Music I listened to for this was The Reason by Hoobastank and Bleeding Out by Imagine Dragons.

As Percy came towards him, Luke moistened his lips. "You ... can't do it yourself, he'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can ... can keep him controlled."

His skin was definitely glowing, and starting to smoke.

Percy raised the knife to strike. Then he looked at Annabeth, at Grover cradling her in his arm, trying to shield her. He realized what Rachel had been trying to tell him.

You are not the hero, Rachel had said. It will affect what you do.

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

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

Percy gave the knife to Luke. He watched as Luke grasped the hilt, and stood before him defenseless.

Grover yelped. "Percy? Are you ... um ..."

In the archway, Hermes' eyes shone with tears. "I can't believe this," he said quietly.

Zeus was angry. "He's going to stab your son Poseidon," he hissed. "And we will be overthrown!"

Poseidon shook his head. "I trust my son did what is right."

Luke unlatched the side straps of his armor, exposing a small bit of his skin just under his left arm, a place that would be very hard to hit. With difficulty, he stabbed himself.

It wasn't a deep cut, but Luke howled. His eyes glowed like lava. The throne room shook, throwing Percy off his feet. An aura of energy surrounded Luke, growing brighter and brighter. Percy shut his eyes as a force like a nuclear explosion blistered their skin and cracked their lips.

It was silent for a long time.

When the demigods opened their eyes, they saw Luke sprawled at the hearth. On the floor around him was a blackened circle of ash. Kronos's scythe had liquefied into molten metal and was trickling into the coals of the hearth, which now glowed like a blacksmith's furnace.

Hermes went to go to Luke, but Zeus held him back. "Wait," he said grimly.

Luke's left side was bleeding heavily. His eyes were open, blue like they used to be. His breath was a deep rattle.

"Good ... blade" he croaked.

Percy knelt next to him. Annabeth limped over with Grover's support. They both had tears in their eyes.

Luke gazed at Annabeth. "You knew. I almost killed you but you knew ..."

"Shhh." Her voice trembled. "You were a hero in the end, Luke. The gods will see that."

"Will they? Annabeth, come ... come on. You know better. It's better that I die. I might ... might have a chance at Elysium."

"Don't you dare think like that. Don't you dare!" Annabeth started panicking.

Luke shook his head weakly. "Think rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest."

Annabeth sniffled. "You always pushed yourself way too hard."

"Grover, you're the bravest satyr I ever knew." He winced in pain. "Percy, please, all the unclaimed. Don't let it ... Don't let it happen again. Promise me."

His eyes were angry, but pleading too.

"I won't," Percy said. "I promise."

Just then, Thalia came storming in, actually shoving past the gods. She was sparking electricity.

"HOW DARE YOU!" She pointed her finger at Luke, looming over him.

Luke cringed. "Thalia ..."

"You really think that after all this; you can just go and die on me! Oh hell no. You listen to me young man, you WILL get through this. And when you're in your right mind, I'm gonna kiss you so hard you might even wish I hadn't. And Artemis can deal with it."

Everyone just stared at her for a long time. It was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

"Um, ok. Not expecting that one," Luke muttered.

"Dang straight."

Percy looked like he was trying not to laugh.

Luke coughed and his lips glistened red. "Alright, Thalia, alright."

"Good. Now you," Thalia pointed at Hermes. "Get your godly butt over here and apologize. NOW!"

Hermes stared at her. Zeus glowered. "Who do you think you are, daughter?"

Luke genuinely smiled. "Thalia, easy. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"Shush."

Hermes slunk over. "I am truly sorry, Luke." he attempted. Luke turned his face away from him. He wasn't ready to forgive him just yet. The lines on Hermes face became deeper, and he moved away.

Thalia sighed. "What am I going to do with you, I don't know. You're just so dang stubborn, all of you."

"And look who's talking," said Annabeth. Grover choked, trying to be serious.

"Now, get this wound taken care of, already."

"Yes, ma'am," Percy saluted her. He and Grover carefully lifted Luke up. He cried out from the sudden movement.

"Sorry."

"It's fine."

As they carried Luke away, Thalia breathed in and out and slowly turned to face the gods. "Do whatever you want, but I'm not repentant."

Zeus looked to the skies and said resignedly, "We will overlook your conduct, but Luke will be punished."

"But not too harshly?"

"Very well," he agreed, turning to Hermes. "But only for you, Hermes."

"Thank you."