We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light - Plato
The limo stopped. The engine still purred, Jules-Albert knew his service wasn't over yet.
Nico pulled away from his sister his smile was still on his face. Hazel wondered the reason behind his happiness, not that it was a bad thing it was just out of place.
The others got out of the limo, they stepped out into the warm mid-day sun. Nico stood in the doorway, he put his hand on the door.
"Nico, what are you doing?" Jason asked.
He smiled tiredly and said, "I've got some fields to take a walk in, someone to look for."
Hazel gasped and went for his arm but her hand went through it. She looked at him with horror.
"Shadows Hazel...its a good thing you can't control them." He said sadly with a broken look in his eye.
"If i could-"
"No little sister, don't wish for power over the shadows. Don't wish for this. The shadows, Hazel...they have me, they are where I must stay."
Tears sprang to her eyes, "what do you mean?"
"The shadows caught me and made me one of their own."
"Nico just stop! Stop this. You will only make things worse for yourself." Hazel cried.
"But how do you know that! As you said, the dead are more of my thing. You don't know Hazel, none of you do. You don't know my pain."
Tears rolled down Hazels cheeks, "but you were laughing. You were happy."
Nico banged the side of the limo with his fist and growled, "that wasn't happiness, Hazel! You are so naive! How could I be happy when the source of it is dead!"
"What if you don't find him?" Jason asked.
"Then I will move on. Shut up Jason! All of you shut up! You can't understand, you don't understand." A ring of black fire ran around them. Nico looked down at them, feeding off their panic, "I want you to understand." He said darkly, "I want you all to feel my pain!"
"Nico, don't do this. You will only make yourself feel worse." Jason said calmly, "what about us? We are here for you."
"What's the point of having mortal friends when they are so prone to dying?"
"Nico-"
"Enough!"
The dark hellfire circle burnt hotter, rage fuelled the flames. He let out an angry growl.
"I will make you feel my pain!" He roared, "The pain of losing someone you love, none of you understand!"
"Nico, you're not the only one who has lost someone." Annabeth said.
"No! Shut up! I don't care if your mother is Athena you know nothing Annabeth! You haven't even lost anyone close to you Annabeth!"
"I lost Luke!" Annabeth shouted, her voice cracked.
Nico clutched the sides of his head and screamed. The pain of losing Bianca and Will poured through into his screams. He didn't just want to others to feel his pain. He needed it. As Nico screamed the fire grew hotter.
Nico doubled over and started to cry. He shook as a waterfall of tears ran down his face. An ugly sound of pain left his mouth. He coughed, choking on tears.
Cracks in the ground opened up and skeletons raised up out of them. The sky swirled with black and red. There was the distant cry of monsters. Percy and Annabeth's faces drained of blood, they couldn't go back. Percy held onto Annabeth tightly. Green and red smoke rose from the cracks in the ground. The smell resembled Tartarus. The sun had disappeared from the sky, it was shrouded in a blanket of orange and black.
Shadows licked Nicos face like a puppy. They hissed in Ancient Greek.
Annabeth felt around for Percy and started to scream, "Percy, Percy I can't see. Percy!"
Percy held onto her tightly, "it's okay. Annabeth, you're safe. I'm here."
Nico looked up and saw the mess he'd created. A look of shock took over his face, then fear. He felt the crushing weight of Tartarus, but he also felt powerful. Tartarus was part of the underworld and the underworld was his domain.
He felt someone next to him. He looked to his left and saw a man. He was only wearing baggy shorts, his body was dirty. He was muscly. Nico couldn't see his face it was covered by his hand.
"Who are you?" Nico muttered.
"Who I am is nothing to you. But, I know that you want to do something. Something bad. Do it." His voice was soft, Nico felt compelled to do anything he said. If he had told him to jump off a bridge he would have.
Nico got up. As he walked small cracks split the ground. He made the hellfire circle die away. Fear was the only emotion the others felt. He looked at them with a dark sad glare. He put out his hand and touched Annabeth's arm. Her sight returned. Nico smiled at her.
"Come on Annabeth. There's no need to be afraid." He said softly, he smiled again, "see, I'm not so scary."
He pulled her away from Percys protection. Once she was out of the circle he made the fire wall go back up. His smile turned into a frown. He let go of Annabeth and she turned to run. A skeleton grabbed her and forced her to stay. Nico could hear Percy yelling but it was of no concern to him.
