RedRaidingHood

~ A Pirate's Life for Me ~ ♪

[redraidinghood]

Whoo, damn, this took a while to finish. I'm a little sorry, but life goes on, right? Anyway, I DID promise I to finish this, so thank you all for staying with me <3

In fact, I had other plans for this story when I first started it. Okay, it did start with a simple prompt, but the one-shot that is now the first chapter evolved into this long journey. There were always meant to be some loose ends, though, so I could write side stories like a prequel in the form of Frank and Hazel's past, or a small adventure with Reyna, werewolves, and Red Riding Hood. Also, there once was a wedding between Jason and a fay planned. And more mystery, not this pretty straight-forward solution.

Thank you all for your encouragement and comments, elfgrove for their lovely pictures, and most of all thank you for reading <3

There just is no damsel in distress

THE END

The last time, Jason had seen the tower had been the day he decided to get serious. To prove not just to Nico, but to himself, and in the end, even to his father, that he loved the witch’s son. They had shared apples at the tower’s feet, had talked and laughed and kissed. Jason didn’t recognize this tower, though. He couldn’t see the place that had been filled with so much warmth when he looked up the gritty stones. Before their journey to the witch’s realm, before Sambul and Hazel and everyone, Nico had come down from this tower for Jason. Unfailingly, never missing a step or losing his grip on the masonry.

Swallowing against his dry throat, Jason closed his eyes. He had never made it all the way up there, had never seen how Nico lived, but he needed to get there, needed to see his witchboy again and had no further clue than the tower.

The stone felt rough even against his calloused hands and not for the first time, Jason wondered how Nico had climbed it with such agility. Gripping an edge on shoulder-level, he felt around for a foot-hold. The whole idea was preposterous, climbing a witch’s tower, but he really needed to find Nico. To get him back.

The witch’s son had disappeared suddenly, had left Jason alone with his sister and the shapeshifter. Then, Jason had been angry, but Hazel had convinced him to sit down and tell them what had happened. And Jason had told them about Annabeth and her tower, about the apples he and Nico had shared even before Jason had wanted to share his heart completely. He had told them about the time they sat at the tower when Jason had realized this was it. This was what he wanted and who he wanted to share it with. He would have done everything for his witchboy in that moment - and had then tried to prove. This moment had been the beginning of the end.

No matter how rough and uninviting the tower felt under his hands, it didn't push him away, didn't hurt him. Deep in his bones, the prince knew what that meant, his heart leaping in his throat; waking Hazel meant the world’s magic was limited and faded with every use. This tower had always borne more than just Nico’s home, it had been Nico’s magic, Nico's self. Just like the forest and the fruit around it. If this place didn’t reject Jason, there might still be hope.

Surprised to have made it to the top without faltering once, Jason set his feet on the wooden floor and looked around the round room. For all the time he now knew Nico, he had never been up here. Had never seen the soft bed to one side of the window, the little storage area behind green curtains on the other. There were more trinkets hanging from the ceiling than Jason had seen in any place before and the only clear surface was that of a wooden trunk at the feet of the bed. It was a nice sight, cosy, not sterile, but clean in its own, cluttered way. Just like the witch's son. He wasn’t surprised by the loom Nico sat at, either. The boy looked pale, though, paler than normal and his arms moved only sluggishly over the machine.

“Nico?” Jason cleared his throat, trying again. “Nico, it’s me.”

When he finally looked at him, Jason’s stomach twisted painfully. Nico’s eyes were devoid of white, as dark as they had always been, but they lacked the light inside them, the light Jason had come to love.

Nico’s hands stilled. “I don’t want to see you.”

“You look like you’re dying.”

A small smile grew on his face; the same smile he had worn to make fun of Jason when they had first met. “I knew that could happen when I started this.”

Jason dived forward, crossing the distance between them and sinking to his knees in front of his friend. Hazel had explained it to him in the hours they had spent in the witch’s palace. Nico was fading, because he, like all their people, was losing his magic. As his identity was nothing but the witch’s son, magic was his essence, his very being. He was the witch's son first, Nico second. Jason hadn’t accepted it then, and he would never. No. Nico wasn’t just the witch’s son, wasn’t just some magic being. He was Nico, his friend and the most determined person Jason had ever met. Nico was headstrong and cynical, he was strong and resourceful. He was the person Jason wanted to take home.

With a soft sigh, Nico looked down at his hands. “I loved you.”

Jason’s heart skipped a beat, accompanied by the pain at his friend’s words. “Loved?”

“I can’t anymore,” he replied. The tone of his voice was steady and clear like he wanted to reassure Jason. Or himself. “ I have to forget.”

Reaching out carefully, Jason laid a hand on his and shook his head. “They want you at their wedding. Hazel and Frank.”

When Nico turned to look at him, his dark eyes wide and confused, Jason shrugged. His heart was beating rapidly against his sternum, a sweet pain he used to keep going. This was his chance, his one chance to get Nico to finally understand. “Your sister will marry him.”

“But - But true love’s kiss?”

Blushing, Jason rubbed his neck, a crooked grin on his face. He took the moment to stretch his legs and look around the room once more, noting all those little details that told him of their owner. Not of the witch's son, but of Nico. “I did kiss her out of love, you know. True love, sure, but not for her.”

Nico’s lips formed an ‘o’ that never made it out of his lungs. Soundlessly, he stood, taking a step closer to the prince. “You kissed her for...”

“For you, yeah,” Jason bit his lip, forcing his body to stay when Nico laid his hands on his arms, holding him like he was afraid the prince would vanish if he didn’t.

“That’s messed up,” he said, his voice teasing like Jason had heard the first time they met. “The kiss woke her because it was given out of true love, and now the prince and the princess don’t even marry.”

“To be fair,” Jason smiled. “There is going to be a marriage or two.”

Brushing his hands up and down Jason’s arms, Nico hummed. “Why should I believe this?”

This time, Jason made sure the boy looked at him, looked him in the eye and saw every emotion Jason felt. “Because you have no reason not to trust me,” he explained, and the look on Nico’s face was even more incredulous than it had been before.

Still, he stepped forward, getting even closer, his eyes never leaving Jason’s. “You’re a strange man, Jason Grace,” he muttered, while his hands slipped down Jason’s arms, finally finding his hands and gripping them tightly. He looked up and moved slowly, giving Jason every chance in the world to back out until Nico's words brushed against his lips. “But if there’s going to be a marriage,” Nico said. “I accept.”

[redraidinghood]

Life goal: To write a fanfiction so good that everyone who joins the fandom newly is told that they simply HAVE to read this particular fanfic.

[redraidinghood]

Thanks to @percyssantahat I had the pleasure of getting to know @spyair. So, yeah, I wrote you a little something. Hope you like it and merry, merry Christmas!

Keep reading

[spyair]

It’s currently 1 am and I’m trying to keep the screaming internal so I don’t wake the entire house.

This is amazing, to put it simply. You have a descriptive writing style that easily allowed me to picture Jason trekking through the snow alone, trying to find the Christmas rose for the love of his life~ The dialogue is in-character too.

Thank you so much for writing this! I’m so glad I got to know you and chat with you about books this month. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you as well. :)

[redraidinghood]

Haha, thanks, I hope you still got some sleep afterwards! I’m glad you like this, I thought I might be a little rusty with those two, as I haven’t written them in a while.

Books are the greatest thing ever and I’ve totally neglected recommending you the Discworld novels by one of the greatest authors (imho at least), Sir Terry Pratchett! But yeah, since I’m alsoa big fan of heist stories I will look into The Six of Crows ;D

[redraidinghood]

Thanks to @percyssantahat I had the pleasure of getting to know @spyair. So, yeah, I wrote you a little something. Hope you like it and merry, merry Christmas!

