Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nico would not attend meals, talk or go outside of his cabin. 

It had been a week since the Tartarus episode, and William Andrew Solace was worried. He banged in the door, shouted, demanded that he come out, and tossed shoes at the door. For his sake as much as Nico's. 

Nico had been different to Will since Tartarus. He didn't talk to him as much, and snapped at him more. Will was trying to believe that he didn't cause this from the arguements they had in Tartarus. 

Sure, they had expected that the Underworld would probably affect Will more that Nico, as Will was the son of Apollo, God of the Sun. But it didn't physically affect him much. Yes, when he was injured, instead of the lovely fast healing that he usually benefited from, the sounds healed the same speed as a normal persons would. But mostly it affected him mentally, making more bad thoughts bubble up, even away from the Acheron. 

Will was also concerned, as when Nico and he were about to step in the Acheron, Nico hesitated. Will told him that he had nothing to fear, as he'd done nothing evil in his life. Nico disagreed. The only thing he would squeeze out when Will asked was a name. 

Bryce. 

But since all the Bryces in camp didn't seem to unsettle Nico, Will came to a conclusion that either, 

1. That this Bryce person was dead, 

2. That he was in Camp Jupiter or

3. All of the above. 

Will looked through the infirmary door. It was lunchtime. For the twenty-third time, he went to the Hades Cabin and tried to get Nico out. He wasn't expecting Nico to actually come out, just so Nico knew that Will still cared and also the fact that trying to get him out for meals was pretty much a habit at this point.

So Will was surprised when he heard a sigh and a voice saying, "Wait a sec, I need to change."

But when Nico came out, it was not a pretty sight.

Chapter Text

Nico was not a pretty sight.

He had a skeletal frame again, and bags under his eyes indicated his trouble sleeping again. He was wobbly, as if he hadn't been out of bed. His clothes were crumpled and dirty.

For a second, Will just stared. Then he sobbed and threw his arms around Nico. Nico stiffened, an old instinct, but eventually hugged back.

Will wiped his eyes and seemed to recover. 

"Nicole di Angelo, if you EVER do that again, I'm going to kick you to a place full if shadows, let you enjoy it for a few minutes then add a giant sun to it. I swear to Apollo, if you-" Will started. 

"Yeah yeah, I got it, sunshine boy," cricket Nico in reply. "Are we going to lunch or not?"

Will nodded in consent. 

***

There were mixed reactions from the campers at seeing Nico again. 

Some were happy. 

Some looked scared. 

Some just looked downright disappointed. 

Whispers broke out. 

Di Angelo here. 

Di Angelo there. 

Nico tried to hide his reaction. He his his face behind his hair and nibbled on a carrot, while Will did his Care Bear thing and glared at anyone who dared to stare. 

After lunch Nico ran back to the cabin. Will followed shortly after and found him in a pile on his bed.

"Nico, I know you are NOT happy, but those who stared are the people I will give mortal, painful disinfectant wipes at the infirmary. The people who are actually your friends do NOT care. But I'm worried since you've been in your cabin for a week now. So it's either you come out, or I'm getting Clarisse to drag you out to the infirmary, where you'll be staying for another week. Your choice."

Nico glared at him. That was when will saw the cocoa puffs from Tartarus. 

Chapter Text

There were about six of them, Will counted as he ran over to the cute little furballs. 

Nico smiled slightly. 

"Remember these guys? My emotions?"

"How could I not? I mean, look at them!" Replied Will. 

"Their names are Insecurity, fear, hatred, pain, regret and sadness." Said Nico. "They're the emotions I feel the most often and most strongly."

"Speaking of emotions, we need to talk." Said Will. 

"I agree," said a voice behind them. There stood Annabeth, Percy, Piper and Frank and Hazel, who had come over from Camp Jupiter to Camp Half-Blood for a month. 

After a lot of squealing over the cocoa puffs, Annabeth said, "So, care to explain how you feel? Considering the fact that the cocoa puffs seem more agitated than usual, especially the sadness one, I bet that you're a little less than okay."

Curse wise kids. 

Nico burrowed into the covers, so that the words were a bit muffled. "There's nothing to talk about! I'm fine!"

Just as Annabeth was going to object, Chiron shouted, "Campers! To the camp borders! The Minotaur us inside the camp!"

This wasn't supposed to be possible. The borders prevented monsters from coming in. But they rushed outside anyway. 

