Percy sharply inhaled in disbelief as he watched the gears of Death's Doors clink and lock into place. They had done it. Many had told them they would fail but in the end the Argonauts pulled through and made the impossible, possible. A wave of euphoria washed over his body as he stood in awe for a few moments more before slowly sinking to his knees from exhaustion and relief.
"That's it...its over." Leo managed to say, "ITS OVER!" The dark skinned teenager broke into fits of laughter and then proceeded to hug and kiss the nearest person on the cheek.
Chiron beamed and nodded in triumph. When he was satisfied that the battle was indeed won, he declared if for all the world to here:
"VICTORY IS OURS!"
The Atlas Mountains erupted with roars of elation. The wolves howled, the centaurs clicked their hooves, the pegasi neighed, the satyrs played their flutes, the cyclops bellowed, and the heroes from across the globe cheered. Many laughed and embraced one an other with tears of joy streaming down their cheeks. What was once a battlefield had magically transformed into a peace rally. Everyone was ecstatic...everyone except the Argonauts. Yes, casualties were suffered from every sect and loss was felt by all, but the Argonauts had taken the most damage. They came to the Atlas Mountains with a force of eight-hundred and they would leave with only a little more than half that number. They were bloodied, depressed, and exhausted...but never broken.
Percy studied the faces of his fellow Argonauts that surrounded him. In each one of them he saw despair and confusion in their eyes. Some of the Argonauts had sunk to their knees as Percy did. They all wore a coat of dirt, sweat, and blood on their faces. Their bones, joints, and muscles screamed from fatigue and their hearts were weighted with sadness. Many of them had dispersed throughout the valley searching for the bodies of their fallen comrades and their lost loved ones. Others were left speechless by the monumental shock of victory or the denial of their friends' demise.
Upon seeing many around him drowning in tears of sorrow Percy almost began to cry himself as the deaths of many of his friends replayed in his head. He felt the eyes of many upon him and so he swallowed the pain and choked back the tears. He understood his role clearly. He was a leader to many of his fellow Argonauts and hundreds of heroes looked up to him. If he couldn't be strong then none of them could. Death's Doors may have been closed but there was a long road ahead and each and every one of them needed to be at their best. Percy struggled to his feet and quickly brushed a tear away from his cheek as familiar faces approached him. Annabeth, Tyson, Grover, Jason, Piper, Leo, Frank, Hazel, Chris Lopez, Will Solace, Reyna, Butch, Clarisse, Nico, Malcolm, Mrs. O'Leary, Thalia, the Stolls, Katie Gardener, and others walked up and shook his hand or hugged him. He was exhilarated that many of his friends were still alive and breathing albeit exhausted with some wounds. Piper's right hand was broken, Annabeth had an ugly gash on her forehead, and everyone else had the usually cuts and bruises. There wasn't a single person in the valley who wasn't suffering from a wound of some sort but they would live. However the thought that reminded Percy of those who weren't so lucky.
Among the Argonauts remaining the Heroes of Old were the most defeated. Theseus tried hard to keep his cold demeanor but he failed due to the odd twitches in the corner of his lips. Hercules sat on his bottom as he hung his head between his legs while Perseus patted him on the shoulder. Odysseus looked bone tired as he leaned against his massive longbow. The most dejected of them all was Achilles. His skin was deathly pale and his face was a blank slate of emptiness. At that very moment Percy understood why the Heroes of Old seemed so detached and pessimistic when they first arrived at Camp Jupiter from the Underworld. They had spent the entirety or their previous lives witnessing the deaths of all their loved ones and soldiers. That begged the question of why would anyone in their right mind ever want to relive that? Percy always viewed the Heroes of Old in a spotlight of awe and even admired them to an extent, but seeing them there, he pitied them.
Percy was drawn from his thoughts when warm fingers tangled with his own. A few hours ago he believed he would never feel the same sensation again. He was overjoyed that he got another chance too cling to the tenderness of his girlfriends hand.
"Hey," Annabeth greeted softly helping Percy stand to his feet.
Percy grunted in response, "We did it Wise Girl."
"We did," she replied in the same tone.
"But at what cost?" Octavian said joining the couple.
Percy looked off into the mountains before answering,"Before we came here we believed that none of us would survive. They called this a suicide mission but look what we've accomplished." Percy replied trying to remain optimistic.
"I don't know dude," said Leo softly which was a rarity. "I mean with all the people we've lost I'm beginning to wonder if it would have been better that we all died. That way I wouldn't have to feel this crappy."
"Don't talk like that dude," Jason said sternly, as if Leo's words pained him.
"Yeah, sorry man," Leo apologized absently.
The group of friends stood in front of Death's Doors analyzing it's wooden gates. To the naked eye the doors were plain. Two wooden double-doors with bronze handles. There was nothing special about them but the heroes knew better.
"Interesting," said Thalia.
"What?" Annabeth asked.
"The King of the Jokes is starting to sound grimmer than the Heroes of Old," she tried to smile but winced because of her bruised cheeks. She expected a people to laugh but no one did and she didn't blame them.