"You think I'm going to hurt you?" He asked patronisingly.
"I know you are." She responded.
A sly smirk crept up onto his face, "oh how I wish you were wrong." He took out his sword and ran his finger along the blade, blood sprang up immediately, "look at that, my sword is really sharp, pity."
"Nico! Don't do it!" Percy yelled, "it won't bring him back!"
Nico laughed darkly, "I wished for you to feel my pain. I intend to make that happen. I will kill your wife just like you killed my sister and boyfriend!" Nico turned to Annabeth and yelled, "kneel!"
Annabeth looked at him with confusion, she almost laughed, "what?"
"Kneel! Or I'll cut your legs so you do."
She got on her knees. She looked up, the sky still swirled red. She wondered how Nico had managed to show them Tartarus. The shadows returned to Nicos side. She heard them whisper to him.
He raised her sword to her throat, "anything you want to say before I condemn you to Tartarus?"
"NICO STOP THIS! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!" Percy screamed, he was letting tears of anger and desperation fall out of his eyes.
"You can't do that!" Annabeth said, "you can't banish me to Tartarus."
Nico laughed darkly, "yes I can."
He took a deep breath and muttered a chant in Ancient Greek. He pressed his sword deeper into Annabeth's neck.
"Watch as I kill her, Jackson! Get ready to feel my pain!" He roared.
Annabeth looked up at him, "wouldn't you rather have Percy here, looking up at you with his sea-green eyes. Would you rather have your sword against his neck instead of mine?" She said with a silky voice.
Nicos glared at her, "shut up! Making snide comments won't delay this."
"Why are you so angry, Nico?"
Annabeth hid her joy as Percy threw Nico to ground. Nico kicked and thrashed under the older boys weight.
"I'll kill you! Damn you, Jackson!"
He ordered skeletons to get Percy off of him.
"How did you get through the fire?" Nico panted.
Percy struggled against the skeletons. Nico looked and saw that the circle had died away. Nico jumped up. The shadows came to Nicos side once again. A wide grin came onto his face.
Something grabbed Percy from behind. Percy saw its white skin and curly hair out of the corner of his eye. Annabeth went to help Percy but Nico pointed his sword at her making her stay put.
"Oh, Perseus Jackson. I've waited so long for your return. Come, let me devour you!"
Percy struggled free from the grasp of his capture. He grabbed Riptide and stared down the Kelli in front of him. Her angry eyes shone a neon red, she snarled baring her fangs. He glanced at the others, Nico had put up the hellfire wall once again. He would have looked at Nico but his stomach couldn't take it.
"I'll make this quick." Percy said.
"I doubt that Jack-"
Percy lunged and sung Riptide. The cut was clean and the Kelli puffed into smoke. Percy turned to Nico, his sword was still pointed at Annabeth. There was a grin on his face. Percy's eyes widened as he sensed it. There were more monsters coming, and they were all coming for him. He began to panic and hyperventilate.
"Nico, stop this. Please. I can't. I can't Annabeth. Annabeth I can't do this again." Tears were at the edge of his eyes.
"Percy, you can do this." Piper said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Stupid unreliable hellfire." Nico snarled under his breath.
Hazel slowly approached him, as if he were a bomb ready to go off. She touched his cheek softly and looked into his eyes.
"Why would you do this, Nico?" She asked softly, "why would you hurt your friends?"
"Friends?" He scoffed, "you think I consider them as friends?"
"Don't you?" Percy asked.
"Do you still consider me a friend? No, not after this. You should be dead Jackson. Will should still be alive."
"I do believe I smell demigods. Its been a long time Son of Hades. You were a lot younger when i last saw you...and didn't you have a sister?"
Nicos smug look dropped and rage took over him. He gripped his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned white and his hand shook.
A large lion padded over to them. It had the face of a human man, and its scorpion tail curled.
"Manticore." Nico snarled, raising his sword.
The lion pouted, "But Nico, you've got to let me have some fun. Reforming hurts."
"Well get ready to feel more pain! I'm sending you back."
The Manticore frowned, "I was really hoping to see your sister." Then it grinned, "Oh, thats right. She died, didn't she? Chose to be reborn." The Manticore smiled slyly, "Why do you come back to this place, son of Hades?"
Nico growled and charged at the Manticore. Just before his sword hit the Manticores neck Nico pulled away. He was going to let the monster have his fun.
