Authors Note: Hey guys, thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites. I'm thankful you guys decided to give me a chance, and I aim to not disappoint you. Also, the last chapter wasn't as much of a restated end of TLO as it was a rewritten part, to tie in with the Great Prophecy and Annabeth's death.
*minor spoilers*
This chapter mostly deals with wrapping up all the TLO storyline. I'm going to omit several parts, like Rachel becoming the Oracle. It'll happen, but just off-screen. Honestly speaking, I'm not sure how I'd play that scene now that the only other girl in Percy's love life (ATM) is gone. The oath scene was different. I decided that Hera, being goddess of family, would want to thank Percy at least a little for protecting hers. And without Annabeth, who disrespected her, she would kinder to him, enough for him to win her over with his fatal flaw of loyalty to his friends. Next scene will be the after party celebration, and more. It was getting too long for this chapter.
*spoilers end*
As always, please read, review, and recommend!
By the Light of the Moon
Mount Olympus, Throne Room
Percy's POV
The Three Fates themselves took Luke's and Annabeth's bodies.
I hadn't seen the old ladies in years, since I'd witnessed them snip a life thread at a roadside fruit stand when I was twelve. They'd scared me then, and they scared me now – three ghoulish grandmothers with bags of knitting needles and yarn.
One of them looked at me, and even though she didn't say anything, my life literally flashed before my eyes. Suddenly I was twenty. Then I was a middle-aged man. Then I turned old and withered. All the strength left my body, and I saw my own tombstone and an open grave, a coffin being lowered into the ground. All this happened in less than a second.
The Fate held up the snippet of blue yarn, while one sister held up the snippet of gray yarn and the other the snippet of dark green yarn-and I knew it was the same ones I'd seen four years ago, the lifelines I'd watched them snip. I had thought it was my life and that of my mother and someone else. Now I realized it was Luke's, Annabeth's, and Ethan's. They'd been showing me the lives that would have to be sacrificed to set things right.
They gathered up the heroes bodies. Luke's was now wrapped in a white-and-green shroud, with a caduceus symbol upon it. Annabeth's was gray-and-green (sea green, I noticed, stifling a sob), and displayed both an owl and a trident (tears formed in my eyes at that, knowing somehow that the trident was my father's doing somehow).Ethan's shroud, which had no body, was merely floating behind the two others, a dark green-and-gold masterpiece embroidered with a scale. The Fate's picked up the bodies and began carrying them out of the throne room.
"Wait", said Hermes and Athena almost simultaneously.
The messenger god was dressed in his classic outfit of white Greek robes, sandals, and helmet. The wings of his helm fluttered as he walked. The snakes George and Martha curled around his caduceus, murmuring, Luke, poor Luke.
I thought about May Castellan, alone in her kitchen, baking cookies and making sandwiches for a son who would never come home.
The wisdom goddess was dressed in a classic outfit of gray Greek robes, holding a spear and her shield Aegis aloft. Normally the shield would have me take a step back in fear, but I was so full of sorrow at the moment it just disgusted me. Her face, normally stoic, was in obvious grief.
I thought about Frederick Chase, the scientist and professor, waiting in his house, hoping to reconnect with his daughter who would now never come home.
Hermes unwrapped Luke's face and kissed his forehead. He murmured some words in Ancient Greek-a final blessing.
"Farewell," he whispered. Then he nodded and allowed the Fates to carry away his son's body.
Athena unraveled the shroud covering Annabeth's face, and tears streaked down her normally calm face at the sight. She muttered some words in Ancient Greek also-however, in addition to a final blessing; she muttered a plea for forgiveness.
"I'm sorry," she muttered. She then stepped back and allowed the Fates to go.
As they left, I thought about the Great Prophecy. The lines now made sense to me. Heroes' souls, cursed blades shall reap. Four honored heroes made from death. The heroes were obvious. The cursed blades were the knife he'd given Annabeth long ago – cursed because Luke had broken his promise and betrayed his friends, and the scythe of Kronos, an evil blade with wretched powers.
A single choice shall end ones days. My choice, to give him the knife, and to believe, as Annabeth had, that he was still capable of setting things right. Olympus to preserve or raze. By sacrificing himself, he had saved Olympus. Rachel was right. In the end, I wasn't really the hero. Luke was.
And I understood something else: When Luke had descended into the River Styx; he would've had to focus on something important that would hold him to his mortal life. Otherwise he would've dissolved. I had seen Annabeth, and I had a feeling he had too.
