THALIA's instincts took over and dodged, raising her shield to block Kronos' attack. The scythe clanged off, but then the Titan King dropped low, using his weapon to throw her off her feet. She yelped, spinning midair and collapsing on the ground. She raised her shield again and the force made her bones rattle. Thalia kicked out, sending Annabeth back, and rolled aside, before jumping to her feet.
Ethan ducked to one side, trying to get behind her, but then Bianca was there, slamming her knives against Ethan's sword and pushing him back. Thalia was vaguely aware of Grover playing his reed pipes behind them rapidly, and the sound filled her with warmth and courage—thoughts of sunlight and a blue sky and a calm meadow, somewhere far away from the war.
Before she could fully stand, Kronos was on her again, slashing his scythe. The daughter of Zeus stumbled back, right against the throne of Hephaestus—a huge mechanical thing covered with bronze and silver gears. The Time Titan sliced, and Thalia swore, leaping straight up onto the seat. The throne whirred and hummed, and her eyes widened, remembering Luke's warning about the thrones of the gods. Thalia jumped again, right over Kronos' head, as the throne shot tendrils of electricity in all directions. One hit Kronos in the face, arching down his body and up his weapon.
He let out a yell and crumpled to his knees. Thalia landed behind him, panting, and attempted to run the Titan through. Her spear bounced off Annabeth's skin, the force making her shoulder bones shift. She gritted her teeth, quickly backing up.
The only way she would successfully beat Kronos was by finding Annabeth's weak spot.
Bianca was flipping in the sky, kicking Ethan in the face, and as the Nemesis kid crumpled, the daughter of Hades charged the Titan Lord with a roar. Kronos rose from the ground, and flicked his wrist. Bianca flew backward, slamming into Aphrodite's throne and crumpling to the floor.
"No!" Thalia yelled. She had seen Kronos do this, to Michael Yew, throw him off the bridge. Ethan Nakamura got to his feet, and his chest rose and fell. Anger flared through his eyes. Thalia heard Bianca groan from behind the boy. She wanted so badly to run him through. She really loathed Ethan.
But she couldn't fight him without turning her back on Kronos.
Grover's music took on a more urgent tune. He edged to the side, moving towards Bianca, but he couldn't go any faster and keep up the song. Grass grew on the floor of the throne room. Tiny roots crept up between the cracks of the marble stones.
Kronos bared his teeth. His hair was disorganised and sticking up. His face was covered with electrical burns. He held out his hand and his scythe flew into his hands.
"Nakamura!" he barked. "Time to prove yourself. You know Thalia's secret weakness. Kill her, and you will have rewards beyond measure."
Ethan's eyes met hers, full of that rage, that anger, and Thalia was sure that even though he hadn't before, he knew now. And even if he couldn't kill her himself, all he had to do was tell Kronos. There was no way she could defend against both of forever.
Eventually Aegis would give. The power behind Kronos' scythe would eventually rip her shield to pieces.
"Look around you, Ethan," Thalia said, voice hard. "The end of the world. Is this the reward you want? Do you really want everything destroyed—the good with the bad? Everything you've grown up with?"
Grover was almost to Bianca now. Thalia hoped he would heal her and maybe get both of them out. The grass thickened on the floor. The roots were almost a foot long, like a stubble of whiskers.
"There is no throne to Nemesis," Ethan snarled right back. "No throne to my mother."
"Yes!" Kronos sneered. His hair was still smoking. "Strike them down! They deserve to suffer."
"Nemesis is the goddess of balance," Thalia said, allowing her anger to fizzle out. She stared at him with disappointment. "The minor gods deserve better, Ethan, but total destruction isn't balance. Kronos doesn't build. He only destroys. You know this."
Ethan looked at the sizzling throne of Hephaestus. Grover's music kept playing, and Ethan swayed to it, as if the song were filling him with nostalgia—a wish to see a beautiful day, to be anywhere but here. His good eye blinked.
Thalia forged on. "Do you know why Annabeth joined Kronos? She didn't join him because of the cruelty of the gods. That's a lot of bullshit Kronos feeds you lot to keep you loyal. Annabeth has her mother. Kronos keeps you under him by promising you respect for the minor gods. But his host didn't care about the minor gods. And neither does he. Annabeth joined Kronos to please Athena. For infinite knowledge. For power. That's what they both want. And following a madman who doesn't share you sentiments or give a damn about why you're fighting the gods…that's stupid." Ethan exhaled.
Then he charged…but not at her.
Kronos suddenly staggered back, wincing although she didn't know why. He fell on his knees, and Ethan brought down his sword on the Titan lord's neck. It should have killed him instantly, but the blade shattered. Ethan fell back, grasping his stomach. A shard of his own blade had ricocheted and pierced his armour.
Kronos rose unsteadily, towering over his servant. "Treason," he snarled.
Grover's music kept playing, and grass grew around Ethan's body. Ethan stared at Thalia, his face tight with pain.
"They deserve better," he gasped. "If they just…had thrones—"
Kronos stomped his foot, and the floor ruptured around Ethan Nakamura. The son of Nemesis fell through a fissure that went straight through the heart of the mountain—straight into open air.
"I always knew he was weak," He sneered. Kronos swung his scythe, and advanced. "I am sick of you lightning brats. But no matter. The destruction of my palace is a simple matter which can be fixed. I will kill you, and destroy your puny gods." He pointed his weapon at her. "Then I will fix my palace, and kill your irksome brother and his foolish friends."
Thalia blanched, eyes blowing wide in shock, mind trying to wrap around what Kronos was saying. Grover was at Bianca's side now. He'd stopped playing and was feeding her ambrosia. Everywhere Kronos stepped, the roots wrapped around his feet, but Grover had stopped his magic too early. The roots weren't thick or strong enough to do much more than annoy the Titan. And they weren't in the forest anymore. They couldn't do to him what they'd done to Hyperion.
Not here.
With a snarl, Kronos surged forward. He slashed, and Thalia blocked, swinging her spear to slash at his neck. The Titan Lord leaned back, and sliced at her, and she pulled back her arm just in time, although the blade tore the sleeve of her leather jacket.
They fought through the hearth, kicking up coals and sparks. They exchanged blows and parried and dodged, dancing around each other, slicing and hacking. Thalia ducked low as the Titan Lord tried to lop her head off. Kronos slashed an armrest off the throne of Ares, and growled, backhanding her just as quickly.
The dark haired girl wheezed as she slammed into her father's throne on the dais, feeling the wind being knocked out of her. Annabeth stalked towards her, hair billowing and smoking.
Thalia scrambled to her feet, vanishing her shield. "Enough of this!" Kronos bellowed. "You are not worthy to do battle with me. I am a TITAN!"
Their weapons clashed, and Thalia gritted her teeth. Kronos wanted to slice her spear in half, and he tried to push her back. He was stronger than Thalia, but she was against Zeus' throne. She felt the lightning surge through her, bursting out of her spear, and she pushed him back and released several arcs of electricity, sending him flying and slicing through his celestial bronze breastplate.
Kronos spat ichor as he rose to his feet. Thalia yelled, and surged forward. The Titan King stamped his foot and time slowed. She felt everything around her constrict. She was running, but in slow motion. Her heart was beating slowly, and anger filled her as she watched Kronos back up leisurely, catching his breath. He was examining the burns in his armour with distaste, and Thalia struggled, swearing at him internally. He could take all the time-outs he wanted. He could freeze her in place at will. But maybe he would get drained. It was still Annabeth's body, and he had to regenerate after a while. If she could wear him down..
"It's too late, daughter of Zeus," Kronos announced. "Behold."