"Percy, look." Annabeth said, "Its the river of fire we drank out of."
The smell of Tartarus had got more intense. Percy shook with fear and anger. He pulled Nico towards him and punched him in the stomach. He then grabbed him by the throat tempted to squeeze the life out of him.
"I can see why you two are married." Nico chuckled.
"This isn't funny you-" Percy cut himself off.
Nico laughed again and said, "Go on Percy. Say what you think about me."
"You're evil. You're insane."
"Ow, that cut me really deep. Thats going to stay with me forever, the fact that you think i'm evil. Everyone PERCY JACKSON THINKS I'M EVIL!"
Over head monsters cried, "The son of Poseidon! He has returned."
Percy punched him in the stomach again, "What's wrong with you?"
Nico laughed psychotically, "come on, lets fight. Lets end this! Let blood be spilt, Perseus."
"I'm not going to fight you."
"Why? Afraid you'll lose?"
"No, because i've got bigger monsters to fight. Annabeth you can look after the baby, right?"
"Uh...yeah."
Annabeth looked at him with a look that said, 'great thanks'. Percy winked at her and kissed her. Nico made a gagging sound, Percy shoved him into the rock behind him. He ran off to help the others.
Annabeth turned to Nico, he was wicing and looking over in the direction of the battle. His sword lay by his feet.
"Nico, how about we sit." Annabeth suggested quickly.
Nico snapped his head round to look at her. The dark look in his eye wanted to make Annabeth run far away but she stood her ground. He sat down. He had a really good posture. His back was straight and his legs crossed in a neat triangle. He fiddled with his hands, dark magic swirled from them. Annabeth sat down and smiled at him.
"Want to talk about something?" She asked.
"I just tried to kill you and your husband. How can you stand looking at me?" He snapped.
"I was trying to make light of the situation."
"Well you suck at it."
"Can i ask you something?" Nico groaned in response, "do you still like Percy?"
Nico glared at her then looked over to the battle. He looked for Hazel and a small smile found his face when he saw her kicking some empousa butt. He couldn't see Percy, he hoped his guts had been spilt.
"No." He replied softly after a while.
"Then why-"
"Because still, after everything...i'm alone. Like always. I'm jealous of your love. You got your perfect happy ending. Looks like Eros has had his fun with me. No happy ending for Nico." His head snapped up, "oh crap, i said that aloud?"
"But its true?"
Nico sighed, "Its true."
The others came over to them panting and gasping. The first wave of monsters had come and gone. They were miffed to see that Annabeth and Nico had been talking while they had been fighting.
"Should we leave you two girls to gossip?" Percy asked with a smirk.
Annabeth looked up at him and glared, "Knock it off."
"I was kidding Annabeth."
Nico stood up but kept his head lowered. He couldn't face Percy when he was angry.
"You can drop the act now, Nico" Jason said, "You've scared us enough."
Nico looked to the cracked floor and laughed darkly at Jasons naivety, "oh Jason, how stupid can you be?"
"Wait, so were actually in Tartarus?" Hazel asked.
Nico slid backwards, he mumbled something but no one could make it out.
"You brought us to Tartarus!" Annabeth shouted.
"Nico, how did you do this?" Jason asked.
Nicos lip quivered, Jason could feel that he was hiding a smirk, "I don't know."
"You can get us out." Annabeth snarled at him and lunged for him, grabbing his shirt, "You will get us out!"
"I dont have to do anything." He said, finally gaining the courage to lift up his head, "Percy, fight me!"
"No."
"You're weak Percy. Come on, just fight me. Do it Percy."
Nico picked up his sword and held it out. He smirked widely.
"I'm the only monster left to fight." He paused for a moment then said, "I can call some monsters if you'd like to fight them more than me."
He put his fingers to his mouth ready to whistle. Percy pulled out Riptide.
"You control the monsters?" Percy asked, anger spiked his words.
"No, but I can. I have power here, you don't."
Percy heaved a heavy sigh, "I'll fight you, but after I beat you, you will stop this."
Nico snickered, "how do you know that you'll win?"
The roar of monsters made the others jump. Percy composed himself and turned to them.
"You guys can manage that. I'll fight him to get this out of his system then I'll help you." He beamed a smile at them, he opened his mouth to say something else encouraging but Nico had swung his sword at him.
The others ran off to take care of the monsters behind them.
