(A/N: Hey guys! Enjoy this new part and I'll continue talking at the end of this. Stay safe/healthy! Btw, I'm gonna copy some parts and junk, sorry.)
When the Olympians burst into the throne room, ready for a fight, they didn't expect to see a satyr and three demigods, one supposedly being dead, standing over the broken body of a traitor.
"We need a shroud, a shroud for the son of Hermes," Percy said, his voice cracking.
Soon the Fates arrived, carrying Luke's body, which was wrapped in a green and white shroud, out of the room. Hermes stopped them momentarily, and I assume it was to give his blessing, but I was too weak by then to understand what was happening.
Not long after, Annabeth passed out and was healed by Apollo while I was walked/carried out by Connor and Travis. I didn't want to, but Percy and Grover insisted that I get some medical attention. Apparently I looked like death, which I took as a compliment considering who my father was.
"Sorry about your neck," I apologized, my arms slung over the boys' shoulders.
"Eh, it's fine," Connor said, him and his brother sporting only a couple of cuts and bruises in comparison to everyone else.
"I feel like an idiot for trusting Kronos now..." I grumbled, my headache returning.
"It's not your fault you're incredibly gullible." Travis shrugged.
I glared at him. "If I wasn't on the verge of blacking out, I would punch you."
He rolled his eyes in response, probably not that threatened by a half-conscious daughter of Hades.
The makeshift infirmary was in the gardens, but with Apollo and some minor gods' help, it was moved into Apollo's 'hospital'. It was basically just this giant golden palace filled with tons of medicine and other medical equipment.
The boys helped me onto a cot just as Will Solace came by, looking close to exhaustion as well. He quickly gave me some ambrosia and nectar before ordering me on bed rest and going onto the next patient.
"Arina!" Nico exclaimed, appearing by the doorway of the palace and rushing up to me. He pulled me into a hug, which surprised me because it seemed so unlike him, but he quickly moved away after.
"Uh, we're gonna help Percy with the other injuries," Travis stated awkwardly before walking away with Connor.
"Hey Neeks," I greeted tiredly, resting my head on a pillow.
The cot was a simple metal one with a white sheet and an oddly comfortable pillow. Just lying on it made my eyes droop and make me want to fall asleep, which I was close to doing.
"How are you even alive?" he demanded, sitting on the edge of the cot, "I felt your soul go into the Underworld."
"Well, I didn't die for starters." I began telling him what happened, Alabaster creating a Mistform body, Hecate managing to send that body into the Underworld, me getting transported to San Francisco. Then I told him about me being in the Titan army, my memories being altered, fighting on the opposite side of the war.
The only thing I left out was Ethan; I wasn't ready to talk about him just yet.
"I'm-I'm glad you're alive," he replied, fidgeting with his sword.
My weapon was lying on the ground beside the cot alongside my helmet. It was already uncomfortable enough wearing my armour on the cot, I didn't want to bring along my sword too.
"Yeah." I yawned. "Me too..."
I woke up a few hours later, Nico snoring on the foot of the bed that made me laugh. I looked around and saw all of the non-severely injured demigods were gone, just some river nymphs walking around tending to the still unconscious ones.
"Um... where's... where's everyone?" I asked a nymph that passed by me.
She jumped at my voice, turning around. "Uh-uh-uh they're at the throne room. Lord Z-Zeus has ordered every able-bodied demigod to at-attend," she stuttered nervously, going to the next patient.
I sighed, sitting up on my cot and rubbing my head.
I felt sore and a bit uneasy still, but my headache was gone. No memories flashed in my head, so I assumed that was a good thing.
"Hey, Neeks, wake up." I gently shook my brother.
He jumped up, holding up his sword, poised to attack anyone but relaxed when he saw me. "What is it?" He yawned, slumping back onto the bed.
"C'mon, Zeus is gonna get mad if we miss his meeting," I stated.
I pushed myself out of the cot slowly, Nico helping me up, before we walked together to the throne room.
No one batted an eye when we slipped in as Zeus droned on and on, begrudgingly thanking Poseidon and Hades for their help. Then he went on to awarding demigods for their effort in the battle.
Nico and I sat cross-legged near our dad, who patted both of us on the shoulder when we sat down. He was sitting on a simple chair, nothing as fancy or intricate as the other gods or his in the Underworld.
The next person who was rewarded was Grover. Mr. D gave him the title of Lord of the Wild, appointing him into the Cloven of Elders. Naturally, this shocked Grover so much he collapsed on the spot, some naiads having to carry him away while the wine god grumbled.
Afterwards was Annabeth. Her mother said Olympus needed to be rebuilt, but she suggested Annabeth redesign it. My friend then became the official architect of Olympus, getting to reconstruct Olympus.
"Percy Jackson!" Poseidon bellowed, ordering his son forward.
The throne room went silent as Percy walked forth, bowing at Zeus before kneeling before his father.
"Rise, my son."
He stood up, glancing around uneasily before catching my eye. I gave him a nod of encouragement while I internally hoped I wasn't supporting him towards his death.
The gods can be unpredictable, you know.
"A great hero deserves to be rewarded, no one can argue this, correct?" Poseidon proclaimed.
Silence was the response, so I presume they all agreed.
"The council agrees," Zeus began, "Percy Jackson, you can have any gift from the gods."
Percy's eyes widened. "Any gift?"
"Yes, any, and I know what you will ask. You will ask for the greatest gift of them all, one that hasn't been bestowed upon a hero in centuries. If you so wish, we will grant you immortality. You will become a god and serve as your father's lieutenant for all of eternity."