The expected retaliation from Leo never came. Instead he merely gave Thalia a weak shrug of his shoulders.
"HAZEL!" a boy yelled from behind them.
All eyes turned to see a pale skinned boy clad in dark clothes and an aviator jacket sprint toward them.
"NICO!" Hazel said with a huge smile as she recognized her brother.
She released herself from Frank and ran up to her half-sibling. They met half way and wrapped each other in a bear hug.
"I'm glad you're okay," she said into his chest.
"Yeah, I am too," he said with a grin and then looked to Percy. "Sup Percy?"
"The sky," his cousin responded
Nico smiled at the response and then embraced the remainder of his friends and integrated himself into the group of teenage warriors who stood in silence admiring the complexity of the wooden doors that lead into the Underworld. They stood there a long time without speaking, allowing themselves to absorb the reality of the situation they were in, and the precedent they had set for the future.
Piper finally piped up, "So, what now?"
She was answered by an unfamiliar voice, "That all depends daughter of Aphrodite."
All heads swiveled to the speaker. It was a young blonde girl with piercing grey eyes who had a slight resemblance to Annabeth. It took Percy several moments before he completely recognized her. She looked very different from when they first met at the Vatican. Here she looked a lot older, more mature, colder. The girl was Julia Myers and at her side was the biggest lycanthrope that any of them had ever seen. The group of teenagers gasped at the sight of the beast. Jason and Percy drew their swords and the werewolf responded by leaping in front of Julia defensively while snarling and barring its fangs
Before Jason and Percy could strike at the monster Julia raised her hands and screamed in protest, "STOP!"
Jason and Percy managed to halt themselves in mid-stroke. Hesitantly they sheathed their swords and shot Julia questioning looks. The werewolf continued to growl while everyone dagger-eyed at Julia and the wolf. They all viewed the daughter of Athena as either traitor or monster, or both.
"Julia," Nico managed to say confused. His response seemed to affect her the most out of all of the others causing her to wince at his tone.
"Do you have any idea what that thing is?" Jason accused.
"Obviously!" Julia fired back, "I'm not an idiot but he's not what you think he is."
"I think its pretty clear from where I'm standing," said Octavian. "That's a vicious, man-eating werewolf and we need to kill it."
Julia sighed before answering. "It is a he, and he is Tyler."
Everyone was taken aback by her answer.
"Wait, what?" Leo said with a dumb expression on his face.
Julia let out a sigh of exasperation and prepared to explain. Percy could have sworn that she looked like she was about to cry but she maintained her composure. Before she could open her mouth a giant cloud of color changing smoke erupted before them and a dark shadow phased out of Death's Doors.
There, who stood before them, was no one other than the Queen of the Gods herself and the God of Death.
"Hello children!" Hera exclaimed. "May we have a word please?" the goddess said with a fake smile.
It was amazing how quickly Hera could summon a council and have the councilors organized on such a short notice. They met in large cavern away from the main army to allow privacy. The council was composed of the Prophecy of Seven members, the councilors of the Camp Half-Blood cabins, the Centurions of Camp Jupiter, Lupa, Chiron, Tyson, Grover, the Heroes of Old, various minor gods, ILH operatives, Queen Hylla and Reyna, Thalia and Phoebe, Thanatos, and Hera. As for the whereabouts of the major gods, only guesses could be made. Everyone there were seated in chairs or thrones that encompassed the circumference of the cavern, creating an open ring in the center, Hera's throne of course being the most grand and large. The purpose of the council was to discuss the future of the world.
"The first topic on the agenda is the discussion of the existence of the ILH," Hera declaimed. Everyone remained silent. "The League was meant to remain hidden from the main half-blood population but that's all out the window now. We need to discuss the terms of a treaty."
"Why?" an anonymous person voiced.
"To prevent war, my dear," Hera answered in a politely mocking tone.
"Reyna, Octavian, Percy Jackson, Jason Grace, and Julia Meyers, the representatives of each party, step forward please."
The five of them got out of their seats and entered the center of the ring.
"Let us cut to the chase! Do you all swear on the River Styx swear to prevent war at all costs between your two parties?"
"We swear on the River Styx not start a civil war between demigods," said the five of them in unison as if they had rehearsed it beforehand.
"Excellent," said Hera. "That went a lot smoother than I expected. You may sit. Now, on to the next matter of discussion."
Nico zoned out and took his time to analyze the ILH operatives. Although he had spent a week in their presence he still felt they were a mystery. They were built of dozens of teenagers of different sizes, ages, and races. Each ILH operative represented a country that had a demigod presence of some sort. Each operative fought as the greatest warrior that their country's history had to offer. There were two members from every country, a boy and girl. The two representatives sat in chairs under their nation's flag. The two that sat in front of the Japanese flag were a samurai and ninja. Those who sat under a European flag were usually medieval knights. The Irish reps were Celts and so on. Most countries only had one representative due to the fact that there was limited amount of demigods throughout the world. The only country that wasn't required to have two representatives was Canada and America. That being because they were the current home of the gods with an already powerful demigod presence. The North American continent only needed two representatives and them being Tyler and Julia.
