Chapter Text
(Excerpt from The House of Hades by Rick Riordan)
Nico nodded. "The scepter of Diocletian could make a huge difference. You'll need my help." Jason tried not to show his discomfort, but his skin prickled at the thought of going anywhere with Nico di Angelo. Percy had shared some disturbing stories about Nico. His loyalties weren't always clear. He spent more time with the dead than the living. Once, he'd lured Percy into a trap in the palace of Hades. Maybe Nico had made up for that by helping the Greeks against the Titans, but still. Piper squeezed his hand. "Hey, sounds fun. I'll go, too. Jason wanted to yell: Thank the gods! But Nico shook his head. "You can't, Piper. It should only be Jason and me. Diocletian's ghost might appear for a son of Jupiter but . . . I'm the only one who can talk to his spirit."
Nico:
The Argo ll was not the least welcoming environment Nico had ever found himself in. Obviously. It may have felt like close quarters with the full seven on board, but...two were absent. It was a heavy absence, too. Even the presence of the hulking satyr and a chaotic table called Buford failed to mask the loss.
This was why Nico was so grateful for Hazel. Half the time she let him roam by himself, the other half she’d lead him to the mess hall to eat meals (plural), or to go over the day’s events. The others, even Frank, kept a wary eye on Nico, like he was a feral cat who might spit and bite.
Jason:
The Argo ll would be a luxurious vehicle for a quest, if not for the excessive monster attacks. Although Jason had never expected an easy time, he still felt guilty for everything the crew was going through. Losing two of their own was a brutal blow. Could he have done more to prevent this? But swirling self-doubt would have to wait. Annabeth and Percy were counting on them to work it out.
And that meant going to Split, Croatia. Which meant a team meeting. Jason sighed, thinking of the danger they would face in the House of Hades. They needed help. He’d have to at least try to leave a message for Reyna, now that he knew she was on her way.
Nico:
How had this happened? Nico groaned internally. He had instantly regretted volunteering, and yet his (ahem) skills were best suited to retrieval of a cursed, haunted item. Gods, why? Had Percy’s heroics rubbed off on him? Or perhaps they all had to fill the void left by the recklessly noble son of Poseidon. Whatever the case, Nico found himself squinting in the midday sun alongside Jason as the two meandered into what was clearly a tourist trap.
Jason:
Well, Jason thought, the meeting could have gone worse. No one had really argued about Nico joining Jason to find the scepter. In fairness, his knowledge of Diocletian could only help. Paired with any other crew member, Jason would have felt at ease. But, with Nico, he hadn’t yet earned that ease. He didn’t know much about the son of Hades, really.
Jason wished his girlfriend had joined them after all. He'd come to know Piper well, had observed her strengths and insecurities. She was observant and read people easily. She negotiated like a boss. But... Nico had insisted it should be only the two of them. Maybe he just didn’t play well with others. Or, more disturbingly, perhaps Nico sensed something sinister ahead. Either way, Jason needed to focus on scouting.
Nico:
None of the tacky tourists spared a glance for Nico’s black t-shirt and ripped jeans. Of course, The Mist tended to mask his appearance when he wore his Stygian sword. Jason, however, would blend perfectly into the lineup at the nearby ice cream cart. Suddenly, the other boy grabbed Nico’s arm and pointed. Nico shook him off.
“That’s-“
“I know!” said Jason. He made to march directly toward the winged figure who had just paid for ice cream. He was not subtle.
“Wait-“ Nico began to say, but already the winged creature had glanced up with clear eyes, adjusted the feathery wings, and fled.
“We’ll catch him.”
Before Nico could roll his eyes, he’d been grabbed by the waist, whisked into the sky, and dropped over a stone wall that made up part of the palace ruins.
Jason:
Nico looked ready to murder him once they’d set down over the wall. He immediately worried that he’d hurt the kid.
“You okay?” he asked with concern.
“I-“ Nico stammered, “I don’t like being touched.”
Oh.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean...”
“Just...ask, next time. Let’s go.”
The former temple was deserted. Very creepy. Nico moved deliberately, like an animal handler who showed no fear.
“Here," said Nico, without turning. They had descended into a vacant chamber. A solitary marble bust of Diocletian sat in the corner.
“It’s not here?” Jason guessed.
Nico nodded. “It was here once.”
“Well?” Nico asked after a long moment. “Are you going to leave your note?”
“Right.”
