When Nico thought of shadow-traveling into The Lyric Hall, he hadn't meant to drop directly onto the stage. Thankfully, the concert hadn't started yet, but he startled the workers enough that they immediately called security.

"I'm telling you, I'm not trying to sneak into the show! I need to meet Naomi Solace's son, Will Solace! It's urgent!" he explained, exasperated, as two guards dragged him toward the exit. "I know him from camp. He's around thirteen, tan skin, curly blond hair, smiles too much for his own good—"

"Kid, you're disrupting the event," one of the guards grumbled, tightening his grip. "Just zip it, or I'll call the cops."

Nico gritted his teeth, hating how mortals always underestimated him, treating him like a child caught sneaking cookies. He could've shadow-traveled out of this mess in seconds if it wouldn't have looked suspicious. Even with the Mist, a kid vanishing into thin air might raise questions.

"He'll want to hear about this! Take me to him!" Nico protested, trying and failing to free himself.

"Where are your parents?" the guard demanded, unimpressed. "I want to talk to them."

"My parents are dead!" Nico snapped, his voice harsher than he intended.

The guard faltered for half a second before recovering with a smug sneer. "Ah, a runaway. One more word and I'm calling the police."

Nico's patience was fraying fast. He was one breath away from summoning a pair of skeletons to scare the mortal senseless when a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Guards, let him go!"

Will Solace stood nearby, surrounded by a group of people, his easy smile replaced with alarm as his gaze landed on Nico. He quickly excused himself, jogging over.

"He's a friend of mine," Will explained to the guards, his calm voice enough to make them loosen their grip. "You can go back to your posts. I'll handle this." Without waiting for a reply, he grabbed Nico by the arm and dragged him toward a quieter corner.

Nico shot the guards one last glare as they walked away, ignoring their suspicious looks. Instead, he focused on Will, who was already scanning him like a concerned medic.

"Are you all right?" Will asked, holding out his hand. Before Nico could brush him off, a soft glow spread from Will's fingertips, passing over Nico like a hospital scanner.

"What have you been up to?" Will exclaimed, his tone sharper now. 

Nico pulled his hand back, scowling. "I'm fine! It's Percy who needs help. He was attacked by a Colchis bull. You need to come with me—now."

Will sighed, already digging into his backpack. "Percy can't stay out of trouble, can he? Wait here—I'll grab my supplies."

Nico followed Will into a backstage room without hesitation, his eyes immediately landing on a strikingly familiar woman. She had the same golden curls as Will and the same air of warmth, though her expression hardened slightly when she saw Nico.

"You must be Nico di Angelo," Naomi Solace said, her tone polite but guarded. "My son talks about you often."

Nico felt himself shrink under her gaze. "Uh, yeah. Emergency demigod business," he mumbled.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "Figures. It always is with you kids."

Will returned with his supplies, oblivious to the tension. "I hardly see you these days," his mother said, brushing a curl out of his face. "Does it always have to be emergencies?"

"I'll be here for tomorrow's show," Will promised, hugging her quickly.

"You better be," she grumbled, kissing his forehead.

Nico glanced away, uncomfortable. Affection like that always felt foreign to him. He'd squirmed when his mother hugged him or when Bianca kissed his cheek. What he wouldn't give to have them back now. Blinking hard, he pushed the thought aside.

"Where is Percy?" Will asked as they left the room.

Nico's mind wandered as they walked. When they'd first met, he'd been taller than Will, despite being younger. They'd bonded over Mythomagic, sharing strategies and jokes during Nico's brief time at camp.

After Bianca's death, though, Nico had avoided camp—and Will. In the year since, Will had grown taller, stronger, and more confident. Nico, meanwhile, had grown pale, thin, and withdrawn, consumed by his powers over the dead. They were complete opposites now.

"Shadow travel," Nico said abruptly, shaking off the memories. "It's rough for a first-timer, so brace yourself."

Will's eyes widened slightly, but he nodded. After making sure they were alone, Nico grabbed his hand and melted into the shadows, transporting them to Percy's place.

*****

Nico and Will appeared directly outside Percy's room, startling Thalia. The sudden impact made Will stumble, grabbing his arm for balance, his face pale.

"That," he said, swallowing hard, "was awful."

Nico's lips twitched. "You get used to it," he promised.

Thalia glanced back at them, her expression grave. "He's inside," she whispered, her tone urgent, reminding them of the seriousness of the situation.

Inside, Ms. Jackson sat by Percy's bedside, holding his hand and crying softly. Paul sat beside her, trying to be strong, his arm draped around her shoulders.

At the study table, Annabeth was furiously working on Daedalus's laptop. She looked up sharply as they entered, her storm-gray eyes narrowing. "What took you so long?" she demanded.