He pointed to the hearth with his scythe, and the coals glowed. A sheet of white smoke poured from the fire, forming images like an Iris-message. Thalia saw Nico and the host of the Underworld on Fifth Avenue, fighting a hopeless battle, ringed in enemies. In the background Hades was circling Koios, while summoning wave after wave of zombies out of the ground, but the forces of the Titan's army seemed just as endless.
Meanwhile, Manhattan was being destroyed. Mortals, now fully awake, were running in terror. Cars swerved and crashed.
The scene shifted, and Thalia saw something even more terrifying. Horror grew inside her, her hope fizzling.
Zoë, being backhanded by a Titan and falling through hordes of monsters and armoured demigods. Luke, a knife in his thigh, clashing again and again with a different Titan. A tall blond haired boy on the ground, being pounded on by the two meaty fists of the ram Titan, Koios, in front of Mount Othrys. His eyes were glassy and blood leaked from his mouth. Below them, a battle, monsters surrounding a group of armoured demigods.
A bitter taste engulfed her as the scene shifted.
A column of storm was approaching the Hudson River, moving rapidly over the Jersey shore. Chariots circled it, locked in combat with the creature in the cloud.
The gods attacked. Lightning flashed. Arrows of gold and silver streaked into the cloud like rocket tracers and exploded. Slowly, the cloud ripped apart, and she saw Typhon clearly for the first time, making her release a strangled sound as the image burned in her mind. Typhon's head shifted constantly. Every moment he was a different monster, each more horrible than the last. Looking at his face would've driven her insane, so Thalia focused on his body, which wasn't much better. He was humanoid, but his skin was mottled green, with blisters the size of buildings, and blackened patches from eons of being stuck under a volcano. His hands were human, but with talons like an eagle's. His legs were scaly and reptilian.
"The Olympians are giving their final effort." Kronos laughed. "How pathetic."
Zeus threw a thunderbolt from his chariot. The blast lit up the world. Even from Olympus, she felt the force of it. But when the dust cleared, Typhon was still standing. He staggered a bit, with a smoking crater on top of his misshapen head, but he roared in anger and kept advancing.
Thalia let out a cry. Her limbs began to loosen up. Kronos didn't seem to notice. His attention was focused on the fight and his final victory. Thalia exhaled. Something had to go right. He had to come through…
Typhon stepped into the Hudson River and barely sank to mid-calf.
Now, Thalia prayed. It had to happen now.
Like a miracle, a conch horn sounded from the smoky picture. All around Typhon, the Hudson River erupted, churning with forty-foot waves. Out of the water burst several new chariots, about twenty of them, and in the lead was her boyfriend, glowing with a green of power, in an intricately carved chariot, eyes hard, jaw set, Riptide in his hand. Behind him came a host of Titans, all of them clad in armour, weapons drawn.
"No!" Kronos bellowed after a moment of stunned silence. "NO!"
Thalia grinned. Finally, she broke out of her time bonds, and charged.
-X-
PERCY would never forget the look of pure shock on Zeus' face as they rode into battle. His sister Thetys had assured their entrance through the water, and Percy could feel the power thrumming through him, just by being together with his siblings once more.
Typhon let out a sound which would have burst any mortal's eardrums, but Percy simply gritted his teeth and surged on, raising his sword. Around him, he felt the power of the earth, rising to answer his call. The Titan of the Earth let out a yell, and the chunks of pavement tore out of the ground, gigantic and large, forming themselves into pointy weapons of destruction.
With his free hand, he flicked his wrist, and the weapons sliced through the air, slamming into Typhon, driving their pointy ends through his scaly skin.
The gods, stupid as they are, were dumbstruck, gazing on in wonder. And although that was foolish, he understood. He was wonderful, after all, as Thalia had so often told him. Beside him, Iapetus hurled a spear, which elongated and enlarged as it flew, until it was the size of a small giant, and it slammed into Typhon's throat. Ichor poured out like a waterfall, and the spear sailed back into his brother—the Piercer's—hands. Pallas leaped out of his chariot, and Percy watched in mild fascination as his nephew grew in size until he was about twelve feet tall, then explode into light—his true form—in front of the giant, his sword driving itself into Typhon's chest.
Around him, the Titans were getting to work. Asteria and Astraeus fired arrows which slammed into Typhon, causing him to stagger. Leto rode in on a chariot and stabbed Typhon in the nose. Eos, Epimetheus and Theia were tiny, running up and down the giant's body with blades, slicing and hacking. Mnemosyne released a blast of force which set Typhon on his knees. Rhea waved her hand, and a blast of energy, pure white burst forth from her, slamming repeatedly into Typhon and leaving craters on his skin. Percy flicked his wrist, and another group of sharp rocks slammed into his monstrous brother, penetration his skin through to the other side. Typhon was leaking ichor now, and it was slowly colouring the river golden.
The gods were finally getting over their initial shock, and struck with renewed force. Ares rode in and drove his sword into Typhon's eye. Artemis shot the monster in the other eye with a dozen silver arrows, and he groaned. Apollo shot a blazing volley of arrows and set the monster's loincloth on fire. And Zeus kept pounding the giant with lightning.
The Titans attacked, sending volley after volley of blasts of power and weapons, and Percy glanced around, searching for a caramel haired girl. Calypso rode with Klyeme and Thetys, and he saw she was already looking at him. "NOW!" He yelled. The sorceress nodded, and Thetys waved her hands. Slowly, the water rose, wrapping Typhon like a cocoon, and he began to sink. Eurybia was there, then Phoebe, and Themis and Iapetus, hurling giant iron chains around the monster. Perseus dove down with his chariot and leaped out, landing on Typhon's shoulder. He knew there was earth underneath the waves, and he plunged Riptide into Typhon's neck, making it spurt ichor.
The son of Gaea called forth the earth underneath the river and watched as boulders shot out, grabbing Typhon's arms to keep him from resisting and batting away the chains. Percy leaped again as the father of monsters trashed, and using his sword, tore a gash all the way from Typhon's neck, down to his scaly midsection. He jumped again, and his pegasus-pulled chariot came round, catching him just in time.
The Titans pulled. Typhon crumbled under the weight of the chains, bellowing in agony, thrashing with such force that waves sloshed the shore, soaking five-story buildings and splashing over the Bridge—but down he went. Percy could hear Calypso chanting, creating the tunnel as Typhon sank—an endless waterslide created by Thetys, with a hole at the bottom, that would take him straight to Tartarus. The giant's head went under in a seething whirlpool, and he was gone.
And then Percy heard his name. His ears perked and he swore, turning to Mnemosyne. "I'll be right back. Wait for me." Without a second to spare, he flashed away from the Jersey shore, for California.
-X-
LUKE drove his sword into Menoetius' side, and the Titan cried out, gushing ichor. With a loud yell, he pulled his blade out and spun, slicing through the immortal's neck. Menoetius didn't have time to scream. He seemed to fold in on himself, and Luke grinned through the blood and ichor coating his face as the power of Soul Reaper sent Menoetius back to Tartarus. Luke knew, that with enough force, Titans could be sent back to the pit. If they were severely injured, they would retreat to recover, to fight another day. They could be physically wounded beyond repair, though, just like the gods. Immortals weren't infallible. Percy had taught him that.
He shifted his leg and winced as he pulled out the knife in his thigh. He'd been injured badly, and was bleeding in several places. But there was no time to get nectar and ambrosia. He knew he was in danger of bleeding to death, but he couldn't stop fighting. Lou had tried to kill him, but some other power had transported him to the romans. He just didn't know why yet.
