Receiving the quest
Percy Jackson was having a brilliant day, he went swimming with the dolphins, IMed his mom to see his baby sister, talked with his friends, and best of all even though they broke up months ago Annabeth was still his friend. Now when he closes his eyes that’s a different matter.
Nightmares, he relives all the worst parts of his life, Gabe, monster attacks, fighting Kronos, watching Luke die, on the streets (thank you Hera), reliving all the memories he lost while on a quest, Tartarus (enough said), fighting Gaea, then he would see the faces of those who died telling him it was his fault, Bianca di Angelo, Zoe Nightshade, lee fletcher, Castor, Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew (which plagued Percy as it was his fault), Silena Beauregard, Ethan Nakamura, Bob, Damasen, Leo Valdez (even if Hes back it still haunts his dreams).
Every event that happens is another nightmare, it started to take a toll on Percy. Percy’s eyes were no longer the vibrant sea-green eyes filled with joy, no they were a dim shattered sea-green filled with despair and darkness. The joy that Percy naturally put out was now just a mask covering his hurt and dark thoughts.
Everyone in camp could see the change going on with Percy. So Percy’s inner circle called a meeting to discuss what to do, Annabeth, Grover, Piper, Jason, Leo, Nico, Hazel, Frank, Reyna, and just because it’s serious Poseidon. (This is the seating arrangement as well.
“Now that we’re all here it’s time to talk about Percy,” Annabeth said with an air of concern and authority. “It’s clear that Percy is falling apart even if he thinks we have no clue so ideas about helping him.”
Everyone started to talk at once but fortunately or unfortunately Poseidon Spock up causing everyone to shut up.
“There’s not much we can do unfortunately even with all your suggestions,” Poseidon stated “Hes have been through a lot no one can deny that even Zeus, the god of Denial. But not many have gone to that place and come back alive, even us elder gods were affected we needed decades to get our heads together, well most of us anyway.” Poseidon said looking at the sky. “So the fact that you Nico and Annabeth are here instead of looking after yourselves is quite amicable.”
“With due respect Lord Poseidon, I have Reyna here to help me. While Nico has the council of the underworld to help him. Percy doesn’t go to anyone to open up about his worries and nightmares. He’s just bottling it all up. He doesn’t come to me as we went in there together so he won’t talk to me about anything of importance to him it’s just about me now which is nice but annoying. He doesn’t go to the rest of the seven because and I quote ‘They have their own lives Annabeth, they’ve got their shit to deal with’ It's fucking annoying and he would go back into that place before going to the gods.” Annabeth finished her angry rant with a huff.
“Wait I may have an idea” Nico suddenly spoke up causing everyone to turn their heads towards him. “Percy is suffering due to the past right, and this place is one of the places tied closely to his trauma. So why don’t we take him out of here? Before anyone objects just know that the underworld council is in chaos because of some people in England and I’m going to go there to sort it out, why don’t I take him and he could still do what he loves teaching kids and he can IM you guys just as much as you can IM him, fuck you could visit him given the right timing.”
Everyone was left speechless just staring at a now squirming Nico with all eyes on him. Hazel spoke up. “All in favour of offering this semi-quest to Percy raise your hand” Everyone raised their hands even Poseidon which shocked Nico thinking that because Nico was of the underworld Poseidon would reject the idea, guess that’s where Percy gets his acceptance from.
Then Jason said, “How would we get him to go he hasn’t left camp saying ‘it needs all the help it can get.”
“If it’s hands you need I can lend you my Cyclopes from the forges, as for the matter of getting him out well I might just need to talk to some gods.” With a click of Poseidon's fingers, a rainbow Mist appeared “Hades” Then the God appeared in the mist. “, Hey can you come to camp half blood we’re discussing how to help Percy.” Then the rainbow disappeared.
“Sure it’s not like I have a realm to run” Hades suddenly appeared in between Hazel and Nico.
“Farther please you have the council to help run it,” Nico said flatly
Hades looked at his son with shock that he could openly say that, and then he looked at Poseidon in fear. “Calm older brother I knew about it long before young Nico said anything and I’m sure Percy said that I too have a council to help with work. Zeus is the only one of us who has a dysfunctional council that can’t get shit done. The only reason I’m still on the blasted thing is that Hestia would have more work to do to keep things running smoothly.” Poseidon said nonchalantly
“Which I’m thankful for,” Hestia said making the demigods jump. Seriously what is it with gods just appearing? “Because of your help even if they do involve you hurting mortals,” Hestia gave Poseidon a look of disapproval. ”regardless Zeus needs your presence to ensure he won’t turn in to father.” Both brothers looked at each other with the look of ‘one more incident and we’ll have to take action he’s already father albeit a turned down version.’ “I saw that look and unfortunately I know it will happen sometime,” Hestia said sitting between Poseidon and Annabeth with a sigh.