Nico checked the clock—it had barely been ten minutes since he left—but he let it go. He knew Annabeth was holding on by a thread.

"I came as fast as I could," he said calmly. "Will's here now."

Annabeth's gaze shifted to Will, her expression softening slightly. "Thank the gods," she muttered, standing to make room.

Percy lay on the bed, his chest rising and falling in slow, uneven breaths. The wound on his side was a deep, angry black-purple, with jagged streaks snaking across his torso.

Will leaned closer, examining Percy's irises and tongue. "What's wrong with his skin? Why is he tinged blue?" he asked, confusion clear in his voice.

"I put him in a death trance to slow the poison," Nico explained. "I'll lift it now." He snapped his fingers.

The change was immediate—and alarming. Percy's skin flushed back to its natural color, but his breathing turned ragged, each inhale scraping painfully against his ribs.

Will didn't waste a moment. He dropped to his knees beside Percy, already pulling supplies from his bag. "What happened?" he asked, his voice steady but firm as he inspected the wound.

Annabeth took a deep breath, speaking rapidly. "A Colchian bull struck him in an ambush. He used a lot of power to beat it but collapsed afterward. Earlier, during a quest to the Underworld, he was cut by a poisoned scythe. We gave him ambrosia and nectar to slow the poison, but it wasn't enough. Later, a titan—whose memory we erased in the Lethe—healed him. But he still seemed drained. It's all just... piling up." She twisted her hands nervously in her lap, her words spilling out in a single breath.

Will's glowing hands hovered over the wound, his expression darkening. "No wonder the ambrosia didn't work. This is divine-level venom. The wound isn't just physical—it's attacking his very essence as a demigod. If he were an immortal, he would've disintegrated instantly. The only reason he's alive is that he's half-human."

"Can you heal him?" Ms. Jackson asked, her voice trembling.

Will didn't look up. "If my father were here... or even Chiron, I could heal him completely. But we don't have that luxury. I'll do what I can," he promised quietly.

Golden light began to spread from his hands over Percy's body. The room fell silent except for Percy's labored breaths and the faint hum of Will's energy.

Nico leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching as Will's brow furrowed with concentration. The glow from his hands intensified, bathing the room in a warm, otherworldly light.

Minutes dragged by. Sweat dotted Will's forehead, his breathing growing heavier with each passing moment. His hands trembled, but he didn't stop.

The wound began to close, the blackened flesh fading to pink, but the jagged streaks of poison remained visible. Percy's breathing, though slightly steadier, was still strained. The light around Will's hands flickered.

"Will, stop," Nico said, stepping forward. "You're going to—"

"I've got this," Will rasped, his voice hoarse but resolute. His face was pale, almost gray, but he poured more energy into Percy, the golden light flaring brighter. "I can't stop until he's stable."

Annabeth started to reach out, but Nico stopped her with a look. Will was just as stubborn as Percy. No one could stop him once he set his mind to something.

Finally, with one last burst of light, the wound sealed completely. Percy's breathing evened out.

Will let out a shaky breath. "He's stable now. I can't do much about the poison's aftereffects or his other injuries. He won't be able to use his powers for a while." He slumped back, catching himself on the edge of the bed before he could fall. His face was chalk white.

"Will?" Nico stepped forward, alarmed.

"I'm fine," Will waved him off weakly, his voice barely audible. "Just... give me a second." He reached for his water bottle, draining it in one gulp. "I need to rest. Can I stay here tonight?" he asked the couple.

Ms. Jackson nodded immediately. "Of course. You just saved his life," she whispered.

"You can take the couch," Paul added, standing to make space.

Sally cried softly into Paul's shoulder, her relief palpable. "My baby's safe. He's going to be alright," she murmured as Paul held her gently.

Will didn't make it to the couch. His body went limp, and he collapsed forward. Nico darted forward, catching him before he hit the floor.

"Will?!" Nico shook him, his heart pounding.

Will's eyes fluttered open briefly. "I'm fine. Just... wake me if Percy's condition changes," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Annabeth and Nico exchanged a glance, an unspoken understanding passing between them. "You've done enough. Rest," Nico said, lowering him gently to the floor.

Will didn't respond. His head lolled to the side as his eyes shut, his breathing shallow but steady.

Annabeth knelt beside him, checking his pulse. "He's out cold but stable," she said, glancing up at Nico.

Nico gritted his teeth, worry bubbling within him. Together, they shifted Will onto the couch and pulled a blanket over him.

Annabeth sat back on her heels, exhaustion clear on her face."He saved Percy," she whispered, almost in disbelief.

Nico glanced at Percy, whose color was slowly returning. "Yeah," he said with a faint smile. "He did."

*****

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