Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.
Story: Divided Soul
Chapter 25: Hero and Leader
The Underworld
"Percy," Annabeth yelled as she watched the son of Neptune fall through the broken ice along with Iapetus. Gwen and Alex looked at her curiously, but they couldn't focus on her. The Consul of Rome was gone. They both looked at each other sadly before walking away from the river.
Jason ran to the edge of the ice, but Piper and Leo held him back. "You'll die, if you go in there," Leo warned.
Jason looked at his friend helplessly. Piper wrapped her arms around him. She knew that Jason cared for Scipio like an older brother.
Annabeth fell to her knees. She watched the broken ice as it began to break up more and more.
The ice was melting, but something bigger was building up below the surface. The water began to boil and bubble. The death of an immortal caused the ice to finish melting. Suddenly, a massive explosion sent water straight into the air. The demigods on the shore ran for cover. A few droplets of water hit Jason, Piper and Leo. The water burned their skin before they washed the river water away with their canteens. A massive wave of water rushed toward the earthen dam. The water crashed through the dam sending the river Styx back into its normal river channel.
Piper let go of Jason. The son of Jupiter smiled at her sadly. Piper looked over at Annabeth. The daughter of Athena just sat on the ground looking toward the now roaring river. Jason motioned for Piper to help Annabeth. Leo and Jason met up with Gwen and Alex as they rushed to the cage to free Iapetus's prisoners.
Piper reached Annabeth. The daughter of Athena's grey eyes were red and full of tears. Piper had never seen Annabeth cry, but she knew that Percy's death would cause this. She could feel how much Annabeth loved the son of Poseidon and now he was gone. Piper prayed to her mother that she would never have to feel the pain that Annabeth was going through now. Piper pulled her into a hug. Annabeth cried into Piper's shoulder.
Jason, Leo, Gwen and Alex reached the celestial bronze cage. The glow of the bars faded, and then the bars melted away to small pools of molten bronze. Leo rushed to Nico's side. The son of Hades looked up at his friend. Leo smiled. "Nice to see you death boy," Leo said.
Nico frowned. "What took you all so long Pyro?" Nico asked sarcastically.
Leo smiled at the stupid nickname. "We got held up in traffic. You know, Romans and their roads," Leo said dramatically before he helped Nico to his feet.
Gwen and Alex reached Thanatos. The two Romans cut through the god's bonds. Thanatos looked up at the two demigods and smiled. His dark eyes flashed with power. "Thank you, children of Rome," Thanatos said.
Thanatos turned toward the location where the lady of the Styx was, but she turned to water before their eyes. The water rushed to the river and merged with the churning waters. "Is she okay?" Gwen asked.
Thanatos smiled. "She's back in her element," Thanatos said.
Jason helped Leo guide Nico to the god of death. "What do we do now? We are no longer the seven," Jason asked.
Thanatos regarded the son of Jupiter. "You must replace the one that was lost," Thanatos said.
All eyes shifted to Nico. "Who was lost?" Nico asked.
Jason looked at the ground sadly before he stared into the dark eyes of the son of Hades. "Scipio is dead, lost in the Styx," Jason said.
Nico's eyes widened. "No, it can't be," Nico said. Gwen and Alex looked at him curiously.
Jason put a hand on Nico's shoulder. "I'm sorry Nico," Jason said.
Nico looked towards the river. Piper was still on the ground holding the daughter of Athena tightly within a comforting embrace. Nico left the others and ran to his friend. He knelt on the ground beside Annabeth. The daughter of Athena broke away from Piper. When she saw Nico a fresh wave of tears poured from her eyes. Nico wrapped his arms around the girl he thought of as a big sister.
"I'm so sorry," Nico said.
Eventually, Annabeth broke away from Nico. She wiped her eyes and stood up. Nico stood as well. Piper was nearby as she watched her friend closely. "We need to finish the quest. It's the least we can do for him," Annabeth said.
