Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 44: The World Must Fall

Yellowstone National Park – Battlefield

Seven half-bloods will answer the call

To storm or fire, the world must fall

An oath to keep with a final breath

And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death

The great prophecy ran through Percy's mind as he organized the half-bloods and the gods into battle formation. Athena and Annabeth assisted with the effort.

Percy knew that the first line had been fulfilled. He and Jason as well as the other five had completed their work in Greece. Scipio or the persona that took the place of Percy for those several months gave his last breath to fight Iapetus, but he didn't actually die. Percy had regained his memories, but his experience as Scipio had changed him. Percy thought the change was for the better.

Percy and the rest of the seven had gone to the doors of death in Greece, but now they were here in Yellowstone; Percy knew that this place was also a door to death. The only part of the prophecy that Percy knew hadn't come true was the second line. They were in Yellowstone, which sat over a mega-volcano; the largest one in the world. If this thing blew it would cause storms and fire that could literally change the world, and not for the better. He hoped that he was wrong, but if Gaea awakened, he knew the volcano would erupt. He pushed that thought aside as he focused on the fight ahead of him.

Annabeth and Athena

Annabeth sat on a large rock; she was tired from all the preparations and from all the emotional turmoil that the day's events had taken on her so far. However, none of that was as important as the question that plagued her. What did Percy mean when he told the Fates that he gave up his immortality for his father?

"You seem lost in thought, my daughter," Athena said as she sat down beside her favorite child.

Annabeth jumped slightly at her mother's presence, but soon recovered. "Sorry mother, you startled me," she admitted.

Athena smiled. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I can tell when something is troubling you," Athena said thoughtfully.

"It's something Percy said," Annabeth replied.

Athena's smile faded. "What did he do?" she asked sternly.

Annabeth sighed. "He didn't do anything, but I was curious about what he said to the Fates," Annabeth admitted.

Athena nodded. "You're wondering about his immortality?" she asked knowingly.

Annabeth smiled. "Of course I am," Annabeth said in a tone harsher than she meant, "Sorry, I just hate not knowing."

Athena placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "I don't know if it's my place to tell or not," Athena conceded.

Annabeth knew her mother had the answer. "You know what he meant?" she questioned.

"You know that Percy is a son of Neptune and Poseidon, just like you are my daughter and Minerva's?" Athena asked. Annabeth nodded. "What about Percy's mother?"

Annabeth stared at her mother curiously. "What about Sally?"

"What would you think if I told you that Sally is more then she seems?"

"What's going on? Is something wrong with Sally?" Annabeth gave her mother an expectant glare.

"You think highly of her, don't you?" Athena watched her daughter's reaction.

Annabeth smiled as she thought of Percy's mom. "She's the best mortal I've ever met."

Athena was shocked. "What if I told you she wasn't always a mortal?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Sally is mortal, but she has not always been that way," Athena tried to explain.

Annabeth pulled at the end of her curls. She didn't know what her mother meant. "How can that be?"

Athena sighed. "Sally Jackson is really Lady Styx," Athena replied in frustration.

Only one question came to Annabeth's mind. "Why?"

Athena smiled. Now that was a question worthy of her daughter.

"Styx told us that every thousand years she takes on the form of mortal and lives out that life. She does this to keep her connection to mortality," Athena explained.

Annabeth listened to her mother intently. "That makes sense, but why didn't Percy know?"

"The Fates made her swear to never tell a mortal. Styx never thought she would have a child, especially one with a god."

"What about the immortality?" Annabeth's brow was furrowed in thought.

Athena smiled at her daughter's curiosity. "The Fates clearly gave him a choice. He could stay mortal or become immortal," Athena proposed before a wry smile crossed her face. "As usual Percy created another option."

Annabeth chuckled. "That sounds like the Seaweed Brain I know," she quipped.

Athena laughed in response. "It does."

"What are you two laughing at?" Poseidon said as he stepped in front of the goddess and her daughter.

Athena stopped laughing. "We were just talking about Percy," Athena replied.

Poseidon smiled at his son's name. "He really is an exceptional boy," Poseidon said.

"I think we can all call him a man now. I don't think a boy could do all the things he's done," Annabeth said proudly.