Percy blocked Nicos jabs and swings, he couldn't be bothered to strike back. He'd let Nico have his fun, tire him out then knock his sword out of his hand. Childs play.
For Nico it wasn't a silly sparring match. It was real. And it was to the death. He could tell by Percys growing expression of worry that his strikes were getting to him. His aim was to tire Percy out, to weaken him and then show his party trick. The ultimate blow.
Their swords scraped together and their faces only a few inches away from each other. Nico stared into Percys disgusting sea-green eyes. Sweat trickled down Percy's face. He was out of breath, Nico wasn't.
"Had enough now?" Percy breathed.
"Aw, you getting tired Percy?" Nico said with a grin, "i was just getting started."
Percy laughed, "I could go all day."
"Want to test that?"
Nico pulled away from Percy and swung his sword sharply. He sliced Percys left forearm. Percy yelled out in pain. Blood poured out of the cut. Nico felt a rush, this is what he had needed. To see Percy in pain. The party was about to start.
Percy was worried by the dilation of Nico's pupils when he had cut him. Percy tried to back away but fear had frozen him solid. His feet were glued to the cracked and dusty desert ground. The wide menacing grin on Nicos face made it hard to focus, he looked so content with himself. With the evil he had committed.
Dark shadows made themselves appear by Nicos side, his grin became wider, eviler. Nico held the shadows at bay, but they were waiting, ready to feast on Percy when told to.
"What do you fear most?" Nico asked, "be honest with me, Percy."
Percy was taken aback by the question but he answered anyway, "I fear of losing Annabeth."
Nico rolled his eyes and said with a voice soaked in sarcasm, "you're so sweet. How cute of you."
He muttered something to the shadows and they rapidly rushed over Percy, they were like a stormy sea. But these waves were not of salt water, they were waves of fear and darkness. They held the power to make Percys worst nightmares come true. The sound of Percys screams was music to Nicos ears. The sound a lullaby, but this was one what would haunt children and adults a like. Everyone stopped as they heard the cries and screams of Percy Jackson. The Hero of Olympus. Saver of the world. He had fallen to his knees and wept with utter desperation and despair. The nightmare shadows ate at his hope and happiness. They chewed at his sanity, making him believe his lover, his wife, his reason to live was gone.
Annabeth went to grab Nico but her hand went through him. Annabeth started to snarl but fear hit her like a bowling ball. She was a fragile pin that had been knocked over. She had been crushed under the weight and sound of Percys sorrow filled screams. Annabeth went to his side, fighting the fear but he flinched away from her touch. To him she was another demon. The shadows had obscured his vision, showing him images of Annabeth dying or leaving him over and over in a vicious cycle.
"Percy," She said softly. Her voice had broken in response to his cries, it was like they were linked, his pain was hers, "i'm here, Percy. Percy, i'm here."
Behind her a crazed laugh broke out making her jump out of her skin. She slowly turned saw Nico chuckling and wiping tears from his eyes. They had been tears of laughter.
"Oh, this is too precious." He said mockingly.
"Make it stop!" Annabeth snarled.
"Why should I? This is fun."
"You're disgusting."
Percy let out another loud scream of pain. He cried and screamed Annabeth's name.
Nico rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. He commanded the shadows of pain to leave Percy. They sulked, wanting to have had more time to mess with The Hero of Olympus. Percy tried to get to his feet but stumbled. Annabeth caught him and gasped. He was trembling. His body was like a ringing phone on vibrate, shaking and making a lot of noise. He was sobbing loudly. He looked up at Nico, all of the hope and happiness that Annabeth had given to him was now gone from his eyes.
The others had come back from defeating the monster. They all gasped when they saw Percy in the state that he was. On his knees with his head bowed, by Nico's feet. Nico grinned at the others.
"Oh, you're just in time." He said happily.
Their eyes widened with fear, "in time for what?" Jason asked bravely.
"I beg." Percy said raising his head looking into Nicos dark eyes, "I beg for you to make this stop."
The others held in their surprise. Percy was grovelling pathetically at Nicos feet. He wept. He shook violently with fear and shame. He had been reduced to nothing. He had been a brave man once, but now he was a pathetic crying baby. Nico crouched down and lifted up his head, he whispered to Percy. It make him shake and cry harder. Nico took his hand and helped him up. Percy realised what was happening and sharply stepped back. Annabeth went to his side. He clung onto Annabeth, he was still shaking like a leaf. His chest heaved in and out rapidly. Tears flooded out of his eyes. He took Annabeth and kissed her. He embraced her, wrapping his trembling hands around her slender body.
