"The knife,Percy,"Annabeth breath was shallow."Hero . . . cursed blade . . . "

When my vision came back into focus, I saw Kronos grasping his sword. Then he bellowed in pain and dropped it. His hands were smoking and seared. The hearth fire had grown red-hot, like the scythe wasn't compatible with it. I saw an image of Hestia flickering in the ashes, frowning at Kronos with disapproval.

Luke turned and collapsed, clutching his ruined hands. "Please,Percy . . . "

I struggled to my feet. I moved towards him with the knife. I should kill him. That was the plan.

Luke seemed to know what I was thinking. He moistened his lips. "You can't . . . can't do it yourself.

He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can . . . can keep him controlled."

He was definitely glowing now, his skin starting to smoke.

"Percy NO! screamed Annabeth.

"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."

"Percy, you have to let Luke do it, you have to trust him, you have to trust me" said Annabeth with pleading eyes.

If Kronos evolved into his true form, there would be no stopping him. He would make Typhon look like a playground bully.

I look at Luke, then Annabeth, then back again, both pleading with me with their eyes.

I thought for a moment, then deciding to trust in Annabeth, I gave the knife to Luke.

Grover screamed in protest,while Annabeth looked at me with relieved eyes,with Luke doing likewise.

I watched as Luke grasped the hilt.

I stood before him-defenseless.

He unlatched the side straps of his armor,exposing a small bit of skin just under his left arm, a place that would be very hard to hit.

With difficulty he brought the knife up,but just as I thought that I was about to see the end of Luke Castellan his eyes changed from blue to a malevolent gold.

It happened so fast. I was about to give an exclamation of surprise, when Kronos once again in control of Luke's body stabbed with a blinding velocity at my Achilles heel,just above the small of my back.

I sucked in a big gust of air, feeling like I was unable to breath,feeling as if I had gone somewhat deaf, although in the distance I could still hear a cry of, "Peercy",which must have been Grover and a wail of grief which could only have been Annabeth.

I felt my skin steaming, I was starting to see black spots, in front of me Kronos was giving me a triumphant sneer.

For the briefest second I considered giving up and just letting the blackness take me, but then it would have all been in vain,

Beckendorf,Silena,Michael Yew,Zoe Nightshade,Bianca and so many more, they would all die in vain.

Then I thought about those still here, Annabeth,Grover,Nico,Mom,Paul, everyone else . . . They too would perish, although their fates would be considerably worse, since Kronos would now be in charge and would hand out punishments as he saw fit, especially to the ones I love, of that I had no doubt.

I reached into my pocket and felt Anaklusmos, I pulled it out, uncapped it and with my last bit of strength stabbed upwards at Luke's weak spot.

Kronos gave a wail of outrage for the last time before Luke's eyes turned from the gold of the Titan Kronos to the blue of the demigod who had so long ago welcomed me into the Hermes cabin and been like a friend to me.

Luke proceeded to fall to the floor and with his last breath said "Percy, th. . . thank y . . . you a. . . and I am . . . sorry,before disintegrating into a pile of gold-dust which was then blown away by the wind.

With that Percy himself fell back and landed on the floor.

"PERCY"! screamed Annabeth as she ran to him and then proceeded to kneel by his side,with Grover following her lead.

"Percy,I am so sorry, I shouldn't have told you to give the knife to Luke, it's all my fa-"Annabeth I interrupted her, It's not your fault".

He took a gulp of breath and proceeded to recite the great prophecy which was by now permanently burned into his memory.

A half-blood of the eldest gods

Shall reach sixteen against all odds

And see the world in endless sleep

The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap

A single choice shall end his days

Olympus to preserve or raze.

"Turns out he said, all the while struggling with the words, I am the hero after all".

Seeing how Annabeth still looked grief-stricken he said, "Annabeth, you better than anyone, knows that there is no way to escape a prophecy, you might think it's your fault,but there was nothing you could have done, In the end I was always destined to die".

