Prologue
Only Nico knew that Perseus was different.
The Destroyer, the Creator, reborn in a new body.
Not even the gods could sense it.
Perseus went through quests and wars, all the while hiding his true identity. Even in Tartarus. If the Pit had known who he truly was, it would have let him through in an instant, just to Be rid of him.
He loved Annabeth, and wanted to move to New Rome with her.
Then tragedy struck.
One night, Annabeth took Perseus’ hands and told him four word story that changed his life.
“I am a lesbian.” So he broke up with her in goodwill, and promised to stay in touch. No way was he going to New Rome now.
He stayed at Camp Half-Blood for many summers, and soon the campers started avoiding him. His eyes grew darker and darker, until his twenty-first birthday. They turned black.
Perseus burned with an Aura no demigod could decipher, not even Chiron .org Dionysus. And he was fully aware.
The scarred, broken, ancient ‘demigod’ walked through camp with his head held high, knowing full well how much the other campers feared him.
It didn’t help that he refused to play capture the flag. It would Be unfair, he said. He didn’t want to hurt them, he said.
The murderous look that was never left his face said otherwise.
Now that Annabeth was gone there was no one to hide it for.
And Perseus needed to let it all out.
So he decided to tell the Ghost King of his pitiful existence. (And perhaps start dating)
He cornered him in his cabin, where no one else would be listening.
“I need to tell you the truth, Nico.”
The Italian boy nodded. “I think I know some.”
Perseus shook his head. “You can’t poss-no matter. Nico… I’m a primordial.”
Whatever Nico had expected Perseus to say, that wasn’t it. “What the hell, Percy?”
“Pers- I was reborn from Chaos! Please believe me!” He clutched Nico’s hands and they burned.
Nico looked in Percy’s eyes. They were so different now. Like a universe. So the Ghost King chose to believe him.
“Okay, Perseus. Why?”
Perseus stumbled over his words. “I-I don’t know. I-it wanted to see the world. Experience th-things. So it created me. I just can’t deal with hiding anymore. Look, I needed a confidant.”
Nico looked in the face of reborn creation, and smiled.
“Okay. Trust me, Perseus. Tell me what’s troubling you.”
Perseus took a step forward, then immediately clutched his stomach. “I’m becoming unstable. This body can’t contain it.”
Light was coming through cracks that appeared on his hands, his face.
The teen trembled violently. As if having a seizure. His eyes glowed.
Nico grabbed Perseus’ hands again. “It’s alright. You’re okay.”
And he was. The shaking and glowing subsided, the cracks disappeared. “thank you.” Perseus meant it. “Look, I don’t go by Percy anymore, but… feel free to call me it.”
Nico nodded. “I will.” Suddenly, he was seized by a unknown feeling.
He nearly fell into the other boys arms, and kissed him with passion.
A startled Perseus kissed him back.
“I love you!” Nico blurted. “No matter if you’re Chaos or what!”
Perseus smiled gratefully when he was finally let go. Then he cut himself on the arm with his pocket knife. Black blood leaked from his forearm.
“We can’t let anyone else know. Not even the Seven. Promise.”
Perseus stared into Nico’s eyes again, with such ferocity.
“Promise.” The Ghost King responded.