Above him, lightning arced from the sky, and Luke glanced up just in time to see it blow Krios off Jason, and into the black palace. Somewhere to his left, Zoë and the huntresses were dancing around Perses, littering him with cuts and weakening the Titan considerably. He saw Zoe slam two knives into the Titan's eye and jump off his form as he screamed in agony. Perses burst into light, and vanished, no doubt to lick his wounds.
He shook his head, and raced forward for Kronos' castle. They were already up the mountain. The battle had surged on, and the romans had gained so much ground, ploughing through monster forces till they were almost at the apex.
He was quickly at the top, pushing through the last lines of dracaena, and racing into the Palace. Othrys was crumbling. Around them, the storm was still going heavy. It was much longer than any storm Thalia had ever conjured.
Luke followed the sounds of fighting, skidding through the hallways till finally, he stopped. He spotted Reyna, a few feet away, and he vaguely wondered when she had gotten inside. The girl was watching as Jason levitated in the sky towards Krios, swinging his lance. His mind drifted to Rachel. This was the painting he had seen, in her dream.
If the blue eyed boy was anything like his sister, he wouldn't want anyone to interfere. Luke watched as Jason and Krios clashed, again, and again, and again. He watched the Titan release a blast of energy which threw Jason into a black throne, and made to intervene. But then Reyna held out a hand, and he didn't know why, but he stopped.
The battle had gotten nearer, and the palace was rumbling. Luke wobbled on his feet as he heard an onager blast. He could hear the shouts of the romans, scaling the walls of Othrys, pulling it down with grappling hooks, surging inside.
Reinforcements would be here soon.
Around them, the black marble was turning to dust. Jason rose, and spat blood. His eyes flashed and he threw his lance to the ground. It morphed into a small gold coin. Luke watched the boy bar his teeth as Krios bellowed, "I will kill you all!"
Jason scoffed, already launching into the sky. "I am the son of Jupiter, of the Twelfth Legion. You cannot kill me." His eyes blazed and he jumped forward, nimbly flying over Krios' outstretched blade. Jason grabbed the Titan by the horns of his helmet. He grinned, and in that moment, he looked more like Thalia than he had before, and Luke felt all his doubts clear.
This boy was definitely his best friend's brother.
Jason yelled, and his body seemed to ignite as electricity flowed from his hands. Krios dropped his sword in shock, literally, and lightning arched up and down his body, making him fall to his knees. The Titan screamed and started smoking.
Jason's yell intensified, and he was humming with the power of his father, and Luke watched in amazement as Krios exploded with a scream of outrage, his essence heading right down to Tartarus.
The son of Jupiter had killed a Titan with his bare hands.
Jason collapsed on the ground, and Reyna dove forward to catch him before he fell. Around, them, the building was collapsing. Chunks of rock fell from above. Luke moved forward, mind whirling. He had to get back to New York, quickly.
He could hear the sounds of the romans coming from behind him, streaming into the palace. Jason sat up. He was smoking. "There's one last thing to be done," He managed. Reyna sat back, a look of worry on her face as Jason rose.
"You're too weak," The girl was protesting. "You'll burn out."
But Jason didn't pay her any mind.
The son of Jupiter raised his right hand, and another blast of lightning raced down from the sky, tearing through the ceiling and slamming into the black throne on the dais. Luke watched as Kronos' throne shattered.
XMX
PERCY raced into the self-destructing building, eyes wide. He could feel the power around them. These were demigods. But their armour was telling—they weren't Greek. Confusion filled him, but he knew not to question it. An explanation would come, pretty soon. He removed his helmet as his pegasi rode through the doorway and towards the throne room.
Finally, he came to a stop, watching the destruction which lay before him. His brother's throne destroyed, his family home in ruins. But he didn't care. He heard shouts come up from the demigods around him, and he looked around, trying to find the one who had called for him. The demigods were yelling in victory, chanting two names over and over—Jason and Reyna, whoever they were, were pretty popular. He watched two demigods be thrown onto shields and raised by the celebrating demigods. Now they were chanting something else—Praetor.
The Titan's eyes met Zoë's and he watched her shoulder her way through the gaping demigods, who were slowly starting to stop shouting and stare at him instead. "A Titan!" A dark haired girl somewhere from the front shouted.
"No!" Zoë yelled. "He's with me!" She leaped gracefully into his chariot. The huntress motioned to one of the other silver clad girls. "Maureen, you're in charge. You must bring the Hunt to New York to join Bianca and the others."
Percy took hold of the reins again, preparing to fly, when Zoë stopped him. "No, wait," She barked. "Castellan!" Percy's eyes widened. What the bloody hell was Luke doing here? What had happened? Did that mean Thalia was alone—
He watched the son of Hermes dart through the crowds towards them. He shot Percy a grin as he clambered into the chariot. "Come on. We have to get to Olympus. Thalia's—"
"I know," Percy pursed his lips, and grabbed the reins. "Come on, then. Let's go!" The pegasi whinnied and they spun, tearing through the air, and out of the black palace, so fast even his head was spinning, exploding into light even as they rode the skies.
-X-
KRONOS was wheezing on the ground, golden eyes glinting dangerously. As they fought, he had suddenly collapsed, gasping in pain. His eyes were flickering, between gold and grey. "Percy is here and the gods are on their way," she told him. "You've lost."
"I haven't even started."
He shot up and advanced with blinding speed. Grover—brave, stupid satyr that he was—tried to protect Thalia by stepping in his path, but Kronos tossed him aside like a rag doll.
Thalia sidestepped his next strike, and went to slam the base of her spear in his face. But she had duelled with Annabeth before, and Annabeth knew how to counter it. He raised his blade and the woods slammed against each other. Kronos pushed her back with brute force, making Thalia stumble. He flicked his wrist and her spear flew out of her hands, right into Hestia's flames. Thalia blanched, backing up as Annabeth smiled.
"STOP!" Luke came out of nowhere, and her spirits soared.
He was panting, obviously showing he had run a long way, and his face and clothes were streaked with blood and ichor and monster dust. Behind him were Zoë Nightshade, looking murderous as she darted for Bianca, and Percy, hair windswept, eyes hard. She didn't know how they had broken Kronos' barrier, or how they had gotten over the expanse after the elevator, but she wasn't going to question it.
Kronos whirled to face them as they came, and slashed with his scythe, but then Percy was there, catching the strike with the blade of Riptide. His eyes flashed with green fire, and Thalia started. It suddenly occurred to her that she was dating a Titan. Kronos bared his teeth and hissed, "Traitor."
His scythe shifted into a sword, double edged, bronze and steel both.
Percy stepped in closer for leverage, their blades crossed, and for he glared, standing face-to-face with the Titan lord—his King and older brother—holding him at a standstill. Kronos' hand flashed and suddenly he was holding a knife in his other hand—Annabeth's knife—but Percy was quick, catching the blow on his gauntlet. "I won't allow you to hurt them, brother," He said, in a low, dangerous voice. "You can still stop this. I will kill you if I must."
Kronos sneered. "You can't. Your love has blinded you, made you weak. You have manipulated my own family against me."
Percy scoffed.
"The cursed blade," Luke's eyes widened as he murmured. "Of course." Her best friend gritted his teeth and Thalia shot him a confused glance, exhaling deeply and trying to regain her bearings. Her eyes darted to her spear, which was miraculously not catching fire, no doubt protected by its magic. At the other side of the room, Zoë was crouched beside Grover and Bianca, watching furiously.
"Annabeth," Luke said, stepping forward. "I understand now. You have to trust me."
Kronos roared in outrage. "Annabeth Chase is dead! Her body will burn away as I assume my true form!" Thalia felt his power erupt from his body once again, just as she tried to move.
