A Hero, The Hero (Solangelo)

Will's POV (duh)

      We called Hazel and Ryland as soon as he passed out.
      Ryland was a son of Pluto, half-brother to Hazel and Nico. They were there within minutes, concerned for their brother. Hazel's jaw practically unhinged when we told her what had happened. Ryland simply stood and shook his head while muttering to himself.
      "Ryland, what is it?" asked Percy, gently placing his hand on Ryland's shoulder. Ryland didn't avoid physical contact like Nico did. In fact, he was the exact opposite of him. He wore bright colors and loved contact. He never hid his emotions, they were laid on a platter for the whole world to see. He approached Nico, and lightly ran his fingers along Nico's forehead, still shaking his head. He then laid his pointer finger and middle finger on his carotid artery, checking his pulse. After the appropriate minute for accuracy, his hands moved to Nico's back and chest. He looked up at me.

"Too cold. He should be feverish. Pulse too fast. It should be slowing by now. Breathing is decently normal, just a bit forced."

"Well, get on with it." Hazel snapped, which rarely ever happens. With a look of understanding, Ryland began speaking,
"No one has ever killed with their voice. Charmspeak only makes people kill themselves. Nico killed them by talking. It was his personal encounters of pain thrust upon them. That's what killed them. Nico's pain." He finished, obviously flustered and uncomfortable.
I knew that he had been through a lot. But enough to kill 11 undefeated monsters? Oh Gods that poor boy. I caressed his cheek, which was scraped from one of the duplicates. Then (very surprisingly) I fell asleep with my head buried in the crook of Nico's neck.

The dreams were horrific.