Sorry this is late guys, I had a headache and a fever yesterday.

Andy fights a losing battle, gets a visit from a dead friend, and so much more. Our heroes never get a break, do they?

Back on the Argo II, Percy was waiting anxiously for us. Immediately, as Piper and Hazel hurried Jason to the infirmary, he whisked Annabeth and I away to his room.

"Gods, you're alright." He breathed, squeezing me to half death after sharing a kiss with Annabeth. She laughed as I squeaked out in surprise, sitting on his bed and propping her feet on a pillow.

"You have too little faith in us, brother."

"True," he conceded, "but I have a right to be worried."

I huffed, folding my arms and trying to worm away from his steel hold. "You can't just use that every time to get to baby me! I'm not a child anymore!"

"But he did miss out on all those years, Romy." Annabeth said, siding with Percy as I mock-gasped. "Traitor!"

"C'mon, you like it!" Percy teased. I finally gave in, sitting on his lap as he sat down on the chair I sat on before we landed. "Any injuries?" He asked, resting his chin on my right shoulder.

The slight transfer had by now vanished into a barely noticeable scar that won't start again even if I went back to Jason. "Nah. The suitors weren't any good at all."

"Percy, your sister was suicidal." Annabeth said quickly, like it just burst out of her.

I could feel Percy glaring at me. "Say what now?"

I groaned, dropping into the nearest chair. "Come on! Jason needed my help. I was perfectly safe."

"Perfectly safe in the sense that you were on Antinous's lap?" She hissed. I felt Percy tightened his hold on my hand.

"What is she talking about, Sephie?" He asked. I could hear the warning lilt in his voice.

I pouted, angling my head away from him. Percy made an angry sound at the back of his throat. "In order to blend in, I played the part, and we got the information we needed. That's all that I need to say."

The next moment was spent in silence as they communicated through eye contact. I hate that, but I said nothing. Finally, Percy sighed, leaning back. "Really, sister?"

"I'm not going to apologise if that's what you're saying."

"This is why I didn't want you going." He pulled me even closer until my back touched his chest. "You don't understand what their intentions are."

"It doesn't matter how insincere they are, I'm better than them. They could never even start their plans, let alone go through with it."

"You may be right." Annabeth sighed. "But you never know. You are powerful, I won't deny that. However, there are others more powerful than you. You need to be wary."

I half turned, hugging Percy. "Fine. I promise I'll be more careful."

"That's all we ask." They shared a look again. I snuggled closer to Percy.

"I'm not moving."

"Then I call dibs on the bed." Annabeth announced. I didn't understand what was going on but that night was the first night in a decade I slept with my brother. He was right there, even as I woke up in the middle of the night because of nightmares. His arms were around me. Even the sinking feeling I had while lying on such a mattress was gone as he kept me aloft. I drifted back to sleep with him and Annabeth beside me. I didn't feel the increasing alarm as I stayed still, even when it felt like the walls were caving in on me and memories of blood splattering came to me.

We were all eating breakfast when Leo joined us. As always, Percy was drowning his pancakes. By then, I had learned what a pancake was and why people liked syrup. I couldn't help getting a stack of blue pancakes as well, although I refused any syrup. Literally. When Piper tried to coax me to try, I burned it right in front of her. They didn't try again after that.

Now, the problem with Percy is that he was the opposite of me in this case. He loved syrup.

And Annabeth was trying to convince him otherwise. "You're drowning them!" She complained.

I stared at the walls, a giddy feeling washing over me as Percy made a smart-ass comment. I'm always hallucinating when it comes to being indoors. It was like the walls were closing in. Once, I thought I saw Iapetus, holding a knife, staring at me with disgust. I wanted to get out.

To my left, Frank and Hazel used their cereal bowls to flatten out a map of Greece. They looked over it, their heads close together. Every once in a while Frank's hand would cover Hazel's, just sweet and natural like they were an old married couple, and Hazel didn't even look flustered, which was real progress for a girl from the 1940s. Until recently, if somebody said gosh darn, she would nearly faint. Like I said, progress. While I was still trying to figure out what the two words meant.

At the head of the table, Jason sat uncomfortably with his T-shirt rolled up to his ribcage as Piper changed his bandages.

"Hold still," she said. "I know it hurts."

"It's just cold," he said.

