The Chosen Demigods

Chapter 54

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M BACK!!! Thanks for being patient, and sorry I couldn't update for so long. The trip to india was a lotta fun, and I didn't have WiFi for an ENTIRE MONTH! It was actually really relaxing, and as cliche as it sounds, I would recommend trying to avoid devices. Maybe just for a day or so though, because I almost died from lack of fan content. But I even became less socially awkward! (I could swear that was impossible.) 

By the way, at most there are only four chapters (at most) left of this book. If you've read to the end, THANK YOU SO FREAKING MUCH!!!!!!! I don't know why though, I'm not that good at writing, left a lot of plotholes in, and really stretched the beginning out for too long. But thank you anyway!

ANYWAY, YOU'RE NOT HERE TO LISTEN TO MY USELESS RAMBLING! ON WITH THE STORY!!!!!!

(BTW I could have entered this into the watties, but I still have no idea how that competition works, so I didn't enter it.)

THANK YOU!

...................

Piper's POV

I glanced at the Slytherin table anxiously, fiddling with one of the feathers in my hair. I haven't worn one for a long time. Last time I can remember wearing one was before Jason... died. No point denying it. Jason's dead. He's in Hades's realm now. Or Pluto's -whatever. But this morning I felt like I needed some extra luck. 

"Ouch!" I hissed, a sharp pain hindering my side. I looked up to see Hazel looking at me pointedly. 

"You're going to draw attention to them." she muttered. "Relax. Everything's going to be fine." 
"Are you two okay?" asked Selena looking at us concerned. "You've been quiet all day. Monica's been acting off too..." Hazel smiled at her. 
"We're fine. It's just that we had a run in with Alecto earlier." The ravenclaws expression of worry was quickly replaced by loathing, and she took to glaring at her plate. 

"I hate them." She said this quietly, but anyone could hear the venom in their voice. Her tone felt like I'd just a bucket of ice water dumped on my head. "I'm so sorry you guys had to come at a time like this." she looked back up at us. "This place was amazing before they showed up." I looked at her sympathetically. 

"Cheer up. It could be a lot worse." Selena nodded. 
"I honestly feel like this is just the beginning." she said glumly. "We're only in the fourth week for god's sake!" Hazel and I exchanged looks. If all went well, she wouldn't have to endure it for a second year. Then something caught my eye. 

Looking down at my plate, I noticed a small circle of light dancing around on top of it. I nudged Hazel as the light disappeared, and stood up. 

"Anyway, see ya later! I still have some arithmancy homework to get done, and Hazel's going to help me with it." Selena smiled, and the other's gave us a quite chorus of goodbye's. I walked down the hallway nervously, feeling like there were target's fluttered over my back. If target's could actually flutter... We should get some of those for the Apollo kids.

To my suprise, we made it out of the hall without drawing much attention. I sighed, and turned around to see a smirking Hazel following me. 

"What?"
"Nothing." she chuckled, shaking her head. "Except for the fact your posture screamed "Suspicion!" I pouted, making her laugh. 
"Shut up. Besides, if you were actually mad, you'd be yelling at me right now."
"When did I say I was mad?"

"Hello!" sang a bubbly voice from the entrance to the great hall. Will walked in, pulling Nico in tow. I jolted. The son of Hades looked terrible. 

His skin was whiter than I'd ever seen it, which was odd -seeing as it had looked normal yesterday. He had huge purple bags under his eyes, making them look cavernous. Despite this, his eyes were set with a grim determination. So, I assumed he's fine. Hazel however...

"Nico, anything wrong?" the pale boy shrugged, before leaning into his partner's shoulder.
"Just a nightmare." he mumbled. Then he frowned, and looked up again. "Where's Monica?"

I shrugged. 
"Wasn't she supposed to leave before us?" asked an anxious Hazel.
"Yeah." said Will frowning.

"I'm here!" called a voice, followed by the patter of footsteps. I turned around to see Monica hurrying down the main staircase, a brown satchel strung over her shoulder. I raised an eyebrow. 

"Is that it?" She nodded, looking pasty. It was obvious that she was nervous. 
"Alright." said Will starting forward. "Come on."

The four of us walked to the other side of the hall, where a large blue and green tapestry hung. Will pushed the fabric aside, revealing a man-sized tunnel. Monica's eyes widened momentarily, before returning to their normal state. I stepped through, following Nico. We climbed the upward slope for a good ten minutes before a large curtain-like fabric was spotted, which Will also moved aside, revealing the exit. 

There was a yelp as Hazel exited the passageway and Will dropped the fabric. I looked up to see Barnabas the Barmy staring at us indignantly, while trolls hit him over the head. 

"Be a little more - ouch! - careful, would you? This is - stop it! - chinese silk!" Nico rolled his eyes, and started pacing the hallway. Moments later, the marble wall melted into an black iron-cast door. Nico immediately reached for the handle and lead us inside. 

I looked over at Monica, who was clutching her bad strap anxiously. 
"Are you alright?" she started, and looked at me. 
"Yup." she nodded, her jaw clenched. 

I stepped inside, and surveyed the room. It was rather small, around the size of the weapons storage at camp half-blood, had black walls, and set into the opposite wall was a large green door. Will was examining it when Monica finally stepped in, closing the door behind us. The noise echoed around the tiny room, making Nico wince. 

"So, can we see the horcrux?" asked Hazel. Monica nodded, swallowing, and reached into her brown carrier bag. She pulled out a navy jewelry box, with bronze hinges and a large opal set into the top. Hazel made a noise of interest as she examined it. 

"Yup. That's a real opal." she said, impressed. She looked up at Monica. "How long have you guys have it?" Monica shrugged. 
"A long time. We've only used it for the horcrux for the past..." her nose scrunched up. "Seventeen, eighteen years?"

"What's up with the snakes on this door?" Nico asked staring at it. "Is it something to do with Slytherin?" Monica's face paled at she looked at the door, and the two silver serpents that were set into it. They were gorgeously engraved, in my opinion. And their emerald eyes really made a striking impression. 

"Uh, guys? Maybe we shouldn't go in there." said Monica, clutching the horcrux's box. Will frowned. 
"Why not?"
"There was this thing that happened in our first year, the chamber of secrets was opened and-" 

"It doesn't matter." interrupted Nico. "Look, Monica. We have no other way of getting rid of this thing conspicuously. It's the only option we have." Monica's grip on the box tightened. 
"I dunno, Nico." Oh no. 

"What do you mean?" said Nico aggressively.
"Nico!" What if this means we'd have to use our powers on her? She's just looking out for us... 

"Monica, I need you to calm down, alright? We'll be fine. You want to avenge your aunt, right?" said Hazel soothingly. Monica swallowed, and handed the box to Hazel. 

"Okay." she said quietly. She looked up, her icy eyes filled with fire. "Let's do this."