Nico's mind wandered to the minor gods. He recognized many of them. There was Morpheus wrapped in a blanket, Iris dressed in her hippy garb, Nemesis in her cloak, Phobos and Deimos dressed in their brutal looking armor, and several others. The most praiseworthy of the group was Zeus's personal lieutenants, his main military advisors when Athena and Ares were otherwise occupied. They were Nike, Kratos, Bia, and Zelus. Nico sized up every minor god present till he reached the end of the list. The last one seated was Eris. She made Phobos and Deimos seem like cuddly kittens. Her skin was blanketed in tattoos of latin and ancient greek, some in english, chinese, spanish, and other languages. Her eyes were fixed on Tyler laying at Julia's feet, or the werewolf presumed to be Tyler. Eris scowled at the wolf and then shifted her eyes to Hera and then back to the wolf. She did this the entire time as Hera spoke. Nico could've sworn he saw the smoke billowing from her pupils.
Nico followed Eris's gaze and studied the wolf. It was big and scary looking. That was all he could establish about it. Nico had never met Tyler before so he couldn't say Julia was lying about him being the werewolf only but then again Julia wasn't a liar. He could only take Julia's word and that was all Nico really needed to believe her. Although they had only met each other a week before the two of them had grown to be close friends.
As the minor gods continued to argue amongst themselves Nico's thoughts shifted to Julia. She sat with her legs crossed in her chair under the Canadian flag while she twirled a strand of her blonde hair around the tip of her pointer finger the way she did when she was deep in thought. He became entranced with her piercing grey eyes and lost himself within them. Usually her eyes gleamed with determination but as they shifted to the empty seat next to her underneath the American flag where Tyler should have been sitting, they became glimmering pools on the verge of tears.
Nico thought back on the past few days he had spent with her. He had learned things about the daughter of Athena that not even her fellow ILH operatives knew. When they weren't training or preparing for their assault on Death's Doors, both of them spent their off duty hours together, talking about each other's lives. Even with all the events happening around them they still managed to find the time to discuss subject completely unrelated to the matters at hand. They spoke about their favorite movies, music, food, and other unimportant things. Small talk helped them cope with enormity of the task ahead of them.
They found out they had many things in common with each other. Both of their childhoods was spent trying to survive, they both had parents that neglected them, and they were both missing people close to them. Julia was searching for Tyler and Nico longed to return to Hazel and wished that Bianca was still with him. That was the main reason they were drawn to each other. Something was missing from their very beings and they filled the void with each other.
Julia spoke about Tyler frequently and Nico couldn't help but feel a little jealous of him. Nico studied the werewolf that was presumed to be Tyler. If the animal was in fact Tyler, then Nico was happy that the two were reunited but it was also depressing to think about how Julia's longtime friend was turned into a monster. The pang of jealous emerged to the front of his thoughts again and he mentally slapped himself for feeling that way.
"Now on to the matter of the empty seat on the ILH council," Hera said sharply pulling Nico from his thoughts.
All eyes diverted their attention to the empty seat under the America flag next to Julia.
Eris shot to her feet, "My Lady, we have already discussed that the seat is not empty! My son still retains his position!"
"Your son is hereby dismissed from active duty," Hera said harshly.
"On what terms?" Eris demanded with rage.
By this time Julia was on her feet as well and the werewolf was barking. Many others climbed out of their chairs and drew their weapons. Out of the corner of his eye Nico could see Chiron trying to retain the peace but it was to no avail. Hera rolled her eyes as the shouting level continued to rise.
"How dare you?" Julia shouted, "After all he has done for you and this council?"
"Silence!" Hera commanded and that was all it took for order to return. Everyone was back in their seats.
Julia and Eris remained standing though.
"Nike," Hera commanded, "control your soldier!"
Nike stood up furiously. "Lieutenant, I'd advise for you to take your seat!"
Julia crossed her arms defiantly but she sat down. She couldn't betray her years of training and obedience. Nothing was done about Eris because they knew that no one can control chaos. She was silent, still standing, but ignored.
Hera put her face into her palm and sighed, "Nike step forward."
The goddess of speed and victory walked to the center of the ring in front of Hera's throne.
"My lady?" Nike asked.
"By being the primary advisor and supervisor for the International League of Heroes, could you please explain to the council the prerequisites needed to become an operative within the League?"
Nike answered promptly. "They must have a bloodline connected to an immortal being, must be under the age of twenty, and they cannot be compromised by the enemy in any way."
"Where is Tyler Horace now?" Hera asked.
"I believe he is that lycanthrope sitting next to Lieutenant Myers, my lady. He became compromised during the battle when the lycanthrope Lycaon bit him and infected him with the lycanthropy virus."
Many of the ILH operatives drew breathe upon the confirmation that one of them had actually been transformed into a werewolf. Apparently, Julia had not told them yet.
"Could that be considered as being, 'compromised by the enemy?'" Hera asked using air quotations.
"Yes, ma'am," Nike answered after gulping nervously while watching the furious Eris in the corner of her eye.
Nico noticed the blatant fear the other gods had of Eris and he couldn't blame them.