Anyone could hear the pain in his voice. The gladius had pierced him all the way through. The entrance wound on his back was an ugly shade of purple and it steamed. Probably not a good sign. I met their gaze from across the table. Jason held it before looking away. The whole thing lasted a second. Piper just avoided my gaze once she realised I was staring. They refuse to acknowledge what I did ever since we came back to Argo II. I don't know why, and I frankly didn't care. It was his pain, his body. If he wants that injury, he can keep it. I'm not going to waste my breath arguing that I can make it feel better. That's the tricky thing about those kinds of injury, you find your own cure.

Leo came strolling in at that moment, smiling widely and walking as if he owned the place, which wasn't really far from the truth if you think about it. "'What's up, guys? Aw, yes to brownies!"

He grabbed the last one—from a special sea-salt recipe they'd picked up from Aphros the fish centaur at the bottom of the Atlantic. That species had a name, but even Percy could not recall it, so it wasn't like I was going to try.

The intercom crackled. Buford's Mini-Hedge yelled over the speakers, "PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"

My eye ticked. After Coach Hedge left on his shadow-travel expedition, Leo had decided that his three-legged table could do just as good a job as their 'adult chaperone'. He had laminated his table's tabletop with a magic scroll that projected a pint-sized holographic simulation of the satyr. Mini-Hedge would stomp around on Buford's top, randomly saying things like "CUT THAT OUT!" "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" and the ever-popular "PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!"

And one day, I was going to destroy that bloody machine. I don't even care if Leo hates me, I will turn it off. In a violent way.

Everyone jumped. Hazel ended up five feet away from Frank. Percy spilled syrup in his orange juice. Jason awkwardly wriggled back into his T-shirt, and Frank turned into a bulldog. At least he was cute.

Piper glared at Leo. "I thought you were getting rid of that stupid hologram." Hey, at least someone agrees with me.

"Hey, Buford's just saying good morning. He loves his hologram! Besides, we all miss the coach. And Frank makes a cute bulldog." Leo grinned, unbothered.

He screamed as I accidentally-on-purpose doused him with water. I didn't care if Frank made a cute bulldog, I hate that bloody machine. The thing in his hand spluttered and sparked electricity. Serves him right.

Frank morphed back into a burly, grumpy muscled dude who I still think looks cuter in animal form. "Just sit down, Leo. We've got stuff to talk about."

Leo squeezed in between Jason and Hazel. Must've figured out they were less likely to attack if he made bad jokes. After all, one is the sweetest girl and the other has a high tolerance for bad jokes and is injured.

As soon as he sat down, the meeting began. "So…" Jason winced as he leaned forward. "We're going to stay airborne and drop anchor as close as we can to Olympia. It's further inland than I'd like—about five miles—but we don't have much choice. According to Juno, we have to find the goddess of victory and, um… subdue her."

Uncomfortable silence around the room. I sighed. Apparently after some kind of accident, the real-time video feed from Camp Half-Blood often fuzzed out, changing into playback of extreme dwarf close-ups—red whiskers, nostrils and bad dental work. It wasn't helpful when you were trying to eat or have a serious conversation about the fate of the world. And it really didn't help that I know them. Cute, sweet, but annoying. Always like to sneak up on me as I was trying to get some training in.

Percy sipped his syrup-flavoured orange juice. He seemed to find it okay. I leaned into Annabeth, trying to hide from that disgusting scene. I love Percy. His tastes? Not so much. I'm learning that now. "I'm cool with fighting the occasional goddess, but isn't Nike one of the good ones? I mean, personally, I like victory. I can't get enough of it."

Annabeth drummed her fingers on the table. "It does seem strange. I understand why Nike would be in Olympia—home of the Olympics and all that. The contestants sacrificed to her. Greeks and Romans worshipped her there for, like, twelve hundred years, right?"

"Almost to the end of the Roman Empire," Frank agreed. "Romans called her Victoria, but same difference. Everybody loved her. Who doesn't like to win? Not sure why we would have to subdue her."

Jason frowned. A wisp of steam curled from the wound under his shirt. "All I know… the ghoul Antinous said, Victory runs rampant in Olympia. Juno warned us that we could never heal the rift between the Greeks and Romans unless we defeated victory."

"How do we defeat victory?" Piper wondered. "Sounds like one of those impossible riddles."

"Like making stones fly," Leo said, "or eating only one Fonzie."

He popped a handful into his mouth. I wasn't the only one looking at him in disgust.

Hazel wrinkled her nose. 'That stuff is going to kill you.'

