XXVII

NICO

Nico was surrounded by roaring flames. Though, he ignored it and used Will's aura of death to locate him. The feeling of aura was getting stronger by the minute.

Will. I'm coming.

Then, finally, he saw Will tied to a chair. Will's face was bruised and swelled but fortunately, he had no serious injury. Standing not far away from the blond was a very big and brute man. The man was facing back Nico. He scanned the area. Next to Will was Austin who was tied to a chair too. He was unconscious but safe. On the other side of Will was a girl lying limply on the ground, dead. The fire had not reached that area, yet.

"This was all your fault!" The brute man shouted and pointed at Will "If you hadn't contacted the cops, we wouldn't end up this way!"

"Setting the fire wasn't my fault. Python." Will shot back. He was impressively calm about the whole situation. "You are the one who set up the fire."

"Ha! It's better to die than to be captured." Python barked. "My people were captured because of you. Now you are going to hell with me!"

"Then let Austin go!" Will coughed. The smoke had started to seep heavily through the corners. "Just take me alone."

"Noooo. The more the merrier! We are all going to hell!" Python roared in laughter.

"You are insane," Will muttered still coughing.

Nico clenched his fists. He was one sheet away from wiping that laugh off from Python's face when something made him stopped dead in his tracks. Black smoke appeared in the corner. From that smoke, Bob materialized. Bob blinked around confusedly. But then when he saw Will, his eyes widened.

Nico was initially confused too as to why Bob was here. At first, he thought that the fellow death angel would help him. But when Bob saw Nico, the brute angel froze, staring helplessly at Nico.

That was when a realization dawned upon Nico. Bob wasn't here to help. He was here to do his duty.

Bob was going to escort Will's soul.

Will was about to die.

Nico's eyes widened in horror.

"YOU PUNNY BASTARD, DIE!"

Nico whipped his head in Will's direction just in time Python raised his gun aiming at Will. Nico leaped in action. He disappeared and reappeared in front of Python raising Python's hand. A gunshot echoed. The bullet hit the ceiling. Nico knocked off the gun from Python's hand. With an immortal strength, Nico threw Python on a cemented post. Python groaned.

"You have no right to touch my Will," Nico said quietly walking towards Python, who was shaking his head in dazed.

Python looked up at Nico. "Who-"

"I am your worst nightmare you bastard!" Nico kicked Python in the ribs. He was going to kick Python again when Python got a hold of Nico's legs and twisted it. Nico cried in surprise and fell face-first on the ground. This gave an opportunity for Python to stand up. He lunged at Nico but Nico sensed it and rolled to his side. He vanished. He reappeared on Python's side and punched him hard.

"How-" Python sputtered. He threw a punch at Nico but Nico vanished again. Python looked around and came face to face with Nico who punched him in the face. Python stumbled back.

Python regarded Nico, blood oozing down at the side of his mouth. He spat. "You are not normal, boy."

"I am giving you a chance. Surrender." Nico said.

Python roared in laughter. "And what if I don't?"

"You'll regret it."

Another laugh from Python. "I am curious as to what you can do. Will you kill me? Because if you don't, I will kill all of you!"

This made Nico's blood roared in his veins. His stygian sword appeared in his hand.

"Then die." In a speed of light, he was in front of Python. The end of the sword was sticking out from Python's back.

"You have no right to live here on earth," Nico gritted on Python's ear. Nico stepped back pulling out his sword.

Python fell limply to the ground, face first. The blade of Nico's sword was stained red. The blood dripped to the floor as Nico gripped the hilt of the sword.

The sky thundered much louder than before. It sounded like something had exploded. The sound ricocheted on the walls of the building as if shaking the whole area. The lightning seemed to be brighter as if to strike down everything below. The rain continued to pour ferociously.

It was all done. Nico had hit a jackpot and broken all the three Sacred Rules at once. He had just interfered with the Fates by not letting Will die, and of course, taking the soul of living just like what he had done to Python. Charon was surely going to have a feast.