Jason scrambled in his pocket for the note he hoped Reyna would find. He slid it carefully under the bust’s base so only a corner protruded. He was about to turn and ask, “Now what?” when a gust of wind rushed the chamber and a presence materialized from nothing. An angelic man with feathered wings and a vexed air.
Nico:
“You know who I am?” The wings of red and gold seemed to glitter in a light of their own.
Jason’s sword had materialized in his grip, but he only surveyed the stranger warily.
“Dude, I am not vibin’ this old tomb,” said the angel.
“Then why are you here?” Nico demanded.
The stranger chuckled. “Why are any of us here? The ice cream. Fruit basket delivery. Spreading good vibes. Guiding visitors to my master.”
Jason bristled to Nico’s left. “And who is your master?”
“Chill, man, you’ll totally get to meet him.”
“It’s not the ghost of Diocletian," guessed Nico. "And you’re not going to tell us who he is - who you are?”
“Oh! I’m Zephyrus,” he shot back with a lazy grin. “Or Favonius,” he added, with a glance at Jason. “Greek or Roman, either one’s cool with me.”
“So you’re the West Wind,” Jason realized. “Does your master have the scepter?”
Favonius just grinned.
Nico rolled his eyes.
Jason:
“So, you’ll take us to your master?”
“I thought you’d never ask!” Favonius crowed. He spun. Before Jason could register surprise, the god had a hand on each boy’s shoulder and all three were somehow dissolving into air.
“Oh!” Jason gasped when gravity and ground rematerialized in a warm, gentle gust. Nico was in the dirt, looking severely annoyed.
“There’s nothing here,” Jason observed. They were out of sight of the palisade, the tourists - everything. “Why-“
Nico was the one to answer, with widening eyes.
“He’s here. His master is already here.”
“Very good, my dude!” Favonius said, impressed. “But listen to some sage advice before I head on out. Love is like surfing a wave. If you flinch, the current will pull you under. Don’t bail, my dudes.”
Nico:
He was gone. He was gone just as Nico felt certain he knew who Zephyrus truly was. Did Jason realize? His eyes found Jason’s as they both shifted uneasily, casting glances around the abandoned ruin.
“Zephyrus loved a man named Hyacinthus who Apollo also loved,” he began, casting a glance at Jason, who nodded.
“He became so jealous that he threw a discus at the mortal who immediately died. Because his crime was born of love, Zephyrus was punished with servitude under Eros.”
“Cupid,” said Jason.
Yes. So, you have found me...
Jason:
...Jason Grace.
The voice whispered in Jason’s ear like rustling trees.
"We've come to ask for the scepter. We need it to stop Gaea and to free the gods."
The disembodied voice laughed deeply.
You've come because I drew you here.
Shock stretched seconds into minutes. Glancing at Nico, Jason took in his warrior's stance, set jaw, darkened eyes. His stomach sank. Were they about to fight a god?
Something slammed into Jason, hurling him just short of a crumbling wall. Ow. He whipped his head back up, but no enemy appeared. Just the son of Hades, sword sheathed, looking furious.
Nico:
What a stupid waste of time. Nico would have shadow-traveled Jason to safety already if he didn't believe Eros had the scepter. Instead, he ran to the boy sprawled in the dust and offered his hand.
"Are you alright?" Stupid question.
"Fine," Jason coughed. "Just sucker punched."
Nico snorted. Both standing now, they waited anxiously. They needed the scepter. Nico stole himself to exhibit a confidence he didn't feel.
"Well, Cupid? Is it fair you can see us but we can't see you?"
That laugh again.
Fair, Nico Di Angelo? You still expect fairness from the god of love? You?
Jason:
Nico seemed frozen in place as an arrow pierced the air. It missed. The arrow sank into the packed dirt by Nico's Converse. Nico shuddered. Actually, it was the earth shuddering as Cupid's arrow vanished, leaving no mark apart from the vibrations in Jason's skull.
"Where are you?" Jason heard Nico scream.
More laughter.
Where you least expect me, as love always is, child of Hades. Love is pain.
"Holy Romulus, is Cupid cliché?" Jason scoffed in irritation.
Nico smirked. He turned to face Jason. The son of Hades looked fierce. Jason gulped.
"Cupid is not going to help us without a sacrifice. And he's not going to show himself. He only cares about inflicting pain."
"Hence the arrows," said Jason, but he felt confused.
"I think," Nico hesitated. "I might be able to sense when he's aiming. Can you?"
"Uh, no."
"Hm. Okay - there!" Nico suddenly pointed.