"You kidding? So many preservatives in these things, I'll live forever. But, hey, about this victory goddess being popular and great—Don't you guys remember what her kids are like at Camp Half-Blood?"

Those who have been to Camp Half-Blood nodded gravely as Annabeth turned to me and whispered, "it'll come up." I let her play with my hair.

"He's got a point," Percy said. "Those kids in Cabin Seventeen—they're super-competitive. When it comes to capture the flag, they're almost worse than the Ares kids. Uh, no offence, Frank."

Frank shrugged. "You're saying Nike has a dark side?"

"Her kids sure do," Annabeth said. "They never turn down a challenge. They have to be number one at everything. If their mom is that intense…"

"Whoa." Piper put her hands on the table like the ship was rocking. "Guys, all the gods are split between their Greek and Roman aspects, right? If Nike's that way and she's the goddess of victory—"

"She'd be really conflicted," Annabeth said. 'She'd want one side or the other to win so she could declare a victor. She'd literally be fighting with herself."

Hazel nudged her cereal bowl across the map of Greece. "But we don't want one side or the other to win. We've got to get the Greeks and Romans on the same team."

"Do we?" I mumbled softly but they didn't hear. Or at least, the rest didn't hear. Annabeth was right beside me and she heard that loud and clear.

Shooting me a warning yet concerned glance, Annabeth leaned forward to join in the conversation.

"Maybe that's the problem," Jason said. "If the goddess of victory is running rampant, torn between Greek and Roman, she might make it impossible to bring the two camps together."

"How?" Leo asked. "Start a flame war on Twitter?"

I added that to my growing list of ask-Annabeth-later.

I hummed. "I'm not really sure if I'm right. I'm very rusty, but if I recall, the way the Giants described this goddess, she is very similar to Damasen's bane. Her aura can spike up your competitiveness just by being present. Could possibly aggravate your rivalry or something. I don't know?"

Frank considered this before pointing at my brother. "You remember that old sea god in Atlanta—Phorcys? He said that Gaia's plans always have lots of layers. This could be part of the giants' strategy—keep the two camps divided; keep the gods divided. If that's the case, we can't let Nike play us against each other. We should send a landing party of four—two Greeks, two Romans. The balance might help keep her balanced."

"I think Frank is right," Annabeth said. "A party of four. We'll have to be careful who goes. We don't want to do anything that might make the goddess, um, more unstable."

"I'll go," Piper said. "I can try charmspeaking." I almost agreed if not for her parentage.

Worry lines deepened around Annabeth's eyes. "Not this time, Piper. Nike is all about competition. Aphrodite… well, she is too, in her own way. I think Nike might see you as a threat."

Aphrodite is literally one of the most powerful goddesses. People don't see her as powerful, which is a reason she is powerful. Underestimation is something not supposed to happen if you are a good warrior.

Annabeth's words didn't seem to upset her. Piper just nodded and scanned the group. "Who should go, then?"

I wanted to volunteer, but there was a very low possibility Percy would let me after hearing what happened. So, I didn't even bother trying.

"Jason and Percy shouldn't go together," Annabeth said. "Jupiter and Poseidon—bad combination. Nike could start you two fighting easily."

Percy gave her a sideways smile. "Yeah, we can't have another incident like in Kansas. I might kill my bro Jason."

"Or I might kill my bro Percy,' Jason said amiably. Boys are weird.

"Which proves my point," Annabeth said. "We also shouldn't send Frank and me together. Mars and Athena—that would be just as bad."

"Okay," Leo broke in. "So Percy and me for the Greeks. Frank and Hazel for the Romans. Is that the ultimate non-competitive dream team or what?"

… I take back what I said before. "Why not me and Percy?" I asked, trying to mask my urgency. Letting Leo go anywhere near the victory goddess was a recipe for disaster and a lifetime supply of demigod-trying-to-be-a-martyr. "I don't actually know things first hand, but is it really smart to let Leo and Frank go together after all the Aphrodite love-triangle business? Besides, I can't be swayed by Nike."

Annabeth knitted her brows together. She and Frank exchanged war-godly looks. "Not to undermine you, Romy." She started off gently. "We all know you can't be swayed. But a few hours ago, we were just fighting, we should let the others have a chance to shine. Besides, we need you to take care of Jason."

"No!" Jason immediately protested. I shot him a dirty look as everyone turned to him. I should be grateful, but I had an inkling what's going on in his head. "What I'm trying to say is that I don't need a babysitter," he said, grasping for an explanation. I was gratified. "Besides, aren't Hephaestus and Mars brothers? They also like to compete for Aphrodite's hand and it's not like we've ever seen them act nice."

