I.
Percy is afraid. Kronos stands before him, wearing Luke's face, smiling. They are in the throne room of Olympus, and Percy knows that this is the moment the prophecy foretells. He could either save Olympus...or destroy it.
But he is more afraid for his friends. He knows they are fighting Kronos's army even now, and Annabeth is in the throne room with him, in danger.
Suddenly Kronos lunges, and Percy raises his sword just in time to block Backbiter. Percy knows that it is futile to fight; without knowing each other's weakness, neither can gain any ground.
And Kronos knew too. Kronos's face broke into an ugly smile as he lunged past Percy. Too late did Percy realize what the titan's plan was.
Annabeth's shriek ran out, terrified, and Percy turned back just in time to see Kronos raise his sword, preparing to strike at a defenseless Annabeth, lying prone on the floor, unmoving. Percy ran forwards, but he knew that it was too late. Any moment now, Kronos's sword would come down and Annabeth would meet a bloody and gruesome end.
But suddenly, the sword stops, mid-swing. Kronos takes a step back; one, two. And suddenly he is not Kronos anymore. Luke blinks, shocked, staring down at the terrified face of his best friend. Backbiter falls out of his hands, clanging on the ground hollowly.
"What...what have I done?" Luke looks at his hands, horrified. Percy runs over the Annabeth, checking her vitals, dropping his sword in his haste, but still wary of Luke. Suddenly Luke's eyes flash gold again, and Percy raises tenses, shielding Annabeth's body with his own.
Luke's strained voice whispers, "Give...give me...the dagger. I can't...Kronos is-" Luke coughs, and sinks to his knees.
Percy hesitates. Here is his enemy, on the floor, defenseless. "Please..."
Percy feels Annabeth's weak grip on his wrist, and feels cold steel touch his palm. Annabeth gazes up at him, smiling weakly, and Percy knows what he has to do.
He takes the dagger and hands it to Luke, who is shivering and gasping, holding his chest tight as his eyes flicker gold. Luke accepts it, and, without hesitation, undoes the buckles of his armor and stabs himself in the armpit.
There is a piercing, unearthly scream as Luke suddenly bursts into gold, molten and burning. Kronos is dying.
"Perseus Jackson..." Kronos howls, "If I must die...then I am dragging you down...with me!" And suddenly Percy feels a searing in his eyes, and realizes that Kronos has revealed his true form. He turns away, closing them, but knows that it is too late.
A burning sensation begins to spread downwards, towards his chest. The fire blooms outwards, and Percy is burned from the inside out.
But he is not afraid of death. Behind him, Annabeth is screaming out his name. As long as she is safe, he is content.
Perhaps I will try for reincarnation, Percy thinks, and accepts.