Without Destiny

Epilogue

A little over 1 year later

I breathe in the frigid Canadian air deeply, looking up at my apartment building with a bit of longing and dread.

A hand wraps around mine, instantly chasing away the chill as our fingers are become hopelessly twisted together. I look up at my girlfriend, taking reassurance from her open and patient expression.

"We don't have to go. We can wait another week, month, year. We never have to go."

I shake my head. We've been hiding away up here for over eight months in the land beyond the gods, beyond the fates. Other than one incident a few months back when we had to venture back to Forks (to once again help Bella), we have been living a peaceful existence (other than going to school for the first time since I was eleven). Up here, we are completely without destiny, except for what we choose.

"No," I sigh. "I can't hide forever." At least not from this.

"We'll be back," Leah says, squeezing my hand. I look up at the she-wolf, willingly letting myself get caught in the pull of her eyes. When she speaks of gravity, I can't help thinking this is what she meant.

I tug her hand gently, but she knows what I want. She leans down as I rise up, wrapping one arm around her shoulders to steady myself as I fall into her lips. Our kisses aren't so imperfect anymore (they haven't been for a long time), but it still feels just as real as when I thought my world had almost ended once more.

Leah reluctantly pulls away. "We're going to be late to our flight," she murmurs, and I sigh but let her back off.

"Okay," I breathe deeply again to calm myself. It won't be the last on this trip.

We are in the air for over five hours before our plane lands in New York, and I've changed my mind at least once every hour about just immediately going home once it lands. When it finally does, though, we take our carry-ons and walk straight out the door.

I'm almost surprised by the business as we step out of the airport, and it seems so long ago since I was last here (when all of Manhattan was put to sleep), that I feel overwhelmed. Leah doesn't look to be faring much better, but she determinedly stands at my shoulder as we wait for a taxi. It doesn't take long for one to pull up.

"Long Island, please," I tell the cab driver. "3.141 Farm Road, Montauk."

He pulls into the heavy line of traffic. Exhaustion pulls at me, and I lean heavily into the girl accompanying me. I joked that she's my emotional support animal, but in reality, it's truer than she can possibly know. If it wasn't for her, I probably would never return. Or, at least, it would have taken me far longer.

An old fear and panic raise in me as we draw closer to camp. Traffic ends and long empty roads are ahead. I recognize the scenery outside from the long-ago rare field trips year rounders used to take during the school year. It was the only time we ever got to go outside of camp. We were close back then- the year rounders who had no where else to go- no one else who cared.

The thought of seeing any of them again is terrifying. The cab slows to a stop, and the driver looks back in question.

"You sure this is the right place? The only thing out here is a strawberry farm."

"Yes, thank you," I say, passing off the wad of cash. He doesn't make another protest as we climb out and wait for him to pull away.

I once again take a deep breath before leading my girlfriend up Half-Blood Hill. I pause just at the border. It's nothing visible- I can just feel the magic in my bones. It feels like home. Tears spring to my eyes are I take in Peleus the dragon, so big now, guarding the fleece. And farther down the hill, I see the strawberry fields, and the big house, and the cabins, and lake, and climbing wall.

I release a shaky breath and look to my side. Leah is staring at me, expression nothing more than concern. My emotions settle and I take a step over the barrier.

"I, Mackenzie Davis, grant entrance to Leah Clearwater." I watch as Leah's eyes grow wide as the Mist lifts and she looks past me.

I tug her hand, getting her to move through the barrier and start down the hill. My amusement dims as nerves writhe in my belly. It's been over a year and a half since I've been back here.

I catch sight of several familiar campers, and a few newer ones. I start to slow as I suddenly realize that something isn't right. Camp seems a lot busier than normal. Even still, a few people catch sight of me, and stop to stare.

I hurry Leah faster to the big house to find Chiron. I don't pray to my dad that Mr. D doesn't smite me (even though Mason told me Zeus pardoned everyone). I just hope fervently.

I hesitate, again, at the porch as I instantly catch sight of the Activities Director, my old mentor. My old friend. The only father figure I've ever had.

"Chiron," I call softly, and he turns to me in his wheelchair than was overlooking the training arena. His eyes land on me, and instantly he rises out of his chair and steps off the porch.

"Mack," he says, surprised, before his face softens slightly as he takes in my terrified eyes. He steps closer and places a strong familiar hand on my shoulder. "Welcome home."