"Um... a god?" he responded.
I blinked, shocked by the offer. Percy could become a god, living with his father for all time. He'll never die, he'll never age, he would become all-powerful.
Yet, he'll watch us age, grow old, get hurt, and eventually die. He'll eventually be left alone as he sees all his friends wither and disappear.
I had a feeling I knew what his answer was before he opened his mouth.
"No," Percy said.
The look of outrage was evident on all the gods' faces, but the look Annabeth gave Percy seemed to make up for it.
Gods, those two better start dating soon.
"No? You're turning down our generous offer?" Zeus exclaimed, looking close to frying my friend instead.
"I'm honoured, but I still got a lot of life let to live. I don't wanna peak in my sophomore year," Percy answered.
The gods were still fuming, however, my friend continued.
"But I do want a gift still. Do you promise to grant it still?"
"If it is within our power," Zeus replied, pausing to think beforehand.
"It is, but I want you to swear on the River Styx you will."
"You don't trust us?" Mr. D cried.
"Someone once told me." Percy looked at my dad. "You should always get a solemn oath."
My dad shrugged. "Guilty."
"Very well!" Zeus bellowed, "We will grant your reasonable request long as it is within our powers. We swear on the River Styx."
Thunder boomed before Percy continued. "I want you to claim all your children... from all the gods."
The council glanced at each other, apprehensive and uncomfortable.
"Percy, what do you mean exactly?" Poseidon inquired.
"Kronos could've have gained power if it weren't for so many demigods feeling unwanted by their parents. They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, they had a good reason," Percy elaborated.
"You dare acc-" Zeus began, anger flashing in his eyes.
"No more undetermined. I want you to claim all your demigod children by the age of thirteen. I want them all to be brought to camp and not left out to the mercy of the monsters.
"And the minor gods, Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Hebe, Janus, all of them, they deserve amnesty. Same goes for the rest of the peaceful Titan-kind like Calypso. And Hades-"
"You're calling me a minor god?" My dad's eyes flared.
"No, my lord, I mean your children shouldn't be left out. Nico and Arina both earned a cabin at camp, they've proven that. No unclaimed children in the Hermes cabin, wondering who they're parents are. All the gods deserve a cabin at camp for their children.
"And no pact of the Big Three, it didn't work out anyway. From now on, we'll accept and train all of them at camp. All of them should be welcomed and treated with respect. This is my wish," Percy finished.
"Is that all?" Zeus snorted.
"Percy, you ask for a lot," Poseidon stated.
"I hold you all to your oath," Percy replied.
Surprisingly, they all agreed to it after Athena pointed out it was a mistake to neglect the minor gods and their children, stating it helped Kronos gain the upper hand.
Not long after, an honour guard appeared, forming an aisle for Percy to walk down.
I stayed in the throne room long after all my friends and the gods left, remaining with my dad, Nico, Hestia, and Zeus. Apparently, Zeus wanted to talk to us in private.
"It's true then that you fought in the Titan army?" Zeus inquired from his throne.
"Y-yes, Lord Zeus," I responded, kneeling at the foot of his throne.
"She was tricked by our father," my dad defended.
"Yes, but that doesn't dispute the fact she still aided them," Zeus stated, giving me a cold look that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Brother, I can vouch for her loyalty to Olympus."
All our heads turned to Hestia, who was now sitting in front of her hearth in her eight-year-old form.
I glanced between the three siblings, worry growing in my stomach. What was going to happen to me?
"Fine." Zeus let out a sigh. "She will be given amnesty as well. However, she must be under constant supervision by a trusted demigod, someone of equal power, or at Camp Half-Blood."
I nodded my head again, my nerves relaxing ever so slightly.
"You are dismissed." With a flash of lightning, Zeus disappeared.
I stood up, Nico appearing by my side and helping me. My headache had unfortunately returned, leading me to the conclusion I'll be stuck in the infirmary at camp for quite some time.
"T-thank you, Lady Hestia." I bowed my head at her as I walked back to the hearth.
"It is nothing," she replied before something appeared in her hand.
I stared at for a couple of seconds before realizing it was my bag, the same one I used while assisting Kronos. It seemed puffier than usual, but I pushed the thought aside.
"Here you go." She handed me the bag, causing me to nod my thanks again before exiting with my dad and Nico.
"It is good you're still alive," my dad stated, patting me on the shoulder after he shrunk back down to human size.
"Y-yeah, I guess..." I said nervously.
My dad waved us off before walking towards another building, leaving Nico and I to walk ourselves down to the newly rebuilt bridge to the elevator. Along the way, I found Artemis Iris Messaging someone, but the person she was messaging sounded oddly familiar.
When she turned around and ended the message, she was surprised by my appearance.
"Lady Artemis." My brother and I bowed our heads.
"Hello, Arina, have you reconsider my offer to join the Hunt?" she inquired, raising her eyebrow.
I fidgeted. "Sorry, m'lady, but I'm still trying to figure some stuff out. I'm not sure how I'll feel about being immortal still..."
She nodded before walking off to a silver-coloured palace. Just as she was about to enter it, she turned around again. "I recommend you visit your mother after you finish at camp."
I stared at her, puzzled by her recommendation before my brother dragged me to the elevator and down to the lobby.
"She knows your mom?" Nico inquired.
I slipped on my bag, surprised by how much heavier it was than usual. "I don't know, maybe?"