And there, standing in the sunlight, was the Minotaur. 

Chiron was aiming arrows at it, which just bounced off harmlessly. Nico didn't come out. 

"Nico! Nico! Nico! We need skeletons, ASAP!" yelled Will. 

No reply. 

Will growled and dashed to the Apollo cabin, where he came back out with a sword. He jabbed it at the Minotaur's belly. It bounced harmlessly off its scales. It roared and charged, but Will twisted away just in time. 

Then he saw a gap in the scales. Torn off or natural, he didn't care. He lunged for it. 

Will was not very experienced. Instead of neatly stabbing in, it went kind of sideways. But it didn't matter. The Minotaur exploded into dust. 

"I... I killed it," said Will, staring at his sword. 

"Yes, but the question us, how did it get in?" Chiron asked grimly. 

Chapter Text

Whispers spreaded all over camp. Rumours and theories, all about how the Minotaur got in. Chiron had set up a guard around the borders, ordering them to sound the emergency klaxons if they saw a monster.

At the campfire, Nico showed up. Will interrogated him on why he didn't help during the fight, but Nico refused to answer.

Will got tired of his sulking and moved to sit besite Kayla Knowles.

"Hello, Will!" said Kayla cheerfully. "Why are you sitting here?"

Unfortunately, Will had gotten a case of the Death Boy Sulk 2000™ so he did not reply.

The Apollo cabin's sing-along seemed more gloomy than usual. The fire was barely the hight of half of Harley's height.

A few days later, Will tried talking to Nico again.

"Death Boy, why-"

"DO NOT call me Death Boy, Will." snapped Nico.

"Oh-kay. So why?"

"Why what?"

"You KNOW what I'm talking about, di Angelo."

Silence.

"At least try and talk to Dionysus?"

"Solace, get out of my cabin, or bones where the sun don't shine."

Will hurried away.

_________

Nico's POV

Nico watched him hurry away.

Good, he tried to think.

The anxiety cocoa puff jumped onto his lap.

He ignored the memories it brung. 

He decided an hour later to go find Will so that he could get rid of his angst.

When he arrived, he saw a mop of golden curls and a scowl.

Just as Will opened his mouth, the emergency klaxon sounded.

Chapter Text

Will closed his mouth. 

"We'll talk later," he said, not looking at Nico. "For now, di Angelo, just try not to kill yourself."

Nico was surprised. Will called him by his surname. Will never called him by his surname. It reminded him too much of Maria and Bianca di Angelo. But he still followed Will out of the infirmary.

There was an army of cyclopes out there. He could see Jackson, the idiot, scanning the army for any sign of his brother Cyclopes, Tyson. Then there would be a chance that the army was friendly.

Bit even as he looked he knew that there was no chance. Tyson would've called in advance. Nico watched as Percy uncapped his pen and as it turned into Riptide.

Nico gripped the hilt of his Stygian iron sword. He looked at Percy. He nodded and they charged. Chiron and the Apollo cabin were firing arrows, one at a time and each one hitting a Cyclopes and sending them to Tartarus. But there was just too many Cyclopes.

So Nico decided to not focus on style, just swing it around to kill as many as possible. He dived in, decapitating one and slashing in a circle. He dodged a swipe and hammed his sword into the heel. He didn't care who he hit anymore, so everyone just got the hell out of his way.

A couple if minutes later, Nico was covered in dust, the Cyclopes seemed to have disappeared and everyone was staring at him.

"I'm not helping again," he shouted and stalked back to his cabin.

He heard Will murmur something about drachmas, Iris and Reyna but he was too tired to try to find out what he meant. He flopped onto his bed and dreamed.

Nyx was standing above him, laughing. She shit arrow after arrow at Nico's chest until his chest hurt too much and the scene dissolved. Then he saw Will and Chiron, throwing him out of camp and the scene dissolved...

Then a vivid scene of Reyna swiping her hand through an Iris-message and climbing onto her pegasus swarmed into his head. She had a determined look in her face.

And the scene dissolved...

Nico woke up in a wave of fury and saw Reyna standing above him.

Nico punched his pillow.

"Solace, that little-"

Reyna interrupted him. "It isn't his fault. He's a sworn member of the Protect Nico di Angelo club, and if he didn't tell me, I would've killed him.

"Since when was the Protect Nico di Angelo club even a thing?"  asked Nico.

"Since always," replied Reyna.