"Annabeth, I need you to promise, no swear to me that you will not let this get in the way of your life, that you will continue your dream of making something great, of becoming the greatest architect that ever lived and that you will move on and live a long and very happy life".

"But Percy, I-"No Annabeth no but's,if you ever cared for me you will swear this, I cannot die in peace knowing that you'll just stay here and suffer, so I repeat, if you ever cared for me,then swear to all that I have said.

Annaveth gave a sniffle, but then said, "Alright Percy, I swear."

Percy breathed a sigh of relief, but knowing he had no time to waste turned to Grover and said, "Hey G-Man," trying for a smile, in what most likely resulted in a grimace due to his searing skin.

Grover's eyes were red and he was sobbing uncontrollably,Percy wanted to comfort him and say that it would all be okay, but not only would that be a lie(At least in regards to Percy), but he did not have the time, so instead he said, "Grover I need you to do something for me".

"Sure thing Percy,whatever you need".

"It's not something so much about what I need rather what you need to do, I need you to cut our empathy link, otherwise you'll probably die, and I'll be damned if I went all the way to the sea of monsters and saved you from Polyphemus just so that you die because of me".

Grover gave a sob and said, "but Percy I might not actually die, I might just-"Grover please do me a favor, and shut up and cut the link, I don't have much time and while you might not die, the chances are to big, not to mention that you have Juniper to think about, remember?".

It seemed like Grover was about to make another protest,but thought better of it and instead just said, "Okay Percy, I'll do as you ask, look me in the eyes and try not to blink, this will only take a few seconds". Percy did as told and after about ten seconds Grover said, "All done, the empathy link has been cut". Once again Percy gave a sigh of relief knowing that Grover would not die because of him.

"Perseus", a quiet voice said. He turned his head and there standing was Hestia, the last Olympian. "Lady Hestia", said Percy, he was about to say more, but Hestia held up her hand, "Don't push yourself Perseus, there is no need, you have done well, all that could have been done and have saved the world from Kronos and his followers, you are the Hero Of Olympus".

"Lady Hestia, Percy said once again, could you please tell my Mom and Dad that I-, "Worry not Perseus, I will tell them", said Hestia with a remorseful smile at him, which he returned, thankful, knowing that she would tell them everything he himself would want.

"Relax Perseus said Hestia, you can let go now, there is no need to continue with this unnecessary pain".

Percy did as Hestia said and proceeded to lie his head down from his uncomfortable position, he gave his right hand to Annabeth who took it, smiling sadly at him, all the while still crying, he then proceeded to give his left hand to Grover who did as Annabeth,all the while crying along with Annabeth, as they looked at their friend,comrade, and savior.

Demigoddess,Satyr and Goddess all look down with remorse as Perseus Jackson, Hero of Olympus smiled at them,before closing his eyes and taking a breath and then exhaling for the last time.

When Percy opened his eyes he was very confused, he had expected to be in the underworld, waiting to be judged, or maybe even be in Hades presence, or even being directly transported to Elysium, considering he had just saved Olympus from the Titans.

This however was not the case, instead he was surrounded by what appeared to be gray fog in a likewise greyish ground.

Percy stood up and tried to see if there was more to his surroundings, but it appeared like there was not much to it other than the grey fog and ground.

"And so we meet again Perseus Jackson, now Hero Of Olympus", three voices said simultaneously, making him jump and turn around. Before him stood the three fates,

Clotho,Lachesis and Atropos. "Oh, said Percy, breathing in a sigh of relief, it's just you guys". Once he had recovered from the initial shock he asked the obvious question,

"So where am I and why am I here?". "You young Perseus said Atrophos are in limbo".

"Oookay, what is that?", asked Percy. "Limbo is an intermediate state in between life and death", said Clotho.

"Okay I get what it is, but now back to my other question, Why am I here?".

"There is a very good reason for that young Perseus, said Lachesis, you are here because we have a proposition to make you". "Well, what is it?, asked Percy getting tired of what seemed like senseless talk to him, but then again knowing the fates, he shouldn't have expected any different.

