A/N-Second to last chapter and it's under 8k words so you guys won't be here forever. Yay!
3rd Person-
"I trust you all had a safe travel?"
"Occasionally bumpy, but otherwise fine." Hazel greeted Reyna and the ten senators that came to welcome the Greeks at the service tunnel, the entrance to Camp Jupiter.
"Alright, roll call," Annabeth Chase pulled out a clipboard. "Apollo Cabin?"
"Here!" Will Solace answered, gathering his siblings together after pulling their boat on shore.
"Hermes and half of Ares?"
Chris and Clarisse did a quick count of their siblings then nodded to the daughter of Athena. "Present."
"Okay..." Annabeth checked off the cabins then moved to the bottom of the list. "Lastly, Demeter Cabin and the Hunt?"
"Here!" Called Katie Gardner.
"All here." Thalia voiced on behalf of the Hunt.
"Anymore weapons and artillery?" Asked Reyna, helping to bring the two boats that encased the weapons onto the shore.
"That's all. Alright, who else is here?" Annabeth murmured. "Nico? Check." The girl nodded to the son of Hades who stood beside Thalia.
"The Five?"
Jason, Leo, Hazel, Frank, and Persia nodded; stating their presence.
"Alright, I think that's everybody." Annabeth nodded to Reyna. "After you, Reyna."
Just as the praetor was about to lead the Greeks toward Camp Jupiter, a figure emerged from the Little Tiber. As the figure approached the group, all the demigods gasped.
"I think you're forgetting someone-perhaps a member of the Six?"
"My bad," Annabeth winked at the approaching figure. "The...roach." She wrote on her clipboard.
"W-what?" Nico asked, bewildered. "You're supposed be dead-I felt it."
"He's a roach." The daughter of Athena said as if that explained everything.
"Dude, you can talk to ghosts. This can't be that surprising to you." Percy chuckled, standing beside Annabeth.
Reyna was the first to recover, gazing into the boy's eyes. Her onyx eyes clashed with the sea green, causing a small smile to tug at her lips. "You're yourself again."
"Thank the gods," Percy smiled before looking at the bewildered demigods. "Well, we're not going to get to Camp by just standing here."
Reyna stifled a small laugh and began leading the group to her home. Percy and Annabeth walked beside each other and many demigods wondered they weren't in closer proximity and rejoicing at their sudden reunion. After all, they were in a relationship.
As the group approached Terminus for their inspection, a wild deer with silver eyes trotted out in front of the group, seeming to nod to Percy before galloping away.
"Is it just me or did that deer just nod to you?" Nico asked in disbelief.
"It's my number one supporter." Percy replied, a blush crossing his face.
After a rather close inspection, the group passed Terminus and walked toward the field of Mars where the entire legion was gathered, dressed in battle armor. All these demigods ready to fight another battle, willing to pay the ultimate price to preserve their way of life. The Greeks joined the Romans, many of them greeting the friends they had made during the last battle.
The Six, Annabeth, Nico, Thalia, and Reyna stood in front of the Legion and the Greeks, complete confidence in their army.
Percy pointed to the top Persia's head, smiling. "Persia-look."
Nearly all of the Greeks and Romans gasped, looking at the hologram above the former lieutenant's head. Persia frowned but stared into one of the Romans' breastplate, noticing the glistening silver bow and arrow.
"She...she claimed me?" The girl's eyes widened, surprised.
Immediately, the Greeks fell upon their knees, giving their respect.
Jason and Reyna knelt down and consequently, so did the rest of the Romans.
"Diana-Goddess of the Hunt, the moon, chastity, and childbirth. Hail, Persia of Athens, daughter of Diana...or Artemis, if you're Greek." Jason added.
"Minus a few titles," Thalia muttered quietly to Nico who gave a small smile.
The daughter of Artemis blushed, embarrassed by all the attention. Luckily, the girl wasn't the center of attention for too long for Octavian had stumbled into view, clutching his stomach. He was bleeding profusely-he had been impaled by a spear.
"Gaea and her giants...they're...they're out. I-I tried to hold them off." The legacy croaked out before falling to his knees, blood gushing out of his mouth.
Percy, Jason, Reyna, and a few medics rushed over to him, but it was too late-the Augur was dead.
Jason trembled as he watched his fellow Roman die. Sure, Octavian was a scrawny, manipulative, teddy bear serial killer but first and foremost, he was a Roman and Jason wouldn't tolerate another Roman's death. He stood up, his gladius raised. "For Octavian! For Rome!"
"For Rome!" The Romans raised their weapons, determined to make Gaea pay for killing one of their own.