"Well, I'm still going to bash his face in," said Nico. "He's a severe pain."

That was when Will made himself known in the far corner.

Chapter Text

For a second, Will just stared at Nico. Then he sprinted out of the cabin.

"Will! HEY, WILL!" yelled Nico.

"He'll come back when he's ready," said Reyna. "For now, let's focus on you." 

"But there isn't even anything to focus on!" said Nico.

"Actually, there's plenty. First, why did you snap at Will? Second, why are you refusing to help during the raids? And third, what are you planning?"

"Nothing, I'm not planning anything," said Nico quickly.

"Come on, Nico. You have that look on your face."

Nico sagged. And when he started, it all spilled out in a mess.

"After Tartarus, I think I got PTSD because I was clearsighted when I saw Nyx's house. And when we stepped in the Acheron, it dredged up memories of...something I did and now I want to run away from camp."

Reyna sighed. "I'm guessing that the memiry you remembered was Bryce?"

Nico nodded. Then he ran out of the cabin.

Nico didn't sit with or talk to Will. Instead, he barely came out for meals, and when he did, he sat by himself by the Hades table.

He quickly got worse, having greasy hair and a skeleton-like face. He and Will still refused to talk about it.

The other campers noticed, of course. They just didn't dare to talk about it because anyone who did would end up being pinned on the floor by a skeleton.

More attacks came, steadily growing worse. Apparently it was because.of Thalia's tree decaying, so Percy and Annabeth had been sent on a quest. (Note: Yeah, I know that Sea Of Monsters came before TSATS, but bear with me please:))

Then, one day, Will disappeared.

Chapter Text

Will was not in the camp.

Chiron and the other campers had searched everywhere, while Nico had an idea.

He went to the Apollo cabin and asked Kayla to ask Apollo for help. 

A few seconds later, Nico felt a flash of heat and a sigh behind him.

He turned around cautiously.

Standig there was Apollo, and he did not look happy.

Nico didn't care. He asked, "Where's Will?" 

Apollo shook his head. "Kid, first of all, you have absolutely ignored Will for the last week. Why would you start caring now?"

"Uh, because he just got-" Nico snapped,

"And second," Apollo interrupted, "I'm not allowed to help you. I'm already in trouble with Zeus, and he's currently deciding my punishment. If I interfere with mortal affairs, that'll just make it worse."

Then he was gone in a flash of light.

"Oh-kay," said Nico, "I guess that didn't work."

He studied Kayla properly for the first time since Will disappeared yesterday. Her eyes were bloodshot and her forehead had worry crinkles, indicating her worry. Her eyes had bags under them too, indicating her trouble sleeping.

"Are you okay?" asked Nico. "You do know that once I take a nap for energy, I'm shadow-travelling straight out to find him, right?"

This wasn't a lie. Nico had recently discovered that he could trace people by their essence in shadows, so he could just follow the trail that had his essence, kick some booty, grab Will and teleport back to Camp Half-Blood.

Kayla knew this, so all she said was, "I'm coming with you, and so is Austin. I want a quest."

Chapter Text

Chiron did not let them go easily. He, at first, refused.

"So, let me get this straight. First, our borders are weak and we don't know who did it, and you're bringing a son of the Big Three with you, which monsters will find quite irresistible."

"Yep! That's about it. Oh, yeah, also, we're bringing Austin too!" replied Kayla.

"Well, that's much better. Would you like to bring an army of demigods along too?" said Chiron dryly. "I refuse to let you go on this quest."

Nico slammed his fist onto the table as the apple on the table started to wither and die. "We are going on this quest, whether you let us or not. So let me simplify it for you. You basically have two choices. Either we shadow travel out in the middle if the night, which will probably make me pass out after, or you let us go and we bring some supplies with us. Your decision."

Chiron glared at him. "You're making this much more difficult than it needs to be."

Nico growled. Skeletons started to rise through the earth, wielding spears and swords.

"Not that I'm refusing to let you go," said Chiron quickly.

The skeletons dropped back into the soil.

"We're setting off at sunset, and you are not stopping us. Understood?" growled Nico.

Chiron nodded energetically.

At susnset, a group of satyrs brung him a backpack filled with supplies. They assured him that Kayla had gotten a similar one.

The backpack must have been magic, because it was absurdly small and still managed to fit three month's supply of food and water, an emergency phone, changes of clothes, many packets of wipes, a toothbrush and toothpaste and two other pairs of shoes.

