The Dark Will Conquer

In Memory of Jason Grace

"Please stay with me forever," I whispered to Nico's dark form, not sure if he could hear me. 

"Till death due us part." He murmured, his voice drowsy from sleep. 

"No," I said, sitting up straight, my back cracking from the shift from the uncomfortable position.  "Not till death due us part. I said forever."

He rolled over, but I could hardly see him in the dim light of the nighttime sickbay. "You can't cheat death, Will." He said, his brown eyes hollow. No longer filled with light. 

"Yes." I stood up, my voice rising. "Yes, you can. I did. I did it. I brought you back, and you're never leaving me again." 

He looked thoughtful for a moment and then stretched his arms out towards me, inviting me in. I sighed and tipped forward, wrapping my arms around his slim waist. He rested his head on my bloodstained CHB shirt. I realized dully that I hadn't washed or changed it since before he had died, and shifted so that the sweater overtop covered more of my scarred skin. I couldn't let him worry.

"Forever is a long time." He said, his voice muffled. "It's not possible."

"Of course it is!" I protested, using my thumb and index finger to tilt his chin up. "You're the son of Hades. You can- we can live in your father's palace."

"Do you know how difficult it was to find Hazel?" He asked. "And I wasn't even looking for anyone specific. It was an accident. The only reason I found her was because I could sense her aura. And then, suddenly, I saw a spirit that didn't have dead eyes. A spirit that... didn't forget. You- you won't remember. You won't remember me-"

"What if I go to Elysium?" 

"No." His eyes were fixed on mine. "Elysium is reserved for those who died in battle. You're going to live a long, happy life, and die of old age-"

"I'm a demigod, Neeks. That never hap-"

"It will." He insisted.

My voice quieted. "What about you, Nico?"

He turned away, his chin slipping from my fingers, but he held me even tighter. "I'm already dead, Will." He whispered. "I'm already dead." 

I couldn't think of anything to say to that, so instead, I pulled him closer, linking our fingers together. His skin was ice cold, and I massaged his palm with my thumb, trying to rub some life into it. He closed his eyes and shivered. "Not yet." I said after a while. "Not for a very long time to come."

And we clung to each other, guiding ourselves into a deep, dreamless sleep.

...

I woke up, as usual, with the sun. The sickbay seemed to be just getting on its feet as well. Nico lay beside me, his arm thrown over his head, our legs tangled together. "Nico." I muttered, my voice thick from sleep, "We need to get up."

He groaned. He had never been a morning person. 

"Well, well, well, look what we have here." A voice drawled. I bolted upright. Zagreus. He stood at the foot of our bed, leaning against the frame with a self-satisfied look on his face. 

 "You shouldn't be in here!" I gasped, feeling lightheaded. His strong aura of death could harm the patients. 

"Don't worry, Sunshine. I'll make it quick."

I clenched my fists. "Don't call me that." 

Nico never opened his eyes, but his hand squeezed my arm, my only indication that he was awake and with me. 

Please don't draw any attention. I begged him mentally.

"I'm getting bored, William, and you are my current plaything. Amuse me." He grinned, and I knew something else was up. 

"What do you really want?" I asked, hoping I looked brave. 

This was obviously the answer he wanted, because his grin grew wider. "You've got mail, Sunshine, and I don't think you want to cancel playtime." He whispered, and disappeared in a burst of deathly black flame.

Nico sat up. "What the hell is he talking about, Will?" He asked, his eyes betraying his worry. 

"I- I don't know." I tried to cam the spinning in my head. 

"Will, maybe you shouldn't-"

"Stop." I said, squeezing him to my chest."I need to do this. I need to save you. I don't care if it's not right, I don't..." 

"What about Jason?" He asked, interrupting me. 

"I- what?" Nobody had spoken of Jason since we burned his shroud, and no one had seen Piper in a month. Percy and Annabeth had gone to check on her daily for the first few weeks, but they hadn't been back there in a while. I wasn't entirely sure why.

"Why do I get to live, while Jason stays dead?"

I couldn't answer. 

I loved Piper like a sister, and knew exactly the pain she was going through. 

Nico, sensing my complete and total silence, moved to get up, but I held him tightly. "If-" I took a deep breath. "If I could bring Jason back too... I would." My hands were almost shaking, and Nico covered them with his own. 

"This isn't only about Jason." He told me. "This is about everyone who has lived and was lost. I- I don't deserve it. Jason deserved to live, so did so many others, but... I didn't. I shouldn't be the one."

"Don't ever say that." My voice was strong, but inside I was melting. I held back tears. "You deserve the world." 

I could tell he didn't agree with me, but neither of us said anything for the following few moments. 

Then it dawned on me. "Oh no..."