Solangelo AU

Part 5

I clutched the side of the counter, fighting to stay conscious.

My vision was clouding over black and a flashback was surfacing slowly.

I felt my knees hit the floor but i didn't really notice. I clutched my head, trying to clear my vision.

"Nico?" I heard Will call from the other room.

I wanted to call back to him but my voice failed to work.

I tried to move by my muscles refused to work.

I heard Wills footsteps rushing towards me as my eyes rolled into the back of my head, sending me into a flashback.

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I opened my eyes to find myself standing in a black abyss.

Tartarus.

I really should've listened to Will. He told me to never come back. He said I was crazy to try. 

And I was.

I felt my hand reach down to the hilt of my sword as i spun around.

Something felt wrong.

That was another thing about flashbacks, I have to do exactly what i had done before. I couldn't change anything. I was just watching my past.

A minotaur emerged from the shadows, running towards me.

I rolled out of the way but the bull quickly changed path, heading towards me again.

I slipped into the shadows, quickly appearing about 10 feet away.

What I just did was really risky. Shadow traveling took a lot out of me. To use it while in battle was dangerous. That's why i didn't go that far, I would probably end up passing out.

The minotaur was confused for a second and I took the opportunity to rush forward, going into attack mode.

The bull whipped around as I buried my sword in his torso. He let out an awful scream that I can't even begin to explain and slammed his horn into my shoulder.

I screamed. In that moment, I was convinced I was going to die. That would be it, i would be dead, helping no one. Will would be right.

The minotaur disappeared, only the horn remained. 

I felt tears streak down my face as i dropped to my knees, clutching my shoulder.

My vision blurred again and I was brought back to present day.

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"WILL!" I shot up, breathing heavily.

"Shhhh, it's okay," Will rushed over to me, taking my hand

"I- Will-" I stuttered, hyperventilating. 

"Shhh," he pressed his finger to my lips, "it's okay, it's okay, i'm here,"

I nodded, closing my eyes, squeezing Wills hand.

"It's okay Neeks, it's okay," He whispered, sitting down next to me.

I laid my head on his shoulder, slowly starting to breath. 

"Hey, hey, shhh,"

He pulled me in, wrapping his arms around me. 

I leaned in closer, aching for his warmth. I sunk into his arms, letting my consciousness slowly slip as i fell into another flashback.

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I stood in the middle of the Apollo cabin, Will standing in front of me, pinching the bridge of his nose, his eyes closed.

"Nico, you can't seriously be considering this," Will sighed, shaking his head.

"I'm not joking Will," I said, crossed my arms.

"Babe, you can't think this is a good idea. Just because you survived Tartarus once doesn't mean you can do it again. The fact that you didn't die or go insane is a miracle and you know that!"

"That was a year ago, i'm different now, i'm stronger, I can save Bob, I know it!" 

"Nico, you are insane!" 

I balled my fists, stepping back, clenching my teeth.

"Oh, is that what you think?" I asked.

"Yes! If you plan on doing this, you are insane!" 

I glanced into his eyes, this beautiful blue eyes of his. Just looking at him made me want to forget my idea of going into Tartarus. I wanted to move on from this fight.

I resisted the urge to reach my hand forward to trace his face and lean forwards and kiss his lips.

But I couldn't give up. Even if that meant losing Will.

"You know what? Fine! We're done!" 

I spun on my heel, storming out of the Apollo Cabin.

And that was the last time I saw Will.

If only I knew how much I would regret this. 

(word count: 661)