When we arrived in the lobby, we found Ms. Jackson and another man arguing with the security guard, who had returned to the front desk.
"Arina?" she exclaimed, shocked by my appearance.
"Yeah, I'm not dead, surprise?" I replied awkwardly.
"Where's Percy?" the man beside her asked.
"Uh, up there still." I pointed back to the elevator before staring at the man. "Um... who are you?"
"Oh, this is my husband, Paul Blofis," Ms- um, I guess, Mrs. Jackson- or is it Blofis, replied.
"Um, hi, I guess?" I greeted.
"Hello," he replied, seeming just as uncomfortable as me.
I quickly waved goodbye before walking outside with Nico, finding Mrs. O'Leary terrorizing a hot dog stand. Once we calmed her down, Nico and I started walking, no destination in mind.
"How have you been anyway? Since my fake death," I inquired, fiddling with my rings.
He sighed. "Same as usual... I told Bianca about it; she didn't believe you'll go into Asphodel though either."
He was a bit taller than me now, so I had to reach up a bit and tug him down to ruffle his hair. He tried pulling away, but I held him down.
"Got anyone special while I was gone?"
He turned red, finally able to push me away. "N-n-no."
I bit my lip, deciding to tread carefully. "So no... guys in mind?"
My brother turned a darker shade of red now, covering his face in his hands. "I do not like guys."
I rolled my eyes, slipping my arm over his shoulder. "I don't care who you like to be honest, long as you're happy I'm happy."
He cracked a small smile, keeping his eyes on the ground.
"I won't tell anyone if you do though," I pointed out before seeing a familiar red-head mount on a black pegasus.
"Rachel? What are you doing?" I questioned.
"I need to get to camp. I finally figured out what my visions were about, I'm supposed to be the next Oracle," she responded.
"What?" I exclaimed.
"You'll die! No one has-" Nico began before Blackjack went into the air with Rachel.
I stared at them before glancing at Nico. We both then ran towards the Empire State Building, trying to find Percy to tell him what had happened.
We found him inside with Annabeth, his mom, and his step-dad.
"It's Rachel, I just ran into her on 32nd Street," Nico started.
"What did she do this time?" Annabeth frowned.
"Not what, where. We told her she'll die trying, she even took Blackjack-" I continued.
"She took my pegasus?" Percy asked.
We nodded before saying in unison, "She's heading to Camp Half-Blood."
Nico and I were too weak to shadow travel, and the traffic was terrible since everyone was freaking out, so Percy had to call some help. A pod of hippocampi appeared in the East River and took us to camp, but it felt like forever until we finally arrived there.
We dismounted on the beach and ran towards the Big House after Argus directed us. We got to the Big House, seeing Rachel stand out in front with her arms out as green light came out of the attic. As well, a green mist that kind of glowed was circling the ground near her.
"How did she get through?" I questioned, directing my question towards the cluster of satyrs tending to Chiron near the volleyball court.
"She flew over everything!" a satyr exclaimed, looking at me fearfully.
Oh great, now the satyrs are scared of me. Just great. I'm being sarcastic if you can't tell.
Percy was about to walk forward, but a couple of satyrs stopped him.
"No, Percy, you can't interrupt," Chiron insisted from his centaur-sized stretcher.
"Did you tell her my dad cursed the role?" I asked.
"Didn't you explain to her? You said you'll never-" Percy began before he got interrupted.
"I did, and I invited her to come. She had a vision that the curse was lifted," Chiron elaborated, sporting a broken arm, two legs in a splint, and a bandage wrapped around his head.
"What if it isn't?" I snapped, "then she'll end up like May, wouldn't she?"
The mist thickened around Rachel making her shudder.
"Hey! Stop!" Percy yelled. He ran forward but was hit by some invisible force field when he got too close, getting knocked to the ground.
Rachel turned and looked at him. They started talking, but it was brief before the door of the Big House opened, an all too familiar corpse walking out of it.
The Oracle walked out, possibly looking worse than ever as green light shone out from the door.
A figure appeared at the top of the Big House, one which I recognized as Apollo in a toga. He was watching the exchange between Rachel and the dead body curiously while my gut twisted in worry.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare, you have the gift of the prophecy. Do you dare to continue?" Apollo inquired.
"I do," she responded, her arms still wide open.
"Then proceed."
"I accept this role. I pledge myself to the Apollo, God of Oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate."
A ghoulish mist of green came out of the Oracle's mouth and circled around Rachel, solidifying her into a column. The previous Oracle crumpled to ashes onto the ground, the only thing remaining was a faded, tie-dye dress.
I felt something fade in Rachel before returning. Her life aura, I realized before rushing forward with Percy despite Apollo's warnings not to after she collapsed and the mist faded.
"Percy," she said, her eyes taking a bit to focus on Percy.
"Are you okay?" he inquired.
"Ow." She pressed her hands to her head, wincing.
"I could you see you dying," I stated.
"I'm all right," she murmured, "but can someone help me up? The visions are... disorienting..."
Percy gave her a hand before Apollo continued.
"I present to you, our new Oracle of Delphi."
"You're kidding," Annabeth said.
"You can tell the future now?" Percy questioned, still a bit shocked.
"Well, not all the time. There's visions and words in my head- oh no-" She doubled over like someone sucker-punched her in the gut before straightening, her voice sounding tripled.
"Eight half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire, the world shall fall,
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foe bears arms to the Doors of Death."
