The Three Fates themselves took Luke's body. Valen shuddered at the sheer hostility they radiated. It seems Athena had told the truth, the fates were definitely not happy with him.

They gathered up Luke's body, now wrapped in a white-and-green shroud, and began carrying it out of the throne room.

"Wait," Hermes said.

The messenger god was dressed in his classic outfit of white Greek robes, sandals, and helmet. The wings of his helm fluttered as he walked. The snakes George and Martha curled around his caduceus, murmuring, Luke, poor Luke.

Hermes unwrapped Luke's face and kissed his forehead. He murmured some words in Ancient Greek—a final blessing.

"Farewell," he whispered.

Then he nodded and allowed the Fates to carry away his son's body.

The next few hours were a blur. Valen remembered sitting beside the hearth and just relaxing for a while. The gods set about repairing the throne room, which went surprisingly fast with twelve superpowerful beings at work. Percy and Grover went out to help the wounded, and Thalia and Annabeth consoled each other.

Before long, Nico and his father came into Olympus to a hero's welcome. Hades looked stunned when his relatives clapped him on the back.

"So, how did hosting a god feel like?" He asked Nico as he approached them.

"Weird," He said, "And painful, very painful. It's not something I'd like to do again."

"We were not in total sync, Nico's soul was overpowered by my own. Hence the strangeness of it. The pain is a side effect, it will get better with more practice." Hades explained, "Albeit I'd rather we do not face such a dire situation again."

"Why do I feel like you just jinxed us?" Valen said rhetorically.

Hades shrugged, "Seeing how the Moirae were glaring at you, I wouldn't be surprised."

Valen sighed, "True, they're going to make my life miserable aren't they?"

"That they will." Hades said, "Though I have no doubt you will survive through it. If you don't then, well there's always a place for you at the castle."

"Rather morbid don't you think?"

Hades smiled slightly, "Perhaps."

Poseidon!" a voice called.

Zeus had taken his throne. He stared across the room at Poseidon while all the other gods filed in and took their seats.

"Are you going to take your seat?" He asked.

"I would be honored, Lord Zeus." Poseidon said, walking up to his throne.

Hades sighed, "I guess I should join them too,"

"You don't have a throne though." Nico pointed out.

"Ah," Hades looked around, just realizing his predicament. "No matter," He waved his arm, erecting a throne made of solid shadows beside the hearth. And the Olympian Council convened.

Valen joined the others while Zeus gave a speech about the bravery of the gods. Thalia and Annabeth walked up to them after him.

"You know, the last time we were here they were deciding on whether to kill us." Valen said, "This is a nice change of pace."

"Well, you no longer have a prophecy hanging over you now." Thalia pointed out.

"Yeah," Percy sighed, and his entire posture seemed to relax, "I've been dreading it for so long, it feels good to have finally fulfilled it."

"As for my brothers," Zeus said, "We are indebted to both Hades and Poseidon."

"Without Poseidon, it would have been impossible to beat Typhon," He said, glancing at the god of the seas.

"And without Hades, Olympus would have been overrun by monsters. Without him, the demigods would have fallen and Kronos would have won."

The god nodded in agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.

"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus in our absence."

He called Thalia forward first since she was his daughter. On the way there, she exchanged glances with Zoe-who had been standing beside Artemis' throne; they shared a nod, and Thalia voiced her wish.

Zeus nodded, "That is arrangeable, I will aid in filling up the hunters' ranks."

Artemis smiled. "You have done well, sister. 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.

"Fine," Hades rolled his eyes. "I'll streamline their application process."

Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis's throne, beside Zoe.

"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called.

Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the Council.

"Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered. "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.

Grover 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.

"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 honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."

"FOOOOOD," Grover moaned, as the nature spirits carried him away.

Athena called, "Annabeth Chase, my own daughter."

Annabeth squeezed Percy's arm, then walked forward and knelt at her mother's feet.

Athena smiled. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements."

Annabeth looked up, stunned. "My . . . my lady?"

