He held his arms open, and she came in for a long hug. “I’ll come back to visit,” he said. “I promise.”
She left Nico with more tears in his eyes.
“She’s right,” said Hazel. “You’ve changedallour lives, Nico.”
There was more crying, more hugging, more throwing of biscuits. Nico wasn’t sure when he’d had a better dinner. Eventually, though, the sky darkened, and the wind spirits started clearing the tables. Slowly, the five cohorts drifted off to take care of their evening chores. Lavinia Asimov stopped by to give them one last hug and warned them that when they came back, she was going to expect them to bemuchbetter at square dancing.
Finally, Hazel and Frank escorted them to the main gates of the camp, followed by the mythics and a bouncing herd of Cocoa Puffs. They stood together, gazing out over the valley as the last light of day painted the fields a deep magenta.
Asterion placed a large hand on Nico’s shoulders. “Do not be sad, my friends. This is only a temporary good-bye. Also, I made you going-away presents.”
He presented Will and Nico with matching knit caps—bright pink, with kitties and puppies stitched in blue and green.
“We’ll wear them proudly into battle,” Will promised. “Come here, you beautiful cow!”
Asterion explained that the mythics would be forming an auxilia, a special cohort of mythics who would be attached to the legion. Their temporary quarters on the Field of Mars would become a permanent home.
“We’ll keep cultivating that patch of Tartarus,” Quinoa said. “I’ll figure out the right blend of fertilizer yet! Maybe the kindergartners can help me!”
Nico suppressed a shudder. The idea of small children tilling the primordial flesh of a nightmarish god seemed a little risky, but then again, these were the children of demigods, so what did he know?
“I’m going to keep working in the archives!” said Johan. “Lucius Silver and I went back to the park while you were asleep. He helped me retrieve those dodecahedrons so they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Lucius is actually very nice. He doesn’t know much about tea, though. We’ll work on that.”
Frank laughed. “I’m just grateful to have help on the administrative side. I never realized how behind we were on filing and organization.”
Nico turned to Orcus, who had been waddling along with them, not saying much.
“What about you?” Nico asked. “More aerial reconnaissance?”
The tiny griffin ruffled his black-and-white wings. “Actually, no. I’ll be leaving soon.”
“Leaving?” Will looked shocked. “But…why?”
Orcus puffed up his chest. “I have to find my own place in the world. I’m thankful for the weeks I spent here, and I’m sure I’ll come back to visit, but the last time I was out of Tartarus, I spent my life in a cage. Now I know there’s a whole wide world to explore! I need to experience it, even if it means occasionally dealing with highways and cars.”
Nico blinked back tears yet again. He felt so proud of the little griffin, who’d shivered so helplessly in his arms just a few days ago. “The world isn’t ready, Orcus. You’re going to take it by storm.”
“I know,” he agreed. “I am small, but I am powerful.”
He didn’t even fart when he said it.
Nico scanned the whole group. He wasn’t ready to leave them.
“I’m just sorry I couldn’t say good-bye to Semele,” he said.
Frank grinned. “Oh, I imagine you’ll cross paths again.”
It sounded like Frank knew more than he was saying, but Nico let it go. As long as it was good news, he could wait. He was starting not to hate surprises as much as he once did.
There was one last round of hugs, and Nico embraced Hazel the longest. “I am so proud of you.”
“Hey, that’s my line.” She laughed. “Thank you for everything. You sure you’re up for shadow-travel?”
“Just me, Will, and the Cocoa Puffs? After what we’ve done this week, that’ll be a piece of cake. Love you.”
“You too. Come back soon.”
The Cocoa Puffs gathered around. Will took Nico’s hand. Then, before he could change his mind, Nico stepped into the shadows.