He had pictured that scene Hestia showed me-of himself in the good old days with Thalia and Annabeth, when he promised they would be a family. Hurting Annabeth in battle had shocked him into remembering that promise. It had allowed his mortal conscience to take over again, and defeat Kronos. His weak spot – his Achilles heel – had saved us all.
The next few hours were a blur. Somehow, even in my saddened and shell-shocked state, I remembered my promise to my mother. Zeus didn't even blink an eye when I told him my strange request. He snapped his fingers and informed me gently that the top of the Empire State Building was now lit up blue.
Most mortals would just have to wonder what it meant, but my mom would know: I had survived, Olympus was saved.
The gods set about repairing the throne room, which went surprisingly fast with twelve super-powerful beings at work. Grover cared for the wounded, and once the sky bridge re-formed, he greeted our friends who had survived. The tried to comfort me, but stopped when they saw my expression. The Cyclopes had saved Thalia from the fallen statue. She was on crutches, but otherwise she was okay.
Connor and Travis Stoll had made it through with only minor injuries. They promised Grover they hadn't even looted the city much. I did see them high-fiving each other afterward, though.
They told Grover and me my parents were fine, though they weren't allowed into Mount Olympus. Mrs. O'Leary had dug Chiron out of the rubble and rushed him off to camp. The Stolls looked kind of worried about the old centaur, but at least he was alive.
Nico di Angelo came into Olympus to a hero's welcome, his father right behind him, despite the fact that Hades was only supposed to visit Olympus on winter solstice. The god of the dead looked stunned when his relatives clapped him on the back. I doubted he'd ever gotten such an enthusiastic welcome before.
Hera and Hephaestus passed by me. The God of the Forges walked by, congratulating me softly under his breath.
Hera stopped at me, however, and her proud and haughty face seemed to soften a little as she saw me, blinking back tears even now. "While I never liked that little girl, I will admit I didn't want her to die. Perhaps she truly was a hero, in the end. I suppose I owe a debt of gratitude. In addition, I am the goddess of family, and you have done a service to mine. I will remember that, Perseus Jackson."
And with that, she walked away, leaving me more shocked than before.
While I stood there, contemplating whether Hera of all people had just apologized and complimented me, conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon marched into the throne room.
"Percy!" Tyson yelled. He charged toward me with his arms open. Fortunately he'd shrunk back to normal size, so his hug was like getting hit by a tractor, not the entire farm.
"You are not dead!" he said. "Where is Annabeth?"
He then paused and seemed to notice the tears that were gathering in my eyes.
He instantly hugged me again.
"I'm sorry, brother." And then he released me, and went over to Grover to talk about Typhon.
The conch horns blasted again. The Cyclopes parted, and my father strode into the throne room in his battle armor, his trident glowing in his hands.
"Tyson!" he roared. "Well done, my son. And Percy-" His face grew weary and sad. He stepped forward and embraced me without another word. I realized, feeling a little embarrassed, that I'd never actually hugged my dad before. He was warm – like a regular human, and he smelled of a salty beach and fresh sea air.
"I am sorry for your loss, my boy. I do not know whether you noticed the symbol upon her shroud. I had formed it there as a symbol of the love and devotion the daughter of wisdom showed toward the son of the sea. She was a brave hero, and if she does not receive Elysium, there is almost no one worthy of the honor." He was so kind, I'll admit I just broke down in his arms somewhat.
"I know, dad. I just miss her, and wish that things could have turned out differently, that she had never died." I choked out, suddenly realizing just how terrified and scared I had been the last few days, and how much that'd increased since I realized Annabeth died.
"Dad-"
"Shhh," he said. "No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules ever accomplished as much as you did."
Just then, a voiced called out, loud but gentle for some reason.
"Poseidon!" Zeus called.
He started across the room at my dad and me while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet.
"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus stated slightly grumpily. "I would start the council now. Will you join us?"
I thought Poseidon was going to get annoyed, but he just looked at me questioningly. I stepped backward a little, and he nodded. "I would be honored to, Lord Zeus."
I guess miracles do happen, though I was touched by how much affection and kindness all the deities were showing me. I saw sympathetic glances my way from most of the room, apart from Hermes and Athena, who took their thrones without a glance at the world around them.
Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian Council convened.
While Zeus was talking – some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc.
