I flew for hours, tired and beaten, the borders of New Rome coming in to view as my body remembered something my head had forgotten. I'd spent the last few days barely sleeping, and now It seemed I was out of energy, falling and unable to keep my eyes open, sure that I was going to go splat before I felt someone grab me, slowing me as I got a glimpse of the person who'd saved me, his hair blonde, but his eyes, they were just like my mothers.
"Uncle Jason." I mumbled, passing out before we touched the ground.
My dream was different this time. The clocks were all shattered, but still, I could hear the sounds of the hands ticking ahead as I approached a mirror, a boy with a scar on his face and blonde hair staring back. As i looked, his blue eyes flickered to gold.
I wasn't sure what it meant, but it didn't matter, the scene changing to Annabeth and the others at her dad's house, about to leave. But I could see him in the background, his black wings beating in anticipation around Zoë. But just like I could see him, he could see me, looking up and ending my dream, sending me sitting up like I'd been shocked.
"Zoë!" I yelled, breathing heavily before I saw a person at my bedside, looking concerned.
"You. You're Jason Grace, aren't you? Please, you have to help me. If you don't, my friend will die." I begged, a girl stepping out of the shadows.
"Who are you?" She asked, looking at me suspiciously. Who could blame her?
"I am Alexander Dion Grace. Legacy of mighty Zeus and Poseidon." Told her, checking the time. If my dream was right, then I had just enough time to get there.
"I can explain more when I return, but I have to save my friends. There is an army of monsters gathering at Mount Tamalpais, and my friend will fall if you choose not to act!" I yelled, feeling my gear on me as I stood.
"My mother's name is Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus. She could die if we don't hurry." I told Jason, stepping outside and commanding the currents to push me a little further, leaving Camp Jupiter in the dust as I raced to get there in time.
I was rushing as quickly as I could, so much so I almost didn't notice the head of blonde hair catching up to me.
"Jason! Questions can wait until later, okay? Just, please, help me save them!" I begged, the hour long trip barely taking ten minutes as we pushed our bodies to their limits. I wanted to save Zoë, and he wanted to see if I was a liar about Thalia. Finally, I could see the yellow car in the distance, mustering enough energy to crash against it, causing the car to stop and everyone who'd been squished inside rushing out to see what had happened.
"Alex? But what about breaking the curse?" Annabeth asked, and I made it to my feet and over to her before wrapping my arms around her.
Jason chose that moment to land, opening his mouth to speak to me before his eyes fell on Thalia.
"Jason?" She asked, her voice breaking as she looked at him, the two of them staring before they hugged as well.
"Great, we all love each other, and like I said, I can explain later. But we got to get up on that mountain and defeat Atlas now." I called, letting go of Annabeth and looking at them.
"We have the numbers, but soon an army will surround us." I told them, Jason finally speaking.
"The Legion has that covered." He assured me, and I took his word for it.
"Then we can't waste anymore time." I replied, starting the trek up, lightning hitting the car and blowing it up just as everyone was clear of it.
"That's the Titan Lord, trying to confuse you, anger you. Don't let him, mom!" I yelled, walking into the mist and facing Zoës siblings.
"Sisters." She simply spoke, looking at them, the five of them talking while Percy and Thalia occasionally spoke. Truth be told, I was just trying to stay awake when Zoë told us to skirt around and go up the mountain.
I knew what had to be done, waiting for the moment Zoë would run to us raising aegis and confusing the dragon long enough she wasn't bitten, not this time.
As we approached the top, I stopped Zoë from rushing forward, slipping the bracelet on her arm.
"Don't. It's a trap." I warned, keeping her from rushing to Artemis for the time being.
"A good observation, but not one that will save any of you." A voice spoke from behind us, and we turned to see Atlas and the boy from my dream
"You're Luke?" I asked, looking at him and feeling something stir inside of me.
He ignored me, looking at Thalia.
"It's so good to see you again."
Without warning, I ran to Artemis, the others covering me as Luke attacked.
"I accept the burden of the sky. Give it to me, and even the odds out there." I told her, cutting her chains and getting on one knee, taking part of it before Artemis got up, and I was alone with the weight of the world literally on my shoulders.
All I could do was watch as the battle came in and out of focus before the weight of the world was taken from me, Percy baring it now.
"Together." I told him, taking my part and helping. But even with two, we struggled to keep it up
Suddenly, Artemis told us to get ready, and I could make out Zoe shooting her father, using the shield to block a blow before I could see Atlas slam against us, and Percy helped me stand.
"Luke. I have to speak to him." I told him, my voice barely a whisper as we limped over to where Thalia had Luke beaten, but I finally understood why the gods feared me. Why I was 'cursed', why the boy in the mirror looked like Luke.
"Luke, please, you feel it too, don't you? Our soul is trying so hard to tell us what we should already know." I begged, falling to my knees.
"I am reborn of two souls. I am Luke Castellan, and I am the Titan Kronos. I am Alexander Dion Grace, your rebirth." I told him, watching his face go through several stages before he snarled and grabbed at Thalias spear, Thalia kicking him out of instinct and watching her friend plunge into the rocks below.
"Some things are unwavering." Artemis told me, and I shook my head.
"That's where you are wrong. I will save him, and every demigod that Kronos has tricked into serving him." I told her, getting help up and taken into the back of a sleigh, Percy laying next to me.
"I knew you'd save me, dad. You're my hero." I mumbled, blinking a few times as chanting came from below us, Artemis flying off as I got a glimpse of the Roman army easily overcoming the monsters below, with help of a mortal mad scientist with a war world 2 fighter.
I wasn't sure when we'd landed, but it was enough time for the sun to set, and my strength to return a little bit.
When I got to my feet, i could hear the sounds of celebration. I could feel the joy as I looked at Artemis with her two hunters.
"You have done well for men." She told Percy and I, and I bowed as much as I could with the pain in my back.
"It was an honor to fight by your side, Lady Artemis." I told her, the Goddess disappearing. Fine by me, my business now was one she'd disapprove of.
"Annie!" I called, stumbling over to Annabeth and taking her in my arms again, holding her tighter this time.
"What about your curse? Can you still break it?" She asked as I cupped her cheeks and took in her features.
"No. I was never cursed, only lied to by the gods. But I understand now what I am. I am a divine being reborn, and I choose to be here, to see history unfold and protect those I love." I told her, letting go as neighing came from the skies.
"Blackjack, I'm glad you're okay!" I called, waving to the pegasus and petting him gently.
"I brought Guido and Porkpie, and Selene." He told me, very proud of himself, a strange silver pegasus that could only be Artemis's landing with the others.
"Good work. Give us a minute, and we can go, okay?" I turned to Jason, offering my hand.
"Come with us to Olympus." I offered, shaking hands with him.
"Uh, how we carrying all of you?" Porkpie asked, and I laughed, looking at Dr. Chase.
"Thank you. You saved so many lives, Greek and Roman. I hope I see you again." I told him, hoping on Guido and helping Annabeth on while Bianca and Zoë got on Selene and Thalia and Percy rode Blackjack, Percy holding Thalia around the waist, his hands on the reigns.
"Bye, dad."
"Annabeth? You will always have a home with us, and we will keep you safe." He told her, giving a sad wave goodbye as he trudged through the field.
Jason looked at Guido, petting him before gently getting on, the seven of us off, moving so quickly that by the time day broke, we were close to Olympus, flying up on the backs of our winged steeds, who set us down in the outer courtyard.
"Good luck, boss. And you too bozo!" Blackjack whined, the four of them flying off as the gate opened. Now, all there was left was to face the godly judgment.