Percy scowled at me with the for-gods'-sake-Sephie-don't-do-this-to-me look. Annabeth grimaced. I felt a tiny bit guilty, but I wasn't risking it.

"That is true," Annabeth said reluctantly. "But by your logic, we should not send Poseidon and Pluto together."

"Technically, other than the occasional banters and sibling rivalry, they don't really fight much. And their children are very close to each other. You don't need to worry about that." I responded. Annabeth rolled her eyes, flinging out her arms. "Okay! Fine. We'll play like this. Romy, there is no perfect combination, but demigods need rest. We just came from a battle not long ago, you can't go rushing into danger again. At least not until three hours later. Or I will let Percy speak to you."

"You- you!" I said, aghast. "I'm not some kind of robot toy that needs recharging!"

"We never said that, Sephie." Percy's arm slipped behind my waist. "You are an amazing fighter, and I'm sure we would definitely win if you were there."

"I'm sensing a but." I grouched.

"But Annabeth is right." He grinned.

Jason slumped down, as if having given up. I know the only reason he was fighting as hard as he was is because he wanted me as far away from him as possible and I didn't blame him for that. Had it been anyone but me, I would also be mad.

I scowled at my brother who laughed, slipping his other arm behind my waist and giving me a hug. "No use." He said, voice full of mirth. "Honestly, Sephie, we're all used to your anger. You didn't harm us when we didn't know each other, you're less likely to do so now."

"True, but I can still make it hurt." I said softly, stroking his right arm before sinking my nails right below his wrist. Not enough to draw blood but enough to leave a mark.

He pulled away, wincing but still smiling. "Okay, okay." He conceded as everyone else cracked smiles. I think I even saw one on Hazel. For once, she looked relaxed when no one was paying attention to her. With Frank next to her, I could certainly tell why they considered her to be the sweetest of the Seven. "You're right, you're still a little beast. But you are staying here."

"Why must you be the older brother?" I hissed.

"Because I'm awesome." He shrugged. I groaned, lying my head on the table edge. Annabeth patted my head comfortingly. "You'll get your chance next time, Romy."

That was not why I pushed, but I stayed quiet. They continued their discussion.

Hazel sighed quietly, tracing her finger along the map of Greece. "I still wish we could've gone through the Gulf of Corinth. I was hoping we could visit Delphi, maybe get some advice. Plus it's such a long way around the Peloponnese."

"Yeah." Leo looked like he was about to melt in lava when he looked at how much coastline we still had to navigate. I'm glad I'm not him. Although, he had more "It's July twenty-second already. Counting today, only ten days until—"

I got out a smaller knife I nicked from Leo's room, playing with the tip, watching as blood dripped down while waiting for them to finish with their conversation. How odd that I no longer feel this but I can still feel the burn of fire. I've certainly been exposed to fire more times than I've been stabbed.

"I know," Jason said. "But Juno was clear. The shorter way would have been suicide."

"And as for Delphi…" Piper leaned towards the map. The blue harpy feather in her hair swung like a pendulum. "What's going on there? If Apollo doesn't have his Oracle any more…"

Percy grunted. "Probably something to do with that creep Octavian. Maybe he was so bad at telling the future that he broke Apollo's powers."

Bigger things are at play. Chaos once told me. The worst enemies aren't immortals, they are humans with immortal powers. Gods cannot learn, they would shape everything to what they like. It is the humans who adapt, who learn from change. Mix the two, it takes much more to defeat such.

Jason managed a smile, though his eyes were cloudy from pain. "Hopefully we can find Apollo and Artemis. Then you can ask him yourself. Juno said the twins might be willing to help us."

"A lot of unanswered questions," Frank muttered. "A lot of miles to cover before we get to Athens."

"First things first," Annabeth said. "You guys have to find Nike and figure out how to subdue her… whatever Juno meant by that. I still don't understand how you defeat a goddess who controls victory. Seems impossible." Suddenly, the knife was snatched from my hand. I looked up. "Stop that!" Annabeth snapped. "Percy, can you get some ambrosia for your idiotic sister? Honestly, where do you two even get your genes?"

I huffed as they all burst out laughing and Hazel came forward with some nectar. She dribbled some on my finger with a sympathetic smile. "You don't feel that, do you?" She asked.

I cocked my head. "No. No, I don't."