Athena looked at her rival. Annabeth saw the look on her mother's face. "I should probably help Percy," she said before she stood up and walked away.

"Did you mean it?" Athena asked after a few awkward seconds.

Poseidon eyed her curiously. "Mean what?" he asked as he tried to remember.

"When you apologized," Athena clarified.

Poseidon's face turned red as he remembered what he said to her. "Yes… I meant every word," he said awkwardly.

Athena nodded. "I'm… I'm sorry too."

Poseidon stared at his long-time rival in shock. He never thought he would ever hear her apologize. A broad smile crossed his face. "I never thought I'd hear you say that," he admitted.

Athena smiled at his surprised expression. "I'm glad you're alive," she whispered.

Poseidon heard what she said. He sat down on the rock beside her. "Before we start this final battle, I have something to tell you," Poseidon said.

"What is it? Are you feeling poorly?" Athena asked in concern.

Poseidon smiled at her concern before he shook his head. "My favorite memory was creating the chariot with you," he admitted.

Athena just stared at him in wonder. "Really?" she asked.

Poseidon nodded as he looked into her grey eyes. "Yes and I have a secret to tell you as well," he said.

Athena stared into his sea green eyes. She never realized how beautiful they were until now. "You can tell me," she reassured.

"My marriage to Amphitrite was an arranged marriage," he said.

"What, but I thought…" she started before Poseidon continued.

"Zeus arranged the marriage to keep Oceanus out of the first Titan war," Poseidon explained.

Athena couldn't believe it, but she knew that Poseidon was telling the truth. She could see it in his eyes. "What about Triton?" she asked.

"Triton's my son, part of the deal was that we would have a child and he'd be the heir to my throne," Poseidon continued.

Athena nodded. "I understand that's why you were so sad when talking to Styx. You really love her, don't you?" Athena asked.

Poseidon stared down at the ground. "Do you think that there is someone out there that is a missing part of you?" he asked.

Athena looked up into the sky. "Do you mean a soul mate?" she asked.

Poseidon laughed. "That sounds like something Aphrodite would ask me," he said playfully.

That earned a slight glare from the goddess, but she could tell that he was joking. "I don't like pink or smelly perfume," she replied.

Poseidon laughed. "Neither does Sally… I mean Styx," Poseidon said. He cleared his throat and Athena could tell he was being serious now. "I meant someone that knows you so well, someone that you just look at them and you can tell they belong with you. They make you feel complete."

Athena listened closely. She wished that she could find someone like that. She had lovers or mind lovers, whatever you call them, but she never loved someone like that. She had to admit, she was jealous of Poseidon and Styx. "It must be terrible to not be with her?" Athena asked sadly.

Poseidon nodded as a lone tear ran down his cheek. He wiped the tear away and stood up. Athena could see the steely look of determination on his face. "I never thought I'd say this, but it's good to be your friend, Athena," he said. He looked back toward the assembled army of gods and demigods. "I think we better join them." He offered her his hand. Athena looked at it before accepting it gratefully. Poseidon pulled her to her feet before the two gods walked toward their army.

Army of Olympus

Percy stood before the army of Olympus. He looked into the eyes of the Roman and Greek demigods, and then into the eyes of the gods. He began to pace in front of them in his usual manner.

"Today, we face the final battle of this war. The enemy is on the defense for the first time in this war; we have the advantage now. However, we mustn't be complacent. Prometheus always has some devious scheme and Gaea is one cunning goddess. We must remain vigilant," Percy said. He stopped pacing and looked into the eyes of the King of the gods. "My lord, with your blessing."

Zeus nodded before a wry smile crossed his lips. The old Percy would have gone forward, but this one knew about respect and acknowledgement.

"You all know your duty and your orders. However, we do not fight for Rome or Greece; we do not fight just for Olympus. We fight for each other. We are all family," he said as he gave Hera a brilliant smile. The goddess couldn't help but return it. "That is what we fight for." Percy turned toward the hill that led up to the cave that held Gaea and the rest of her minions.

"For family," Percy yelled before he ran up the slope. The demigods and gods screamed behind him as they followed his lead. The final battle was on.

