Author's notes: I'm having trouble with school and my eyes.

Chapter X

Nico opened his eyes when he heard the door close. Hazel was kneeling by his side, his hand held tightly in hers. She felt warm and solid, like an anchor keeping him from going away.

A hand brushes across his forehead and Nico focused back into the present. He looked up and saw Calypso looking down at him with pursed lips. Behind her-

"Solace." Nico croaked in surprise. He looked around and to his confusion, Percy and the others were also there, looking at him in concern, "Wha-?"

"You idiot." Will snapped and the dark-haired teen flinched back in surprise. Calypso stepped back as Will stepped forward, blue eyes narrowed, "What were you thinking? No, don't answer that," He said, not even giving Nico a chance to open his mouth. "Jason and the others already told me everything that's happened and why you did what you did."

Nico turned to look at the others and they seemed equally shocked by the blond's sharp tone.

"You went against everything I told you, you used your powers, you shadow-traveled, you got hurt and now… now, I-" Will stopped and swallowed thickly, "I can't do anything."

Everyone was looking at Will now. Annabeth gave him a sympathetic look, "Will…" The blond looked up to her and she shook her head. At her look, Will's shoulders slumped and he moved back, looking defeated.

Nico looked surprised at the exchange, then slowly his eyes drifted at everyone's faces. No one seemed to be able to meet his eyes and Hazel's hands were trembling. His shoulder was burning and he felt strangely detached, like he had no energy left in his body.

"Am I dying?"

The words turned everyone's attention to him.

"No!" Hazel said, eyes teary. "You'll be okay- you won't- I won't let you-"

But then Frank placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her words. Hazel breathed in shakily and shook her head. Nico turned tiredly towards Annabeth, the only one he can trust to bluntly tell him what was happening.

Annabeth frowned, as though she knew why Nico was looking to her for answers. She crossed her arms trying to delay the truth but eventually obliged. She didn't like being the bearer of bad news.

"You're not dying." She said clearly, but it did nothing to dispel the unease Nico felt. He knew there was something more to it. Sure enough, she continued, "What's happening to you is much worse."

Nico closed his eyes, brow furrowed, "Pasiphae's curse…"

"…Is destroying your very existence." To everyone's surprise, it was Calpyso who spoke. She felt she had failed the son of Hades by not protecting him and stopping Pasiphae's curse. It's her responsibility to tell him everything, especially since out of the all of them, she was the one who understood most of what was happening. "Her curse has latched on to your powers and it is… consuming you." She inhaled deeply and steeled herself, "As you've noticed and as Will Solace has told us, when you overuse your powers your shadows leech on to your physical substance, breaking it down and transforming you into a ghost-like state. Pasiphae's cure has amplified the effects of your shadows and instead of merely deteriorating your physical body's form, it has extended itself to your very existence."

Grim silence followed her words. Nico had nothing to say.

"The process of your disintegration started the moment Pasiphae's blade touched you." Calypso admitted, her eyes downturned. "What we did to expel the darkness in you…" She thought back to the herbs she'd applied to Nico's body and the darkness that came out of him, "…merely delayed the curse's course."

Then Calypso admitted their greatest fear, "We do not know how to stop it."

Nico's breath hitched and Hazel's hold on his hand tightened. His voice came out hoarse, "When you say existence…"

"Everyone outside of this cabin don't even know who you are." Piper spoke up and then she turned away shamefully, "Even I forgot, for a short time."

"So did Leo and I." Frank admitted, face sad and worn. "It's only thanks to Calypso that we remembered."

Calypso shook her head, "Don't thank me yet. My powers are limited, now, you only continue to remember because we are here and you can see Nico for yourselves. It's difficult to deny the existence of someone who is right in front of your eyes. As long as you three remain here from now on, we can delay the effects of the curse on you."

"You mean delay the inevitable," Nico said tiredly.

Hazel gasped and gave him a sharp look, "Don't say that!"

"Nico," Jason said sternly, "We'll save you."

"Children of Hades rarely end up happy," Nico said in a tone that suggested he was merely repeating something he'd heard a long time ago, "And if there really is someone who'd be an exception to that, it's definitely not going to be me." He gave Hazel a soft, tired look.

Percy frowned at those words, "We're not giving up, Nico."

