┌────── •✧• ──────┐

chapter nineteen ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
019. The Inevitable Truth is Revealed

└────── •✧• ──────┘

CASSIE WAS FEELING A SERIOUS SENSE OF DEJA VU. Being in the car Argus was driving with Annabeth, Percy, and Grover reminder her of their first quest together. It was unbelievable that that was two year ago now.

Manhattan was much less busy than the first time they sat in this car together. It was the Friday before Christmas and so early that barely anyone was on Fifth Avenue. Argus had picked them up from the Empire State Building after Percy made a few Iris-messages.

There was a light snowstorm pelting the car windows. The Long Island Expressway was nearly deserted. Once they got to camp they plowed their way up Half-Blood Hill, greeted by Thalia's pine tree still baring the Golden Fleece. Cassie slightly frowned at the daughter of Zeus' absence, they had gotten closer during the quest.

Of course the group was happy for the new lieutenant of Artemis. She could enjoy her adventures with the hunters, less worry on her shoulders. They were welcomed at the Big House with hot chocolate and grilled cheese sandwiches curtesy of Chiron.

Grover had left them to tell his satyr friends all about the occurrence of Pan's magic. Word spread quickly and within an hour many satyrs were hurrying every which way asking for espresso.

Cassie, Annabeth, and Percy were busy meeting with the other senior campers. Among them were Beckendorf, Silena, and the Stoll twins. Cassie was overjoyed to see Clarisse back from her mission, less happy with the new scars and cuts on her sister. Clarisse had decided to join Cassie's signature hair cut, carelessly snipped at with scissors all short and raggedy.

"I got news. Bad news." Clarisse informed them.

"I'll fill you in later," Chiron moved on, forcing a smile, "The important thing is you have prevailed. And you saved Annabeth!"

Annabeth shot Cassie and Percy a grateful smile, more directed at the former who blushed and averted her eyes to the table. Strange timing, but she found herself thinking back to the red-headed mortal girl that saved her at the Hoover Dam, Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Her comment stuck with Cassie, filling up her head. Do you always kill people when they blow their nose?

They were really only alive because of the random people helping them along the way. Even a random mortal girl like Rachel who had no reason to. Maybe Cassie shouldn't have left her clueless about everything.

"So Luke is alive as much as that sucks," Cassie announced, "and Annabeth was right, no surprise there."

Annabeth perked up in her chair. "How do you know?"

Cassie scoffed under her breath at the blonde's interest. Percy, sensing the tension, took over explaining him and his father's conversation about the Princess Andromeda.

"Well, if the final battle does come when Percy is sixteen, at least we have two more years to figure something out." The daughter of Athena strategized.

The brunette got the feeling that by 'figure something out,' Annabeth meant 'try to get Luke to realize he's being stupid and change his ways,' which seemed to frustrate her more.

Chiron held a gloomy look on his face and the wrinkles between his eyebrows made him look extremely old. He was old but usually it wasn't as noticeable.

"Two years may seem like a long time. But it is the blink of an eye. I still hope you are not the child of the prophecy, Percy. But if you are, then the second Titan war is almost upon us. Kronos's first strike will be here," Chiron expressed his worries.

The son of Poseidon didn't see the motivation, "How do you know? Why would he care about camp?"

"Because the gods use heroes as their tools. Destroy the tools, and the gods will be crippled. Luke's forces will come here. Mortal, demigod, monstrous... We must be prepared. Clarisse's news may give us a clue as to' how they will attack, but—"

Chiron was interrupted by a knocking on the door. Nico di Angelo burst in all red from the cold, he was out of breath but held a huge smile.

Cassie's heart ached for the young boy. She adverted her eyes, gazing anywhere but at him as he glanced around nervously.

"Hey! Where's... where's my sister?" Nico asked them.

The silence after was deafening. Percy blinked and stared at Chiron. He couldn't believe no one had told Nico yet, but he realized they were waiting for them to return. Now it was his responsibility to break the news to Nico, the last thing he wanted to do. He owed Bianca that much though.

"Hey, Nico. Let's take a walk, okay? We need to talk." Percy spoke softly, rising from his comfortable seat.

Cassie took it upon herself to go with them. The least she could do is comfort the kid, she cared about him.

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

Nico bore the news in silence, somehow that was worse for Percy.