Athena smiled wryly. "You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"

"You mean . . . I can design whatever I want?"

"As your heart desires," the goddess said. "Make us a city for the ages."

"As long as you have plenty of statues of me," Apollo added.

"And me," Aphrodite agreed.

Ares shrugged, "As long as you make an arena for the occasional spars."

"All right!" Athena interrupted. "She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus."

Annabeth rose in a trance and walked back toward them.

"Way to go," Percy told her, grinning. For once she was at a loss for words.

"I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils—"

"Valen Steensen," Hades called before Annabeth could ramble any further. Valen walked forward and knelt before his father.

"Stand up Valen, hold your head up high." Hades said, and Valen did as he was asked. He caught Hesita's eye beside the hearth, and she smiled at him.

"You have done us a great service, my son." He said, standing up from his throne. He walked up to the middle of the throne room, beckoning Valen to follow.

"Tell us what your heart desires," Hades said, growing to match the other gods in height.

Valen raised an eyebrow silently, and Hades continued, "It can be anything, a new weapon if you wish to replace Shadeslayer, a replica of my helm, and yes, even immortality." He looked down at his son, an understanding glint in his eyes, "But you have already decided, have you not?"

Valen nodded, "That I have, father."

Hades spread his arms, "Well then, ask and you shall have it."

"I wish," He began, "That I no longer need to hide my heritage."

The gods shifted awkwardly in their seats, and Hades smiled warily, "You realize the consequences of such a wish don't you?"

Valen nodded, "I do."

"Consider your wish carefully, Valen Steensen. It could easily end in catastrophe." Athena warned.

"I am aware of that," Valen replied, "I do not plan to tell everyone in camp about it, only a handful of people I'm close with."

"It is a reasonable request, Zeus." Hades said, "With those conditions, it should not get out of hand."

Zeus stayed silent for a while, before sighing, "Very well, as long as you remain careful about it, I see no issue with this request."

Valen bowed at him, "Thank you Lord Zeus."

He walked back to the group, glancing at Apollo on the way back. Apollo did not need to read his mind to know what he was talking about.

Before anyone could ask him about it, he raised a hand, "I'll let you guys know once we're back on camp."

"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced, his voice echoing around the chamber.

All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on Percy. He walked into the middle of the throne room.

First, he bowed to Zeus. Then he knelt at his father's feet.

"Rise, my son," Poseidon said, and Percy stood uneasily.

"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"

Surprisingly, no one seemed to object. It was unlike them, even when Valen had made his request, Athena was against it.

"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."

He hesitated. "Any gift?"

Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson—if you wish it—you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."

"Um . . . a god?"

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal."

"Hmm," Ares mused, "That means I can keep fighting him for all eternity, I like this idea."

"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth.

Annabeth tried to look anywhere but at him, glancing around wildly, suddenly pale. Valen remembered what he had said to her a day ago. Depending on Percy's choice, she could never get the chance.

Percy stood there silently for a few minutes. Then, he finally spoke, "No,"

The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.

"No?" Zeus echoed. "You…want to remain mortal?"

There was an edge of confusion to his voice as if he truly didn't understand why he could choose that.

"I'm honored and everything," Percy said. "It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."

Poseidon smiled at him, understanding his intentions, "So, what gift would you like then?"

Percy looked around at the council, "Do you promise to grant my wish?"

Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."

"It is," he said. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."

"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"

"You guys were ready to vaporize me two years ago," Percy deadpanned, "And I need to be sure."

"Very well!" Zeus said, he could not deny those claims. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your 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 recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All the children . . . of all the gods."

The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.

"Percy," Poseidon said, "what exactly do you mean?"

"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," He said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."

Zeus narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean to say?"

"No more undetermined children," Percy 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. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."

"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but he was on a roll.

"And the minor gods," He said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades-"

"Oh? Calling me a minor god are you?" Hades said with deadly calmness.

"No, my lord," Percy said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Valen and Nico have proven that. 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 snorted. "Is that all?"

