“It’s tradition that I send those who go on a quest off. So, I wish you two good luck on your quest. The world may depend on you from the looks of it. Dionysus has left to Olympus and all contact has been blocked again. Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus, has gone missing, which, I’m told is what Sky thought would happen. I believe that Night herself is playing a twisted game with us and the world is crumbling before our eyes.” There’s that line again. A twisted game just like what Nico said in my dream.

“She is recreating the worst events in both mortal and myth worlds with the help of Gaea and Kronos. If you don’t stop this soon, I fear that soon Kronos and Gaea will rise again and the Seven barely came back alive when that happened. It’s up to you, Sky Rey Coast and Nico di Angelo. On that happy note, Angus will now take you to the subway where you will then be on your way to San Francisco.” Chiron’s voice changed from serious to cheery so quickly I’m surprised he didn’t get whiplash.

“Alright. Bye guys.” I said and turned to the others. Annabeth, Jason, Piper, and the Stolls gave me a hug (I made sure I still had my ipod and wallet after hugging the Stolls). Hazel said goodbye to Nico and Frank kind of stood there awkwardly.

Before Nico and I left, I took a look back around the camp seeing if Percy would come running because he slept in or took too long while taking a dip in the lake or at least something. I almost cried when he wasn’t there. It felt as if Zach were leaving me all over again. Zach was like a brother and Percy is my brother. The two people I needed most left me alone. Nico was waiting for me a little ways away so I said bye to everyone again and ran to catch up.

“He’s an idiot.” Nico said as I ran up next to him.

“I know now.” I couldn’t help but feel angry that Percy was so selfish.

Bye the time Angus had dropped Nico and I off, I was completely freaked out. Angus was a guy that had eyes everywhere on his body. Bright blue eyes just staring at you all the time. I even heard a rumor that he has an eye on his tongue. That’s just creepy. So, as I tried hard to get the image out of my mind, Nico stood there raising his eyebrows at me as I shivered from the thought of having eyes everywhere on me.

“You’ll get used to it sometime.”

“Doubtful. Seriously, doubtful.”

“Whatever. Come on. The train we need to catch is about to leave.”

“Why exactly are we going to San Francisco?”

“Well, that’s where a lot of other places where demigods shouldn’t go are. Plus, I had a dream and I saw Leo chained up in a cave. Most places like that are located in either Alaska or towards Los Angeles and San Francisco. We’re going to San Francisco.”

“Why do you know these things and I don’t?” Nico shrugged in reply. I sighed and followed him to the subway. I wish we hadn’t taken that death-trap though.

We had been sitting in the train for who knows how long when I finally couldn’t take it. I started to hum, then I whispered lyrics under my breath, and I kept getting louder until I was finally singing completely. Nico was staring at me the whole time but I think it was because of how strange it was of someone to randomly start singing. Well, random for everyone except me. I literally sing everywhere. I sing in the shower, at dinner, while training, and, now, in a subway train. I’m not the most normal but, hello, I’m a demigod. Of course I’m not normal.

“But with all these memories,

you can’t hold me back, oh

I remember...remember….remember.”

I had finished the song and there was a small silence until people actually started to clap. Well, okay then. I looked around to see most of the people smiling and clapping. That was definitely new for me. The clapping died down and I looked at a smirking Nico. I then looked around again and saw a skinny women glowering at me and I started to become very worried. Nico saw my expression and looked at the women. He mumbled curses under his breath until he got up and stood behind me.

“Monster?” I asked.

“Fury. Alceta to be exact. Seems to be the most famous with demigods.”

“Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic.” I muttered and laid my hand on top of my necklace.

“Hello, honey. I haven’t had seafood in a while.” Alceta hissed and stalked towards us.

“Again with the ‘honey’ thing? Nice to see you again, Alceta. How are your sisters?”

“Devil spawn. How’s Bianca?” I saw Nico stiffen and he muttered something about not playing nice.

