Heroes of Olympus Fanfiction - Up in Flames

//Chapter 3 - Nico

//SPOILERS! ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO RICK RIORDAN\\

Nico POV

//Yep, Nico could definitely feel less death.

It was like something had come from no where back to reality. That was the best he could explain the feeling. He had never felt it before.

He sat bolt upright in the infirmary, where Will Solace had told him to stay for three days. He didn't want to go, but he was so tired he fell asleep instantly. Nico felt a lot better than he had in a while. He felt revitalised and a whole, not shadowy from Shadow-Travelling Reyna, Couch Hedge and a temperamental statue.

And Percy now knew of his feelings for him, or his past feelings to be precise. They had deteriorated over time. Just then, his thoughts were interrupted by a door creaking open. Then, a head of thick curly hair poked through the door.

"How are you feeling, Nico?" Will Solace asked.

"I'm fine, I feel better." I replied

"You can stay in the infirmary further if you need, Nico, or you're free to leave." His face was relaxed, but then looked stern when he quickly added "but still no underworld-y stuff! Doctors orders."

Nico let out a sigh, then left the infirmary to the sunlight, Will two steps ahead. He was at Camp Half-Blood, and it was August. Orange and red leaves settled lightly on the grass, and people were doing activities because it was only 4.00pm. Archers were shooting arrows at targets with such accuracy it had to be the Apollo cabin. Chiron was there, supervising. There were also cabins at the climbing wall and in the arena, and other were just walking around and hanging out. It was good to see Camp Half-Blood in such good shape after Gaia's wakening. The Athena Parthenos glowed on the hill, giving off light, yellow energy around the camp, stronger than even the Golden Fleece.

The cabins were decorated with anticipation for Halloween. The Demeter Cabin had grown the biggest orange pumpkins Nico had ever seen in a patch out the front of the cabin. Katie Gardner and a few others were tending to them. Nico saw the Stoll Brothers around the sides of the cabins, with mischievous grind and blades in their hands. He doubted the Demeter Cabin would appreciate their pumpkins being turned into Jack-O-Lanterns. Others had pumpkins carved and spooky ghosts and skeletons. This was definitely Nico's favourite holiday.

"Hey, Nico." Will turned to say

"Yeah,"

"Well sense you don't have anywhere to go now, do you want to go to the arena with the Apollo Cabin?"

"Sure, I have nothing better to do." Will smiled.

"Okay, I'll see you there then." He replied, slapping Nico lightly on the shoulder, which sent shocks through his body again. Will then ran off to the rest of his cabin mates, and Nico went to his cabin. The darkness of the cabin would usually scare someone off, but Nico had learned to appreciate it. His favourite sword was in his coffin, which he would never appreciate.

Nico ran off the Arena, where all the Apollo campers had their swords and the instructor was giving a demonstration. Nico stayed at the back, so no one noticed he was late. Will moved next to him.

"We're started have defence again today. We have to, do no fighting today." He looked disappointed, but Nico was okay because he wasn't that good of a swordman anyway. In a fight, he would usually just summon the dead and shadow travel.

After an hour of endless talking, it was 5.00 and almost time for dinner. Nico would kill for a happy meal, but mortal food wasn't allowed in the camp, so he'd just have to settle for something else. He'd also kill for some company, and he wished Hazel was here so he wouldn't be so alone. And they could also talk more about Leo. Nico's feeling of less-death just kept growing and growing, but Thantos would never let Leo escape from the Underworld. Even Leo Valdez wouldn't have much luck if he was dead, as crafty as he is.

Nico caught Percy looking at him. I guess he was still surprised by the fact that he used to like him. Perhaps Nico would talk to him more. Maybe.

Soon dinner was over and it was time to go back to the cabins. Still, the feeling of less death not only got stronger, but also nearer. Nico pushed the thought aside. He wouldn't risk getting nightmares. His was already dark enough. He was lucky to get to sleep in his coffin, and Camp Half-Blood was growing on him.

A/N: I hope this wasn't too boring, but I wanted to fit in one more POV before Leo's POV. Don't worry, the story will pick up from there.

Again, tyasm for reading and please vote and comment :)

~gcopppjo~