For two days now, Jason’s world consisted mostly of grey and white. When he had set off, he had thought of it as a short trip to the mountains that could easily be done by one demigod. Now, he earnestly feared going snowblind. Which would be pretty inconvenient considering he still had to find a Christmas rose.

He had discarded his glasses some time ago, the heavy snowfall not allowing him to see far anyway and the lenses had fogged over one time too much under his goggles. Tightening the scarf around his neck, Jason steeled his resolve; he would be home in two more days at most. Just in time for the Christmas celebrations. Just in time for both Camps to join in the festivities, and Nico had promised to come.

Taking another step, Jason bit his lip, concentrating on the way the deep snow felt around his ankles, imagined how it felt around his toes. It had been some time since he felt them. He would be pissed if he actually lost them over a flower. It was worth the risk though.

Nico had first told him about it in one of his letters; a flower blooming in the deepest snow, in the coldest night, on the highest mountain. A sign of beauty in the dark, a symbol of the affection Hades felt for Persephone. It was cheesy and corny and more legend than actual fact, but there still were flowers blooming on mountains, and to the two of them, those flowers meant something.

Realizing he’d let his mind wander, Jason stopped. He needed a break at least, make camp and get the feeling in his fingers and nose back. A little Ambrosia might help, he decided, carelessly throwing his backpack down right then and there. It didn’t matter anyway, there was no overhang or snowdrift or any other good place to wait out this never-ending snowfall. With the last of his strength, he pushed the snow aside, stumbling forward and shoving it together and in front of him to built as good a shelter as his tired limbs allowed.

The gloves he was wearing had been soaked for hours now, the wet cold numbing his hands and making his movements all the more clumsy. Jason tore them off and started to shovel snow with his bare hands, ignoring the wind that kept tearing at his clothes and blow some of it right back into the hole he was digging. He felt like just collapsing then and there and his knees finally gave up under him. Resigning to lean against his shelter, he pulled both, his knees and his backpack towards him and settled for another few hours in the cold. His strength had finally left him, his head lolling against the snow behind him. He didn’t feel cold any more.

Taking a slow, shallow breath, Jason felt it, his numb, blue fingers brushing against something that moved with them. Something other than snow.

His eyelids were heavy, almost not listening to him, feeling like they were already frozen together. Then, he opened them, seeing the delicate, white petal of a Christmas rose. He’d found it. He’d done it. Now he could rest. Rest and return home later. Later.

-

There was a beeping sound. A sound so irritating like the alarm when you’ve just fallen asleep. A sound that was underlined by another, fainter noise that had Jason remember the sudden warmth he’d felt on his skin just when he thought he would never feel anything at all. Warmth and then another kind of cold. He’d felt that. He had felt that after feeling nothing for such a long time.

Coming close to waking a second time, Jason didn’t remember what had happened, but the warmth and cold just after an all-encompassing numbness stayed with him. It had felt familiar, even though he couldn’t place it.

He worked his eyelids open. They felt like frozen shut again, only much, much warmer. There was no snow, only the blurry image ow a room, darker than anything he had seen in the last two days. Dark, but not cold. Jason fell unconscious again before he could place it. Before he could identify the sounds and smells and the heavy warmth covering him.

Beeping was all he could hear for a while, but time was doing strange things and his brain hurt and Jason felt like waking up not only on the wrong side of the bed, but in a different bed all together. Literally.

Groaning, he didn’t even try to open his eyes this time. His throat felt parched and his voice came out almost unintelligible. “I want to die.”

He was trying to get his bearings, the beeping sound hammering away at his brain, making thoughts harder than normal. The beeping, the heavy blanket on his chest. The humming sound that had stopped the moment he opened his mouth.

“Not what the doctor ordered, though.”

And that. That was Nico. Blood was rushing through his ears, loudly pumping through his heart. Nico.

Jason opened his eyes slowly, turning his head to the sound of his friends’ voice.

Nico. The reason why he had gone on that trip, the reason why he had stumbled through the cold and snow for days. What was he doing here? What had happened and how was Jason even still alive?

Nico smiled. “Yeah, don’t say anything, they’ve told me not to expect to much from you anyway.”

Jason tried to move his hand. His fingers were no longer numb but wrapped in bandages. And all he wanted to do was to touch that smile.

Leaning back in his chair beside Jason’s bed, Nico shook his head, staring outside the window almost wistfully. He was wearing a t-shirt, his jacket slung over the back of his chair and his hair a mess. He was gorgeous. “The others are celebrating, by the way. I told them I was enough to watch your careless ass after almost getting yourself killed.” Nico laughed. “And don’t look at me like that. As if I wouldn’t know exactly what you were up to on that mountain.”

Jason’s heart pumped loud in his ears, drowning out the beeping sound, but not Nico’s voice. Never Nico’s voice. The Christmas rose. Jason had wanted to get the Christmas rose for Nico, had wanted to finally confess his feelings even though after all those years of pining and working together so closely, so seamlessly, a confession felt almost redundant.

Standing from his chair, Nico went to the window where a small, white flower was standing in a small, white vase and Jason had only felt its petals. Had never picked it up.

Nico had.

Jason gulped, collecting his breath for what he needed to do. Needed to say, even if Nico’s back was turned to him. It felt like the one truth that would never be anything else, no matter what changed in the world or between them, Nico would come for him. Nico would safe his dumb ass and would keep sitting at his bedside until he woke up. He didn’t deserve Nico, but somehow, he was just this lucky, just this blessed.

“I love you.”

“I know.” He turned, leaning back against the window sill to watch Jason. “You’re still an irresponsible ass to go out there alone.”

Jason’s face heated up. Rubbing his neck a little, he kept looking at Nico. What could he really say to that? ‘It was meant to be a surprise’? ‘I thought I could do it’?

Nico crossed his arms in front of his chest and closed his eyes. “I don’t like it. I would’ve had your back, you know? At least tell me where you’re going.” And with that, he pushed himself off, walking over to the bed again.

“So you’re not mad at me?”

“Oh, I’m plenty mad,” Nico smiled. “But it’s also Christmas and you got me a present, so.”

“So I’m forgiven?” Jason asked, his own dumb smile growing in return. His brain was still hurting and he couldn’t think clear, but he prayed to every god out there that he would remember this. Would remember Nico bending down, his eyes never leaving Jason’s and his words spoken so soft, so warm against his lips. “Merry Christmas, Jason Grace. love you too.”

[partfourjosuke-deactivated20160]

well howdy hey its a secret santa gift

this was my gift for redraidinghood! I’m glad they like Nico and Jason bc that’s all I draw lol

courtesy of @percyssantahat for planning the whole exchange!

(also thats a side blog and I don’t know the main blog’s url so idk if they’ll see this???? I hope so)

Feel free to reblog but please don’t tag as kin!

[redraidinghood]

Leo printing his own head on a sweater to give it his friends is a hilarious idea, I can absolutely see him do it. Every sweater gets a different face, because Leo doesn’t give redundant gifts - also those sweaters probably double as parachutes or helicopters or something ;D

Thanks for gifting me this picture! Those two dorks look pretty cosy together and I like the colours you chose. Jason is looking like he just told the dorkiest joke ever, with his eyebrow raised and that crooked smile on his face, and he just waits for Nico to laugh at least a little for him (which he totally does, because Nico might be contemplating why he’s got it so bad for that nerd, it doesn’t matter. He’s already fallen. Hard.)

[redraidinghood]

Hey there! I'm your Percy Jackson Secret Santa! I'm (obviously) staying anonymous but just letting you know that I exist!

Oh, great! Glad to make your acquaintance!

