a brief but intense infatuation for someone, especially someone unattainable or inappropriate.

Bianca.

Bianca.

Dead.

Percy failed.

Percy failed.

Percy failed.

How could his sister be dead? How could someone as powerful as Percy fail in protecting her? How? Nico didn't understand.

But he knew. He had horrible dreams of her death. But he convinced himself. They were only nightmares. The others told him that demigods get bizarre dreams. It was just his imagination. But Bianca was dead. His older sister was dead. His only living family member was dead!

And Percy failed. That sweet, caring hero whom he had so much faith in failed. The son of the sea god, with his amazing powers, with his bright smile and with his calming aura. He failed him. And Nico couldn't believe it. To make everything worse, he was the one to deliver the news.

And his sweet Bianca. Why did she have to go and sacrifice herself? She knew what she was doing, she knew that she'd be leaving him alone. The person he loved the most, the one who had looked out for him since birth was gone. Simply gone.

Nico was alone. He was abandoned. It was just them against the world, the sibling duo, that was enough. But now, he'd never see her again. Bianca, why did you have to leave?

Nico couldn't say anything. His face remained still. He stared at his palm, the Hades figurine staring right back at him.

"You promised you would protect her,"

Percy spoke, but Nico didn't want to listen. He could feel it. He didn't know why, but he could feel her soul in the Underworld. The tears were building up in his eyes, Nico had to leave, he wouldn't allow himself to cry in front of him.

Skeleton warriors had appeared. How Nico didn't see them before, he didn't know. But they were coming toward him. Nico didn't care, his sister was dead.

Percy yelled at him to get help. He stood there defiantly, watching as Percy continuously fought them. He fought, charged, and stabbed but the skeletons would form right back.

They were slowly gaining on him, and all Nico did was stare.

No.

He didn't know how he did it. But the desire to protect Percy was stronger than anything he's felt before. They wouldn't touch a single hair on Percy's body. He wouldn't lose anyone else. No.

The ground opened beneath, the skeletons long gone. He didn't think twice, running away as fast as he could, leaving Percy to stare in awe.

Nico ran as fast as his legs would take him. His breaths were ragged, his legs aching, his head spinning. He grabbed a tree to steady himself.

Why had he saved Percy? Why didn't the ground swallow him up too? Percy had failed him. He let his sister die!

He felt tears run down both sides of his face.

No.

No.

No.

Nico clutched his chest. He knew.