"Failure is a necessary part of life. It's how one grows. Without failure, there is no life."

The day had come. The day where Percy along with Nico, Will, Travis, Connor, Katie, and Leo will leave Camp Half-Blood and Olympus for good. Frank, Hazel, Piper and Jason were still on the fence about either leaving with them or staying and Percy wasn't entirely sure what their answer might be but he would nevertheless respect their choice. He admitted that it was a hard choice to make, even for him but he just couldn't pass the opportunity up. Freedom from Olympus, from war, quest and most importantly the Gods was too enticing. It was that or die trying.

Right now however, he had to put those thoughts of freedom on hold as he needed to go see Annabeth. He was nervous and felt more scared for this upcoming conversation than fighting for his life in a war against Kronos. Although he would like to say he knew Annabeth pretty well considering he had grown up with her, Percy honestly had no clue how she might react to his question about leaving Olympus. If the conversation in the throne room a couple days ago was anything to go by then he would have to assume she would absolutely hate the idea of leaving. Annabeth's pride wouldn't allow her to leave Olympus, her only home she had known for practically her whole life. If he was her then he would do the same thing and stay. Nevertheless, Percy would try to convince her to leave with him. He loved her more than he loved himself and couldn't imagine a world without her.

Percy swayed from his thoughts as he looked out across the ocean to the setting sun. It was only a couple hours until it was time to leave. The realization that he was actually doing this hit him like a ton of bricks and made his heart feel heavy. He was actually leaving…leaving a place that took him in all those years ago and nurtured him into who he is today. Percy would forever be grateful to camp and all that it had done for him, the memories that he made there and the friends he had the fortune of meeting. But it was time for a new chapter. A new beginning. A story that he would write, not the Fates and not the Gods.

Getting up from his spot in the sand, Percy took one last look at the sun before it disappeared behind the horizon and began to make his way to the Athena cabin. He tried to steel his nerves and wiped his sweaty palms on his pants as he made his way across camp but everything he tried to calm himself failed. This was it. This was the make or break situation. If he failed in trying to convince Annabeth then he honestly didn't know what he would do. Would he stay or would he go? He had everything set up and the others were waiting for midnight to hit but could he do it? Could he leave Annabeth, his mother and camp behind? This was honestly harder than the choice he made two years back when he gave Luke the knife. He supposed the only thing he could do was leave it to destiny to decide. For now, it was better to just focus only on Annabeth.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath the son of Poseidon knocked on the door of the Athena cabin, waiting for someone to answer. It took only a moment before the very person he was looking for revealed herself behind the door.

"Annabeth." Percy said, giving the child of wisdom a smile that didn't fully reach his eyes. The blonde demigod gave him a smile in return as she stepped out the cabin, closing the door behind her.

"Percy? It's pretty late. Cabins are about to start going to bed. What's up?" She asked. Immediately her smile disappeared when she saw the nervous look Percy had that he was failing to hide. She'd known him long enough to know when there's something bugging Percy and right now he looked just as nervous as when he fought in the wars.

"C-Can we walk down to the beach for a little bit? There's something I want to talk about." Percy replied, his eyes wandering everywhere except her eyes. Annabeth's heart quickened, her mind wandering at light speed trying to think of a reason as to why he would ask that but nevertheless agreed to his request. The two stayed silent as they walked down to the crystal clear water, the moon's light reflecting upon the top. Percy kicked the sand idly as he watched the water cascade on the shore. He hated to admit it but he was stalling. He thought he knew what to say and how to say it but now that he was actually in the moment, his mind went blank.

"What did you want to talk about?" Annabeth was the first to break the silence, shifting her weight back and forth in the sand. He could tell that Annabeth knew something was up with him and that she must be practically itching to find out.

"I-I don't really know how to say this." Percy began, his hands fidgeting with his hair. "I guess I'll just start from the beginning when we were at the throne room earlier on Olympus."

"You mean when you, Jason and Will were practically cursing the Gods." Annabeth replied with a slight scoff. Percy tensed as he watched the way she reacted. If her body language was anything to go by then this conversation was going to be a mess.

"Yeah, that. What did you think when we were talking about that?" He asked, taking a seat by her in the sand.

"Percy, I would love to talk to you about the Gods and all their failures but it's late and the nightly patrol guard is going to be out soon-"

"Annabeth, please." Percy interrupted her with a slight underlying tone of urgency in his voice. "Just tell me what you think about them."

