The Sun in the Shadow

Chapter 18

Nico was taking none of Will's problems today. He looked defiant and calm and fiery and (Will tried to deny it for Nico's sake) really, really good as he stood in front of Will.

He had obviously been practicing with his sword. Nico was wearing a black tee shirt and black jeans. Silver chains wrapped his waist and held up the pure black sword on Nico's waist. His shirt was soaked with sweat and his dark hair was tied up in a ponytail that didn't make him look any less scary. It actually only made him look better.

However, being a doctor prevented Will from feeling embarrassment in the situation. Instead, he stood too and asked, "Where have you been Di Angelo? What were you just doing?"

Nico glared at Will and replied, "None of your concern, Solace. I am allowed to act in my own, in case you've forgotten." The tension between them was palpable. It felt like if either of them broke, the other would be forced to attack or retreat.

Will took a step forward and Nico didn't even flinch at the close proximities. It pained Will to think, but he was certain that the son of Hades had grown sterner after his time in the dungeon. He looked paler and gaunt. His etched features made him appear years older, and he was no longer nervous around Will. That last thought wasn't sad, more depressing. Like Nico had lost the one little human emotion Will could keep track of. Since he barely smiled or laughed and always seemed blank, the only thing Will could count on was Nico reacting to his presence. Now, he couldn't even see that.

"Nico, you can't be over exerting yourself like this. Not after the underworld. You aren't stro-"

It was like a black flash of deadly lighting. Nico's sword point was centimeters from Will's throat before the word even finished. Nico had been quicker, quieter, and more precise than any other swordsmen that Will had seen before.

"You have no place to try and degrade me, Solace." Nico's face was awfully close and his voice was low, but as deadly calm as his sword. "I know how strong I am. I know how much my physical form can take. Don't you dare try tell me otherwise."

Now it was Will's turn. If there was any swordsmanship he learned, it was how to disarm a close opponent without a weapon. His arm punched down Nico's elbow and then twisted the blade out of his hand in the moment of weakness. The black blade clattered to the ground and the two boys stared at each other defiantly.

Even without a weapon, without any upper hand, Nico was able to speak with higher authority when he said, "I was in disarray, out of order, when I was put into the most weakening trance. It's your fault I barely survived the nightmare. I have always been strong enough on my own. Always been able to survive. That morning you confused me and threw me down. It was no wonder I almost got taken." His voice shook the finest bit on the last sentence, but he cleared his head quickly. However, before he could speak Will interrupted.

"By the gods Nico, you really are stupid." He was almost saying it to himself. Shaking his head a bit, Will continued. "You have got to know already that I don't underestimate you. I simply know the human body much better than you." In three simple movements and attacks to the limbs Nico crumpled, Will crouched down with him. "Those hits only dismantle an overworked body, one going thrown emotional, mental, and physical strain." Will stood and Nico shapely with him. He didn't sound very defiant anymore, more calculating. "The underworld is dangerous and taxing, even for those born from its king. What you saw in your trance, those were fears only the most horrible place reached my mortals could cook up. It destroyed you spirits health, your bodies health, and your life forces health." Nico stumbled back at these words, but Will continued, saying everything he knew in order to change Nico's perspective. "You have to believe me when I say you aren't strong enough alone. You can't heal alone, Nico. At least, not the spirit or the life force. You need protection now, people who will be there for you in your darkest time. Taking done an army doesn't end the war unless you know who your fighting." Will sighed and turned around, started to step away.

"You're wrong about me Solace. I am strong enough to heal myself now. I'm better and older and wiser than I was even days before. I know what sacrifices need to be made to save the ones I love." Nico picked up his sword and sheathed it, watching Will as he walked away. He was wiser now. He knew what would happen if he stayed here. What would happen to everyone he cared for if he were to make them save him once more. "I can't let you save me again."

"But that's why I came, Nico."

He hadn't realized he had said that aloud. But now Will was speaking to him again, back facing him while his head rested on his cabins doorknob.

"I found you to save you. I walked through darkness, through enemy grounds, because I didn't want Hazel crying to herself at night. Because I didn't want Annabeth cursing herself without sleep as she tried to rethink her plan. To make a plan that would have saved you. I don't want Percy to sit every night, devastated that his last act to you made you look like a fool. Or Jason staring blankly at his wall wondering how such a friend could have gone away without him even trying to save them." Will turned a bit more and Nico could see his face and his own gaze was still stoney. "I don't know how I could have lived on Nico, if I had never even tried to save you. I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

Nico kept his glare, just so that Will would think his words hadn't fazed him. Curse the sun boy, of course they had actually hit right at home. Nico's heart felt crushed under the weight of the words, the truth in them.

Nico had thought that when he saw Will again he would apologize. But that night in the hospital, he couldn't help but be terrified. Terrified that his nightmare had come true. That maybe it would come true. Fear wasn't new to Nico, but he had never felt so overwhelmed before. Will had held him, no words needed. And that had healed Nico enough. The rest was his job and he couldn't put the others through any more pain. It was his job now to fix his mistakes and never make one that could harm others. Nico was making himself even more alone then ever, but he had his reasons and no one could change his mind.