"Our proposition Perseus, said Atrophos, is one we think you might like, to get to the point, (Finally, thought Percy) we are here to offer you a chance at rebirth".

"Well why am I here then, don't I get that option once in the underworld?".

"Well, yes, said Clotho, however this is somewhat different, you see we have known that ever since your first quest you have yearned for a life where the gods do not rule over you and where you get to make your own choices, or at least without the gods, and so we offer you a chance at rebirth to a world where there are no gods to rule over you".

Percy was quite surprised, yet intrigued by the offer, the fates were indeed correct, he had for a long time now wished to be in charge of his own decisions, and not have to worry about the gods interfering in his life and accusing him every other day of the week and added to the fact that he had died at sixteen years old without getting to experience life, he yearned for that too, he was still deep in thought when Lachesis spoke startling him once again, "There is however, Perseus something you should know about this offer, while we can send you to a world without the gods, that in turn means that you will never again see any of your loved ones, any of your friends,family,acquaintances, because while we can send you to a world without the gods, we cannot bring you back and if you so choose to go, you will never again see any of the ones you love, not even after your second death, since whatever afterlife you may encounter will not be one by the gods".

At this Percy faltered, because while he wished for a life without the interference of the gods, he didn't wish for a life in which he would never again see his loved ones.

He then however started to think about said loved ones, he had given Annabeth his blessing to move on, and had meant it too, she was a beautiful,smart and talented young woman and by the time she died and came to Elysium, who was to say that she would not already be married and have kids of her own?. And then there was Grover,he too would at one point die, weather by battle or old age, but either way, he would reincarnate, probably into a flower or some other sort of plant, so there would be no reunion between the old friends either, then there was his other friends who would themselves probably have someone to be with in Elysium,such as Selina and Beckendorf and while he yearned to see his mother once again, she was more than happy with Paul and they had recently been talking about having a baby and while Percy would be sad that he might not get to see a future sibling at least this would mean that his mom would have somebody else to love and care for.

After all these thoughts he finally made his decision. "I have decided he told the fates".

"Well?" They asked in unison. "I will do as you offer and choose rebirth in a world away from the gods".

"Very well then, said Atrophos, you shall be sent imme- Wait, said Percy, There is however one last request I have before that". "What is it?", asked Atrophos.

"I wish to speak to Nico Di Angelo". "That is impossible, the living and the dead should not mingle". "I don't mean to be physically present, a dream would suffice, after all it's not like I am a stranger to that form of communication anyway".

"The fates thought it over for a minute, then looked at each other and seeming to come to an agreement, Atrophos said, "Very well, it shall be so, the Di Angelo boy has already been searching in the underworld for you anyway, might has well, now lie back and close your eyes and in a minute you shall be able to have your conversation".

Percy did as told and within the minute he was face to face with Nico Di Angelo.

"Percy!" Yelled Nico rushing at him and trying to hug him, but being unable to due to being in a dream.

"Woah there Nico, I never thought of you as a hugger before," said Percy trying to lighten the mood.

"Percy, where are you, I've been searching the whole underworld for you".

"Well, according to the fates I am in limbo".

"Limbo?, but what are you doing there, why aren't you in Elysium?"

"That's actually more or less what I am here to talk to you about Nico, you see the fates offered me this chance, which basically consists of being reborn in a land without the gods, but the catch is that I will never again see any of you, since whatever afterlife there is will not involve the gods".

"What!, you don't mean to take that offer do you?"

"I am afraid so Nico, I've thought about it and I think it's for the best".

"But what about Annabeth?,Grover,your mom,What about me?".

"Nico,I really liked Annabeth and with time, I have no doubt I would have come to love her,however the circumstances prevented that."

"I have given Annabeth my blessing to move on, just in case she needed the incentive, Grover will one day die and be himself reborn, probably as some sort of plant, and my mom . . . and my mom has Paul and will probably one day have another kid or kids with Paul, since they have been talking about it lately, and you Nico . . . you still have a long way to go, your time for death is nowhere near, and besides that you also have Annabeth and Grover as friends, not to mention that my mom basically see's you has a second son already, and if you put your mind to it you can find plenty of other friends and someone to make you happy, like my mom and Paul make each other happy."