But she was frozen again, and, it seemed, so was Percy. The Titan of the Earth's eyes darted to meet hers, and a vein appeared on his forehead. He was struggling to break free. Thalia watched in horror as Kronos stepped away. He marched to Luke leisurely, and raised his sword. "You have been a thorn in my side for too long, Castellan. Time for you to go."
But then the son of Hermes broke free of the spell, countering it quickly. Thalia was relieved, though a little shocked. How could Luke, battered and half dead with exhaustion, have the strength to fight a Titan like Kronos?
Kronos pushed against him, trying to dislodge his blade, but Luke held him in check, arms trembling as he forced his sword down toward Annabeth's neck.
"Your mother," Luke grunted. "She used you, like a stepping stone. She just wants power and knowledge. You have to see, that she doesn't care."
"Service to Kronos!" the Titan roared. "This is my fate."
"No!" Luke insisted. His eyes were tearing up, but Thalia didn't know if it was from sadness or pain of holding Kronos back. "You allowed your hubris to take advantage of you, but you can still fix this. I know what Rachel meant now. The prophecy: she saw what you would do. It applies to you!"
"I will crush you, child!" Kronos bellowed.
"You won't," Luke said. "You loved me. You still love me. You're holding Kronos back even now."
"LIES!" Kronos pushed again, and this time, the son of Hermes lost his balance. With his free hand, Kronos struck Luke in the face, and he fell backwards.
No. Thalia gritted her teeth. She summoned all her will. She pushed back, huffing with exertion, and managed to stagger to her feet. But it felt like she was drowning, underneath the weight of the sky once more, as though a skyscraper had been dropped on her. Kronos loomed over Luke, eyes glinting. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he stared down the Titan Lord. His hands were tightening around the cross guard of his blade. Thalia took a painful step forward. Grover was back on his feet, over by the throne of Aphrodite, with Zoë and Bianca by her side; but they all seemed to be struggling to move as well. Percy looked like he wanted to scream.
Luke spoke, voice soft, "Years ago, we made a promise to each other. We promised…we promised that we'd always be together." His eyes brimmed with tears. "We promised to be family forever. Don't forget your promise, Annabeth."
Kronos staggered.
He stared at the knife in his own hand, dropping both weapons like they burnt him. Annabeth's eyes darted to Luke, widening at the blood on his face and clothes. Then she gasped like she couldn't get air.
The hold on them broke. And then Thalia was dashing forward, and Percy was whirling around to slash at her best friend. "No!" Thalia yelled, although she didn't know why. The other Titan stopped at her words and slowly, lowered his sword. "Are you sure?" She came up next to him, nodding vehemently. He wouldn't be able to do any damage anyway. Not when they didn't know Kronos' weak spot.
Kronos' eyes were on Luke's, and he didn't give any indication that he'd heard what had happened around him. Zoë and the others were stumbling towards them.
"Luke…" But it wasn't the Titan's voice. It was Annabeth's.
She stumbled forward like she couldn't control her own body. "You're bleeding…" Her head whipped around, and she met Thalia's eyes. The daughter of Zeus made a sound, advancing slowly, as though someone had stabbed her. Annabeth's eyes were grey again. "You have to help him. Help him!"
"The knife," Luke managed, weakly. His arm was bent at a funny angle. He looked at Thalia pointedly. She surged forward and scooped up the knife from beside Kronos, quickly backtracking and placing herself between Luke and Annabeth.
"Thalia," Annabeth sounded pained. "Let me—Let me see him. I'm sorry—" She wanted to sob. Thalia wanted to drop her weapons and hug both her best friends once again. She wanted to believe Annabeth was okay, that she had broken away from Kronos for good. But that was too good to be true.
"No," She let out a choked sound. "I can't."
Anger rippled across Annabeth's face and she seemed to convulse. Kronos's voice growled, hard and steely once more. "Thalia. . ." His whole body was turning gold.
The Titan Lord gasped again, throwing his head back. Percy's eyes were wide with alarm. He shouted, "He's changing into his true form. Whatever you're going to do, do it now, Thalia."
"Help," Annabeth choked. "He's…he's almost ready. He won't need my body anymore. Please—"
"NO!" Kronos bellowed. He looked around for his sword, but then Percy was there, kicking it away to join her spear in Hestia's hearth. Kronos snarled, and stumbled toward it. Thalia moved, tried to stop him, but he pushed her out of the way with such force that she flew through the air, landing straight into Percy's waiting arms. "The knife, Thalia," Luke said, weakly. He struggled to sit up. "Rachel—Hero…cursed blade…"
Before she reached the hearth, Annabeth spasmed, turned and collapsed, to her knees. Her eyes were wide with agony and panic. "Thalia, Thalia, please—" She staggered out of Percy's arms and advanced. She had to kill Annabeth.
But how could she look at her—someone she had loved for so long, and end her life? Annabeth seemed to know what she was thinking. She smiled, softly. Tears streamed down her face. "There's…there's nothing else you can do. You can't…can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can…I can keep him controlled."
She was glowing now, her skin starting to smoke. Annabeth gasped in pain. Percy called out a warning but she didn't hear his words. Thalia raised her knife, her eyes blurring with tears. She glanced behind her, to see Luke, leaning against Hermes' throne, Zoë and Bianca standing over him, Grover shielding him with his arms. He muttered Rachel's name again. Percy looked ready to intervene.
And then it hit her.
What Rachel had said. What Luke had been trying to tell her. You are not the hero, Rachel had said. It will affect what you do. "Please," Annabeth cried out. "No time."
If Kronos evolved into his true form, there would be no stopping him. At least not by her. He would make Typhon look like a playground bully. Maybe the gods would kill him. But it had taken them ten years before. And she knew, that however much Percy loved her, he couldn't convince the rest of his family to raise arms against Kronos. Typhon was pushing it. If they decided to fight, the impact would destroy the earth and everything in it.
The line from the great prophecy echoed in Thalia's head: A hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap. She let out a breath she hadn't realised she had been holding. And then Thalia gave the knife to Annabeth.
Grover yelped.
"Thalia?" Percy demanded. "What are you doing?" But she didn't turn. She watched as Annabeth grasped the hilt. She was defenceless. Annabeth unlatched the straps of her breastplate, with heavy effort, and it fell to the ground. She gritted her teeth, and arms shaking, she positions the knife to the small of her back. With difficulty, the daughter of Athena stabbed herself.
Annabeth screamed. Her eyes glowed like lamplights, golden. The throne room shook, throwing Thalia off her feet. The force knocked all of them except Percy to the ground. An aura of energy surrounded Annabeth, growing brighter and brighter, and through her tears, Thalia shut her eyes and felt a force like a nuclear explosion surround them, press her into the cold marble floor.
And then, silence. When Thalia opened her eyes, I saw Annabeth sprawled at the hearth. On the floor around her was a blackened circle of ash. Kronos's scythe had liquefied into molten metal, as had her spear, and they were trickling into the coals of the hearth, which now glowed like a blacksmith's furnace, mixing and mingling.
Annabeth was quickly being surrounded by a pool of blood. Her eyes were open, grey and glassy, the way they used to be. She wheezed. "Good . . . blade," she croaked.
Thalia knelt next to her. Luke limped over with Grover's support, quickly followed by the others. They both had tears in their eyes. Luke gazed at Annabeth, who smiled at him through tears. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew . . ."
His voice trembled as he dropped to his knees. "You were a hero at the end, Annabeth. You'll go to Elysium." The son of Hermes grasped her bloodied hand.
She shook her head weakly. "Think . . . rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest."
