DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON.
Thump, thump.
A heartbeat.
Thump, thump.
The same heartbeat.
Surprise blood rushed to Nico's head, stabbing his brain. He moaned and clutched it, rolling onto his back. The smell of fire, blood and death didn't make anything better.
Nico forcefully moved his weak arms to push the upper half of his body up. He couldn't feel his left leg, it could possibly be broken, or something worse. Nico's chest hurt, intense stabbing pain rushed through every time he breathed.
He painfully turned his neck to see the rubble. The grass was black, the cabin's all burned down, bodies limply laying on the ground. The ashes from the battle fell delicately onto the scene as if it was snowing. Nico's emotions were put on hold, his body completely paralyzed.
His fingers clutched the fresh ground, using all muscle strength to pull his body closer to the others. Many of them seemed in a worse condition than Nico. A crimson liquid was spread on the ground, some on their faces and bodies. Nico struggled up as he scanned the battle grounds. He saw a familiar patch of black hair with a orange shirt. Nico limped to the boy, took his wrist and checked his pulse.
None. He knew exactly that the boy before him was Percy Jackson. He died a hero's death.
Something caught Nico's eye, Percy's hand. It was under his head, but there was something connected to it. It looked like an arm. He cautiously lifted Percy's head and observed and saw that Percy was holding someone's hand. His eyes traced up the arm to a familiar blond. Annabeth. She was dead too, but her and Percy fell together. They were completely in love.
Nico wondered if he will ever love, or if anyone will love him like Annabeth does to Percy. Nico inhaled, then coughed. His eyes watered at his intense coughing. He rubbed his face and took another look around. He paused at a figure that seemed to be moving. Nico crawled to the spot, going over the bodies. The person getting up had short black hair, had a silver jacket on and was holding a spear. Thalia Grace.
Thalia was covered with soot. She coughed, her lungs rasping as she pulled herself up. A strange figure grabbed her arm and yanked her to a sitting position. She turned her head. It was Nico.
"Nico?" She choked as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve, making her tear up immensely.
"Yeah." He whispered. Even with all this bloodshed, Nico realized that Thalia's eyes still had the same spark they always had.
"What happened?" She seemed dazed, unfocused. Nico sadly looked at the view around him. Thalia took the hint and scanned too. She regretted it immediately, as she saw the horror surrounding them.
"I think we're the only ones left." Nico replied, not facing her.
"It seems like it." Thalia closed her eyes, trying not to cry.
"What now?" Nico moved his gaze to her, only to see that she was crying. In a attempt to comfort her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and soothed her.
"There, there." Nico knew how corny he sounded, but he wasn't used to people crying. It was the best he could do.
She sniffled, and smiled slightly. "Thank you."
"No problem." Nico spoke in her hair. The two sat in eerie silence, the cries of the battle and the tears ringing in their ears. Thalia slowly pulled Nico's arms from her in a gentle fashion. They looked into each others eyes, and very carefully, Thalia gave Nico a kiss on his dirt covered cheek. His eyes widened.
"Come on." She ushered as she stood, holding out her hand for him to take. He gladly accepted it. Thalia stepped over the torsos while helping Nico get up. He wrapped his arm around her, one hand still holding hers as they walk on, leaving the pain and suffering behind.
Wars are deadly, but after a war always comes a new light. There is always a place for hope.