Blackjack and Scipio happily ate the remaining apples out of Percy's and Reyna's hands. The sky was clear, clouds sparse, and sun shining warmly. Flowers were in bloom, a handful of bees buzzed about, and the wind was a light breeze. The conditions were perfect, almost as if the land and sky themselves were celebrating the dawn of a new era. Percy's mood did not match the weather, though. Given where they'd just come from and where they were about to go, he didn't feel very sunny at all.
"The quest is over," he said. "Thanks for taking us this far. You never had to come with us at all, but you did. So you can consider your debt repaid."
Blackjack finished chewing his last apple and neighed. "You can't get rid of me that easy, Boss. I'm with you to the bitter end."
"You don't have to be, though."
"I want to. Are we friends or not?"
Percy paused, only because he hadn't been expecting that label. "We are."
"Then I'll be there whenever you need me, Boss. 'Set me free' or whatever if you want, but I'll always be close by and ready to fly. You know I won't be going on nearly as exciting adventures on my own."
Percy smiled. "I guess travel can get pretty boring without you, so have it your way. To the bitter end."
Blackjack reared and stomped his hooves down with fervor. "Yeah! Me and Boss, taking on the world!"
Percy chuckled. He gave the pegasus a pat and looked over at Scipio, who was having his mane affectionately stroked by Reyna, all apples presumably eaten.
"What about you?" Percy asked him.
"Oh, he's already made up his mind," Blackjack said matter-of-factly.
"Indeed," said Scipio. "Although Blackjack is a loyal friend and I do miss Guido dearly, I've always longed for more sophisticated company."
"Pshh." Blackjack did his best to roll his eyes, but the expression looked strange on a horse's face.
"This one —" Scipio pressed his face against Reyna's palm, "— possesses intelligence and wisdom, as well as a heart of gold. I've found in her the companionship I've long sought. I offer her the loyalty I'd once envisioned giving to Jason Grace."
Reyna was watching Percy throughout the interaction, having no idea what the horses were saying.
"He's really taken a liking to you," Percy told her.
"I've noticed," she said, smiling. "I so envy you that ability."
"Yeah, I know. It is pretty great. He told me you have a heart of gold, and wants to be your companion."
She stared at the pegasus, surprised. "I'm honored."
There was a pause while Percy listened before translating. "He says the honor is his, and you have his loyalty. Call or whistle when you need him; he'll always answer."
"Thank you, Scipio," she said. "I shall carry the privilege of your companionship with great pride."
"You don't need to be so formal, Reyna. He's not a king."
She glared at him.
Once the pegasi took off, the couple proceeded up the road and to the city gate. The streets were bustling, its people lively. A couple of children were running about, playing tag while a woman sang nearby with a voice barely audible over all the people talking and milling about. A shady man tried to sell Percy a potion that supposedly cured impotence. Percy was too busy to respond, wondering why he'd targeted him; meanwhile, Reyna assured the merchant that he needed no help in that department and then dragged Percy along.
It took some time, but after navigating signposts toward the wealthier districts of Neapoli, they managed to find the right person to ask for information. They thanked the man for his help and found their way to Tristan McLean's villa. Unfortunately, knocking on the front door yielded no response.
"What do we do?" Percy asked.
"Wait and look around, I suppose," Reyna suggested.
Doing that resulted in very little. They searched the structure's exterior but found no one. Only animals grazed the pasture, and not a worker could be seen tending to the fields. Regrettably, they had no idea what the man even looked like, so it wasn't as if they could just go searching for him. In the end, they were forced to sit and wait at the villa's entrance, knocking one last time just to be safe, to be met with the same lack of response.
An hour passed, and Reyna had fallen asleep on Percy's shoulder. A rather handsome, albeit greying man approached them, looking confused. Percy shook his beloved awake, and the two stood.
"Can I help you?" the man asked.
"Are you Tristan McLean?" said Percy.
"I am," he said warily.
"We're looking for your daughter, Piper."