Jason and the others reached Annabeth, Nico and Piper. "Where's Thanatos?" Nico asked.
"He left," Jason said. Jason looked at Annabeth for a moment, but he didn't know what to say. "He's going to help your dad." Nico nodded.
Nico looked at the six remaining demigods. His gaze settled on Jason. "I'll join the quest," Nico said. Jason nodded.
"How do we get out of here?" Leo asked as he looked downstream at the raging river Styx.
All eyes once again settled on the son of Hades. Nico closed his eyes and suddenly the shadows exploded around him. Two giant hellhounds leapt from the shadows. Mrs. O'Leary wagged her tail as Nico scratched behind her ear. Cerberus, the two headed guardian of the underworld walked up to Annabeth. He had his red ball in one of his mouths. He towered over the daughter of Athena. Annabeth smiled at him sadly.
"Everyone climb aboard," Nico said. Everyone climbed onto the back of a hellhound. Once aboard the creatures disappeared into the shadows leaving the son of Hades near the shore of the river. He looked at the dark and dangerous waters. "Percy, I won't fail you." Nico ran into the nearest shadow and disappeared.
In the River Styx
The son of Neptune sank into the depths of the river. He was able to breath under the water now. He vaguely remembered not being able to when he bathed in the Styx before. Scipio saw Iapetus, the Titan dissolve before his eyes. A large explosion of energy sent Scipio towards the bottom of the river. Scipio knew that the Titan was dead.
Suddenly, Scipio could feel a burning sensation in his hands. He looked at his body. His golden armor was turning black as the river ate through the celestial bronze. His sword dissolved in his hands. The river began to burn his body slowly, until it reached the small of his back. His Achilles spot began to burn as the pain shot through his body like a hot poker. Scipio knew he was dying. He closed his eyes and willed the pain to go away. He felt a rush of cool water and the pain ebbed. He didn't feel the river current anymore.
He opened his eyes. He was in a large bubble. He looked around in awe. He hadn't made this bubble.
"I did, my child," a woman's voice said.
Scipio turned around to see a dark haired woman standing before him. She was tall and thin. Her hair was black, like midnight and her eyes were a crimson red, like blood. Her skin was pale and she wore a black dress that reached her ankles.
"Who are you?" Scipio asked.
The woman smiled. Her teeth were white and perfect. "I am the lady of the Styx. The personification of mortality and binding oaths," the lady of the Styx said. "You may call me Styx, dear son of the sea."
"Why did you save me?" Scipio asked.
"This is only a reprieve," Styx said. She stepped toward the son of Neptune, until she was only a few feet away. "You have bathed in my river before, but you have forgotten what binds you to this world."
Scipio looked at her curiously. "What have I forgotten?" Scipio asked.
"Your true self," Styx said.
"What are you talking about?"
Styx sighed. She knew this would be hard for Scipio to accept. "You had another life before this Roman one."
Scipio's eyes widened. "You said this Roman one. Did I have a previous life as something else?"
Styx smiled. "You were or should I say are a Greek."
Scipio's mouth fell open in surprise. "I'm not Roman?"
Styx smiled at him sadly. "Actually, you are both Greek and Roman. You are very special, my boy. You are the only child of the big three that is of both personas."
The air bubble began to shrink. "What's happening?" Scipio asked worriedly.
"I cannot hold this bubble for long. The river wants you; the waters need you."
"I don't understand."
Styx smiled. "Remember, your Greek side is bound to mortality by one thing, but your Roman side may not be bound by the same."
Scipio frowned. "I don't understand. I'll burn if the bubble bursts."
Styx stared into Scipio's eyes. "Search the river bed. Use your link to the water. Search for what was lost." Styx disappeared before Scipio could ask her what she meant.
The bubble began to collapse. Scipio yelled as the bubble reached him, and then burst as it touched his skin. The water rushed around him like a great snake trying to wrap him in its coils. Scipio swam toward the bottom of the river. She said to search the bottom, he thought.
