"Anyway, to make a long story short, she will do the same thing to you that she did to me. She has already started to pull away, hasn't she?"

Leo didn't answer. He knew that she wouldn't do that, but something about his words made him doubt himself. She didn't say that she would stay with him, she also didn't say she would leave, but she didn't say she would stay.

"You know what Zeus," he said drawing his sword, "She might not stay with me, but if she doesn't I know that it is what makes her happy. If she is happy, that is all I need. Granted, it will be difficult to let her go, but I love her and I wouldn't want to do anything to keep her from being happy. And that is a lot more than you can say.

"So, the question is now, do you think you can kill me?"

Zeus drew his sword. "Easily." He leapt for Leo, swinging his sword. Leo raised his shield just in time to deflect it and swing his sword. Zeus easily blocked it and stayed on the offensive. Leo had a hard time keeping up with the blows. He got lucky once and was able to scratch Zeus's cheek, a drop of golden ichor running down to his chin.

"Very good," the god said, the scratch healing quickly, "But it will take a lot more than that to win." He jumped at the demigod, swinging faster than before. Leo was just able to block everything.

Phil saw a lake spread below them and saw a bunch of half built cabins in a U shape a little farther ahead. The ship descended until it was hovering above a group of demigods, staring wide-eyed. Phil, Priscilla, and Calypso jumped down.

"Percy, Jason!" he called. Two guys ran up from the back of the Crowed.

"Who are you?" Percy asked.

"Phil, son of Hephaestus, and Priscilla, daughter of Aphrodite." He said indicating to her standing next to him. "Leo told us to come and get you. He is holding off Zeus who has been trying to kill us the entire time. She needs to stay here," He said pointing at Calypso, "This is Calypso, the one Leo saved on his quest."

Jason turned and pointed to two people in the crowed and said, "you two, take her to the dining hall and make sure she stays there."

"No," she protested. "I am going to go back and help. I owe him that much."

"Leo's orders," Phil said. Percy nodded at the two and they ushered her away. They had to practically carry her because she was trying to get back on the ship.

"Leo told me to get you two, Annabeth, and Piper and go back to help him." Annabeth and Piper rushed up from the crowed and nodded.

"Nice to meet you," they said. They all hopped onto the ship and headed back to help their friend.

Leo was tiring quickly. Zeus had conjured a storm and was trying to strike him with lightning as well as with his sword.

"This is going to be so enjoyable. You have ruined my plan for her and you made me destroy the world I created. The best part is that you did it for nothing. She will leave you and throw you away." That last insult flared Leo's anger. His heart started to beat faster and strength flowed through his limbs. He saw that is arms had caught on fire and he went on the offensive. The lighting had stopped because Zeus was too focused on blocking Leo's strikes.

Festus was going full speed, but the storm was buffeting them around and making it hard to stay on course. The only indication that they were going in the right direction was the bolts of lightning that flashed just ahead of them. Percy heard an odd clicking sound and looked around. He saw a rope ladder being winched up and his heart sank. He knew immediately that Calypso had escaped her escorts and stowed away while they weren't looking. She had just got off to reach Leo faster. Leo was going to kill him.

Leo saw a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye and his heart dropped. The distraction was enough for Zeus to land a solid kick into his chest. Leo staggered to his feet and saw that Zeus had spotted Calypso, hiding behind a tree. Zeus raised his sword to cut the tree in half. "Calypso, run!" Leo yelled. She jumped out of the way just in time to avoid the sword, but tripped and hit her head on a rock that was jutting out of the ground. She tried sitting up, obviously dazed. Zeus raised his sword again. Leo knew he didn't have time. He ran and dove. Calypso's eyes widened as she saw the sword come down. She was pushed to the side just before it struck. Leo looked down. The blade was lodged in his torso just below his rib cage. He stumbled back and fell against a tree.

"LEO!" Calypso ran to him. The crew on the Argo II jumped off and stared. With a flash, Zeus vanished. "Leo. Why did you do that?"

"I saw that the sword would destroy immortals. I couldn't watch him do that to you." Percy, Jason, Annabeth, Piper, Phil, and Priscilla watched as the other eleven major gods appeared in a semicircle around Leo and Calypso. Leo's eyes fell on his father. "Dad, I know you helped to make that island, but I hope I still made you proud."

Hephaestus looked down at his son. "I couldn't be more proud."

Leo looked back at Calypso. "Calypso, could you sing again? Could you sing that song you did with the sirens?" She sobbed and nodded. Despite the tears she sang the best she ever had. Her voice reverberated through the park.

She sang in Greek about a fisherman who left his girl and home to go on a dangerous journey. He perished during a storm but his spirit drifted back home to find his girl holding their newborn daughter. The wife saw his spirit and welcomed him home forever, for she was a spirit as well. Both she and the daughter died during birth and joined him. The last words of the song she sang in English and it echoed through the park. Together, always and forever.

"Remember that, always and forever." Leo closed his eyes and gave his last sigh.

Calypso brought him into a hug and sobbed into his shoulder. Every demigod took a knee and lowered their heads. Finally, Calypso brought her head up.

"Calypso," the gods and Goddesses said in unison, "We release you from your bonds of immortality and allow you to join this great hero. Cherish this gift from us." Calypso's eyes widened as she began to glow. The demigods looked on in shock as she started to disappear from her feet up.

Calypso looked down one last time and bent down to give Leo one last kiss before she completely vanished.

The eleven gods vanished. Where Hephaestus stood was a stretcher. Percy and Jason went over, grabbed it, and brought it over to Leo. They slid him on it and the six of them lifted him onto their shoulders. Festus extended a ramp for them to walk up and they sailed for the camp.

Festus landed in the lake and extended the ramp for them to carry him down to the shore. The entire camp was gathered and parted to let them through. They stared at the hero with the sword still embedded in his torso. They carried him to the fire circle and placed him on the wooden table placed right in the middle. Everyone bowed their heads. The Hephaestus cabin placed wood underneath the table and Phil started the fire.

Everyone watched as the hero became ashes, joining the many heroes before him.

When the sun was rising the next day, the Hephaestus cabin, went to fire, and found the sword. Heading to the forge, they melted it down and molded it into a plaque.

Leo Valdez

Son of Hephaestus

Hero