Nico was used to battles. In the past, his nerves were steel. He'd learned how to grit his teeth and get through hell- literally. All the foes he'd ever faced- Kronos, Gaea, countless others- and he'd strode into the fight with a detached ferocity.
This sensation was entirely encompassing. He'd never felt anything so suffocating. He shook his head, trying to gather his thoughts. Lou Ellen and Cecil were watching him for the answers, their trembling hands clutching their weapons.
Where was Will? Nico's veins pulsed with adrenaline. Absently, he realized he finally understood why Percy always had such a hysterical fire in his eyes when anyone threatened Annabeth. Or how she could lose her logical rationality the instant someone lay a hand on him.
But there was no room for these thoughts now. Nico forced them out of his mind, swallowing down his rising panic. He gripped the amulet until his knuckles were white.
Lou Ellen was the first to break the silence. With a fragile voice, she asked the question they were all thinking. "What do we do?"
Nico met her eyes. She seemed slightly startled. He imagined how he must look to the others- he could feel his gaze hardening, his eyes darkening, and his posture strengthening. With a grim smile, he drew his sword.
"Follow me."
He spun hard on his heel, marching towards Delphi. After a pause, he heard Lou Ellen and Cecil jog to catch up. The morning light was intense, yet Nico could sense all the remaining shadows arcing towards him. He wasn't doing it on purpose- but he didn't try and stop them.
Not just one war. But there'd been another. And then, after all those deaths he'd suffered, the loved ones he'd lost…he'd gotten this lousy quest. It should've been easy.
But Nico had made a terrible, terrible mistake. And his name was Will Solace.
Lou Ellen and Cecil were struggling to match Nico's erratic pace. After a few tense yards, Nico felt a blaze of heat billow behind them. He knew what it was- the border of Delphi, Apollo's most sacred city, being held hostage by his worst enemy, Python. The sickly green fire stretched further than he could see, and the message was clear- there would be no way out.
The three of them were silent, and their gait slowed as they trekked up a small, swelling hill. From the top, the ancient city awaited them. The sight of it was almost enough for Nico to temporarily forget his worries.
Nestled in a huge expanse of soaring mountains, the faded ruins of Delphi lay in abandoned beauty. Incredible temples and shrines were reduced to nothing more than toppled pillars and rotting marble, but its majesty still resonated through the valley. Bright green sprouts of grass, wildflowers, and weeds choked through the remains of Apollo's home base.
Aside from the crackling fiery border behind them, there was no sign that any living creature had set foot here in eons. Nico groaned audibly, kicking a fallen stone. Lou Ellen and Cecil exchanged panicked glances. He hated this. Most monsters had the decency to show themselves in grandeur, and their motives were pretty straightforward.
So what was Python's problem?
"Hello?" he called out loudly.
Lou Ellen leaned towards him, her eyes flashing with anger. "What do you think you're doing?" she hissed. "Do you have any idea who we're dealing with? He has Will."
"Exactly," he snarled back, surprised at his own hostility. But Will's absence was making him reckless and angry. "Look. We didn't come all the way to freaking Greece, fight those stupid empousai, venture miles through dark forests, and have our best friend stolen from us just to be ignored!"
He was shouting now. Lou Ellen and Cecil were staring at him with a mix of anger, fear, and disbelief. This is their first big battle by themselves, he remembered. Nico considered apologizing to them, but their eyes suddenly squinted at something behind him.
Nico gripped the sword, ready for the giant serpent surely awaiting them. He swiveled, and Python's signature green misty haze spread towards them.
"About time," Nico muttered, drawing his sword in front of him. Cecil shakily drew his standard-issue bronze sword, and stood next to him. Lou Ellen was still peering deeply into the mist, her eyebrows furrowed. She was a daughter of Hecate, and Nico guessed she was seeing more than he and Cecil could.
"Hold on," she murmured, slowly approaching the expanding cloud.
"Lou!" Cecil exclaimed agitatedly.
"Something isn't right," she insisted. She took a step closer. And another step.
Then she froze.
"Oh my gods," she breathed, her arms slack.
Nico's heart slowed. He'd known Python would be disturbing. He was ready for it. But a figure was stalking towards them, excruciatingly slowly, and it looked nothing like a serpent.
A lithe silhouette emerged from the green fog. With one careful step, it broke into the sunlight, though still cloaked in the vapor.
If Nico could have spoken, he might have warned the others about the enormous, looming snake monster sliding swiftly to their right.
But any words were ripped from his mouth. He forgot how to breathe.
Sickeningly bright green light beamed through every crevice of Will Solace's body, and his once sky colored eyes were nothing but sheer green beams of divinity. His once healthy, tan flesh was slowly burning. Nico thought he saw tears in Will's eyes, but they were instantly vaporized by the blazing spirit trapped in him.
"Go on, then," Will choked, and Nico knew instantly he wasn't the one using his voice. "I wouldn't want you to feel ignored."
