We are Heroes CHAPTER 31
Annabeth looked around the assembled demigods, the seven were there including Leo who was currently being hugged by Hazel who was now getting a glare from Calypso as the hug had been going on for too long for her liking. Jason and Frank were around him both looking relieved that he was back. Percy was still beside her but he also seemed relieved that he was back and unharmed. She saw Reyna, Nico, Will and Thalia then there was both Roman and Greek demigods behind them in groups but it was clear why they were there seeming the 12 Olympian Gods and Goddesses were all on their thrones looking down on them. It was time to celebrate their victory and the heroes to be rewarded. Percy saw Grover amongst Nymphs and lower gods and goddesses, the two of them shared a look with each other before their attention was brought to Zeus who had started the reward ceremony. Jason and Piper were made immortal, Frank and Hazel were happy that their curses were broken, Leo was made immortal he was super happy knowing he could be with Calypso, Nico was immortal and given a place at his Fathers side, Reyna was recognised by the gods and named as the Great Praetor of New Rome she wasn't sure what that entailed. Annabeth was named Athena's champion and granted immortality although she didn't really get a say in it after she had found the Athena Parthenos. Percy had wondered if this was done to separate them if so that failed as Percy was given godhood under Poseidon's reign. God of Heroes and waves. Zeus declared the ceremony was over and the party started.
Annabeth and Percy were standing next to each other listening to the others talk about their rewards. Annabeth looked around the room, she saw Thalia standing with Artemis both seemed to be in a deep conversation. Poseidon was talking with Hermes and Apollo who seemed to be tyring to keep out of Zeus's line of sight.
"Annabeth." Athena was behind her making Annabeth turn to look at her mother she felt Percy tense beside her but Athena didn't seem to acknowledge him she was her soul focus.
"Mom." Annabeth smiled
"I am so proud of you Annabeth." Athena stated surprising Annabeth that she would admit that in a room filled with people and gods.
"Thank you." Annabeth was not sure how she was supposed to respond to that. "I do not see Sam…I mean Anna anywhere." Annabeth stated changing the topic hoping her mother would open up.
"Anna is asleep."
"Is she ok?" Annabeth asked
"She will be. Walk with me." Athena stated leading Annabeth out of the hall, walking past nymphs and demigods alike until they reached a summit that overlooked the valley of mansions.
"Does this mean that I will forget her? I mean if I am immortal now?" Annabeth asked after a moment of silence.
"You have grown close to her?" Athena asked
"She has helped us…" Annabeth replied "Mom, what will happen to Pietro?" Annabeth asked at this Athena looked at her. "He broke her curse…"
"Annabeth, he did not break her curse."
"But she said."
"He broke his curse."
"Pietro was cursed?" Annabeth asked
"His fate is no longer connected to Anna's." Athena replied at this Annabeth understood.
"So she figured out a way to save him."
"She collected her favors."
"Favors?" Annabeth asked thinking back to the beach, Sam had said she didn't have any favors. It seemed Athena understood what she was thinking of.
"Anna has helped many gods over the years, collecting favors. She used them all to save that boy and his sister. She was told how to do it but in order for it to work he had to kill her." Athena explained. "You should know that she has spoken on your behalf."
"What?" Annabeth was surprised
"For you and…Perseus. Called in a long-ago debt too. I will admit I do not like your choice, but I will respect it." Athena stated at this Annabeth was frozen, she did not know what to say instead she just stared at her mother.
"You keep staring at me like that I might reconsider." Athena stated this snapped Annabeth out of her daze instead she looked back over the mansions.
"What happens now?" Annabeth asked
"That is entirely up to you. Do you still want to go to college?"
"Of course." Annabeth replied as she thought of her future she couldn't help but smile. She had a future, talking about college and her now possible relationship with Percy things had never looked this good. She knew that monsters would still be out there and the whole concept of aliens to add to the mix but after everything they have been through Annabeth just knew that she could handle it with Percy by her side.