"Then I'm sorry." She stood up. "Listen, Andromeda. After this, can we talk things out? One on one?"

"What?" I looked at her blankly.

Annabeth quickly explained. "Oh. Sure. Good luck, Hazel."

She gave me a wane smile but hey, it was something. "Thanks."

Leo interrupted us by jumping to his feet. "Alright! Let me get my collection of grenades and I'll meet you guys on deck!"

I don't know. With half the crew gone it was certainly quieter. Jason and Piper were in the infirmary showing no sign of leaving, and I didn't want to go back inside, so I sat on the ledge of the boat, using heat to keep me warm from the constant wind. And for the first time, I wonder. What will happen after the war? After my death?

Percy would be sad of course. He always wanted to introduce me to our mother.

Annabeth would probably also mourn. I think.

The rest… I don't know. Jason would forget about me. Leo would probably be sad for three days, maybe more. Piper and Hazel would probably say good riddance. I wasn't sure about Frank. I think he might grieve but would follow his girlfriend. Nico would probably dance on my grave.

There was never a chance at life for me. Childhood: ruined by the Titans. Future: ruined by my destiny.

Perhaps after my death, Chaos will allow me to stay in the Void. I like it there more than I like the Underworld, and Hades would clearly be unhappy with me because of how I treated his son.

The Gods would know who I was. They would know Poseidon had sired a daughter; Zeus might feel pleased to know a spawn of his hated brother died. How would Poseidon feel? Sad, maybe, that his daughter died. Then he would focus all his attention on his son. The true hero. The one who has actually done things to make him proud. Not me. Murderer, torturer, monster.

I was nothing in Poseidon's eye. Actually, I was dead in his eyes. So my death should change nothing.

I felt guilty though. The talk with Percy about what we would do after the war when I do not plan on living through it. I gave my brother false hope, and I just pray he will not hate me for it.

What was I going to do now?

For the first time since leaving Tartarus, I clasped my hands together, lowering my head. "My Lord. What does my future hold for me? Will I at least protect my brother? Will Leo survive his fate? Would anyone miss me?"

A cool breeze passed me. I continued. "I miss the Void. I miss your presence, I miss the sleeping Gods and Titans. So far, I have grown to like Earth. The sun is still very bright, but I have grown to like how it lights up the world. Annabeth and Percy show me the world, and I like what I see, but I am lost. I do not know what I am to do. Gaia cannot return to her sleep without a proper sacrifice, and I do not know whether I am brave enough to do what I must. My Lord, I am afraid of death. What must I do?"

Voices surround me, chittering everywhere and anywhere. None of them make sense, but for now, I am just relieved to know Chaos watches over me. I put my hands to my lap.

"Life is confusing." I said to him and no one at the same time. "When I was just a child, the Titans and monsters tortured emotions out of me until all I knew was pain, sadness, and even more pain. I learned to laugh with Percy. Through his relationship with Annabeth, I learned comfort, to seek it. All these emotions feel so new yet so bittersweet, like a part of me I am retrieving, bit by bit. What is the point? What is the need if I am to die? I am afraid, but I will not fight it. Gaia must not rise. She is your eldest daughter. Do you love her the most? Or are you disappointed with how she has grown? Damasen and Iape- Bob are stuck in Tartarus, succumbing their lives to eternal pain and torture. I should have been there. I should have been the one to fight Tartarus. I would have lost, but at least I am used to his torture."

I took out the dagger. Sweat bedded on my forehead as I called the water below us to rise. "All these factors are so confusing. I have gifts that do not hurt me. I have an entire element at my beck and call that is not fighting against me. I do not fight alone. This whole time, I have not been tempted to seek out one of the hellhounds for company. What is the point? What is the point if I am to die? I was never even meant to be on this ship. The prophecy called for Seven, not eight. My presence here changes nothing. What would have changed back in Ithaca? Nothing. I am helpless right now as my brother and his friends go traipsing for a goddess who will foretell Leo Valdez's death. I will continue to be worthless on this trip. Nothing changes if I am here or not but the whole journey will be ruined if one of them is not here. That is why I wanted to deliver the Athena Parthenos. At least I would be able to do something. But they forbid me. Why am I so useless?"

There was no answer. I did not expect there to be one. Not unless I go to the Void now. Believe me when I say I was tempted.

Slowly, I raised the dagger, wanting to forget my inner pain. Reddish-gold liquid started oozing out. A bit more. Let me feel pain. Let me forget…

"Woah there, kiddo." A hand grabbed my wrist as I froze. There was only one person who ever called me that and there was no way he was here.