Luke sniffed, squeezing her hand. "You always pushed yourself too hard." Thalia sobbed, falling to her knees She could feel Percy hovering behind her, awkward, hand on her shoulder.
"Did you . . ." Annabeth coughed and her lips glistened red. "Did you ever love me?"
Luke smiled, weakly. "I did. I always loved you Annabeth. I always will."
"But not the way I want you to," She whispered. "Not the way I loved you."
Luke exhaled. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't be what you wanted me to be. You were like a sister to me, Annabeth," he said softly. "You'll always be." Annabeth nodded, as if she expected it. She winced in pain.
"We can get ambrosia," Grover said. "We can—"
"Grover," The girl sobbed. "You're the bravest satyr I ever knew. But no. There's no healing…this." Another cough. She turned her gaze to Thalia. Her grey eyes shook with tears. "I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything." She gripped her sleeve. Annabeth's skin was hot. "But…Ethan, all the unclaimed. All the people Kronos and Aphrodite and Athena manipulated. Don't…Don't let it happen. Not again." Her eyes were angry. But pleading.
"I won't," Thalia promised. "I love you."
Annabeth nodded. "I love…I love you too." She released a breath; her very last one.
The gods arrived a few minutes later in their full war regalia, thundering into the throne room and expecting a battle. Closely behind them were several unfamiliar faces—Titans, also armed. They found Thalia and her friends, standing over the body of a broken half-blood, in the dim warm light of the hearth.
"Daughter," Zeus called, advancing. His eyes were wide in surprise and pride. "What is this?" Thalia turned, and faced the immortals.
"We need a shroud," She announced, her voice cracking. "A shroud for the daughter of Athena."
-X-
THALIA hadn't seen the old ladies in years, since she had witnessed them snip a life thread at a roadside fruit stand when she was twelve, just some time after getting to Camp Half-Blood, on her first quest. They'd scared her then, and they scared her now, but she stared them down nonetheless.
One of them looked at her, and even though she didn't say anything, Thalia's life literally flashed before my eyes. Suddenly she was twenty, leaning into a black haired man in a sofa. Then she was a middle-aged woman. Then she turned old and withered. All the strength left her, and she saw my own tombstone and an open grave, a coffin being lowered into the ground, beside another grave with a familiar name—Perseus—on it, in Greek. All this happened in less than a second.
It is done, she said.
The Fate held up the snippet of blue yarn and there, Thalia knew it was the same one she had seen four years ago, the lifeline she had watched them snip. She had thought it was her life, because neither Luke, Annabeth or Grover had seen the women. Now I realised it was Annabeth's. They'd been showing her the life that would have to be sacrificed to set things right.
They gathered up Annabeth's body, now wrapped in a grey and white shroud, and began carrying it out of the throne room.
As they left, Thalia thought about the Great Prophecy, that she'd only read a few days ago.
The lines now made sense to her. "A half-blood of the eldest gods, Shall reach sixteen against all odds," That was her, she realised with a jolt. She was sixteen now. It was a daybreak.
"And foes of Old shall rise again, To pay their dues, and for personal gain." The Titans. For their own personal reasons, they'd decided to help the gods against Typhon.
"To mortal call, the earth shall shake, To monstrous soles, the world shall quake." Percy was mortal now, and the earth still obeyed him. And the entire world had been left in disarray from Typhon's destruction. "And see the world in endless sleep, The hero's soul, the cursed blade shall reap." The hero was Annabeth. The cursed blade was the knife Luke had given her long ago—cursed because she had broken her promise and betrayed them. Her fist clenched. Thalia's throat bobbed. "A single choice shall end their days, Olympus to preserve or raze." Her choice, to give Annabeth the knife, and to believe, as Luke had, that their oldest friend was still capable of setting things right. By sacrificing herself, she had saved Olympus. Rachel was right. In the end, Thalia wasn't really the hero. The prophecy wasn't really about her. It was all Annabeth.
She thought about something else; Annabeth visiting the Styx to please her mother. Somehow, she knew that the other girl had pictured herself in the good old days with Thalia and Luke, when they had all promised they would be a family. Hurting Luke in battle had shocked her into remembering that promise. It had allowed her mortal conscience to take over again, and defeat Kronos. Her weak spot—her Achilles heel—had saved them all. She was vaguely aware of Apollo healing Luke, while her friend spoke in low tones with his father. Artemis had embraced Zoë and Bianca and they were talking too. Grover stood Luke, nervously fiddling with his clothes. Beside her, Percy intertwined his fingers with hers and squeezed. She knew what he was trying to communicate. He was there, finally, after all that time apart, and that alone made her feel better. She was vaguely aware of the gods repairing the throne room, which went surprisingly fast. And then Percy kissed her forehead as a goodbye to go regroup with his family. The time seemed to pass quickly, and she was barely present and Grover and Luke came over. Together, they moved to the newly reformed sky-bridge. They went down, and assembled with their friends who had survived. Connor and Travis Stoll had made it through with only minor injuries. Mrs. O'Leary had dug Chiron out of the rubble and rushed him off to camp. Thalia was a bit worried for him, but at least the centaur was alive. Katie Gardner reported that she'd seen Rachel Elizabeth Dare run out of the Empire State Building at the end of the battle. Rachel had looked unharmed, but nobody knew where she'd gone, which seemed to trouble Luke deeply. They'd turned back and gone to the throne room. Everything was a blur. She was numb, and she could tell Luke was also still reeling from the events of the past day.
Nico di Angelo came into Olympus to a hero's welcome, his father right behind him, despite the fact that Hades was only supposed to visit Olympus on winter solstice. The god of the dead looked stunned when his relatives clapped him on the back. Clarisse marched in, still shivering from her time in the ice block, and Ares bellowed, "There's my girl!" The god of war ruffled her hair and pounded her on the back, calling her the best warrior he'd ever seen. "That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!" She looked pretty overwhelmed. All she could do was nod and blink, like she was afraid he'd start hitting her, but eventually she began to smile. Hera and Hephaestus passed her, and while Hephaestus was a little grumpy about her jumping on his throne, he thought she had done "a pretty bang-up job, mostly."
Hera sniffed in disdain. "I suppose I won't destroy you now." Thalia wanted to ask…about Jason. About the vision Kronos had showed her. But Luke had been there too, and surely he would have an explanation. Hera would most likely just curl her lip and walk away.
Dionysus's head was still wrapped in a bandage as he marched inside. He looked her up and down and said, "Well. I see Pollux made it through, so I suppose you aren't completely inept. It's all thanks to my training, I suppose." She managed to roll her eyes at him.
Mr. D stalked away and began repairing his grapevine throne, which had been singed by fire.
Grover stayed at her side diligently. From time to time he would break down in tears. "So many nature spirits dead, Thalia. So many."
Luke put his arm around his shoulders and gave him a rag to blow his nose. "You did a great job, G-man. We will come back from this. We'll plant new trees. We'll clean up the parks. Your friends will be reincarnated into a better world."
He sniffled dejectedly. "I . . . I suppose. But it was hard enough to rally them before. I'm still an outcast. I could barely get anyone to listen to me about Pan. Now will they ever listen to me again? I led them into a slaughter."
"They will listen," She said, softly. "Because you care about them. You care about the Wild more than anyone."
He tried for a smile. "Thanks, Thalia. I hope…I hope you know I'm really proud to be your friend. Both of you." Thalia patted his arm. "Annabeth was right about one thing. You're the bravest satyr I ever met." He blushed, but before he could say anything, conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon marched into the throne room. Tyson waved at them with a grin, and Thalia slowly waved back, glad that he had survived the undersea war.
