The Sun Without Stars 2 Solangelo

The Rebirth

Nico's POV

"Why don't you ever believe that I can save you?" Will's tears fell like raindrops upon Nico's skin, rolling down his cheek as if they were his own.

Save me?

Why?

He'd never been under the impression that dying would be in any way enjoyable, but he was comforted by Will's very-much-alive complexion, and no tears could plague his relief.

I died the day I became Nyx's pawn, so why do you cry over a corpse that is long dead?

When the final glimpse of warmth faded from his palm, Nico knew that his life had come to an end.

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Nico stretched out a hand, only to find it constricted to his chest, causing his heart to sink. It only became concrete truth to him now that there was no golden-haired boy above him, meaning that he was in the one place where the sun could not touch.

Opening his eyelids, Nico hissed, his eyes burning like acid had been sprayed in them. It was as if he were stuck in a tight bubble, keeping his limbs folded against his midsection. It was only when he relaxed that he realized that his chest neither rose nor fell, unable to breathe, but he didn't deem it particularly necessary.

Is this death...?

Where am I?

Ha! Where else?

Hell.

"Come out, child of the underworld," a muffled voice called out. Even with his eyes squinted, Nico could see a shadow befall him as if someone were standing by his body. The shadow grew nearer, finally reaching into the substance that kept Nico trapped, and taking hold of his arm.

As he was lifted from the sludge, Nico breathed in a now familiar sulfurous aroma, recognizing immediately where he had ended up.

I knew that I wouldn't achieve Elysium, so why am I disappointed?

I wasn't even allotted a trial, but what case would I have made anyway?

"Sure, I ate two people and attempted to plummet the entirety of the planet into eternal night, but you work for my father, so why not give me a free pass?"

As if.

My father wouldn't even attempt to give me a lighter sentence.

What have I ever done to deserve his mercy?

All that should matter is that they're all safe.

However, the same question rattled him

Why did I come down to Tartarus in the first place?

It felt selfish considering how Bob had suffered, but he'd never been known for his altruism.

Now completely emerged from the aqueous muck, he remained still, his eyes adjusting to the dark. He stood, arms wrapped around his shoulder, realizing that he wore nothing on his frame. In all honesty, nudity was an upgrade from the god-awful khakis he'd borrowed.

It's not there.

Where is it?!

Nico turned left and right, but saw no sign of the bronze coin that Will had gifted him.