Okay, first of all, I am SO SO sorry for keeping you guys waiting for so long. I wanted to get this chapter right, and some things just weren't weren't working out. I wanted the final battle to be epic, and for you guys really to enjoy it. I know I said there's going to be two more chapters, but I decided to merge them into one. Anyway, let's go kick Mors's ass!
Jason's POV
The sound of the horn blowing was one that was not rare, but it put more dread in my bones than any time before. The sound carried all through the valley, signaling danger. We expected Mors to attack soon, but all of us prayed he wouldn't. Even though we had all sides of Camp covered, we were all trembling. We had no idea where they're going to come from, and it honestly didn't matter all that much. Mors has the biggest monster army in creation, and not just minor monsters like dracenae or empousai. He had some aliens with him, not to mention all the Giants and Titans. How we were supposed to beat them, I had no idea. But i knew that no matter what, none of us are going to give up.
The tension in the air was so thick, I could cut it with a knife. All of us were dead silent, most holding our breaths in anticipation. No one moved, no one blinked. I felt beads of sweat already rolling down my temples. That's how terrified I was.
All the stiffness, fear and terror were washed away as we finally heard the roar of monsters and clatter of weapons coming from the north side of the valley. Then on the west, then on the east. Sea monsters rose from the lake with air bubbles over their heads. Rouge wind spirits and winged creatures circled around the sky. Hundreds, thousands of monsters came at us from all sides, showing no mercy whatsoever. I quickly assessed the situation as I flew up high in the air. I used my powers over the winds to interfere with the flight of the venti and winged monsters. My sword cut through them effortlessly. The only problem was that there were dozens of them, over 150, and just one me. The wind spirits made it difficult for me to saty floating, but that didn't stop me from either taming them, harnessing their power or just simply killing them.
I had gotten rid of many monsters up in the air, when I dared take a look down. Leo was setting everything on fire, with the help of his cabin, which used their inventions and traps to kill the monsters. Piper slashed through hoards of empusai, while Annabeth fought twice as much as her. I was seriously scared of that girl at times. Every few seconds I would see a blurred line from where Hazel zoomed past on Arion, decapitating Cyclopes. Frank turned himself into a dragon, and was either crushing or lighting up everything around him. Reyna was fighting back-to-back with Annabeth, both fighting so proficiently, it was terrifying to watch. Nico raised skeletons from the ground and fought with them by his side. Will and other healers ran about, doing everything they could to help the injured. Apollo archers teamed up with the Hunters, minus Thalia, and showered the monster army with arrows from all directions. Thalia was by Zeus's fist, using her powers over lightning to kill everything within a 10 meter radius. Grover and the satyrs and nature spirits fended off creatures in the woods. Every now and then I would hear Grover's screams as the lord of the wild. It still terrified me, but then again, it was what it was meant to do. There's a reason it's called Panic. Chaos army and the Assassins were probably doing the best. In their wake lay more monster dust than anywhere else. Watching them work was a terrifying sight, especially the Assassins. Those people were so brutal, so merciless, I shivered.
But even with all of this, we were still loosing hopelessly. There were simply too many monsters, and just not enough of us. Not to mention the Titans, Giants and Mors himself have not showed up yet. By the time they do, we will already be either long dead or captured.
Or maybe not. In a split second, just as I was about to land and do all I could on the ground, flashes appeared all around us. Once I opened my eyes, I felt my jaw drop. Before us stood the Olympian council and who knows how many other minor gods. All of them ready for battle. Who knows, maybe they do acre about us. Maybe we can win. I found myself with Zeus and Thalia, electrocuting everything before us with lightning. Nico and Hades rose more dead, not just skeletons, but ghosts. Ghosts of fallen heroes. I recognized many of them, Luke Castellan, Ethan Nakamura, Michael Yew, Castor, Bianca di Angelo, so many of them. Achilles, Perseus, Theses, Bellerophon, Actaeon, Patroclus, Alexander the Great, Aeneas, the original Castor and Pollux, Hector, Menelaus, Dedalus, Icarus, the original Jason and the Argonauts, Odysseus, Peleus, other great conquerors and generals, Napoleon, Julius Cesar, and who knows how many others. I took a minute to appreciate Achilles fighting, it was a sight more terrifying than all the monsters around me.