It was then that Nico realized two things. Green eyes were seriously overrated. And they were about to be devoured by a gigantic snake.
Lou Ellen's instincts saved them all. With a quick flick of her wrist, the three of them were enveloped in a translucent sphere, similar to the one that had gotten them through airport security a few days ago. The giant body of Python smashed against it, and though Lou Ellen screamed with the effort, their shield held.
Nico took the opportunity to quickly analyze their opponent. A thick, colossal snake convulsed around the crumbling ruins of Delphi. It was maybe fifteen feet long, and its unhinged jaws revealed razor sharp fangs and a disturbingly long digestive tract. Its skin was scaly and moved like liquid silk. It had the same grotesque green color of the surrounding fog and the spirit of the Oracle (now inconveniently trapped in Will). The eyes were a bloody red, full of menace and rage.
They narrowed slightly, and Will stuttered with difficulty, "I told you not to come. But you never listen, do you?"
Will made a groaning sound, but gasped and kept going, "When the gods were incapacitated, I took what should belong to me. The power of the Oracle. For four months, I've had it here with me. I believed I could make it work for me. I was able to glean some very helpful information, but imagine how much more I could get if there was a real host. And what better opportunity than this? A bunch of misfit demigods who disobeyed my one rule. But this seems more fitting, right? Apollo's most powerful son- who really isn't all that impressive, by the way- will finally breathe life to his father's prized spirit. It was almost too easy to take him."
Nico clenched his fists, not sure if he should look at the monster before him or the boy he was using as his voice.
"And now that he's here, he will stay. And he will be my Oracle."
Will was breathing erratically. Nico's heart was going crazy. Python obviously had no idea how to get a host. He'd heard about what happened to Luke's mom. If he wasn't blessed by Apollo himself, no way could Will keep the spirit. Besides, he wasn't a girl. Nico had no idea how he'd been able to contain the spirit for so long.
Then he remembered- Apollo's curse. Will's lineage must have helped him survive this long.
"Will," he whispered, praying to every god he'd ever heard of. Will gave no recognition that he'd heard him, though Nico could still see his eyes watering- whether from tears or from the spirit, he had no clue.
Nico felt panicky tears rise to his own eyes, and he surged forward, trying to reach Will. But before he could move, Python lashed downwards, blocking his path.
"Don't," he snarled with Will's voice. "He is no longer your concern."
Nico glared up at Python's pure red eyes. Lou Ellen and Cecil stood trembling on either side of him. This was no empousai. This was no stray monster during Capture the Flag. They braced their weapons, and quickly exchanged one final look.
And with it, they descended upon Python. Nico went straight for the monster's front, while Lou Ellen and Cecil split to the opposite sides. Python's fangs lashed straight for him, but Nico quickly staggered backwards, slashing upwards with his sword. The blade connected with Python's side, but the scales were like armor. It didn't even leave a dent.
Cecil wasn't faring too well. He tried striking the snake's body, but it was moving too quickly to get in a solid hit. Besides, it wouldn't have broken his skin. Lou Ellen was trying to use the Mist to conceal herself, getting in close to the monster and jabbing at its eyes and mouth.
Out of the corner of his eye, Nico could still see the blinding light shooting out of Will's eyes, mouth, and ears. His heart ached, but he was too engaged in combat to let his guard down for a second. The spirit had to be corroding Will's body by now.
Nico swallowed down his fear, trying to focus on the serpent's writhing movements. If he could just get in a strike where it counted…
But he couldn't forget that day in his very first battle, all those years ago, when Will had been the one to heal his wounds. Or how he'd been so annoying trying to hang out with him afterwards. Not to mention how he'd stood by him in his haunting decision to let Octavian die, and take down Leo Valdez with him. Those three days in the infirmary were maybe the start of something better, and the past four months had been a weird roller coaster. But even after Jason's reaction, he'd held firm in his friendship with Nico. That had to mean something. This was the first time he'd felt so much for another person.
And now Python was going to destroy it all.
In his distraction, Python was able to rake a fang down Nico's leg. He moaned in pain, the fabric of his black jeans tearing slightly and blood tinging the edges. Cecil shouted in alarm, and Nico thought it was at his wound- but Cecil was staring behind Nico. He whipped his head back, and his stomach dropped.
Will was on his knees, now, holding his head with his hands, desperately trying to contain the spirit that was never meant to be in him. It was obliterating him from the inside out. His skin radiated a strange hue, and Nico knew with a gruesome certainty that he was close to death. He could sense it.
But that wasn't about to happen. Nico turned to Cecil and Lou Ellen, about to explain the dilemma, but they nodded hurriedly. The message was clear. They had to keep fighting Python. Will couldn't hang on much longer.
A week ago, Nico never would've left these two alone with a dangerous monster like Python. They were 'newbies', after all. But with a twinge of pride and nostalgia, he nodded firmly. This quest had changed them so much. Nico recalled how Cecil had screamed shrilly during their first fight with the empousai, and how Lou's eyes had widened with fear at the initial description of their enemy.