"We were friends of Jason's," said Reyna. "My name is Reyna, and he's Percy."
"Oh." The man's expression softened. "Piper is — What do you mean by 'were'?"
Percy and Reyna glanced at one another.
"I'm. . . afraid we have bad news," Reyna said.
"Oh, no." Tristan cupped his hand over his heart.
"He. . . died in battle. He sacrificed his life to save countless others."
"That's horrible. He — Piper. . ."
Percy nodded solemnly. "That's why we're here. She deserves to know."
Tristan wiped his eyes, then told them where to find Piper's home.
"Thank you," said Percy.
"I can't pretend to have ever been close with him," said Tristan, "but I housed him for years. He was a dutiful boy with a kind heart. It was sad enough when he disappeared one day without saying a word. But this? Oh, my poor girl. This will break her."
"His death has been hard on all of us," said Reyna.
Tristan sat down, his eyes lowered. Reyna patted his shoulder consolingly, then looked at Percy.
"Why don't you go on ahead?" she said. "I'll stay here a bit."
Percy met her eyes. "Are you sure?"
She nodded. "You can meet me here."
He hesitated a few seconds more, then nodded. "Alright, then."
He left the two alone and walked according to Tristan's directions. He had to mentally prepare himself for what he was about to do. Telling Jason's mother and her husband was difficult enough to bear, and he'd just decided it'd been no easier the second time. Now he had to say it to the woman his friend had been in love with. He tried to imagine how he would react should Reyna take off one day on some dangerous mission, and someone else came to tell him she would never be coming back; he couldn't do it.
Minutes later, his knuckles rapped on a new door. He needed to wait mere seconds for it to open, then unexpectedly saw a familiar face.
"Hmm," said Aphrodite, her eyes betraying only a hint of surprise. "The Savior of Greece. I can't say it's a shame to see you again so soon, although I can't say it was anticipated, here of all places."
Percy stared for a few moments before remembering to bow. He heard faint sobbing coming from within the house, but couldn't see its source past the goddess.
"Um, right," he said awkwardly. "The Fates did mention something about. . ."
"Oh, indeed," said the goddess, whose distinctly Greek attire gave away which of her counterparts was speaking. "I left a number of children behind when I entered my decade long beauty sleep, unwillingly. The girl who stole your late friend's heart is one of them. Most of the others, I'm afraid, found their way into your rebellion. You're well aware of what became of them."
"I'm sorry," said Percy. "Were any. . .?"
"One," Aphrodite answered. "I can't say she was my favorite, but I can't say I'm not saddened by her death, either. I can say that I wholly understand why you had to kill her, and hold no vendetta against you. But I doubt that's what you wish to talk about, so let's move on, shall we?"
Percy nodded guiltily.
"I believe I can guess why you're here. But the matter is already taken care of. Better to come from her mother than a stranger."
Percy could still hear the sobbing. "I still need to talk to her."
"What for? She already knows."
"With all due respect, my lady, Jason asked me to do one thing before he died. I intend to do it."
Aphrodite stared at him analytically. Finally, she took a step out of the doorway and said, "So be it. I do have another stop to make before the day is done. I'm skeptical you have the ability to make her hurt any less, but I'm certain no words can hurt her more at this time. Just a small heads up — her husband is sterile."
Percy's brow furrowed. "What —?"
"Oh, and that's a very nice necklace you have," she complimented.
Percy's hand instinctively shot to his satchel, where his father's gift was wholly concealed.
"It'll look lovely on Reyna," said the goddess. "You know, you two make a cute couple. I do so enjoy tragic romances and heartbreaks — they're more interesting — but the love you share is something special. I would honestly like to see it last."
With a wink, she strutted past him and took off down the street, drawing many eyes to her as she went. Percy watched after her for a single beat, a little dumbfounded by the things she'd said, before turning his eyes back toward the door that had been left open.