"Yeah," Leo echoed, "Believe in us. If we can save the world from evil, sleeping, dirt-face goddesses, then we can save you."

Nico looked at his friends' determined faces, feeling warmth in his chest. A year ago, he wouldn't have imagined ever having this, people fighting for him. His gaze drew away from the others and found Will. He was the only one who'd been able to look at him throughout the whole thing. The head medic's face was exhausted but determination burned in his eyes.

"So," Nico turned back to his friends. "Why are you guys the only one who remember me?"

"Calypso's theory is that, the more impact you have on a person's life, the harder it is to erase you from their memories." Annabeth said, "Calypso is a sorceress though, so the curse's effect on her is slower than the rest of us."

"Reyna remembers you." Hazel said and Nico turned to her, "She's back at the Roman camp, doing everything she can to find a way to help."

Nico felt an indescribable warmth in his chest at the mention of the female praetor's determination to help even though she didn't know what was happening. He looked at everyone, never expecting to have made such impact on so many lives. His eyes stopped at Will, curiosity and surprise coloring his face. Hazel was also looking between them, face thoughtful.

Noticing everyone's attention shifting, Piper cleared he throat, "Anyway, it's best if we get back to work, right?" She said, "We don't have much time."

Ananbeth nodded, "Frank, Piper, and Leo, stay here. I think I have to go the Big House and see if they have anymore books. Percy, I think you need to call Rachel. Ask her if she sees anything useful."

Percy nodded gravely.

"I'll IM Reyna and see if she's found anything." Jason said, heading out.

Calypso turned to those left behind, "Let's continue looking through these books. Will?" She turned to the blond, "Are you okay to try and keep healing?"

Will looked a bit pale but nodded nonetheless, to Nico's surprise, the blond sat on his bedside. Hazel slid down to the floor to help with the research. Nico looked up at Will's tired, blue eyes. His eyes traced the dark bags under them.

"Don't push yourself too hard." Nico whispered sternly, he closed his mouth when Will cupped his face.

Sharp blue eyes looked down at Nico's dark ones. Will traced his thumb against Nico's cheek, he blushed at the tender motion. "Shut up." Will said before pulling away and taking Nico's hand into his. His blue eyes flashed golden and Nico's eyes widened, heart skipping a beat.

Piper smiled behind the book she was reading, exchanging knowing looks with Calypso.

Nico closed his eyes and allowed himself to be lulled into a restful sleep by Will's warmth.

"Reyna?" Jason asked, the connection wavering for a moment when the female praetor rubbed her head, "Is everything okay?"

Reyna pursed her lips, expression conflicted. She didn't answer his question and said instead, "Anyway, I've sent everything I could find over. I'd come myself, but with Frank there, I can't leave New Rome without a praetor."

"We understand," Jason nodded, "Thank you."

Reyna shook her head, "It's all I can do." Her face falls, "I'm sorry."

Jason blinked, "Why are you apologizing?"

"Jason Grace, the next time you contact me I won't be able to help." Reyna said with her teeth gritted. Jason's eyes widened, "I-I can't believe I'm being beaten by some third-rate sorceress' curse."

"Reyna…"

The female praetor inhaled deeply, "Do all you can to help him, I'm afraid I can't be of much help anymore."

"You did more than enough, Reyna." Jason said firmly. "Thank you."

Reyna gave him a sad smile. "I hope so." She placed her hands together, closing her eyes as though in prayer. "One more thing, can you tell Nico something for me?"

"Anything."

Reyna's eyes pierced him, "Tell him he better not disappear." Then her face softened into regret, "And I'm sorry."

Jason nodded, face worried, as Reyna cut off the Iris Message.

"Nothing."

"What do you mean by nothing?" Percy asked tiredly.

"I'm sorry Percy but I can't 'See' because of Apollo's punishment, you know that." Rachel said, apologetically. "Right now, I'm just a normal mortal girl who can see through the mist. There isn't much I can try to see when it comes to the future, not while Lord Apollo is out of commission."

Percy's shoulders slumped, "I don't know what do, Rachel. Nico's helped us so much and when everything was finally going to be okay-" He ran a hand through his hair, "I promised Bianca I'd protect him."