Hera looked to Eris who was still standing, "Satisfied."
"Of course not," Eris snapped. "He can be changed back!"
"Eris may I remind you it's a gift that were even allowing that abomination to live. You of all of deities should know that we cannot merely, 'change,' him back. It has been three thousand years since the foundation of lycanthropy and a permanent cure has not been discovered. Not even the power of the gods can alter it because we were the ones who created the curse to be unbreakable in the first place" Hera informed her.
Eris shook her head irreverently. "Good going that did," she added sarcastically.
Nico couldn't believe how cold Hera was being. The embarrassment on Eris's face was as plain as day. Of all places to humiliate someone Hera chose to do it in front of all that person's colleagues and underlings.
Hera locked eyes with Iris and sighed, caving in. "Fine, I'll make Tyler this deal," said Hera. "We major gods do have the power to convert a lycanthrope back to human form just long enough for them to manifest their final wishes before we destroy them. I will allow this privilege to grant Lieutenant Horace the right formally step down from his position and say his final goodbyes. He can then choose to remain a lycanthrope or make his way to the Underworld. I believe either way he will serve his purpose to me."
"That's not good enough!" Eris dictated.
"Take it or leave it," Hera responded apathetically while whisking the proposition away.
Eris stared Hera down for a full on minute before reluctantly retaking her seat violently.
She muttered the word, "Deal."
Hera nodded and snapped her fingers. Nico shrunk in his seat like almost everyone in the cavern who were expecting something big to happen. All eyes were fixed on Tyler as they watched him begin to howl. Slowly the fur began to shed, the fangs shrunk, and the wolf stood on it's hind legs. Within seconds the massive wolf transformed into human teenage boy wearing ripped jeans, an Argonaut t-shirt, and a full head of shaggy long hair. Nico noticed Julia barley keeping herself together but somehow she managed to do it.
When the transformation was complete Tyler hunched over and rested his hands on his knees while panting.
"Holy crap," he murmured gasping for oxygen.
It took him a couple minutes till he regained his composure but when he did, he stood fully upright, and scanned those that sat around him. Hera nodded to Nike.
"Tyler Horace," Nike boomed. "Step forward."
Tyler didn't protest or hesitate. He understood what was happening and what was needed to be done. His walk up to Nike seemed to last an eternity.
"Tyler Horace," began Nike, "with the power vested in me and the gods of Olympus I hereby humbly relinquish you of your ILH operative status. Do you accept honorably?"
"I do," Tyler answered confidently.
"You must turn in your weapon of power," Nike told him.
"My grandfather's trench knife, I have passed it down to Julia Myers," he answered.
Nike nodded, "You are now officially relieved of your duties. May the Fates be with you child."
Tyler nodded and then faced Hera.
"Are you aware of your options?" the mother goddess asked him.
"Yes, ma'am."
"What is your choice then?"
"Life," he answered softly, "I choose life. I will continue on as a lycanthrope my lady." Tyler turned away from Hera and addressed the council. "I will not do it to continue the bloodline of evil but I believe I am not done here! I still have work to do and I'm not quite finished. I will not rest until Gaea is dead."
"Your words are noble but do you understand that you will not be able to go back? This is the point of no return."
"I do."
"All right, I will give you a few moments to say your last words as a demigod," Hera told him.
Tyler looked at Eris and Nico could've sworn he saw a tear drip down her cheek but the whole time she looked at her son with pride. They traded nods to each other like they had some sort of silent understanding. Tyler then walked over to Julia who had now completely abandoned the idea of holding onto professionalism. She let the tears flow freely. He knelt in front of her, whispered something in her ear, and squeezed her tightly.
Tyler stood back up and again faced Hera. With assertion he said, "I'm ready."
"May I add something my lady?" asked Lupa the she-wolf.
"Speak," Hera allowed.
"My pack is willing to take in Tyler Horace as one of our own, if that's all right," said Lupa.
Hera considered this. "What say you Horace?"
"It would be an honor," he answered.
"Nothing else my lady," finished Lupa.
"Then Tyler Horace...may the Fates guide you," Hera finished and then snapped her fingers.
Tyler's muscles clenched as he sunk to his knees. He let out a low moan as his nose elongated into a snout, his clothes were substituted with long shaggy fur, and a tail grew from his backside. His grunts turned into growls and whimpers till finally he was a werewolf again. When the transformation was complete he looked to the sky and let out a long howl. Tyler trotted over to Julia and lazily laid at her feet. Julia let out one last sob before pulling herself together.
There was a few awkward moments of silence before Hera began to speak again. "Now on to the business of Mr. Horace's replacement," said Hera to Nike. "Who have you chose as a suitable candidate?"
Without hesitation Nike shouted, "Nico di Angelo!"
It was at the exact moment that Nico was taking a sip of water causing him to choke on his sip.
"Wait-what-who-me?" Nico stuttered. "Why?"
"Don't make us regret our choice boy," Nike said annoyed. "Now, step forward," Nike ordered him.
Nico cleared his throat awkwardly and shifted in his chair.
Hazel who sat in the chair behind him whispered in his ear encouragingly, "Go on."
