Everybody looked down.
We landed at Crissy Field after nightfall…a middle-aged mortal, I suppose."
"Not bad for anybody." Leo said in awe
"Annabeth I love your dad." Beckendorf shook his head
Annabeth grinned.
"But the celestial bronze bullets…"Just a little experiment."
"Little?" Leo asked
"That guy's a genius." Frank said
He said it like it was no big deal…He was an excellent mad scientist at heart.
"That he is." Annabeth laughed
Athena had a faint blush.
"Dad…" Annabeth faltered…around her was fading.
Artemis shivered.
"Can't you heal her with magic?" I asked Artemis. "I mean…you're a goddess."
"No she can't, if-if the fates have cut the string then there is not much she can do." Nico swallowed
Percy nodded and looked down.
Artemis looked troubled…"The finest of my attendants."
Everybody smiled.
"Definitely." Thalia nodded
Zoë's face relaxed…fury had broken her inside
"Tell me you don't blame yourself for my death." Zoe said sternly
"I-I don't." Percy said
"Swear?" Zoe asked
"I promise." Percy smiled
She saw Thalia…men —everything."
Thalia and Zoe hugged each other in the middle of the throne room.
They stayed like that for a few minutes.
Once they pulled apart, Dionysus continued. He didn't like to hear about another death.
"Perhaps not all men," Zoë murmured…that you carry this sword."
"And I am honored that I carry a sword made by you." Percy said
Zoe smiled at him and he returned it.
A shudder ran through her body.
Artemis shuddered violently.
Apollo looked at Will worriedly.
"It's okay dad, just the curse acting up. I'm pretty sure the fates wouldn't want a god to die." Will assured him
Apollo sighed in relief.
"Zoë—" I said…And she did not move again.
Tears were streaming down the faces of Percy, Thalia, Grover, Artemis and Annabeth.
Zoe's had tears too.
The other demigods were looking down. They all knew what it was like to lose somebody.
Thalia lowered her head…"Live forever in the stars."
"It's my favourite constellation." Percy said
"Ours too." The demigods said
Zoe smiled. Though the demigods might get angry they were great heart and everybody would go lengths to help their friends.
"Let the world honor you, my Huntress," Artemis said…we would disintegrate by looking at her.
Artemis chuckled.
"No I willed to be in the form." She said
"That's a relief." Percy chuckled
"I must go to Olympus immediately," Artemis said…You will do what is right."
"I'm glad you didn't join, no offence to the hunters though." Percy said
Annabeth smiled.
"None taken." Artemis said
Then she looked quizzically at Thalia…first time she hadn't called me a boy.
Artemis smiled.
"Two boys in one day, you were definitely not okay." Apollo teased
Artemis rolled her eyes playfully.
Everybody's mouths hung open at Percy.
"So that's what you meant that you weren't a boy?" Zoe asked
Percy nodded.
"Zoe you are doing so well with the you's." Thalia grinned
Zoe grinned and stuck her tongue out.
"Wow brother, you earnt the respect of Artemis." Triton grinned
"Good job brother." Tyson grinned
"Thanks." Percy smiled at them.
She mounted her chariot…though I must say I still prefer Athena."
Everybody laughed.
Athena had a faint blush again.
"He has a type." Leo whooped
Everybody laughed louder.
Annabeth turned toward him…one pure black one.
"Blackjack!" Silena grinned
"Blackjack!" I called…"It was rough," I admitted.
Everybody chuckled.
I brought Guido…spoke in my mind.
"Those are some very casual pegasi." Triton laughed
"They're Percy's friends, what did you expect?" Nico asked
Percy pouted.
Blackjack looked me over with concern, then checked out Dr. Chase, Thalia, and Annabeth. Any of these goons you want us to stampede?
"Did he just call me a goon?" Thalia asked
"Yeah, he knows the best." Percy grinned
"Shut up."
"I'm offended." Annabeth said
Percy laughed.
"Nah," I said aloud…horse's body, I wonder?"
"Whaaaat?" Connor asked
Blackjack cocked his head. Whaaaat?
Connor turned red.
"You think like a pegasus." Travis eased his brother
Everybody chuckled or laughed.
"Why, if the British had…We will keep you safe."
"And they do that." Annabeth smiled.
"I already love your dad so much. How much more cooler and hilarious can he get?" Leo said
Annabeth laughed.
Annabeth didn't answer, but her eyes were red as she turned away.
Athena's eyes turned red.
Dr. Chase started to say…despite her fear of heights
Zeus fell asleep.
"I swear, I was so tired. I would've passed out in the throne room." Thalia chuckled
He and Jason adjusted their father so he was in a comfortable position.
Her pegasus flew with ease, adjusting himself every once in a while so Thalia stayed safely on his back.
"That's nice of him." Silena smiled
Annabeth and I flew…"Your dad seems cool," I told her.
"I know right." Travis grinned
"You're pretty cool too dad." Travis quickly added
Hermes chuckled.
It was too dark…gotten cooler since you saw them last."
"By the way you described the meeting, they would have." Thalia said
"They have." Annabeth smiled
"I'm glad Annie." Thalia grinned
She hesitated…"Never."
Percy nodded in agreement.
Annabeth gave him a smile.
She hesitated…The same way you knew about me."
"I bet you didn't like the comparison." Clarisse said
That comparison didn't make me too happy.
"Told you." Clarisse said
The towns were zipping…hay for breakfast or what?
"Yeah I gave him so treats." Percy grinned
"Well he deserves it." Triton smiled
"You're the man, Blackjack," I told him. "Er, the horse, I mean."
Everybody laughed.
"Yeah Blackjack is the horse." Pollux laughed
"He's great." Percy grinned
"You don't believe me about Luke,"… It wouldn't be fair.
"Death isn't fair." Nico sighed
"They were willing to take the risk Perce." Frank said
"Yeah I know." Percy sighed
"Life is precious only because it ends kid." Frank said
Percy looked at him and nodded.
Ares gave his son a proud smile, he remembered telling that to Frank and he was glad that he understood it.
Apollo smiled at Frank too, remembering when Frank had told him that.
Everybody looked at Frank.
Hazel gave him a kiss on the cheek which made him blush like crazy. Everybody noticed it and chuckled or laughed. Nico nudged Hazel teasingly and she blushed and stuck her tongue at her brother who laughed.
"There it is." Thalia's voice; she'd woken up
Zeus woke up.
She was pointing toward Manhattan…"The Council of the Gods."
"Done." Dionysus said
"That was a short one." Michael said
Everybody nodded.
"I'll read." Demeter said
Dionysus gave her the book and she started.