Piper was a complete wreck. She didn't notice him walk up to her. The crying woman sat alone on the edge of a chair, her face lowered, and messy locks dangling down, hiding it from view. Her elbows rested on pressed-together knees while her hands dug through her hair. There was also a rather repugnant odor in the room. He couldn't tell where it was coming from, but he was at least certain it wasn't from her.
"Hello," Percy said.
She glanced up, and her sobbing hitched, though only momentarily. Piper continued crying, clearly attempting to stop. She spent the next minute wiping her tear-stained face and pushing her hair back so that it wasn't obstructing her vision. Percy waited patiently, giving her space while the woman did her best to gather herself. Eventually, her face was dry, the weeping had ceased, and she was able to speak in a surprisingly clear voice.
"Who are you?" she said, her arms crossed over her stomach.
"My name's Percy. I'm another demigod, and a friend of Jason's. I. . . came here to tell you something you already know."
She stared at him, face unreadable. After a time, she gestured toward an empty chair. Percy accepted the invitation and sat facing her. She wiped her eyes once more.
"I was there when. . . when it happened," Percy told her gently. "How much did your mother tell you?"
She sniffled. "Everything. The cave, prophecy. . . all of it."
"She probably didn't tell you exactly what went down inside the Hollow. We didn't know what would happen when we went in. I never would have allowed it. I would've given my own life in his stead, if it were possible."
She didn't say anything.
"He asked me to do something before he died. He wanted me to find you. He wanted you to know that he never meant to leave you again."
Her eyes welled up, and she burst into tears once more. His heart broke for her while he could do nothing more than sit and wait for her to stop. He wanted to find the words to say to make her feel better, but knew they didn't exist.
"H- he visited me," she eventually choked out. "Recently. W- we- were go- going to get ba- back together!"
"I'm so sorry," was all Percy could think to say.
She continued bawling. Then suddenly, she picked up an old pail from beside her and vomited into it. Percy stared at it, realizing where the odor was coming from, then watched her set the bucket down and cross her arms over her stomach again. Two seconds passed before his eyes widened, realizing what Aphrodite had meant.
Piper was pregnant, and with Jason's child.
Jason's funeral was simple but nice. Tristan had volunteered to host it at his villa and even hired a cook and musicians to service the event. He'd also been gracious enough to allow Percy and Reyna to stay as guests the night before. The turnout was quite small. Piper found it too hard to try and attend, and his mother and husband had insisted a funeral was pointless without a body when Percy had broached the idea back in Rome. A few people he'd been acquainted with when he lived here showed up. Due to him having died a deserter and almost all of them living in Rome, no legionnaires were extended invitations. Other than Percy, Reyna, Tristan, and those few, the only other attendees were Juno and Vesta, who'd stood incognito at the back while Reyna gave the eulogy she'd prepared with only a little input from Percy. Jupiter had been absent.
Afterward, Percy and Reyna waited for nightfall to depart from the city's eastern gate. They called their loyal pegasi, who flew them low above the road for a time until they found the plume of smoke they'd been searching for. They landed outside the woods and continued on foot to a camp with two inhabitants, right where Percy had last seen them.
"Perseus," said the centaur. "You return. And it's good to see you again as well, Reyna."
The couple approached with a bit of distance between them, but it didn't seem to have any effect. Annabeth watched their approach with knowing eyes that he knew well enough to see the resentment hidden inside.
"Hey," he said.
"Chiron." Reyna gave a nod of greeting to him before looking to Percy's ex-lover with her head held high. "You must be Annabeth."
"A pleasure," she said without any heart in her voice.
"If you've come with a tale to tell," said Chiron, "You needn't spare the words. Athena's already been to see us. I am deeply sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," said Percy. "I actually came here to —"
"Annabeth," Reyna suddenly interrupted. "Could I speak with you alone for a moment?"
Percy stared at her in confusion, but she didn't meet his gaze. The two women stared each other down while he and Chiron watched with apprehension. The crackling fire was the only thing filling the tense silence.