[redraidinghood]

Alright, I argued with myself a lot these days but I came to the conclusion that what the heck, why not. -- Cool story, bro, but what are you talking about? you might ask.

Whereupon I’ll answer: Retelling classic myths in the world of Percy Jackson.

I want to re-write some myths. Telling the story of one or more ancient demigod(s), and I’m looking for people who want to join me on that journey. I’m looking for writing buddies, to be precise.

What I’d ask of you:

be reliable and committed to this project

brainstorm with me (What myth(s) to tackle, fleshing out the characters and their relationships, etc.)

let me bounce ideas off you and vice versa

beta-reading/help with editing

What I’d contribute:

I’d write that thing of course

I do have a working knowledge of both PJO and --as an archaeology student-- of history and the Greek myths, too

I’d be really happy? We could become friends if you’d like?

Also, if you don’t think you’d be a great writing buddy but still wanted to help me, there’s another important role I like to call The Cheerleader™. Encourage me, cheer for me, keep me motivated, all that great stuff!

Another addendum: Artists! If anyone would like to be part of this, I’d love for you to join, too.

Any questions? Here’s my askbox. Hope to hear from you soon!

[antivancoffeelover]

anonymously tell me what my specialty as a fanfiction writer is

[percyssantahat]

Hello hello, everyone! And welcome to the 2015 Percy Jackson fandom Secret Santa Gift Exchange! (I know, right! So exciting!) I’m very new to the Percy Jackson fandom, but I’ve just finished the Heros of Olympus series and have had so much fun - coming into the fandom late got me loads to love from all of you, so it’s about time I give back. Please note that the blog is still being constructed. 

What is it? An anonymous fanworks exchange where people receive and give fanwork Secret Santa style! 

How do I sign up?

Reblog this post! 

Follow percyssantahat

Fill out this form. 

Sign ups will be open until November 18th, 2015 - you can sign up for any type of fanwork,  genre, pairings or characters you want to - and, of course, you can specify which you want to receive in turn.  You will receive the prompts for your recipient within a week or two after signups close.

Please post your fanworks from the beginning of December through to Christmas, and tag them with BOTH #percyssantahat and the name of the recipient, so we can reblog it here and so the recipient can see it and love it and reblog it too. 

Any questions about the exchange or the form?  Message us!

Thanks for participating, and be sure to fill out THIS FORM!!!

[redraidinghood]

This fandom has been one of the nicest I was ever a part of, so I’m game. Sign me up <3

[redraidinghood]

So, since it's my birthday I thought I'd get this chapter out. I've been sitting on most of it for a while now and this story's pretty much finished anyway - Have I ever mentioned how much I'd like a beta? Anyway, have fun reading!

Nico's plan is finally set in motion and he's prepared for the sacrifce that goes along with it.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6]

There was no funeral. Not for Greta, the sorceress, and Jason was glad he didn’t have to see her relatives' faces.

Faces. Like the one that had ripped through the girl’s throat. The one Nico had taken in his hands, peeling it out of the skin like a ripe fruit. Cradling it and talking to it while Percy readied his sword for the moment the sorceress’ neck would protrude.

Greta, Nico had explained, was still alive. Nothing but a biting and snapping head, but alive nonetheless. And her only, last goal was to fulfil his order. Find and kill.

Jason shuddered. He didn’t want to think of that anymore. Didn’t want to see the images that were burned into his mind. Nico, bloodied and sullied. And Percy, the human, the crusader. And Greta. No, not Greta. The sorceress; the magic being that had killed a dozen girls, that had attacked them in the cellar. That had been driven out of its mind by magic. Not her own. Not her magic, but a darker kind, if that was even possible. A kind of magic that didn’t stick to the rules, that didn’t just suggest and worked its natural way. That kind of magic had been perverted. Had been ripped out of any order whatsoever. Just an energy used to force Greta to even more horrible acts than she had already committed.

And Percy would find whoever had done this to her. He couldn’t let this stand, couldn’t let anyone go free who was ready and willing to pervert magic.

It... It wasn’t what Jason had expected. None of this was. He had been raised to fight and live at his father’s court. He had been raised to lead people and provide for them. Fighting, he had soon realized when he first set foot outside his father’s lands, had only been ingrained into him theoretically. Sure, he had trained a lot. The tournaments saw him at the top almost every time. And then he’d met Nico. The witch’s son who turned his world upside-down and nothing made sense anymore. There were no damsels in distress to save, no bad wizard with an evil laugh and a pointy beard. Just a big mess. People weren’t nice or good or anything, really. They were just people, no matter their abilities. And just when Jason had been ready to accept that, to accept that there really was no difference between folk with and without magic, the world changed again.

He didn’t want to think about it. Nothing came out of that. Nothing.

Sighing, Jason let himself fall back on his bed in Talsworth Keep. Percy was already on his way, following the sorceress’ head to whomever reduced Greta to this monstrosity. His cousin really was something. He had fought in the crusades, hated magic because of that, but still was able to fight alongside Nico. And they had been a great team, Jason had to admit begrudgingly. He had been useless back there, had been useless before and he was pretty sure it hadn’t even been him who defeated that Golem.

“You should stop.” Jason bolted upright. There at his window, just like the first time he’d seen him, sat Nico, an apple in his hand. “I won’t want to interrupt a good brood, but you should stop. Smiling looks better on you.”

Jason blushed just a little. That was his life now. Nico and his way of turning everything upside-down. And still, no matter how confusing and hard that was... he didn’t mind. Not really. Not when that meant understanding Nico, getting to know the witch’s son, becoming part of his world. Jason smiled.

“That’s better.” Slipping down from the sill, Nico looked around the room Gateau had given Jason for his stay. It still looked the same. Same as when Jason had woken here first, after the Golem attack. His first time meeting Greta. “So, um,” Nico looked at him sheepishly. “I don’t really know what to say.”

Neither did he. But that was okay. Jason’s smile became true, the boy he had seen in that tower was still there. That was still Nico, nothing had changed, Jason just understood now. “Come here,” he said, reaching with one arm.

The witch’s son sat on the bed next to him, reluctantly watching him. Nico didn’t move when Jason’s hand touched his cheek, slowly tracing the shape of his face. His hair was still a mess, but at least, he’d cleaned up all that blood. Jason’s thumb swiped over his cheekbone, where he remembered the red splatter. Wiping it away. Away from his memory. This was Nico. This was better.

He cradled Nico’s neck and pulled him down, made him lie on his chest. And breathe.

-

It was strange how easily Jason went along with the plan. He had been exposed to more magic over the last few days than he had seen all his life, and he still followed Nico to the small shack in the woods with that much... trust. And that. That was something.

Sambul was waiting for them, leaning against the door with his arms crossed and a look of disgust on his long face. For now, Nico could only hope Jason had listened, had understood magic enough to fake being a sorcerer.

“So we finally meet. How do they call you?”

Jason stepped forward to shake Sambul’s hand, and really? Handshakes? Great start. Nico sighed and pulled on one of the feathers in his hair. His arm was healing nicely, but it still hurt some times when he moved it too fast.

“The name is Hans,” Jason answered. His voice was steady, practised in his father’s court and for once, Nico was glad his mother’s servant was prejudiced against anyone.

Sambul snarled, never moving to take Jason’s hand. “My lady wants to see you. Are you prepared to leave?”

“I--” Jason glanced towards Nico, who, in turn, refused to give in to the urge to slap his forehead. “I think. I. Yes. I’m prepared, of course.” The prince gathered his wits. “Of course I am. I am here, aren’t I?” He stuck out his chin, giving Sambul a defiant look.

“That you are.” The man reached into his coat, pulling out a small vial. “And of course, you know how to get to her doors.”