Epilogue
Annabeth was standing with Percy at her side, Sam or Anna as she was going by now stood just ahead of them. They were looking out over the Lincoln memorial but Annabeth knew Sam was looking at someone in particular. Pietro was running with Bucky, Steve and Sam Wilson around the park. It had been 3 years since the party on Olympus, Annabeth had just graduated college getting a degree in Architecture and even Percy had taken classes on Marine biology he was still not used to his title and after spending six months with his father he decided to live on land in new Rome with Annabeth. Anna had only recently awoken happy that Annabeth and Percy remembered her but had spent the last week in Athena's study. She had only been granted permission to return to New York recently and the first thing she did was to research the Avengers happy that they were still all alive. Which is why she was watching from a distance, seeing proof that he was unharmed.
"Are you going to talk to him?" Percy asked
"No, it is for the best. He has moved on, I would rather not drag him back into this world." Anna replied still not looking away from him.
"What happens now?" Annabeth asked
"Now? Well You can go out and live your lives, get jobs, enjoy life. You will find monsters won't bother you much now that you are immortal."
"I know what happens for us, I meant you. What's your next step?"
"This isn't real, I'm currently asleep in Athena's catacombs under her mansion. This is just a dream."
"What?" Both Annabeth and Percy cried out at the same time in surprise.
"Don't worry you're both real, this is only a visit. You will wake up soon and continue with your lives. I didn't mean to pull you into my dream. I just wanted to know…I needed to know." Anna stopped talking she looked back at Percy and Annabeth.
"Then they aren't really there?" Percy asked pointing to Steve and the others.
"No, your mothers influence showing me they are fine. She influences my dreams sometimes, reconnecting me to the world I guess."
"Why are you still asleep? Have you not suffered enough?" Percy asked in anger at this Anna flinched instantly making Percy calm down.
"Sorry." Percy stated
"You are technically a god now." Anna pointed out
"Then can I wake you?"
"No, you asked me what my third curse was, this is it. I sleep for at least a century before I can be woken even then sometimes its longer. Stuck in this limbo state not that time really bothers me here I have no way to tell time but when I wake up…"
"Why bring us here?" Annabeth asked knowing that there must be a reason.
"You were thinking about me, like I said I did not mean to pull you in but it is your power that brought you here. You wanted to speak to me." Anna stated the scenery changed and they were in an apartment.
"Woah." Percy grabbed onto the table before looking around, "Where are we now?" he asked
"This is Athena's apartment." Annabeth replied moving around the room, she only knew that because she had just been there and had an argument with her mother over Anna. Did Anna know? Anna had moved over to the couch with a book in her hand.
"You were a big part in our victory, yet you were never rewarded. The camps…" Annabeth stopped she had visited both camps and no one remembered Anna.
"How is Will?" Anna asked knowing what she was meaning.
"He is fine, he and Nico…"
"Good, I am glad he is happy." Anna smiled
"This is not right, you shouldn't be punished you did nothing wrong." Percy stated
"You don't know that Percy, you have only known me a minute. You do not know what I have done." Anna stated a solemn mood fell over them.
"Why were you cursed?" Annabeth asked
"I intervened with something I was not meant to, it is why I am forgotten. I influenced something I was not meant to. Alexander…" She whispered his name Annabeth and Percy nearly missed it. "He was the first man I fell in love with." She now had a fond smile as she thought back. She shook her head out of those memories. "I made a name for myself, we were so close. I left their territory something I was never meant to do and for that and some minor problems I may have caused the ripple effect of my decisions were astronomical. Zeus stepped in and now whenever I intervene…" She stopped the smile now gone her expression was hard as she blinked away those memories. "As for why I sleep…that one I annoyed your mother."
"She makes you sleep?" Annabeth asked
"Yip…Elizabeth is asleep also, although she fell asleep after our interaction."
"Is there nothing we can do?" Annabeth asked looking at Anna before looking at Percy.
"Just don't get in an argument with Athena over me, our relationship is complicated and I harbor no ill will against her. This is my fate." Anna stated she noticed the look that Percy and Annabeth shared with each other it was clear they were planning something. "Wait." Anna stated reaching out her hand but Annabeth and Percy disappeared leaving Anna alone in the apartment.
Annabeth woke up in her bed next to Percy the two of them shared a look, an understanding passed between them as she got up off the bed. They were going to help Anna no matter how long it took.
AN: So there it is, the end of this story...tell me what you think by leaving a review. Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed. Please check out my other stories.