Annabeth stood and nodded. Reyna smiled. They walked toward the woods together, and Reyna clapped her hands twice. Two metal hounds bounded from the shadows to trot at her side, one made of silver and the other made of gold. Annabeth couldn't help looking startled by them, but held her composure and showed no fear. They were gone before Percy could comment.
"Would you care to have a seat?" Chiron asked.
Percy sat. "I uh. . . I wasn't expecting that."
"You bring two women you've loved within arms reach, and they're bound to have things to say to one another."
"You don't think they'll fight or anything, do you?"
"You know both of them more intimately than I. Your guess would hold more weight."
Percy twiddled his thumbs nervously, really hoping Annabeth didn't try to lie to Reyna.
"So what's next for you, young Perseus?" Chiron asked, staring at him inquisitively.
Percy spared one more glance in the direction the girls had gone before answering. "Reyna has a sister, long-lost. We're going to go find her."
"And after that?"
"Not thought that far ahead. We're going to wing it. Take some time alone, enjoy being together without some sort of big issue hanging over our heads. We'll figure things out from there."
"Sounds peaceful."
"That's the hope."
Chiron sighed. "So many heroes lay in early graves. I've trained many of them personally. I grew to care for them and had to mourn for them. I sorely pray that you two get to be among the few exceptions."
"I'm sorry. I thought I've lost a lot of people, but you. . . I can't even imagine."
"Immortality is a gift and a curse, Perseus. Try and remember that."
"So, are you going to go back to training demigods now that the gods are awake again and more are going to be born?"
"As I'm sure you're well aware, this merging has dire consequences. Monsters will grow stronger, hungrier. I imagine it's only a matter of time before they start ignoring the bounds of mortal cities to seek out demigod blood, choosing to hide in plain sight. It'll prove more difficult for young demigods to survive on their own. I hope to find a suitable location to set up a more permanent camp. Athena had the right idea in telling Daedalus to gather them all in one place, and I wish to carry that on. There's strength in numbers."
"How do you keep finding the will to train heroes, knowing a lot of them will die young?"
"Death is a part of life. Tragedies are common and inevitable. But when I do get to see my pupils live to enjoy happy endings, it's all the more gratifying."
"Gratifying. . ." Percy said, thoughtful.
Chiron smiled.
A few minutes later, the women returned without the precious dogs, neither looking harmed or displeased. In fact, Percy would go so far as to say they appeared to have had a pleasant conversation.
"Percy," said Annabeth. "I'm ready now."
"Uh, for what?" he said.
"To talk. That's why you came here, isn't it? To 'tie up one last loose end'?"
Percy shot Reyna a look, who'd sat down and was feigning ignorance. He pushed himself to his feet and approached his former betrothed, hoping this exchange would go as smoothly as her's and Reyna's seemed to.
"I'm really sorry about your friend," Annabeth said after they'd walked a distance away from the campsite.
Percy nodded solemnly. "Did you know?"
"About what?"
"Jason was Thalia's brother."
She stopped in her tracks, eyes fixed on the ground. "He can't be."
"You said he reminded you of her."
"I didn't think that meant anything. There was a passing resemblance, sure. But Thalia never told me she had a brother, and I don't think she told Luke either."
"Jason trained with the wolf goddess Lupa since he was two, so he never knew his family. Maybe the separation was too painful a memory for Thalia, so she suppressed it."
She was silent for a while. Eventually, she turned to face him, but wouldn't meet his eyes. She stood out of arm's reach of him.
"About, you know. . . how things ended," she said.
"Yeah. That's been on my mind too. I wish it would have gone different."
"I was so stupid."
Percy let out a laugh, which was promptly stifled by a glare from Annabeth. "I'm sorry. It's just — you're the smartest person I've ever met. 'Stupid' and you don't really go together."
"But I was. Luke — I should have seen it before we were ever even a rebellion."
"Hey. None of us were able to see it. He and the others hid their true natures very well."