He kept rambling about exactly how it happened and that Bianca sacrificed herself, saving the quest. Cassie could only remark that she was a true hero, remaining there for silent support. She shot Percy a look once he had said enough. He wasn't exactly helping.

"She wanted you to have this." Percy finally finished and held out the figurine responsible for this whole mess. Nico held it in his open palm, eyes never wavering from it.

They were in the dining pavilion, the same place Percy and Nico last spoke before the quest. The wind sent a chill down their necks and the weather was still cold even with camp's magical weather protection.

Snow pelted the pavilion's steps and there must've been a blizzard behind camp borders.

"You promised you would protect her," Nico accused, his words stabbing Percy like a dagger to the chest, yet somehow they hurt ten times worse. The reminder of his promise filled the son of Poseidon with even more guilt.

Percy tried to reason with him, "Nico, I tried. But Bianca gave herself up to save the rest of us. I told her not to. But she—"

"You promised!" His eyes began to tear up as he closed his fist around the god statue. "I shouldn't have trusted you. You lied to me. My nightmares were right!"

Cassie sucked in a breath as the tense scene unfolded in front of her.

"Wait. What nightmares?" Percy asked.

Nico completely ignored the question, chucking the figuring on the floor. It clattered against the marble like a skipping stone. "I hate you!"

"She might be alive. I don't know for sure—"

"She's dead." His eyes shut as he trembled with fury. "I should've known it earlier. She's in the Fields of Asphodel, standing before the judges right now, being evaluated. I can feel it."

"Nico," Cassie began gently, "What do you mean, you can feel it?"

He opened his mouth to reply but a familiar sound filled the air. The same clattering of teeth and hissing both Percy and Cassie knew by heart. Percy drew Riptide and in a flash Cassie's sword was in her hand.

The younger di Angelo gasped and they turned, face to face with four skeleton warriors.

"Not these piles of bones again," Cassie complained wiping the grins off their little skulls. Percy was wondering how they made it into camp, but he didn't have time to get other back up.

"You're trying to kill me! You brought these... these things?" Nico screamed.

The son of Poseidon shook his head furiously, "No! I mean, yes, they followed me, but no!"

Cassie cut through, "Nico, just run. There's no way to destroy them!"

"I don't trust you!" That hurt the daughter of Ares more.

She blocked the first skeleton's attack, smacking its blade away while Percy dealt with distracting the other three. He sliced one through the middle but it only reformed after crumbling.

"When have I ever lied to you?" Cassie argued, knocking the head off a skeleton.

Percy didn't wait for his response, "Run, Nico! Get help!"

"No!" He covered his ears.

The two didn't stand a chance against all four skeletons if they just kept reforming. Cassie swung in all directions but they continued advancing. Soon the demigods would be overpowered.

"No!" Nico demanded. "Go away!"

The floor began to shake and the skeletons stopped in their tracks. The duo cleared the way for a crack to open below the warrior's feet, swallowing all four. They were ripped apart and consumed by flames, overtaken with a CRUNCH! followed by silence. The skeletons were gone and in their place was a twenty-foot-long scar spanning across the dining hall's floor. Other than that it was as if the warriors were never there.

Percy gaped at the young boy, "How did you—"

"Go away!" Nico yelled. "I hate you! I wish you were dead!"

Surprisingly Percy wasn't eaten by the floor, but Nico made a run for it, heading straight into the woods. The son of Poseidon rushed after him, slipping on the icy steps. He had tripped over the statue Bianca had taken from the junkyard. For the first time he really inspected it. It was the only one Nico didn't have, his sister's last gift. Dread consumed Percy's feelings. The statue was Hades, Lord of the Dead.

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

Now Cassie would've taken the time to help Percy if she wasn't so busy chasing after the little boy who was zigzagging through the woods. They'd been running for some time now and no matter how much she shouted, Nico wouldn't stop.

"Nico! Nico di Angelo! Stop your ass right now!"

She was out of breath and ready to collapse. "Nico! Please!"

Whatever the reason it seemed to work finally. The young boy slowed his pacing, glancing back briefly. "Leave me alone, Cassie! Go back to your friend Percy. So called hero," He scoffed.

"Hey," Cassie slowly approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not as simple as you think. I don't have much time to explain everything, but you're in danger Neeks."

