on Gavin's grave which was just behind our home. Nico helped with the grave, and got me flowers for Gavin from the next town over. The rain trickled down my skin, helping me cover my tears. It's been an hour since we buried him, and fifteen minutes since the soft rain fell upon us, but I stayed still, crying.

I felt Nico's hand hold mine, my heart jumps and I look over at him, who looks at me with pity. If I wasn't sad, if only I wasn't mourning I would've made a side comment about how Nico's glitter shone brighter when he was hit by the rain.

"If we stayed here any longer, we'll get sick" Nico says, holding my hand tightly.

I held his hand tighter, "Okay,"

I let Nico bring me back to the old house we used to stay at, the one that I grew up in, the one that I initially thought was new, but was now run down and old.

I sat down on one of the chairs by the dining table, Nico knelt on one knee and gets on my eye level, his hand slowly reaching up to my face and wiping my tears. I tried not to cry more, Nico was soft, and so gentle and over time, I finally got to see how kind he was.

"I'll make us some hot chocolate, okay?" Nico said as he tucked a piece of my wet hair behind my ear before rushing over to where my backpack was, filled with food and supplies from Camp Jupiter.

My mother sat in front of me, a soft yet stern look on her face as she continued to recover by meditating.

"Mother, about Gavin... please tell me everything. I- I don't want to be lied to anymore," My voice wavered, and I bit my lip to keep myself from crying. My face was probably puffed up from all that crying.

Hecate opened her eyes, with an apologetic look on her face.

"I'll start with Gavin," She started and Nico just got here on time to set down the mugs with hot chocolate.

"Gavin Shaw, he was only mortal. A mortal with the sight, who inherited it from your father. He was your half brother, your father's first born. He was so gifted with the sight, even I occasionally could not fool him with the mist"

"Wait, mom, I know this. I just want to know where you lied, and what were real," I interrupted

Hecate smiled softly, "I know. I must start from the top to ensure that whatever truth happened while you grew up,"

"Okay, I'm sorry for interrupting. Please continue,"

And so my mother did continue.

"He was only eight when you were born, and when you were two, your father passed and he had to raise you. But can you imagine a ten year old caring for a toddler? They needed a guardian, and the only other guardian you had was your father's brother who was very abusive. I need not explain why I didn't put you two with him. As I searched for a guardian, for I cannot imagine to separate you two in an orphanage, Gavin spoke to me. He promised me he would care for you, he'd work hard and all of that.

But Gavin was only a boy. I had to send someone, nevertheless of his persistence on taking care of you. So I sent Kaya. Kaya is one of the wisest empousai I've ever had. Until Gavin turned fifteen, and you were seven, Kaya helped out with raising you and sending Gavin to school to the next town over. This town was already deserted when I decided that it would be safe for you two to stay here. When Gavin turned seventeen, he told me that he would drop out of school and care for you full time. He'd gotten a job, earned for you, cared for you, I was unbelievably pleased with Gavin, because he cared for you deeply and lived for you.

I wanted to send you to Camp Half Blood immediately, because maintaining the mist around here was no easy task. But you were stubborn. So I allowed, anyway, Gavin was with you. However, when you turned fourteen, Gavin seemed like a different person already. He was more mature, still caring, but something in him changed. Only until you turned sixteen did I find out what had happened to him. I had been too stupid not to notice, all because Krios held a grudge on me the most because he is my grandfather. He thinks blood is stronger than everything else. I absolutely put orders on all my empousai to come and get you, and to take you to Camp Half Blood immediately, willingly or unwillingly.

Fortunately, you went there willingly due to a threat that Kaya would never even do. But you went there a little too late, I had already been captured. When I asked help from Circe, she only brushed me off. My own daughter abandoned me, for Krios. I had a hunch about all of this, and so I told Kaya and Kimberly. But Kimberly tried to save me on her own, which led her to obliterated by Circe.

To put it shortly, I've casted a massive spell upon this town to keep you and your brother safe. Gavin truly raised you, my child. Everything I've done, I've done for you and your brother,"

I wanted to get angry at Hecate because everything just seemed so stupid but I was too tired to even get angry. Her entire story answered most of my questions, but I was still curious as to if my trophies from my soccer club were also all fake.

But I didn't even bother anymore. I was tired. I just want to rest, go back to Camp Half Blood, eat and hopefully live until I grew old.

I was tired of crying. I've already cried enough for Gavin. I've already cried too much for my fake friends, the people I thought I grew up with. Instead, I've been living my life alone plus Gavin who turned out to be some titan.

"Mother, I accidentally cursed Nico. Please lift the spell, or you can teach me how," I mentioned, feeling a little drowsy. If I let my mom leave without letting her undo Nico's curse, Nico might just send me to the Underworld.

Hecate smiled, "But you already have the cure, it's in your bag,"

My eyes widened and grabbed the vial, "This? I had no idea what this was,"

"It's Medea's potion to undo any curse. Lou Ellen can teach you how to make potions when you get back to camp," Hecate stated

As I gave Nico the vial, Nico turned it down, "No, wait. Hecate, you said that this can undo any curse? Including from other gods and goddesses?"

Hecate nodded, "Absolutely, you have my guarantee,"

Nico looked at me before smiling, "You can take it, if you learn how to make potions then, I'll just take one of yours"

"Did someone curse you Eretria?" Hecate asked, crossing her arms

I rubbed the nape of my neck, "Yeah, um, Eros did. I kind of annoyed him,"

Hecate stood up, "Okay, it shall be both of your choices to make who'll take the potion. Honestly, I would just undo Nico's curse, but where's the fun in that?" She chuckled

"What?! But can't you just do it for once, please?" I pleaded "As thanks for saving you, mom, please?"

Hecate laughed, and looked at Nico, "By not giving Nico the cure, is already a gift. Besides, in your backpack I already attached you some knives. I was truly impressed with your knife throwing earlier,"

She did a small curtsy, "Well, I'd best be off. There'll be pegasi and a chariot waiting outside for you two. Safe trip!"

"Mom, wait!" I called out but she vanished into thin air.

That makes no sense. Are gods always this confusing?

"Wow, just wow, I don't even know what to feel towards her right now," I muttered and looked at Nico.

I gave him the vial, "Here, you take it. You were the first one to be cursed, you should take it first. I'll learn how to undo mine, it's no biggie,"

Nico hesitated, "No, yours is worse than mine,"

I sighed, "Oh don't be such a baby, just take it,"

I no longer gave him the information that touching him didn't actually hurt anymore. I honestly think Eros thought it was just stupid to curse me and lifted the curse himself, so whatever.

When Nico took the vial, his glitter instantly disappeared and I smiled at him.

"It's gone!" I cheered

Nico gave me a small smile "Thanks, let's go back to camp?"

"Can't we rest for an hour first? I'm dead tired, plus it's still raining,"

Nico laughed, "Okay,"

"Nico, you're real, right?" I asked, nudging him with my elbow making him accidentally spill a bit of his hot chocolate.

Nico rolled his eyes, "Yes of course I'm real. Do you want to check my authenticity if I poured this glass of hot chocolate over you?"

I snickered, shaking my head, "No! I'm good! I believe you!"

Nico set the mug down and patted my back, "Kidding aside, I am real. You don't have to worry about a fake friendship, or a fake family in Camp, remember?"

"Will you play Mythomagic with me? I got two decks," I asked, taking out the game from my backpack and my eyes twinkled at Nico who then facepalmed.

A smile tugged on his face, "Fine,"