Suddenly, Nico's ears popped, and momentarily, he couldn't breathe. The battle scene dissolved into a bright, sunny day, and Nico felt overwhelmed by the smell of the sea. He felt cool wet breeze wash him over, and he felt clean. He was at peace.
Almost as abruptly as it had struck him, the vision vanished, sucking the moisture out of the air and leaving everything colourless.
Too late, Nico realized what had happened. He turned around sharply, and to his horror, Percy had been shot. Paralyzed, Nico watched Percy collapse. Blood was leaking from the corner of his mouth. His eyes closed. The roar of the sea waves died.
Nico broke from his shock and rushed over to him. He grabbed Percy's shoulders and shook him.
"No..." he muttered. "No... NO WAY, PERCY JACKSON. You are not dying on me. Get UP!" he yelled.
Tears began to stream from Nico's eyes, and he broke down. He kept shaking Percy in the hope that he would respond. When that didn't work, he stopped to pull the arrow out of Percy's chest, sobbing, but he remained lifeless as a doll.
Nico's misery turned into rage from the lack of response. He began to shout at Percy. "You are a FREAKING SON OF POSEIDON. You CANNOT die so easily!" Nico's voice shook as he said that. Memories of Bianca's loss flooded consumed him, to worsen his state. He sobbed a little more, cradling Percy's head in his arms. His own words rang in his ears again and again, and then, Nico's eyes widened.
"Poseidon..." he muttered. "Water!" He glanced at Techniti limni polifitou. It WAS apparently artificial, but if he could just get to it...
Strength coursed through Nico from the newly found hope. He draped Percy's arm around his shoulders and hoisted him up. Nico dragged him over to the lake, desperately praying to every holy deity that he'd ever heard of. Most of all, he begged for the help of Poseidon and Hades.
He held Percy in the water, keeping his head afloat; fearing to endanger him further.
Minutes passed, but nothing changed. The battle had moved away, now that a major threat had been taken care of, but all Nico could really do was stare at Percy's face, longing for his green eyes to shine again.
Hours passed, and STILL nothing had changed. He knew it in his heart that it was hopeless, but Nico couldn't give up. Percy had too much in his life to just go like that. He held on, supporting Percy, praying, but it was of no use anymore.
Percy Jackson had entered the Underworld, and this time, he was not coming back.