-Strawberry Fields, Camp Half-Blood; Where we last left off-

~Nico's Point of View~

"Bianca?" After the gloomy conversation of the possibility that Percy Jackson won't wake up, and when we left the Big House to investigate the cause of the loud noise that sounded like it came from outside the camp's border, I stayed quiet in the shadows as we ran into the Chaos' Army leaders.

I followed along with the different conversions without a word. I was going to go back into the Big House to wait for Will when I overheard one of the unit leaders asking to talk with Hazel. I tensed, thinking she would hurt my sister. It wasn't until I arrived at the strawberry fields shortly after them that I heard something that made me blurt out my dead sister's name.

The unit leader flinched. Hazel looked surprised to see me. "Nico?" They both questioned in shock.

"It's you, isn't it?" I asked, hearing my sister's voice come from the unit leader.

She looked away with a sigh. Then a moment later, her hands reached up and removed her hood. Hazel gasped. My breath got caught in my throat. Standing in front of us was Bianca di Angelo looking as if she never died. She looked to be seventeen.

"You're older." I stated, feeling hollow.

Her face softened. "I'm sorry, Nico. I wanted to tell you, but you needed to move on. You still had a life to live."

"Wait." Hazel frowned. "You do know Percy, right?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "He was a part of the group of demigods that were sent to retrieve Nico and I from a boarding school that we went to. Then I went on a quest with him after I became a Hunter of Artemis. Why do you ask?"

"Earlier you made it seem as if you had known him. I was-" Hazel's words were cut off as I rushed forward towards my dead sister.

Bianca tensed. I threw my arms around her, tears in my eyes. "You're alive." I sobbed.

"Oh, Nico." She whispered. "I'm so sorry..." I felt her tears as we cried together.

-Half-Blood Hill, Camp Half-Blood; Not long after the di Angelo siblings reunite-

~Nyke's Point of View~

Some days I regret agreeing to this position. Being Head Commander of the whole army has perks, and I do have the unit leaders who take care of the common situations that happen with the soldiers, but situations that cause commotion like this fall under my responsibilities. I was in charge of an army in the past, this seems worse somehow.

Reflecting on it makes me realize I was a different person back then. I was blinded by other things. I can do better this time.

"Head Commander." I was startled by Kosmos' voice.

"Kosmos!" I breathed out. "Don't do that."

"My apologies." I waved dismissively. "I wanted to inform you of my findings."

"Shouldn't you be informing Chaos?" I questioned, tired of things going wrong. This whole mission has been one thing after another. And the Percy situation feels off.

He nodded. "I will, however, I feel you should be told as well."

"You..." I gaped. "You're telling me before Chaos?" Was this Kosmos rebelling?

The assassin looked away. "I will have to write the full report before I can give it to Lord Chaos. I wanted to tell you my findings first as...this mission will only go down from here. It's best not to overwhelm you too much."

That...was not what I was expecting from Kosmos. Looking around, I finally noticed how the two units were unloading their supplies and walking through the barrier to get into Camp Half-Blood. Not much time has passed since we arrived here. I quickly found Alala helping her unit comrades carry boxes of arrows. Milos was talking to a small group of his soldiers, looking more like a leader than usual. Hesper stood some distance away directing her unit around.

My last conversation with Hesper came to mind. How she had heard a voice in her head when we first arrived at camp, telling her that Chaos was hiding something and it had to do with Kosmos. It surprised her when I told her I knew Chaos was keeping something from us. Something that Kosmos knew.

This army felt off to me somehow. I would understand keeping identities a secret, but for everyone in the army not to know anyone's true identities? If it was by choice, I can understand. I wouldn't want anyone to know mine. I don't think all of the unit leaders would hide theirs. Hesper doesn't care about what others think. Charis is too friendly and open to want to hide hers, or perhaps she would as she can be closed off at times. Vernandos seemed annoyed about hiding when I first met him. Milos would still hide his as he opened up once saying his past is the greatest.

Malantha...she spoke of a sibling, didn't she? I wonder where they are now?

"Nyke." I blinked.

"Ah, sorry. What was that, Kosmos?"

"I said," I didn't notice the first time, but I could hear a frown in his voice. "The pilot heard a voice in his head. He doesn't remember everything. Only a velvety voice and the word sleep before he passed out."

"A voice?" I repeated, wondering if it was connected to the voice that Hesper had heard.

"Yes, it happened when the co-pilot had stepped out to go to the bathroom."

"Like it was planned." I stated.