The water burned his Achilles spot again. Even his invulnerable skin began to burn. Scipio could feel the water enter his bloodstream as it burned him. He reached the muddy bottom of the river. The pain began to cloud his vision, but then he saw something glow in the dark and murky bottom of the river. He swam towards it, even as his muscles burned. He reached forward towards the object until he felt a leather grip. He grabbed a hold of the object and brought it towards his body. He stared in wonder at a celestial bronze sword. It glowed in the dark water. He read the name on the handle, Anaklusmos, Riptide.
As he stared at the sword images began to flood through his mind. He was younger, maybe twelve holding a horn in his hand. He was thirteen as he carried the Golden Fleece. He was fourteen as he wore the coat made from lion skin. He was fifteen as he held the small flower, Moon Lace in his hand. He was sixteen as he sat in a bubble at the bottom of a lake with someone in his arms. He looked closely and he froze at the sight. He held the blonde daughter of Athena in his arms. He was Perseus Jackson, son of Sally Jackson and the son of Poseidon. All his memories came back to him. He was Annabeth's lost boyfriend.
The water burned his skin, but as he thought of Annabeth the burning began to stop. Instead, he felt new strength flow through his veins. He began to swim towards the surface, but the burning began again. He tried to swim up, but his arms burned and his strength escaped him. Remember that your Roman side may have a different link to mortality, Styx said.
He was Percy Jackson, a Greek, but he was also Roman. He remembered his time as Scipio in the Roman camp. He remembered his friends and colleagues there, but most of all he remembered how they needed him, He remembered how people needed him to lead. They needed the greatest hero that ever lived and the greatest Consul of Rome. He was Percy and Scipio. He was a hero and a leader. New energy surged through his body. The burning ceased and in its place was calm and cool water. The river welcomed him and obeyed his commands. He shot up the through the river and exploded out of the water. He landed on the bank of the river clad in only his purple Roman shirt and khaki shorts. He was barefoot and his armor and Roman weapons were gone, even the ring he got from Mars. However, Percy didn't mind. He still had Riptide. He capped the sword and it shrank back into its pen form. He put it in his pocket for safe keeping.
Percy stood and turned back toward the river. Styx stood on the bank with a beautiful smile on her face. Her eyes shined with pride. "You've exceeded all my expectations," Styx said.
Percy walked toward the goddess and knelt down in front on her on one knee. "Thank you, my lady," Percy said.
"Do not thank me child. It was you. You only have to thank yourself." Styx stepped toward Percy. She looked down at him as she held his shoulders in her hands. "You are the hero and the leader."
"I'm not part of the seven anymore."
Styx smiled. "Do not fret. You are not a part of the prophecy anymore, but that only makes you more dangerous."
A mischievous smile crossed Percy's lips. Styx nodded. "Yes, you are the wild card, a game changer as the mortals say."
Percy nodded, but then a curious expression crossed his face. "I'm Percy and Scipio. Who am I really?"
Styx frowned at first as she searched his sea green eyes. "You are who you were always meant to be. You are Percy and Scipio, the blend of both; the best of both."
Percy nodded. "Thank you."
Styx reached down and hugged Percy. "You are a part of my river for now and always. Your mortal spot exists, but it will not kill you. Remember those things that mean the most and you shall live till a ripe old age." They separated. Percy's green eyes shined with pride and joy. "Now go and save the day, hero of Olympus and Consul of Rome." Styx turned to water and rushed back into her river.
Percy began to walk downstream. He turned one last time to look at the great lake that was the source of the river that he was now a part of. "I won't fail you my lady, I promise." He turned and continued his journey toward Diros Cave.
AN: For those who couldn't wait for Percy to return. He is back, but did you really think Scipio would be gone for good?. Percy and Scipio are the same person. Now they are merged into the perfect hero and leader. Gaea and her children look out.