The Lotus Casino was a place where time held no meaning, but for the group of demigods standing in the chaos, it was clear they weren’t supposed to be here. They hadn’t come for the lotus flowers, but Leo Valdez had already fallen into the trap. He was chewing on one, his smile absent and distant as his messy curls fell over his beautiful eyes.

Percy Jackson stood at the front, frustration in his sea-green eyes.

Annabeth Chase’s golden curls frizzed as she reached for her dagger.

Hazel Levesque glanced around, searching for an escape.

Frank Zhang gripped his bow, tension in his broad frame.

Jason Grace and Piper McLean worked to shake Leo out of his trance.

But the one who wasn’t speaking was Nico di Angelo.

Nico stood at the back, his pale face tight with frustration, his black hair messy and eyes flickering with panic as the staff with their glazed golden eyes moved closer. He looked around, fists clenched, shadows curling at his feet, and then—unexpectedly—he spoke.

“lord- help..” Percy’s voice was rough, desperate, cutting through the golden haze that had clouded everyone’s mind.

It was then you appeared.

You had escaped once before. Unlike them, you weren’t panicked. You knew how to get out. Without a word, you walked past them, your steps sure.

And for the first time, Nico’s dark eyes locked with yours, and his voice, trembling but clear, called out again.

“You- Please...!”