But right now, they stared the monster down with an undying ferocity, and Nico almost pitied Python.
With a final glance, he turned around, sprinting towards Will. The green light was glinting violently, and Nico had to squint to see him.
"Will!" he shouted, struggling to get close. He knelt to get on his level. Of course, Will couldn't reply. He didn't even have a voice of his own.
Still, Will seemed to turn his head slightly towards the sound of Nico's voice. Nico nearly sobbed with relief- he still knew him. But a reckless panic quickly overtook him- Will was scorching. His body had never been meant to contain this spirit.
What had William Solace ever done his entire life to have to endure this? Nico took him in- the billowing mist, the spirit slowly suffocating him, and the intense light- and he knew what he had to do.
One more minute of this spirit would annihilate Will.
He had to get it out.
And in what would later be known as the stupidest moment of his life, Nico steeled his nerves, and did the first thing that came to mind.
In one clumsy movement, he braced his hands against Will's neck, and yanked him down.
He did not kiss Will Solace.
Nico merely forced the spirit to transfer to a new source- himself- by making direct contact with his mouth. Nico nearly fainted. Maybe it was because of the sheer force of the spirit's eternal power. But deep down, he knew it was because of his lips against Will's. Nico braced his hands against the back of Will's neck, drawing his as close as he could. He parted his mouth slightly, and that was all it took for the spirit to take advantage of an escape.
Everything burned. Everything was tinged green.
Nico shot backwards, into a collapsed heap. His mind seemed to implode. Nico's skin began to boil, and knowledge- so much knowledge- coursed through him. In a flash, he saw too many things: his sister Hazel striding down an aisle in an elegant ivory gown, Nico at her shoulder. Percy and Annabeth eagerly showing him their firstborn daughter, their eyes gleaming with excitement and tears. And…other visions. Like Will smiling at him from across a table. And Will fast asleep, his body next to his own. A thousand scenes seemed to play out.
Somehow, he was dimly aware of Python collapsing in a shuddering heap. Lou Ellen and Cecil must have done it. And suddenly they were right next to him, Lou screaming something about an amulet. Someone shoved a cold metal chain between his lips, and pushed down on his chest hard, forcing the spirit to recognize it.
Like a balloon deflating, Nico felt his chest lighten. He blinked slowly, crawling to his knees.
He dragged himself a few feet away, heaving up everything in his stomach. He coughed, turning with difficulty to his friends. Lou Ellen and Cecil looked shell-shocked.
"You just-" Cecil stammered.
Lou Ellen was gripping the amulet tightly, the gem in the center now an emerald green.
"Are you all right?" she murmured.
He didn't answer. His eyes fell upon Will, who was lying flat on his back in front of them. He was breathing with difficulty, his skin badly burned. But his eyes were a brilliant blue once again, even though they looked far away.
"Will," Nico sighed shakily. He made his way to his side, staring down at him in worried silence.
Will's body was trembling. Worry flooded Nico's veins. If Nico felt this bad after containing the spirit for ten seconds, how would Will feel after hours?
Will's eyes were unfocused, but they seemed to drift to Nico. Weakly, he managed a slight smirk.
"…you kissed me…" he whispered, his voice hoarse.
Nico's cheeks flared. "I did NOT kiss you! I was just getting the Oracle out of you-"
"By kissing me."
"I wasn't kissing you! I was saving your life." Nico was almost shouting, but he felt tears of relief spring to his eyes. He was embarrassed, but didn't bother hiding them.
Will's smirk softened. He coughed, feebly reaching his hand up to brush the tears off Nico's face. "No need to cry over me, Death Boy. I'm fine."
But his body was still shaking. His skin was still feverish. Nico clutched Will's hand tightly, holding it where it was.
"No, you're not. Please…please just tell me how to heal you…how to help. What do I do?"
Will's eyes finally focused on Nico.
"'Save my life', you idiot." he mocked. But his hand moved behind Nico's neck, slowly drawing him down.
Nico inhaled nervously, but closed his eyes in final resignation. This time, Will's lips were soft against his own. It only lasted a few seconds, and Nico pulled away nervously. He hovered slightly above Will, unsure of everything.
Lou Ellen and Cecil weren't doing a good job at concealing laughter.
Nico stayed where he was, trying to read Will's eyes.
After a moment, Will raised an eyebrow.
"You know, you could've just used the amulet."
Nico yanked himself up, positive his whole body was burning a bright crimson.
"Well, I'm sorry for not thinking straight!"
"Nice word choice," Lou Ellen coughed.
He shot a glare at her.
"I'm not complaining," Will said, grinning shyly.
Nico smiled back nervously.
He glanced around at the wreckage of Delphi. Nothing remained. The spirit of Delphi was safely concealed in the amulet, and Python was dissolved into the wind.
The four of them heaved a sigh of relief.
"Well," Nico finally announced. "I guess it's time to Iris Message Rachel. We're going home."