Nico scanned his friends around him who were all giving him nods of support or flashed him proud smiles. Nico's eye fell on Julia. She was no longer crying and her usual smart ass expression had returned. She masked her emotions well but when she noticed Nico looking at her she flashed him a beautiful smile and nodded at him reassuringly.
Nico nervously rose from his chair and he slowly made his way to the Goddess of Victory. He felt everyone's eyes on him. The steady gazes held by the ILH operatives burned a whole through his very being. He knew what they were doing, it was like being the new kid at school, they were sizing him up. He stopped abruptly when he was directly in front of Nike.
"Nico di Angel, it is the decision of the gods to grant you the privileges of being an operative representing the international community of heroes. ILH operatives are not trained but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle, those whose actions elevate them beyond others. ILH agents are a symbol and the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the sword and shield of the Olympian council, instruments of their will. Operatives of the League bear a great burden. They are protecters of international peace, but our first and last line of defense. The safety of the world is theirs to uphold. You have proven yourself worthy. Do you accept the duties of a fully fledged brother of the League?"
"I do," Nico said trying to sound as tough as possible.
Nico could hear his heart beating in his chest and he felt as if his stomach was going to jump out of his mouth. Nico had always been a lone wolf and he didn't play well with others but he always wondered what it would be like to be part of something bigger than himself. The ILH seemed different from anything he had every considered doing in his life. Maybe this was his chance to prove to everybody that he wasn't...he scoffed at himself for not even understanding his social status.
"Cover your heart with the pointer, middle, and index fingers of your right hand and repeat after me," prompted Nike.
"I (state your name)..."
"I Nico di Angelo..."
"Shall fight in the name of the justice, peace, and the gods..."
"Shall fight in the name of the justice, peace, and the gods..."
"...will forever uphold the values of heroism..."
"...will forever uphold the values of heroism..."
"...and will defend those who cannot defend themselves..."
"...and will defend those who cannot defend themselves..."
"...Or I will die trying."
"...Or I will die trying."
Nike rotated her body with her arms outstretched to face everyone gathered around the council. She finished her circle by facing Nico again. "By the power vested in me by the River Styx, witnessed bared by those gathered here today, I declare Nico di Angelo the son of Hades, the new North American representative and operative for the International League of Heroes. Welcome to the League!"
Nike then took her palm and pressed it on the inside of Nico's right forearm. The skin where she touched felt like he was being branded with cow-prod dipped in greek fire. Nico felt the eyes watching him and did his best to grimace as little as possible. Nike removed her palm to reveal a newly formed emblem imprinted into his arm. It was of a great eagle with it's wings spread perching it's self impressively on top of a mountain that Nico assumed to be the original Mt. Olympus. As soon as the emblem manifested itself it vanished leaving only the pale bare skin of his forearm.
"You have been branded with the invisible seal of the League. May the Fates watch over you and the Immortals guide you," Nike finished.
There was a hearty round of applause especially from the section where Percy and his other friends were sitting. Leo Valdez was out of his chair and was whistling sharply with in his fingers in his mouth. Nico's now fellow ILH operatives clapped politely but unenthusiastically. They either really didn't care or they were as good as Julia when it came to hiding their emotions.
"You may take you seat next to your fellow representative," Nike told him.
Nico nodded and he walked over to the seat next to Julia. He sat in the chair underneath the American flag next to her.
"Good job kid," she said to him.
"Congratulations," said Hanzo on the other side of him who patted his shoulder.
"Thanks," he told both of them.
Julia laughed, "If you knew what you've gotten yourself into you wouldn't be thanking us."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked offended.
Someone behind him tapped him on the shoulder. Nico turned to find a dark skinned boy sitting behind him underneath the Filipino flag grinning.
"Believe her," the boy said, "your training starts tomorrow and its a bitch!"
Before Nico could reply a furry body rubbed up against his leg almost causing him to jump out of his seat. It was Tyler. The werewolf growled at him but it was not one of menace or friendship it was more of warning that said, don't screw this up.
"Now we can finally move one," said Hera pompously. "To the next matter of business."
Thanatos took his turn to stand up from his seat. He stepped forward and made his way to the center of the ring.
"Lord Hades has allowed me to grant you heroes a gift. That gift being I can bring those who have fallen in the previous battle back to life-"
A commotion of confusion, joy, and horror erupted within the cavern but it was quickly silenced by Hera. Being a mom for 3000 years teaches you something about remaining in control.
Thanatos cleared his throat. "However, the deal is that I can only bring them back for a few moments so they can say their final farewells. I am also in charge of the, 'corpse disposal.' I am willing to send their bodies back to their loved ones in order to give them a proper burial. Luckily all of the evils working for Pallas was vacuumed by my doors so I can focus my attention on your fallen comrades. After this meeting concludes we will have the funeral ceremony and that is when the resurrections will take place. That is all." He nodded and made his way back to his seat.
Nico, being the son of Hades understood death. What his father was allowing was a dangerous gamble. Many would see this as act as compassion but in reality it was rather cruel. It was similar to dangling the cure to cancer in front of a cancer patients faces' and then taking it from them. Even so, from experience, Nico learned that if a god gives you a "gift," you take it, no questions asked. Also, from the reaction around him, everyone mostly thought it was a good idea and they looked happy. All he wanted was his friends to be happy.
