Chapter Text
When he woke Nico found Hazel curled up on the couch flipping through one of the books from his shelf. She looked at him as he sat up, “Good morning, or whatever it is. I can’t tell what time it is or if time is even a thing here.”
Nico rubbed his eyes as he glanced at his watch. He’d slept for several hours and according to the gold hands, it was nearly 8 in the morning on the surface. “Did you sleep?”
Hazel nodded. “I only woke up a little bit ago, but I didn’t want to disturb you so - “she held up the book, “thought I’d figure out what a hobbit was. They’re a bit strange.”
Nico chuckled, “Just wait until you read about the dwarves, they’re nothing like the real thing.”
“What?”
“Nevermind.” Nico threw his legs out of the bed, “I’ve got stuff to tell you.”
He told her about his dream with Juno, though he left out the part about the Greeks and the fact that Hazel was apparently part of the next great prophecy about the fate of the world. He thought that might be a bit much to spring on her the morning she was going to come back from the dead.
“So how do we get to this wolf house?” she asked.
“I have a few ideas,” Nico said as he strapped his sword to his belt and looked Hazel over, “but I think we need to make another stop first. I don’t think you’re going to make it very far in that.”
Hazel looked down at her cotton dress, “This?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find something better, more practical.” Nico held his hand out to her.
Since Hazel was corporeal, Nico figured that the first thing he’d try to bring her back would be to simply lead her to the surface. She was essentially as alive as he was, so if that worked he figured he wouldn’t need to worry about figuring out how the whole Doors of Death thing worked into this. Maybe it was just a metaphor for the path to the Underworld being open and available for use.
Either Juno had already exerted whatever influence she had needed to or Nico had used up all of his good luck for the year because when he led Hazel out of the shadows behind a loading dock she stayed as alive as she had seemed in Erebus.
Unfortunately for Hazel, that also came with the sensation and weakness of a living body. She bent over dry heaving as the shadows behind them lightened.
Nico shook off his own tiredness as he placed a hand on her back gently, “You alright? I forgot shadow travel can be a bit much if you're not used to it...”
She took another moment to compose herself before she stood up and nodded, “Yeah. That was just way more intense than last time. There were these doors, too, in the middle of the darkness. I thought they’d keep me from following you but when I got to them they slid apart. I stepped through them and ended up here.”
Nico filed the comment about the doors away for later. So apparently it wasn’t a metaphor. “Well, it looks like it worked.” He gestured around them, “Welcome back to the land of the living.”
To be honest, the empty backlot of a shopping center was not the most impressive sight. A part of him regretted not taking her to the beach or the top of some hill for her first glimpse of the living world. After so long roaming Asphodel she deserved to see something beautiful.
It didn’t matter to Hazel though, she was too busy stepping out into the sunlight, closing her eyes with the biggest smile as she turned her face to the sun. “It’s so warm.”
She was so delighted with such a simple thing that Nico couldn’t help the smile creeping onto his own face. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.”
Hazel opened her eyes to stare at him, “Get used to it? No! I’m going to treasure every moment of sunlight I get.”
Now Nico really did wish he could take her to the beach, but they had other priorities. He started walking around to the front of the building. “Come on, we’ve got to get you some new clothes.”
They spent the next couple of hours venturing through stores looking for suitable clothes for Hazel. She needed something she could move in and that would be comfortable if she had to wear them for a few days. Hazel immediately reached for the golds and purples. While Nico was more drawn to the blacks and dark grays, especially if they were likely to go a while without being washed, he obliged his sister. He liked seeing the delight on Hazel’s face when she tried on something colorful.
After they’d managed to buy a few pairs of pants, a couple of shirts, a pair of shoes, and a pair of denim overalls she had gotten really excited about, Hazel asked Nico if she could go get a few things on her own.
“Are you sure? I can come with you, I know the whole credit card thing confused you.”
“I’ll figure it out.” Hazel assured him, glancing around the storefronts anxiously, “I need to get… um, girl things.”
“Girl… things?”
“You know…” Hazel gestured to her chest awkwardly, the color of her cheeks deepening.
Nico felt his own cheeks flush. “Oh! Right. Um, I’ll just wait over there and you can find me when you’re done.”
Hazel handed him the few bags she was holding and took the card from him, “Thanks, Nico. I’ll be right back.”