Hecate and her children, along with Hazel, used the Mist to just make the monsters disappear. Athena fought by Annabeth and her children, along with Ares and his cabin. Bellona and Reyna decimated the monsters before them. Artemis joined Zoe and her Hunters. Apollo was either raining down arrows on the enemies or healing people along with Aesclepius. Demeter and Dionysus and their children used their powers over herbs to make traps. Aphrodite and her children helped distract the monsters so that other more warrior-like demigods could kill them easier. Hephaestus and his cabin used Greek fire to set larger enemy troops aflame. Heracles fought by Perseus, Theseus and Achilles.
It took us a while, but we finally had the monsters running back into the forest. We won. Maybe just this battle, but we won. Instead of chasing after them, Reyna, Annabeth, the gods and I gave orders to set up more traps, collect all the reusable weapons, tend to the injured, put up more defenses etc. We left some older campers to guard the valley and oversee how our orders were carried out, while us Immortal campers went into the still standing Big House to figure out a new plan of attack. As always, it took a while to have everyone stop arguing. And as always it took Annabeth shouting at everyone to do the trick.
"Jesus Christ, we are in the middle of a war, and you are all screaming", notice how she used Jesus Christ instead of our usual cries, "We need a new plan of attack, not to turn on each other."
"Annabeth is right", Athena agreed, "How long until the others arrive?"
"They should be here any minute", Hermes announced.
"The others?" Leo asked the million dollar question, "Who're the others?"
"We called other gods for help", Zeus explained, "The Nordics, Aztecs, Sumerians, Egyptians, everyone. This is a universal threat, not just something out for the Greeks and Romans."
"Well, we don't have time to wait for them", Piper spoke, "We need a new strategy, now."
Annabeth and Athena got to it right as the other gods arrived. Soon, there was barely enough room for all of us in the Big House. Luckily, with the combined minds of Annabeth and Athena, we had a new strategy. Nico, Hazel and Hades will attack from under the ground, Zeus, Horus, Thor and other sky gods will attack from above, all the others from the ground on all sides. We expected at least the Titans to come around this time, maybe even the Giants, but not Mors himself. It was still far too early for him to show himself. We also didn't expect the Primordials which have sided with him to come out yet.
Even with all the help we had, I still felt it wasn't enough. And I knew just wished there was one person there with us. Heck, I would trade all the gods sitting with me right now to have Percy by my side. Maybe with him here, we would stand a chance.
Wait, Hades summoned the dead heroes to the fight. Why wasn't Percy among them? He's the greatest, strongest of them all, surely Hades wouldn't have overlooked him.
"Where's Percy?" I interrupted the new argument which had just broke out. Everyone stared at me with sad eyes, tears in many.
"Jason, Percy's dead", Hazel spoke softly, quietly.
"No, I know that", I elaborated, "But Nico and Hades here summoned dead heroes. Percy wasn't among them. Where is he?"
The room was dead silent. Everyone avoided looking each other in the eyes, especially me. Even the other gods' heads were hung low. The stories of Percy's heroics must have reached them over the centuries.
"Perseus's soul is not in the Underworld", Osiris finally spoke.
"What?" Annabeth choked out.
"Percy isn't in the Underworld. None of them", Hades explained, "He is either still alive, or Tartarus has claimed his soul before he could reach us."
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?!" Thalia exploded.
"What difference would it make?" Hades argued, "He can't be alive, so either his soul was destroyed, on Chaos's realm or still in Tartarus. Whichever it is, he won't be joining us in this battle, or any other, ever again!"
We were just about to argue further, when the horn blew once more. Seriously? The battle was over just a few hours ago!
We all ran out and took our positions. I took a look around from above. Things were not looking good for us. The monster army was just as big as before, if not bigger. I recognized all the Titans there, and at least half of the Giants. The only good sign was that there were no other Giants, no Primordials, and no Mors. The battle raged on just as it had before- the archers raining down arrows, the healers healing the injured, Thalia blasting things to ashed, Leo making ashes in his own way, Annabeth and Reyna decimating everything before them. Nico using the shadows to swallow monsters. Piper and Hazel fighting side by side. Frank in the form of a giant grizzly bear. I was in the air once again, killing things up above. The gods fought with us, so we were able to hold our ground for a while.
The problem were the Giants and Titans. Us immortal campers, or children of some stronger gods could take them on, but the Titans only. We needed to work along the gods to kill the Giants, and we were all a little busy. I was battling Enceladus with what I assumed was the Egyptian god Horus. Just like during the war, battling the Giants was no easy task. It took us a while to take the monster down.