The Greeks pounded their shields, raising a cry.
"Forward!" Reyna commanded and the Greeks and Romans aligned in a formation, marching to face the enemy.
Percy weaved through the army, making his way toward his ex girlfriend. Upon closer inspection, Annabeth frowned.
"You should get some armor on-don't want to be exposed."
Percy smiled, thinking of the hero he had been named after. "No, I'm good."
Annabeth shrugged, slightly worried but confident that the son of Poseidon could take care of himself. "Whatever you say."
As the demigod army made its way past aqueducts, four men were fighting off a horde of dracaena.
One of them smashed the heads of the monsters together while another spoke them and the dracaena ran off. The other two used their swords to vanquish the monsters.
"Hey baby bro, a little help here!" One of the men called out without looking behind him.
"Don't have to ask me twice." Percy smiled and with a flick of his wrist, the water in the aqueducts gushed out, covering the men and the monsters. The water cleared up and the remaining dracaena disintegrated. The men, protected by a waterproof bubble conjured by the man who had called for Percy, walked out of the bubble, the faces identifiable in the sunlight.
Annabeth and many off the demigods gawked, in complete shock. "Adonis? Hercules? Theseus? And Perseus? How?!"
Nico leaned on Thalia for support, his mouth gaping. "I need to check myself back into the Lotus Casino again. Or a mental asylum, I can't handle this."
"Dad!" Persia ran for the amber eyed man in the middle, jumping into his arms.
"Hey kid." Adonis smiled, wrapping his arms around her protectively. "Long time no see."
"Hate to interrupted this very important character arc but um," Percy pointed to the fast approaching monster army. "We've got company."
"Romans and Greeks!" Reyna announced, her voice echoing throughout the demigod army. "We've called for the gods assistance in defeating the giants but until they arrive, we must hold off the monsters. Am I clear?"
Before the praetor could receive a response, the wild deer with silver eyes from earlier sprang into view. Within an instant, the deer's legs turned into human ones and a human figure replaced the animal.
"No need for that, Praetor. The other gods will be here momentarily." The goddess said.
"Lady Diana." Reyna and all the other demigods bowed in respect. All except one. Percy Jackson strolled over to the goddess, the laziest smirk in history upon his face,
"You make a great deer." He commented, his sea green eyes smoldering.
The other demigods held their breath in anticipation and Annabeth said a silent prayer for her friend that was about to be turned into a jackalope.
To everyone's surprise, the goddess chuckled. "And you make a fine human, Jackson."
"Why, thank you." Percy pretended to tip an invisible hat. "As much as I'd like to exchange more compliments, I'm afraid our time is cut short."
Artemis looked at the monster army, now less than twenty yards away. "You ready to all that training to use, Jackson?"
"You bet."
Not too far behind them, Apollo appeared, approaching Persia and her father.
"And here I was under the impression that I was the most important man in your life. My heart can't take this." Adonis clutched his heart, feigning pain.
"I couldn't replace you, Dad." Persia smiled at the men. "But Apollo's a close second."
Apollo beamed, ecstatic.
Adonis quickly looked back at the former heroes who were beckoning him to rejoin them. Adonis quickly hugged Persia once more, smiling. "See you at the end of the battle, kid."
"Bye," Persia said in a small voice, releasing her father. As Adonis rejoined, Persia noticed the monster army approaching them. Percy and Artemis were at the head of the demigod army, whispering something to each other.
"Question," Persia nudged the god. "Are they..."
"Together?" Apollo wiggled his eyebrows. "Yep, thanks to yours truly."
"Hmm." As the first row of demigods charged toward the opposing army, the couple got into position, both notching their bows.
Even though they stood back to back, Persia could swear Apollo was grinning.
"You ready for this?" He asked her.
"Sometimes I wonder if love is worth fighting for. Then I look at you. I'm ready for war."
Before the god could reply, a hellhound lunged for the girl and would've toppled her had Apollo not disintegrated the monster with his arrow.
Persia brushed the golden dust off her armor. "Show off."
Elsewhere, another couple stood in the same position-back to back.
"Thalia!" Nico yelled while simultaneously summoning a skeleton army. "Wanna go on a date?"
"Now?!" Thalia wanted turn around and slap him in the face. "As romantic as that sounds-I don't think a candle light dinner is appropriate in the middle of battle, Nico."
The son of Hades laughed, sending vibrations through the pair. "I meant later! Like when we survive this thing-Le Parker Meriden. I'll buy you all the fries you can eat."
"Prepare to empty your bank account, Di Angelo." Thalia smirked, electricity sparking at her fingertips. "You're on."