The demigods and gods ran up the side of the hill, as they approached the cave it opened and out poured the remainder of the giants and their army of monsters. The two forces struck together and caused a sound that reverberated across the valley below. Demigods fought the monster forces. Demigods and gods fought the remaining giants. Percy jumped and flipped in the air over a mass of Earthborn before he turned and slashed Riptide through their bodies. The monsters turned to dirt and fell to the ground in pieces.

Many of the giants were dead, except for Porphyrion, Agrios, Clytius, Ephialtes, Eurytus, Gration, Mimas, Pallas, and Pelorus.

Zeus, Jason and Thalia fought Porphyrion. Athena, Poseidon, Annabeth and Malcolm fought Pallas. Hades, Bianca and Nico fought Agrios. Aphrodite, Hecate, Silena and Piper fought Clytius. Ephialtes fought Apollo, Gwen, Will Solace, Lee Fletcher and Michael Yew. Gration fought Artemis, Pheobe and the other hunters. Hephaestus, Leo and Beckendorf fought Mimas. Eurytus fought Dionysus, Castor, and Pollux. Hippolytus fought Hermes, Luke, Connor, Travis and Chris. Lastly, Pelorus fought Ares, Hera, Alex and Clarisse. (AN: Damn, that's a lot of names, sorry!)

Percy ran through the ranks like a free safety in football, lending a hand in the fight as needed. Monsters charged him, but he cut them to pieces. Percy jumped onto a boulder in the middle of the battlefield to survey the battle. He looked on until he saw Hermes and his sons struggling to fight off Hippolytus. Percy jumped down from the boulder just before storm clouds rolled in over the battlefield. The gods and giants turned from their fights to look at the sky. Percy ran forward as small hurricanes and whirlpools of water flooded around him. He surged through the battle like a tidal wave of destruction. Riptide glowed a dark blue in his hands. The blade cut through monsters like a scalding hot knife through butter.

Percy stopped in the middle of the fight. He heard Hermes yell before he looked towards his cousin. Hermes was on one knee with a spear through his leg. Luke and his other sons were fighting off the giant. Percy raised his hand and the ground began to shake. The giant turned toward Percy; the son of Poseidon charged with Riptide held high. The giant pulled his spear out of Hermes's leg and readied it to fight the child of sea. Percy dodged the spear and forced a ball of water toward the giant's face and turned it to steam as hit the giant. The hot steam struck the giant's eyes and it screamed in pain. Percy looked at Hermes and yelled, "Now." Hermes raised his cadeuces a laser light appeared and then struck the giant in the chest. At the exact same time Percy through Riptide as a javelin at the giant. The sword struck the giant in the chest just above the laser. Hippolytus screamed in agony before he dissolved into the earth.

Percy ran to Hermes and his sons. Luke and Chris helped Hermes stand up while Connor and Travis protected them from attack. Percy ran to his sword and picked it up. He looked over to see Hermes and his sons. They all stared at him in wonder. Percy walked toward them and bowed. "Hermes, you've looked better," Percy said.

Hermes rolled his eyes. "I look better than the giant," he said as he pointed to the dark spot on the ground where the giant once stood.

"Percy, I…" Luke began, but Percy raised his hand.

"I forgive you Luke," Percy said.

Luke just stared at his one-time friend and one-time enemy. "How did you know?" he asked.

Percy smiled. "You were the hero of the last prophecy. I just handed you the knife," Percy explained. Luke just stared at him in shock. "Now get your dad out of here. He's in no condition to continue the fight." Percy turned and ran back into the battlefield.

Luke looked at his father and smiled. "Come on dad, let's get you fixed up," Luke said as he and Chris helped their father back to camp.

Battle against Porphyrion

The storm clouds rolled over the valley and the mountains above. Zeus stood in the middle of the storm flanked by his son and daughter. Zeus raised his master bolt and unleashed a blast of lightning at the giant, but Porphyrion caught the blast with one hand as he absorbed the energy. He unleashed the blast toward Thalia. She jumped out of the way, but the hairs on her arms had been scorched by the blast. Jason helped his sister up. Zeus glared at the giant.

Porphyrion laughed at the look on Zeus's face. He raised his hand and the master bolt flew out of Zeus's hand. The most powerful weapon in the world was now in the hands of the leader of the giants. "The bolt has come to its new master now," Porphyrion said as he raised the bolt in the air. A flash of lightning brightened the sky like an exploding star. The fighting on the hill stopped as everyone watched the giant.