"Percy," Poseidon said, "you ask much. You presume much."

"I hold you to your oath," Percy said. "All of you."

Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up: "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps"—she glanced at Annabeth, and then spoke as if the words had a sour taste—"perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."

"Humph," Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose . . ."

"All in favor," Hermes said.

All the gods raised their hands.

"Um, thanks," I said.

Before he could leave, Poseidon called, "Honor guard!"

Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door—an aisle for him to walk through. They came to attention.

"All hail, Perseus Jackson," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"

.

.

.

After the council adjourned, Valen made a beeline for the elevator and headed down first thing. Once downstairs, he did not have to look for long before he found Theron and Aricia.

They got up from the ground and ran up to him, "What happened up there? It's been hours since the monsters disappeared."

Valen grinned, "We won,"

Aricia rolled her eyes, "No shit sherlock, but what took you so long to come down?"

"The Council convened and the five of us were rewarded for defeating Kronos." He said, still grinning.

"What did you get?" Theron asked as Aricia's jaw fell to the floor.

And so Valen told them what each one of them was gifted. While he was doing that, Percy and Annabeth came down with the elevator and Percy reunited with his parents.

After he was done explaining, Valen noticed Percy, Annabeth, and Nico run out of the building, clearly distressed.

Just then Hades shadow traveled in and looked around the room with a raised eyebrow. He sighed, "They left didn't they?"

"They did," Valen said, bidding goodbye to his friends, "Did something happen?"

"Nico, if you had just waited another minute-" He stopped, taking a calming breath in, "You do not know this but it was me who cursed the Oracle to never be able to take another host again."

"That was you?" Valen asked incredulously, "Why?"

Hades sighed again, "It was a stupid decision, fuelled by unduly rage."

"I'm guessing someone is trying to host the Oracle now?"

"Yes," Hades nodded, "Miss Dare has taken your friends pegasus and is on route to Camp Half-Blood."

"Just out of sheer curiosity, what would happen if someone tried to host the Oracle while the curse is active?" Valen asked, he almost didn't want to know.

"From what Nico told me, you have met May Castellan already, yes?"

"Yeah, what of- oh." Valen paled as he connected the dots, "Please tell me you've retracted the curse."

"I have retracted the curse," Hades said, "But it might take a while for the effects to go away."

"We need to stop her before she gets herself cursed," Valen realized, shadow traveling away at a moments notice.

Hades sighed, "He could have just asked me to teleport him there. Kids these days have no patience."

When Valen appeared at camp, the process had already begun, thick mist swirled around the Big House, and green light poured out of its clattering windows.

The mist coalesced into a hundred smoky serpents, slithering up the porch columns, curling around the house.

He ran into the building to a bizarre sight. The old half-decayed corpse of the previous Oracle stood motionless at the stairs. Valen could see how the spirit of the oracle was all that remained of her soul.

Rachel was standing in front of her, she held out her arms fearlessly.

"You've waited too long," She said. "But I'm here now."

The sun blazed more brightly. A man appeared above the porch, floating in the air—a blond man in a white toga, with sunglasses and a cocky smile.

"Apollo!" Valen yelled, "The curse hasn't fully lifted yet, it's too dangerous!"

"It will be fine, I'm here," Apollo said, waving his concern away and turned to face Rachel.

"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."

The mist thickened as the words poured out of her mouth. 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.

Rachel collapsed and curled into the fetal position. Annabeth, Nico, and Percy rushed forward, but Apollo said, "Stop! This is the most delicate part."

"What's going on?" Percy demanded. "What do you mean?"

Apollo studied Rachel with concern. "Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't."

"And if it doesn't?" Annabeth asked.

"Five syllables," Apollo said, counting them on his fingers. "That would be real bad."

"This is bad," Valen muttered as Percy ran to Rachel. He could see how her soul was fighting the spirit of the Oracle, the green and grey fighting for dominance. For a terrible moment, it seemed the green would take over and the grey flickered in and out of existence until finally the two calmed down and began swirling in harmony.