"I was able. I saw him do questionable things, heard his terrible suggestions, and saw him get angry — vindictive, rash, spiteful. I just — I always brushed it aside, because. . ." Her voice wavered progressively more until she trailed off.
"You loved him," Percy finished for her.
She met his eyes with tears at the corners of hers. "I still do. I know I shouldn't, and I hate him at the same time, but I can't stop loving him."
"I understand."
"How could you?"
Percy realized the gap between them had grown smaller. He took a step back and broke eye contact, taking a moment to find the best way to put it gently.
"You're right," he said. "I guess I don't fully. But I know how hard it is to give up on someone you love. It took me a while to fall out of love with you. I knew then that it was over between us for good, but I still loved you. Even when all the facts told me you were with him and approved of his choices, when a nagging voice told me I should hate you, I still couldn't give up on you. Even when the love died because — well, reasons — I couldn't stop believing you were the person I once wanted to spend my life with. And I'm not in love with you anymore, but I remember what it was like to be. I don't blame you for the mistakes you made. I forgive you."
She was silent for a while, before voicing what was on her mind. "What if I'd listened to you? What if I'd left the rebellion with you? What do you think would have happened?"
"I don't know," Percy said honestly. "I thought about it, a few times, but knew it'd never have happened. In the impossibility that you did, we'd have stayed together awhile, then something else would inevitably split us apart."
"Sounds accurate. I keep running it through my head over and over again, but every scenario I can think up always ends the same — with our paths diverging. We weren't meant to be."
"It doesn't have to stay that way — the diverging paths thing, I mean."
Annabeth raised an eyebrow.
"You know we had a friendship before we ever got together," he said. "There's nothing stopping us from going back to that."
"What about Reyna?"
Percy shrugged. "She forgave me when another woman kissed me. She'll probably be able to handle us being friends again."
"Who kissed you? Whatever, I don't want to know. I shouldn't be surprised. You know how many girls had it in for me when we first got together?"
"No?"
She rolled her eyes. "That also doesn't surprise me. It doesn't matter. She may be able to handle us being friends, but I'm not. Just. . . not yet."
Percy smiled sadly. "I get it."
"I need to figure things out. It might take some time, so I hope that offer doesn't expire."
"Never. I hope you find what you're looking for. I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise. I'm sure you'll find someone who won't break the ones he makes."
"Maybe. But it's not that important. I can be by myself for a while." She paused. "Reyna seems good for you."
"Oh," he said awkwardly. "Yeah, I think so."
"It looks like you two might have what we were missing. I hope it works out for the both of you — honestly."
"Thanks."
She took one step forward, hesitated, and then hugged him. He hugged her back. It was a strange feeling, enjoying this particular woman's embrace without the presence of either tension or romantic implications. It was just so foreign to be able to share a purely platonic hug with her, but he liked it. She may not be ready to be his friend yet, but he was confident she one day would be. He was happy in knowing that.
Percy and Reyna departed the next morning. After spending the previous night relaxing by the fire, eating, and recounting tales for a while with Chiron and Annabeth, the two went to sleep separately (Annabeth may have been cool with the two of them being together, but neither wanted to offend her). Not long after waking up, they said their farewells and took off for a stroll. Reyna didn't know exactly where they'd be going yet, but he did.
"You're satisfied?" she asked as they walked.
"With what?" Percy said.
"Your loose ends."
"Yeah," he lied. He still had one last one to tie.
After a silence, she said, "Annabeth is nice."
"You didn't have to bring out Aurum and Argentum for that," he scolded.
"I wanted a chance to use them. My mother gave them to me for a reason. You know I wouldn't have let them attack her, even if she had lied."
"She probably figured out what they're for. It doesn't exactly exude a trusting nature."
"Well, I didn't trust her. She was with the man who nearly killed you, and in love with him while she was still with you."
"Don't tell me you're jealous."
"Of course not. You told me you're not in love with her anymore a long time ago, and I don't need Aurum and Argentum in order to believe you."
Percy put his arm around her shoulder and smiled. "We've come a long way from the Roman officer and her rebel captive."