Kayla knocked on the door.

"Coming!" Nico shouted and walked over to the door. He opened it.

There stood a pale and trembling Kayla. Wordlessly, she gestured towards the exit of camp, where the whole camp was waiting.

Nico understood and walked over with Kayla.

Chapter Text

The goodbye was quiet.

Nobody talked much. Everyone just murmured some words and then stared at their shoes. Encouraging.

When it was time to leave, Kayla was more than a bit sad. Nico wasn't sad at all. No siree. Nope.

Gods, he was sad.

But they had to save Will. Nico had though about this, and he came to the conclusion that the idiot had probably gotten himself kidnapped by some powerful mortal organization. Powerful, because they managed to get a demigod.

The shadows around the strawberry fields reeked of Will. He and Kayla kept following his trail in silence. 

An hour later, they decided tok set set up camp in a grassy clearing. Nico would take first watch from 11pm to 3am tomorrow, and Kayla would take second watch from 3am tomorrow to 7am tomorrow.

Nico was about 2 hours in on his watch when he heard a twig snap and a low growl. He started.

"Kayla! Wake up!" he hissed.

"WhadIabdofiwhmboandquivraghkllhimnico," she said in a jumble before sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Nico? What's going on? Is it my turn to take watch?"

"Keep your voice down!" Nico hissed. "I heard a branch or something snap and a low growl. Listen."

Kayla went quiet. She heard the growl and drew her bow and sword. Nico drew his Stygian iron blade and stepped out of the tent with Kayla.

Standing in the clearing was a hellhound.

Chapter Text

Nico's first thought was, maybe it's Mrs. O' Leary.

Mrs. O' Leary was a friendly hellhound that visited Percy every once in a while, so she could have been on her way to camp.

Mrs. O' Leary was actually Daedalus's pet hellhound, but when Daedalus had died, Mrs. O' Leary made Percy her best friend.

The hellhound growled and tried to bite Nico.

Yeah, this is not Mrs. O' Leary, thought Nico.

He slashed at the hellhound. It dodged just in time and scraped Nico on the shoulder. As Nico panted and applied pressure to the wound like Will had taught him to, Kayla fired an arrow. It sunk in and the hellhound howled and clawed it out. There was now a nice big gash where the arrow had hit.

Nico recovered and drove his sword into the hellound's leg.

We've won, he thought, thinking that theStygian iron would suck out his life force.

The hellhound remained standing, just howling a lot.

Crap, thought Nico.

Will's POV

Will was huddled in a small cell. He was curled into a ball, and meals went through the bars of his cell. It wasn't much. This was basically his daily menu:

• Breakfast: Stale bread or stale bread.
• Lunch: Cabbage soup or cabbage soup.
• Dinner: Unknown slop or unknowns slop.
• Note: Only 1 glass of water per meal. NO COMPLAINTS.

Every day, he just regretted his fight with Nico and hoped someone would find him.

He wondered if Nico had even realised that he was gone.

He kept waiting for someone to save him.

***

 Nico's POV

It had been an hour, surely. The hellhound still remained standing, and whatever measly amount of damage he and Kayla had done to it, he returned.

They were exhausted. They couldn't keep this up.

Nico got an idea.

He trudged over to their bag of supplies, dodging a swipe from the hellhound. He searched desperately. Then he hit the jackpot. 

Several vials of Greek fire.

He took one out and lubbed it at the hellound. It howled and started to burn. Nico chopped its head off and it disintegrated into dust.

Chapter Text

Nico collapsed the moment the hellhound disintegrated.

The last thing he registered was Kayla scooping him up and brining him back to the tent. Then everything dissolved.

***

Nico dreamed of Will, curled up in a cell with only a bed and some food and water, with horrible mortals in lab coats experimenting and inspecting him like he was a mouse.

Nico tried to stop them, but he couldn't move.

The scene disintegrated...

Will had poorly wrapped bandages over bleeding wounds. He had thinned considerably and his face had become more gaunt and pale. Then a person who looked like a mad scientist grinned at him and raised a knife...

***

Nico bolted straight up, nearly hitting his head on Kayla's nose.

"We need to get to Will," he gasped, and immediately Kayla was on guard.

"Why?" she asked.

"Dream," Nico mumbled, and that was all she needed to know.

Wordlessly, they packed up and moved out of the clearing. Nico felt better than he had any right to be, probably because of Kayla's healing, ambrosia and nectar.