He whipped out his sword. It was amazing. A pure black blade that curved with a black leather grip. It had to have been a good three feet or so long. I took that as my cue to take out my own sword which I did. My weapon glimmered and I stepped toward Alceta. She growled and hissed turning into her true form. Leathery wings sprouted from her back, her eyes glowed like burning charcoal, and her skin turned withered and brown. This just went from weird to terrifying.

I’d like to say I made the first move but, come on, of course I didn’t. When Alceta took out a flaming whip I got a little freaked out. So, Nico took the first move. I’m guessing since he’s been to the Underworld he’s at least seen Alceta or one of the furies in action because he didn’t seem that worried. Or maybe that was just the fact that he almost always has a blank or hard expression. Either way, I’m okay with it.

After I had jumped from my shock, I was back in action. My sword crashed, blocked, and swiped all while mortals screamed and backed away as quickly as possible. I took a second to think about some possibilities of what they were seeing through the mist. Nico had the left side while I had the right. We were going two on one but it seemed pretty even to me. We kept going at it until the Fury was distracted with Nico. I took the opportunity to swipe my sword through her chest. The demon lady hissed and crumbled to dust.

“Nice job.” Nico said.

“Thanks.” We were both breathing heavily from the battle and then we heard an alarm.

“We should run. Like, now.” I said and Nico nodded his head.

We went to the doors and pried them open, barely fitting into the small space between the train and the wall. Nico climbed to the roof of the thing and I followed in suit. Almost crawling on the roof of a subway train isn’t exactly what I’d think of as an ‘epic escape’ but it’ll do. We crawled all the way to the front of the train and jumped. Nico lead the way to the next platform thing and we ended up standing outside a coffee shop in Central Park.

“Well, that was interesting.”

“You could say that. Come on, we have to find another way to get there.” Nico replied and I groaned.

“Can I at least get a coffee or something? It’s cold out here!”

“It’s seventy-five degrees.”

“Exactly, cold.”

“Are you kidding?”

“No. I lived in California my whole life. I’m used to ninety-eight and above in the summer. The coldest it’s ever gotten is eighty-seven and I wore a jacket that day.”

“Unbelievable.”

“Whatever. I’m getting a peppermint hot chocolate. Are you coming or not?”

“Fine. I can’t have you being attacked by a hellhound or manticore without back-up anyway.” Nico sighed and followed me into the small shop. Is it strange that I’m trying not to laugh evilly right now? Oh, well, being normal isn’t very interesting anyway.

I walked through the door and skipped my way to the counter. Nico was slowly following behind me muttering things in Italian. I caught a few words that I think meant, ‘girl’ ‘coffee’ ‘unbelieveable’ and 'long trip’. Well, then I guess I’ll have to make this a very interesting day. Cue evil grin please.

“Hey. I’d like a peppermint hot chocolate and my friend here would like one of your pink strawberry cakes. He loves his pink.” The lady behind the counter raised an eyebrow at Nico and walked to get the cake.

“Here’s your cake.” Nico glared at me and took the cake. At least the boy has manners.

As we walked to take a seat to wait for my drink Nico said, “I’ll get you back.”

My eyes widened at the thought of Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, getting revenge. Dear gods, I’m already terrified. Zach's right, you are weak. Goodness that’s going to get annoying.

Nico and I sat in silence for a second until I finally asked, “Why didn’t you like me when we first met?”

I saw the son of Hades stiffen and I knew I hit a nerve. I waited a few seconds afraid that he might snap but he just sighed and turned his body towards me.

“It’s complicated. When I first saw you I didn’t think much,” Ouch. “But when I heard you were a child of the sea, I knew that you would probably be a lot like Percy. A few years back, Percy did something that ruined my life.”

“He let your sister die. Bianca. He went on a quest with her and some other Hunters, right?” Nico nodded his head and looked down.

I wanted to get up and hug him or put my hand on his shoulder or something but before I could, I heard, “Peppermint hot chocolate for Sky!” I pinched my lips together and got up, ready to get my drink.

“Was that part of Apollo’s gift or did Percy tell you?” I turned towards Nico and just looked into his eyes for a moment.

I smiled at him and said, “Percy tends to talk in his sleep and when he gets mad.” Nico released a huff of a laugh and I grabbed my cocoa.