Epilogue: One Year Later, Part 1
NARRATOR'S POV:
Today, the 20th of July marks exactly one year since the war with Tartarus. This historical date is remembered by the demigods, the Gods, the wild and everyone alike both for the dark times and the untimely heavy death toll that they witnessed as well as the beginning of a new era. An era that is not plagued by monsters anymore, an era where demigods can age and die peacefully, grow and get old along with their loved ones. A new beginning that has no monsters. For the war survivors, it is almost like an alien planet. Most of them have had trouble getting accustomed to this new environment. They are still wary and have their weapons ready just in case, but deep within even they know that it's over. It's all finally over. The millennia-long history of bloodshed, gore, and violence between Gods and their families, between monsters and demigods has finally come to an end. Such has been the calm and peace that even the minor Gods and Goddesses have started coming out to explore the world that is now rid of monsters. Be it a child of the Big Three or be it the child of a minor God such as Hypnos, the newly remodeled version of Earth is safe for everyone.
The demigods who were either pivotal in the victory but didn't lead from the front or had been around since the Titan war and had helped from the shadows were all duly recognized and offered the same gift. A special small apartment was built for them on the outskirts of Camp Half-Blood where there was a scenic view of both the sea and the ocean. The house was designed by none other than Annabeth Chase - the official architect of Olympus, so obviously each one was indeed a masterpiece. This list of Demigods included Katie Gardener, Connor Stoll, Nyssa, Jake Mason, Will Solace, Clarisse La Rue, Chris Rodriguez, Tyson, and Gwen. Gwen wasn't in the war but had been a centurion for a very long time and had been by Reyna's side through every difficulty the Romans had witnessed. So she was rightfully the only Roman named in the group. The rest of them got to party with the Olympians which is almost a gift in itself, while the heroes - the main leaders who lead and dealt maximum damage from the front were all offered a gift of their own choosing that would be in power of the Council. Let's take a journey through the lives of our heroes to see what they asked for as well as to see what they're up to of late and how they are coping with the new way of living.
Connor Stoll: He had planned so many amazing things with his twin. Once he lost Travis there was literally nothing Connor seemed to be able to love. For a while, it seemed as if he had stopped living his life. Like he was just breathing for the sake of it. Eventually, his friends brought him out of it. He's still as sad as he was, but like they say: "The pain never goes away. You just learn to live with it." He now works with the Police department in helping track down thieves by deducing their actions and mannerisms - apparently, it's a son of Hermes thing. He occasionally visits his place by the camp, but otherwise, he's either busy with his job or just prefers to stay away from all the memories.
Sally: She stayed at camp for almost a month, but Paul was missing her so she left the place. She offered Percy and Annabeth to live with them together, but they refused, saying that they wanted to be at camp for some more time after which they had college plans. Sally is now married to Paul and is almost a month pregnant too, and Percy is super excited to meet his baby brother/sister. She helped a lot at camp and for that, she was invited to the Olympian party where she saw and met the Olympians that Percy got along with. She was showered with praise from some of the Olympians and minor Gods for having a son like Percy. She had also hit a chord with Hestia that day and she now often prays to her and offers burnt offerings when she makes something special. Hestia returns the favor by looking after Sally like an older sister.
Reyna: The Praetor of Rome was offered whatever she wished for by the Council. She, however, asked for just one thing. Her family in front of her and safe. Zeus repeated it as a modified statement mentioning that her 'living family will be produced in front of her'. At first, she was just too overjoyed because Bellona suddenly appeared in front of her. But then she realized Zeus' words, realized Hylla was missing. That was the day she learned of Hylla's death. Nobody speaks of that time now. Because that day both created and changed history. Created because that day marked the first time ever that the world saw Reyna Ramirez Arellano - the seasoned warrior and premier praetor shed tears. To see her like that was so heartbreaking for everyone.
It changed history too, that day. Because that day the Roman Praetor Reyna Avil Ramirez-Arellano finally decided to hang her boots as the praetor of Rome and pass on the mantle to Hazel - who was visibly honored to take up the role. Reyna said she felt she had done enough and now that there were peaceful times she wanted time off for herself. Eventually, a date was set for her last working day. There were a lot of emotions and tears that day as every demigod both Greek and Roman bowed down to the Praetor of Rome for one last time. Even today Hazel and Frank are often seen leaving her 10-month old house in New York City after some discussions and advise. Frank had made it very clear to Reyna during his short speech on her last day in the office: "No matter how far we may go, Rome owes everything to you. What you did was phenomenal and you are irreplaceable. Quit the job, but you'll always be our praetor and we'll always look up to you as a role model leader. For one last time, AVE PRAETOR RAMIREZ ARELLANO!" And the subsequent "AVE" that followed could've shaken the ground. She now also meets her mother very frequently, almost once every week to catch up on lives over the years.
She now works as a head gym trainer for a living and is also meanwhile pursuing a degree in Social Justice. She's still striving to make the world a better place, but the method is a lot more verbal and a lot less violent now. She hasn't found a boyfriend yet but hopes to do so in her coming years at college.
Grover: He was offered a gift of his own choosing just like the heroes were. Fortunately this time he didn't faint on the spot. Instead, he asked the Gods to make an oath to help him nurture nature and not harm nature knowingly ever. With the kind of attitude the Gods have - not caring a dime before unleashing powers and stuff, it was a difficult request. But they promised they'd try, and they made the oath.
