Take Me Back (Percico) {Collab}

Chapter 5

Song: Hall of Fame by The Script

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Nico's POV

The realm of the dead was so... Dead.

I liked it.

The way to Elysium was a long one, but nevertheless I tackled it on foot, wanting to conserve energy. Unfortunately this involved cutting through the Fields of Asphodel. And all those chattering spirits got a little irksome after a while.

I remembered finding Hazel down here years ago... gods, it seemed like decades ago.

Asphodel was so endless...

And the spirits were so annoying.

Ugh.

It got to the point where my feet just hurried me along and my brain occupied itself with contemplating this whole bizarre situation.

Hades saying he cared for me? Hades giving Percy Jackson a chance to continue his life? Since when?

If I was dreaming, I hoped I'd never wake up. It was a good dream.

After an immeasurable length of time I jolted from my thoughts as Elysium's beautiful gates loomed before me.  Finally. My feet were starting to throb.

I approached, almost a little hesitant, and placed a hand on the bars.

Open.

The gates swung open and my eyes, long accustomed to the dark, were taken by surprise in the sudden blinding colour.

The road beneath me was paved with gold. Trees clustered like emerald gems and a spring chuckled nearby. Here and there, dotting the rolling paradise, little villas rang with music and laughter. Laughter rode the breeze and rustled through the leaves, sliding down the stream, and leaving a trail of transparent bubbles that popped open in a chorus of mirth. I inhaled deeply and tasted happiness.

My first steps were tentative; I'd never been here, never felt like this ever before. But soon enough I was half-running, half-laughing, feeling lighter than I had in years. I felt like I could run for miles and never tire. Sing and never lose my voice. Get high on the pure atmosphere and never come down.

Running, running, off the path and through the quivering woods, past smiling people who shouted greetings to me. And then one shout stood out from the rest.

"Nico? Nico di Angelo?"

I skidded to a halt, jumped around, and placed my hand on the tree to steady myself. Barely out of breath, I searched for the source of the voice in the group of people approaching me through the trees.

"Nico!"

And then I saw him. Him and the girl holding his hand, the girl with sparkling golden hair and a smile dancing through her eyes, and parting her lips.

The breath left my body.

"Holy Hera," I gasped. The spell lifted its grasp to allow me to speak. "Beckendorf? Silena*?"

They were here?

I thought back. Well, they would have to be here... Unless they were reborn. I did anticipate meeting someone. There were probably thousands of demigods, heroes, and saviours all throughout Elysium. It does seem odd, now that I think about it.

That tiny chance.

"Nico, that is you! Silena gasped, and covered her mouth with her hands.