They kept following where the shadows lead. Then the seemingly endless thicket ended and they saw a giant building.

And Will's scent lead straight into it.

Chapter Text

Nico and Kayla approached the ominous building cautiously. The scent of Will was stronger, confirming that this was the place they were looking for. The structure looked abandoned and decrepit, giving off an eerie vibe.

As they sneaked inside, shadows dancing around them, Nico's senses heightened. The air seemed charged with an unsettling energy, and his instincts screamed danger. The faint sounds of clattering echoed through the dark hallways.

They navigated through the dimly lit corridors, Kayla keeping a watchful eye while Nico followed the trail of Will's essence. The building seemed to stretch endlessly, and they couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

Finally, they reached a heavy, rusted door. Nico hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the handle. The muffled sounds of movement reached them from the other side.

"Ready?" Nico asked, glancing at Kayla.

She nodded, her bow at the ready. Nico pushed the door open slowly, revealing a large, dimly lit room filled with cages. Each cage held a demigod, their eyes hollow and expressions drained of life. In the center, Will lay unconscious, restrained to a chair.

Nico's heart sank at the sight. He rushed towards Will, checking for any injuries. Kayla kept a lookout, her eyes scanning the room for potential threats.

"He's alive, but he's in bad shape," Nico muttered, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. "We need to get him out of here."

As they worked on freeing Will, the shadows seemed to thicken around them. Suddenly, the air grew colder, and a voice echoed through the room.

"Ah, the Ghost King has graced us with his presence."

Nico and Kayla turned to see a figure emerging from the darkness. A man, clad in a black cloak, his features hidden in the shadows.

"Who are you?" Kayla demanded, her bow aimed at the mysterious figure.

The man chuckled darkly. "Call me the Puppeteer. You've stumbled into my little experiment, children. Do you like what I've done with the place?"

Nico's eyes narrowed. "Release the demigods, or you'll regret it."

The Puppeteer smirked. "Oh, I don't think you're in a position to make threats. You see, I've been observing your kind, and your emotions are quite fascinating. Especially yours, Ghost King."

A shiver ran down Nico's spine. He clenched his fists, ready for whatever confrontation awaited them in the lair of evil.

Chapter Text

Nico's fists clenched as the Puppeteer circled them, a shadowy figure emerging from the darkness. The air in the room felt charged with an unsettling energy, and his instincts screamed danger. Kayla, standing beside him, had her bow at the ready, her eyes sharp.

"Who are you?" Kayla demanded, her voice cutting through the ominous silence.

The Puppeteer chuckled darkly. "Call me the Puppeteer. You've stumbled into my little experiment, children. Do you like what I've done with the place?"

Nico scowled, his gaze never leaving the mysterious figure. "Release the demigods, or you'll regret it."

The Puppeteer smirked. "Oh, I don't think you're in a position to make threats. You see, I've been observing your kind, and your emotions are quite fascinating. Especially yours, Ghost King."

Nico's eyes narrowed. "Release them," Kayla echoed, her voice steady, bow still aimed.

The Puppeteer continued his eerie pacing, the room feeling tighter with each step. "Ah, the brave Ghost King, always ready to play hero. But I'm afraid you won't be leaving this place with your precious emotions intact."

Suddenly, shadows emerged, wrapping around Nico and Kayla, constricting them. They struggled against the darkness, but it seemed to respond to the Puppeteer's will.

"You see, I've discovered a way to harness the power of demigod emotions. And you two will be the perfect subjects for my next experiment," the Puppeteer gloated, his cloak billowing ominously.

Nico gritted his teeth, attempting to summon his shadows, but it felt like they were being suppressed. Kayla's attempts with her bow proved equally futile against the encroaching shadows.

As the Puppeteer continued his monologue, Nico's mind raced. They needed a plan, a way to break free from this magical stranglehold. The demigods in the cages stared blankly, unaware of the unfolding struggle for their freedom.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in Nico's mind. It was Will's voice, whispering words of encouragement.

"Nico, Kayla, focus on your emotions. Don't let him control them. You're stronger than this."

Inspired by Will's words, Nico summoned memories of past victories, the warmth of friendships, and the love he felt for those he cared about. Kayla, too, drew strength from her own experiences.

The shadows wavered, disturbed by the resurgence of positive emotions. Nico and Kayla seized the opportunity, breaking free from the Puppeteer's grasp. The room vibrated with energy as they confronted the sinister figure.

