They all know it's over. Gea has won. Percy, Annabeth, Leo, Jason, Reyna, Octavian, Hazel, Frank, Piper, are all dead, as well as so many others. People have stopped fighting and those still alive have retreated to say their goodbyes to each other.
In the dining pavilion, two boys who never got their happy ending are saying goodbye. Nico di Angelo and Will Solace are supporting each other, blood from both of their bodies and many others covering them, their cheeks wet from grief and all they've seen. They each have an earbud in. Nico starts to sing, his voice wavering.
"The other night dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
But when I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head and cried."
Will joins in, resting their foreheads together.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away."
Nico marvels at this beautiful boy in his arms and wonders why he didn't meet him earlier.
"I'll always love you and make you happy
If only you will say the same
But if you leave me and love another,
You'll regret it all someday:"
Will gazes at the amazing boy in his arms and wishes they had time.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away"
They both know they're going to die soon. Now it's just waiting.
"You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between.
But now you've left me and love another;
You have shattered all of my dreams:"
Nobody knows that a few giant fireballs are hurtling towards Camp. They couldn't do anything anyway, so why worry.
"In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me
When I awake my poor heart pains.
So when you come back and make me happy
I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame."
No one suffers. No one dies in agony. No one is left to writhe in pain, hoping for the dark. They're all just gone.
Somewhere near the pavilion, there's a pair of white earbuds.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away"