Poseidon knew they went off track, “Come now we haven’t come to discuss godly politics we can discuss that at a later date. No were here to discuss Percy.” This made everyone pay attention to Poseidon. “Hades, Nico said he’s off on a quest to England to stop some kind of chaos and suggested taking Percy with him to escape the trauma brewing here. Would it be possible for him to accompany Nico?”
Hades gave Nico a look of confusion then it shifted to surprise then to acceptance. “Very well we shall summon him tomorrow afternoon to ask him am I to assume this is not a request but a demand” Poseidon nodded, “Very well I’ll make it look like he has a choice but make going look more appealing than staying.” With that Hades vanished.
“Well I have the sea to run and you demigods have activities to do. Nico look after my boy and call me if there’s any problems.” And then Poseidon was gone too.
— — time skip due to a lazy author — —
It was around 2 p.m. when Nico's shadow travelled with Percy to the throne room of the underworld. It looked different to the last time Percy was down here. It now had more thrones. 17 thrones to be exact with gods sitting on them these gods are. Hades, Persephone, Hypnos, Thanatos, Geras, Momus, Moros, Eris, Nemesis, Apate, Oizys, Philotes, Hecate, Styx, Eros, Dolos, and Morpheus.
Percy has conflicting thoughts, on one hand, he knew Nico said that Hades, wanted to speak to him, on the other it gave Percy déjà vu of when Hades locked Percy up in his dungeon.
“Greetings lord Hades, I assume you wanted to talk to me and not look me up again,” Percy said waiting for Nico to betray him again. Of course, Percy truly trusts Nico with his life, it’s just the memories of this place.
“Still disrespectful I see Perseus well then I have a quest for you. And before you object or cuss me out listen to what we have to say first. There is this school where Hecate's creation wizards and witches reside. Now there’s this man who split his soul into two 7 pieces and is causing a second war. Now split souls are a fickle thing and we won’t be able to send him to punishment in till all the fragments are here. We want your help to retrieve these fragments. And of course, you would need to do this while not exposing what you are and not drawing attention to yourself.”
“No. I’m done doing quests for the gods. Now if you excuse me I’m going back.” Percy said flatly and turned around to leave.
“When do I go farther,” Nico said gaining Percy’s attention.
“What the fuck Nico you’re not seriously doing this, are you certainly not by your self what would Will think,” Percy said turning on Nico and grabbing his shoulders.
Nico looked confused. “What has Will got to do with this, I’m going it’s not that dangerous just a soul hunt so I see why not.”
“Isn’t Will your boyfriend or something close to that? And isn’t there a war going on off course it’s dangerous.”
“No Percy, Will and I are close friends that bonded due to our fruitless crush on the same person and how oblivious he is to us.” Two seconds past then Nico realised his mistake.
“He? Nico do you like guys? Wait Wills Gay? How have I not noticed? Has this person done anything to you two? Well regardless whoever he is his an idiot for not noticing you and will in all your perfect glory. Tell me who he is now.” Percy said with a voice that said the guy would be with Will for two to three weeks when Percy got their hands on him.
Nico gulped, “I don’t need you to fight for me Percy nothing Is going to happen he’s been through a lot.” Percy just gave Nico a look which said ‘Tell me or I go to Will.’ “Fine, but just so you know you asked for this. You’re the idiot that didn’t notice Will and I.” The look on Percy’s face was so priceless that the gods present couldn’t help but laugh all thinking ‘They forget we’re here and give us a show’.
When Percy’s brain court up with his surroundings he looked around at the gods' faces filled with amusement (hades was conflicted between amusement or looking like he might throw up,) and Nico’s face was so red Percy was concerned he might collapse any second.
Percy turned to the gods. “I’ll go and as it looks like I need to reevaluate some relationships I ask for two days then do whatever you need to do to me to prepare me.” Then Percy took Nico and told him to go to Will and then they were gone.
The gods were just taking this all in.
“Well, it looks like my world is about to get a lot more interesting,” Hecate said grinning like a madman (mad goddess)
Wills pov
I was in the middle of healing a camper when a hand grabbed my arm and dragged me away. “Someone else heal David I need Will for a minute.” I knew that voice, it was Percy but why, what happened, was someone hurt? I allowed Percy to drag me through camp gaining the attention of the campers. “Go back to activities now, no one follow us.” Percy barked out coursing everyone to go straight to activities. We finally stopped when Percy pushed me onto a bed next to Nico in the Poseidon cabin.
“What’s going on why is Percy pacing in circles,” I whispered to Nico who had a completely red face. Usually, I would be concerned but it just filled me with dread.
“He knows Will,” Nico whispers back. SHIT FUCK SHIT FUCK SHIT FUCK SHIT FUCK, Ok will just calm down calm down calm down calm down calm down. I breathed out but Percy decided that it was the perfect time to speak. “So you two like me” Fuuuuuuuck.