"As for my brothers," Zeus said, "we are thankful" – he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out. "Erm, we are thankful for the aid of Hades."
The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen him.
"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like his pants were smoldering,
"We must . . . um . . . thank Poseidon."
"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said. "What was that?"
"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom . . . it would've been difficult-"
"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently.
"Impossible," Zeus said. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."
I was staring with a little confusion on my face, when Grover nudged and pointed at the hearth. An image of mist was showing, showing the fight against Typhon. I shuddered despite myself when I saw Typhon, and allowed myself a small almost-smile when Poseidon's army burst from the Hudson. It seemed my plea had worked, and my dad had come through.
The gods murmured agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.
"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "with only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus - even if there are a few dents in my throne."
He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks.
Artemis smiled. "You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."
She glared pointedly at Hades.
He shrugged. "Probably."
"Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."
Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis's side.
After Tyson and Grover were called, the former becoming General of the Cyclops Army and the latter a Lord of the Wild, it came to me.
"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced. My name echoed around the chamber.
All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire.
Everyone's eyes were on me-all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits.
I walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at me reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Artemis, sitting in her throne, gave a small smile in my direction. It was soft and gentle, and I was initially stunned at it, but recovered quickly. Their smiles gave me courage to keep walking.
First I bowed to Zeus. Then I knelt at my father's feet.
"Rise, my son," Poseidon said.
I stood uneasily.
"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving of a reward?"
I stood there waiting, while my mind had thoughts of the three real heroes who saved Olympus.
"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."
I just stood there, my mind blanking. "Any gift?"
Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson – if you wish it – you shall be made a god, immortal and undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."
I stared at him, stunned. "Um . . . a god?"
Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."
"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."
Surprisingly, it was Aphrodite who spoke up. "Ares! Percy just lost Annabeth! Show some sensitivity!"
The gods all shifted in their thrones at that, some frowning. Lady Athena seemed to have heard the name of her daughter, and looked up. She seemed to notice me for the first time.
"Perseus Jackson." She called out, her voice impossibly soft.
"Ma'am?" was my hesitant reply. Was she about to blame me for her death?
"Thank you," was her quiet reply, which silenced the already quiet room even further. The goddess Athena was not known for apologizing. Then again, neither was Hera. This day was full of shocks and surprises.
"I… I don't understand. I failed to protect… to protect Annabeth. She died in front of me and I couldn't do anything about it." I started stammering.
She managed to give a faint semblance of a smile, and opened her mouth to respond when someone beat her to it.
Lady Artemis, who I never would have guessed in a million years would have comforted a man, stated "Her death was not your fault, Perseus. She was fated to die here, as part of the prophecy. And do not tarnish her or yourself by downplaying your actions. You defeated the Titan Lord by fulfilling the prophecy. You are just as much of a hero as she is, if not more."
Several gods widened their eyes at the goddess of the hunt, but remained silent.
Zeus cleared his throat, which sounded like distant thunder.
"I believe we were discussing Perseus' ascension to godhood?" he stated, only slightly annoyed. He stared at Athena and Artemis.
I spoke up then, finally realizing what I must do, a line from the Great Prophecy springing to mind. An oath shall be made of a final breath.
"No thank you, my lord."
The gods, who were eyeing Athena and Artemis questioningly, turned, shocked. My response seemed to shock Hermes out of his slump, and Athena looked up, her eyes widening. Artemis' expression was hard to make out, as it flitted from shock to something, briefly, before becoming a passive mask.
Zeus turned his head slightly back to me, his face inquisitive. "You are … turning down our generous gift?" he questioned, with a dangerous edge to his voice, like a thunderstorm about to erupt.
"Before we can even decide what to do about me, my lord, there is another matter that must be completed. I will use my gift upon this if required, but I ask for an oath by all of you upon the Styx."
The gods looked shocked and incredulous, curious about what I was referring to. Only Athena seemed to realize, her eyes flashing with a spark that they had lost since seeing her daughter's body. Artemis remained stoic, though her eyebrow raised slightly.
"And what would that be, boy? Do you not trust us?" Zeus asked, his tone demanding.
"It is not even difficult, my lord, but the prophecy demands it. Also, someone once told me," I said, looking at Hades, "you should always get a solemn oath."
Hades shrugged. "Guilty."
Zeus growled. "Very well, but only because of the prophecy. I assume this is the oath it refers to, then? You know what it is?"