"Indeed we have," she said in a loving tone. "We'd go even farther if we called Blackjack and Scipio."
"In time. Let's just enjoy this moment."
"Hmm. That does sound good."
They walked on with no destination in mind for another minute. The wind was but a light breeze, carrying a few loose petals through the warm air. The sky was just cloudy enough to keep the sun's rays from burning their skin without affecting the temperature too much. A handful of birds flew above while one was perched in a tree somewhere nearby, chirping a song. It truly was a blissful moment — one might even say perfect.
"So what did you two talk about?" Percy finally asked.
"Some things," Reyna said vaguely. "You first."
"Oh, you know. Luke, our past. . . you. We made peace. She said she's going to take some time by herself to figure things out before she's ready to be a friend."
"Aligns well with the conversation I had."
"She also approved of us. She said we might have something that she and I were missing."
"What do you think that is?"
"I'm not sure. One of us isn't in love with someone else, for one. So, solidarity? Loyalty?"
She thought for a moment. "Unity?"
He smiled. "Yeah, that. We're in tune with each other. I'm happy with you, and you're happy with me. . . right?"
"Hmm, I don't know," she teased. "Now that you mention it, Lucius does seem rather dashing. I might have to leave you for him."
He gave her a playful shove, and she chuckled.
"Oh, wait," she said. "I forgot he's married. I guess I'll just have to stick with you for now."
Percy smirked. "The heart wants what it wants. Jason didn't let a little roadblock like marriage stop him from going after his heart's desire, and neither should you."
"So there's still hope."
They both laughed, then quickly grew somber at the mention of Jason.
"Of course I'm happy with you, Percy," she said. "There's no one I'd rather be with. You are my one true love."
His heart somersaulted in his chest upon hearing those words. Gods, he loved this woman. The necklace hidden in his satchel came to the forefront of his mind, and he suddenly felt nervous.
"So it's your turn now," he said instead of the question he needed to ask. "What did you talk about with Annabeth?"
She shrugged. "You, mainly. I only wished to ensure that there were no hard feelings. I saw a good person who suffered at the hands of a villain, and regret for her mistakes. Her strength and intelligence also didn't slip my notice. I can understand why you wanted to marry her."
Percy hung on her words for two beats before snagging the opportunity. Nothing was stopping him. It was now or never.
"I don't want to marry her," he said. "I want to marry you."
She froze. Percy continued forward two steps so he could stand facing her. Her eyebrows were raised, and mouth slightly agape. For the first time, he'd completely stunned her.
"Reyna." He pulled out the wrapped necklace, but her eyes didn't leave his face. "Can I be your husband?"
Her lips slowly took on the shape of a smile over the course of four seconds, before finally parting so she could utter the word, "Yes."
"Yes?" He grinned. "You'll marry me?"
"Yes!"
"Then —"
He didn't get a chance to finish what he was going to say, as suddenly he found her arms wrapped around his neck and her kissing him passionately. He kissed her back and hugged her tightly, the necklace still in his hand. When they separated from one another an eternity later, her face was decorated with a look of pure joy as she bit her bottom lip through the broadest smile he'd ever seen on her face. His expression likely looked similar.
"What were you going to say?" she asked.
He freed the pearl necklace from the cloth and held it in front of her. "My father gave me this, so I can give it to you."
"It's gorgeous," she muttered.
"Can I put it on you?"
She turned around and pulled her hair aside. He strung it around her neck and locked the ends together.
"This," he said during the process, "will serve as a promise. You're my one true love, and even death can never change that."
She turned back around. Aphrodite's words rang true — she did look lovely with it on. She kissed him again, but this time it only lasted a moment. When she pulled away, her eyes were on his.
"So when do you want to marry?" she said.
"It might have to wait a while," he admitted.
She furrowed her brow. "Why?"
"Because I know how to find your sister."
For the second time, he'd completely stunned her.
"What?" she said after several seconds.