There were a few moments of silence due to contemplation on Thanatos's offer and then Hera took the floor again.
"Onto the final order of business. You heroes of Olympus have achieved a great victory for our side today. You have done what was thought to be the impossible but the sad truth is that this was merely a distraction. A distraction to draw us away from Gaea's true intentions. While we had all our focus on Death's Doors, she used the opportunity to raise the remaining of her Giant children, and then herself. Gaea is awake and she walks the earth again. They have accomplished their mission and as we speak they are gathering their forces and are marching on the original Mount Olympus. My fellow major gods are already there and they are setting up defenses. Truthfully, It won't be enough. Gaea's forces are somewhere in the millions and she has the aid of Khione, other traitors, and many old powerful forces on her side. In order to stop the Giants we need heroes and gods working together. Here, in the Atlas Mountains, you will make preparations as fast as possible. You will train and gather resources. Then you shall make your journey to Greece to aid us in the final battle. The Argo III has already been built by my son Hephaestus and it is on it's way here. You will board the ship and it will transport you when you are ready. As of now I must return to my family and aid them in the battle preparations. That is all from me."
"Wait, what about our deal?" Odysseus chimed in.
"What?" Hera asked almost offended.
"If we helped you, we would get what we demanded," Theseus told her.
Hera looked as if she was about to whisk them out of existence.
"Well, what we're trying to tell you is that the deal can wait," answered Hercules.
"We will continue to fight on in the next campaign and aid our younger brethren!" said Perseus.
The Argonauts were ecstatic about the news and cheered. Hera shut her eyes, annoyed, and waited for the hubbub to die down. Their immaturity offended her.
Hera closed her eyes, searching her brain to make sure she hadn't missed anything. "Ah, yes the discussion of the current Great Prophecy, well, it seems it all worked out very neatly. Julia Meyers was revealed to be the daughter of wisdom who walked alone, Leo Valdez brought the world down in fire, the supposed Roman and Greek enemies worked together to seal Death's Doors, and the Heroes of Old sacrificed themselves for their successors to repent for their past sins, and by doing so they have freed themselves. It appears there is no need to talk about it further unless more of the prophecy unveils itself but currently there has been no indication there is more...but knowing the Fates, there will be. One more thing, The Heroes of Old will continue to remain in charge of your training and military tactics. Achilles you're still the main general and in charge of everyone, that even includes the ILH. Gather your troops, compile your resources and information, and complete the mission. Good luck Heroes of Olympus...and close your eyes."
Everyone shut theirs eyes as Hera and the other minor gods morphed into their true forms. When they opened their eyes again all the gods were gone except for Thanatos.
The funeral ceremony was held later in the evening just before the sun was about to set. To Nico, it was the most bizarre thing that he had ever experienced in his entire existence, and in all honesty he had experienced many bizarre things. Between being preserved for almost century in a casino filled with arcade games, finding out he was the son of the Lord of the Underworld, talking to ghost, and fighting monsters...the funeral ceremony took the cake.
Thanatos had already sent the bodies back to their homes when the spirits started to mingle with the living. The spirits where pale, blue, transparent figures. Basically, they were ghost. They looked like their previous living selves but in reality they were no where close to the originals, just a sad memory, like a photograph. Having first hand experience with trying to speak to the dead, Nico strongly held the belief that things that are dead should stay dead. Half-bloods of all people should understand this point due to the fact that they fight monsters that try to eat them who can reincarnate themselves. Nico did not approve of this, 'gift,' but it seemed to make his friends, 'happy,' and who was he to say otherwise?
Nico was used to speaking to the dead but the majority of the Heroes of Olympus were not. He observed people beginning to break down in tears as soon as they saw their deceased friends. Others just clammed up from the outlandishness of the situation and stood there, shaking at the knees. As Nico walked through the masses of heroes he overheard and witnessed the most depressing and Oscar worthy conversations. One example where the ghostly figures of the original Jason and Media who loomed over a sobbing Leo Valdez.
"I'm so sorry Leo," said Ghost Media. "Your mother didn't deserve what I put on her. She was a beautiful women but you see, Gaea can be very persuasive. Jason and I have changed for the better. Please believe me Leo!"
Nico walked passed by them quickly, before hearing anymore. He continued to wade through the storming sea of salty tears in which the wind was shrieks of agony. He passed by demigods trying to embrace deceased friends to only find that one does not simply hug transparent apparitions. If it was under different circumstance Nico would have laughed at the scene but at that moment it was down right sad in all definitions of the word. He wandered past Argonauts huddled around the ghost of Leonidas and the Spartans. There was Butch admiring Bellerophon and Pegasus.
The atmosphere of the Valley of Death's Doors climbed on top of Nico's shoulders and weighed him down in uncomfortableness. In order to escape the burden Nico segregated himself from the bulk of Heroes of Olympus and made his way to a nearby cliff. To his surprise he had found someone had the same idea. A blonde haired girl sat with her feet hanging off the cliff ledge while she looked off into the sunset. Next her was a six foot long shaggy-haired werewolf who rested its chin on it's forepaws, also looking into the sunset, while the girl scratched between it's ears.