Nico's sword melted in the shadows and he vanished. He materialized in front of Will who yelped in surprise. Nico's eyes darted around. Bob was gone which meant Will was safe.

"N-Nico. . ."

Nico said nothing and started to untie Will. After untying Will, he untied Austin too and carried him.

He walked towards Will. "Let's get you out of here. The fire is getting bigger. Hold onto me."

Will obliged and they vanished. They appeared in an open shed just outside the burning building. Nico lay Austin on the ground.

"N-Nico," Will called out again. "I-I saw what you did. . ."

Nico stood up and looked at Will. "He was going to kill you. I had no choice."

"B-but. . " Will tried to held Nico's hand but his hand passed right through Nico's He was startled. "W-what. . ."

"Will, listen." Nico held Will's shoulder. Thankfully, his hands solidified again. "I have lots of things to say but we don't have much time left."

"It's because you broke the rules-"

"Shh." Nico put his index finger on Will's lips. He spoke softly. "I said listen. First of all, I'm sorry. I should have been here for you when you were grieving for Naomi. But then, how I could face you that time when I was so consumed with guilt. Thankfully, Naomi helped me clear my mind."

"M-mom?"

"I went to Elysium. I went to the paradise where she is to say my apology and to ease my guilt. She also said that you shouldn't be that sad about her because she was in a better place now and she was happy."

Will nodded, smiling a little bit but then his smile faltered when he had seen Nico flickered like he was about to vanish. Shadows started to engulf him.

"N-Nico. . ." Will stared at Nico in horror.

"Shit." Nico cursed. "Now Will, we are really running out of time. Can you do three things for me?" Nico touched Will's cheek. It passed right through at first but Nico tried again. This time his hand made contact on Will's cheek. He savored the feeling of the blond's soft skin against his calloused hand because it was going to be the last that he was going to be able to hold him like this.

"First is, never ever stop using your glowing trick no matter what. It's a gift. Do you know that you are really handsome when you glow? Save as many lives as you can. Second. Be safe. Don't do anything reckless, like this! Or jumping off the rooftop just because you miss me. I may not be there to save your ass anymore." Nico looked away and swallowed. He let go of Will's cheek as his hand dropped limply on his side. "Third. Don't wait for me anymore. I am not coming back. Find new love. Find a normal guy who can give you a normal relationship. Be happy, Will."

"How can you say that!" Will burst out. "Do you think my feelings for you can be turn on and off like a switch? It's all my fault, isn't it? If you hadn't just saved me-"

"Let's get all past the blaming Will or else we wouldn't finish blaming each other. Naomi said it was a sacrifice not blaming. We sacrificed for the people we love. You will do the same thing for me if you were in my position, right?"

"Besides. . . I already broke the third sacred rule on the day I first met you. Death angels aren't supposed to fall in love but I have. I won't apologize that I lied to you about the last sacred rule. Because if I didn't do that, I wouldn't be this happy being with you, you made me the happiest. I didn't regret breaking every rule just to be with you."

Nico could feel it. The shadows were taking him, taking him away from his love forever. His eyes stung, even his dead heart stung. He had prepared himself for this. But in the end, nothing could really prepare him for the sadness and pain of parting to the ones you love. There was a fleeting thought in his head, wishing that they could have more time together. Though, he couldn't be more greedy than this, right? He couldn't ask for more and more and more. That was why time was a precious thing. You need to value every second of it.

For one last time, Nico reached for Will's lips and kissed him.

"Lastly, I wanted to say I love you," Nico whispered against Will's lips. Amidst of sadness, there was a burst of satisfaction and a bit of happiness. That finally, he had managed to say the words deep buried in his heart. Somehow, he felt lighter.

Afterward, Nico dissolved in the shadows.

The sky thundered again.

Will stared into the empty space where Nico had been seconds ago.

A single tear slid down on Will's cheek.