This was bashed out in literal minutes, and it's kind of bad but I just wanted to get something up to say that I haven't forgotten this story but I'm working on it! I'll try not to let it run over to September but I'm about 6 days late so... We'll work on it okay.
Anyway, have a very short angsty chapter that will have a sequel tomorrow! If there are any mistakes, I'm sorry and I'll probably like,,, properly re-edit change some stuff up later, but look just take it.
Thanks for reading!
(A tired) Fez.
The battle was quick—an attack by a hastily assembled group of monster who had used surprise as their main strategy, and this surprise attack seemed new to even the monster themselves—and dirty.
Nico had been in the infirmary with Will, finally finishing restocking the first-aid kits when the conch shell began blowing. Nico knew automatically it was far too early for dinner, and the screams form outside made his stomach sink. He sprung to his feet, holding a hand out to Will.
"Stay here, stay safe for the people who need you." Nico said quickly, wishing he had some kind of armour. He only had his sword but he knew it would be enough.
"Nico, no stop. No shadow-travelling!" Nico was already melting into the shadows before Will had finished his sentence. He hated having to ditch Will like that but Will wasn't a fighter, he was a healer, and the most needed after the battle.
He was on the green by the Big House when he opened his eyes and saw the monsters come charging down the hill. The Camp was prepared, and there was already a group of demigods with weapons. He managed to grab a shield off of someone who was trying to equip everyone.
He cast one last look up at the infirmary before closing his eyes and fading into the darkness. He hadn't been cleared for shadow-travelling quite yet but he was healthier than he had been in a long time.
He appeared within the ranks of monsters, scything through a few at a time, trying to thin their ranks before they reached the main camp. He earned his title of Ghost King as he wisped into shadows before any monsters could try and maim him and reappeared a few meters over, his Stygian Iron sword already impaling another monster.
When they reached the camp, he hadn't made a massive dent on their numbers, but maybe it was enough to help the campers.
He continued fighting hard, and he could see the other demigods laying into the monsters with swords. Something exploded, somewhere, and the ground beneath his feet shook. He almost tumbled over, and realised that maybe he had been pushing it with the shadow-travelling. The world was spinning maybe just a bit too much.
While the Seven wasn't here, the Camp had good fighters—Clarisse and the other Ares kids were good, and the Hermes kids were good with knives—and he had the feeling it was almost going well, the monsters didn't seem too talented with swords, (although a few had almost gotten him with some kind of acid spit. He could hear his shield sizzling and he was just glad it wasn't his arm) until he saw Will.
Will, beautiful, stupid Will, who just wanted to help people had left the infirmary and was kneeling over a wounded demigod, his back turned to the most of the battle. Austin was standing by him, shooting down monsters with his bow, but he turned to focus on one farther away, missing one that was steadily getting closer to Will.
Nico knew what was going to happen a few seconds before it did, and, hardly thinking about it, pulled himself into the shadows, focusing only on Will, Will, Will.
He re-emerged in the space between the creature's claws and Will's back, his sword swinging but far too slow to stop the monster's acid-spit-soaked claws from splitting his side. His sword stuttered as it entered the monster but it was enough to kill it, and it exploded into dust. Nico fell, and even when he was possibly fatally wounded (or maybe he was just being dramatic again) he made an effort to roll away from Will, so he didn't land on his boyfriend.
His hands cupped his side, and he could feel blood gushing out from between his fingers. Will turned to look at him and Nico could've cried at the horror in his eyes.
"Nico? Nico, what-?" He had seen the bloody slashes down his side- oh and it had managed to ruin his new favourite T-Shirt- and the dust and claw-trophy behind him. Will was smart and he pieced together what had happened.
He reached for Nico, his touch impossibly gentle. Nico tried to smile at him but his side was really, really hurting.
"Austin! Austin!" Will was shouting as he cradled Nico's face and Nico took hold of his wrist and then fumbled for the wounded demigod by his head. He closed his eyes and used the last of his strength to shadow-travel the three of them to the infirmary.
He could feel the change in flooring and Will's gasp of surprise. Nico couldn't open his eyes and he was so, so tired. He just hoped that Will wouldn't charge out into battle again.
"Nico, Nico babe, stay with me. Open your eyes." Nico tried his hardest, he didn't want Will to sound so scared, but the shadows were as inviting as they had always been, and he faded away into darkness and sleep.