Zeus ushered his children behind him protectively. He knew that the bolt would disintegrate them on impact. Zeus looked around at the battle and smiled. "You may have my weapon, but most of your brethren are gone," Zeus said smugly.

Porphyrion looked around and glared at the King of the gods. "I don't need my brothers to defeat you and your gods," he boasted. He pointed the bolt at Zeus's chest and prepared to fire.

The sky darkened around the giant. He looked around as the master bolt glowed with power in his hand. "What is the meaning of this," he said as he looked around. He turned back to Zeus and his children, but a sudden movement behind him drew his attention. He turned, but he couldn't find anyone behind him. He turned back just as he was knocked from his feet by a massive earthquake. The shockwave from the quake was so large that boulders the size of cars fell down from the mountain top and rolled across the battlefield.

Porphyrion crawled up to his knees. He heard a noise again. He turned to see the son of Poseidon falling toward him. He tried to move out of the way, but he was too late. Riptide swung toward the giant's outstretched arm. The blade cut through the giant's arm with a loud hiss. The master bolt fell onto the ground and rolled toward Zeus's feet. The giant howled in pain. He turned to swipe at Percy, but the demigod had already moved off. He turned to find him, but stopped as he felt a sudden pain in his stomach. He looked down and saw Riptide sticking out of his abdomen. He screamed in pain and tried to remove the blade. Percy jumped to the side leaving the sword stuck in the giant's body. Zeus raised the bolt and sent a powerful bolt of lightning into the giant. Porphyrion yelled in horror as he dissolved under the blast from Zeus and the demigod blade stuck in his body. The giant's body turned to dark sand before it covered the ground; the sand turned to water and disappeared into the soil.

The battle raged on, but the giants were no match for the remaining forces. They succumbed to the combined might of demigods and gods.

Cave of Gaea

Percy stood before the cave of Gaea. The gods stood behind him with the demigod forces behind them. Sudden movements in the cave made Percy uncap Riptide. The blade sprang forth into his hand as he held it in front of his body protectively. A figure ran out of the cave, it was a teenage girl.

"Lou Ellen," Hecate said as she ran forward and hugged her daughter.

Percy looked at the goddess and her daughter. "Lady Hecate," he said. Hecate looked up into the face of the son of Poseidon. "Take your daughter down the hill to our camp." Hecate nodded before she ran down the hill with her daughter.

Two additional figures ran out of the cave, but stopped when Percy held his blade toward them.

Prometheus and Khione stopped in shock at the sight of the glowing blade.

"Surrender or I'll send you to Tartarus," Percy said.

Khione and Prometheus held their hands over their heads. "We surrender," Prometheus said in fear.

"You fool, why did I trust you?" Khione yelled.

Percy smiled. "Because you're a bigger fool," Percy said. Khione glared at him, but she looked away as Percy leveled his sword toward her. "Athena and Hephaestus, please step forward."

Athena and Hephaestus stepped up to Percy's side. "Take our guests here to Thanatos," Percy said.

"You have my permission to enter my realm," Hades said. Athena and Hephaestus bowed to their uncle before they grabbed the Titan and minor god. They disappeared into a shower of gold.

The ground began to shake violently. Percy fell to his knees along with the others. A sudden flash of light in the cave drew Percy's attention. He could feel the power stirring below his feet, deep down in the cave. "Everyone get back. Gaea is awake," Percy yelled.

The gods and demigods ran down the hill. Many of the gods flashed out with their children in tow. Only the big three and their children continued to run. They ran to the bottom of the hill before the entire cave and the mountain above it collapsed into the earth. The ground shook and they all thought it was the end of the world.

A few moments later the ground stopped shaking. A large cloud of dust and debris hung in the air. Percy and the others rose to their feet. The watched as something moved inside the cloud.

Suddenly, a dark skinned woman stepped out of the cloud. Her skin was the color of mud and her eyes glowed fluorescent green. She had dark brown hair and wore forest green clothes like a tree nymph. She was nine feet tall and her body radiated power. A green aura of energy surrounded her body.

