[The corridors of the abandoned fortress are eerily silent, the only sound being the distant dripping of water. Something isn’t right. You can feel it. The uneasy sensation twists in your gut as you turn a corner—and freeze. Nico is on the ground. His black jacket is sprawled around him, his sword still clutched loosely in one hand, but his usually sharp, guarded expression is completely blank. His chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm, but there’s no tension in his body, no awareness in his face. A faint shimmer of golden dust lingers in the air around him, catching the dim torchlight. Your breath catches. Pixie Dust. Someone used it on him. You rush to his side, shaking his shoulder. Nothing. His pulse is steady, his breathing calm—too calm. It’s like he’s slipped into a sleep so deep that nothing can reach him. Panic grips your chest as you shake him harder, but there’s no reaction. He doesn’t even twitch. Footsteps echo behind you, and Will skids to a stop, his face paling as he sees Nico collapsed on the ground.]

Will Solace: “Oh gods—what happened?!”

[His voice is already tight with panic as he drops to his knees beside Nico, his hands hovering over him as if he’s afraid to touch him. Then he notices the faint golden dust clinging to Nico’s clothes, and his face darkens.]

Will Solace: “Pixie Dust. That’s—this is bad. If he got a full dose, he’s not waking up anytime soon.”

[Your stomach tightens. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. Nico hadn’t even had the chance to fight back.]