Nico regarded the vial. The colourless liquid would be water. Water infused with hemlock in a specific ratio. As far as his mother’s place went, this was the only way to get to the front doors and only there. Not further. The witch’s son didn’t need to glance at Jason to know that he was nervous. Hemlock was poisonous to humans and most other beings, and its side effects less than desirable. And Jason was right to be nervous, if Sambul didn’t buy it, if they gave even the slightest hint to their ruse, he could just as well give them the wrong vial.

Jason bravely nodded, keeping Sambul in his sight. They had talked about this and Nico had warned him; and yes, when Jason had accepted that risk and only asked the witch’s son to go on with his explanation, something inside Nico had swelled. Something warm and fuzzy, something that tugged at the corners of his mouth most insistently. That trust. That ... devotion? It just felt nice and for now, Nico let himself feel it, let himself revel in it, knowing he couldn’t hold on to it anyway.

Their act seemed to convince the servant and Sambul took the first sip before handing the vial over to Jason. The prince turned to him when he put it to his lips, his hands steady and his eyes fixed on Nico’s. It wouldn’t taste like much, Nico knew. He had done this trip himself often, had had his own vials not too long ago. The weakness that overcame him after his own portion was familiar and he didn’t fight it; didn’t fight the nausea nor the tremors, he just kept his eyes on Jason, the feeling of their hands brushing against each other in his mind.

-

The room Nico woke up in smelt of sunflowers. His sister had loved sunflowers and ever since she had replaced the former conductor, Persephone had made them grown in his room. On days like this, the witch’s son was certain she had done it out of malice. To remind him of his sister. The one he couldn’t safe.

The bedsheets crinkled under him when he sat up. Even with the drapes closed around his four-poster, he could see the figure waiting for him.

“Please don’t insult me by pretending to sleep,” Sambul said.

Nico pulled the curtain back, glaring at the servant. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“And neither should you,” Sambul agreed. He was watching Nico carefully, not moving an inch from where he stood, leaning against the bulky closet Nico kept his clothes in.

He needed to get up. Find Jason. Nico swung his legs out of bed, but the moment his bare feet touched the ground, vines erupted from below, tying him down. He cursed loudly; he’d let Sambul take him by surprise. The palace was saturated with magic, plants growing along each and every wall. In this place, constricting Nico’s movements was easy enough for someone like his mother’s servant.

“The last time you came home,” Sambul said, sidling closer. “You were trying to take the princess by force. You and that wolf-girl. Red cape, strange voice and an unfortunate lust for battle. What was her name again?” He laughed. Of course he laughed. Nico had tried this so often it seemed stupid to try again. But this time, he played it smart, was prepared for the sacrifices he’d have to make. He wasn’t afraid anymore.

“I’m here by invitation. I’m here to bring the sorcerer to Mother.”

The servant shrugged. “Maybe. But you wouldn’t be your mother’s son if you didn’t try.”

Tugging at the vines experimentally, Nico only shook his head. They could think of him however they wanted, he didn’t care to play along. Not now. Not when he was this close. “Let me go,” he snapped. “I gotta take that man to Mother.”

The ice in Sambul’s voice made him shiver. “Oh, no, you don’t. The plants will take care of that. For now, and for the duration of your stay, I will have my eye on you.”

“No.” Nico tore at the vines, trying to lift his feet off the ground. “Go away. I don’t like you. I want you gone!”

Sambul crossed his arms. Even with the aid of the palace’s magic, the strain of keeping Nico tied down became visible. He gritted his teeth, his knuckles turning white. “You will not see the princess! You will not doom us all with that childish tantrum of yours!”

Nico stood up suddenly, the vines around his feet screaming in agony. “I’m not a child! I know what I’m doing!”

Sambul was sweating now, the room turning cold and the walls disappearing behind a veil of darkness. “Without the princess as conductor, we’ll lose our connection to the source! We are beings of magic, you stupid whelp!”

“So what,” Nico spat back, bending to tear at the vines with his hands. “One life for thousands of others? For the greater good? Don’t make me laugh.”

The servant wiped his forehead; he was twitching, eager to look around, to watch out for whatever was lurking in the darkness around them. “It’s her duty! Just like it has been for your other sister and for the woman that gave birth to you. Don’t dishonour them by taking from us what they died for!”

One last tug and Nico was finally free. He stumbled the first steps before outright lunging himself at Sambul. They fell to the floor, grappling and rolling. The servant opened his mouth for an incantation, but Nico dug his elbow in his face, turning Sambul’s words into a distressed gurgle. His nose broken, Nico didn’t stop, he ignored the blood and gritted his teeth, driving his fist into the servant’s face once, twice. He wouldn’t stop now, not when he was this close. Not when he had been given a chance like this.

-

Nico was running. He couldn’t tell how long he had been running now. After leaving his room, he had turned to find Jason. He needed the prince, wanted to see his face even if it would be the last time. It was Jason who had given him the strength needed. The strength and trust for this one little sacrifice. And then, they would be happy, even if Jason wouldn’t forgive him. The prince was going to be happy, he would see to that. Nico sobbed, not stopping to run.

The corridor was mostly dark, only the greenish tint of moss lightening his path. A small patch of glowing moss that grew where he stepped, each dimming and vanishing soon enough.

Nico’s heart pounded against his chest in a rhythm that had little to do with running, though. He had fallen for his prince. He had known, and Leo had known and now it was too late but at the same time, they were just right. Jason was here and Nico loved him for that. This stupid prince of his. This great, trusting man who had given someone like the witch’s son a chance. Believed in him.

And he loved Nico too. He would do this. He would trust Nico only to be deceived.

He closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head and running faster. It hurt, but in the end, Jason would be happy. That’s the ending princes got. A happily ever after.

When he opened his eyes, the door was there, held close by blooming roses. The thorns cut into Nico’s skin, but he didn’t care, he tore them off, removing the obstacle between him and Jason.

Nico closed the door behind him. His prince was laying in a bed not unlike his own. The drapes had been bound back to reveal the sleeping man. His chest rose slowly, evenly and the guilt inside Nico was replaced by warmth. Jason was okay. Sambul hadn’t hurt him.

Just like that morning, Nico climbed on the bed, laying down next to Jason for a bit. His heartbeat slowed and just for a second, he relaxed before his mind caught up with him. He’d had his last night with Jason; now he would keep to the plan. Safe Hazel.

Nico sat up, reaching for Jason’s face with one hand. He stopped himself, shaking his shoulder instead. “Wake up, Prince Charming. Change of plans.” The witch’s son cringed. “I kinda got us busted.”

“Crap.” Jason shook himself, alerted by the tone in Nico’s voice.

“Pretty much.” Nico stood, taking Jason’s hand with him. “Come on, We don’t have much time until Mother will know.”

The prince trailed behind, not asking for clarification. He was prepared for whatever, as long as Nico asked him to, and Nico hated himself for that.

Jason’s hand in his, he went to the door, carefully touching his finger to the knob. It was warm, but not yet hot. Still, the Guardian’s fire already warmed the corridor; the lindworm was awake.

Nico pushed the door open, ignoring the wall of heat he stepped into and immediately turned to the source. The corridor was no longer lit by the greenish glow of moss, rather than the orange light of the inferno blazing at one end.

Not letting go of Jason, Nico started running towards it. This would be his last test. The one obstacle he would need to remove before Hazel could be freed.

Leo had prepared him, had given him the one key that opened every door - even the non-existent one in the Guardian’s wall of fire. He had used the breath of fish and the tears of sand, the feet of snakes and the love of a murderer. Ingredients only a puck could procure, and only a master smith forge.

