Chapter 3: The inevitable

Death was a natural part of life. Well, natural for mortals. These earthbound rules didn't apply to Thalia, an eternal maiden of the Moon Goddess. Most people that she encountered during the past few decades hoped for everlasting life, and Thalia herself was grateful for forever being in the company of her sisters-in-arms and godly mistress.

But as she lay beside the bed of her little brother, Thalia wished that she had been in her 80's alongside him, who was now passing away just shy of turning 88-years-old himself.

She held his hand, as he was in a tranquil sleep. She memorized the way his chest would rise up and down, knowing that it wasn't long before it became completely still. Just a minute ago, Piper was on the other side of his bed, but left the room in order to retrieve a glass of water. Now, the room was completely silent, with only the soft yet labored breathing of Jason Grace.

Thalia had seen death come and go. Especially as a demigod, specifically an immortal daughter of Zeus with a target on her head, she thought that she had been used to it. She didn't think about the emotional turmoil death would eventually bring until her best friend Percy passed away last year. Unsurprisingly, Annabeth had only passed away about a month afterwards. It warmed her heart to know that the two lovebirds were reunited in Elysium. But the thought of losing them still hurt her terribly all the same.

Now, the hurt was just unbearable. She hated seeing her brother on the verge of death. To know that they would separate again once more, perhaps for some millennia or forever, depending on how long she managed to survive this job. Times like this, her heart felt like it was breaking down even though her 15-year-old body was physically intact.

The wrinkles on his face mirrored the crevices that were forming in her heart, and the tiredness he was experiencing seemed to make time move much more slowly for Thalia. His eyes were currently shut, and she wondered if she'd ever see them open again; she missed seeing his electric blue eyes—the only commonality they had to connect their heritage. While her own body remained perfectly healthy, athletic, and graceful, Jason's own body started to fail him, leaving him bedridden during his final days of his life. Knowing her brother, the pain he may be feeling probably wasn't from his arthritic problems, but the fact that he couldn't spend his remaining time doing the things he loved to do and with the people he loved most.

Thalia was never one to cry, but if any situation called for it, she didn't regret releasing the tears now. She stroked his hand softly, hoping beyond hope to elicit some sign of life. "Jason. I don't know if you could hear me. But I want to say that you're the best brother anyone could ask for. I'm sorry for anything I've done to hurt you. I know we already buried the hatchet, but one of my biggest regrets was still never looking for you after Hera took you. I tried my hardest to be the older sister you deserve, and I'll… I'll miss you so much," she sobbed quietly. "I wish you'd never leave, but it's a part of life, right? So Jason, before you pass, I want my final words to be… I love you." With this, she bowed her head, trying and failing to rein in her heartache.

She heard a gasp from behind her, and she looked up to see glistening pools in Piper's prism eyes, making them shine in their unique different colors. "He's gone," she breathed.

No! Thalia turned around and before her, the steady rhythm of her brother's chest—the rhythm that had been keeping her sane for the last few days—had finally ceased.

Her feelings ruptured and if it weren't for Piper enclosing her frame in a warm and protective embrace, Thalia would've melted to the floor in absolute anguish. Her brother was gone, and there was the realest possibility that she would never see him again. Begrudgingly but certainly not caring, Thalia inwardly cursed her immortality, for she finally understood the gravity of never being able to die… for having to see people she loved pass away while she remained on this world. Thalia welcomed the hug, and dug her face in the crook of Piper's arm.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Thalia…" the voice croaked gravely. Thalia all but screamed uncharacteristically and jumped out of her chair, seeing the mischievous smile on her brother's face. His body was shaking a little, his laughter bubbling from his lips.

"You-You…" Thalia stammered. Piper clucked her tongue in disapproval, though both women in the room felt the relief in knowing that their loved one still had some strength left in him.

"Sorry…" he mumbled, still grinning slightly. "Had to… because you would've."

Thalia was about to yell in protest, before remembering their conversation around a couple of decades ago, when Jason's appearance grew older and a tad bit more withered.

"What would you do if you were on your death bed?" Jason asked, munching on a peanut.

"Huh?" She found that question completely weird.

"Have you thought about it? I mean, I guess not, considering you're immortal and everything. But it's a question with real possibilities," he said.

Thalia mulled it over, not admitting that Jason was right in her having not thought about natural death in a long time. In fact, thinking about her brother, and her friends for that matter, not too far along made her instantly sad. She tried to put on a brave face, not wanting to think too much about the inevitable. Instead she said, "If I was on my death bad, I would quietly pass away with everyone I love surrounding me. Then when they least expect it, BOOM. Wake up and scare everybody heh heh."

"You're horrible," Jason responded, but not harshly. "You'd hate that if I did it."

"True," Thalia agreed. "And you better not pull that crap on me. But come on. Me on a death bed? I'm Thalia Grace, too badass to let that happen," she joked.

"You got the ass part right."

And with that, she proceeded to jump on him and give him a nuggie.

"Jason Grace," Thalia said with a stern voice, but with eyes full of happy tears in being blessed with a little more time to spend with her baby brother, "You are an idiot."

"I love you too," Jason smiled back, grasping his sister's hand… never letting go even when he finally passed away in peaceful sleep a couple of days later.