Rachel gave him a sad look. "You demigods really don't have it easy." She said, "I'm sorry but you must have already known when you contacted me, that I wouldn't know, or remember, who this Nico person is. And even with my Sight, it would have been difficult, nearly impossible, to see his future."

"But I had to at least try." The son of Poseidon insisted, "Usually there's a magic cure or- or a hint or something."

Rachel gave Percy a sympathetic look, "I'm afraid this time, you guys are on your own."

Percy closed his eyes in defeat.*

Calypso could see the hopelessness in everyone's faces when they came back. Jason's face was grave as he brought in books the female praetor of New Rome had sent. Ananbeth's face was set in an almost permanent frown, forehead scrunched as she brought in only two books from the Big House she deemed to be somewhat helpful. Percy's shoulders were slumped and no one needed to ask him to know that his consultation with the Seer was a dead end.

Still, everyone made the effort to be upbeat, tirelessly reading and rereading cramped notes on spells and skimming ancient tomes. Jason, Frank and Hazel tackled the Roman books Reyna sent and Annabeth and the others took the rest.

Will Solace helped by trying to flush the excess darkness in Nico's soul and by mixing herbs and giving general opinions and advices on the tonics Calypso was making. His face was pale, the bags under his eyes more pronounced, he looked barely able to function but he persevered.

Percy and Annabeth brought in food and change of clothes for everyone. Leo, Piper, and Frank couldn't afford to leave or they'd forget too. Everyone decided to stay in Hades' cabin for the unforeseeable future. Thankfully, the night harpies that usually attacked those not in their respective cabins were indisposed, because of some prank. Chiron had reminded the counselors, before he left, that they were to keep strict lookout for any misbehaving demigods.

All of the Greeks currently staying in the Hades cabin were head counselors, but they managed to assign their responsibilities to their second-in-commands and made their excuses.

Night had fallen again, Piper was leaning against Jason and fast asleep while the blond Roman rubbed his eyes, trying to read through the book in his lap. Annabeth and Percy were curled up against each other, Calypso couldn't tell if they were asleep or talking quietly. Leo was making some complicated version of the London Bridge with the things he got from his tool belt. Concentrating on books was hard for him.

Frank was asleep on the floor by the door, Hazel was leaning against the wall, her knees hugged to her chest and watching Nico as though she was afraid he would disappear if she looked away. She was tired too, her eyes often falling closed before she would shake herself awake.

Nico was still asleep and Will Solace, beside him, looked terrible. The healing was taking its toll, on him and everyone had tried to stop him but the son of Apollo was stubborn to a fault.

"It's the only sure way to delay the effects." Will said, the shine he usually carried around as a son of Apollo had dimmed. Even his eyes looked dull but his expression was determined.

Right now he was looking down sightlessly at his hands holding Nico's. They were barely glowing. Calypso approached worriedly and carefully placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Will?"

The blond didn't respond and the young goddess grew worried as she shook his shoulder gently, "Will?"

Calypso's widened when Will slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor, unmoving. Everyone jumped when she let out a shout.

"Will!"

"How is he?" Piper asked when Jason and Percy came back from the infirmary.

"He fainted from exhaustion," Jason sighed, "The Apollo cabin isn't happy and spent a few minutes interrogating us."

"What? Soul healing?" Kayla repeated, eyes wide. "What's that?"

Austin was looking through the few Greek books in the infirmary and frowned when he found the page related to soul healing. His eyes scanned the page and he looked at Percy and Jason, disapproval in his eyes. "According to this, sold healing is very dangerous especially when done by a first-timer. What in Hades were you guys doing that Will had to use it?"

"We tried to tell them about Nico," Percy contributed, "But they kept forgetting and well, eventually we got away and came back here."

"What are we going to do?" Hazel asked, wide eyes worried. She was wringing her hands her hands in distress. Frank placed an arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Without Will, we can't delay the curse."

Annabeth pursed her lips, "We just have to be quicker with finding a cure. Piper," She turned to the daughter of Aphrodite. "We'll have to make back-up plan, just in case. Can you use your charmspeak to will Nico solid? Or if it doesn't work, at least use it to compel us not to forget him?"

Piper nodded and first headed to the unconscious son of Hades.

Everyone watched her do this, wishing it would work. For now, this was all they could do.

Nico opened his eyes and found himself looking up at the sky. He was dreaming again.