Grover is now much more relaxed after one very hectic year running through continents to spread nature awareness. Every few months he takes a break to spend time with his girlfriend Juniper and his friends, especially Percy and Annabeth. The trio still get together whenever they have the chance to catch up. He proposed to Juniper and now they're engaged. The wedding date has not been announced as of yet, but he says it should be soon.
Nico: Nico di Angelo was the busiest demigod after the war ended. He had taken upon himself to see to the final burial rites of the deceased. On the celebration day, he was offered immortality by Zeus. He was offered the role of being his dad's lieutenant in the underworld forever. Nico thought for a while. He has always been a loner and had no one to look out for him after Bianca. Percy was there, but his own life had been difficult. But on the other hand, people had now started accepting him. People came to him and talked to him and never let him feel like an outsider. Then there was the faith Jason seemed to show in him.
Then there was Will. The decision now came to him in a second. "No. It's tempting, very tempting. But no. I'd rather live and age and die with my friends." Zeus didn't even bother arguing or feeling bad; he knew the decision would be negative. Nico then made a smart move. "I don't want a gift now, but Olympus and this Council owe me now. I'll keep the gift pending and whenever I need it, I should get it. Do I have your word?" Zeus reluctantly nodded, but Nico pushed them to swear by the Styx which they did.
So now the Olympians owe Nico di Angelo a favor sworn under the Styx. A few days after the war Nico di Angelo was spotted hand in hand with Will Solace walking peacefully by the river. That brought a smile on the faces of each of his friends, especially Jason and Hazel who were both proud of their 'Neeks'.
Hazel: When Reyna picked her name for praetor after resigning, she almost had a nervous breakdown. Annabeth and Piper helped her overcome that phase and go on to give an amazing introductory speech in front of both, the Greeks and Romans on her first day. Hazel came up with a brilliant idea of joint running of camps. The rule was passed and under this rule, Chiron, Hazel, and Frank were joint leaders of the now united camp. Chiron took up the teacher's role with Frank while Hazel has taken up the public and infrastructure development to make sure the Romans, as well as Greeks, have places to stay guarded well within the camp borders like New Rome was. It's a time consuming and taxing job to recreate a settlement, but it's much easier when you have the official architect of Olympus assisting you and uncursed valuable gems sprouting up at your will.
Nobody saw this coming, but only a month after the war, Frank became the first among the famed prophecy demigod - couples to propose. Hazel is hence engaged and the wedding dates are set for a little over two months from now. As for her gift from the Gods, even she was offered anything she desired for her brave and valiant efforts in both the wars. She didn't want anything for herself. She asked for a bag, specially designed by Hephaestus and containing some protective enchantments from all the Gods. The bag - golden in color, was given to her the next day since even for Gods it took that much time to make and enchant.
The bag is protective against anything kept inside. Food kept inside doesn't spoil, weapons don't erode, the objects neither drown nor catch fire. The bag remains unscathed in any calamity be it natural or manmade ( or as demigods have invented after so many wars - demigod made calamities ). Magic has no effect on it and the bag can neither be teleported nor stolen and opened by a stranger or someone the owner doesn't trust. Can you guess what valuable item Hazel keeps in there?
Frank: Frank enjoys training the demigods with Chiron. They have combined together and effectively introduced a lot of different combinations that use Greek+Roman technique that can confuse the opponent. He is going as strong as ever with Hazel who is no longer his girlfriend but his fiancee. He still has a long way to go as a praetor to be as good as Reyna, but with no wars on the horizon, for now, he's determined to make the best of this opportunity to develop the camp as well as focus on his life. He doesn't know how life will be after he's married, but he's more excited than scared. Argentum and Aurum, the camp dogs had become practically Reyna's dogs, so much so that when he told the others that the dogs weren't Reyna's but actually belonged to New Rome as added security, they were surprised. Seeing that surprise and remembering how close Reyna had grown to them, he decided to gift them to her at her housewarming party. To say that she was elated would be an understatement.
During the celebration ceremony on Olympus, Frank was called for the gifts after Hazel was, and he just knew what Hazel was planning to use her bag for. He was touched and decided that he would ask something for her. Firstly he asked for Hazel's gem curse to be lifted. When Hades nodded almost immediately, he then looked at Zeus and asked for Hazel to be given the pass for being back from the dead. Hades, who had been avoiding this topic widened his eyes when he realized what Frank had just said. He'd hoped Zeus had forgotten about this and wanted this topic to never come up. Frank went and spoke some words in Zeus' words and after standing in front of him said that's what he wanted.
People could only guess what it was when Zeus stunned all when he merely nodded and announced, "Hazel Levesque, you have earnt your chance at redemption and deserve to live. So you will live. Also, your soul will begin its new journey from the time you escaped through the doors of death, meaning your soul is not to be judged for your past actions when you go to the underworld." Both Hazel and Hades were staring blankly at Zeus before Hades broke into a grin that the demigods already had plastered on their faces and Hazel jumped on Frank with joy and kissed him. Frank then also asked for a quiver that never ran out of arrows for himself. It wasn't much so the Council granted it with ease.
(A/N: THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL SEE THALIA, JASON, PIPER, ANNABETH, PERCY AND CHIRON COVERED. IF YOU WANT ANYONE ELSE, LET ME KNOW. I HAD TO DIVIDE IT INTO TWO PARTS SINCE IT WAS GETTING REALLY LONG. HOPE YOU ENJOY.)