The battle that ensued was a clash of wills and powers. Nico manipulated shadows with newfound determination, while Kayla unleashed a barrage of arrows imbued with the essence of her strength. The Puppeteer fought desperately to maintain control, but the tide was turning.

In the midst of the chaos, the demigods in the cages began to stir, their vacant eyes regaining focus. As Nico and Kayla continued their assault, the Puppeteer's control weakened, and the room echoed with the sounds of rebellion.

In a final, intense surge of power, Nico and Kayla combined their abilities, creating a burst of blinding light that overwhelmed the Puppeteer. When the radiance faded, they found themselves standing in the now-empty room.

Will was free, his expression slowly returning to normal. Nico rushed to Will, who was stirring in his chair. As he helped Will to his feet, a sense of relief washed over them.

The Puppeteer was nowhere to be seen.

"We did it," Kayla said, her voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph.

Nico nodded, his eyes still on the demigod they had rescued. "Let's get them out of here. And then we need to make sure the Puppeteer can't hurt anyone else."

Chapter Text

The trek back to camp unfolded in silence, each step weighed down by the lingering tension between Nico and Will. Shadow-traveling brought a fleeting escape from the recent ordeal, but it couldn't erase the unspoken issues that needed addressing.

Once they materialized in Camp Half-Blood, Nico released a breath, the familiar surroundings offering a semblance of normalcy. The demigods they'd rescued were promptly directed to the infirmary, leaving Nico and Will with the unavoidable task of resolving their lingering conflict.

Turning towards the Hades cabin, Nico decided it was time to confront the issues head-on. Once inside, he closed the door, and the awkward silence hung thick in the air.

Will, sensing the need to break the ice, began, "We need to talk about what happened before all this."

Nico nodded, his eyes meeting Will's with a mix of acknowledgment and determination. "Yeah, we do. But not here. Let's find somewhere private."

They walked in silence, heading towards a secluded spot where they could have a candid conversation. Once settled, Nico faced Will, the weight of unspoken words pressing on them.

"I'll start," Will said, running a hand through his hair. "Tartarus was brutal, and I thought we'd come out stronger. But then you started avoiding me, snapping. I felt like I lost you, and I didn't get why."

Nico sighed, his gaze shifting to the ground. "Tartarus messed with my head. I needed time to deal with it, and I thought distancing myself was the right move."

Will approached, a mix of concern and sincerity in his eyes. "You don't have to face everything alone, Nico. I want to understand, to help."

Nico met Will's gaze, vulnerability replacing the earlier tension. "I know. Opening up isn't my strong suit, but I want to try—for us."

Will smiled, a reassuring gesture. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll figure it out together. Whatever you need, I'm here."

As they delved into a genuine conversation, Nico and Will found a common ground. The shadows of Tartarus still lingered, but the shared commitment to face challenges together infused their connection with newfound strength. In the quiet understanding, they realized that confronting the shadows within could pave the way for a stronger connection in the light.

Chapter Text

The night at Camp Half-Blood erupted into chaos as an unforeseen force descended upon the demigods. It wasn't a calculated attack led by Hecate; instead, it was a wild and unrelenting assault orchestrated by a powerful and mysterious enemy.

The first indication of trouble came as the stars above flickered ominously, casting an eerie glow over the camp. Shadows twisted and contorted, behaving erratically as if responding to an otherworldly presence. Chiron, the wise centaur, sensed the disturbance and bellowed a warning to the camp.

Nico, still recovering from the previous battle, felt a shiver down his spine. He exchanged a concerned glance with Will, both realizing that this was no ordinary monster invasion. The shadows whispered of an impending storm, a malevolent force that sought to engulf Camp Half-Blood.

As the demigods scrambled to their positions, a deafening roar echoed through the camp. The ground trembled beneath their feet as a stampede of mythic creatures charged from the darkness. Griffins, chimerae, and even a few rogue cyclopes surged forward with a ferocity that caught the defenders off guard.

The sky itself seemed to rebel against the demigods. Dark clouds coiled overhead, swirling in a sinister dance. Thunder rumbled ominously, and bolts of lightning lashed out indiscriminately, setting trees ablaze and casting an apocalyptic glow across the battlefield.

Nico and Will, side by side, faced the onslaught. Their weapons gleamed in the dim light as they prepared for a battle unlike any they had encountered before. The demigods, accustomed to battling monsters, now confronted a storm of mythical beasts fueled by an unknown malevolence.