"What danger? Like those skeletons?" Nico spoke bitterly.

"Yes like those. Listen, I can't let you go off on your own, but I can't stop you either." The daughter of Ares took her backpack off and shuffled through it.

She brought out a sack of dracaena, offering it to Nico. "Call me. All you have to do is make or find a rainbow, chuck one in, and say my name. I'm always at camp, so ask for me there."

"Won't you just tell them. Tell them I ran off and that you know where I am." The young boy was reluctant to take the money.

Cassie thought it over then uttered a vow, "I swear on the River Styx I won't tell anyone where you are unless it's completely necessary."

Thunder rumbled above them. The brunette knew the risk of her words, but the promise was made. Nico stared at the clouds above them sensing the severity of her oath, before slowly accepting the pouch. "I'll call. Goodbye Cassie."

"Take care of yourself, Nico."

He made one last look at the daughter of Ares before vanishing into the darkness.

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

Annabeth found Cassie on the floor with her back leaning against a tree, sleeping. The blonde and Grover had been scouring the forest for hours. Neither Nico nor Cassie were found until now. Annabeth chuckled lightly and bent down to shake the brunette awake.

"Wake up sleepy head. There's much better places to sleep than the floor of the woods." She grinned.

Cassie grumbled and took Annabeth's hand to stop the shaking. The daughter of Athena yanked her to her feet with their joined hands. Only then did Cassie see Percy and Grover heading over to them.

"Did you catch up with Nico?" Annabeth asked, glancing around.

The brunette hesitantly shook her head. She didn't want to lie to the girl but she had made an oath. Percy groaned, running a hand over his face in frustration. "Where could he have gone."

Annabeth gasped lightly for breath, "We have to tell Chiron."

"No," Percy disagreed earning him uncredulous stares from the blonde and the satyr.

"Um," Grover stuttered out, "what do you mean... no?"

The son of Poseidon was trying to figure that out himself, but his words ran faster than his head, "We can't let anyone know. I don't think anyone realizes that Nico is a—"

"A son of Hades," Annabeth finished. "Percy, do you have any idea how serious this is? Even Hades broke the oath! This is horrible!"

"Not necessarily," Cassie input, "I'm pretty sure Hades didn't break his oath."

"What?"

"Sure he's their dad, but Bianca and Nico have been trapped in time for a while, as far back as before World War II."

"The Lotus Casino!" Grover caught on and explained what Bianca had told them on the quest. "She and Nico were stuck there for decades. They were born before the oath was made."

Cassie and Percy shared a look, nodding.

"But how did they get out?" Annabeth argued.

"I don't know. Bianca said a lawyer came and got them and drove them to Westover Hall. I don't know who that could've been, or why. Maybe it's part of this Great Stirring thing. I don't think Nico understands who he is. But we can't go telling anyone. Not even Chiron. If the Olympians find out—" Percy was cut off once again.

"It might start them fighting among each other again. That's the last thing we need." Finally she seemed to agree with them.

Grover seemed anxious. "But you can't hide things from the gods. Not forever."

"I don't need forever. Just two years. Until I'm sixteen."

Annabeth didn't like that thought. "But, Percy, this means the prophecy might not be about you. It might be about Nico. We have to—"

"No, I choose the prophecy. It will be about me." He shot back.

"Why are you saying that? You want to be responsible for the whole world?" The daughter of Athena tried to reason with him.

Percy didn't want that to be his fate. It wasn't even on his bucket list, but he felt responsible for a lot of Nico's pain. So he stepped up and took it.

"I can't let Nico be in any more danger. I owe that much to his sister. I... let them both down. I'm not going to let that poor kid suffer any more."

"The poor kid who hates you and wants to see you dead," Grover retorted.

Cassie shook her head. "He doesn't deserve what he's going through. He's just a kid."

"Maybe we can find him. We can convince him it's okay, hide him someplace safe." Percy offered.

Annabeth shuttered, deep in her thoughts. "If Luke gets hold of him—"

The son of Poseidon stood determined, "Luke won't. I'll make sure he's got other things to worry about. Namely, me."

༻ ─── •✧💢✧• ─── ༺

Chiron made no attempt to question their poor excuse for the disappearance of Nico. He could probably tell they weren't telling him everything, but this wasn't the first time a half-blood ran away.