She collapsed again, Nico and Percy catching her and bringing her towards the Big House's patio.
"I'm all right," she stated.
"What was that?" I asked.
She looked confused. "What was what?"
"That, I believe, is the next Great Prophecy," Apollo announced.
"What does it mean?" Percy inquired, making me roll my eyes.
"Barnacle Boy, we never know what a prophecy means, like, ever," I pointed out.
"You probably don't need to worry about it. The last prophecy involving you didn't happen for seventy years, this one might not even happen in your lifetime," Apollo reassured before ordering us all to let Rachel rest.
"You want to head back to the Hermes cabin or the infirmary?" Nico questioned, stepping aside as Percy still questioned Rachel despite Apollo's advice.
"Um... I'm not sure I'll be even welcomed there anymore since..." I trailed off, rubbing my shoulders.
Nico shook his head. "I'll go with you. If they have a problem with you, they have a problem with me."
I punched him in the shoulder. "Whatever, Gramps," I teased before walking with him to cabin eleven.
We kept on talking along the way, but Chiron interrupted us almost as soon as I got into my old cabin.
"Um... yes?" I questioned.
"It is good to have you back, Arina," he stated before handing me a faded bag.
"Uh, is that mine?" I haven't seen the bag since I was kidnapped a year ago. The bag was actually the one I had since I arrived at camp four years ago, so it was pretty worn through.
"Yes, Annabeth has been keeping it in the attic ever since your... death," he responded.
I nodded uncomfortably, accepting the bag and thanking him before entering the cabin.
What's with people giving me bags?
Once inside, I flopped down beside an empty spot on the wall and opened up both of my bags, wondering what was inside the old one and why my newer one was so puffy.
My old bag had some of my clothes in it, a notebook, and an empty flask of nectar. The newer bag had another bag in it, making me close to tears again.
It was Ethan's.
I opened my own bag, flipping through a box of photos of Ethan and I. There were some other mementos and basic necessities, but I couldn't look at them without crying. Everything in the bag reminded me of Ethan.
"Arina, what's this doing in here?" Nico held up a box of condoms, making me turn a shade of red brighter than Rachel's hair.
"Uh-uh-uh that was a prank!" I defended myself, snatching them out of his hands and chucking it at, I believe, Connor's bunk.
Nico laughed, shaking his head before giving me a stern look. "Nothing like that happened with you and some-"
"NO! OH GODS NO!" I exclaimed, possibly turning more red.
I shoved Ethan's bag back into my mine, not wanting to invade his privacy more than I should. I might just leave it in the Underworld or return it to him in-
He's in Elysium. How the hell did I not realize that until now? He's in the Underworld. Ohmygods. Wait- maybe he didn't- no, he was a hero in the end and deserves Elysium as much as Luke does.
I kept on the ground of the cabin, talking to my brother just as some campers started to trickle in, freezing me on the spot. I had no clue how to react to a bunch of kids I tried beating up merely a day ago.
"Oh, hey," Chris greeted me, some familiar faces behind him.
"I c-can leave-"
"No, it's fine, this was your cabin before. You can stay here while they're building the Hades cabin anyway," he insisted before walking through and sitting on my old bunk.
Connor and Travis were the other two people in the cabin that weren't utterly terrified or hated me, judging from their expressions. Even Eliza looked like she'll skewer me, and we were pretty good friends before.
I saved her from an abusive boyfriend for gods' sake!
Later on, everyone went out to the shroud burnings, but I didn't have the heart to go. If I went, I could have to stand there, watching the shrouds of my friends I helped get killed burn and feel the eyes of the whole camp glare at me.
Dinner went the same as well, so I tried declining the offer but Nico, Annabeth, and Percy all dragged me out to the Dining Pavilion so I won't 'starve to death', or whatever that meant. Unfortunately enough, I got to sit at the head table with my brother and watch him get patted on the back for helping while some Ares campers sneered at me.
"They'll come around," Chiron reassured me.
"Yeah, like in fifty years," I grumbled, pushing my food around.
I went to line up to burn an offering, waiting for the last person to get in line before I did too. Then, I pushed a large portion of my meal into the fire, thanking Hestia for helping me, Hades for being my dad, and Zeus for not incinerating me.
"Gods, you're gonna end up being just as starved as your brother," Percy remarked when he saw my almost empty plate.
"I don't feel like eating..." I admitted.
After dinner, I went up onto the Hermes cabin roof and just sat there, gazing at the stars. I snuck off before any of my old friends could catch me so I didn't have to deal with them nagging me.
Later on that night, when I looked over at the Dining Pavilion, I cracked a smile. Percy and Annabeth were kissing, but it was promptly interrupted by Clarisse and a crowd of campers. Then, they carried the lovebirds to the lake, tossing them in before waiting on the side, but I knew it would be a while before they came up again.
When you're the son of Poseidon, you can stay underwater as long as you like with the one you're in love with.
The next few weeks actually got a bit better, but not a whole lot. Most of the campers I was friends with before or were my age started talking to me again, however, most of my old enemies and the younger kids didn't.
Somehow, one day, I got roped into playing Spin the Bottle with the rest of the senior campers and my friends.
"Why can't I just watch the undead make our cabin?" Nico whined as I pulled him down beside me.
I made him join too. If I was going to suffer, he was too.
We all sat in a circle together near the fireworks beach. Travis managed to steal a bottle of beer from someone and was using it to spin around after Katie dumped the contents into a bush, much to the shock of Travis and the nymph living in the bush.