Another nod. "It wasn't planned by anyone in the army. The co-pilot didn't know anything."

"You think the enemy is watching us?" I asked to see the assassin's opinion on the matter.

He sighed, shoulder slumping slightly. "I believe the enemy is always watching. They have been watching long before we came here."

"What makes you say that?" I nervously asked.

"Because the enemy kidnapped Percy Jackson."

-Somewhere between the Dining Pavilion and the Big House, Camp Half-Blood; At the same time as Nyke and Kosmos talk-

~Annabeth's Point of View~

"Are we sure we want them to train the campers after the incident with their pilot?" Frank asked, walking on Chiron's left.

Jason shrugged. "They would probably want to wait until after their investigation is complete, right?"

I frowned in thought. "Maybe, but the units don't have anything to do with the training."

"Annabeth is correct. The plan was for the unit leaders and Commander Nyke to train the campers. The two units are meant to help aid with patrols and relieve our limited numbers."

"With the gods here, do we really think the enemy will attack?" Frank asked, watching Demeter interact with her kids at her cabin in the distance.

"It's always a possibility." Chiron grimly reminded us.

-The Arena, Camp Half-Blood; About an hour later-

~Charis' Point of View~

"Alright, listen up!" Nyke shouted over the crowd of gathered demigods. Their quiet conversations sound much louder by the big number of people. "As your cabin counselors should have told you, starting today the unit leaders and I will be training you. I will be overseeing the training along with the gods." He nodded to the gathered Olympains off to the side of the arena. The only one absent being Poseidon who was with his unconscious son.

"Hesper," She stepped forward. "Will be handling archery at the archery range." She stepped back. "Malantha," She stepped forward with a slight bow. "Is training those with abilities at the beach." She stepped back. "Vernandos," He stepped forward with a small grin. "Will be in the forge helping with weapons and traps." He stepped back. "Charis," I stepped forward with a wave. "Will be here working with the knife-wielders." I stepped back. "Last will be Milos," He stepped forward with a "why am I last?" "Is going to be here as well training those who fight with swords." I glared at him lightly.

"If you have any questions, please ask your cabin heads." There were murmurs and nods. "Good, dismissed." Nyke then walked over to the gods. I do not envy him right now.

As the demigods walked around going to their stations, I noticed a particular duo moving towards Malantha. "Malantha!" The daughter of Pluto spoke with a smile. I tilted my head, wondering why they seemed familiar with each other all of the sudden. Even Nico was smiling at the unit 2 leader.

"Don't be so suspicious, Selena. Not every interaction is about love." I whipped my head around towards the whispering voice.

"What..." I swallowed. "What did you call me?"

"I-" He stuttered.

"Charlie?" I asked with hope in my heart.

-The Arena, Camp Half-Blood; Almost 2 hours later, close to lunch time-

~Piper's Point of View~

I panted as my legs were ready to give out. Training was no joke. I don't know how Charis' unit could survive with her in charge. Her training was brutal. Looking over at Jason and the others, I winced realizing that they weren't in much better condition with Milos.

These unit leaders were the best of Chaos' Army after all. Even Annabeth looked winded. She decided to go with Milos as she's still using the blade she got from Tartarus.

I stretched out my sore muscles moving towards the water station that was set up. "You okay, Pipes?"

I hummed, tiredly. "Yeah, just realizing how good Charis is with a knife."

He laughed. "Milos is good too."

"Not as good as Nyke apparently." Annabeth spoke up, making her way to get some water.

"Apparently?" Jason and I shared a look.

She took a sip, throwing us a look. "Remember their conversation on the porch steps of the Big House?"

"Right," Jason rubbed his neck. "That seemed like so long ago."

"A lot has happened." I nodded.

Annabeth hummed again looking lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing." She shook her head. "I just...don't you think it's weird that the Chaos' Army that explores the universe are using Greek codenames?"

I shrugged. "Maybe, but is there actually life on other planets?"

Before anyone could say anything else, Will comes running into the arena. He looked around and once he saw Annabeth, he ran over. "Annabeth!" He gasped out once he reached us. "Percy's awake!" 

Well, chapter fifteen is not what it was supposed to be. This is getting difficult to write again. I lost motivation this week to write chapter fifteen. I wrote a few hundred words on Monday, wrote a few more hundred yesterday, and then wrote over a thousand over the last four hours. 

It was tiring. 

I'm just going to leave this here, try to start on chapter sixteen and see where that takes me. 

I will see you next Saturday.

~MsPenguingirl1234.

Published: April 22, 2023.