wanted to know if you wanted to go out with me somewhere..." he siad shyly.

"Like on a date?" Oh my gods. He is asking me out... What am I supposed to do? Should I say yes? Should I refuse? Maybe I should just shadow travel away without answering. 

"Y-y-yes. I really like you and hoped we could hang out together." This is not happening...

"Yes." I said feeling my blood rush to my face. I think I suddenly turned the shade of Apollo's holy cows.

"YES? OH MY GODS! HE SAID YES!" Will jumped onto his feet and started running around. I felt even more embarrassed and accidentally shadow-traveled to my palace in the underworld. Yes, I did get palace in the underworld. Pros of being Prince of this place and Ghost King. 

The palace was all black and looked a bit like upgraded version of my cabin at camp half-blood. When I first got it, it was a ruin that looked like a mix of styles and was really ugly. Before me, it belonged to Minos who in all his madness kept changing and damaging the place. It took a bit of work and a large bag of books for Annabeth to get her to design a perfect Palace for me. I won't go into details of the interior, but let's just say it was best place ever. 

As I went inside, I noticed that something was off. In the living room I heard the TV was on and playing. I quickly drew my sword and summoned shadows around me to give me some stealth advantage. I prowled, staying close to the walls. When I got to the doors leading to main room, I silently willed them to open. As they moved, I saw horrifying scene. The room was covered in rose petals and on TV was some romantic comedy. The worst kind: so cliche that Aphrodite could not bear watching it. But what really scared me, was the message written with pink fire on the wall:

"Love never forgives - Eros"