"It's okay Percy." She said, "you're safe."
Percy nodded weakly, "please don't leave me."
"I won't. I'll never leave you."
Tears dampened her neck, he whispered, "but I've been so pathetic."
Annabeth ran her fingers through his hair. She kissed him, letting her tongue take away the sadness and shame from his body. He was compleat with her. He pulled away and looked into her stormy grey eyes. They calmed him, like his calmed her. Her eyes reminded him of the seconds of bliss before rain fell. The calm cool peacefulness as the first drops fell.
His eyes reminded her of the gentle sway of the sea on a night. The waves lapping the shore gently, smoothing out the indentations from the people who had walked all over it. Starting a new. The waves kissing the rocks with mist.
Nico coughed obnoxiously to get their attention, "guys…"
Annabeth scowled at him, "go sulk in a corner. You've already caused enough damage. Stop being a jealous little bitch!"
Nico gave her a look that said 'do you to go as well?' He shifted his weight and smirked.
"Insulting me won't get you anywhere. In case you haven't noticed, we're in Tartarus and i am your only way out."
"Get us out!" Annabeth ordered.
Nico laughed, he was enjoying this, "I don't have to do anything. I'd gladly leave you here to rot!"
"Nico," Hazel whispered, "What about us?"
Nico turned to the others, "you? You are nothing to me. I have orders, and i plan to carry them out."
Reyna stepped closer to him. She had dirt on her face. There was sadness in her soft brown eyes.
"We are nothing to you? Who gave you these orders?" She shouted.
Shadows curled around Nico. They draped themselves on him, running their hands down his chest.
The shadows hissed loudly in English for the first time, "Kill them, Nico. Kill your ties and you'll be free. Do it Nico, you want them to suffer."
"These are my orders." He said.
"But you control the shadows. You order them, not the other way around."
"You think that I am weak? That I am a feeble, foolish child of Hades that let the shadows take over them? No, this is not the case. We are working together and they are advising me, telling me what I should do."
"You're one sick fuck, Nico." Percy muttered.
Nico turned to him and moved the shadows towards him. Percy screamed, his knees threatened to give way.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry! Please, not that again."
Nico laughed and smiled smugly, "To think people call you a hero, Perseus. You are weak."
The shadows wrapped themselves tighter around Nico. He began to struggle with breathing. His eyes widened with panic. He yelled at the shadows, but they had grown up. They were independant now, they no longer listened to him. He was forced to the ground. He clawed at the shadows that had gripped his throat, he managed to pull them away. He gasped for air. The ground beneath him crumbled away. He fell and clung onto the ground. The shadows had grabbed his ankles and were pulling him down.
"Did you think we'd let you live Son of Hades?" The shadows laughed, "No, you and the mortals will die here! And it will all be your fault. How fun!"
Nico screamed, "help me!"
His hand slipped, he tried to pull it back up but the shadows were holding it down. Tears burnt his eyes.
"Hazel, please." He screamed with desperation, "I can't die. Hazel, I saved you! Help me, help your brother!"
"I'm not some shadow you can control."
"Hazel! I'm not doing this. This isn't a trick."
Nicos other hand slipped. He began to fall, but something caught him. He looked up and wanted to throw up. Why did Percy have to save him? Percy looked like he was struggling.
"Percy, let go!" He yelled.
"No!"
"Youre being an idiot! The shadows are too strong."
Despite that, Nico felt himself being pulled upwards. He grabbed onto the ground above the hole. Percy stumbled backwards and fell on his butt. dust lifted up in the air obscuring Percys vision. Nico had pulled himself up. The shadows loomed over him waiting to strike.
"If this is what working with shadows looks like i'd hate to see what working against them looks like." Percy said wiping dust from his eyes.
"They were ticking me all along." He said trying to push them away.
"Dont play the pity card Nico!" Annabeth growled.
Nico ran his hands through his hair and took in more breaths, "Oh gods, what have i done? Holy fucking Hera what have i done?" He spun around on the spot, the grip he had of his hair getting tighter, "There is no way out of this."
Reyna stepped carefully towards him, "Nico, I can give you my strength so you can-"
Nico shook his head, "Are you stupid Reyna ? There is no happy ending where we magically get out of this! This is hopeless Reyna . Giving me your strength will only make this worse. You know what happens now, don't you?"
