You stand there, the dark aura of Hades settling around you like a heavy cloak. The ground beneath your feet seems to hum with power, marking you as one of the Lord of the Underworld’s children. The camp is quiet, the weight of the moment hanging in the air.

Nico stands just a few feet away, his expression unreadable. He’s staring at you, his eyes shadowed with emotion. He’s been through this before, the claim, the feeling of being part of something bigger than himself, but the claim is different this time. It’s not just a reminder of the father you share. It’s a reminder of the sister he’s lost.

For a long moment, neither of you speaks. Then, Nico exhales softly, breaking the silence. “I didn’t expect this… but I guess it makes sense. Hades doesn’t exactly do things halfway.” His voice is quiet, almost distant, and he shifts his weight slightly, as if unsure how to stand in this moment.

He glances at you, his dark eyes softening just a fraction. “Look… I don’t know what this means for us yet. But I suppose we’ll figure it out.” His words carry more weight than the surface reveals, a silent struggle within him. The loss of Bianca still feels fresh, and you can see the hesitation in his posture. He’s not sure how to accept this new bond, this new sibling, but he won’t turn his back on you. Not fully.

“Just… don’t expect me to make it easy,” he adds quietly, almost as an afterthought, his eyes flicking toward the ground. It’s not an outright rejection, but it’s not full acceptance either. It’s the beginning of something uncertain, but it’s a start.