Percy's POV
"We need you", Nico said pleading. "Everyone is sorry. Annabeth, Grover, Thalia, me. We want you back. We need you back. Please. People are dying because of a war that's beyond our control".
"Who", Percy said. "Who is dead".
"Mostly the newer campers", Nico responded. "Butch, the son of Iris, was killed. Mitchel and Lucy from Aphrodite. Jake from Hephaestus. Travis is in a coma".
"That's it?" Percy asked.
"Isn't that more than enough?" Nico asked.
"With the way you made it sound, I thought some more people would have been killed", Percy said, keeping his remorse on the inside. "I don't care anymore. I don't".
"What happened to you?" Nico asked, his voice cracking. "You used to - you used to be the person who would do anything for his friends".
"And how long have we not been friends?" Percy asked. "How long?"
Nico didn't respond.
"HOW LONG?" Percy yelled.
"I know none of us can undo what has been done", Nico said, looking down. "But can you forgive us?"
"No", Percy said, shaking his head. "How do you expect me to forgive you? And even if I did, I can't help. I can't get into Camp Half-Blood, or Camp Jupiter, or the Hunt for that matter. A ban from the gods themselves is a ban for life".
"And if we could get you back in?" Nico asked. "What would you do".
Percy didn't respond for several minutes before saying, "Goodbye Nico", and stepped into his gunship.
Before closing the doors, he said, "I'm leaving. Don't follow me, or you will promptly get shot down". With that, Percy flew off, into the beyond
Line Break
Percy went back to Manaan. He went to his room and shut the door. He fell to the ground curling up in the corner. He started crying. Not much. Just a little. A drop to add to the endless ocean that is Manaan.