"So young," Chiron mourned, stabilizing himself on the porch rail. "Alas, I hope he was eaten by monsters. Much better than being recruited into the Titans' army."

Percy fell uneasy at the thought, he almost told Chiron the truth but Cassie elbowed him to stay strong.

"You really think the first attack will be here?" The son of Poseidon questioned.

Chiron gazed off into the distance where snow decorated the hill tops. Smoke came from the dragon guardian's nose as he paced around the pine tree, keeping the Fleece safe.

"It will not be until summer, at least. This winter will be hard... the hardest for many centuries. It's best that you go home to the city, Percy; try to keep your mind on school. And rest. You will need rest." His teacher advised him.

Percy turned to his demigod best friend, "What about you?"

Cassie met his eyes with a sad smile, "I'm stuck here Perc. Like every other summer."

"You know, you should come over sometime." He told her.

"Come over where?" The brunette raised an eyebrow.

"Meet my mom again." Percy clarified. "She likes talking with you at least. And Annabeth of course, but she's taken a special liking to you for some reason."

Cassie's lips quirked into a smirk. "Of course she likes me more. You say that like you didn't expect it Percy. I attract the best moms."

Percy shook his head with a laugh.

"You know that's not how I meant it Casanova. She just knows about your... parent situation... and would like to be there. If you'd let her?"

Cassie went quiet. She opened and closed her mouth a few times like a goldfish before remaining silent.

"I— I don't know Percy. Are you sure she's okay with it?"

"Yeah of course! Just for a week or maybe a month Cass." He urged.

"Ok, ok I will," the daughter of Ares held a grateful smile, "thanks Bubble Guppy."

Percy seemed more excited with her agreement. Cassie glanced to Annabeth.

"What about you Wise girl?

The blonde felt her face heat up. "I'm going to try San Francisco after all. Maybe I can keep an eye on Mount Tam, make sure the Titans don't try anything else."

Cassie was glad Annabeth was spending more time with her family. That didn't stop her worry for the girl though. "You'll IM us right, if anything happens?"

She nodded, eyes lingering on Cassie's. "But I think Chiron's right. It won't be until the summer. Luke will need time to regain his strength."

Percy didn't like the plan of waiting and Cassie was impatient. They should just strike now and strike hard so he doesn't have the time rebuild his strength. The son of Poseidon would be fifteen next August and closer to sixteen than ever before.

"You're the genius, so whatever you say," Cassie joked. "Just stay safe and don't be pulling stunts in your dad's Sopwith Camel, Annie."

The nickname rolled off her tongue without the brunette even noticing. Annabeth did and smiled unsure. "Deal. And, Cassie—"

She never got to finish, being cut off by Grover who burst into the Big House, stumbling over his own tin cans. He was pale like a ghost and exhausted.

"He spoke!" Grover yelled.

"Calm down, my young satyr," Chiron frowned, "What is the matter?"

"I... I was playing music in the parlor," he managed to get out through stammers, "and drinking coffee. Lots and lots of coffee!"

"We can tell," Cassie quipped.

"And he spoke in my mind!" Grover cried out, ignoring the daughter of Ares.

"Who?" Annabeth demanded, tapping her foot with her arms crossed.

"Pan!" The satyr answered. "The Lord of the Wild himself. I heard him! I have to... I have to find a suitcase."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Percy tried to slow him down. "What did he say?"

Grover only stared at him. "Just three words. He said, 'I await you!'"

_________________________________________

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note

ITS FINALLY DONE!! GUYS AHHHHHH! ACT 3 IS COMPLETEEEE!!

thank you all for sticking with me, ik my updates were sporadic and spaced out but we got through it!! it's time for the fun part of serendipity 🥳🥳

I want to thank all of you for your support and for reading! I never imagined we'd get this far! little 11 year old me would be sobbing rn lmaoo

Can't wait to get into Act 4!! some interesting things happen in botl 🤭 but before that i have a little bonus surprise!

Idk what updates are going to look like since school's already busy and it's only the 3rd week but my plan is to have Serendipity complete by April of next year, August at the latest (hopefully not). So hang tight!!

Definitely gonna have to come back and rewrite this act one day but that's for the future! Hope to see you in Act 4!

Love all of you guys and thank you so so much for reading! 🫶🏼🫶🏼

—Just Another Overthinker