"Gaea," Zeus said as he looked at the primordial goddess before him.

She frowned at the sight of the King of Olympus. "You have lost Olympians," she said. She looked down at Percy and sneered. "My powers are nearly complete."

The cloud of debris settled behind her. It gave Percy his first glimpse at the mountain behind her or where the mountain used to be. In place of the mountain was a giant hole that looked like it would lead to the center of the earth. Steam poured out of the hole and bathed the valley in immense heat.

Percy wiped his brow as the sweat began to run down his face. Gaea stood on the edge of the precipice with her eyes closed; Percy could feel her power growing. Percy stepped up to Zeus and whispered, "We need to attack her all at once. If we can drive her into that hole before her power peaks it may be enough to defeat her. She will lose so much power that it will be several millennia before she could rise again," Percy said.

"How do you know?" Zeus asked.

"I can feel the vibration from the pit, it's full of lava. If her body in its current state hits that lava it will destroy her body, but of course she is immortal, so she will reform eventually," Percy said as he looked to his father for confirmation.

"Percy's right, that hole is what we need," Poseidon said. He looked at his brothers worriedly. "Are we powerful enough to defeat her?"

Percy smiled at his father's question. "If we work together, we should be able to do it," Percy said.

"How?' Hades asked.

Percy looked at Jason and Thalia. "Do you remember what we did when we faced Polybotes and his army at the beach?" Percy asked. Thalia and Jason nodded. Percy turned toward his father and uncles. "Jason, Thalia and Zeus on the right, hold hands. Bianca, Nico and Hades on the left, hold hands as well. "Lastly, dad, you and I will hold hands in the middle. I will hold Thalia's hand, while you hold Bianca's. We need to focus all of our power together."

"Why are you and Poseidon in the middle?" Zeus asked.

"We are the center block or the centerpiece. We have powers of water, earth and air. We are the earth shaker, the storm bringer and the master of water. We will focus the power," Percy explained. "Does everyone understand?" The others all nodded.

Percy and Poseidon stood in the middle holding hands. The lord of dead and his children held hands; Bianca held Poseidon's hand to form the connection. Zeus and his children held hands, Thalia held Percy's hand to finish the connection. "Now focus on your element, on your domain," Poseidon instructed.

Zeus and his children focused on the sky as the winds and rain began to fall. Lightning struck down from the heavens and scorched the ground at Gaea's feet. The goddess didn't move as she concentrated on her powers, but time was running out.

Hades and his children focused on the earth, on the underground. The ground began to rise around Gaea's feet.

Percy and Poseidon concentrated on the rain and the water vapor in the air. They focused on the groundwater in the earth and the water in the lakes and streams around them. They stretched out and felt the powers of the others. They stretched their control until they felt the additional power over the earth and the sky. They concentrated that energy into one powerful strike and let the power build around them.

Gaea stood on the precipice; she could feel her power grow. However, she could feel another power grow around her. At first she thought it was just a residual force or echo of her power, but now she knew it wasn't. She opened her eyes to find the source of the power. She looked and saw the big three gods and their children. They glowed with power. She could feel the power of earth, sky and water working together. She focused a blast of energy in her hands. She looked back at the gods and their children, but it was too late. A shockwave of rain, water and wind hit her head on. Her feet planted into the ground as her feet turned to roots in the soil. She tried to hold on, but the power against her was immense. She looked back at the gods one more time, and then it hit her. The ground shook before a terrible shockwave rolled across the valley. The soil and loose rock rolled like a tidal wave of earth. The wave hit the primordial goddess breaking her connection to the soil and earth below her feet. She fell over the side of the precipice and down thousands of feet toward the searing lava below.

Percy and the others opened their eyes before they fell to their knees; they were exhausted from their ordeal. The storm above them began to clear and the earth stopped shaking. Percy looked toward the location where Gaea had stood. She was no longer there. Percy sighed at the sight. "To storm or fire, the world must fall," Percy said. The others looked at him curiously. "Gaea is the goddess of the earth; the goddess of the world. She fell because of the storm, but she was defeated because of the fire."

AN: This is the end of the battle and the war. The next chapter will deal with the aftermath, and then an epilogue. Stay tuned more to come.