While he waited for Hazel to buy her things in privacy, Nico decided to find them something to eat with some of the cash he had. When she found him a little while later, a small bag in her hands, he was halfway done with his basket of fries. She handed the card back to him as she sat down.
“You should eat something.” He pushed a second basket, this one with chicken wings, toward her.
“Ooh, thank you!” she said, and after a few bites, “These are delicious!”
“They’re decent.” Nico shrugged, “If you want some really good ones, I’ll have to take you to New York.”
He paused after he said it. Was that really something he should do? If he needed to keep the Greek and Roman camps separate, how much distance would he need to maintain? Could he take her to New York or was that dangerously close to Camp Half-Blood? What about Olympus? Where even was the Roman camp?
Hazel waved a piece of chicken in his face to get his attention. “Hello?”
“Hm?”
“You kind of zoned out for a minute.”
“Oh sorry.” Nico shook his head, “Did you, uh, get everything you needed?”
“Yep. I’m all set.” Hazel nodded as she licked her fingers, “I got a little distracted on the way back though. I can’t believe how different everything is. Did you see the cars? ”
Nico laughed, “I know, right? They’re so boring now!”
“Boring? I was going to say sleek! They’re way better than the Model Ts I remember.”
“Hey! Model Ts were cool,” Nico argued. Then he smiled, it hadn't donned to him yet that he and Hazel were from essentially the same decade and therefore would have some memories in common. He didn’t have to worry about Hazel looking at him weirdly if he started talking about something that had been popular 70 years ago. Her knowledge of popular culture was just as out of date as his was.
“I’m amazed at how much everything has changed.” Hazel sighed, looking around the mall, “It’s like I’m in a completely different world. Was it like that for you?”
“Not exactly.” Nico picked at a few fries, “At first, I didn’t really remember what things were like for me - before… Instead, I just kept finding things that seemed off or not how I thought they should be. It took a while to wrap my head around the fact that it was because I was in a completely new century.”
“Why didn’t you remember?” Hazel asked.
“I was taken to the River Lithe so that I would forget. I -” Nico took a deep breath, “I saw my mother die and I guess my father decided it was best I didn’t remember that. It didn’t really help in the end though. It’s just made me feel more lost.”
Hazel reached across the table and squeezed his hand, “I’m sorry. I’m sure that was really difficult.”
“It’s fine. I’ve got a lot of experience with being out of place.” Nico managed a small smile. It was probably best to move on from this topic. “We should get going soon.”
“Right.” Hazel nodded enthusiastically, “What’s next on this welcome back tour?”
Nico let out a short laugh. She was taking this whole resurrection thing in stride. “Next we need to try to find the Wolf House. I’ve never heard of it, but I still might be able to get us close.”
“With that teleporting thing you do?”
“Shadow travel, but yeah. Sometimes I can pick a location by focusing on a goal. In this case, finding the Wolf House.”
Hazel rubbed her hands on her new jeans, probably psyching herself up for another venture into darkness. “Okay. I’m ready when you are.”
Once they’d finished their lunch and gotten Hazel something to carry her new things in - Nico had made sure it was a studier duffle than the one he’d roamed around with. He wanted to make sure it could hold up against wear and tear, but he hoped it wouldn’t need to - they ventured back out to the loading docks and the deep shadows cast by the afternoon sun.
“Okay, so I’m not used to taking people with me.” Nico warned her, “Not up here at least. So this might be a little tough.”
“Okay. What do you need me to do?”
“Just hold on tight, and I should be able to pull you with me.” Nico shook out his shoulders in preparation, “It might just take a bit more energy than I’m used to.”
“Okay…” Hazel took his hand and squeezed, “Ready.”
Nico nodded and with his intention set on finding the Wolf House, pulled them both into the shadow.
They emerged in the middle of a forest, light streaming through the canopy above them. Through the trees, they could make out half-constructed stone walls and the sounds of chattering crowds. Nico swayed on his feet and Hazel had to grip his arm to keep him upright.
“You okay?” She asked.
“Ye-,” Nico opened his mouth to speak but it turned into a wide yawn. Before he could elaborate, his legs crumbled underneath him and he passed out.
***
“Nico?” Hazel was nudging his shoulder. Her voice was strained, “Nico, please wake up.”