Annabeth's eyes widened slightly as she took in Percy's words and appearance. It was starting to worry her how much he was starting to resemble a certain son of Hermes. What would she do if that were the case? She loved Percy but she didn't know if she could idly stand by and watch while he acted like Luke.

"I think the Gods are the best thing we got when it comes to rulers of this world. Without them, there would be no life for demigods or mortals. You've seen what Kronos would've done if he ruled."

Percy agreed with her in that regard. The world would've been far off worse if the Titan king had won the war. But was it bad to say that although the Gods were the best thing they had when it comes to rulers, could things be better? The Gods had their fair share of atrocities committed against their children and the world just like the rulers before them.

"I agree but to say the Gods are the best thing we have when it comes to fair rulers is wrong. They're the only rulers we have. The Gods aren't without fault when it comes to the way of their reign too, you know."

Annabeth looked to the sky to see if there was any sort of sign the Gods were listening but after finding none turned back to him with an annoyed look on her face.

"Quit it, Percy. Before you get us struck by lightning. Why are you even saying this!?"

"Because I'm sick of the way we're treated, Annabeth!" Percy finally snapped, the water violently churned as it mirrored his emotions. "We save their asses time and time again. We fight, kill and die for them and what do we get!? Absolutely fucking nothing!"

"Quit, Percy!" Annabeth yelled this time. "So fighting those two wars and doing all those quests meant nothing!? Our friends dying for the Gods were in vain. Is that what you're saying?"

"Don't" Percy's deep voice growled, his eyes turning a poisonous shade of green as a storm began brewing miles away from the shoreline. "Don't ever say that again." Annabeth stood up suddenly with fury in her eyes as well. She stared down at the man she loved who only continued to stare out into sea with a thousand yard stare.

"What are you trying to say, Percy? I'm sure you didn't bring me out here just to curse the Gods and for us to argue. So tell me what you're actually here for!" Annabeth asked, finally getting fed up with the conversation. Percy sighed deeply before facing her, his eyes betraying all the emotions he was feeling at the moment. Hope, desperation, anger, determination. All of them were in plain view which startled the daughter of Athena. She had never seen him look like that before and it was beginning to scare her what her boyfriend might be thinking.

"I want to leave, Annabeth." Percy finally announced, a stray lightning bolt forming in between them in the distant waters. "I want to leave camp, leave Olympus. Escape from all the quest and wars the Gods put on our shoulders without mercy."

Annabeth slowly backed away as Percy continued. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. After all she and him had been through. After all that they had done for the Gods. He just wanted to throw it away and escape from his duty!? It seemed she was wrong about Percy slowly becoming Luke. He already was.

"Annabeth, please. Just listen to me. Don't you want to live a life of freedom? Don't you want to live life to the fullest without worrying about the Gods suddenly putting burdens on your shoulders? To not see your friends die right in front of you as you try to defend Olympus, a place that doesn't care if you live or die!" By this point Percy had been yelling as the harsh winds howled against their voices. The storm was mirroring his emotions heavily and it could be hazardous to camp if it continued. Annabeth's golden, blonde hair wildly flapped with the wind, her gray eyes brimmed with tears as she stared at the man she couldn't recognize anymore.

"You just want to escape? Escape from the Gods and our friends that we've fought for!? You want to escape from your duty as a demigod!" Annabeth yelled, choking back a sob.

"Duty!?" Percy yelled with outstretched hands. "To fight and die in the name of ungrateful Gods who could care less about their children. That's who you serve in the line of duty, Annabeth. Your pride clouds your eyes from seeing that!"

"Shut up!" Annabeth yelled, her tears falling from her eyes. "I thought your fatal flaw was loyalty. What happened to it? What happened to being loyal to Olympus, our family? What happened to being loyal to me!?"

"I've always been loyal to you, Annabeth. Never forget that. As for the Gods, my loyalty to them shattered when they didn't recognize their children who fought and died in the past two wars. My loyalty to them died when they discussed killing me right in front of me. My loyalty died when they erased my memories, dragged me from my friends and family, and made me fight in another Gods forsaken war!"

Annabeth wiped her tears as she tried not to slap the man in front of her. She couldn't believe that Percy would do this to her, to them. Maybe he was right with how the Gods treated their children. How they made them fight their own wars. But without the Gods how would the world fare? Without them the demigods and mortals would probably be enslaved to Kronos by now. Percy had all eyes trained on the Gods's bad doing but refused to look at the good that brought as well. That's why she couldn't agree with him.