I took a moment to assess the situation. To say it was desperate would be a huge understatement. Monsters just kept coming in, and, of course, there was a limited number of gods and demigods. We are going to lose, I can already see it. Monsters were backing groups of demigods into corners or rings. Lifeless bodies littered the ground. Broken weapons and monster dust glowed in the sun. The day just wasn't one for fighting Mors- the sun was up high, shining. The sky was blue, no clouds anywhere, even though every few seconds I heard thunder. It was weird, but it was as if some force wanted us to be at least a little optimistic.
Monsters kept coming, and soon, most demigods were captured. In the end, it was just us old ones and the gods which have survived (not too many of them) against the complete Giant/Titan ensemble. Annabeth, Reyna, Piper, Clarisse, Nico, Will, Leo, Frank, Hazel, Travis, Connor, Zoe, Hylla and I stood back to back in a ring, with a number of gods largely reduced from when the battle began. Our weapons were out, bloody and dusty from the battle. We were all scratched up, bruised, panting and completely exhausted when we felt darkness falling over us. Two figures strolled onto the battlefield, both wearing dark cloaks. Once they neared us, I finally figured out who they were.
"Behold, brother", Mors bellowed, gesturing to the ruined camp, "The beginning of our conquest. The beginning of destruction. Soon, this will all be dust, and we shall create the world anew."
"I must admit, brother", Chaos laughed, "I should've listened to you all those eons ago. This is the way to creation. Complete and absolute destruction."
The Chaos army, which was still raging on the battlefield stood still. Their master just sided with the enemy, they must've been confused.
One soldier stepped forward, "Milord", he knelt before the two oldest creatures, ever, "What is the meaning of this? Isn't he the enemy?"
"Stand, warrior. I stand with my brother. I have for some time now. And with me, all of Utopia does. We fight against the gods, not with them."
"But, my lord, what of our commander? He said Mors is the enemy?" Another soldier spoke up.
"Your commander is gone", Mors laughed, "He died in Tartarus. Besides, you don't fight for him, but for my brother. And therefore, you fight for me."
"No", an Assassin stood, "This isn't right, my master. The General wouldn't have wanted this."
"It doesn't matter what Jackson would or wouldn't have wanted. You don't serve him, but me and my brother. And, as I said, he is dead", Mors gritted his teeth.
"Am I?" a deep, booming voice came from all around us. The ground shook. The sky turned gray. Wind blew all around us. The ocean was restless. I felt the temperature dropping all around me. Lightning struck the ground, but this wasn't work of the thunder gods. This was something much older, much more powerful.
The ground split open. Screams of pain came from the great chasm. Red light illuminated it. In a flash, a huge wave of black water shot up, enveloping all the monsters in it. Each of them died a painful death, judging by their screams. I heard Nico mutter something, but I didn't need him to figure out that something just pried open a portal to Tartarus. That scream must have been the Primordial, crying out in pain.
A small figure shot high up in the dark sky. He flew like Iron Man, with small purple orbs under its palms and feel, propelling it up. Once it landed, the ground shook again, dust rising. For some reason, my mind started playing the Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin. Stupid ADHD.
I took a better look at the figure once the dust had settled. It was dressed in familiar black robes, with weapons decorating it. The hood was up, blocking my view of the person's face, but I didn't need to see the face to figure out who it was. That robe was Percy's Assassin uniform. He pulled the hood down, revealing his jet black hair and face. I heard gasps coming from all around me, and a sob from Annabeth and Zoe.
"As you can see, I am very much not dead", Percy grinned, and only then did I notice his eyes. The weren't green anymore. The irises that once resembled the ocean were now bright, glowing purple, with the white part now pitch black with white spots littering it, like stars on the night sky.
"And, I brought a friend to the party. Hope we+re not late", he smiled evilly. Mors and Chaos shivered a little.
"Father", Chaos whispered, "Impossible! You are dead"
"On the contrary, my son", Percy spoke, but in a different voice, "It is very much possible. I am the Void, I cannot be killed. Even if everything is dust, I shall still exist. And as for how I have a form, young Perseus here was kind enough to make a deal with me. I now inhibit his body, and in return, I provide him with aid, power and council."
"But, you're trapped in my prison in Tartarus! You can't escape that place!"
"Well, I am known for doing the impossible", Percy laughed, "Now, let's dance!"