The wall of fire made it hard to breathe. Every time, they inhaled the burning air, singed their hair and skin. Nico didn’t stop running, pulling his prince after him. And Jason trusted his friend.

The key in his satchel began to work, the flames that were already licking at their clothes never ignited even the driest strand. Nico took the skeleton key in his hand, the metal so cold it burned his skin the moment he moved it close to the wall. The coldness hurt, but not as much as the firewall would, so Nico kept it in front of them. He turned to look at Jason, nodding at him and hoping his prince would understand. He couldn’t let go now, he had to stay as close behind Nico as possible and they couldn’t stop. Not even for a moment were they allowed to stop.

Another step and they entered the inferno.

The flames roared around them, angrily grabbing for their clothes, while the skeleton key opened the way for them. The air shimmered before their eyes, the heat sending droplets of sweat down their faces, but they didn’t stop.

Nico felt Jason’s fingers tighten, readjusting their grip. Squeezing his eyes shut, Nico made the last steps preparing himself for what was to come. Then the flames around them vanished suddenly, making room for shrubs. Green leaves and white roses and thorns all around them.

Finally, they could stop running, having reached the chamber they had been looking for. The chamber where Hazel was held. The one protected by its Guardian.

Nico looked around the sea of brushes. Scrubs and roses and thorns as far as the eye could see. Scrubs and roses and thorns from here to the purple horizon. Nothing but the clearing they stood in, and the tall tree Nico knew was behind them.

He turned slowly, deliberately not looking at Jason rather than the giant ash tree. Hazel was up there; rooted to the source, pulling magic into their world and giving them their powers by giving her life.

If the Guardian hadn’t shown up yet, they would only have moments until it did. Nico took his last cloak from his satchel, a piece of cloth made from the light of stars.

“This is going to give you the ability to fly,” he said, thrusting the garment at Jason. The prince was looking at him apprehensively, taking the cloak but also taking Nico’s hands in his.

“So this is it? This is where you need me?”

Nico nodded. He had told Jason about the wall of fire, had told him not to be afraid and not to stop, to do as he did and afterwards, he’d only need to help him fight the Guardian. And then. The last thing he would ask of Jason. A kiss. Nico had blushed then, and Jason had just laughed and he had been so beautiful then, so full of happiness and life and Nico had never planned to fall in love with a prince. He was a firm believer in stories and neither the witch nor her son ever got a happy end. Falling in love with the prince he needed to safe his sister, to safe the princess... It was stupid. So stupidly stupid and masochistic and Nico couldn’t help himself from tearing his hands from Jason’s.

“The Guardian is here.”

Steeling himself, he watched Jason put the cloak on from the corner of his eyes, his focus on the lindworm slithering down the giant trunk. It was a grand beast; Hazel’s last defence.

Jason jumped into the fight like he had been trained for it. For this exact moment. He drew his sword to attack, sidestepping the gaping maw of the beast when it darted at him, faster. He jumped, for a moment disoriented as the cloak turned his leap into flight. A moment enough for the Guardian to swipe its claws at him, knocking the prince out of the air. Jason landed with a sickening sound.

Nico raised his arms and his voice, fixing his gaze one the lindworm. “Remember the last time you fought. Remember what you fought for.”

Jason was back in the air, diving under the beast’s teeth and putting his all into the next swing. The blade slashed across the claws holding onto the ash, the lindworm screaming and biting at the prince. Swapping at him with its head like one would a pesky fly. He attacked the claw again and bellowed a laugh when the beast let go, falling down to the earth and crumbling at the tree’s foot like a discarded rope.

The lindworm roared, its teeth snapping upwards as Jason dove down. Its tail now uncoiled, whipped at him, missing him by a hair’s breadth and disrupting his flight. Jason turned around mid-air, tumbling down and landing heavily on the beast. It screeched, while Jason raised his sword. In the next moment, it would close its jaws around him, would swallow him.

Nico screamed, his fists clenched tightly, running towards them. “Remember who you fight for, Frank!”

And the lindworm stopped. Its eyes found Nico, focused on him as the witch’s son climbed over its limbs.

Seeing his chance, Jason moved, ready to drive his sword into the Guardian’s throat. “Stop,” Nico called, putting one hand on Jason’s shoulder. “Don’t kill him. Turn around,” the witch’s son asked, out of breath and grinning excitedly. “He’s a shapeshifter. They don’t like being seen between forms.” And with that, Nico himself turned and jumped down from the lindworm’s body, only hoping his prince would do the same.

He heard the voice when his feet had found the ground again. When Jason had jumped down after him without another word, trusting him completely. “Nico, what’s going on here?”

Sighing, he closed his eyes. He had known this voice for decades and he was glad to finally be able to hear it again. “You’ve been trapped in this form for almost sixty years, Frank.”

“Sixty years.”

Jason stopped himself and looked between the two. Nico didn’t blame him. They had just fought Frank - the lindworm that let no one close to the giant ash. The Guardian.

When Nico finally faced the tree again, he just shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. We’re almost done.” A giddy feeling started in his stomach. Hazel. Hazel would be free again and it was only a matter of seconds. Only one last time he would use magic. One last time, the last time magic was ever used again, but Hazel would live. She would be free and that was all that mattered.

The witch’s son ignored his friends, stepped towards the giant ash and touched its bark.

“She wouldn’t want this,” Frank said, but the moment he tried to get close to Nico, Jason stepped in, his sword still gleaming and the cloak swishing around his shoulders.

The tree towered over them, the strange light glittering through its leaves and Nico knew the warm feeling to be his sister. Hazel. The girl that had cared for him, had been there even when he had thought he had lost everyone. Bianca, his mother. Hazel was the only person that mattered. She deserved to be happy.

“I know what you want,” Nico murmured, stroking the tree slowly. “You want to grow, and so do I. We want the same thing, so do me a favour and grow towards me. Show me your beloved fruit, the one you feed through your roots and lift to the sky. Show me my sister.”

The bark moved under his ministrations, creaking and rustling from up above him. Branches grew, bending downwards and bringing with them a small girl. A girl with dark skin and golden locks, chubby cheeks and plumb lips, and the fiercest look Nico had ever seen. Hazel still looked the same. Still looked like she had the moment she had stepped in for Bianca, her resolution firm, unwavering. Nico had adored and hated her at the same time then.

“You have to kiss her,” he whispered.

“Nico, are you sure?”

“Please, Jason,” he said. “You wanted to give me a token, didn’t you?” And, oh, Nico knew this wasn’t right. Wasn’t fair of him; not to ask this, not to deceive Jason like this, but this was Hazel. The prince would be happy and so would Hazel - this was how it worked. How the story demanded. They would both be alive and happy and for once, the people he loved would not suffer from something they didn’t deserve.

He didn’t stay to watch when Jason nodded. Not when he stepped closer in sacred reverie, his eyes on the sleeping beauty.

The prince had come and saved his damsel in distress. He kissed her and now they would magically fall in love. They would marry and live together happily ever after.

But this wasn’t his story anymore; it was their's. He had changed it. Had rewritten it.

Nico was going to be sick.

[allumetterouge]

Since it’s my birthday tomorrow, I just wanna remind everyone that I love talking to people and writing stuff for others. Anyone want something written or just talk to someone about whatever, I’ll be here (probably eating cake though)!

[redraidinghood]

Reblogging from my DC/Batfam sideblog since this goes for for PJO/HoH fandom too (again)!

[allumetterouge]

I’d planned to do some Halloween prompts, but since I have to work on Saturday, not much writing will be done. So, instead, I’d love to get your comments/stories/headcanons/etc., anything really! - Think of this as me going around asking you for candy

[redraidinghood]

Reblogging from my DC/Batfam sideblog since this goes for for PJO/HoH too - especially since I just finished reading Sword of Summer!

