The boat felt empty without Annabeth and Percy. No one really spoke of anything other than the war and battle strategies. Leo was usually working on the ship whenever he could. Hazel and Frank-well, no one really knew what they were doing, but Coach Hedge was extra-protective of them even though everyone knew Frank wouldn't dare make a move on her. Nico rarely spoke or did much of anything except stay locked in his room. No one was sure what mysterious thing he was working on, but no one blamed him for staying away; the kid had been through hell. Piper acted strangely and was very distant from everyone, especially Jason. She'd most likely seen another creepy vision on her blade Katoptris. And what did Jason do? Jason kept everything running smoothly. It was exhausting, boring work-the monsters were not even fun to battle anymore-but it had to be done.

He wished Percy were there to lighten his load, but Jason was a son of Jupiter and children of Jupiter were supposed to be strong and take whatever they received head-on. Hercules was an exception to Jason's rule. He was strong, but he was bitter and revengeful.

Secretly, though, in the back of his mind, he was glad Percy wasn't there. He didn't want the guy to die or anything, but Jason felt he had to redeem himself, to show he could be an only leader if he had to. He wasn't proud of this thought. Everyone knew Jason was a strong guy and a great demigod, but he couldn't help thinking this. Sometimes he wondered if his thirst for redemption was not o show others, but to show himself he was still capable of doing things on his own. But hadn't he learned he and Percy made a great team? Of course he had! But what good did it make if Percy was gone? Jason wouldn't and didn't have to depend on others. Usually, others were undependable, absent, or dead.

One day, as the Argo II flew over a rare, still, dark-blue ocean, Jason and Piper looked at the sky in thought. Piper often glanced at Jason worriedly when she thought he wasn't looking. Jason knew Katoptris had probably shown something really bad. Jason looked up again at the misty grey clouds. He wondered if his father was up there in the heavens. Was he proud? Jason decided he didn't care.

"What is it, Pipes?" he asked calmly.

"Nothing" she muttered uneasily as she bit her manicured fingernails.

"You should just tell me, okay? I know you saw a vision. It would be good if I knew ahead of time. I've got nothing to lose." But that was a lie. He had everything to lose. He had the world to lose. He wanted to say: We're probably going to die, so we might as well slim down the chances.

Piper suddenly hugged Jason so tightly he thought he'd burst. A hug: a symbol of farewell. He laughed, not a joyous-type laugh, but a short chuckle.

"Why are you laughing?" Piper asked seriously.

"You're saying goodbye. You, all of us, we already know we're going to die."

"That's funny?"

"Yes. I mean, no. I don't know why I'm laughing. I guess I just haven't laughed in a long time." Piper then embraced Jason again and he held on to her tightly. He knew he would lose her too.

Why was Jason laughing? He didn't know. What he had said was only a half-truth. He'd like to say he was laughing in the face of death, but that was a total lie. Jason was terrified. He guessed his life had just become depressingly hilarious as that of most demigods. Maybe he just needed to keep up a good mood.

As they embraced, Jason asked again:

"What'd Katoptris show you?"

"I can't tell you."

"Piper this is serious."

"I know, but I just…It showed you and me in the future in about seven years…"

"And…?"

"Sometimes the image flickers and you're gone. And sometimes I'm next to a grave. It reads Here lies our Saving Grace…"