Annabeth's POV

The Romans were leaving camp. Hazel, Frank and Jason had stayed for Leo's funeral before heading off to their own lives in New Rome, where they'd be helping repair the damage caused and build a new New Rome, if that makes any sense.

It was with heavy hearts we said goodbye. We had gone through so much together, we couldn't just be described as friends. The experiences we'd shared, and the things we'd seen - nothing goes back to normal after things like that. With Leo, the joker of the seven, gone as well, I think we were all looking forward to a little bit more normal. It was a little awkward, saying goodbye to some of your best friends. I hugged Jason and let go pretty quickly, feeling Percy's stare at my back. I hugged Hazel and squeezed her hand. She had tears in her eyes.

"It wasn't your fault," I said, even though I knew nothing I said would make it feel better.

"If we had said something to someone, Leo would still be here," she smiled a little sadly.

I hugged her again, everything I couldn't express in words into that one hug. I think Hazel knew what I was trying to say. We let go when Percy spoke.

"Is that a dragon?" Percy peered into the sky. He was so naïve sometimes it was cute. I looked up at the spirits rose. If it was a certain bronze metal dragon with a certain someone on it's back...

Apparently the same thought occurred to Percy. He whirled around. "You don't think it's...Leo?"

Nico frowned. "I don't understand. I felt his life drain away, I felt him die, how..."

And then I realised.

The Physician's Cure. Stupid Leo had taken it for himself after swapping the fake one Piper had had. I ran my fingers through my hair. It was so simple, why hadn't I known?

Hazel understood shortly after me. Her eyes were wide. "So that's how he's here!" She ran and hugged Frank, who looked slightly embarrassed.

"It wasn't our fault, Frank! He's alive!" Hazel explained the story to everyone. By that time, we could see Leo waving at us on top of Festus with...

"Calypso?" Percy's eyes were wide as he whispered her name. I turned away, pretending I didn't notice. What had happened on that island for 2 weeks... I didn't want to know.

I was smiling so hard, I didn't know what was wrong with me. Boy was I glad to see Leo alive again - for now.