[allumetterouge]

I’d planned to do some Halloween prompts, but since I have to work on Saturday, not much writing will be done. So, instead, I’d love to get your comments/stories/headcanons/etc., anything really! - Think of this as me going around asking you for candy

[redraidinghood]

Reblogging from my DC/Batfam sideblog since this goes for for PJO/HoH too - especially since I just finished reading Sword of Summer!

[redraidinghood]

I want someone going over all those stupid drafts and hit me over the head with those worth writing (and not stop until I finish them).

[redraidinghood]

Aaaaand here we go; rapidly aproaching the end of DiD. I’m... excited? Anxious? It’s a strange feeling at least, but hey, as long as it’s still fun, I’m doing it right I guess ;)

They are finally moving against the Golem's master and magic shows its true colours. Or at least some shades.

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]

______________________________________________________________

Octavian had watched the two princes running around, asking questions, looking for a person that just didn’t matter. It was so horribly obvious and the witchhunter had hoped at least Perseus would’ve seen the illusion they were under. But no. Again, Nico di Angelo would escape justice. The witch’s son wouldn’t have to answer for his misdeeds and all because of one stupid, enchanted prince of Iulia. Didn’t they see? Were they this blind? Whoever they thought had ordered this Golem didn’t matter; the witch’s son should’ve burned many years ago already. His crimes had already been enough for more than one death sentence when Octavian’s grandfather had started hunting the creature. He couldn’t let this happen, couldn’t let this monster go free again even if that meant letting the Golem’s master go unpunished this time. Ridding the world of the scourge that was the witch’s son was more than worth a little amorality.

So he listened, memorized the plan the princes had come up with. If he’d find that woman first...

He turned the pill over in his hands. It had been meant to help, to stop the Golem if Jason’s report was anything to go by. But then again, the boy had been enchanted. Yet, still, in the right hands, this thing could suggest things - and a man who'd studied magic long enough sure could use its inherent magic.

-

“Right.” Percy shifted in his seat. “Remind me what we’re doing here again?” The prince traced the edge of the sword he’d laid across his lap. Not that he was bad company or that it was a bad idea to have someone with them when confronting a sorceress likely more powerful or experienced than Nico, but Percy was just, well, he didn’t like being left in the dark. That, Jason could sympathize with, still it didn’t mean he could tell his cousin. He couldn’t really tell him he’d met with Nico - who Percy still thought of as evil and apparently had some kind of history with. Again, Jason saw where the other was coming from; having to save a damsel in distress from the witch’s son wasn’t really building trust.

Also that thing with his hand. Jason risked a glance at the tanned limb that cradled his cousin’s blade. Biting someone’s finger off didn’t really scream ‘Nico’ in his experience though.

“Honestly, I don’t see why you’re making this all seem like some big mystery. Meeting informants in the dead of night or whatever. Now the kid’s standing right there. He’s going to show us who he’s seen and we question that person. Seems pretty straightforward to me.” Percy sheathed his sword. “Anything you want to tell me? Like, I don’t know. What you really did yesterday you didn’t want me to come along to?”

Nico was wearing his cloak again, Jason knew. He himself couldn’t unsee the witch’s son, but Percy should only see the villager he expected to have witnessed the Golem’s attack. There really was no need to fear his cousin recognizing Nico, no need for the cold lump in Jason’s chest.

They couldn’t risk Percy finding out now. Finding the Golem’s master and finding proof for Nico’s innocence was too important. It might not have mattered to the witch’s son anymore - having broken out of prison already and being on the run for being magic anyway - but to Jason it was imperative. He needed this. Needed to show Percy and everyone else that Nico wasn’t bad like that.

Across the market square, Nico moved before Jason could give his cousin a reply. He followed a woman the prince thought was slightly familiar. She was small, smaller than Nico, but at least twice his size in width. Round cheeks and tender eyes made her look like a mother, a nice, cosy lady and for a frightening second, doubt crossed Jason’s mind. Could Nico be wrong about this? That woman sure didn’t look magic. Not like Nico at least, with his strange way to clothe or do his hair or his eyes that were almost completely black.

Next to him, Percy stood with a determined air. He really was a good friend, making Jason feel guilty about lying to him. The only thing Percy really knew about all of this was that they were going against someone magic, and Percy had fought enough magic folk to know exactly how dangerous that could be. Still, he went along with it.

Admittedly, he was voicing his annoyance out loud, but he also made sure Jason felt safe, secure of his cousin’s loyalty.

“All right then. The kid’s moving.” He also looked a whole lot more confident than Jason felt. “Let’s keep a distance but make sure not to lose them.”

They moved slow but steadily, losing Nico only once but keeping up with the woman. The three of them followed her to a small complex, a neat vegetable garden, a pigsty and a nice little house with cosy curtains in the windows and flower boxes beneath. It looked inconspicuous enough that Jason wouldn’t have given the place another thought hadn’t it been Nico taking them here. Nothing looked magic at all. There was a well, but the ground wasn’t really the loamy soil he expected a Golem breeding ground to be.

The princes hunkered down behind a fence just outside the woman’s land, watching from afar. She really didn’t do anything but mundane chores, feeding the doubt in Jason’s mind.

This wasn’t right. Spying on an innocent woman who did go about her life in a normal, harmless way. The thought swam inside his head, silencing his excitement and attention.

Nico still wasn’t with them. Maybe they’d read him wrong, maybe he had followed someone else and ... Jason blinked. That’s why they’d lost Nico that time!

He turned to Percy eagerly. They needed to regroup, needed to find Nico. They couldn’t have many chances like this until the real sorceress realised they were after her. He opened his mouth, but the words kept stuck in his throat. Percy’s dominant hand was the the sword handle, the other clawing the dirt beneath their feet. His jaw was set, speaking of a tension Jason hadn’t caught until now.

Slowly, he turned back to the house. Percy must’ve seen something he hadn’t. Felt something that made him this anxious and, in turn, made Jason’s skin crawl. Something wasn’t right and it wasn’t them following the wrong person.

“Let’s try to get inside.”

Percy’s eyes snapped to him. “You think she’s going to leave the house?”

Jason nodded. She had to. That’s what normal people would do. No one would sit around the house all day, she had to work, at least feed the pigs or something.

“He’s right.”

The princes turned, their hands flying to their weapons. Nico raised his hands in a appeasing gesture. He was still wearing his silvery cloak, so Percy still wouldn’t know it was the witch’s son and not their new villager friend crouching beside them in the dirt.

“I’ve asked around,” Nico said and Jason could see his eyes flicker between Percy and the house, keeping Jason in his blind spot. Trusting him. “She’s a maid at the Keep. Needs to be there in a bit. Well liked and all that fuzzy stuff.”

Percy rolled his eyes when Nico waved the last bit off and turned back to watch the house. “Don’t tell me,” he said gruffly. “She’s also a midwife.”

Nico smirked, lightly touching his shoulder to Jason’s. It could’ve been a accident, really. Meaningless. Jason chose not to think so though.

As they kept watching, Percy’s tension seemed to ease a little ever since Nico’s arrival. It wasn’t actually fun sitting in the dirt, but sitting in the dirt close to Nico was kind of making it bearable until the front door opened and the woman emerged.

“Alright, get ready.”

When the woman had turned around a bend, finally disappearing from view, they moved. Using the path through the area, pretending to just be visitors, nothing suspicious. Jason tried the door, just in case, but it was locked. “What now? Find a window?”

Percy rolled his eyes and shoved Nico towards him. “Yeah, right. Wouldn’t look like a break in at all. We have a key, remember?”