Then her eyes fluttered open. "Percy."

"Are you okay?"

She tried to sit up. "Ow." She pressed her hands to her temples.

"Rachel," Nico said, "your life aura almost faded completely. I could see you dying."

Valen nodded, "For a moment, the Oracle completely took over you."

"I'm all right," she murmured. "Please, help me up. The visions—they're a little disorienting."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Percy asked.

Apollo drifted down from the porch. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi."

"You're kidding," Annabeth said.

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."

Percy blinked. "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 and 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 Percy caught her and helped her to the porch.

"I'm all right," she said, her voice returning to normal.

"What was that?" Percy 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?" he demanded.

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?" Percy said. "But—"

"Percy," Apollo said, "I wouldn't worry too much. The last Great Prophecy about you took almost seventy years to complete. This one may not even happen in your lifetime."

"Yeah, right," Valen snorted, "With our luck, it's gonna happen next year."

"Come now," Apollo said, "Don't be so pessimistic. Cheer up! You just won a war!"

"About that," Valen said, turning to face him, "What about my sister?"

"Oh, I've already begun healing her," Apollo said, scrunching his eyebrows in concentration, "And, it's done."

Valen shared a glance with Nico, and the younger boy spoke, "She's…awake?"

"And very confused," Apollo added, "You should go visit her."

He snapped his fingers, and the two boys disappeared in a flash of light. Back in the infirmary, the sudden appearance of them startled both Will and Bianca. Bianca was disoriented after just having woken up, and the sudden appearance of her brothers didn't help either.

"Bianca!" Nico ran towards her, grabbing her in a tight hug.

"Wha-what is going on?"

"It's kind of a long story," Valen said, sitting down beside her. He grabbed her hand, struggling to keep his emotions in check, "Welcome back, Bianca."

It took them a while to recount everything that had happened since Bianca had gone into a coma. By the time they finished, Percy and Annabeth had joined them, adding their own inputs about the war on their side.

"So much has happened," Bianca whispered, still finding it hard to believe she had missed a year of her life. She looked up at Nico, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you."

Nico shrugged, "It's alright."

"He did good," Valen said, "without him we'd have a lot more casualties."

Bianca switched her gaze to Valen, "It couldn't have been easy for you either."

Like his brother, Valen shrugged too, "It wasn't, but I managed."

"Ahem," Will cleared his throat, "I know you have a lot to catch up on, but she needs to rest."

Nico furrowed his brows in confusion, "She just woke up from a coma, why would she need to rest any further?"

"That is precisely why she needs to rest," Will said, "While she was in a coma her body has gone to sleep, so to speak. She needs more time before she can walk around again."

"Sounds reasonable," Valen said, getting up, "We'll come visit you as often as we can, Bianca." He promised, and they left the infirmary.

The rest of the day was as strange as the beginning. Campers trickled in from New York by car, pegasus, and chariot. The wounded were cared for. The dead were given proper funeral rites at the campfire.

Dinner at the pavilion was low-key. Valen and Nico sat on the Hermes table with Theron and Aricia. They exchanged stories about their battles over dinner, while the other Hermes kids joined in from time to time.

After dinner, Valen and Nico went to visit Bianca, staying with her for a while before Will came back and asked them to leave again. Outside, they noticed how deserted the camp was, but they could see the dozens of torches around the canoe lake.

Glancing at each other, the two walked up to the group of campers, and Valen asked, "What are you guys doing here?"

"Waiting for Percy and Annabeth to come back up." Connor replied, grinning.

Valen laughed, patting his shoulder, "You're gonna be here for a long while."

And they were.

_

Authors Note: The next chapter will be the epilogue of this fic, and a rather short one to boot. I'd say it would be around a thousand words tops? Now I could have just added that to this chapter, but I felt like making a dedicated epilogue with another Authors Note. There's some stuff I'll need to inform you about, mostly about the sequel. I'll likely post the epilouge a day or two after this chapter, if not at the same day.