Her eyes travelled around. Percy was talking with Zeus, and both their faces were stony. After a muttered excuse to Luke and Grover, she marched to them. Zeus' eyes lighted when he saw her. He smiled at her, uneasily, and said, "Daughter. I want to congratulate you." He glanced at Percy, as though it irked him that he was there. Her dad was extremely proud, she realised. He didn't think a King had to express so much emotion to his enemies, regardless of their help or not. Zeus cleared his his throat. "You performed exceptionally well. And…I know you think I have no right. I know you think I am a bad father. But I…I am glad. I am glad that I sired you. And I am proud of what you accomplished here today."
Thalia stared at him for a while, then nodded. That was the best she was going to get from him. Zeus marched away, clearly disgruntled. "Hey," Percy turned her to face him. "You want us to leave? You seem tired." She shook her head, pursing her lips. "I'm fine. Soon."
Up until that moment, Thalia hadn't allowed myself to realise just how terrified she had been the last few days. She hadn't thought she would survive the war. But she had, and she couldn't believe it was real.
"I—" Her voice broke. Percy cupped her cheek and she leaned into him. "No one is above fear, Thals. And you know you don't have to pretend with me. We'll—"
"PERSEUS!" a voice roared. Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at them while all the other gods filed in and took their seats. Thalia got the sense he didn't like her boyfriend much. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet. Percy rolled his eyes and went to join the Titans, who were milling around Hestia's hearth, and The Olympian Council convened.
While Zeus was talking—some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc.—Luke ambled over to her. "I have something to tell you," He said in a low voice. "I met someone when Lou spirited me away." She pursed her lips. Jason. Thalia nodded to him.
"As for my brothers," Zeus was, "we are thankful"—he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out—"erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."
The lord of the dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but he had earned it. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than she had ever seen him. Bianca had joined them, and was grinning stupidly.
"And we must thank…we must thank Poseidon, for preventing Oceanus and his forces from reaching the surface lands."
"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like he would rather fall into Tartarus than continue what he had intended to say. "we must…um…thank Perseus…and his family."
Percy was grinning. "I'm sorry, nephew, what was that?"
"We must thank Perseus for rallying the Titans," Zeus growled. "Without whom…it would've been difficult—"
"Difficult?" Percy arched an eyebrow. Thalia could tell he was loving this.
"Impossible," Zeus said. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."
The gods murmured with reluctant agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.
"And so," Zeus said, "I suppose you want something in return…"
Percy stepped forward. Compared to the gods, he was puny. But Thalia knew he was far stronger than them. Far stronger than she'd given him credit for. He cleared his throat. "I want…I want to be able to live in this world, peacefully. No more hunting me down to try to imprison me again." He glanced at Thalia, and smiled at her.
"Is that all?" Zeus looked displeased.
"And, I want amnesty for all of my family who helped here today. Iapetus, and Mnemosyne, and the others. No more living in hiding. No more imprisonments. We leave each other alone. You don't attack us, you don't spy on us, you stop killing their mortal children. We stay away from Olympus, and you stay away from us."
Zeus seemed like he wanted to do anything but agree. "Fine," He finally said.
"Swear it on the Styx," Percy insisted. "All of you."
The gods looked reluctant, but repeated the oath. Thalia watched as, satisfied, the Titans all flashed away from the Throne room with muttered goodbyes to Percy. All save a woman surrounded by lions—Rhea—and Percy. "Now," Zeus boomed. "For the traitors!" The doors to the throne room burst open, and Athena and Aphrodite marched inside, closely followed by several cyclops. Thalia's gut curled. The goddesses held their heads high. She didn't know how they had been captured, but she knew that they hadn't come peacefully.
Zeus' eye was glinting, as the cyclops brought the goddesses to stand before his throne. "Well," He said, after a tense silence. "Anything to say for yourself?"
Athena pursed her lips, but refused to speak. Poseidon looked like he had always knew she would betray them. Aphrodite glared, and Thalia saw Ares' look of disappointment. Hephaestus was shaking his head.
"If that's how you want it," The King said. "Aphrodite, goddess of beauty. Athena, goddess of wisdom. For your crimes against Olympus, I hereby strip you off your immortality. I sentence you to life as a mortal, for the indefinite future. You shall not step foot near Olympus, or the mythological word, and you shall work for your place among us. However, you shall not return unless the Council sees fit."
"What?" Aphrodite's eyes were wide. "No—" Athena shot her a glare, looking resigned. Zeus raised his master bolt, which began to crackle with electricity. "Good luck," He said with a stony expression. Thalia watched, in mild shock, not even shielding her eyes as he slammed both goddesses with lightning.
When the dust cleared, they were gone.
"And now, for our heroes," Zeus called. "Without whom Olympus would have been destroyed."
Artemis called Bianca and Zoë forward first. Thalia watched, as Artemis made Bianca co-lieutenant of the Hunt. Zoë looked satisfied by that, and Zeus promised to help them fill the ranks of the hunt. Artemis smiled. "You have done well, sisters. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."
She glared pointedly at Hades.
He shrugged. "Probably."
Artemis glared at him some more.
"Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."
Bianca beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady. And father." She bowed to the gods, and moved with Zoë to stand beside Artemis' throne.
"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the Council, and Zeus grunted.
"Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered. Luke snorted from beside her. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new . . . um . . . what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"
"Stick!" Tyson said, showing his broken club.
"Very well," Zeus said. "We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."
"Hooray!" Tyson cried, and all the Cyclopes cheered and pounded him on the back as he rejoined them.
"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called. Thalia smiled over at Grover, motioning to him. He came forward nervously.
"Oh, stop chewing your shirt," Dionysus chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders."
Grover collapsed on the spot, making Thalia grin and Luke chuckle.
"Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed, as several naiads came forward to help Grover. "Well, when he wakes up, someone tell him that he will no longer be an outcast, and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a Lord of the Wild, with all rights, privileges, and honours, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts grovelling."
Hermes called, "Luke Castellan, my son. Step forward." His eyes were shining with pride, and Luke looked a little uncomfortable with the attention. Thalia nudged him forward. Luke exhaled, then walked forward. He bowed to Zeus, then knelt at his father's feet.
"You have exceeded all expectations. You have proven that you truly are the most worthy of heroes. You used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city. You adapted to a new environment quickly and helped new allies win, when you were taken away from this battle. You came back, to defend our seat of power. I would like to take this opportunity to make you my ambassador, and a General of the armies of Olympus and Camp Half-blood, for your lifetime. You are now the official Deputy director of Camp Half-Blood." Thalia grinned, not at all surprised. Luke was basically nineteen now. Already an adult.
He bowed deeper, and rose, walking back to her, looking dazed. Thalia patted him on the back.
"THALIA GRACE!" Zeus announced. Her name echoed around the chamber.
All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on her—all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits. She walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at her reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Her smile gave Thalia courage to keep walking.
She bowed to her father, then knelt at his feet.
"Rise, daughter," Zeus boomed. Thalia stood, uneasily.
"A great hero must be rewarded," Zeus said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my daughter is deserving?" He was looking at Hera, mostly, with a pointed gaze.
Thalia waited, with bated breath. The gods never agreed on anything, but one thing they all didn't argue on was that they didn't like her. But none of them protested. "The Council agrees," Zeus said. "You will have one gift from the gods."
Thalia hesitated. "What gift?"
Zeus began. "I would make you one of us. The gods bestow this gift upon only the most worthy of heroes. And you, daughter, are one of the best heroes of this era. If you wish it—you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your my lieutenant for all time."
She stared at him, stunned. "Um…a god?"