In the distance, Annabeth led a group of demigods towards a group telekhines. Even in the midst of fighting, she noticed Percy. He was hacking and slashing away at the enemy, not even breaking a sweat. His patterns and movements were still chaotic but they almost had some amount of strategy to them. He knew exactly where to exhaust his energy and when to conserve it. The battle had just begun and Percy had managed to clear at least half of the monsters that attack. As Annabeth hacked away at the telekhines with her knife, more monsters reinforced them. It was never ending.
When Annabeth and her group had sufficiently defeated the telekhines, she sent them to the other side of the field , to help aid the Hunt defeat a few hell hounds.
"Annabeth!" Jason called, beckoning her over. The blonde ran over to the side, joining with the Six, Reyna, and Nico under the protection of forest.
"We've been holding it down pretty well so far," Leo informed her. "The gods have arrived so that's a plus."
"There's more of them than us. If we don't eliminate the biggest threats-the giants, we won't stand a chance." Annabeth's breath was shaky but she was right, the monster army definitely outnumbered them.
"Alright, everyone find a god-take those giants down." Jason suggested.
Percy nodded, a determined expression fell upon his face. "Let's get them."
Persia was the first to leave the safety of the forest and traverse into the clearing. "Apollo!" She yelled, notching an arrow into her bow. Within an instant, the god was next to her and together they attacked the nearest giant, Hippolytus-bane of Hermes.
The rest of the demigods went to join up with the nearest gods but Leo remained, holding Jason back with him.
"Jason," he whispered, pointing to the middle of the field, where a figure stood in place, watching the battle. "See that lady over there? She's been standing there for a while?"
"Minor goddess?" The son of Jupiter guessed.
"No, she's right in the middle of the monster army. If she were a goddess, they would've attacked her already?"
Jason's eyes widened as a realization dawned on him. "You don't think..."
"I don't know." Leo gulped. "Well, there's only one way to find out."
Leo started towards the clearing but Jason pulled him back. "You can't just go attack her like that. If we're right about who she is, she'll pull you into the ground."
The son of Hephaestus whirled around, a sudden onset of anger sweeping over him. "You know what Jason-don't tell me what to do. You did this all the time with Piper but I'm not her, so don't even try it."
"Woah, where did this come from? I'm just concerned about you, Leo."
"Oh are you? This is the first time you've really talked to me since Piper died." Leo began seeing red. "You don't care about me and you never cared about Piper."
"You're dead wrong. I loved her but that last battle would've been a blood bath if she hadn't sacrificed herself, I had to let her go." Jason said defiantly.
"No, none of them were worth her life. We would've found another way-a way didn't result in her death." Leo shook his head, running out into the clearing. "Gods, I can't believe what she ever saw in you, Jason Grace."
"Leo!" Jason roared, running after him. The son of Hephaestus had already fought his way through both armies, getting closer to the woman. Jason pushed off the ground, flying over to the woman. On closer observation, he noticed she had flaming red hair that seemed to move like liquid in the light. Her eyes were piercing green, like a true forest green.
"Gaea!" Leo yelled, summoning a ball of fire.
The woman turned to the demigod, a smirk on her face. "The last time I saw your ability was many years ago. Do you remember that little incident? You burned the mechanic shop to the ground."
"No, I didn't. You manipulated the fire. You killed my mom." Leo's flame grew brighter. "And now you're going to pay."
Before Leo could launch his fireball at her, Jason landed, positioning himself between the two.
"Leo, think before you go through with this." The son of Jupiter said urgently. "She'll kill you."
"How sweet of you to protect me, little hero."
"I'm not trying to save you, Gaea." Jason spat. "I'm trying to help Leo."
"I don't want your help. You had a chance to help me by knocking some sense into Piper before she sacrificed herself." Tears were threatening to burst and Leo's voice became shaky. "But you didn't and now she's dead!"
Leo snapped his head towards Gaea who had a smirk on her face. "It's your fault too."
"Is it?" She asked mockingly, the wind blowing made her hair look like fire.
Leo growled and launched his fire ball, but Gaea ducked and it hit an hell hound a few yards away.
At an unseen signal, both demigods attacked their enemy. Gaea simply waved her hand and the ground trembled and cracked, making their attempts even harder.
When Percy saw the cracks, he ran over to the center of the field, riptide in hand. He drank in the sight-Jason and Leo were thrown a few feet and Jason was trying to get up, his eyes vengeful. Percy followed his gaze to the woman in the center and understood. But he couldn't understand why they seemed to attack her separately-it was more effective if they did together.
"Leo! Jason!" The son of Poseidon yelled, jogging over to Leo. "Hey man, get up-I've got an idea."