He blinked a few times trying to remember where he was. It was dark now. As he tried to sit up, he asked, “How long was I out?”
“A few hours. I thought about looking around but I didn’t want to leave you alone like that. You were out cold.” Hazel explained, distracted as she looked past him. “I think there’s something in the trees.”
Nico peered into the shadows. Sure enough, there were shapes moving, prowling. He swallowed, that couldn’t be good. These days he’d typically welcome the challenge, but with Hazel in tow, he was much more concerned about keeping her safe. As he got to his feet, he unsheathed his sword.
A low snarl came through the trees.
“I think they’re threatened by the sword,” Hazel whispered.
“Good, they should be.” Nico continued to scan their surroundings, watching for any sudden movements.
“But," Hazel tugged on his sleeve, "I think it’s making them angry.”
He looked back at her, exasperated, “And what should I do? Just let us get attacked?”
With his head turned Nico didn’t see as the massive wolf sprang from the trees until it was practically on top of them. It snarled at him as he held out his sword. “Get back!”
The wolf’s eyes bore into him. It was easily a foot taller than him, its dark gray fur rippling over lithe muscle. More forms moved in the trees.
Nico suppressed a groan. There couldn’t be normal wolves here at the Wolf House. No, they had to be six-foot-tall mythical killing machines, looking at the two demigods like they were the perfect prey. The wolf in front continued to stare at him as though trying to speak to him through subtle expressions. The way its lips curled sent a clear message, Keep that away from my pack.
“Keep your pack away from me.” Nico retorted. Hazel stared at him in confusion but he had no explanation for her. Apparently, he spoke wolf now.
The wolf’s eyes narrowed and its ears flicked forward. You don’t belong here. A low huff and a twitch of the nose toward Hazel, She belongs. Not you.
“Lupa?” Nico asked hesitantly. He really needed to brush up on his Roman myths, but it would make sense she was a giant wolf. Lupa was the Latin word for wolf… also - wolf house?? It was surprisingly on the nose.
She let out an annoyed huff that Nico took as agreement. So he was in the right place. Now he just needed to get her to take them to the Roman camp. He started to lower his sword just a touch. “I was sent to find you. Juno told me you could help me find a place for my sister.”
Lupa’s head tilted in what could have been amusement, behind her the other wolves continued to pace around them. Why would I help you?
“Because she’s a child of Pluto. Erm, we both are.”
Another huff. She was calling him out. No, you’re not.
The hairs on the back of Nico’s neck prickled. This was not going how it should. Hazel was looking between him and the wolves with apprehension but she didn't seem to have any idea what the wolves were saying. “My only concern is my sister’s safety.”
Lupa’s ears flattened. I have no reason to trust you. I cannot have you endangering my pack.
She snapped her jaws behind her.
One of the wolves prowling in the trees leaped forward, its teeth bared. Nico lifted his sword in defense, keeping it at bay. They began to walk around each other, looking for weaknesses, but the wolf wouldn’t find any. Nico kept himself positioned between it and Hazel even as they moved.
The wolf lunged forward, a large paw out to knock him to the ground. Nico rolled out of the way, using the flat of his blade to knock the limbs off course. It was a tactic he’d been working on with Achilles. With how deadly his sword could be, he needed to be flexible with his attacks. He may be determined to prove himself to Lupa, but he didn’t want to kill a member of her pack.
A low growl escaped from the wolf’s lips as it searched for another opening. Lupa watched with a careful eye. Nico managed to dodge another two attacks from the wolf before she seemed to get tired and made another gesture toward the trees.
In a flash another wolf came sprinting out of the shadows Nico was barely able to process what was happening as the wolf bounded the last few feet with its claws outstretched. But not at him, toward Hazel. Nico drove in front of his sister just in time to get batted aside by huge paws, knocking the wind out of him.
He coughed as the wolf turned to snarl at him for getting in the way of its prey. His other opponent was not far behind. His sword was a few feet away, knocked out of his hands when he fell. All he could do was try to scramble away, but at least their attention was on him and not Hazel.
The wolves continued to stalk toward him, their fangs stark white against the darkness.
“That’s right,” Nico called between coughs, “I’m the danger.”
He didn’t have enough energy to shadow travel out of here, and he certainly wasn’t going to leave unless he knew Hazel was safe. If she was smart she’d run. He wasn’t worth endangering her newly acquired life.