They stared. For a moment, both Jason and Nico only stared at the other prince. “Come on. I’m not dumb.” Again, Percy pushed Nico slightly. “Work your magic, just don’t think I’m not watching you.”

“How did you...” Jason trailed off as he stepped aside for the witch’s son.

“I put two and two together, what else? Your little friend here breaking out, you having a mystery date at night, bam, we got a way to find our suspect? Smells pretty much like magic to me.”

“I was actually just remembering,” Nico remarked snidely, his fingers softly touching the lock. “You know, that thing everyone can do?”

Jason kept watching his friends, struggling with relief and guilt when Percy put a hand on his shoulder. “For the record, I’m not okay with this. But whether I like it or not, I know this guy, and Golems? So not in his repertoire.”

“Gee, thanks.” Nico pushed the door open. He didn’t turn back around to them, already peeking inside.

Jason shrugged Percy’s hand off. “Can you guys stop, just for a bit?” He went to the door and pushed it open a bit further, watching over Nico’s shoulder. It looked normal enough, a hearth building the centre of the room, a table in the far corner, a few closets pushed to the walls, nothing out of the ordinary. Jason still couldn’t see what had agitated his friends but he was determined to find out.

He followed Nico inside, not risking more light than the sun already provided. They were lucky no neighbours had yet looked their way and come over.

“So, if you were a clay-man, were would you hide?” Percy kept a hand on his sword as usual, keeping close to Jason.

“Actually, the question is more along the lines of...” Jason pushed a curtain away, checking the situation outside. They’d closed the door, of course, and most people would go about their day work now, but he still felt safer making sure. Then, he leant back against the wall and addressed the witch’s son. “Would she make another? What would she need to make another?”

Nico shrugged, kneeling by the hearth. “Clay, water, two other people--”

“-- Two other people?” Percy snapped. “There are more and you didn’t tell us?”

“Calm down,” Jason said. He’d felt the same rise his cousin had, but he couldn’t help but believe in Nico. He would have told them if he’d thought it likely that there were more sorcerers.

“You can’t expect me to just be okay with this. Gods,” Percy growled. “I want to smack you so bad right now. Nobody’s seen us yet and I already want to just get out of here”

“-- Don’t jinx it,” Nico warned. His hand came up sooty from where he’d touched the hearth. “Also, we can just ask the household spirit, you know?”

“I hate magic.”

Jason shrugged. “Until now, it’s proven useful though.”

His cousin only replied by punching his fist against one of the closets. The piece of furniture rattled easily, sounding somehow wrong. All three of them turned and Percy took it upon himself to open the doors, revealing a very scarcely stored shelf and... nothing else. The prince groaned. “Oh please, don’t tell me.” He lifted the boards, putting them on the floor before pushing against the back of the closet. A soft click later, the hidden door swung open and Percy threw his arms up. “Gods, I hate secret doors.”

-

Following her had been easy. Easier than following those idiots. They all had been lucky Jason had found someone who knew this woman, who would rat her out and now the one not so lucky would be her. He’d fought those creatures all his life; following her, getting her on an isolated path and finally catching her had been nothing he couldn’t do alone. He was always alone. Better than having comrades that turned against you the moment one of them gave in to enchantment.

Octavian looked at the creature at his feet, the sorceress who’d hidden in plain view, who’d disguised itself as a normal woman. But he’d seen through it. He could see its real nature. And it was ugly.

There it lay, face bruised and swollen, coughing and begging him. They were pathetic. All of them. The moment they were to fight, they’d rather crawl and kiss your feet.

He turned his face up, disgusted. Ugly, cowardly creatures. Take their magic and it’s all they were. He kicked her hand away that attempted to grab for his leg before crouching next to the sorceress. Its eyes were dark, almost all black, red little veins breaking through them from the beating. Octavian didn’t look away when he reached back into his pocket, producing a small, red-veined pill. “You want to kill me, don’t you? I will let you do it. You can do what you want, honestly. All I want to do is suggest you another target.”

-

“Oh, this is disgusting,” Percy moaned, holding his shawl in front of his face. It did nothing to quell the stench though. “Did I mention that I hate magic?”

They had found the missing girls, or what was left of them anyway. Their remains smelled horribly and the putrid smell made their eyes water. Jason didn’t dare to move, risking to touch anything down here. The scene they had found was ugly; a small staircase that had led down into this cellar, pieces of meat hanging from the ceiling like smoked pork that already turned green.

The carcass of one of the girls was still strung up, cut open to bleed out over a tub in the far corner and jars with body parts and organs lined the shelves.

Jason gulped down the bile that had risen in his throat. ‘Disgusting’ was an euphemism actually. This was horrible, unnatural. He wanted to turn, to run back up, get a lung of fresh air and just forget about this. Forget what he’d seen, forget the smell that would still cling to him when he’d left and the sight that would haunt him when he slept.

His cousin inspected the gruesome place with a kind of professional distance and for once, Jason envied him his experience in the crusades - but only for a moment. Only until his eyes fell on Nico, the witch’s son.

The boy stood in the middle of this carnage, his fists tightly balled at his sides. He was trembling, but Jason couldn’t tell whether it was out of anger or fear or something else entirely.

“Yeah well, guess we can say we found the missing girls.”

Ignoring Percy's attempt at a joke, Jason kept watching the scene, the picture of Nico in midst of all this blood. It made sense, somehow. The boy turned, his eyes darker than ever and his voice cold like the corpses around them. “You should go.” He moved towards one of the shelves, his hands steady when he picked a jar.

“Right.” Sheathing his sword, Percy came to stand beside his cousin. “And you’re going to do what exactly?”

Nico’s reply was an unfamiliar hiss, a sudden bout of anger Jason had never seen him capable of. With his words, the room seemed to grow darker, colder. “I’m going to pay my respects. Make sure they’re getting what they deserve.”

Cold sweat ran down Jason’s spine. He’d known Nico was dangerous, but if he were completely honest to himself, he hadn’t actually known. Again, he envied his cousin who only had his hand at the hilt of his sword like usual, accustomed to the dark, swirling feel that suddenly filled the room. Nico wanted them out. Wanted them to move away and get out of the cellar and Jason. He couldn’t leave Nico here. Not in this room full of dirt and blood and death. Couldn’t let this cellar taint him.

“You’re no match for her and you know it.” Percy’s knuckles were white, he was fighting the urge to draw his sword, to defend himself from the horrors inhabiting these walls.

“That’s why you need to leave.”

“We will.” For a moment, Jason didn’t recognize his own voice. “If you’re coming with us, that is.”

At his side, Percy pressed out a humourless laugh. “You heard the man, witch-boy. We’re all getting out of here and - Did that thing just move?”

Nico blinked, confused for a moment before he heaved the jar in his hands up, looking straight into the dead eyes of a girl. He’d known there was a head in this jar. He’d known it was dead. And it was. it didn’t move. Dead heads in jars didn’t move, did they?

Jason huffed angrily. “Will you stop that? It’s creepy enough down here without you trying to spook us.” He shoved his cousin roughly. “Nico, put that down. Let’s just get out of here.”

The door was only a few steps away, the tiny staircase under Jason’s feet, the walls close and closing in. He pushed himself forward. There was nothing to fear down there, nothing but his stupid friends. The wooden walls pressed against his shoulders and he already felt the draft coming from the door. He’d just get out of here. Just get out and take a breath and wait for those two. They’d come after him, in fact, he already felt them at his back, cold and clammy and the door was locked. Jason stopped breathing. This couldn’t be right.

The scream sounded everything but human, metal resounding down in the cellar followed by glass breaking and the surge of something pulling him down. Back downstairs, back to the horrors and he didn’t know what had happened. What was that scream? That noise?

