Sorcery & Shadows (Based on the Heroes of Olympus series)

X

Nico's POV (enjoy!)

Nico watched Angela closely as she pulled away from the kiss and strode off ahead, the faintest tint of a blush on her cheeks. He wasn't sure if he should feel guilty for staring at her, or appreciate the fact that she was too wrapped up in her thoughts to realize.

She was the total opposite of what he was. He was reserved and kept his emotions constantly under check while Angela was loud, impulsive, and exploded at the smallest flicker of feelings.

However, they were both extremely powerful on their own, and together, they could probably save or destroy a whole load of stuff.

As they both trudged through the long tunnel, Nico thought about his promise not to summon any Underworld spirits until Angela's crazy Roman dad was confirmed (un)dead, but he could feel the pent up shadows within his body, just impatiently waiting to be released. Even though it was risky to unleash too much of his powers, it was riskier to keep them in. He knew he had to do or summon something, regardless of whatever promise he had made without thinking. 

Why did he even make that promise, when he knew it was impossible to fulfill?

Part of him was wary of the girl who was muttering to herself in front of him, but part of him wanted to comfort her, and tell her that she wasn't alone anymore, like he was after Bianca died.

He had made that promise in order to protect her, he realized.

Nico also had no idea where these affectionate instincts were coming from, but he was greadually becoming well aware of these foreign emotions. It was probably because of Hazel, bringing out his real, true self. On the other hand, his consciousness (the part that was unaffected after both Hazel's and Angela's influences) was telling him to maintain the secrecy of his powers to prevent potential betrayal.

'Oh, who are you kidding,' the nicer part of him chastised. 'You're not pulling up helpful spirits because you care for that daughter of Hecate.'

'No, it isn't,' the other part of him argued. 'I can't let her know. Not after what she did, knocking me out back at the ship on purpose.'

'Why can't you believe her when she herself told you that it was the Lares who knocked you out?'

He wondered vaguely why his consciousness was arguing with itself, but the feeling quickly dissipated.

'I may trust her with my life, but I don't trust everything she says.'

'Then how are you supposed to come out of the shell you put yourself in?' 

'I don't have to.'

'You're only punishing youself, you know,' his pre-heartbroken self teased. 'You have your perfect half in front of you, and you want to turn the other way.'

His 'perfect half' tripped over a stone while choosing the left passageway at a crossroad and cursed in a language he didn't know. Was it... Egyptian? Or Mandarin?

There was something off about her, that he was sure.

 A new voice intruded his thoughts, which sounded suspiciously familiar.

'Always trust your instincts, little brother.'

Bianca.

He halted in his tracks, but Angela didn't notice. She kept walking, feeling the symbols on the walls with her small hands. It was clear that she hadn't heard Bianca's voice. He quickly resumed his pace, not saying anything.

Nico mentally slapped himself for thinking that Bianca was communicating with him. She had chosen rebirth, and was living a new life somewhere in the world as a normal person. After walking through the River Lethe, Bianca wouldn't remember him, or their parents. She probably had brothers and sisters of her own. 

He sighed internally. Gosh, if only she knew how much he missed her.

Meanwhile, Angela started muttering to herself in a flurry of languages, and he realized that she wasn't aware that she was talking out loud. 

Nico managed to catch a few phrases in Latin and more in Greek, and his eyebrows furrowed in concern. An's words spoke of shadows, death and dreams. All of which he was uncomfortably familiar with. 

Nico had to collect himself, and maintain control of his emotions. He knew he had to break his promise sooner or later, unless Angela's father suddenly appeared and they were somehow able to send him back to the Underworld permanently.

But for now, all they could do was wait.

After a few more minutes of walking, Angela stopped in front of a wall with markings on it.

"We're here," she announced.

A/N: Hewwo, people! :) Happy new year to you guys :) Anyways, this chapter is kinda short, I know, but deal with it *persassy meme*

Writing Nico POVs is so intriguing!

Well, I hope I can have a kinda of regular schedule now, with updates every two weeks (I hope hope hope) O:) 

Please play the song on the right while you read, it was basically the song that simply inspired me to write this.

Remember to comment or send me a message if you have anything to add/ask/critique! (and also if you wanna talk about the last book, Blood of Olympus, because feels)

Bye :3