Julia didn't turn to greet him, "Why if it isn't the recently made Operative Nico di Angelo of the International League of Heroes representing the American chapter?" she said playfully. "How is it going, eh?"
"In all honesty," said Nico honestly, "things are pretty...hectic. How come you're now over at the zombie fest?" Nico asked referring to the funeral ceremony.
"I can say the same for you," Julia replied.
"I'm a son of Hades. I have too much interaction with the dead as it stands."
"Fair enough," she said satisfied. "Me, I didn't lose anybody. None of the ILH operatives died and I don't know anyone else besides you from the primaries."
"Primaries?" Nico asked.
"The demigods living in the gods' host country," she explained.
Nico nodded in understanding. "Not to mention that it's creepy," he added.
"True that," she nodded in agreement. She tilted her head as she mulled something over in her mind and then patted the ground next to her, "Come sit next to me."
Nico sat down beside her with his feet also hanging off the ledge. Nico shifted uncomfortably as Tyler the werewolf glared at him with slanted eyes but continued to croon as Julia scratched behind his ear. Once he deemed he was safe from Tyler's fangs, Nico allowed himself to relax, and followed Julia's gaze off into the sunset. Saying that the view looked beautiful would be the biggest understatement of the year. The way the sun was silhouetted against the clouds with it's orangish glow and with the misty, the Atlas Mountains laid below, it was truly breathtaking. However, something else impressed him even more than the natural scenery. Nico turned his head to look at the girl he sitting next too. She was like a reflection of the natural landscape that was sprawled in front of them. Nico was finding himself thinking about Julia in this way often and whenever he did his head spun. Besides noticing her beauty though, he noticed how calm and cool she was despite current events. Nico was in awe of how well Julia was handling the whole, 'my-best-friend-who-is-like-a-brother-to-me-is-now-a-bloodthirsty-monster,' situation rather well.
He shook his head in disbelief, "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Julia asked as if Nico yanked her from her thoughts.
"You know..." Nico mumbled.
She looked at him blankly and then smiled, "No, I don't know..."
"How do you manage to keep it together even after," he looked around him, "even after all this!" he said gesturing to the world that overwhelmed them.
Julia shrugged, "Training I guess?"
"There has to be more than just that."
She shrugged again, "I don't know. Maybe it's because of the crap that I've had to deal with my whole life, you know? You just kinda get used to it." She finished her sentence by nodding like she had found the correct answer. "Isn't that right you mangy mutt?" she added by pushing Tyler over and rubbing his belly.
Nico nodded, "I know exactly what you mean." Nico recalled all the things that had happened in his messed up life that made this war seem like a cake walk. Things only appear to be bad when you make them worse off than they really are.
"My whole life," said Julia, "I've been trained to learn from my mistakes and not letting them interfere with your future. Nike and my mom are big on, 'what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger,' mojo sorta thing."
"Hmm," Nico nodded.
"What?" Julia smiled mystified.
"Nothing, it's just that those are good words to live bye."
Julia laughed, "Oh, you're going to fit in just fine with me and the rest of the guys." She was referencing the ILH.
Nico smiled understanding the new guy treatment. He looked down to his right forearm were only an hour ago Nike had branded it with the 'invisible seal of the League.' His arm still burned from the pain and the question he had on his mind burned even worse.
"Why me?" Nico divulged. "Why pick me?"
Julia shrugged. "We operatives don't have a say on who we recruit. That's all up to my mom and Zeus's lieutenants. If I had to guess though; I would say it's because your intelligence that others lack. Then there's your courage and your past that make you conditioned to tragedy. I can see it in you. Death doesn't bother you. That's important in combat because if your buddy dies, you need to be able to keep calm, and hold the line. Above all else though, you also care about people. That's why you hold on to grudges so hard. You want those who harmed people you love to face justice. That's what the League is about, Justice. The ILH has been lacking in people like you. I've also seen you use that black sword of your's and you're pretty good with it...but don't let any of this get to your head because if you slip up it won't be just the death of you, but the others on your team. On top of all this, you're basically one of us to begin with. You went on secret missions for your dad and you participated in espionage missions sanctioned by the gods. You were practically the bitch of the gods and that's what the ILH is, the gods bitches, but I guess its not so bad, it has its perks. Nico, you have experience and you'll make a great asset to the team."
Nico nodded gratefully for Julia's words, "Thanks."
"Don't mention it," Julia said with a grin and then added her signature, "bitch."
"Jerk."
"Screw off ass-hat."
The two locked daggers eyes and held the world's most epic Mexican standoff. After a moment or two of straight faces they broke into laughter. When the laughter died down they were still staring at each other intently. In the blink of an eye the mood shifted. Awkwardly, Nico looked away as Julia did the same while brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Um Nico," Julia mused.
"Yeah?"
"I was thinking."
"Like always."
Julia ignored the comment. "I didn't really get a chance to thank you."