Panic seized him, his hands slapping against the walls to both sides, the door firmly against his back. Something was happening down there. Something was happening down there with those corpses and jars and blood. Blood and grime he could feel sipping through his fingers, the walls starting to move, the solid wood giving way like rotten bones.

Jason moved, taking two steps at once, the floor under him starting to bloat and break. He ran, his breath coming in short puffs, the disgustingly sweet smell of spoiled meat filling the staircase. He pushed himself of the mouldy walls, falling into the room and on the cold and grimy stones.

“Jason!” Nico. This was Nico, right by his side, his hair wet and clinging to his face. Breathing hard, Jason heaved himself up, using his friend as a prop. Down here, the air was wet and filled with mould and decay, the floor slippery with stinking fluid, the acid fumes stinging his eyes. The jars had broken, exploded, drenching Nico from the looks of it. “Where’s Percy?” he asked, gripping the witch's son tighter and tucking him firmly under his arm.”

“Over there. - She’s here,” the witch’s son breathed, his hand moving to squeeze the one Jason had on his shoulder. “Let me go. She’s here.” He sounded urgent, distracted and the fear was so apparent, Jason had to force himself not to grab the boy and run. Nico wriggled free, throwing his cloak over his shoulders his bare hands moving to feel for the wall behind them. “Be brave. Be safe. Go find Perseus.” His voice was soft, only a whisper but to Jason, it sounded more like the bellow his instructors had used back home than the urging sound Nico made. His legs moved, his hand steadily unsheathing his own weapon. He was going to get his cousin, carefully moving between the swinging corpses, the billowing shadows. It was dark and although the cellar wasn’t all that big, he’d already lost Nico behind him. Raising his hand, he touched the flesh in front of him. Here, he’d last seen his cousin, had seen Percy, well and alive. The dead skin slid sickly under his touch. Gave in as he pressed a little harder, penetrating the tissue and slipping wetly under his fingers. Fighting the urge to throw up, Jason shook his hand quickly, removing the rotten flesh. It fell to the ground, the sound resounding through the cellar. The corpse behind him still swinging on its hook. He didn’t dare to turn. Didn’t dare to look directly at the movements he could feel at his back. Something moved, a groaning sound like stretched tissue being released. He took another step, his body working for him, his mind racing with Nico’s words.

He walked as fast as he dared, knowing he should already have made it through the cellar twice. It hadn’t been that big before. Hadn’t been that dark before. Movement. There. Just out of arms reach. A shadow, and this had to be Percy. Forcing his jaw open, his lungs to work, he pressed his cousins name between his teeth. Calling for him. Calling for the shadow that had to be Percy.

The hairs at the back of his neck stood up. The draft cooling the sweat at his back. Jason touched another carcass, carefully lifting it out of his way. This time, the skin slipped slightly, but didn’t break. This one was more solid, not yet rotten as much as the others. There hadn’t been so many before, had there?

The draft blew over his neck again, the cold slowly seeping into his bones. There it was again, the shadow. Resolved, Jason stepped forward, quicker this time, reaching out. He was already touching the shawl, already feeling the warmth of another living body when a cold hand closed around his neck. Jason let his sword fall, screaming and clawing at the fingers pressing into his throat.

Percy turned in time to see his cousin vanish between the bodies. Experience and training kicked in; his whole being screaming at him to run, his mind forcing him to run towards the danger. He shoved the cadavers aside, ignoring the fluids that soaked his clothes as he followed.

Jason grabbed for the surrounding flesh, anything, really, to hold on to, his other hand still firmly gripping the fingers that did their best to crush his trachea. He didn’t want to die. He wasn’t just going to die. He was going to be safe.

Getting a hold of something he pressed his fingers closed around it, tearing it out of the carcass when his attacker pulled him back relentlessly. He didn’t care what it was. It was solid and long and it was still in his hand. Shoving his new weapon back over his head, pushing it between the attacker and himself. He’d never practised this. He didn’t know what he was doing when he drove the weapon through resistance. The hand let go, but the scream at his back almost rendered him deaf. He was shoved away, on his knees, the wailing coming from behind him, his attacker still at his back.

Jason retched, the air filling his lungs hurting his throat with every breath. Percy dashed forward, putting himself between them, both now behind Jason. Both, Percy and his attacker. He needed to turn. Turn around. His weakened body protested with every move when he slid over the wet ground on his knees, pushing his body back to one side and heaving hard when he finally laid eyes on his attacker.

Swallowing the sour taste in his mouth he took the grotesque figure in. A girl, her skin and bones stretched and broken over another body. The woman, wearing her like a second, unfitting skin. A skin still filled with bones and blood and everything pushing outside through the tears in the tissue. The girl's dead tilted back in eternal desperation, her throat being torn open to make place for the woman’s face pushing through it.

He let his arms give up, falling back and squeezing his eyes shut. He turned to his side, bile already rising to his mouth. Throwing up didn’t change anything, he kept gagging, his eyes closed and tears at their corners. It hurt, he couldn’t see, he couldn’t move, couldn’t. His stomach churned, but he kept himself breathing. Be brave. He told himself. Percy was here. Percy wouldn’t let him die. Wouldn’t let - He didn’t want to think of that creature.

“You’re going to be okay.”

It was the truth. It was a warm hand on his back, soothing voice and it was him. Nico. Jason nodded, grabbing around for his hand. He pulled the boy closer when he’d found it, tangling their fingers together and keeping his breath under control. Nico was here. Percy was here. He was going to be okay.

Nico stroke his back, but his voice was turned away when he heard him again. Talking to Percy. “He got her. Just let me--”

Something hit the ground before Nico could finish and when Jason finally had the strength to open his eyes, it was Percy lying just out of arms reach on his back, his sword still steadily pointed, his upper body already moving off the ground. He was bleeding, his empty hand wiping across his forehead, clearing the dark stream that ran into his eyes. His voice rattled, but he didn’t move his focus. “Whatever, just do it fast.”

Jason felt Nico’s warmth leave and turned to see the witch’s son stand. He didn’t want to see the creature again, didn’t want his friends to get close to it.

“You’re dead.” Nico sounded strange, almost the same, unfamiliar tone he’d used earlier when he wanted them to leave. But at the same time, Jason felt like he shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t hear those words. They weren’t for him.

“You’re already dead and you know it. Still, it’s your desire to kill.”

Jason dragged himself up. He couldn’t let Nico face this thing alone. Every nerve in his body screamed at him, hated him for moving. But he had to. Had to see that - had to see her. The sorceress. No, the murderer. Looking at her, it was still the same old woman. Small and chubby, her eyes dark like Nico’s. She was bad, evil. But not a thing. She was despicable. But not just some creature. Calling her that, not acknowledging her mind, her consciousness or the ability to understand and differentiate between good and evil, was an excuse. That was her. She'd known what she did and chose to be evil. It was a choice. Something human.

Nico raised a hand to her face, his fingers folding themselves over the bone Jason had driven into her eye. “You want to kill us. I will grant you your desire, but I will give you another target.”

[redraidinghood]

Alright, I think I’ve just finished the next DiD chapter. ‘Think’ because I’ve just written the last sentence and haven’t edited a word yet. :’D I dearly want a writing buddy, a beta and a whole bowl of tiramisu.

[redraidinghood]

Still debating whether or not to put ALL my published works on this blog or keep it a PJO/HoO exclusive one (- Maybe getting another side blog for other fandoms or stuff).

I’m going to bed now, but I’d love to hear opinions on that topic!

[redraidinghood]

So, yes, I decided to make another sideblog - if there’s some of you who’re in the DCU fandom or like to talk about comics (DC, Marvel, w/e really), feel free to say Hello! (Or, you know, gimme prompts or headcanons, you know the drill <3)