Zeus nodded, and she could see a bit of eagerness in his expression. He had done this with Heracles, and Dionysus. If she agreed, she would be the next. And she could tell Zeus wanted her to say yes. She glanced around. The entire council was his siblings and his children. Most of the minor gods were his children. Scratch that, most of the immortal population were Zeus' kids. She'd just become a blur among the many faces of immortals. She saw the disapproval in Poseidon's eyes. The tentativeness in Hades' face. Hera's distaste. Zeus had monopolised the council, and Olympus. "With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal." His lips curled, and he eyed Percy. "You can be with…him…forever, although I do not approve of it."
Thalia glanced back at Percy. He wore an open expression, and there was contemplation on his face. Thalia thought back to the Battle of the Labyrinth. He was mortal now, and they still didn't know how. She thought about the Three Fates, and the way she had seen her life flash by. She could avoid all that. No ageing, no death, no body in the grave. She would be a teenager forever, serving her father. He couldn't be that bad.
She could have power and eternal life. It temped her.
Who could refuse that?
Then she looked at Luke, who had turned white. She thought about her friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, Silena Beauregard, so many others who were now dead. She thought about Ethan Nakamura and Annabeth Chase. She thought of Percy. She wanted to grow old with him. She wanted to live out her days by his side.
And then she knew what to do.
"No," Thalia said.
The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.
"No?" Zeus said. "You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"
There was surprise in his voice. He had expected her to accept, which went to show how her father didn't know her at all.
"I'm honoured and everything," She said. "Don't get me wrong. It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to live."
The gods were glaring at her, but Percy was staring, shock on his face. "I do want a gift, though," She said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"
Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."
"It is," She told him. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"Very well!" Her dad huffed. She could feel his disappointment in her, but she didn't care. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."
The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made. "From now on, I want to you properly recognise the children of the gods," I said. "All the children…of all the gods." The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"What exactly do you mean?" Poseidon spoke up.
"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason." Her father's nostrils flared, but he had the sense to look ashamed.
"No more undetermined children," She said. "I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. Not like I was. Not like Luke and Annabeth. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but Thalia shot him a glare and he sat back.
"And the minor gods," Thalia continued. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Aphrodite and Athena manipulated their kids. They don't deserve to be punished for their parent's mistakes. They should be welcomed back to Camp, and we'll get through it together. Like Percy said, all the peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—"
"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.
"No, my lord," She said quickly, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. Bianca too. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."
Zeus arched a brow. "Thalia. You mean well, but you ask much. You presume much." "I hold you to your oath," She looked him in the eye. "All of you."
The gods glared. Strangely, it was Hera who spoke up. "The girl is correct. You have been unwise to ignore your children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Thalia Grace, I would still like to turn you into a water lily—" Thalia snorted. "But you are right. Your demigod children are still your family. I move that we accept her plan."
Her father looked surprised, then contemplative. But he wasn't going to deny her, she knew. "All in favour," Zeus said. All the gods raised their hands. "Yeah, thanks," she turned. She could see Percy, his eyes shining, a grin on his face. And she knew she had made the right decision.
-X-
THERE was a lot of celebration. Thalia was feeling so dizzy she was surprised she was still standing. Rhea and her children were having a reunion. Dionysus was guzzling Diet Coke. She had been trying to get to Percy, to get away from Olympus, but she'd been accosted by so many gods and spirits, wanting to congratulate her, and she had lost him in the crowd in the throne room.
She'd heard whispers, of Prometheus, Lelantos and Koios escaping before the battle's end. She just wanted to get back to her cabin and sleep, and not bother anymore with Titans. But she was dating one, and she would much rather sleep with him beside her.
Finally, she stumbled out of the throne room, and made a beeline for the sky-walkway. Luke and Percy were waiting for her at the elevator. "Hey," Percy sent her a smile. "Hey," she smiled back and he took her hand when she stopped beside them.
Thalia turned to Luke, who was glancing at them, his eyes dancing with relief. Truly, it was finally over. She motioned to the elevator. "Ready to go home?"
"Gods, you couldn't guess how much." Together, they entered the elevator.
-X-
LUKE perked as Nico ran in from the street, looking sick. "It's Rachel," he said. "I just ran into her down on 32nd Street about ten minutes ten minutes ago."
Thalia frowned. "What's she done this time?"
"It's where she's gone," Nico said. "I told her she would die if she tried, but she insisted. She just took Blackjack and—"
"She took my pegasus?" Luke demanded. Horror and panic flared through him, and he could tell Nico knew that he knew.
Nico nodded. "She's heading to Half-Blood Hill. She said she had to get to camp."
"Fuck," He swore. "I have to get there. I have to warn her—"
"Luke, what are you on about?" Percy looked confused.
He ran a hand through his hair. "I know what Rachel's going to do. My mother did the same thing, and she'd bonkers now. She's going to try to host the Oracle's spirit, and there's a curse—"
"Okay, we need to stop her," Thalia said, brow furrowing. Dread filled him, and he was preparing to bolt into the street when Percy grabbed his hand. "All of you hold on to me," The Titan ordered. Nico took Luke's other hand, and right there in the lobby, Percy exploded into light and they flashed away.
The feeling was one Luke didn't think he'd like to experience again. It was exactly like what Lou had done. He'd felt himself dissociating, then everything was dark, and his head and stomach were spinning, and then he was himself again, on the top of a hill, right in front a giant dragon.
"She got through the defences," Thalia said. "I thought Peleus would eat her." She was right. There was no sign of any eating. And Rachel wasn't anywhere around. Blackjack was fucking fast, and there was no doubt they were already at the Camp. He'd been hoping the magical boundaries would keep her out, but it seemed as though it hadn't.
They darted inside, Luke leading them towards the Big House, ignoring how peaceful and homey the Camp looked.
Argus stood in the fields, his arms crossed, his hundred eyes glaring at nothing in particular.
"Is she here?" Luke asked. He might be too late.
Argus nodded grimly.
"Is everything okay?" Thalia demanded. Argus shook his head.
And then suddenly, green light was shooting out all the windows, just like he had seen in the dream about his mother. Mist—the magical kind—swirled around the yard. Luke glanced around. Chiron lay on a horse-size stretcher by the volleyball pit, a bunch of satyrs standing around him. Blackjack cantered nervously in the grass.
And then Rachel Elizabeth Dare stepped outside, walking down to the bottom of the porch steps. Her arms were raised, eyes looking heavenward. "What's she doing?" Percy sounded a bit confused. "How did she get past the barrier?"
"She flew," one of the satyrs said, looking accusingly at Blackjack. "Right past the dragon, right through the magic boundaries."
"Rachel!" Luke called, but the satyrs stopped him when tried to go any closer.
"Luke, don't," Chiron warned. He winced as he tried to move. His left arm was in a sling, his two back legs were in splints, and his head was wrapped in bandages. "You can't interrupt."
"I thought you explained things to her!" He snarled. He couldn't let what had happened to his mother happen to anyone else.
"I did. And I invited her here."
Luke stared at him in disbelief. "You said you'd never let anyone try again! You said—"
"I know what I said, Luke. But I was wrong. Rachel had a vision about the curse of Hades. She believes it may be lifted now. She convinced me she deserves a chance."
"And if the curse isn't lifted? If Hades hasn't gotten to that yet, she'll go crazy!"
The Mist swirled around Rachel. She convulsed and spasmed like she was going into shock.
"Hey!" Luke shouted. "Stop!"
He ran toward her, ignoring the satyrs. But he got within ten feet and hit something like an invisible forcefield. Luke bounced back and landed in the grass.
Rachel opened her eyes and turned. She looked like she was sleepwalking—like she could see him, but only in a dream. "It's all right." Her voice sounded far away. "This is why I've come."