"Oh, Nico, hello there. I have a feeling it's been awhile since I last saw you." Said a familiar sleepy vice. The son of Hades sat up and turned, startled.

"Clovis!"

The son of Hypnos smiled sleepily at him but then he frowned, "Hm, there's something about you, a darkness that's followed you into your dreams. And not the usual darkness you usually carried around too."

Nico looked at him wide-eyed, "I- you remember me?"

Clovis blinked, "Yes, but I'm guessing I'm not supposed to?"

Nico snorted and laid back down, "No, unless I had a huge impact on your life or something."

The blond tilted his head and waved his hand. Nico blinked when he found himself in the Hypnos Cabin. The fire was warm and he was on one of their soft beds. Clovis sat on his favorite squashy armchair, turned in the direction of the son of Hades.

"There seems to be a story you should be telling me." He said quietly and his voice seem to lull Nico into a sense of peace and quietness. In this place, in this dream world where Clovis remembered him, he seemed to be untouched by the curse.

And so, he told his story.

"Dreams are filled with limitless possibilities, it is here where reality cannot touch you. It is a realm even the gods cannot harm you in. They can come here and talk to you but they can't harm you here. This is probably why I can remember you, because this is not reality, the curse can't touch you here, you can exist here." Clovis said.

"So even if I fade out there, I can still be here? I can exist here where everyone remembers me?" Nico asked, eyes trained on the ceiling.

"Dreams are limitless," Clovis said quietly, "And you shouldn't give up," He yawned, "Don't you believe in Percy and the others?"

Nico smiled, "Yeah, if anyone can beat the curse it would be the legendary seven."

"And Will Solace." Clovis added and Nico snapped a look towards him. The son of Hypnos smiled sleepily, "Come on Nico, after everything you have to admit there's something there."

The son of Hades flushed, "Shut up."

Clovis closed his eyes, "Right now, Will Solace is in this place of dreams. Do you want to go visit him, for old time's sake?"

Nico narrowed his eyes at the other, trying to see if the son of Hypnos was doing this to tease him but the other merely smiled. The son of Hades sat up and huffed, "Is this your way of getting rid of me?"

"No, of course not. You're welcome to stay you know, if you want." Clovis said and Nico crossed his arms.

"I don't want to bother you, er- what do you exactly do here?" Nico asked, "Aside from sleep, which doesn't make sense since you're already actually sleeping?"

"Hm, I guess, with our Oracle out of commission, I'm the one who's on the lookout for trouble." Clovis explained, "As you know, demigod dreams are powerful things. It was through me that Annabeth was able to communicate with Percy when he was sent to the Roman Camp and it is because of dreams that we've managed to see what our enemies are planning with them not noticing us."

"You're right," Nico nodded. Clovis smiled.

"So? Do you want to join me in sleeping here or do you want to be guided to Will Solace's dreams?"

Nico grumbled, "I've had enough of sleeping." He said, "Fine, take me to where Solace is."

With a wave of his hand, the surroundings around Nico changed and Clovis vanished from view.

Will was seated on one of the infirmary beds. The infirmary was dark and it was late, the only source of light was the moonlight from the windows.

Nico approached the blond quietly and when he stood next to him, he spoke, "Will? Is everything okay?"

The blond turned to him, eyes wide, "Nico, you're here."

The son of Hades blinked and sat beside him, "Uh, yeah." Will continued to look at him with wide eyes and the dark-haired teen blushed at the attention and looked away, "What?"

"You're supposed to be back at Hades' cabin." Will said quietly, "I'm supposed- I'm supposed to be healing you."

Nico turned back to Will, his eyebrows were furrowed, "You remember that?"

Will nodded, "If you're here and you're okay, then either we found you a cure or… this must be a dream…"

Nico nodded, "Seems like I can only move freely when I'm dreaming."

Will's face became sad, "I wasn't able to help you much."

Nico snorted, "You helped more than anyone." There was silence and Nico nearly jumped when he felt Will lean against him and bury his face against his shoulder. He blushed when he looked down and his face was met with shaggy blond hair.

"I'm sorry."

Nico's expression softened and unable to resist, he ran a hand through Will's hair. (Hey, this was a dream, he could do what he wanted.) "For what?"