"How rare." Leo groaned, allowing Percy to help him up.
Jason was beside them and gasped when he noticed the gash across Leo right arm. "Leo, you're hurt."
"So? What's it to you?" Leo snapped, clutching his arm.
"What do you mean 'what's it to me?' You're my best friend."
"And so was Piper! But you just had to let her go to avoid a 'bloodbath.'" Leo moved past both demigods to attack Gaea again, but a firm hand pulled him back.
"Enough. Both of you." Percy commanded. "If Piper's death was anyone's fault-it was mine. I was the one who planned to trap you guys."
"No, it's not and you know it. She chose to sacrifice herself so the doors would close." Jason said, then turned sternly to Leo. "Now if Leo would just accept that..."
"Screw you, Jason!" Leo pushed the other boy but before Jason could retaliate, Percy pulled the boys apart, creating a buffer zone.
"Look-that's exactly what she wants." Percy gestured toward Gaea who raised a brow, a smirk on her face. "Don't let her get to you. Instead, try to use the time Piper bought us to defeat her. Understood?"
Although both boys were at odds, they agreed.
"Here's the plan," Percy brought the two boys in, explaining his plan. When they pulled away, both of boy's faces paled.
"Percy, if this doesn't work, you could..." Leo trailed off, not wanting to say the word.
"I know, trust me-I've thought of everything that could wrong and um, the end is not pretty for me." Percy squared his shoulders. "We can't afford to think that way though. For Piper. For Octavian. For the Stolls and Pollux. For Dakota and Bobby. They sacrificed their lives so we could have a second chance. Let's make the most of it."
"It's not very nice to keep a lady waiting." Gaea said.
"Good advice. Have you seen one?" Jason growled, stabbing his gladius into the ground. The motion disturbed Gaea's earthquake and then a small tornado washed over the primordial, launching her upwards.
Jason then picked Percy up, catching Gaea midair.
Before Gaea could alert her giants to come to the rescue, Percy clamped a hand over her mouth. Although the giants were tall, they were all occupied and Percy doubted they'd look forty more feet down.
Percy gazed into Gaea's eyes and clamped down harder as she resisted; attempting to get out of Jason's grip. "Gaea, you're feeling very sleepy. You need to sleep."
Gaea gave a muffled cry and below them a vine, began snaking around Jason legs. From below, Leo launched a fireball, disintegrating the plant.
Percy could see the strain on Jason's face and spoke in hurried, hushed tones. "You want nothing more than to sleep. That's all you want-sleep."
Although Gaea put up a good fight, the primordial batted her eyelashes and slowly drifted off.
"Alright, it's safe to bring us down." Percy nodded to Jason. The son of Jupiter lowered the two and Percy knelt down to lay Gaea on the ground.
As he did so, Gaea's eyes shot open and she growled. "You're going down with me, Jackson." Before Percy could react, he felt something puncture his abdomen.
"No!" Leo yelled, launching a fireball at her. The primordial disintegrated and Percy fell forward, clutching his stomach. Leo and Jason rushed over to the demigod, easing him onto his back.
"It's going to be okay, Perce. We've got you now." Leo said desperately.
The son of Poseidon couldn't respond as blood gushed out of his mouth.
Jason extracted the knife then applied pressure to the wound, praying to the gods. "He's losing too much blood. Fast." He whispered to Leo.
"I'll get one of Apollo's kids-they can fix him." The son of Hephateus ran to the sideline where the medics were located, dodging monster attacks.
Jason held his dying friend, his lower lip trembling. "Don't die on me, Percy. Please, we can't lose you too."
A few minutes earlier...
"Woah, what's happening?" Percy almost tripped over the emerging cracks but Artemis steadied him.
"No idea." The goddess replied, releasing a spray of arrows into the monster army. As a response, the cyclops launched javelins towards them causing Percy and Artemis to duck behind the nearest tree.
Percy's breathing was ragged but he looked toward the center the field, faintly making out a figure approaching a woman who stood smack in the middle of the monster army. "I'm going to check it out. Cover me."
Artemis nodded and as the demigod ran over to the center of the field, Artemis gestured toward the sky and the surrounding monsters were inflicted with sudden darkness. By the time darkness cleared, Percy had made it to the center of the field.
As the goddess was distracted watching Percy, four empousai toppled her, wrenching her bow from her hands. Artemis kicked one away, and wrestled with the other three. As she knocked one more empousa out, she felt the weight lift off her.
Persia, Thalia, and the hunt stood above the goddess, hacking and slashing at the empousai. Artemis was bewildered that they-of all people-would come to her rescue. Even Adonis or Orion were more likely to aid her.