"Annabeth, please. Come with me. I can help you live the life you've always wanted. We can finally live our lives in peace with each other. Don't you want to do that?" Percy asked, his eyes full of hope and desperation. If Annabeth didn't agree to come then he honestly didn't know what to do. Would he still leave? Or would he stay and continue to be a pawn to the Gods and fight their battles all in the name of keeping his relationship with Annabeth? She was his life, the reason why he kept pushing forward and the reason he was doing this in the first place. To give her a better life. But what happens if she didn't want that herself? What then?

"Where?" She asked.

"Alaska. The land past the Gods. Away from their rule and influence. It's perfect for us. We can live the life we want and do whatever we want without them interfering with our lives." Percy replied, idly kicking sand as he circled her. After his reply the two demigods stayed silent, one waiting for an answer that could change his life, and one that had to make a decision that could change her life. The two thought they would stick with each other until the end. It was how it had always been since they were kids. They thought they knew everything about each other and knew what they would choose to do in certain situations. But it seemed that was wrong.

"I can't, Percy." Annabeth finally replied, her head held high despite the tears trailing down. "My loyalty to the Gods is above all. Despite all their wrong doings I can't betray them. Not after all I've fought for to keep them on their thrones."

Percy's heart sank as he took in her words. She didn't want to leave? To come with him and make a better life for herself. Why? After all he's done for her, why couldn't she agree? Percy had tears brimming in his eyes as he tried to get the knot forming out of his throat. He could safely say her answer was honestly more painful than anything he has ever experienced in all his years as a demigod. It felt like the sky was not only on his shoulders once more but also his heart.

"A-Annabeth. Please reconsider. I-I don't think you're thinking this through clearly." He replied, reaching his hand out to her but having it promptly slapped away.

"You're not thinking this through, Percy!" She seethed. "Leaving camp, betraying the Gods! What the fuck is wrong with you!? Making a better life out there in the world is a fairy tale. You'll be hunted by monsters and Gods alike. That's no life to live at all!"

"What's the fucking difference!? We're already being hunted by monsters and Gods! Why not take the chance to escape all that!?" He yelled, thunder crackling loudly in the distance.

"I-I can't do this anymore, Percy. You're clearly not thinking straight. I'm going back to my cabin." Annabeth said with raised arms, her exhaustion and exasperation getting the best of her. What Percy was talking about brought back so many memories of Luke that it brought her a headache and pain. Pain that she never wanted to feel again.

"Please, Annabeth. I can't do this without you!" Percy desperately called out but Annabeth continued to walk away, refusing to even reply. The son of Poseidon punched the sand with all his might as he desperately tried to hold back the screams that threatened to release. Why!? Why would she not agree to come with him? They had been through so much together to the point that he thought that maybe she held the same feelings towards the Gods as she did. But that was not the reality he came to realize. Annabeth's pride and loyalty to the Gods was holding her back from living a life that she could be truly happy in.

Percy didn't know how long he stayed on the beach, blankly staring out at the ocean with bloodshot eyes as the moon drifted to its highest peak in the night sky. It seemed it was time. It was finally time to leave the place he had called home for the past six years. Just thinking about it hurt his heart so much it felt like it was about to burst but this needed to be done, no matter how much it hurt him. It wasn't just him taking such a huge risk to achieve this task. There were others that wanted it too and they needed him. "Such is the life of a hero" He sadly laughed to himself. Could he really go through with this without Annabeth though? There were so many unknown variables and while he was smart, it was nothing compared to her.

"If you want her to reconsider, show her what you can achieve while you're in Alaska." A man's deep voice said from behind him. Percy craned his head to find his father looking at him with a reassuring smile on his face. Percy internally groaned as he realized Poseidon had been listening in this entire time and had seen everything unfold. Could the Gods ever stop focusing on his life and affairs? The God of the sea sat down next to him and continued. "That Athenian is a stubborn and prideful one. She wouldn't just leave Olympus, a place where she has put her life work into, on a whim. You need to show her that what you're doing is worth leaving Olympus for."

"How?" Percy asked, his voice sounding small and defeated. To him, Annabeth's choice of staying meant that even though there was uncertainty on the road ahead, she didn't trust him enough to still walk with him on that road. That hurt to think about. After all they had been through and all that he had done for her, she still didn't trust him enough to lead her to Alaska.

