Artemis' Lament
Nico's Peace
AT CAMP HALF BLOOD
The atmosphere around Camp was somber. A funeral procession was in place for Nico diAngelo. Hazel had visited from Camp Jupiter on Arion when she heard the news. Frank was next to her consoling her softly. Jason had made a small speech in his honor while Piper was crying next to him. For once Leo wasn't cracking any jokes and Calypso regretted not knowing the Son of Hades better.
Percy was nowhere to be found. Chiron had decided that he had left to grieve. Similar to when he went away after Annabeth's death. Nico's shroud was black. A skull with a crown embroidered on it was at the center. On the edges of the shroud were the symbols of the gods whose children Nico had helped out.
"We have gathered to honor the life of a demigod who has helped us from the shadows. He has helped unite the Romans and Greeks as well as aiding us during the second Titan war. His value in both of these wars are immeasurable. May he find peace in Elysium." Chiron gave a small speech. He thought it apt to remind the campers of his achievements and that no matter who your parent is, you can still accomplish much.
Hazel cried on Frank's arm. She was too small to reach her shoulder. He hugged her and led her away so that they could tell the news to Camp Jupiter. They had left so suddenly that Hazel was sure Octavian would get some conspiracy out of this.
Jason was the one who burned the shroud. As he watched she smoke from the flame disappearing onto the sky, he wondered where Percy was and if Nico told him of his feelings before he died. At least Nico would be at peace. He deserved it. Jason remembered a line of the prophecy, through the immortality of the pained.
After the funeral, he walked up to Rachel who was painting a picture in front of the Hades Cabin.
"Hey, what are you painting?" asked Jason.
Rachel looked up and patted the ground next to her, gesturing his to sit down next to her. Jason sat down and his breath caught when he saw the painting. It was of Nico. He was leaning against a wall with a small smile on his face. "This is from when I first met him in the Labyrinth. I thought it would be nice to have it inside the cabin, in honor of him."
"It's beautiful," replied Jason earnestly. "I have to ask you something though. Part of the prophecy states that an eternal peace can be gained through the immortality of the pained." He paused for a moment. "Does it mean Percy?"
Rachel stopped drawing and frowned. "No, it is not him. Although now I sense he is doing something stupid." She gave Jason a sad look. "Percy will never be seen again at Camp. His future was so bright, but when Eris defied fate and killed Annabeth…it just went dark."
Jason took a few seconds to process this information. Rachel saw his face and smiled. "The prophecy will be resolved today. Don't worry, Percy will make sure of it." She then got up and left with the painting leaving Jason to again wonder what Percy was up to.
AT OLYMPUS, THE THRONE ROOM
Percy was in the center of the throne room having a shouting match with Zeus. This was probably not a good idea as he could be turned into a pile of ashes in the blink of an eye. "All I want is a life for a life. You can take mine if you want!"
"That is beyond our power."
"You brought Hercules back to life!"
"That is because we had decided to make him immortal!"
"Then why can't you do that for Nico then?"
"Hercules was a Hero."
"Are you saying Nico wasn't?!"
"ENOUGH!" shouted Hera. "Zeus, just give the boy his request. He is offering a life for a life, you know."
"Yes, but then I would have to make the boy immortal and I don't want a spawn of Hades as a god," grumbled Zeus.
"My son in ten times more worthy than any of your sons ever were," snapped Hades. He was in a bad mood ever since he had sensed his son's death. Even though he never expressed it, he had truly loved his son. "I agree with Jackson's terms."
"That is beyond your limits, Hades!" snarled Zeus.
"We will not be killing my son!" interjected Poseidon.
"Or my champion," said Demeter.
Zeus rolled his eyes. "Fine, we shall make a compromise. The death spawn will remain dead and I won't kill Jackson."
"No!" yelled Percy, surprising himself. "Nico diAngelo was a true hero. He helped in the second Titan war by convincing Hades to send his army. He then helped in the second Giant war by helping to bring back the statue of the Athena Parthenon. If anyone deserves immortality, it's him."
"Father, I agree with Percy," said Artemis. She valued that Percy was willing to sacrifice his own life for the sake of a friend. She thought back to Zoe and smiled at the thought of her old Lieutenant.
Soon after Apollo agreed as well as Hermes. Athena then raised her hand in a vote as well as Poseidon and Demeter. Hephaestus then joined and Aphrodite raised her hand, which caused Ares to vote yes as well. Hera and Dionysus were the last to put their hand up.
Zeus sighed. "Well I suppose we could. After all, it has been a while since we honored a son of Hades." He wanted to get this over with. Jackson was starting to get really annoying.
The gods started chanting in Ancient Greek. A golden dust raised from the floor and coalesced into the sleeping figure of Nico diAngelo. Percy smiled and bowed to each of the gods in turn. "Thank you so much."
The Fates flashed into the room. "Please welcome Nico diAngelo, god of Peace and Fulfillment," they spoke as one.
The Prophecy was complete.
50 years later…
"So what happened next?" asked Rose, a twelve year old Hunter.
Artemis smiled softly. "Well Nico was taught his duties as a god by his father and they bonded over that, the rest of the seven are enjoying their retirement, although I suspect that some are bored of it."
"What happened to Percy," questioned Rose. "They say that he was never heard from again after that day."
Artemis chuckled, "Demeter knows for sure, that is why she is such an influential goddess now. Poseidon to, since there were no major storms after he left." Artemis fingered a seashell pendant around her neck absentmindedly. "I am also pretty sure that his mother knows to."
"Did he give you that?"
Artemis was yanked out of her thoughts at the sound of Rose's voice. "Yes, about forty years ago, why?"
"Just curious…so how long did you date for?"
Artemis laughed. "We never dated. He came to thank me for standing up for him at the council. Now we are friends."
"Do you wish you could date him?"
Artemis looked at Rose thoughtfully, "Sometimes I did but his heart was taken by another."
"Have you seen him recently?"
"Not for a couple years now and stop asking so many questions," chided Artemis. Rose smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
He was a legend that demigods told their children at night. He was what all half-bloods strived to be. He was Percy Jackson.
Wow. I can't believe this is over. Thank you to all who supported me. The end was for you Pertemis lovers ;)
Thank you so much (again) and have fun reading!
PS: If there are any mistakes let me know so I can edit them