He ignited his hands with demon's breath, and shot huge fireballs at the two. Chaos dodges, but Percy managed to graze Mors's arm. The Primordial bellowed in pain as he put the fire out. He unsheathed his dual swords, while Chaos summoned his double-headed spear and the two brothers took fighting stances. Percy smirked and drew one of his more powerful weapons, an icy sword, and Riptide. The ground shook, and Percy was floating on a hurricane, charging at the two. I watched as Percy/Void slashed at the two, stabbed, ducked, rolled, flew up, swiped with his hands, tossing them to the side. All we could do was help the injured and watch. The gods ran off (typical), leaving us on our own once more. The Apollo kids ran around, taking away the injured with the help of other kids. Some older ones, more mentally stable, carried away the fallen demigods. Us immortals just stood, gaping at the battle going on.
Percy Jackson was even more of a beast than I remembered. He laughed manically, grinning with every single move. He stabbed, slashed, sliced and manipulated everything around to work to in favor. The winds blew so hard I thought my face was going to be ripped right off my skull. The waves crashed on the beach, sending water all the way to us. To be fair, saying waves would be an insult. A tsunami came after a tsunami, in a loop. The ground trembled with every blow Percy dealt. And he seemed to receive none. I knew he was on our side, but that didn't mean I wasn't terrified of him.
In the end, all three of them, Mors, Chaos and Percy were unarmed, using only their magic to battle. Chaos created domes around Percy, which Mors would destroy in an attempt to crush my friend. But there seemed to be a force field around Percy, shielding him. He waved his hands around, tossing the two Primordials around, slamming them against one another, shooting them up in the sky and slamming them back down to the ground. Thalia and I did our best to it them with as much lightning as possible, to keep them down. Nico tried to use the shadows to hold them chained, and Leo set them on fire every few seconds. Maybe there's a chance.
"Fools, we cannot be killed!" Mors bellowed, "You shall pay for this!"
"No!" Void boomed, "Maybe you cannot be killed, my sons, but you can be restrained. Even you two are no match for the power of the Void. I am everything and nothing. I will be there when everything turns to dust. And I will be your prison, for all eternity."
Chaos and Mors kept cursing everything and everyone, but to no end. Percy held it all back, shielding us. I felt the battle coming to an end, and at that moment it seemed as is we were going to win.
"Zoe, the Cube!" Percy shouted towards Zoe Nightshade, who summoned the Cube. Percy turned to me, and handed me the purple power orb he held in his hands, "Hold this for me."
Before I could protest, the ball was in my hand, and I felt its power surging through me, but it didn't kill me. I watched Percy run to Zoe, and take the Cube from her. For a second, I thought he was about to run back to me and finish everything, but then I realized. Percy wasn't going to win. We may, but he won't. Percy was saying good-bye to Zoe. His hand cupped her cheek, and I saw tears coming from her big black eyes. Percy whispered his good bye to her. None of us interrupted them, we knew these were his last moments. Zoe was crying, but she returned the kiss he placed on her lips before running away. She begged him not to do whatever he was about to do, but Percy was determined. He ran back to me, taking the orb from my hands.
"Thanks, Jason. Look out for them, just as you have. Good bye, bro", he forced a smile, before enveloping Annabeth in an awkward hug. Then, he turned his attention to the two screaming Primordials and started chanting. At first I thought it was Greek, but I realized later that it wasn't. The held out the Cube as it started glowing. The small black object started floating as Percy made weird gestures with his hands. Chaos and Mors were shouting, pleading for their lives. Slowly, the Cube started sucking them in. The sight was nothing but hideous. The two deformed, melted, turned to smoke and dust as they were pulled into the Cube. The black object made contact with Percy's hand again, and sucked him in along with the two. With a loud BANG! the Cube collapsed into itself, leaving nothing but a crater and a screaming Zoe Nightshade, held back by Clarisse and Frank.
Everything went still. No one, but crying Zoe moved. Most of us were holding our breaths. The sea was calm, the winds blew no more, the ground stopped shaking. And Percy Jackson was finally dead. Gone for good, who knows where.
"Heroes! The war is over!" Chiron announced, but no one cheered, "Though this is a time for celebration, I have to ask you to have a moment of silence for our fallen friends, and another one for Perseus Jackson, the boy who gave everything for us, centuries ago, as well as today! All hail Perseus Jackson, savior of the Universe!"
Everyone was quiet, honoring the dead, honoring Percy. Only Zoe kept sobbing. I should have seen it before- Zoe was in love with Percy, and Percy was in love with Zoe. And now they'll never get a chance to be together.
Piper ran to me, tears rolling down her eyes. I held her close to me, cherishing every moment I had with her, once more realizing that there are people who will never get a chance to do so with their loved ones. Frank was hugging Hazel, Will and Nico were kissing, Reyna and Annabeth embraced each other, Thalia and Clarisse comforted Zoe, and Leo ran to Calypso.