Nico was getting teary eyed, but before he could say anything, Percy continued by saying, "I need to do this Nico, I need to live a life that can be more my own that the gods, but I could not leave forever without saying goodbye and making sure you're gonna be okay."

"Very well Percy, I suppose there's no changing your stubbornness," Nico said, choking up a little.

"Thank you for understanding Nico, Percy said smiling sadly, and if it's not too much to ask may I ask you a favor?"

"Sure Percy,'' said Nico, "Well, could you please make sure that everybody moves on and doesn't let this drag them behind, you know, my mom, Grover,Annabeth . . .

"I will Percy."

"But promise me Nico that you will also look after yourself, you have to promise me and mean it, otherwise I will not be able to go in peace."

"I Promise Percy",said Nico, choking up a little.

"Thank you,'' said Percy, before proceeding to smile at him and hug him, after a minute he separated and said, "Farewell Nico Di Angelo and may the fates be good to you," and with that he was once again in the presence of the fates.

Percy looked at the fates and said, "I am ready, I just have one last question."

"What is it?," asked Atrophos.

"In the world where I am going, will I find my true love?"asked Percy, thinking of Annabeth, and Calypso, and even of Rachel, but more specifically Annabeth and what could have been . . .

"Atrophos looked at him sadly,which Percy would have never expected from a fate, and said, you will find your true love one day Perseus, that is all that I can say."

Percy released a sight and said, "Very well, I am ready."

The fates then took out a sea-green thread, then Atrophos said, "This is your last chance Perseus, once we cut this thread you will be sent to the world we speak of and you will never return, are you sure you want to proceed?"

"I am sure", said Percy, "Very well then", Atrophos then pulled out a pair of shears and with a quick snap of the shears, the thread that linked Percy to that world was gone and Perseus Jackson was no more.

There were not many things that made Sirius Black uncomfortable, however hearing Lily give birth was officially one of them, hence why he had stepped outside of the hospital and was taking a breath of fresh air and looking at the stars, something which always helped to calm him.

Sirius did not want to admit it, but one of the big reasons as to why he was so uncomfortable was because he was afraid of what this would mean for his and James friendship. They used to say that they would be bachelors for ever and live the good life until the end of their days, something which Sirius was pretty SERIOUS about, and while James might have thought the same way at first, that all change thanks to a certain someone, a certain someone that went by the name of Lily Evans.

Truth be told Sirius had not really understood, or at the very least at the beginning, why James was so obsessed with Lily, I mean, he knew she was pretty, smart and talented, but she was the perfect definition of a goody two shoes, so while Sirius could understand why James would love to tease her and flirt with her, knowing just how flustered and enraged she would get, he at first didn't see why he was so besotted with her,obsessed enough that he became the responsible one of the Marauders, even more so than Moony, who could at least be goaded into doing stuff with them, just so they would stop annoying him, but this was not the same case for James, who wanted to prove to Lily that he could be matured and responsible, so much so that he even stop jinxing people and pulling pranks,(Although Snivellus was an exception to all of this,which was quite a big comfort to Sirius) all of this so that Evans would be with him.

"Well, he got his wish", said Sirius aloud.

It's not like he didn't like Lily, he absolutely adored her, seeing how happy she would make his mate, Sirius always liked to joke that Lily was like a Hippogriff, since when treated with respect she would always give said respect back, she had a great heart and a gentle soul, or at least most of the time, because when she got mad, she could sure make anyone fear her, even Sirius if he was to be honest with himself, although he would ever admit that to anyone.

Just then however Sirius was interrupted out of his thoughts by Remus, otherwise known among the Marauders and Lily has Moony.

"Hey Padfoot, what are you doing out here? Lily just gave birth you know, although I guess I just answered my own question, seeing how afraid you are of any sort of Serious commitment, although then again it is you we are talking about so I shouldn't say that this is a SIRIUS commitment, if you know what I mean".