"Artemis!" Persia called out, dodging away from an empousa's fangs. "I know this is bad timing but I-I forgive you."
"What?" Artemis asked, with the help of two huntresses got up. "I can't hear you."
"Gods! Now is not time for character development," Thalia wacked the monster up side the head with Aegis. "She said she forgives you for killing her!"
"Persia, I-I don't know what to say."
"Then don't but a little help would be appreciated!" Persia bow had fallen and she was fighting the empousa with nothing but her bare hands.
"Oh-of course."Artemis picked up her bow and with one shot, the monster turned to dust. Thalia and the hunt had managed to finish off the other empousa and walked up to the goddess.
Artemis' breath hitched-they may have saved her but it was probably only so she could help defeat the giants. Thalia's face looked blank but Artemis prepared herself for anger.
In an instant, in the midst of the battle field, Thalia threw her arms around the goddess.
"T-Thalia?" She asked softly, bewildered. The daughter of Zeus wasn't one to show much emotion.
"Persia told us everything-we forgive you as well. I'm so sorry we kicked you out."
"It's alright, I understand." The goddess hugged her back and one by one, all the other hunters did too-even Persia.
"Thank you, Persia. I know this wasn't easy for you." Artemis whispered to her daughter.
"No-thank you. I've found peace now." The girl pulled away then ran to the other side of the field, going to fight another monster. Artemis turned her attention to the girls, smiling.
"So..." Thalia dragged her spear through the dirt, nervous. "Will you come back to us? Please?"
The goddess looked into all the girls eyes, their faces hopeful. Artemis smiled sadly and shook her head, "Girls, I love you all and I appreciate the forgiveness, but I'm afraid I can't. I've got other plans for my life." Artemis looked toward the center of the field where Percy had been moments ago.
Thalia raised an eyebrow, "What do you mea-"
"No." Artemis paled, her heart threatening to burst. "No." She repeated.
"Lady Artemis?" Thalia asked, following her gaze. After looking past the ongoing battle, she saw a figure on the ground, bleeding and Jason stood over him, slaying any monsters that came close. On close inspection, she realized it was Percy.
"Incoming!" A hunter yelled as three cyclops charged them. Atlanta and Naomi led the girls toward the monsters, their weapons drawn.
"Go." Thalia nodded to Artemis. "I'll take of this."
Artemis didn't respond, only rushed over to the center of the field-to Percy.
By the time she reached the son of Poseidon, tears had formed in her eyes.
"What happened to him?" She asked Jason desperately, clutching the boy's head.
Jason grunted, slicing a hellhound in two. "He had this plan to attack Gaea-it went wrong. Way wrong."
"Where is she now?"
"Dead-his plan worked. It just resulted in...that." Jason gestured to the son of Poseidon, whose body was limp and his eyes had begun searching wildly.
"Percy-do you hear me?" The demigod seemed to understand but couldn't respond. "You'll be alright. I'll get you help."
"I've tried-Leo's gone to the medics." Jason grimaced as the medic tent was on fire-Leo and the other demigods were trying to put it out and assist the wounded. "I don't take he's going to make it in time."
Artemis' bit her lower bit, sobs racking her chest. "I've got him now-just go."
"I can't leave you here with no defense." Jason shook his head.
"Just go-please." Artemis' face was so broken that the son of Jupiter didn't dare defy her. He ran the other side of the field, attempting to help Thalia defeat the cyclops. So far, two of hunters had fallen and Jason needed to help before any more died.
"Apollo!" Artemis called out desperately. "Apollo!"
The goddess looked around for her twin and across the field, he was running over to another figure that had fallen. A look of desperation was on his face also and that's when Artemis sucked in a sharp breath- the figure was Persia. Artemis' heart threatened to explode-she couldn't lose both Percy and her daughter in one night.
"Gods, Persia. What happened?" Apollo fell to his knees, bringing the girl onto his lap.
"I was...trying...to help." She croaked, blood seeping through her armor. "A...Lydian drakon. I-I forgot...it has...to be...k-killed by a child of Ares."
Apollo looked around him and not too far from them, Clarisse and Chris lay next to pile of gold dust-presumably, the drakon-not moving. They weren't breathing. The god tore his eyes away from the sight, he had already lost one of his sons during the battle and he couldn't bear the sight of dead demigods.
Persia raised a weak hand, pointing across the battlefield. "Artemis. She's...calling you."
The god looked for his twin and indeed she was, a matching look of desperation across her face. In her hands was Percy Jackson, beginning to lose his grip on life.