"You'll be destroyed! You'll go mad—"
She shook her head. "This is where I belong, Luke. I finally understand why."
It sounded too much like what his mom had said. He had to stop her, but he couldn't even get to his feet. Thalia was watching in horror. Nico's eyes were wide. Percy was staring blatantly in mild curiosity.
The house rumbled. The door flew open and green light poured out. Luke recognised the warm musty smell of snakes. Mist curled into a hundred smoky serpents, slithering up the porch columns, curling around the house. Then the Oracle appeared in the doorway. The withered mummy shuffled forward in her rainbow dress. She looked even worse than usual, which is saying a lot. Her hair was falling out in clumps. Her leathery skin was cracking like the seat of a worn-out bus. Her glassy eyes stared blankly into space, but she was being drawn straight to Rachel.
The redhead held out her arms. She didn't look scared.
"You've waited too long," Rachel said. "But I'm here now."
The sun blazed more brightly. A man appeared above the porch, floating in the air—blond, in a white toga, with sunglasses and a cocky smile.
"Apollo," Luke croaked.
He winked at them, but held up his finger to his lips.
"Rachel Elizabeth Dare," he said. "You have the gift of prophecy. But it is also a curse. Are you sure you want this?"
Rachel nodded. "It's my destiny." "Do you accept the risks?" "I do." "Then proceed," the god said.
Rachel closed her eyes. "I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, god of Oracles. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate."
Luke breathed, watching as the words flowed out of her as the Mist thickened. A green column of smoke, like a huge python, uncoiled from the mummy's mouth and slithered down the stairs, curling affectionately around Rachel's feet. The Oracle's mummy crumbled, falling away until it was nothing but a pile of dust in an old tie-dyed dress. Mist enveloped Rachel in a column.
For a moment he couldn't see her at all. Then the smoke cleared.
Rachel collapsed and curled into the fetal position. Luke scrambled to his feet, and he, Nico, and Thalia rushed forward, but Apollo said, "Stop! This is the most delicate part."
"What's going on?" He demanded. "What do you mean?"
Apollo studied Rachel with concern. "Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't."
"And if it doesn't?" Nico asked, his voice hoarse.
"Five syllables," Apollo said, counting them on his fingers. "That would be real bad."
Despite Apollo's warning, he ran forward and knelt over Rachel. The smell of the attic was gone. The Mist sank into the ground and the green light faded. But Rachel was still pale. She was barely breathing.
Then her eyes fluttered open. She focused on him with difficulty. "Luke."
"Are you okay?"
She tried to sit up. "Ouch." She pressed her hands to her temples.
"Rachel," Nico said, "your life aura almost faded completely. I could see you dying."
"I'm all right," she murmured. "Please, help me up. The visions—they're a little disorienting."
"Are you sure you're okay?" He said, worriedly.
Apollo drifted down from the porch. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi."
"You're kidding," Percy said dubiously, from behind them.
Rachel managed a weak smile. "It's a little surprising to me too, but this is my fate. I saw it when I was in New York. I know why I was born with true sight. I was meant to become the Oracle."
Luke blinked. His earlier panic subsided. "You mean you can tell the future now?" "Not all the time," she said. "But there are visions, images, words in my mind. When someone asks me a question, I…Oh no—"
"It's starting," Apollo announced.
Rachel doubled over like someone had punched her. Then she stood up straight and her eyes glowed serpent green.
When she spoke, her voice sounded tripled—like three Rachels were talking at once:
"Seven half-bloods shall 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."
At the last word, Rachel collapsed. Nico and Luke caught her and helped her to the porch. Her skin was feverish.
"I'm all right," she said, her voice returning to normal. "What was that?" He asked. She shook her head, confused. "What was what?" "I believe," Apollo said, "that we just heard the next Great Prophecy." "What does it mean?" Thalia asked. She was pale.
Rachel frowned. "I don't even remember what I said."
"No," Apollo mused. "The spirit will only speak through you occasionally. The rest of the time, our Rachel will be much as she's always been. There's no point in grilling her, even if she has just issued the next big prediction for the future of the world."
"What?" He was confused. "But—"
"Luke," Apollo said, "I wouldn't worry too much. The last Great Prophecy about Thalia took almost seventy years to complete. This one may not even happen in your lifetime."
He thought about the lines Rachel had spoken in that creepy voice: about storm and fire and the Doors of Death. "Maybe," he said, "but it didn't sound so good."
"No," said Apollo cheerfully. "It certainly didn't. She's going to make a wonderful Oracle!"
It was hard to drop the subject, but Apollo insisted that Rachel needed to rest, and she did look pretty disoriented.
"I'm sorry, Luke," she said. "Back on Olympus, you weren't there for me to explain. I—I know we had something going on. But…I can't have romantic relationships now." Luke nodded. He found he wasn't particularly bothered by that.
"I still don't understand," he admitted. "But I guess I'm happy for you."
Rachel smiled. "Happy probably isn't the right word. Seeing the future isn't going to be easy, but it's my destiny. I only hope my family…"
She didn't finish her thought. "Will you still go to Clarion Academy?" He asked, in a low voice.
"I made a promise to my father. I guess I'll try to be a normal kid during the school year, but—"
"But right now you need sleep," Apollo scolded. "Chiron, I don't think the attic is the proper place for our new Oracle, do you?"
"No, indeed." Chiron looked a lot better now that Apollo had worked some medical magic on him. "Rachel may use a guest room in the Big House for now, until we give the matter more thought."
"I'm thinking a cave in the hills," Apollo mused. "With torches and a big purple curtain over the entrance . . . really mysterious. But inside, a totally decked-out pad with a game room and one of those home theatre systems."
Chiron cleared his throat loudly.
"What?" Apollo demanded.
Rachel leaned forward, kissing him on the cheek. "Good-bye, Luke," she whispered. "You'll find someone who deserves you soon." She looked contemplative. "Well, maybe, you already have." And she stood, leaving him feeling more confused than ever.
-X-
"Hey," Percy came up from beside her. Rachel and Apollo were gone. Luke and Nico were talking in front of the porch. Thalia hummed turning to face him. Percy smiled, ruffling her hair, which had grown out since he'd last seen her. She gave him a murderous glare. He had missed her. Staring at the daughter of Zeus, the worry in her eyes, no doubt from Rachel's prophecy, the small tilt of her lip, looking like she would run him through for touching her hair. He was reminded of exactly why he was in love with her.
"I know you're worried, but Apollo's right," He told her. "Whatever happens, I'll be here. We'll get through it together."
"Of course," She said, snorting. "Like I'd let you go anywhere else."
He laughed. "I still haven't explored the world yet," The Titan said. "I'd like to do that with you. When Camp ends this summer, of course."
Her eyes lighted, and she nodded. Thalia took his free hand with both of hers. "Perhaps, while we're at it, you'll discover something we'll both be going to. It's called school. We can travel on weekends." He made a face and she laughed.
"One last thing," He said, "Happy birthday, Thals." She smiled at him as he leaned down, and connected their lips. He would kill a thousand Kronos-es, fight alongside nasty gods any day, if it meant he could be with her, like this, forever.
And he had a feeling she wouldn't have it any other way, either.
A/N: So, yeah. Next up is an epilogue. There are a lot of loose ends in the story, like Percy being mortal and Luke visiting the Romans, and the hints I dropped about Luke and Reyna, and the Titans. I've decided a sequel would be the best way to explain things and deal with these questions. So, watch out for the next book, which will be about the HoO, of course. It'll come after Excidium Troiae is completed, so probably in December? I hope you enjoyed. Bye.