The Next Generation: The Beginning

Will's POV

"Mia's in a prophecy." The moment I said those words I felt a huge weight lifting from my chest. Silence fell while the words soaked in; prophecies are not good things when you're a demigod or legacy- they usually mean something bad. One of the most famous ones, Percy Jackson's prophecy, he had to save the world when he was 16. Bianca was the first to break it.

"I'm sorry- What?!"

"There is a prophecy and Mia fits the requirements/ description perfectly," Nico said from beside me.

"And what does the prophecy say, exactly?" Jason inquired.

"A child with blood of two gods,

Opposites combine against the odds.

Dark and light, Forces unite,

A wrong from the past that needs to be right.

Three tests will come and all must be done-

The first test is one of love and pain, in which you will be betrayed.

The second test is of friendship and trust, stick together you must.

And the last is of bravery and strength, how much of it can you take.

Once completed you shall see

What your choice and destiny are meant to be."

More silence.

"Guys, why didn't you tell us before?" Audrey asked.

"The timing wasn't right. And not many people know." I replied.

"Who knows?" Jason asked.

"Us, the Gods and Goddesses, Chiron, Percy and Annabeth, Hazel and Frank, Kayla, and Piper, Leo and Calypso, and now you." Nico listed them off. "Ok, so maybe it's more people than we thought."

"So wait, Mia doesn't even know?" Bianca said. I shook my head.

"How is she supposed to fulfill a prophecy about her if she doesn't even know she is in a prophecy?!"

"The Gods will tell her when the time is right. Until then, you can't say anything about this to her or anyone else; understand?" I said. They all nodded.

"Swear it on the river Styx," Nico demanded, unsatisfied.

"I swear it on the river Styx." They all said in unison. Thunder clapped above.

"Ok now go get some sleep. Good night, my little angels." I said to them, ruffling Jason's hair, as I kissed them all on the forehead. They all said their goodnights, but Carlos stayed.

"Carlos?" I said.

Nico's POV

"Carlos?" Will said. He was sitting at the table, looking down.

"I failed her." He said in a whisper.

"What?" I asked- I couldn't hear him. He took a deep breath and stood up, keeping his gaze lowered.

"I failed her. I'm her protector- her il Mio protettore. But I couldn't protect her. I failed." I walked over to him. I put my hands on his shoulders and made him face me, although he continued to look down.

"Carlos." He looked up, his eyes laced with tears. "Carlos, you did not fail her. You can't protect her from everything."

"But I'm the one who told Bianca to think about putting her on the final line of defense once Joey told us she could fight. It's my fault she's hurt." I pulled him into a hug. He rested his head on my shoulder (why is everyone taller than me?!) and started shaking with sobs. I just held him and rubbed his back. Will came over and hugged him too.

"Carlos, look at me." He looked up with tear-stained cheeks and red puffy eyes. It breaks my heart to see him like this; he's always so strong and tough- it's so hard to see your kids broken and fragile. I cupped his face to make him look at me and wiped away a stray tear. "You are the best big brother ever." He sniffled, reminding me of when he was five, not seventeen.

"Really?"

"Yes! Gods, Carlos, you are amazing! Mia is lucky to have you. You didn't do anything wrong- if anything, you gave her a chance to shine, to prove herself."

"She did; we won because of her."

"Exactly! She looks up to you, Carlos. You know what she did the morning after the meeting?" He shook his head. "She ran into our room after you left and she was going on and on about how Joey told you guys that she's a good fighter and that she's going to be on the final line of defense- that you trusted her with that. She was so excited! You are her protector and she is your little doll. She loves you. You haven't failed anyone." He threw his arms around me.

"Thanks, papà. I won't let you down." I smiled and he left. I turned to look at Will and saw one of his prize-winning smiles on his face. I looked at him, confused. He leaned down and kissed me.

"What?" I asked once we pulled away.

"You just make me so happy. And you handled that really well." I blushed.

"Thanks, you would have done the same." I kissed him again.

"I love you, Tesoro." His smile got even bigger if that's even possible.

"I love you too, Sunshine." His lips met mine is a soft, yet passionate kiss. This has been a very stressful day.

I love me some protective parenting Nico and supporting dad Will 🥰

Oh, and follow me on Instagram @Mia_Solace_Di_Angelo (I know, I'm so creative with my names)