"Ha,ha,ha, very funny Moony, I didn't know you knew how to even make jokes anyway," said Sirius, somewhat irritated that for once he was the one being made fun of, and by MOONY of all people!, this is when he knew the world was truly coming to an end.

"Well can't say that making fun of you for once isn't fun, but back to the main topic, oh wait I forgot, what was it? . . . Oh yeah,our friend Lily just gave birth to the sons of our other friend James, whom you've known ever since you got on the Hogwarts express and who has been like a brother to you, oh yes, now I see why I forgot, just a minor detail after all".

"Wow, first of all Moony, making jokes and being sarcastic in the same night, what have you done with the real Moony?" Remus rolled his eyes at this, and second, did you say she gave birth to SONS, has in two,dos,deux?"

Remus gave a sight, "Yes Sirius that's what SONS means, now how about we take the situation a bit more SERIOUSLY, it was now Sirius turn to roll his eyes, and we return to the hospital so that you can meet your De Facto nephews".

"Yeah, yeah I'll be there in a minute", Sirius said looking up at the night sky once again.

"Seriously Sirius?, no pun intended that time, but it's just too easy said Remus, making Sirius roll his eyes once again, but can't you look at the stars, literally any other night of the year?" "Well, yes, said Sirius, but it's just that . . . Perseus is really bright tonight.

"What?", asked Remus.

"Perseus, the constellation, it's really bright tonight."

"Oh that's right said Remus, I forgot your family are a bunch of obsessed fanatics when it comes to the stars."

"Last time I checked my family didn't own the stars," said Sirius sounding somewhat irritated at being compared with the rest of his family, even if it was for something as simple and innocent as a fascination for the stars.

"Yeah well unless you come along, those boys are gonna be unrecognisable and grown up by the time we get back".

"Uhh fine, if it will shut you up let's go".

Once again Sirius was getting nervous, nervous about what this would mean for his and James friendship, sure James getting married to Lily had been one thing, but having kids?, that was a whole nother level, now he would be a 100% responsible parent for sure and the few immature things that he and Sirius did every now and then to remember the good old days would be a thing of the past.

Then there was the fact that as Remus said, these boys would be his nephews in all, but blood, meaning that he too would have to become more responsible, after all he was sure Lily and even James wouldn't want a bad influence on their kids.

He sighted, already tired of just thinking of all the changes that would be coming.

"You know, '' said Remus looking at him, you'd think that with all the drama you're making, it's you that's just had kids, rather than James and Lily".

"Ohh cut me some slack Moony, I mean I know I may be overreacting, but . . . What if I am not?, What if James and Lily decide that they're happy with their new family and forget all about me and leave me behind?".

"Well, I don't think it'll come down to that, but you have to see things from another perspective Sirius, I mean, they are parents now, that means that instead of taking care of one big baby, Cough, You, Cough, Sirius rolled his eyes at this, now they have two more babies to take care of, and while it does mean that James won't be spending as much time will you, I without a doubt know he won't abandon you, and besides you still have me and Wormtail".

"At this Sirius gave an exaggerated shudder."

"You know what Padfoot?, I was starting to feel bad for you, but that just went out the window."

Sirius laughed a bit at this. "I am just messing with you Moony . . . Mostly, now let's hurry up and go meet our nephews".

Remus gave a smile, glad that Sirius wasn't in his gloomy mood anymore.

They entered the reception area and proceeded by going to the counter-lady whom Remus asked, "May we go in and see Lily Potter?We are close friends and want to meet her newborns if that's all right".

"Of course sir, and your names would be?", "It's Remus Lupin and Sirius Black".

"Oh, yes of course, you'll be looking for room 322 of the fourth floor."

"Thank you," said Remus, motioning for Sirius to follow him.

After a couple of minutes they finally arrived outside of room 322, with Remus in the lead, who seeing that Sirius was once again a bit nervous told him, "Hey come on Padfoot it's all gonna be alright, when hasn't it ever been?".