"The son of Hades is broken. It didn't take very long at all, shame. Thought you were stronger than that."
"Shut up! I'll kill you."
"You can't kill something that a part of you without killing yourself. Become one with us. We are the better half."
Nico opened his mouth to reply but Hazel interjected, "Don't do it, Nico." She said, "Listen to something thats real for once."
Tears dripped out of his broken eyes, "But it will save you."
"They never said that."
"The daughter of Pluto is a smart one. Want to control darkness, want to be feared?"
"Leave her alone! Leave ME alone!"
The shadows circled around him. His eyes widened. Tears ran down his face.
"Nico!"
Nico dropped to his knees, "Run!" He screamed, "Don't look back!"
"Nico." Hazel sobbed, "I'm not leaving you!" Hazel ran to him, she grabbed his hand, "leave the darkness Nico! The shadows aren't your friends."
Shadows ran up Hazels arm. They grinned as they swallowed her up.
"Join us Hazel."
"NO! YOU DONT CONTROL ME, YOU DON'T CONTROL MY BROTHER!" She screamed, "BE GONE!"
The shadows respected her. They listened and let go of her. They lingered at Nico, destroying him beyond repair. They sunk into the ground with a hiss.
Nico collapsed to the floor. He was weak and broken. He'd been betrayed by the thing he thought he could trust, the thing he had power over. He breathed in raspy breaths. He wanted everything to go away, he didn't care anymore. He wanted all of his pain to be gone. He'd found that with Will, Will had taken his pain away. But he wasn't there, he was dead! Nico took his head in his hands. He screamed and wept. Hazel kissed his cheek.
"You aren't alone Nico." She said sweetly, "We will get out of this."
Nico stopped crying and forcefully hugged his sister.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered to her.
"Im sorry too."
They hugged to the point when it got awkward and they pulled away. Nico looked at his sister with pride. She was truly remarkable. Something he could never be. She had pulled him out of the shadows, something not many people would be willing to do.
Hazel brought her hand across his cheek. The sound of the slap echoed, red instantly marked his face. Nico looked at her stunned.
"Wh-"
"Dont give me that! What the hell is wrong with you?" She slapped his again, "I hope you have to beg Percy for forgiveness."
Nico glanced up at Percy, he looked just a shocked at he was.
"It wouldn't hurt, seeing you beg Nico." Percy laughed.
Nico looked mortified, "I will not."
Percy raised Riptide to him, "How about now?"
"You wouldnt dare."
Percy lowered his sword, "You're right. Im not like you. I dont stab my friends in the back."
Another slap went across Nicos face, he glared at his sister.
"Ow, What was that one for?"
"I remembered that you tried to kill Annabeth." She hit him again, "and that was cause you're an idiot."
Nico stood up then stumbled having stood up too quickly. Once he regained his balance he addressed the others.
"We should find somewhere to rest."
"You're not going to get us out of here?" Annabeth asked.
"I can't get us out of here. My powers have been weakened."
"So you take a power nap and get us out."
Nico laughed, "How highly do you think of me? I dont know if i can get us out."
"Ask your dad then."
Nico laughed even harder, "Hades would never help us out of this. Not even he comes near tartarus. I'm being serious, lets just rest and we'll figure something out afterwards."
"Why do you want us to sleep?"
"I dont want you to. I'm tired so i assumed you would be too."
"Hes got a point Annabeth. Dont be bitter, that wont make this any easier."
Percy brushed his lips against hers. Nico turned away and started walking in forwards. The River Phlegethon was to the right of him. When he realized no one was following him he spun on the spot to face them.
"Come on, we've got a better chance if we move." He called.
The others followed Nicos lead. Hazel ran to his side and tried to talk to him but it was like talking a wall. He'd blocked himself off, concentrating on finding shelter. Every so often he flicked his wrist making his palm face upwards. Shadows or dark fire burnt in his hand, he'd shake it off and continue as if it was nothing. Hazel had asked him about it but he only replied with, "You wouldnt understand."
They stopped at a collection of rocks, they were tall enough to hide behind. The fire made their shadows appear on the rocks. Their images were distorted and warped.
Nico leant up against the rocks. His eyes fluttered then closed completely. The others followed, all but Percy who made himself the watch. He was too fearful sleep.