Tears instantly spring to my eyes, but I repress them ruthlessly.

"I'm so sorry," I say quickly, bowing at the waist, the action dislodging the centaur's hand.

"Rise child," he says tiredly, and I immediately obey, searching his expression for any resentment. There isn't any. His attention turns to my girlfriend whose hand has become stiff in mine. "I don't believe we have met. I am Chiron."

She has to let go of my hand to take the trainer's. "Leah," she says softly, glancing to me to make sure she can talk. I nod, trying to tell her with my eyes that it's okay. She turns back to my old mentor. "I am Mack's girlfriend. I am also a shifter."

Chiron's brows furrow slightly. "I see," he says, letting her hand go. "I'm afraid it's a bit of a bad time to visit for reconciliation," he tells me gravely.

I take in his expression in concern. He looks older, which should be impossible. Stressed. Like there is still a war going on. I suddenly feel like I've stepped back into camp in the same moment I left.

"What's going on, Chiron?" I ask apprehensively.

"A lot has happened in the last year, Mackenzie. Once more history is repeating itself. Gaea is rising."

My heart drops, but I also feel a surge of determination. Desperation. I can fix my mistakes. Prove my remorse. I won't run this time.

"What can we do to help?" I ask without a second thought. I already know that Leah is with me. There is no asking her to go back to Canada to wait this out without me, there is no convincing me to go back either. Where one of us is determined to throw ourselves into danger, the other follows.

Chiron's lip ticks up. "We have a group sailing to New Rome to pick up reinforcements as we speak. As for now, report to your acting cabin head for instruction. That would be Jake Mason, who I believe is in the forges at the moment. I trust that you will show Leah the ropes. You may give her the grand tour later," he plucks Leah's bag from her shoulder. "For now, I will put her things in the big house, in the room she'll be staying in."

"Of course," I grin, taking her hand and setting off toward the camp forge.

"What's going on?" Leah asks, once we get a bit away. I glance toward her, feeling guilty for not consulting her on this, but she just squeezes my hand in support.

"Gaea is the Earth Goddess. Like, the original big bad. Kronos' mother. If she's rising, that means that the giants are and that means another end of the world scenario. This time, I'm going to stand by my camp."

"Well, that's good to hear!" A voice calls out joyfully, and I pull up short to spin on my heel. A grin instantly lights my face.

"Mason!" I sigh happily, falling into his open arms. It's been over a year since I last saw my best friend. Being demigods make it hard to stay in touch.

"It's good to see you again, Leah, though I'm surprised you've managed to put up with this one for so long," he says over my shoulder. I slam my fist into hit arm, drawing away with what's supposed to be a scowl.

"I've tried running; I just can't seem to get rid of her," Leah says good naturedly, and I turn my glare onto her instead.

"Yet you're the one following me into war," I comment dryly.

"Yeah, well, reciprocity and all that," she shrugs.

"Anyway," I roll my eyes, turning back to my oldest friend. "I'm supposed to be finding Jake. We'll catch up during supper."

I tug my girlfriend along, not pausing again until we come to the door of the forges. This is where I spent a lot of time as a child. It's where I made Morph. I push the door open and step inside the familiar room.

Harley looks up, only absently to see who walked through the door, but when he spots me, the trap he was working on slips through his fingers.

It bounces off the table, where it hits the grounds, before shooting off like a rocket through the workspace. Shouts rise up as several people have to duck out of the way of the deadly projectile. It eventually bounces into the furnace where it gets swallowed up in intense heat.

All the eyes of my siblings turn to me, and my heart aches over the faces I notice missing. There are new faces as well, blinking at me confusedly- not understanding everyone's sudden silence.

"Um," I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry for the choice I made. It was the wrong one and I want nothing more than to make it up to you all. I'm here to fight. Tell me how I can help."

Jake stares at me for a quiet moment before nodding to my backpack. "Go put your stuff in your bunk and then grab a wrench. You can introduce us to your girl later."

The grief that's been pressing on me suddenly eases, and it finally feels like I can breathe.

END

A/N: Wow, what a ride but this one is finally done. I think this is my favorite crossover one I've done so far with PJ. Thanks so much for reading guys, and I'd really appreciate it if you reviewed!

~Silver~