You know, when you're a demigod, the word "fact" kind of loses its value. I mean, you're raised your whole life in a mortal world where the weirdest creature you can find is a platypus. But as soon as you turn 13, all those "facts" you've been taught in history class are completely flipped upside down. The Greek and Roman myths? Surprise, they're all real. All those hideous creatures described in these myths? Yep, they're real too, and they would love nothing more than to drag your soul to Hades. As a demigod, there is only one real fact that you can ever know for sure; you're not going to make it long. We all have a pretty short expiration date, and one way or another our duel heritage seems to catch up with us pretty quickly. I had always lived my life accepting the fact that I probably wouldn't make it past high school. But like with all things in my crazy, wild life, I decided to break the rule. I lived. Through all the quests and all the pain; through Kronos rising and Mother Earth's reawakening and every kind of quest and prophecy one could possibly imagine, I survived. My name is Percy Jackson, and at the end of this summer, I will officially turn 20. As I mulled this over, I couldn't help but smile as a stream of light pushed between the curtains in my bedroom, lighting up the light blue walls as I slowly stretched out and rolled over, locking eyes with the most amazing and beautiful demigod to ever walk the planet, who also happened to be my fiancé. She blinked twice, yawning and sitting up.
"What? What are you staring at, Seaweed Brain?" She asked, her curly blond hair falling around her shoulders. I shrugged and reached up, habitually brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"You drool in your sleep." I taunted with a smirk. Having the amazing Athena memory she did, Annabeth instantly recognized the subtle reference to way back when we were just 2 kids who had no idea what lie ahead. My smug comment earned me a pillow straight to the face, taking me by surprise and knocking me over.
"Ow! Hey, down pillows hurt!" I called after her, but Annabeth was already long gone. I hopped out of bed, sneaking off after her. She was right where I planned; standing in front of the Keurig, yawning as she waited for her coffee to brew. Doing my best impersonation of Ethan Hunt, I ducked, somersaulted, and sneaked my way over to her, until I was standing right behind her. I slowly reached down, then without warning jammed my fingers into her ribs. She instantly flew around, instinct taking over as she grabbed my arm and pinned in behind my back. I was able to break the hold, still smirking from ear to ear as I picked her up in a huge bear hug.
"Perseus Jackson, put me down and let me go!" She demanded, and I obeyed, setting her down but still hugging her closely, chuckling and watching her try in vain to squirm free of my death grip. I looked up, pretending to consider the idea, before shaking my head.
"Nope. You're mine now." I replied. After struggling some more, she groaned, looking up at me and trying desperately to look very unhappy.
"Oh really? And what does your seaweed filled brain think gives you the right?" She asked. I laughed and set her down, my arms still wrapped around her.
"I saved the world. Twice." I stated, but she obviously wasn't impressed.
"I know. I was there. Saving the world right besides you." She responded. For a moment I faltered, and that's all the time Annabeth needed, pivoting on her back foot and freeing herself from my grip, shoulder throwing me over and onto the couch, sitting on my stomach and pressing her imaginary blade to my throat.
"Fine, alright! You win!" I admitted, but that wasn't enough as Annabeth raised an eyebrow for me to continue. I sighed as loudly and annoyedly as I could possibly muster, rolling my eyes and trying to hide my smile.
"You win again, oh great and fearless leader." I stated with mock contempt, Annabeth unable to contain the smile any longer as she laughed, burying her face into my chest and sighing. We just sat there, enjoying one another's company, until finally she broke the silence.
"We need to get up, Percy. We've got boxes to unpack." She whispered, and again I groaned, this time genuinely.
"Why do you need so many books, Wise Girl?" I pouted, Annabeth rolling her eyes.
"I'm an architect major, Percy. I need my books." She insisted. She hopped up and strolled over to grab her cup of coffee, mixing in the proper measurements of cream and sugar before taking a long sip.
"Alright, so we need the books - but are all of the owls really necessary?" I asked, earning a patented glare.
"I don't know; are all of the blue cups and bowls and plates you have really necessary?" She retorted.
"Absolutely. Everyone knows that blue is the best color ever." I stated firmly. Before she could even try to fire back, my phone started to buzz, shaking along the countertop. I quickly picked it up, reading the caller ID: Chiron, our centaur teacher from Camp Half-Blood. I could already feel that something wasn't right; demigods have this kind of 6th sense, and right now mine was going off big time. I slowly pressed answer, and raised the phone to my ear.
"Chiron?" I asked, halfway hoping that he had accidentally butt dialed me, but I knew deep down that didn't happen.