"It was just one bottle," he complained, "we couldn't have gotten that drunk."
"For starters, all of us are underage," Katie pointed out.
"Well, in America, yes," I added.
"True, beer is a soft drink in Russia," Percy stated, earning him a weird look from Annabeth while they held hands.
They're finally dating, after liking each other for like what, four years? Give or take?
"How do you know that?" Annabeth inquired.
He shrugged. "I was bored."
"Okay, let's just start playing," Drew Tanaka said.
Not everyone here was my friend. I loathed Drew so much and I think the feeling was mutual considering she hated Silena and I was friends with her.
The people who were participating who I haven't mentioned were, Connor, Clarisse, Will, Chris, Clarisse (surprisingly), Pollux, Miranda, Jake, and Eliza, who was finally back on speaking terms with me! It wasn't a bad set up, but it made me miss my friends I lost in the war and the battle last year.
Grover was going to join, but he thought Juniper might kill him for kissing someone else so he decided just to spend some time with her instead and help bring more demigods to camp.
The gods stayed true to their word, every day new demigods came in through the barrier, more or less alive. As well, new cabins were being built and finished daily. According to Annabeth and Chiron, they might need to build an entire new wing because we were almost out of room in the area we already have.
"So what are the rules?" Miranda questioned, leaning on a vine she conjured up.
"You can only pass once," Drew stated with a wicked grin which made me hate being there more with her.
She has this ability called charmspeak which she can use to make anyone do virtually anything she desires. However, it can't be completely against their will, some small part of them needs to want to, same goes for the Mist.
In my opinion, I think she'll use it in this game.
"What if it's your sibling?" I piped up, "That's kinda gross, just saying."
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, you can pass for your siblings but otherwise, only once."
"Fine by me," Connor stated with a grin.
I snorted, remembering something. "How is the box of condoms treating you anyway?"
Connor flushed while everyone else hollered in laughter.
"D-did you plant them?" Travis questioned, holding his stomach while laughing.
"Maybe," I replied with a smirk.
"Better question is, where did Morales get the box," Clarisse stated.
I avoided the question. "L-let's get started, who's first?"
Drew volunteered, spinning the bottle on a piece of driftwood we found. It pointed at Percy, who looked uncomfortable.
"C'mon, pretty boy," she stated with a grin.
"W-wait how long does the kiss have to be?" Percy inquired, looking to Annabeth.
She rolled her eyes. "No funny business, Drew, but I guess two seconds."
He nodded before he leaned forward and kissed Drew briefly on the lips before retreating back to Annabeth's side.
Drew made a minorly disgusted face before sitting back down. "Your lips are salty."
"He's the son of Poseidon, you think he'll taste like lollipops or something?" I questioned with a snort.
"Whatever, Chris, you're next," she said, filing her nails instead.
Chris went next, surprisingly landing on Clarisse, which I think was safer for everyone else. Then, Jake got Miranda, Katie got Travis, Annabeth got Will, Eliza had Pollux, and Percy had to kiss Clarisse, which was the funniest thing I ever saw considering they were rivals or pretended to be.
Clarisse spat, wiping her mouth on her wrist after kissing him. "That was disgusting," she remarked, leaning back into Chris' arm.
"Guess everyone thinks you're a bad kisser, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth stated.
"Not you though." He peaked her on the lips while I made gagging noises, getting a laugh out of the others.
"Arina, you're up," Drew said.
I shrugged, spinning the bottle and sitting back. It spun around three times before pointing at Connor's boot.
"Ha, ha," Travis cackled at his brother's expense.
"You haven't coated your mouth in anything gross, have you?" I asked him skeptically.
"No, I would never," Connor denied.
"Everything in that sentence sounded hypocritical," I pointed out before kissing him on the lips and going back to my spot.
The game continued on like this until we had the first gay kiss in the group. It was between Percy and Nico, which worried me.
"Uh... I guess we have to do this unless you-" Percy started.
"I pass," Nico said before he could finish his sentence.
Percy nodded, looking uncomfortable before the next person went.
The game ended when Chiron found us, and when he saw the empty bottle of beer, he sent Travis and Connor on kitchen duty for the remaining days at camp before making us all head back to our cabins.
"I can't wait to we have our own cabin," I told Nico as we slipped into the less crowded Hermes cabin.
Some of the new cabins were already built so some of the newly-claimed were moved in there, but it was still pretty busy in the Hermes cabin.
"Yeah, it looks pretty good so far," Nico commented.
"Nice job supervising the undead workers," I complimented.
"Well, you weren't willing to watch them after you summon them," he pointed out.
"Will got so mad at me for summoning them!" I exclaimed, "Just cause I nearly passed out once last week, he thinks raising the dead is bad for our health now!"
"Eh, it is pretty tiring," Nico remarked before yawning and curling up on a sleeping bag.
We didn't have bunks now because of new Hermes' kids, so we stuck on the floor, again. Good thing was, I wouldn't be in camp for long.
After talking with Mrs. Jackson and Percy, they told me I could live with them and attend Percy's school instead of living in the Underworld again. I guess I'm staying in Manhattan then.
I could stay at camp, but I'm kinda getting tired of the death glares and the constant whispering behind my back. A lot of people still hate me so I don't see a real point in staying in a place I'm not wanted. Well, I do have some friends, but like ten isn't gonna suffice. Anyway, most of the campers that hate me have been telling the new campers about me so the new ones hate me now too.