"Yes, Lord Zeus." I responded, my tone level for the first time in a while.
"Fine, In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to stay to the oath as long as it is within our power." Zeus grumbled, the other deities quickly muttering assent.
Thunder boomed, and the deal was made.
"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All of the children… of all the gods."
The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Percy," my father said, "what exactly do you mean?"
"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."
Zeus's nostrils flared. "You dare accuse-"
"No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children – all your demigod children – by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll.
"And the minor gods," I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso, Leto, and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades-"
"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.
No, my lord," I said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that.
No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods.
And dissolve the pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is the oath."
Zeus snorted. "Is that all?"
"Percy," Poseidon said, "you ask much. You presume much."
"I hold you to your oath," I said. "All of you."
I got a lot of steely looks. Artemis stared at me inquisitively.
It was Athena who spoke up: "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but your recent actions, alongside this oath, have proven me wrong. I move that we accept the boy's plan."
Zeus grumbled, and Hermes spoke up for the first time since entering the room.
"All in favor", he stated hollowly. Several people jumped at his tone.
All the gods raised their hands.
Thunder boomed again, signifying the oath that they had all just sworn themselves to.
"Um, thanks," I stated. I thought about my friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, and Silena Beauregard, alongside so many others who were now dead. I thought about Ethan Nakamura and Luke. I hoped that now, at least, they would not have died in vain.
I turned to go, but before I could take a step, Hera called out.
"We have not yet discussed your gift, boy."
I froze, and turned back around. Many of the gods had faces of extreme shock on, and I couldn't blame them. Lady Hera wasn't exactly known for being kind to demigods.
Zeus blinked, and responded warily. "What do you mean by that, my dear wife? His gift was the oath he had us swear."
Hera raised an eyebrow in silent disdain. I'm not sure who was more shocked: Me, or the rest of the council. Here was the one goddess who hated half-bloods, and here she was saying I deserved a gift.
"That was the oath required by the prophecy that he make of us. He deserves a true reward for the services he has accomplished for our family. Or would you deny that Perseus is a hero who has surpassed all the rest?"
If my jaw could hit the floor, by this point it would have. This action was true of most of the gods and goddesses present.
Poseidon was first to recover. "My son has long since surpassed all the other heroes. Not even Hercules did as much for Olympus, or preformed such amazing feats."
At any other time, I would have blushed and stammered a denial, but I was still shocked by recent events.
Artemis stated in response, "Yes. This man has given much to Olympus, and has brought peace to us at great sacrifice. If that rude bastard Hercules can become a god, then Percy here deserves at least that much."
Athena nodded, and added "He protected Olympus, and gave his full effort into saving us, even with the loss my daughter weighing heavily upon him. It would be unwise to ignore such an effort."
I'm pretty sure I saw one of the campers faint from disbelief, and if I hadn't been the subject of this, I'm pretty sure I would have already. The three goddesses who hated me most were arguing in my favor.
Zeus slumped back into his throne, and stated. "Very well then, I acknowledge your arguments, wife and my daughters. I ask of you again, Perseus Jackson. Will you become a god?"
I stood ramrod straight in shock, but found the voice to respond. "But… my family and friends... I couldn't just leave them."
Hera smiled – she actually smiled—and stated "Such devotion to his family. Perhaps I truly was mistaken about you, child. I would speak with you after this."
If I could become more shocked, I would have, but I managed to reply "Okay…"
Apollo then spoke up, smiling as he did so. "I have an idea. Why not make Percy immortal, but exempt from the ancient laws, like Arty's little hunters."
"Don't call me Arty, Apollo! But you gave a good idea for once in your immortal life." the moon goddess responded.
"Indeed." My dad said smiling, "If he swore loyalty to Olympus, then that should pose no problems."
Zeus opened and closed his mouth several times, like a fish out of water. He then sighed and looked directly at me.
"Well then, child? Do not make me repeat myself. If you do not accept or choose an alternate gift, it would be most unhealthy for all of us." He stated, annoyed.
I then realized that the only real answer was yes. Immortality? It seems like a cruel gift to offer me, upon the wake of Annabeth's death. But I couldn't refuse, not after all of this. And being immortal would help me have some time to think and get over her death. I thought about the Three Fates, and the way I'd seen my life flash by. I could avoid all that. No aging and no death.
I then spoke up.
"Yes."