"Go." Persia's voice broke Apollo away from his gaze. "Percy," the girl gulped, trying to bring in more air. "He's not immortal...I am. Go."
"I'm not leaving you." Apollo insisted, raising a shaky hand over her wound. As always, when he used his healing powers-it glowed but Persia's gaping wound wasn't healing.
"It's not working," he gasped, looking at the former lieutenant. Her face was hardened and she looked at him until recognition settled on his face.
"Persia. Don't do this me. Please-I can't go through this again. I barely survived the first time."
"Apollo, go. He's my friend and she's my mother-I'll be right here waiting for you. I...can't go anywhere."
The sun god's heart caught on his throat and gently placed a kiss on Persia's lips. "I'll be right back. I love you."
"I love you too." She croaked, the bell in her voice diminishing.
Apollo dodged monster attacks and flying weapons to make his way over to his sister who was on the verge of breaking down.
"He's not breathing, Apollo." Artemis sobbed, her entire frame trembling.
Apollo took a quick look at him and noticed he was breathing but it was faint. "Not quite, baby sis. It's shallow but he's a fighter." Apollo knelt and his hands hovered over Percy's abdomen, glowing.
"Is Persia alright?" His twin asked, worry etched across her face.
"She will be." Apollo looked over to where the demigod lay and noticed her chest still rose. "Keep breathing. That's good." He murmured to himself.
Apollo's hands stopped glowing and as the wound healed, Percy groaned.
He winced, his entire body felt like it was on fire. "W-what happened?"
Artemis smiled, tears streaming down her face. "You did something stupid-incredibly brave but incredibly stupid."
Percy grinned lopsidedly, "So what else is new?"
"That." Apollo gestured to the battle around them, the monster army had begun retreating and many deserted.
"It's a rippling effect," Percy realized. "Their leader has fallen-they're going back. We won."
Through her happiness, Artemis had forgotten her twin's. "Apollo-Hurry. She doesn't have much time."
The god's head snapped toward Persia whose chest wasn't rising anymore. He scrambled to his feet and ran toward her. Every step he took, Apollo encountered another monster. Viciously, he destroyed them with a sharp burst of white light. Every monster that blocked his path was annihilated; wiped out by his sonic arrows or a bright burst of light. The closer he got to Persia, more piles of golden dust were left behind and his frame began to glow. He was not letting her go this time. Not like he had done 2,000 years ago.
When he got to the former lieutenant, he dropped to his knees, his hands shaking. "You're okay. You'll be alright." Apollo's hand glowed but the wound wasn't healing. The more panicked he got, the less effective his power was. "You're okay. Breathe. Just breathe. It's over now-you're okay. Wake up. Please wake up. Don't do this to me. Don't do this me. I love you so much. Come back."
Suddenly, Persia shot up, gasping for air.
Apollo had tears streaming down his face and cupped the girl's face, a small smile on his face. "Have I ever I told you that I love you?"
"Yes, but it wouldn't kill me to hear it again."
"I love you, Persia. Gods, I'd never thought I'd fall in love." Apollo whispered, pulling the girl close.
"It's funny how that works, huh?" Persia voice was muffled into his chest. They were safe and together, which was all that mattered at that point in time.
As the battle ended, Zeus had managed to gather most of the demigods and gods, a fierce look upon his face. Persia and Apollo walked over the circle, which was only growing.
All the gods looked worn out, even the normally cheery Aphrodite had bags underneath her eyes.
"Children!" The King of the gods bellowed, his voice gathering attention. "Look around you-Gaea and her army have been defeated. Olympus has been preserved!"
A round of cheers erupted and all around them were piles of golden dust, no monster in sight.
Zeus motioned for the group to quiet and when they did, his voice was solemn. "Although we may have conquered, it was not without a price. I'd like to honor the six demigods, one legacy, two humans, and one god who sacrificed their lives so that we may prosper."
"Clarisse, daughter of Ares/Mars. Chris, son of Hermes/Mercury. Leila Emmer, daughter of Ceres/Demeter. Michael Kahale, son of Venus/Aphrodite. Will Solace, son of Apollo. Katie Gardner, daughter of Demeter/Ceres. May these six demigods rest in peace."
A brief moment of silence occupied the air until Zeus spoke again, "Octavian, Legacy of Apollo. Atlanta and Naomi, hunters of Artemis. Terminus, god of boundaries and limits. We thank them for paying to ultimate sacrifice to preserve our way of living."
After a pause, Zeus looked to the other gods and in they nodded their heads in return. "Despite the bad, we cannot neglect the good. I'd like to honor these demigods for their valor and leadership in the war. Please, come forward when your name is called."