"Percy? I'm terribly sorry to call you at such an early hour of the morning, but it couldn't be helped." He began, and just like that I could feel that old, familiar pit forming in my stomach.
"What do you mean? What's wrong?" I asked. I could see the unease growing on Annabeth's face as I heard Chiron taking a shaky breath, trying desperately to steady himself. I could tell he didn't like this any more than I did.
"There's something suspicious going on in Olympus, and I need your help, Percy." He admitted. I felt as though my head and heart were about to explode in unison as I collapsed onto our couch, Annabeth instantly right there next to me, now fully and genuinely concerned. For a good few minutes, I just sat there, not knowing how to respond, but I finally was able to force myself to speak.
"Chiron, I'm retired. I'm going to be starting college at the end of the summer. I just got engaged." I explained desperately, the words spilling out shakily. I could tell that they hit home with Chiron.
"I know, Percy. I know. And you've already done so much for Olympus... but this isn't for them. This is me asking you for your help. The Olympians have ordered a quest, and they did want you to lead it, but I told them you were retired." He explained, now having my full attention.
"Then why do you need me?" I questioned, genuinely confused.
"The gods have witnessed first hand your bravery, skilled fighting, and good judgment under impossible pressure. They've see your pure heart and kindness towards all who are deserving, and your loyalty to those you care for. They need more demigods like that; a group of heroes who can carry on the legacy of peacekeeping that you began. And they decided that if you won't go on the quest, that perhaps you could train the demigods who do. Percy, they've requested that you take a place besides me, and help me train the next generation of true heroes. They want you to help train your replacements." He said softly, and to be honest he took me by complete surprise. Train the next generation? Was I really getting that old? But it did make sense; the "Heroes of Olympus" had scattered abroad, and weren't really ready or willing to go into another war.
"Training... that's it?" I asked hesitantly.
"You have my word, Percy. All that is asked is that you help me choose and train 4 demigods to carry on defending our kind in your place. Once they are ready to begin their quest, nothing else will be asked of you." He reassured, and to be honest, I believed him. Chiron has been in my corner since day one, and he is one of the few people I know for certain wouldn't lie to me.
"Chiron, I'm gonna have to call you back... I need to talk this over with Annabeth." I explained.
"Absolutely. Tell her hello from me. I will be awaiting your call." He stated, hanging up the phone with a click.
"Percy, what's going on? Talk what over with me?" Annabeth instantly asked. I swallowed the dry lump in my throat, trying to stay as calm as possible.
"That... that was Chiron. He says hi." I began, which probably wasn't the best way to start. I could see the panic rising in her eyes, like she could already see my shrowd being burned.
"Percy, no. You're retired, remember? We gave up quests and prophecies." She insisted. I quickly grabbed her hands, squeezing them gently.
"I know. No more quests or prophecies." I promised. She looked over at me curiously.
"Then what? Why could they possibly need you now?" She questioned. I sighed heavily, rubbing my thumb along her hand.
"Chiron wants me to help him pick out and train our replacements; people like you and me, who have the best interest of Olympus and of the Camp in mind. The new Heroes." I explained. For a few moments, she just sat there, a calculative look on her face.
"And what do you want, Percy?" She whispered. I was kind of taken by surprise; I honestly hadn't thought about it.
"I mean... every fiber of my being just wants to stay here and unpack and forget he ever called... but I just can't shake the feeling that if I don't go, if I don't help; what if one of those kids dies because they weren't ready for the quest? I don't know if I could live with myself knowing that some kid died because I wouldn't help prepare them for war." I admitted. This time, it was Annabeth squeezing my hand.
"That's why he called you, Percy; because he wants these kids to have that spark of selfless kindness that I fell in love with." She stated kindly, laying her head on my shoulder.
"I'm going with you; someone needs to make sure those kids have some brains to go along with that big heart." She added with a smirk. It didn't take us very long to pack up a couple of bags and give Chiron a call. He was thrilled with the news, and sent Blackjack to come and pick us up from New Rome. After about an hour, I heard the familiar clump of hooves behind us, turning and smiling at my old friend.
"Hey boss, lookin' good for an old guy." He said with a whinny. I laughed and let his snout, shaking my head slowly. Some things never change.
"Nice to see you too, bud." I admitted, tying our bags onto his new saddle and helping Annabeth up before hopping on.
"Ah, I see she's made a gentleman of you. Domestic life'll do that to ya." Blackjack commented, taking off into the air and soaring back towards Camp. Just like that, we were sucked right back into the world we had left behind, this time not as warriors, but as trainers of those who would fight in our place. As we grew closer and closer to our destination, I couldn't help but wonder what these new warriors would be like; who would be taking my place?