The campfire, usually a source of comfort and unity, flickered uncertainly as if threatened by the encroaching darkness. Chiron, his expression grim, rallied the demigods to form a defensive line. The campers, though startled by the sudden escalation, stood their ground, weapons at the ready.

Nico summoned skeletal warriors, each armed with ethereal weapons, to reinforce the demigods. The skeletal army clashed with the mythical creatures in a chaotic skirmish, a clash of steel and fang reverberating through the camp.

As the battle raged on, Nico sensed a focal point of darkness at the heart of the storm. It wasn't a goddess orchestrating this assault; it was a manifestation of pure shadow, an ancient force that sought to engulf everything in its path.

The shadows around Nico whispered cryptic warnings, urging him to be cautious. The enemy they faced was not driven by a desire for power or revenge; it was a force of primal chaos, seeking to consume the very essence of the demigods and their haven.

Will, his bowstring taut, scanned the chaotic battlefield. "Nico, something's not right. It's like they're being controlled by the storm itself."

Nico nodded, his mind racing. "We need to find the source of this shadowstorm and stop it. If we don't, Camp Half-Blood won't survive."

The duo plunged into the heart of the battle, their weapons cutting through the mythical creatures with precision. The storm, however, seemed to respond to their presence, intensifying its fury. Winds howled, carrying echoes of ancient whispers, and the shadows deepened, obscuring their surroundings.

As they advanced, the demigods faced not only physical adversaries but illusions woven by the shadowstorm. Hallucinations of lost loved ones and phantoms of past battles danced at the periphery of their vision, testing their resolve.

Amidst the chaos, a colossal shadow manifested—a creature born of the storm itself. A shadowy titan, its form indistinct yet undeniably malevolent, loomed over the camp. The demigods, awestruck and terrified, realized they faced an embodiment of primordial darkness.

Nico's mind connected with the shadows, seeking answers. The shadowstorm, he discovered, was a manifestation of ancient resentment, a force that sought to reclaim what it perceived as stolen from the realm of shadows.

Will, perceptive as ever, caught a glimpse of the titan's true vulnerability. "The heart of the storm is within that creature. We need to weaken it before we can strike at the source."

The demigods rallied, their determination unwavering even in the face of this shadowy titan. Chiron, a beacon of leadership, directed the campers to focus their attacks on the titan while Nico and Will sought a way to penetrate its defenses.

Nico, channeling his mastery over shadows, created illusions to distract the titan. Will, utilizing his archery skills, fired arrows imbued with light to pierce the creature's shadowy form. The campers, inspired by their leaders, fought with renewed vigor against the mythical creatures still swarming the camp.

The battle reached a crescendo as the demigods, guided by strategic prowess and the resilience born from countless trials, weakened the shadowy titan. The shadows around Nico swirled, responding to his command as he unleashed a torrent of darkness at the creature's core.

Will, seizing the opportunity, aimed his bow at the weakened titan. Arrows of light, each a manifestation of Apollo's divine radiance, struck true, piercing through the shadows and unraveling the titan's essence.

With

a thunderous roar, the shadowy titan convulsed, its form disintegrating into tendrils of darkness. The mythical creatures, once driven by its malevolence, faltered and dispersed as the shadowstorm retreated, leaving the camp in an eerie silence.

The demigods, breathing heavily and battered by the intensity of the battle, stood amidst the aftermath. The sky cleared, the clouds parting to reveal a moonlit night. The campfire, once threatened by the encroaching darkness, burned steadily, a symbol of hope and resilience.

Nico and Will, their gazes locked, exchanged a silent acknowledgment. The shadows, now tranquil, whispered of the victory they had achieved against an ancient force. Chiron approached them, a mixture of relief and concern etched on his wise face.

"You two have faced a challenge beyond our understanding," Chiron remarked. "The shadowstorm was no ordinary threat. It was a manifestation of ancient resentment, seeking to reclaim its dominion over the shadows."

Nico nodded, his eyes still wary. "We need to remain vigilant. This might not be the last time such forces attempt to breach our haven."

Will, ever the optimist, placed a reassuring hand on Nico's shoulder. "We stood together, and we prevailed. Camp Half-Blood will endure, no matter what darkness tries to assail it."