Jason instinctively sliced his sword through the air. For a second he felt foolish. Then he followed Nico's gaze.
Nico:
Cupid's arrow was smoldering red ash. And halved. Jason's sword had broken its trajectory.
Very good, Nico Di Angelo.
The voice didn't sound pleased.
So, you have come to terms with love, after all? Or do you simply fear for your beloved as they suffer in Tartarus?
Nico blanched as the voice sneered. The next instant, Nico was flattened to the ground. His eyes fluttered confusedly. He knew he had to get up. He was so tired, but Jason was vulnerable.
"Here."
The son of Jupiter, coated in dust, held out a steady hand with grim determination. Nico took it. Eros, or Cupid, wanted something. They should figure it out so they could bargain for the scepter - before love tried to kill them.
"Eros. I have survived Tartarus. I know pain. You cannot hurt me."
Wrong. You cannot lie to love, Di Angelo. Love can always hurt you.
Nico sensed movement and shifted. Jason's body moved barely a beat later, shadowing Nico. This time, Jason hadn't swung his sword. A dark arrow pierced his blue shirt. Nico watched in shock as Jason toppled backwards.
Nico:
The arrow shimmered. It was already vanishing, no trace of wound or harm. Nico knew better. He knelt and grasped Jason's right hand without knowing why or how to help. As their hands connected, Nico found himself in a dream.
He recognized Camp Halfblood. The edge of the lake. A girl was sitting on a picnic blanket, grinning happily out at the water. She turned, and her smile slipped. She said solemnly, "I love you, Jason."
Oh. Jason's dream. Jason's girl. Nico followed her gaze and alighted on Jason in his orange camp t-shirt and denim cut-offs. He stepped toward the blanket, toward Piper. She stood.
Nico felt he shouldn't be watching this, whatever it was, a memory or a wish... but he couldn't look away.
Dream Jason looked away. Piper neared him, grasped his hand. She was tall. They were so close now. But Jason flinched. Piper looked like he'd slapped her. And Jason's face was even more anguished.
"No. No, no, no," Dream Jason muttered, as he shook his hand away from Piper's and walked away. Nico stared at Jason's retreating back.
Jason:
He shot me , Jason thought angrily. Then another wave of anger washed over him as he relived the vision - the stupid, fake vision of he and Piper... at camp.
"Get up. Come on."
Nico's voice roused Jason from his thoughts and he blinked, then accepted the offered hand. Nico looked unnerved.
Do you still doubt yourself, son of Jupiter?
The voice mocked him.
You disgust me. No one can lie to me, Jason Grace.
"So," Nico's calm voice anchored Jason in his fog of confusion. "You do want something. You want the truth. I can give you that."
Nico took a step forward and glared at nothing. "Promise not to hurt Jason and I'll tell you everything you want to know."
Silence. Then...
Agreed. I will not hurt Jason again. He hurts himself, but I shall not strike his heart thrice. Tell me, son of Hades, what have you done for love?
Nico inhaled. Exhaled.
Jason:
What?
Jason was somehow in a memory of Nico's. He could tell because Nico was younger and they were somewhere Jason had never been. A stone corridor lit by blue flames in obsidian sconces.
Nico wore an oversized aviator jacket. His hair cast shadows like bat wings. He crept down the corridor. The boy breathed a deep breath and faded into shadow. They were in a windowless cell. Nico crept toward a sleepy figure. The figure jolted. Out of the darkness there glowed a sword, illuminating the rigid form of Percy Jackson. Percy held the sword to Nico's throat and spoke with venom.
"Rescue...you," was Nico's choked answer.
Jason lurched forward with concern, then stopped himself. It wasn't real. Next to the frightened version of Nico was the one Jason knew, his face reflecting only pity. This had happened, he realized. It was real.
"I was a lonely, nerdy - lost - little kid. I needed him to like me. I wanted Percy Jackson to need me."
Nico:
It was easy to pinpoint the moment it all went horribly wrong. (In hindsight, anyway.) It wasn't being too immature or too weak. Percy Jackson would never forgive a betrayal. It still hurt, anyhow, as though Riptide had pierced his heart that day.
Laughter shook the ground.
Blue light flickered and they stood on a riverbank like a billion shards of black glass. Percy Jackson was breathing heavily, angry eyes burning at the kid in the aviator jacket.
"I'll help. I can fight."
"No. Stay here. Convince Hades to join the fight." He was ice now, instead of fire.
And then Percy Jackson was gone and young Nico was left gaping, silent tears drenching his cheeks.