Broken--A Reynico Fanfic

Chapter 1--Unexpected

Reyna's POV

I jolted up in my bed with a gasp. My breathing evened out as I surveyed the familiar surroundings of the praetor's cabins. Frank snored, as usual, in the lower bunk of the bed; Hazel camped in a small hammock beside him. Apparently all the things I saw were just a dream. 

It's okay, you're in your cabin, safe and sound.

I told myself, dressing in my praetor's uniform and putting on my Roman sandals.

Strolling down the roads of Camp Jupiter, I immediately felt a lot better. The dreams in my mind just now cleared away like mist on a sunny day. Sunlight filtered through the windowpanes of different cabins, and campers were milling about doing the day's work. Just like a good old Roman camp should be.

As I made my way towards the dining hall where campers gathered for breakfast, I caught snippets of anxious voices and whispered comments. 

"The son of Hades," 

"Yeah, that Nico di Angelo, right?" 

"No way, in camp?" 

"Right now?"

How? My mind fluttered with a myriad of possibilities.

I smiled into my plate, glad that nobody was looking at me at that moment.

Nico di Angelo...I had not thought about him in ages.

And, technically, I shouldn't.

Remember what Jason did to you...after all those years of partnership and rewards, leaving you alone...remember what Percy did to you...rejecting you so offhandedly, acting as if he didn't even understand what you were implying... 

No, I am certainly not going to think about Nico, or his dark obsidian eyes, or his sweeping black hair, or our last words-Oh, this is hopeless. Why can't I just forget about him and get on with my own work? Besides, it was not like he'd really be here at Camp Jupiter of all places. He'd probably forgotten me now.

I leaned over, to the gossiping campers talking about Nico.

"Is it true?" I perused their expressions, hoping beyond hope.

"Yah," Helen, a daughter of Hecate, confirmed the news: "Nico di Angelo just visited outta the blue. We're not sure why though."

My heart leapt of its own volition. "Thank you."

The campers return my smile, their chatter starting up again. 

I was...anticipating what was to come, so much, that I was pretty sure soon after I'd start prancing around the halls in utter ecstasy-

Oh gods, why am I so infatuated with the idea of him?

I closed my eyes, let out an exasperated sigh, and ran towards the dining hall, alongside the praetor's tables. I just had to take a small walk along the coast after breakfast. It would just be best if I left camp for a moment.

Frank would take care of things while I sorted out my mixed feelings. Pecking at my meal, I finally heard the break bell and immediately dashed onto the winding wooden bridge leading to the coastal boardwalk.

Nico's POV

Reaching for my Stygian Iron sword on the nightstand, I slipped it into its sheath. I threw in some ambrosia packets and some handy carry-on bottles of nectar.

What little resolve I had to defy my father disappeared, replaced by a thirst to save my sister. I won't fail you this time, Bianca, I promised her. I'll bring you a replacement. We'll be together once again.

At least, that was the case if Father kept his promise this time. He had offered me a second chance to bring Bianca back, and I jumped at the offer.

Especially right now when my only friend was Will Solace...who was dating me. I mean, ex-friend. That bastard cheated on me, for god's sake! I just can't take it. That's right, I'm a loner. But not anymore, when I get my beloved sister back. I remembered my father's words.

"Bring the girl to me, just her-that blasted Roman praetor, what's her name..."

"Reyna. Her name is Reyna."

"Well, take her here. Use any methods to get to her, trick her if you must. Just get her into the Underworld, stab her, and I'll take care of the rest. Then I'll release Bianca."

"Father...do I really have to do all that? She is my friend after all... Can't you just release Bianca?"

"No!" he thundered, "The girl must be brought here. A soul for a soul, remember? Besides, you do want Bianca back, don't you?"

I bowed my head. "Yes, but must it be Reyna? I don't-"

"It must be her, boy. Now go back while I prepare to capture her."

"What reasons for her? I mean, like, she's-"

Hades bellowed. The floor shook. "Do you need a concrete reason, boy? That reason is your sister! I have a plan, and it shall not fail because of your measly feelings!"

I took a deep breath. "No alternative?"

He tilted his head. "Do you want Bianca back, then?"

I nodded miserably, thinking about the grisly and backstabbing deed I was about to do. Reyna was my friend...but if Father said I must do that to get Bianca back...Conflicting emotions were flying around in my head. I took a deep breath.

"Remember, do not fail me."

"Y-Yes, Father."

I snapped out of my reverie, surprised at the tug of memories.

Different scenes popped into my mind: one of Reyna hugging me at the feast after we defeated Gaea, saying I'd always have a place in New Rome; memories of little talks Reyna and I had in the woods, when we would talk about each other's burdens and about the trip we took together with Coach Hedge; the scene when Reyna and I said our final farewells, when I told her that I would be staying at Camp Half-Blood to be the counsellor of Cabin Thirteen, when we parted ways...

I thought of the words I said to her: You're the most courageous demigod I've ever met, Reyna. I - I won't let you down.

How was I supposed to betray her after that?

I got up from the swinging hammock and shouldered my pack. I planned to take a small walk beside the sea to calm my nerves.

Just think of Reyna as nobody. No-one. Nobody special.

And think about Bianca. That way, you'll definitely succeed.

I started on the rickety wooden bridge leading to the coast. I'll confront Reyna and drag her to the Underworld after this, I thought.

Little did I know it would be much more complicated.