As the demigods regrouped, tending to the wounded and assessing the damages, the dawn broke on the horizon. The camp, though scarred, stood resilient—a testament to the unyielding spirit of its inhabitants.

In the aftermath, a council convened to discuss the origin of the shadowstorm and how to prevent similar threats in the future. Nico, drawing upon his connection with the Underworld, shared insights into the ancient forces that lurked in the shadows.

Hushed conversations echoed through the camp as demigods exchanged stories of the harrowing battle. Nico and Will, amidst the camaraderie, found a quiet moment to reflect by the lake. The waters, once disturbed by chaos, now mirrored the tranquility that settled over Camp Half-Blood.

"I never imagined we'd face something like that," Will admitted, his gaze fixed on the ripples in the lake. "But we faced it together."

Nico nodded, a rare smile gracing his features. "We make a good team, don't we?"

Their conversation was interrupted by the approach of familiar faces—campers who had fought side by side with them in the battle. The demigods, bound by shared challenges and victories, gathered by the lake, forging connections that transcended the trials they faced.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its warm embrace over Camp Half-Blood, the demigods embraced a newfound sense of unity. The shadows, once harboring threats, now stood as a reminder of the strength that emerged when demigods faced adversity together.

The tale of the shadowstorm, whispered in hushed tones around campfires, became a chapter in the camp's storied history. Nico and Will, now recognized for their leadership in the face of an unprecedented threat, continued to guide and inspire their fellow demigods.

The shadows, no longer ominous, played a role in the daily lives of the campers—a testament to the intertwined destinies of those who called Camp Half-Blood home. The demigods, though aware of the ever-present dangers lurking beyond the borders, faced each day with renewed courage, knowing that their shared strength would prevail against any shadow that dared to encroach upon their haven.

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he day unfolded with a sense of normalcy returning to Camp Half-Blood. The sun bathed the campgrounds, casting a warm glow that belied the recent encounter with the shadowstorm. Nico and Will, after the meeting with Chiron, found themselves near the strawberry fields, engrossed in a conversation about the recent events.

Chiron, the wise centaur and mentor to many generations of demigods, approached them with purpose in his stride. His expression was a mix of contemplation and responsibility.

"Nico, Will," Chiron addressed them, "the shadowstorm has unveiled ancient forces that we must confront. I believe it is time for a quest."

Nico raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "A quest? What do you have in mind?"

Chiron gestured for them to follow as he led the way towards the Big House. Once inside, the trio gathered around the map table, where various markers indicated past quests and potential locations of interest.

"I propose a quest to delve into the shadows, seeking knowledge and perhaps a solution to prevent future incursions like the shadowstorm," Chiron explained.

Will nodded thoughtfully. "So, we're talking about a quest into the heart of shadowy mysteries. Sounds challenging, but I'm in."

Nico, though intrigued, couldn't help but feel a twinge of apprehension. "What do you expect us to find in the shadows, Chiron?"

Chiron's eyes gleamed with a mix of wisdom and uncertainty. "The shadows hold ancient secrets, Nico. Knowledge that may aid us in understanding and thwarting the forces that seek dominion over them. You, with your connection to the Underworld, and Will, with his healing and light, are uniquely suited for this task."

Nico exchanged a glance with Will, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. The prospect of unraveling the mysteries of the shadows was both daunting and alluring.

"Chiron, we accept the quest," Nico said with determination. "We'll venture into the shadows and seek the answers you're looking for."

Chiron's nod conveyed a blend of gratitude and confidence. "May your journey be guided by the light that dispels shadows and the shadows that reveal hidden truths. Return safely, my brave demigods."

As they left the Big House, Nico couldn't shake the feeling that their quest would uncover more than they bargained for. The shadows, once a source of fear, now beckoned them with the promise of revelations and challenges that would test the limits of their abilities.

The shadows, it seemed, held more than just darkness—they held the key to the camp's continued survival against ancient forces that lingered in the unseen realms.

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I'm just here to say that this work will be discontinued until further notice, as I'm lacking encouragement. Sorry to those who enjoyed this fic, but I need to start something new before trying to continue this. I'm genuinely sorry to those I know who enjoyed this fic. This will be deleted and replaced with a new chapter if I do make anither chapter, but for now, if you want, try my other fic, Moonlight. Peace ✌(◕‿-)✌.

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I'm sorry, but thus work is now orphaned. But I, Death_Darkness, wrote it. Check out my  profile for more works. Peace.