"Frank Zhang, son of Mars/Ares!" Zeus bellowed and a sheepish son of Mars walked to the middle of the circle, bowing to the god.
"Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto/Hades!"
Hazel came forward, clutching the broken arm she had obtained from the battle.
"Leo Valdez, son of Hephaestus/Vulcan!"
Leo walked forward and stood next to Hazel, a smirk on his face.
"Persia of Athens, daughter of Artemis/Diana!" A round of gasps erupted at the mention of her mother but the girl walked over to her friends, taking her place beside them.
"Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus/Jupiter!" The girl flashed a small smile at her dad before joining the other demigods.
"Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades/Pluto!" The demigod was right behind Thalia.
"Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena/Minerva!" Annabeth limped forward with a cast on her leg, the other demigods helping her.
"Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, daughter of Bellona!"
"Jason Grace, son of Jupiter/Zeus!" Jason walked forward and bowed to his father.
"Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon/Neptune!" The demigod disentangled his arm from Artemis' waist then strolled forward, his father beaming.
"I'd like to mention Piper McLean, who none of us would be here without her sacrifice." After a moment of silence, the god continued. "Demigods-you have all fought bravely and courageously. For your vital role in this war, we gods would like to offer you one wish among the ten of you. Choose wisely."
"As long as it's within your power?" Percy asked, hinting at his request from the Second Titan War.
"As long as it's within my power." The corner of Zeus' lips turned up and Percy figured that was closest he'd came to seeing the god laugh.
"Huddle up, team." Leo gathered the other nine demigods and after a few whispers, they had come to a conclusion.
Jason was the first to step forward, bowing to his father. "My Lord, we have but one request which is surely within your power."
"It's nearly impossible for a demigod to lead a normal life but we would like to propose a solution to fix this." Reyna added.
"Now parents, don't get your togas in a twist but sometimes, it stinks being constantly hunted by monsters." Leo said, garnering some laughs.
"As Leo so poetically put it," Hazel nudged the demigod. "We demigods deserve some sort of...protection, if you will."
"Dad," Thalia stepped forward. "If you grant this wish, less demigods would perish and after today's and the last battle, I think we can all agree on that."
"But just like the defeating a giant, this wish will require both the gods and their children's assistance." Nico voiced, watching the gods reaction.
"We will have to band together-Greeks and Romans-for this plan to work." Frank earned some applause from his Roman peers.
"I've calculated all the outcomes of this plan and it has nothing but benefits." Annabeth confirmed.
"Parents," Percy's voice echoed throughout the field. "We'd like to have your permission to build a demigod army-one specifically designed to endure battles such as these. Of course, at both Camps we train for battle but many campers don't stay year round or aren't well equipped to deal with a threat. To avoid this, the demigod army would be available, ready for any threat at any given hour. We'd have a uniform way of fighting which would result in less casualties."
Percy threw the gods a dazzling grin, "So what do you say? Deal?"
Surprisingly, all of the gods agreed at once and Zeus nodded. "Demigods, your wish has been granted."
Both the Greeks and Romans cheered, grateful that the war was over.
A week later...
Artemis stood in front of the resort, awaiting the minor goddess. When she finally heard footsteps, the goddess turned around facing the beautiful woman.
"I didn't think you'd show, Circe-or is it C.C. now?"
"Why don't you ask your boyfriend-he ruined my spa."
"On behalf of Percy, I apologize for any damages. He has a knack for that kind of thing." Artemis said nonchalantly.
"He does," the minor goddess agreed. "The message you sent me was cryptic. Something about a curse being lifted?"
"Ah yes, I need a curse lifted off of me...or Percy, rather. Apollo put a curse on me 2,000 years for killin-"
"Killing Persia then he cursed the next person you fell in love with. I know, I read Olympus Daily Gossip." Circe nodded. "Now that you're with Percy, you don't any more tragedy to befall him-I can't say I feel the same way-and you want it gone. Why can't Apollo reverse it?"
"He's tried multiple times and failed."
"Interesting. Anyway, it's a quite simple fix really." The minor goddess reached into her pocket sprinkling some dust on Artemis. As Artemis coughed at the sudden dump of substance, Circe recited an old Greek incantation. The goddess fell to her knees, her head felt like it was about to split.
"What is this sorcery? Is this your idea of revenge?" The goddess growled. "If so, you've just made an enemy."
"Trust me, Lady Artemis. You'll thank me later." Circe snapped her fingers and just like that, she was gone.
Artemis clutched her head until the pain somewhat subsided and tried flashing to Apollo but she felt too weak. Using the little power she had, the goddess manifested her chariot and took the long way home.
