"Let's imagine that scenario, then," Chiron said.
Nico shifted uncomfortably on the couch. He watched the dust particles floating on the beams of light and focused.
"Are you taking notes," Chiron asked Will, briefly looking in his direction.
"Of course I am."
"Good! Let's continue. What is the first thing you notice?"
Will turned on the recorder and sat back in his seat. He watched as Nico stared up at nothing, his eyes unfocused and blank.
"The Big House is on fire." Nico blinked a few times and walked towards the fire. The flames were green and they pulled the heat from the air. The ground was covered in frost.
He stopped. Not so far away from where he stood was the image of himself fanning the flames.
He blinked again and the walls of Chiron's office reestablished themselves. The room was filled with light and warmth.
"Let us continue," Chiron said after five minutes had passed. "What else is going on in this situation?"
Nico closed his eyes. "I can hear them screaming." He approached the building again. The cries of the demigods trapped inside echoed.
"What are you going to do?"
Nico panicked and ran. His eyes searched the ground, the sky and his surroundings for something that could help them. He came around the building again and saw the nightmare vision of himself again.
Fear twisted into rage. He threw himself towards the monstrosity. As he ran the distance between them grew.
He turned and faced the back of the couch, sobbing. "I love this place. I love it here. And I don't want to take it away from anyone."
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes passed and Nico had calmed down after only a few. "Continue."
He screamed with rage and drew his sword. He covered the last few steps and slashed at the icon. He staggered and nearly fell when he only encountered air.
He turned back and looked again. The image remained. He approached cautiously, ready to attack. His sword passed harmlessly through again.
It was a hologram. "It's not real. It's not real!" Nico laughed and cried with relief at the same time. He touched the boards, even pressed his face against them, grateful that it never happened in the first place.