"Well, another victory in the name of Olympus!" Zeus flashed into the camp with a grin, "All hail the gods-"
"Shut. The. Fuck. Up." I snarled at my father and he looked at me with shock.
"Jason, how dare you-"
"Cut the crap, dad", Thalia joined me, "Another victory in the name of Olympus, my ass! You ran away! You left us to die! You left us on our own once again!"
"We didn't fight for you. We fought for each other", Nico added, "Because we are everything all of us have. We no longer fight for Olympus, but for Camp Half-Blood. So you can shove your celebration up your pompous ass."
Zeus seemed like he wanted to argue, but caught glares from every single demigod around him, so he flashed out.
"Come on, we have to honor the dead", Annabeth choked out, "It's been a long day."
Percy's POV
When Void first possessed me, I thought I was truly dead, but it was more like I was trapped inside my own mind. Though it didn't last long, it wasn't pleasant. Void materialized inside my head, and carried out his proposition: I act as his host, and he will help me defeat Mors. I was surprised and disappointed then I heard Chaos betrayed us, so at first, I didn't trust Void. But he provided solid proof, and I took the deal.
I cleared the way for the others in Tartarus, and then returned to Utopia for a Primordial Council meeting. I managed to convince all the Primordials not to side with anyone, and just stay completely neutral, out of the battle. I couldn't worry about them betraying one another and me during the fight, so I had them swear on Void's name. It's a binding oath stronger than a Styx contract, so should they break it, they would die, Primordial or not, it didn't matter.
Void and I returned to Tartarus and got the others out, but we were too slow, so we were left trapped. Luckily, I'm Percy Jackson, so following with the whole impossible thing wasn't really what I did. We punched a hole through the walls, and pried Tartarus open. I was afraid he'll attack, but he kept his promise. Phew.
Once we were out, Void conjured his power, and I felt my soul and body burning with energy. I knew what I had to do, Void walked me through it. But that didn't make it any easier.
Nor did the fact that I was in love with Zoe, and I was about to leave her. That was scarier than eternity in that Cube. So I mustered up as much courage as I could, and I confessed everything. Then I kissed her. Our lips moved in sync, as if it was our hundredth kiss, not the first. Once he pulled apart, I took in the sight of her dark eyes shining with tears. It pained me to see her like that, but I couldn't help but think she was beautiful even when she was right out of battle.
Before I willed myself to give up, I ran back to that monster, Mors, and traitor, Chaos. I chanted in a language Void taught me, Enochian. Soon, I was pulled into the Cube along with the two Primordials. The was was over. We won.
I don't know how long I was in the Cube. I know it wasn't very spacious, and that it was very painful. Mors and Chaos took turns torturing me, saying it was their only way of entertainment. Void, who was our prison, shielded and healed me as much as he could. I wanted to die, but I knew that was impossible in there. I did this. I trapped myself here. It was the only way, but it didn't mean I had to like it.
But one day, it all just stopped. Maybe I died.
No, I was still alive. And I was on the shore of the sea at Utopia. I was out? How?
Percy, I don't have much time, Void's voice lingered in my head, I managed to find a way to free you. You didn't deserve this, but you do deserve a long, happy life. But, sadly, it's not all puppies and rainbows. Since Chaos, who was once the ruler, is now trapped, the Universe needs a new lord. You have my blessing, and all my powers. Summon a Primordial Council, and they will put you on that position,. It's your heritage, and now also your duty. I know you will do well on the job, you have to. Don't worry about Chaos and Mors, they aren't getting out, ever. Just, make sure the worlds keep spinning, and that the Universe keeps expanding. And, go find that Zoe girl. Good luck, Perseus. The Universe is now in your hands.
I didn't like it, but Void left me no choice in the matter. I summoned the Council, giving them Void's message. They had a vote and the result was unanimous. I was appointed the Lord of the Universe. I was supposed to look after everything, literally.
Later, I learned that it wasn't much different from being the General, only now everyone answered to me, and I answered to no one. But I did make all major decisions with the Council, which now I was a part of. I left Utopia under their surveillance, as it was being rebuilt, and traveled back down to Earth.
I made my way up Half-Blood Hill, taking in the view of the rebuilt Camp. By the looks of it, I was a few months late.
I sighed, and teleported to the Big House, where a meeting was being held. I coughed, attracting attention to myself.
