Solangelo 2

NICO

Everything moves so quickly. I appear at the top of the cliff, just realising that the boy's already falling. Without thinking, I jump after him. I fall straight, gaining momentum just fast enough to clutch onto the boy and shadow travel before we hit solid ground.
I can't stop the momentum we're falling at, so the only place I can think of to fall is the water, in the shadows of the lake.
I fall deep, with my arms wrapped around the boy, holding him tightly, trying to keep him from hitting his head on any rocks. Once we've reached the bottom, I figure he stands a better chance without me. I check he's awake, and gesture for him to swim up. He does so quickly.
I know my only chance is to shadow travel, but I've never done it underwater before. And every second I don't move, I lose more and more time.
I try to fall into the shadows, but the water keeps throwing me around. I'm thrown into one of the rocks, hit my back. Blood sleeps through the water.
I let out a cry involuntarily when I hit my back and water gushes into my throat.
My throat burns. My head is pounding. Everything seems to be getting darker.
There's a nudging at my arm, and I'm pulled onto the back of one of the sea creatures we rode here. It carries me up to the surface, where Percy wades in, the boy having managed to run for help. Percy dives in and meets the sea creature, taking me and dragging me out to shore.
I'm coughing insanely, my throat burning, water filling my stomach.
'Hey, Nico, oh my Gods.' Percy says, checking on me. I hold up a hand to try to tell him I'm okay.
Will rushes down, followed by Hazel and everyone else. Will is on his knees by my side instantly.
'Are You okay? What happened? What the hell happened?' He asks looking from me up to everyone else.
'I have no idea.' Percy says.
'The boy was falling...' I say, coughing in between my sentences, 'I had to...jump after him...shadow travel. Too much momentum...had to land somewhere soft...'
'Gods, Nico, you could have died.' Will says, helping me sit up as I begin to recover.
'That boy was going to die.' I say.
'Where is he?' Percy says, 'did he fall? Did he jump?'
'He fell. I saw in my dream.' I say, 'sorry I didn't explain.'
'You didn't have time, we get it.' Hazel says, kneeling beside me. Piper is on my other side, beside Will, and I lift my hand as I say her name. She clutches it, smiling weakly.
'Can someone find him?' Reyna asks, 'he might be able to tell us something. We need all the help we can get.'
'Reyna.' I say, only just realising she must have called the Amazons, 'did you find Thalia?'
'I did.' She says, but her voice is solemn. 'Thalia is in a coma. Nothing can wake her. She's only alive still because Artemis is blessing her. They have no idea how long it'll keep her alive.'
'Where are they?' Percy asks, the fear evident in his voice.
'South America. They're travelling up here. I said they could take refuge here as long as they required. They should be here by tomorrow evening.' Reyna explains, 'but now I need someone to find that boy.'
'Come on, Nico.' Will says, helping me stand. I trip over almost instantly, still lightheaded, so he picks me up and carries me without question.
We all head toward the main building, needing some privacy, as we set up shop there and try to gather everyone we need.