"For what?" Nico asked quizzically.
"You know, for being there for me when no one else was. I wasn't exactly at the top of my game when we first met because of that concussion I had and the amnesia syndrome. That was, um, really nice of you," she said shyly.
Nico got the feeling she didn't thank many people often. She was more on the receiving end.
"Oh that," Nico said shaking his head. "That was nothing."
"But still..." Julia insisted. The two made eye contact again and Julia placed her hand on top of his. Her had hand was warm to the touch which caused his stomach to somersault and his cheeks to grow warm.
"Listen Nico, I'm going to level with you.I'm with you to the end and if things go sour, I'll be there."
Nico nodded and Tyler barked which caused them both to jump.
"Yeah, yeah, you too buddy," Julia said scratching Tyler's belly again.
"Oh there you three are!" Hazel said from behind them. She was joined by Frank.
Julia retracted her hand from Nico's quickly and the two snapped their heads towards the newcomers.
"Sup sis?" Nico said quickly. "The funeral over?"
"Yeah, it just finished." Hazel told them. "It was sad but kind of beautiful at the same time. It showed me how bittersweet death really is."
"You sound like the nuns," Julia commented as if reminiscing times long ago.
"What?" Hazel asked.
"Nothing," Julia said quickly.
"Can we join you?" Frank wondered.
"I don't see why not," Julia answered without hesitation.
"How about two more?" Jason added with his arm around Piper.
Nico shot Julia a glare and whispered in her ear, "See what you've done?"
Julia snorted and whispered back, "I forgot, you Hades boys like being on your lonesome. You're not fooling anyone Nico di Angelo. Admit it, you like people."
Before Nico could offer a witty rejoinder the rest of his friends arrived like clockwork. Annabeth and Percy were next to arrive, then Chris and Clarisse, and of course the rest followed like sheep but they were a cute and cuddly flock, so he didn't mind.
"I thought I would find you guys here!" Leo exclaimed walking up last. He blew out a puff of air. "Boy, that was weird, talking to the dead. I was glad to see them all one last time and give them a proper goodbye...but it just didn't feel right."
"Like we were messing with things that shouldn't be messed with," Frank offered.
"Tell me about it," Percy said in agreement.
Nico glanced a look at his half-sister and he knew by her expression she understood all to well the conflict of dead and living.
Leo shivered, "Very creepy but kinda of nice." Leo may have fooled the others but not Nico. Jason and Medea told him things, certain things, and by the look on Leo's face, what they told him, scared him.
The Stoll brothers generously passed out bottles of Coca-Cola that the group of kids sipped on slowly thinking about the funeral.
"To the fallen!" Thalia said raising her coke bottle.
"Here, here!" everyone else responded.
"Oh by the way congratulations Operative di Angelo!" Percy added.
"Here, here!" everyone else agreed.
"No," Nico corrected them, "to us for pulling out the win. 20,000 evil bastards in the pit and another few million to go."
"Here, here!" everyone concurred.
For a while the group of friends sat in silence watching the sunset, drinking coke, and rocking out to classic rock covers played by Will Solace on his guitar. They thought about their fallen friends and the memories they shared with them. The couples like Annabeth and Percy, or Piper and Jason, who were lucky enough to have each other snuck in loving kisses.
Then Piper asked a question that she had already asked a few hours before. "So what now?"
Their answer came from behind them. It was Achilles and the remainder of the Heroes of Old. They appeared to be glowing in the half moon and half sun light. They looked almost godly. What ever was causing them pain before they had clearly beaten it. It was if they had all bathed in the River Styx recently and were washed of all their past sins. Although Achilles limped from his broken ankle, Hercules was covered in bite marks and his head was bandaged, Perseus was in crutches, and the rest were suffering from other injuries, they seemed stronger than ever.
"I say tonight we feast, celebrate, and bask in the glory of our recent victory, and then tomorrow we prepare for the final war that will end all wars. We set sail to the fatherland, raise a little hell, and kill some evil sons of bitches; and if we die in the process at least we knew we went down swinging," bellowed Coach Hedge trotting next them while chewing on his coke bottle.
"Exactly," Hercules shouted excitedly. "We stand and fight!"
"Who's with us?" Achilles said rousing the young warriors with a thundering voice.
Odysseus saluted professionally.
Theseus nodded solemnly.
"Aye sir," said Perseus.
"Why not?" Aeneas put in.
Orion gave a humble bow.
"Count us in," said Romulus and Remus mischievously in unison.
"Anyone want to bet I kill the most monsters?" smiled Atalanta.
"Amen to that!" Clarrise said raising her bottle into the air.
Everyone else followed her example and clinked bottles together in a toast. The sun had fully set, the moon high in the night sky, and the constellations painting the void. Tyler Horace the werewolf looked to the heavens and let loose a howl.
"AHOO! AHOO!"
How humorous, the puny mortals think they can actually win. The small victory they have achieved is nothing compared to what I have in store for them. They have set a dangerous precedent. My war machine is ever turning, my army is vast, and the flames of the forge rises. The fire is rising…every rising.
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE SEQUEL