"Back on Olympus, your mother told me you and Hylla have your own destinies, and that's why she let you become separated. But she's already achieved hers, apparently, and it's time for you to be reunited. And then she told me how to find her."
"She told you instead of her own daughter?" she said, outraged. "And why did you hide this from me?"
"She made me promise! She said I couldn't tell you until after I'd asked you to marry me. And I really wanted to tell you sooner, but I didn't want to ruin this moment by asking when the time wasn't right."
Reyna looked less angry. "But why you?"
"I'm supposed to act as your guide, because we're sailing the Hospitable Sea."
That didn't lessen her confusion. "Why would we need to sail, and why would you have to be my guide? Would it not be faster to fly?"
Percy shrugged helplessly. "Word for word, this is what she said. 'Sail the Hospitable Sea to its southeastern shores. Once there, go where the monster population is densest, and you'll soon find Hylla.' You know how vague goddesses are. It doesn't make much sense to me either."
"But it's a lead." Her eyes glimmered with hope.
"We have a heading," he agreed.
"I'm going to see my sister again. And then we're getting married."
"I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens."
"Have you truly tied all your loose ends?"
"Now I have. We can go now if you want."
"Then let's go now."
Percy whistled loudly to the sky. "So let's get on Blackjack and Scipio and find us a boat."
The pegasi came and carried them through the skies once more. As they flew, Percy felt utterly content. He'd been a child when Greece fell, but had never even lived there. He'd grown up in a Greek city that had been a part of the Ptolemaic Empire for nearly two hundred years. But that didn't define his blood or the culture he'd been raised with. He never felt out of place among the other children of Greek gods that had actually grown up in Greece. The fall had impacted him just as significantly as them. His life since the end of that war has been nothing but a series of twists and changes that he had to struggle through just to get to the next obstacle. He'd always dreamed of a day when he could kick back and be able to say that it's over. But no matter what "it" was, it'd never be over — and he was finally okay with that. Life would throw new things his way, and tomorrow would never look like yesterday. But no matter what significant changes and events the future held for him, he'd find a way to adapt. He'd gotten pretty good at that by now.
A/N: There it is. That is the last chapter from Percy's P.O.V. This is where the story officially ends, but there are more chapters coming (remember the roadmap in Chapter 39). The next thing I'll be working on is rewriting Chapter 1. I'll let you know when it goes up. My plan is to keep the events that occur identical for the most part, but write it better and more interesting as well as start the chapter at an earlier point. So it'll be longer, better, and have more stuff in it.
After that is Reyna's chapters (Now that I'm thinking on it, she could possibly even get three), one of which will go over the search for her sister, so more Percy is coming, just from her P.O.V. Then the following character chapters are going to be after a huge time skip, so you'll get a glimpse of what becomes of Percy and Reyna later in life (I left one tiny hint in here. Wonder if any of you noticed it). These I'll basically all be writing like independent short stories, but they'll be going here as new chapters.
And to address something a couple of people brought up — is this story meant to be a prequel to PJO? In short, no. I intentionally wrote a lot of things so that you can accept this story as a headcanon for Rick's universe, but there are a lot of issues with that. The first being that just changing the names isn't really a viable solution. There are direct allusions to Percy and the original Perseus in this story that wouldn't work if you pretended his name was different. Then there is the fact that there's no mention of these events at all in the books, but that could be explained away by the gods being too egotistical to let anyone know how close they came to being wiped from existence just to be saved by demigods. But then there are the coincidences of these characters' godly parents. Jason and Thalia being born to two aspects of one god in the books is supposed to be unprecedented. Then there's a daughter of Bellona who's attracted to a son of Poseidon who's with a daughter of Athena. And that daughter of Athena also happens to have feelings for an evil son of Hermes. I think we can stop there. It just doesn't really work, so I'm not going to claim this story is a prequel. That doesn't mean you can't, though.
Anyway, I'll see you all when I'm finished with another chapter. Thanks again for all the support you've shown this story. It really means a lot to me.
