LVIII
Leo
(A/N: This is a nice chapter. I think a lot of crying people will be happy with the conclusion that this chapter gives. Next is 59. Then is going to be that 200-word epilogue that you can't really call an Epilogue but will still be referred to that way. Anyways, enjoy! Don't forget to review!)
Leo walked into the throne room of the gods, Calypso holding his hand. She felt soft, and looking at her, Leo could see how beautiful she was. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a Camp Half-Blood T-Shirt. Since getting off Ogygia, she had chosen to become mortal. That the gods had done almost immediately, which meant that now she was no longer a minor goddess. Apparently, the gods had been able to quickly make that happen- she had literally turned into a demigod right before their very eyes.
As Leo's footsteps echoed through the hall, he thought about what they knew had happened. Piper and Jason had managed to take out Calypso's Island, destroying it; Frank and Hazel had killed all the giants and destroyed the anchors in the two camps; he had gone up mount Everest, defeated Alcyoneus and destroyed that anchor as well. He and Piper had taken out Thoon and Agrios, while Frank's blood had allowed Gaia to rise- if only for a second. Then, he had sacrificed his life to save everyone else.
Because they were all alive, he assumed that Percy and Annabeth had found the final anchor and destroyed it. But they hadn't heard from them since. Their Iris messages didn't work. They had been announced dead.
They had mourned for Frank and Jason as well. Shrouds had been made and burned in their name, but most of them had moved on. Not Leo. Leo had chosen to hold on. Just last night, he had cried himself to sleep. Yeah, not the most manly thing to do, but he just couldn't let go. He was pretty sure the others also hadn't managed to let go.
Calypso squeezed his hand. "It'll be all right." she whispered. Leo was thankful that she was keeping his midnight episodes a secret. As of now, she was staying in a special cabin, where she had made a garden similar to the one on Ogygia. She and the Demeter cabin had a pretty good relationship, because they helped her grow the plants.
Leo and Piper had taken Turkish airlines to get back to Camp, because Hephaestus had put an infinite amount of money in the credit card. They had enjoyed first class treatment: massages, nice, soft beds,
In the throne room, minor gods and major gods sat on their respective thrones. While Annabeth had died, she had redesigned and built the throne room. Now, Zeus' throne was the tallest. Then came Poseidon's and Hades' thrones, which were slightly shorter. Then came all of the Olympians' thrones, which were slightly shorter than those.
All of the minor gods sat in small thrones, their size about twice as large as a regular human. They were all littered in a crescent around the Ophiotaurus, whose story Leo was too afraid to ask.
Beside him were Hazel, Piper, Nico, Reyna and Coach Hedge. They all had pained expressions on their faces. Leo could see it in their eyes- they all had the kind of look that you get when a person near and dear to you dies.
The gods were discussing among themselves. "Silence!" Zeus said commandingly, inviting the demigods to step forward. "Heroes, come forward."
The seven of them bowed to Zeus, then bowed at their respective godly parents. Calypso bowed to Demeter, who had claimed her as her adoptive parent. Coach Hedge bowed to Dionysus, shuddering. No doubt he was scared of being turned into a grapevine.
"Gods of Olympus!" Zeus said. "We have gathered today to discuss the rewards that will be gifted to these young heroes. Are all in favor of this?"
The gods pounded their weapons, approving.
Zeus stood. "It seems that the council has reached a unanimous decision," he said, looking up at the digital display board behind them. "We have decided to reward you with whatever you wish. Nico di Angelo." he said. Nico stepped forward.
"You brought the Athena Parthenos back to Camp Half-Blood safely, saving the lives of both Greeks and Romans, willing to use your final breath to succeed in your quest. What reward do you wish to have?"
Nico just shrugged. "After what I've been through, I think being alive is a good enough reward in itself. I'll pass."
This was met with shocked gasps from the gods.
Zeus' eye twitched. "Are you... refusing our offer?"
Nico nodded.
Zeus scanned the demigods. "Do any of you have any requests?" None of them stepped forward. They all had no wishes for the gods.
But Leo did. He stepped forward. "Leo!" Hazel whispered at him. He ignored her and bowed. "Lord Zeus, I actually have two requests. Would it be fine if I told you?"
Zeus looked like he might never want to do award ceremonies like this again, but he managed to scrape out a "Yes."
"My first request," Leo began, "Is that the two Camps- Camp Half Blood and Camp Jupiter- will be kept together. I believe that while they might have had their differences, that can be bridged. We can coexist peacefully."
Zeus looked relatively relieved. "Well, that wish we can definitely give to you. We weren't planning on separating them anytime soon. What was your second wish?"
Leo had debated about whether he should say it or not. This wish was kind of absurd, and it would most likely not succeed. But he tried anyways. "My second wish is to bring back Percy, Annabeth, Jason and Frank."
The council grew silent. Zeus sat back down on his throne. "Leo Valdez, what you are saying is not in my power to say so." he looked at Hades. So did everyone else.
Hades, who was busy counting his fingernails, suddenly noticed everyone staring at him. He jolted to attention. "What?" he spluttered. "Oh, right." he continued in a strange voice. "Leo's request."
He got a gleam in his eye. That either meant that he was trying not to laugh, or he was planning something horrible for them. "I am very sorry, Leo Valdez." Hades replied. "I cannot grant that wish."
Leo was expecting this answer, and turned back to walk to his friends. Suddenly, Hades began to laugh. Not an evil laugh, but a good, hearty bellow, the kind that Leo would imagine pudgy, overweight drunk uncles doing.
Everyone looked absolutely horrified. Even Zeus and Poseidon, who had clearly not seen him do this before. Poseidon whispered in Zeus' ear, something that sounded like, "Should we get ER?"
"Leo Valdez," Hades said, still trying to stop laughing. "It's impossible for me to do such a thing!" he winked at Leo.
Suddenly, Leo realized what Hades meant.
They were still alive.
He dashed out of the throne room. "Thank you, Lord Hades!" he yelled, dashing for the elevator.