She managed to track Apollo to Camp Half blood, where he was at the beach with Percy and Persia.
"A little help here." The goddess groaned, her headache getting worse.
Percy recognized her voice and immediately guided her to Apollo. "What happened?" He asked, pulling her hair away from her face. She looked pale and sickly, as if all the youth was sapped out of her.
"Oh gods, Artemis." Persia helped lower her mother onto the sand as Apollo used his power to heal her. Soon, her headache from hell was over and she looked better.
"Circe." Artemis managed, looking at Percy. "Circe happened."
"Did she find you? She was trying to get back at me and you got caught in the crossfire, oh gods, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."
"No, Percy, it's not." Artemis sat up, trying to show him that she felt better. "I went to her. I tried to remove a curse Apollo put on me-well, you technically-and then she said some of spell and dusted powder on me. I think she weakened my powers."
"Can you recite the spell?" Apollo asked.
"I can try," Artemis repeated what the spell sounded like and when she finished, Apollo's face paled.
"I-I thought that spell was a myth. It shouldn't have been able to work, it's impossible."
"What is it, Apollo?" Percy brows furrowed together, worried. "Is Artemis going to be alright?"
"I don't know," He admitted, meeting Artemis' gaze. "I don't know."
At this point, the goddess began panicking, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "W-what do you mean you don't know?"
Apollo's breathing was shallow as he pointed to her hand. "Can I see your hand?"
Artemis held her arm out, watching her twin's reaction.
"Anyone got a knife?" He asked.
"Here," Persia handed him a small pocket knife, looking at her mother with a worried expression.
"Thanks," Apollo muttered then nicked Artemis' palm, drawing blood. As the blood oozed out, Apollo sucked in a sharp breath. "Just as I'd thought."
"What?" Percy looked at her palm then gasped. Persia's expression looked similar.
Artemis raised her hand to see what the commotion was all about and the sight made her blood run cold. Her blood was red.
"Artemis," Percy's sea green eyes clashed with her silver ones. "Circe turned you into a human."
Jason and Reyna were strolling along the beach, waiting for their two guests to arrive. As they waited, Jason pointed to four people in the distance.
"Hey, look." He nudged the praetor. "Isn't that Percy, Persia, Apollo, and Artemis? Double date?"
"Likely. They're looking at something in Artemis' hand, wonder what it is."
Before her boyfriend could answer, their two guests-Frank and Annabeth-appeared.
"You IM-ed?" Annabeth asked.
"Um yeah, we brought you two here today to offer you guys a position." Jason explained.
"Wait-no offense or anything, but aren't you supposed to be at Camp Jupiter. You're our praetor." Frank pointed out.
"Actually, I resigned yesterday." Reyna smiled, intertwining her hand with Jason's. "So did Jason. We want to live out our lives together in New Rome seeing as there's no more threats. That's why we've asked you two to come today."
"You want us to help you move?"
"No," Annabeth smacked Frank's shoulder. "They're asking us to be Camp Jupiter's praetors."
"Yes, so what do you say?" Jason asked, hopeful. "You guys are the best demigods we know for the job. It can be rough at times but I know you guys can handle it."
"I-I don't know." Frank stammered, pacing around. "I don't think I can handle that much responsibility."
"You can and you'll-hopefully-have Annabeth to lean on." Reyna encouraged.
"I'm not sure either. After all, I'm Greek-I don't think the Romans will appreciate me telling them what to do."
"Actually, we've asked them and they're more than happy to have you as praetor." Jason added. "Just say the word."
After some thought, Annabeth began nodding her head. "I mean, it's California-my dad's there and I'm nearly done with all the renovations for Olympus. There's not much here, but I'll only do it if Frank does."
"Count me in, man."
The couple smiled. "It's settled, we have a new leadership. Camp Jupiter will be excited to see Praetor Annabeth and Praetor Frank."
A/N-First off, I'd like to apologize for the lack of battle description in a battle chapter. I spent every last battle-writing skill I had (which wasn't much) in chapter 24. The well has dried. And yes I know I didn't show how they all killed the giants but you guys should've seen my attempts-I had to delete them, they were horrendous. I've mentioned this before but I haven't read HoH or BoO (I know I'm late) so I don't actually know how they killed the giants and yes, I could look it up but I actually want to read it. I only looked up Gaea's "death" or sleep and I obviously took a twist on that. Um if you're wondering why I made Annabeth and Frank praetors is-honestly-they weren't paired up with anyone so they needed something to do. I'm terrible, I know. So next chapter will be the last and it'll be the epilogue. It should be under 3k-it's mostly dialogue. Stay tuned for that and I'll see you guys next update!