The last two days of camps passed by in a blur after the game. Soon, we were gathered around the fire for the bead ceremony.
The bead for that year was the Empire State Building with the names of the fallen campers written on it in Ancient Greek, making me feel more regretful than ever. There were so many names, and so many of them have been my friends.
I helped their killers, how am I supposed to be okay with that?
"Arina, here," Pollux said, handing me another bead while I was trying to put my new bead on my old, leather necklace.
"What's that?" I asked, accepting the bead and observing it.
It was a regular bead, but it had a very detailed design on it. It almost looked like-
"It's from the Battle of the Labyrinth last year, Chiron says you deserve it since you fought in it before..." he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck with his uninjured arm.
"Thanks," I replied before slipping it on my leather necklace in front of the other one I just got.
I couldn't really sleep that night after the campfire, so I snuck onto the roof of the Hermes cabin and just sat there, stargazing. Surprisingly, the harpies left me alone, but they usually did for some reason. I guess if anyone else was up here, they'll get eaten instead.
In the morning, I was naturally tired from not sleeping. I ignored my friends' worries though and ate a somewhat decent breakfast before packing up and heading up to the barrier with Nico, Annabeth, and Percy.
"I'll meet you there," Nico stated before shadow travelling away.
"Meet where?" Percy inquired as we stood under the shade of a tall pine tree.
"I'm... I'm going to visit the Underworld," I admitted.
Annabeth's expression softened. "You're gonna see him, aren't you?"
"Y-yeah... maybe."
She was referring to Ethan, and I was going to see him. I had a couple of questions for him and I wanted some proper closure.
"You're gonna be alright?" Percy questioned.
"Yeah, I have my creepy brother and a three-headed hellhound if I get lonely," I replied sarcastically.
"True," Percy agreed with a nod, "oh, do you want to leave your bag with me? You said you were gonna make a visit or two before heading back to my place so..."
"Uh, if you don't mind." I handed him my smaller bag. "I need to grab some stuff from the Underworld anyway," I admitted.
"Okay, cool," he responded.
"There better not be any funny business between you two," Annabeth teased playfully.
"Ha, as if, like have you seen his face?" I joked.
"I am offended, I am quite attractive if you haven't noticed," Percy claimed, holding a hand at his chest to symbolize the 'wound'.
"Just try to be quiet if you two do anything in Percy's room, m'kay?" I replied before shadow travelling away, leaving both of them bright red.
I stumbled out of an alley, stuffing some ambrosia into my mouth as I adjusted my remaining backpack.
The alley was empty, besides the trash and the occasional rat. Same with the streets, but that seemed right. It was early anyway, an hour or two before noon to be exact.
I flipped my hood up before walking out of the alley, walking down the familiar streets while keeping my head down. It's not like I want to be recognized by my old neighbours.
This is probably when I should tell you where I was, and I kinda think it's obvious. I was listening to Artemis' advice. I was gonna visit my crappy mom in my hometown.
The streets looked the same as they did when I was saved by the hunters, maybe a new shop here and there, but the place looks like I left it.
I heard a flirtatious giggle from across the street and saw a teenage couple making out in front of a candy shop before the owner ran out, yelling at them. However, the two teens looked awfully familiar to me as they ran across the street in my general direction.
"Luther, you're such a flirt," giggled the girl, twirling her long, wavy, brown hair on her finger.
I fought the urge to gag when I realized who the guy was. Luther Davson, aka the guy who couldn't stop calling me 'Cossy' when growing up.
He has a mullet now. Oh gods, what was he thinking?
"Well I can't help the fact you're gorgeous, babe," he replied, kissing her nose.
Oh gods, was I that bad when I was dating Ethan? I questioned myself mentally before continuing forward and hoping they wouldn't notice me.
I guess it helped my hair was darker now, but it started turning auburn again near the roots, which I'm still confused by. Why was my hair changing colour like this? Is it because I was on Kronos' side? I asked Chiron, but he said he didn't know why either, and Mr. D just cryptically said it was genetic.
I walked all the way to my old apartment, taking a deep breath before pulling the key out of the bottom of my backpack.
I guess I never bothered to throw it out.
I unlocked the front door and continued upstairs, trying to stop my trembling arms as flashbacks of the altered memories appeared in my head, haunting me.
"They aren't real," I whispered to myself, squeezing my eyes shut and gripping the railing until my knuckles turned white.
I kept on climbing the stairs until I got to the third floor, slipping through the door and strolling up to my old door. Then, I used the same key and unlocked it, taking a deep breath before pushing it through.
My mom was sitting on the couch, fiddling with a dead potted plant before turning and seeing me.
"Mom," I stated without emotion.
She stood up, brushing her fizzy auburn hair to the side behind her ear. She was about to speak but went into a coughing fit. Once she composed herself, she replied, "Arina... it's nice to see you again."
I nodded, stepping in and closing the door louder than needed.
She sat back down on the couch as I stood watching at the door, still feeling antsy as she played around with the gold bangle on her wrist.
"I'm assuming Artemis told you to come," she said.
"What?" How did she-
"She called me a couple of weeks ago and told me via Iris Message, we still keep in touch, you know," she elaborated in a more cryptic way.
"Wait, hold up, you know about the Greek world?" I exclaimed, unable to keep the shock out of my voice.
"I-I think I need to tell you the truth about me," Mom stated, motioning for me to sit across from her on a dusty chair.
I sat down apprehensively, playing with the straps of my backpack as I watched her carefully. "What do you mean by, the truth about you?"
