REYNA
Nico trudges ahead of me, but I can see how he stumbles. He can't keep in a straight line. His shoes are ripped to shreds and his skin is blistered.
I know I must look bad too, but all the pain I feel pails in comparison to what he's going through. And since borrowing Hades's energy I feel more awake. I feel stronger. Tartarus doesn't effect me as much as it did.
It seems like a waste. Everything in Tartarus keeps its distance from Hades. It's like we came here to walk out. Only to make Nico relive his worst memories.
Just as I turn to look behind me, I hear a thud. Nico has collapsed.
'Nico, oh my...' I rush to his side. He's shaking, freezing despite it being boiling down here.
'I'm fine.' He says, 'help me up.'
'You're not.' I say. I take his hand.
'Reyna, don't-' he starts, but as soon as I start to transfer some of my energy he stops resisting. He closes his eyes and takes a breathe.
'He doesn't have long.' Hades says, 'if Nico spends much longer down here, or in the underworld at all, he won't be able to go back.'
'So do something.' I say, turning to him, 'it's your fault he's here. This is your broken oath he's laying for.'
'I am well aware-'
'So do something. If you care about him like you say you do.' I yell.
He stares at me for a moment, before leaning down to pick Nico up.
'There's only so much I can do.' He says, 'let's go.'