"Show her the fruits of your labor and hardship, Percy." Poseidon said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Lead your friends to Alaska, find a place to build that new demigod camp of yours and prosper. Try to build a life worth living."

It made sense what his father was saying. Annabeth wouldn't leave on a whim. He needed to show her just what can be achieved in Alaska. Rubbing his eyes, the son of Poseidon stood up and stared out at the sea with a new look on his face, full of determination. It was a look of a seasoned leader, a look where others can turn to and feel reassured on the battlefield.

"You're right, dad." Percy replied. If he was going to do this and help his friends then he needed to be in the right mindset. If Annabeth didn't want to come then so be it. Others needed him and that's all that mattered. If he's too busy mopping about her decision then they might as well give up on Alaska and continue to be the Gods's slaves. Taking one last look at the ocean, Percy turned and began to make his way to his cabin where all his supplies for the journey ahead were already packed. He tried not to look around at the dimly lit camp as he walked, the memories of his time here would hurt too much. This had been his home for years, a place where he belonged and made friends with others who were the same as him. To leave it behind hurt his heart but it needed to be done. Looking on the bright side however, once he and the others made it to Alaska then he would make an even better camp. A better camp where both Greek and Roman demigods can live out their lives.

Finally arriving at his cabin, Percy made his way inside and despite not wanting it to happen, the memories rushed inside his mind. The minotaur horn that hung on the wall was still there in all its glory. He still remembered the fear that raced through his veins as he fought that beefy monster the first time. Turning his head, he found the water fountain his father had gifted him was still running properly. There were many times where he just sat by it, iris messaging his mom or Annabeth for hours.

Percy felt tears brim in his eyes as he walked past the memories and collected the bags that were on his bed. There was time to reminisce and it certainly wasn't now. Eyeing his desk where there were a couple sheets of paper, he groaned in annoyance as he knew he was late to leave but he needed to do this. Sitting down, he took out riptide -in pen form- and began to write a letter of goodbye. He felt bad that he had to say it this way, especially to Annabeth and Chiron but it was better than nothing. Percy hastily wrote down everything he wanted to convey like wanting to leave all the fighting and quest behind, to wanting to make a better life for himself and his friends. He made sure not to give away too much besides that.

Once he was finished writing that letter down, Percy continued to write another one. This time to all future sons of Poseidon who would live in this cabin. Percy made sure this time to write everything he felt about the Gods and how they mistreated demigods. If any future brothers or sisters of his were going to fight for the Gods then he would hope they find this note and make sure that's truly what they wanted to do. He didn't want them to go down the path he did. One full of suffering and pain. Finally finishing with that one, Percy walked over and put it in the open side of the minotaur horn, finding that to be the most secure and hidden place to put the letter.

Grabbing his things, the son of Poseidon made his way to the door and took one last look at his cabin, giving it a sad smile before walking out and towards the hill where he was to meet with the others. Thanks to his power over the mist, Percy was able to obscure the patrol guard's vision and safely arrive on top of the hill where Thalia's tree overlooked the entire camp. It seemed he was the first to arrive. Finding a good spot against Thalia's tree, the black haired demigod sat down and simply stared over the dimly lit camp. He was amazed to find just how big it had grown since the first time he had arrived six years ago. There were more than over a hundred cabins now, the pavilion had grown even larger to accommodate the growing number of demigods and even the big house was continuing to get bigger.

"Everything is changing." He realized sadly. And it would only continue to change even once he was gone. He wondered what camp would look like in the future should he choose to ever come back. The son of Poseidon continued to silently stare out at the camp, thinking about all the memories and friends he had made there until there was a rustle of leaves to his left. Thinking quickly, Percy willed his body into a fine sheet of mist, a trick he had learnt after the war. It was effective for situations such as these. To hide from the enemy. Thankfully, however, these "enemies" turned out to only be the Stoll brothers and Katie Gardner.

"It seems we're the first here, guys." Katie whispered as she set down her bags. The brothers sighed as they sat against the same tree Percy was at, not noticing the mist that was floating right by their head. Percy silently chuckled as he realized he could finally get back at the Stolls for all the pranks they did against him.

"No you're not." Percy reappeared in an instant as he put his hand over Connor's mouth who let out a girly squeal. The other two recoiled in shock as they desperately tried to grab their weapons, only stopping once they realized who it was that just seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

"By the fucking Gods, Percy. What the absolute fuck!" Connor harshly whispered as he slapped his hand away. Percy laughed as he stood up from his seat.