She sighed, leaning back on her seat and staring at the roof. "Shall I start from the beginning? But no interrupting cause this is quite a long story."
"Um, okay, I guess."
She took a deep breath before beginning. "I was born Katinka Bianchi roughly two-hundred years ago to a man named- a man named Basil Bianchi." Her voice shook when she said his name, a worry line creasing her forehead.
"My mother was a goddess, a certain one that had never cheated on her husband. My mom was the Queen of the Underworld, Persephone."
My jaw-dropped. "W-wait, what? Persephone's your mom? You're a demigod too? What? And you're two-hundred years old?"
"I said don't interrupt." Her voice was firm as she narrowed her eyes.
I crossed my arms, leaning back. "Fine, I won't anymore."
"Now, where was I? Right, my mother was Persephone, which I discovered about a hundred years ago.
"Because I was a demigod, monsters were constantly attracted to my scent, and whenever I told my father this, he wouldn't believe me. He constantly told me a girl should know her place and not to speak back at men, ever. Whenever I did, he would- he would beat me..." she trailed off, rubbing her arms while looking off.
I felt sympathy for my mom all of a sudden, which was an emotion I never felt towards her, ever. I don't know how to respond to this.
"I was forced to live with that bastard up until I was seventeen, thank gods. He tried marrying me off like eight times, but I was always too horrible of a girl for any suitors to be interested. Well, I guess that makes sense why he beat me further."
I bit my lip, somewhat regretting asking my mom to indulge me in on these things. How could she so easily talk about this abuse? How can she just talk about it without a care in the world?
"I prayed to Artemis once my father got me my first suitor, and she finally answered when I was seventeen. She killed my father quickly and easily after some Hunters shot him from afar with arrows. I-it was was difficult to watch... I admit... but it was worth it.
"I accepted Artemis' invitation and joined the Hunt, forswearing any male relationships and becoming an eternal maiden until seventeen years ago. I told Artemis I wanted to settle down after nearly two centuries, but not for a male of course. I wanted to live life like a normal adult, age, have fun, all that stuff. Fortunately, she complied and released me from the Hunt but I stayed in contact with all my former hunters.
"Shortly after I left, I met someone."
"My father?" I guessed.
She shook her head, her expression filled with longing and sadness, much like the one I wore a lot after the battle in Manhattan.
"His name was Adrien Morales. We fell in love and were together until he was killed in a minor war somewhere. Then, I met your father shortly after.
"I'm not sure what he saw in me, to be honest, I was nothing special. However, we started dating briefly. Then I had you and took my first boyfriend's last name just in case my mom discovered who I was. I lied to Hades about being the daughter of Demeter, explaining my ability to control plants." She then demonstrated by bringing the dead plant back to life in the pot, turning it from a blue orchid to a red one.
"I had you, and I was happy. Well, until I met your brother's father.
"Hades and I broke up on mutual terms, knowing far too well what would happen if his brother found out he had another child. He visited occasionally, giving you gifts from time to time if you didn't notice."
"What?" I inquired.
"Well, your rings were a gift from him, for starters." She gestured to the two Imperial gold rings on my fingers. "Your first doll was from him as well, same as some of your books."
I tried to recall meeting him before, but I drew a blank.
Is that why he looked so familiar to me when we first met?
"Um... what do you mean by, until you met Dennis' dad?"
She seemed hesitant, eyeing something on the table that made me angry for being so sympathetic towards her.
A pack of cigarettes.
"Just tell me and then I can go," I stated coldly.
She sighed, again. "Your brother's father was a god as well. He was good to me when we first met and after Dennis was born, but then things changed. He found out about Hades and threatened to tell Zeus. Then... he cursed me.
"He can make people go insane, and in a way, I did. I became addicted to drugs because of it, and once the curse faded, it was too late to turn back. I tried going into rehab, twice, but I always end up going to the joint downtown and buying more stuff to smoke."
Now, I wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel. I was angry at my mom, of course, but I also felt pity because of what she went through. How she was abused, found happiness but it was quickly taken away, found love again, got cursed.
However, there was still one thing nagging at me that I never got an answer to for the past six years.
"Where's Dennis then? Did his dad take him?"
She paused. "I can't tell you what happened to-"
"What the hell do you mean you can't tell me? You tell me tons of stuff about yourself, but you refuse to tell me the one thing I've been dying to know for the past six years?"
I know I was being irrational, getting angry like that, but I had to let it out. I thought everything she was talking about might lead up to what happened to my brother, but it didn't.
"Arina, I have my reasons and I've been lenient to you for the past fucking ten years," she stood up at the same time as I did, glaring at me.
"Lenient? You weren't even around! I practically raised Dennis until he disappeared!" I exclaimed.
"I let you go to Camp Half-Blood, didn't I? I let you go-"
"You didn't let me at all! You didn't even care what happened to me in the past sixteen years. If you did, you would've IM me and told me the truth, and I might've listened to you, but it's too late now!
"You never bothered to check up on me, you never got me any presents for my birthday or anything. I had to get jobs to support Dennis and I. I had to make us three meals a day. I had to help him with all his homework because of his dyslexia. Do you even know what the other kids said to me because of you? They just think you're a bum or I'm actually Dennis' mom!" I shouted, clenching my fists so hard my long nails drew blood.
"Who did you think paid for the water bill? Heating bill? Who the fuck did you think paid for this whole apartment?" she spat back.
