Too Late

Chapter One

Nico POV

I saw the arrow pierce his stomach as he pushed the younger kid out of the way.

"WILL!" I yelled out too late, always too late. I ran towards him as he ran to the ground coughing up blood. I dropped to my knees beside him with tears streaming down my face.

"Will, please. Please don't leave me." His siblings were already at his side trying to patch the wound. I wanted to yell at them that it was useless, that death was already coming.

"N. . . nico," He managed to say barely above a whisper in between coughs of blood and strained breathing.

"Yes baby?" I asked, leaning closer so he wouldn't have to try so hard.

"I l-love you," He whispered in my ear.

"I love you too," I replied. "Say hi to my dad for me."

He smiled. "You got it."

Then his chest went still and it was over.

WPOV

It went by so fast, yet it drug on for hours.

Seeing the arrow rushing towards Levi, pushing him out of the way, falling to the ground, Nico crying at my side, my siblings desperately trying to heal me, telling Nico that I loved him,

I woke up on a boat.

"Normally I would ask for a coin," Charon said in a thick British accent, turning to me. "But Hades wanted to speak to you himself."

I didn't say anything.

We stopped just before the gates and Charon stepped out of the boat.

"Come on, Solace," He said when I didn't follow.

I quickly stumbled onto the shore and followed him to the black stone palace in the distance.

I had been to the Underworld before with Nico, but it felt different, more natural, now that I was dead.

Hades was waiting for us at the entrance to his palace.

"Well, this is where I leave you," Charon said, patting my shoulder before leaving.

"Lord Hades," I said, dropping to my knees.

"Stand, William Solace," He commanded.

"Is Nico here?" I asked, rising to my feet.

The god looked away like he was avoiding my question.

"Where's Nico?"

"That's why I wanted to talk to you. He's been missing since you were shot."

"How long–" I started to ask.

"Three weeks," He answered.

"The other gods are refusing to help search for him, and Zeus forbade your father from helping."

"Why are you telling me?" I asked. "I can't do anything."

"Yes you can," He replied, taking a breath. "I can send you back to the living world for two weeks to find him."

"I'll find him," I replied. "I know where he'll go."