"Sorry about that. Couldn't help myself." The son of Poseidon replied as he put his arms around Travis and Katie in a friendly embrace. "I'm glad you guys are coming along. You don't know how much it means to me." He said, once again trying not to laugh at their blushing faces.

"Of course, Percy. We grew up with you and fought alongside you in the wars. Wherever you go, we'll follow." Katie replied, hugging him back. Travis hummed in agreement as Connor continued to spout some nonsense about "not being in the group hug."

The four of them sat against Thalia's tree, idly talking about all the supplies that were brought for the journey ahead and what the plans were to get to Alaska. Percy answered all of their questions, knowing that there'll be many more asked along the way. Before long another ten minutes had passed and once again the leaves rustled to their side, indicating that someone else had arrived.

"Sorry we're late." Will's honey-like voice called out from the darkness. Alongside him was Nico who could barely be seen in the dark. The party greeted the two as they helped set their things down. They all settled back against the tree as they continued to talk about whatever they could bring up. From the journey they face, the things they'll do in Alaska and what they would like to accomplish there. There was an underlying vibe of sadness in the group as they stared silently out at camp. Percy couldn't blame them for feeling that way. They, just like him, were leaving the only place they called home and were leaving many friends behind.

"It almost doesn't feel real, right?" Katie asked the group, huddling closer to Travis for warmth. "It doesn't feel real that we're actually doing this."

"I know what you mean. Never in a million years did I think we would be doing this." Will responded, eyeing the Apollo cabin in this distance. It's brilliant light still radiant in the darkness. The rest of the group silently agreed. It only felt like yesterday when they were all young, hoping to get a quest from the Gods. And now they were defying the very people they wanted to serve. It was like a scene from a book of heroes turning against their masters yet this was real life with real consequences. They might not even make it to Alaska before they were caught and potentially killed but it was worth a shot. They need to try to accomplish this "quest" not just for them but for future demigods.

After another ten minutes of the group waiting by Thalia's tree, silently whispering to one another about the future, they all heard a slight rustle in the woods. The group all craned their heads with their hands on their weapons just in case it was unwanted company before our appeared from the wood line came the rest of the group. Jason, Piper, Frank, Hazel and Leo. Percy mentally clapped himself on the back, happy that he had managed to convince everyone to tag along with him. "Almost everyone."

"Well it looks like we're all here." Jason smiled at them, high fiving the Stoll brothers while Piper and Hazel hugged Katie.

"Can't believe you decided to actually come, Piper. I thought you of all people wanted to stay." Connor said, tilting his head at the Cherokee girl who released her hold on Katie.

"It took a lot of thinking and arguing with this idiot." She replied, slugging Jason across the shoulder. "But as I thought about it I realized what Percy meant. The Gods have done a terrible job caring for their children, my mother included. I always had those thoughts but was just too scared to actually convey them. That's why I'm glad you talked to us, Percy." She faced him. "So wherever you go, I'll follow."

Percy nodded in thanks before going through his bag, reaching in to pull out the golden pearls his father had given him while down at Atlantis. The group eyed the items that seemed to practically glow in the dark.

"These are golden pearls that my father gave me. They'll hide your presence from monsters and Gods while we're on the run. They have limited power in them so we need to make the best of them before they're all used up." Percy said, handing everyone each a pearl. The group silently thanked the God of the sea, happy that he was on their side.

"How are we getting to Alaska?" Jason asked as he put the pearl in his pocket.

"By ship of course. It might take longer than a plane but it's safer and we'll have my father's protection while on it." Percy replied as he shouldered his bag, ready to leave. The group mirrored his actions, ready to face the journey head on.

"Wait? Where's Annabeth?" Hazel asked in a quiet voice causing all heads to turn to Percy who already had his back to camp. Without looking back at camp for what would most likely be the last time the son of Poseidon began to make his way down the hill, refusing to answer her question. The group could feel the anguish radiate from their leader but didn't want to pry him for answers so instead they all looked at their home one last time before following Percy down the hill, walking into the unknown.

Three elder beings, each weaving the string of fate between their fingers, looked down at the demigods who were walking towards their destiny.

"And so it has begun, sisters."

"Indeed it has, sister. The beginning of the end."

"And the beginning of a new age."