"So what? It was mostly social services that paid for everything while you went out every night and smoked all of the government's money-"
"I gave-"
"The only fucking thing you gave either of us was life, that's fucking it. You never bothered to do anything else!"
To my astonishment, she was closed to tears now.
"Do you know how heartbroken I was when I heard you died? I nearly died myself! Everything I tried doing was for your brother and your benefit. You know why the monsters were never attracted to you? Because of the smell of my drugs blocked your scent! I had to deal with the backlash as well! I had to use the Mist to hide your disappearance and said you ran away to your father's. It wasn't that hard though considering they all thought I was a terrible mother!" she admitted.
"Just." I took a deep breath to compose myself. "Never talk to me again, you hear me? I don't care. If you ever find Dennis, which I doubt because in a year he'll be legally dead, you know where to find me."
With that, I shadow travelled to the Underworld.
I stumbled out of a shadow, closed to tears myself from the fight with my mom. I hated that I was crying over someone so worthless of my time.
I was in my room when I arrived, so I discarded the stuff I didn't need in the closet before grabbing some more clothes and basic essentials into another indigo duffel bag. After that, I swung the bag over my shoulder before walking down the hall, running into my brother, literally.
"Hey Nico," I greeted emotionlessly.
He raised his eyebrow at me. "Did... did things go badly with your mom?"
"I don't wanna talk about it. Let's just head to Elysium before I go back to New York," I replied with a yawn.
He nodded before walking with me to the back entrance of our dad's palace, summoning a hellhound to carry us the rest of the way there.
"So how did Dad take the news?" I questioned as I gripped onto the hellhound's fur.
"Of you living with Percy? He was furious you were living with a teenage boy, especially one that was 'completely clueless and part idiot'," he replied, faking our Dad's voice.
"Woah, you made a not depressing joke!" I exclaimed in fake shock.
He shrugged, twisting his skull ring on his finger before we arrived at the gates of Elysium.
From there, we got in easily but I felt a punch in the gut by how many people I recognized in the land of heroes. Silena and Beckendorf were together, kissing, Michael was talking animately with Lee, several of my Hunter friends were talking to Zoë, and countless more campers were roaming as well.
"You want me to wait here?" he asked me, shifting on his feet.
"Yeah..." I replied, walking forward.
It didn't take me long to find him. Maybe he was expecting me.
"Hey," I said.
Ethan stood up from under a cherry tree. "Hi."
We stared at each other, roughly a metre apart. A million questions were swirling inside my head, half of them accusations the other half random banter.
"I guess I should say sorry," he stated, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Um, okay..."
I never remembered it being this awkward, but that was before I found out Kronos was the one who altered my memory. Well, Hecate technically but it was by Kronos' orders.
"You found out then, huh? About your memories?" he guessed.
I nodded, biting my lip and rubbing my hands, which stopped bleeding from my argument with my mom. "Yeah... how long did you know?"
"I-I knew from the start, I was there when Hecate did it."
I nodded again, rubbing my shoulder where our matching tattoo was. "Is that why you started dating me? To keep an eye on me?"
He sighed, shaking his head, which relieved me. "Alabaster told me it would be a good idea, but I didn't fake my feelings for you. I liked you from the day we met at the party on Olympus."
I managed a small smile. "Why were you there anyway?"
"I... my mom told me to go there. She told me I'll meet someone who would help me bring balance and get every god their own throne," he revealed, making me blink in surprise.
"I guess your mom was right... but you lost a lot more too..."
"Rina, I don't blame anyone for my death. The minor gods got respect, right?"
"Yeah, there's new cabins being built for every god and more campers are being brought in from all around the world."
"Then my death was worth something."
I felt tears well up in my eyes when he said this, making my heartache for his touch once more, but that was nearly impossible. For starters, his body was never found. Also, on that note, hugging a dead body is creepy and disgusting in so many ways.
"C'mere." He opened his arms and I ran straight into them, wrapping my arms around while using my powers to make his form more solid.
I don't know how long we remained like that, hugging each other. I was crying the whole time, holding him tighter while feeling lightheaded from using my powers too long.
"Rina." He gently pushed me away, looking upset as well. "I love you, and I'll always do, but you need to move on. You're a beautiful and amazing girl who would probably win countless hearts."
I bit my lip again, spinning my charm bracelet around while avoiding his eyes. "I can get my dad to let you out. I can bring you back."
"We both know that'll hurt us both more than it needs to."
"But-"
"Just move on, okay? I'll be fine. We can still talk, but please don't get hung up by a dead ex-boyfriend when you can meet a new guy that's better-"
"But you were the best thing to ever happen to me!" I exclaimed, feeling like I was being stabbed in the heart by his words.
He smiled. "And you were the best thing to happen to me too, but promise me you'll move on. Swear on the Styx you won't get hung up on me and waste your life."
I looked down, pushing the ghostly dirt around with the tip of my boot. "I-I don't-"
"Rina, please."
I sighed, giving in. "I swear on the River Styx I'll move on from you."
Thunder rumbled in the ghostly field, signifying the oath being made.
"I love you," I said, stepping away from him.
"And I'll always will," he replied.
(A/N continued: So this is the end of the PJO story arc, therefore HoO is next. Because I feel like Rick rn, I'm going on a ONE-week hiatus for this story. I'll continue writing this story on May 17 and have it out to you guys before or on May 23. This is for me to work on school and my video editing, sorry if this disappoints any of you. Thanks anyway, and see you in two weeks, well, 'see'.)