The wolf in front growled at him and Nico prepared himself for the attack; a scratch, a bite, something. He knew pain. He could take it, as long as Hazel got out of the way. But it never came. As the wolf lunged, a chunk of rock the size of a bear erupted from the ground. The creature smacked into it with a crunch.
Hazel scrambled to Nico’s side, his sword in her hand. She stood protectively in front of him, “Stay away from him. He doesn’t mean you any harm, he’s only trying to help me.”
Nico got to his feet unsteadily, eying the massive boulder Hazel had pulled from the ground to save him. He hadn’t thought to ask about her powers. He’d assumed he would be the one doing the protecting.
Lupa bounded forward to intercept her comrade, using her neck to hold them back. After some resistance and a low growl, her two children slunk back into the shadows.
She flicked her eyes in Hazel’s direction. Fine. She is strong and you appear genuine.
Hazel looked to Nico, waiting for his confirmation. He nodded hesitantly, “So you will take us?”
A quick nod of her head, I will take you, if you can keep up.
With that, Lupa turned and left them to follow her into the forest.
Lupa and her pack led them south. She kept to the recreational and wildlife parks mostly, but a few times they got close enough to the urban centers for Nico to realize they were in California. They hiked most of the night, tucked in the pockets of nature spread out within the sprawl of Oakland, and tried to sleep during the day. Just as the sky began to lighten, Nico would use the dying shadows to find somewhere to get Hazel and himself something to eat.
He vaguely wondered if his father had realized he was gone from the Underworld or if his absence had gone unnoticed. It was probably better if no one realized he was gone, and it wasn’t like this was the first time he’d decided to venture on his own for a few days, the only evidence of his activities a new scar or two. Sometimes he was simply trying to get some space and the monsters found him, other times he sought them out. When the mythological didn’t provide enough of a distraction, he could always resort to the thrill of petty theft.
He liked the adrenaline, the moments when he wasn’t sure what would happen next. For just a moment his mind would be clear and he wouldn’t be plagued by the boy with the sea-green eyes that he shouldn’t be seeing every time he closed his eyes. In that way, he was thankful Juno had led him to Hazel. It gave him another avenue for his restless energy, something else to distract himself from his feelings. As they made their way further down the coastline, Nico was sure he was about to have a lot more to occupy his mind.
On the morning of the third day, Lupa sent the rest of her pack into the trees as she led the two demigods to the crest of the hill in front of them. The view from the top overlooked a wide valley tucked between sprawling hills on all sides so that it was hidden from view in any direction. The landscape was impressive but it had nothing on the camp sitting in the valley.
First of all, 'camp' was not a fair description of it. On one end of the valley, a small collection of buildings formed what looked like a military base. There were long barracks in neat rows surrounded by training arenas, archery ranges, and obstacle courses. The fields surrounding it looked to be set up for war games, with neatly constructed barricades and thoroughly dug trenches. On the other side of the valley connected to the base by a paved road that went over a small river was what could only be described as a small town. Clusters of houses formed neighborhoods, and businesses surrounded several paved squares. Everything was encompassed in a wide circle formed with statues every couple hundred yards, forming some kind of barrier.
Nico gaped at it. If his younger self had been amazed by Camp Half-Blood, his current self was floored by what the Romans had built. How could the Greeks train at what amounted to a glorified summer camp when the Roman demigods were training and living in an actual city?
“Nico?” Hazel asked as he touched his arm, “What’s wrong?”
He shook himself out of it, “Nothing. It’s just… I’ve never seen this before.”
From near the bottom of the hill, two creatures came running toward them. They looked like dogs, but as they got closer Nico could see that they were metallic - one silver, and one gold. They stopped a few feet short of Lupa and positioned themselves as though to block their path further.
Now that they’d been greeted by the welcome committee, Lupa deemed her job done. With a short huff of approval, she turned and ran back into the trees. Nico was wondering if these dogs would understand him as well as the wolves had when they heard another person approach.
“Aurum, Argentum, you can’t just go running off like that” a girl was saying as she climbed the last bit of the hill. She tossed her long braid behind her back as she scanned the top. When her eyes landed on Nico and Hazel, she stopped, “Oh.”
“Hello.” Nico tried for a friendly wave, but if the scowl on the girl’s face was any indication, he wasn’t convinced he did it right.