I'm dying. I know I am, no matter that I can hear Percy calling for help, for healing. Not even Artemis can save me now.

One shall perish by a parent's hand

I knew. From the beginning, I knew. Knew that I would die, knew my father would kill me. Ladon's poison weakened me, and I wouldn't have died without it, but it was Atlas's blow that's killing me now.

I can't see the stars. I tell my lady. She is sad, I can see. That….that brings me pain, mental, at least. It always has. I ask her how I have served her. She says I was the finest of her attendants. Maybe….maybe now I can rest.

But wait. I have more to do. Just a little bit. Thalia….Daughter of Zeus. She will take my place. Sisters we will never be, but my successor, she can be. That…is as it should be. As I told Percy, nothing can last forever. Not even immortality.

As for Percy himself…..he is worthy. More so than I saw before, more so than I gave him credit for. As I am telling him, he is not Hercules. His sword, my creation, is well deserved. He will not abuse it; he will not betray me or anyone else.

I look at Artemis, my lady, the goddess I have served for so very, very long, and see her sadness. Also, though, do I see love, affection, and even gratitude. Gratitude for my service, for my life given to her. That, more than anything, releases me. I am done. My purpose fulfilled, my life complete. I have come full circle.

I am not in the Garden of the Hesperides, those I was once kin to, any longer. I am unsure as to what that means to me. Even so, I am glad, in a way. That is not my home any longer, nor has it been for two millennia. My home is here, with my lady. With Artemis. And that is enough for me.

Now….it is time. My life is ending. My days are done. And….I can see the stars again.