"For only being able to help you this much." Will mumbled, "If I had known about soul healing magic sooner I could have-"

Nico pulled at his hair in annoyance, making Will wince. "Not your fault." He said and Will looked up at him, blue eyes tired. "I think I preferred it when you were angry at me rather than you moping around like a sad sack."

Will was quiet at that and Nico tugged at his hair again, "Will?"

"A woman was here earlier," Will said, "I don't remember who she was, our conversation was like a bad t.v. connection but I remember some things she told me."

"What was it?"

Will turned to him with somber blue eyes, "She said, that the next time I woke up, I won't remember you."

Nico inhaled sharply. Will took Nico's hands in his own, blue eyes downcast.

"I've failed."

Nico gripped his hands tightly, "Will…"

"I know I'm not hero material, that compared to Percy and the rest of the seven I'm just a healer but…" Will swallowed, "I wanted to save you, this time."

Nico blinked in surprise.

"You're always putting yourself in danger and doing stupid things, getting yourself hurt-" Will berated, "And even when you weren't sure if people would acknowledge you, you bravely fought. You've saved this camp and everyone, always on your own."

Will pressed his forehead against Nico's, "I don't want to forget you." He said, "I don't want to wake up and not remember you, Nico."

"Will," Nico carefully pulled back his hands and cupped the blond's face. Will blinked and met Nico's dark eyes. "Thank you." He said before he leaned in and gave the son of Apollo a soft kiss.

Will made a soft sound of surprise, one hand raising up to hold Nico's. Blue eyes fell close, when Nico held him closer, dropping his hands to the blond's shoulder.

Eventually, the two parted and Will wrapped his arms around Nico, holding him and burying his face in the other's shoulder again.

"I don't want to forget you." Will whispered quietly. Nico closed his eyes and merely returned the hug.

He had nothing to say when it came to the inevitable.

Will woke up to the sun shining on his face, rousing him from a strangely bittersweet dream. He heard a noise of relief from his right when his eyes opened and some persistent prods and pokes, trying to see if he was okay.

There were questions directed at him but he couldn't find it in him to answer, too tired to say anything and to understand. He merely closed his eyes and drifted back off to sleep.

The next time he woke up, it was evening and someone was sitting at the corner of his bed.

"Will," There was a sigh of relief and the blond turned and met Annabeth's gray eyes. "Thank the gods you're awake, how're you feeling?"

"Sore," Will managed to rasp out and Annabeth immediately stood up and gave him a cup of water. He took it and drank it all gratefully. "What happened?"

Ananbeth shot him a sharp look, "You collapsed, you took your healing too far."

Will rubbed his forehead, "Sorry." He frowned, "Sounds like something I would do."

Annabeth continued to look at him with a frown on her face. He cleared his throat.

"So, uhm, I think everything's a little blurry, possibly because of exhaustion and uh- lack of sleep… But, who was I healing before I collapsed?"

Gray eyes widened and Ananbeth's expression became guarded, "Will… you know Nico di Angelo, right?"

At the name, Will's chest ached and he rubbed at the front of his shirt frowning. Will answered the last thing Annabeth wanted to hear, "I'm sorry, who?"

The daughter of Athena closed her eyes in defeat, "He's-" She shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration. "It's nothing." That's what she said, but from the expression on her face, it was far from nothing.

Will frowned and rubbed at his chest even harder, why did he have a feeling like he'd forgotten something very important?

To be continued

Author's notes: *I know in this scene Rachel might seem unsympathetic but the curse has a funny way of working on everyone who knows Nico. When you don't exist, people forget you're there, and generally there is a sort of none caring attitude. What is happening in that scene is basically Rachel trying to help a person she generally does not know exists, like how a stranger would comfort a mourning stranger. A detached feeling or something like that.

And also there was part of the spell that said 'and none shall care'

So, yep, here is the next chapter. Hurrah, sorry I've been having trouble with school and my eyes lately. I found a white something in my left iris and my sister scared me and told me it was a sign of early blindness and that I had to stop using my phone and laptop for awhile. I told my dad but he doesn't have money to have my eyes checked up so, I had to stop with my gadgets and everything.

And the clue on why Will Solace managed to remember Nico for so long is because of that woman who visited Will in his dreams. Guess who she is? Hehehe, okay until next time!