"Sirius gave a sigh before saying, Yeah, your right."

"Of course I am, now let's go meet those boys".

"As soon as they entered James and Lily's eyes were drawn to them, before they both proceeded to smile, then James motioned to Sirius, "Come on Padfoot, come meet your new nephew", he said while holding up a baby in his arms, while Lily motioned for Remus to do the same, with the baby she was holding.

"Sirius, this is Harry, said James, while holding out the baby to Sirius, who hesitated for a second before grabbing hold of him and holding him in his arms looking down at a pair of tired Emerald orbs, before voicing his thoughts, He kind of look's like you Prongs, except he has Lily's eyes".

James smiled and said, "Wouldn't have it any other way".

Sirius then looked over to see Remus holding the second baby with a sad smile, which made Sirius sympathy go to the werewolf, knowing how much he yearned for a family of his own, but was to afraid of himself to try and be with anyone, while at the same time fearing that no one would ever love him due to his werewolf status.

"Sirius," he heard, being snapped out of his thoughts, before looking at James and Lily, who seeing they had his attention smiled, before James continued, "We would like for you to be Harry's god-father".

All the nervousness that had left Sirius now returned with a vengeance, he felt a few sweat drops dripping from his brow, before asking, "Are you sure Prongs?", to which James replied, "Do you really have to ask?, you are my best friend Padfoot and have always been a brother to me in all,but blood, so yes I am sure".

"Sirius was starting to get a little teary eyed, but he didn't want to show it so he just said, "I suppose not", trying to sound like it was no big deal, but failing big time.

Lily then turned to Remus and told him, "Remus, we would also like for you to be Harry's younger brother's god-father".

Remus did not have the same hesitation as Sirius and immediately said, "It would be an honor".

He then however asked something that Sirius had been thinking about too, "Wait, you said Harry's younger brother, but doesn't he have a name?".

"Not yet" said James, "That's where Sirius comes in again,'' he said before turning to face him once again and saying, "Sirius, we would like for you to name our youngest child.

"At this Sirius couldn't help the few tears that escaped his eyes, before giving a big canine smile and saying, "I would love to".

Remus then protested at this by saying, "Wait, why does Padfoot get to name him if I am going to be the god-father?".

James smiled before saying, "Well you see Moony, back when I was first starting to get in love with Lily, Sirius started to complain that it was starting to get annoying, so in order to shut him up I told him that once me and Lily had kids he would get to name one of them and seeing how Lily was pretty adamant about naming our first-born Harry, since she said that she always wanted that name for her first-born, that leaves only Harry's younger brother, although if it makes you feel any better you can name our next one said James smiling wide before getting slapped in the back of the head by Lily, who said, James, don't you dare go on making promises like that, don't you think We should get to name our own children?", "Oh come on Lily, you already got to name Harry here and poor Moony doesn't get to name his own god-son, it's only fair".

"Ohh all right", said Lily before chuckling at the child-like look in Remus' face at getting to name James and Lily's future child.

"So", said James turning back to Sirius, "What will it be, Padfoot?, and you better make this good, or else I will rue the day I promise you the right to name our son," said James trying to go for an intimidating glare, but failing to hide the smile at the corner of his mouth.

Sirius thought over it for a minute, before it struck him that it was Pretty obvious.

"I think his name should be Perseus," said Sirius, before looking at James who thought it over for a moment before nodding his head in agreement, then at Moony, who just gave him a knowing smirk, making Sirius roll his eyes, and then finally he looked at Lily who seemed more thoughtful, but then gave a smile and said, "I like it, although Perseus is a bit of a mouthful, so I think I'll just call him Percy for short she said smiling down at her son,whom Remus had returned to her.

Sirius looked down at the baby in Lily's arms.

He was a bit surprised at the alertness in those Sea-Green eyes, which stared back at him for a moment before shifting back to his mother and cooing.

Sirius then looked down at young Harry, who was sound asleep before thinking,

Maybe everything's gonna be just fine, not knowing that within the time of a year everything would change and not for the better.