"I hope I'm not too late", I smiled. Everyone stared at me in shock. Some had tears in their eyes, but my attention was not on them. My eyes were glued to the dark haired girl sitting beside Chiron. Zoe Nightshade stood up, and ran across the room to me. I opened my arms and picked her up in a hug when her body slammed against mine. I felt both her smile and tears on my shoulder. I grinned myself.
But, in true Zoe fashion, she slapped me once we pulled away.
"OW! What was that for?!" I rubbed my cheek. She was fuming.
"Where the hell have you been?!"
"In the Cube", I sighed, explaining the situation, "I had to make a sacrifice to trap Mors and Chaos, meaning I had to go with them. But Void freed me two days ago, so I came back here. How long was I gone?"
"Eight months", Jason replied.
"I'm sorry", I dropped my head down, but felt Zoe hug me again.
"Just, don't do that ever again."
"Promise", I smiled, "Now, what have you been up to?"
They explained everything that happened while I was gone. the gods cut off contact with them completely, and they were mostly just rebuilding the camp. I hated the gods even more than I used to, so my decision was a little rash, but I never regretted it.
I flashed myself and my friends to the throne room up on Olympus. The gods were arguing, as always, and they tried to blast us when we came in. But, being the awesome new Lord of the Universe, I deflected it like nothing.
"Now", I clasped my hands together, "Time has come for a change."
"Jackson, what do you want?" Ares spat at me, but I just grinned.
"It's my lord to you, Ares. After all, I was just appointed the ruler of the Universe", everyone stared at me, but no one said anything. The gods could feel my power without a doubt, and I'll explain everything to the demigods later, "Now, as I was saying, you have done nothing but bother everyone for the past couple of eons. And, you bailed on your kids more than once. So, punishment is in order. You will no longer rule over your domains."
"You can't do that!" Hera protested.
"Watch me", I grinned, "You are unfit to rule over this planet, so now, I give command to my friends here", I gestured to the group behind me, "Sadly, I cannot give them your powers, but I can bless them so they can rule. As for you, you will stay locked up here, forever. Okay, that's it. Buh-bye."
I flashed us out. My friends stared at me.
"What? It's not like I made you gods, just boosted what you were already doing. Plus, you no longer have to worry about them", i shrugged, "As for the demigod species, I left and opening in the walls around Olympus so they can bless children who shall then become demigods. It's a good system."
"You, sir, are awesome", Leo grinned, and they left, one by one, leaving only Zoe and I.
"So, ruler of the Universe? I thought you couldn't get past your ranks?"
"You can't. At least, when there already is a ruler. Since Chaos is gone, Void seemed to find me fit for the post", I shrugged.
"Good. You're gonna be amazing", she smiled, sadly, "I just wish you could stay here with me."
"I think I'll do better with you there", I smiled. This was why I came back to Earth- to ask Zoe to come with me.
"What?" she asked with a glow in her eyes.
"I would like you to come with me", I took her hand in mine, staring deep into her eyes, "I love you, Zoe Nightshade. I have for some time now. Ever since those years that never were. And I want you to rule beside me one day. For now, I just want you by my side. Only if that's what you want, of course."
She kissed me, passionately. Our lips again moved like it was a millionth time, not second. When she pulled away, I felt myself grinning, and her returning it. Her smile was mesmerizing, something so beautiful and bright, it made all the stars in the sky shine a little dimmer.
"I would love to come with you", she replied, and at that moment, nothing could make anyone happier than me. I pressed my lips to hers once more, before taking her hand in mine.
"Let's go then", I smiled. She returned it, and my heart fluttered. Yeah, this ruler thing might not be so bad after all. As long as she's by my side.
"Let's go."
I dissolved us into stars, matching the ones in the night sky. One last time, we had a look at Camp Half-Blood, up from the sky. They'll be okay.
We reappeared on Utopia, in my throne room. But this time, there was a gold throne, exactly the same as mine, only mine was silver. Zoe's throne. I looked at her, smiling. Her jaw was on the ground at the grandiose palace. I took her hand and lead her to my favorite spot. We sat beneath a tall golden tree by the silver river on top of a hill, observing the city. Zoe's head was resting on my shoulder, with me playing with her hair. Every now and then, she would look up at me, smiling.
I went over everything in my head. All my quests, The Titan War, The Giant War, this Mors war, and now us sitting together. I remember watching Zoe die twice and how I felt after it. But then I saw her sitting right next to me, watching the Universe. Sure, there was death in the course of my life. It wasn't always nice, and it certainly wasn't always pretty. But at this moment, with just her there with me, everything was absolutely perfect.