"Luke?"

It was certainly him, and he plucked the dagger from my hand, setting it aside. Far, far, away from me.

"How are you here?" I watched as he hopped onto the ledge as well, sitting across me. His scar, as vivid as ever, stretched as he flashed me a grin.

He looked better. Happier. Calmer. Less stress. It was like he had the weight of the world removed from his shoulders. Or in this case, had an evil spirit who just so happens to be the king of the Titans removed from his head. He certainly looked better than he had been in the Void. Perhaps because he and I are similar. The first time I entered Void, I believe I told you. The Void brings out the best and worst in you. "What do you think? After that speech of yours, of course Lord Chaos would send someone to see if you were okay."

"You should be in Elysium." My eyes darted to the door. Anyone could enter. Anyone could see the dead demigod. "You shouldn't be here."

"Anything is possible." He said solemnly, holding my hand. "Don't worry, kiddo, no one can see me. Not that anyone would be coming, but they can't see me either way."

"Then how can I touch you?"

"Lord Chaos needed a messenger. I was closest to you besides Annabeth and Percy. I would be a crappy messenger if we couldn't touch." A look crossed his face, something that was close to regret. "You're doing well, kiddo, better than I thought anyone would in your position."

"Luke, only you would say that." I slouched down, glancing at the sea below. Luke hummed, not denying my words.

"Anyone else would have died long ago, kiddo. They would have given up." He was driving me crazy.

"I'm broken."

"First you say you're worthless, then you say you're useless, now you say you're broken. Note to Percy: send your sister to therapy." He smiled sadly. "Look, kiddo. I'm just saying. You are a miracle. Your mind hasn't broken, your life is still on track despite what has happened. Percy's whole life shifted when he thought you were dead, now with you back in his life, it's righted again. You somehow managed to make Annabeth trust you in a matter of days, despite her only thinking the worst of you. Leo likes you. Piper is on track of liking you. Grace Junior likes you despite trying his hardest not to. Hazel is making effort to get to know you. You got more than half of the Seven on your side, and it hasn't even been a week." Luke said. "Sometimes, kiddo, it's not about whether your presence here will change the outcome of the quest, but whether you can change the people."

"That made absolutely no sense." I stated bluntly. "What does changing the person do, Luke? How does that help?"

He wagged a finger. "You gotta stop thinking like that." Was it me or was Luke turning fainter? More see-through? "You keep thinking like that, no amount of therapy is going to get you through this. Life isn't always about the big, flashy moments. The details matter, kiddo, and that's where you come in. The Fates won't let me say anything of importance, but I'll risk it. Death does not always mean death. It can represent change."

"Are you saying I won't die?" That didn't raise my hope. Hope was bogus anyways. The Titans crushed it. Crushed the only thing that I held onto, hoping to shape me into what they always wanted me to be.

"Yes and no." The side of his lips curled. He really was growing fainter, it wasn't my hallucinations. "Looks like my time is up. Hades would throw a fit to know I'm not in Elysium."

"Why are you still here, Luke?" I asked, wanting our moments together to be about him, not me. "You told me, so many times, you would go for rebirth. Our last Iris-message, you were so confident you were going to die. You told me you would go for rebirth."

"Yeah. I will still be going. Eventually." He amended. "But before that, I think I owe it to you to at least make sure your life is on course before leaving."

"You always cared too much."

"Guilt does that."

Scooting closer to him, I hugged him. "Thank you."

"Whatever for?" He returned the hug, his hands never going close to my back.

"You had no obligation to talk to me. You did not have to excuse me from what they did to me. You did not have to teach me about Earth. Yet you did. For that, I thank you. For so long, you were my only friend."

"You trusted me when all you knew was that I was planning on corrupting the world. You believed me even when I didn't believe in myself. I think that was more than what I ever did."

"Like you said, details matter."

He pulled away, eyes on me. "Lord Chaos wants me to tell you something. You have the Void Key?"

I reached up with one hand, pulling the key. Luke took it from my hand. "Twist the key like this." He demonstrated it. "Imagine the Void. It should open up a portal."

"Thank you." I took back the key, sending it back to its place. "Luke, are you happy?"

"I am at peace." That was not necessarily a yes. "My mind is mine. My thoughts are mine. Happiness will come eventually. For now, I am content." He ran a hand down the side of my face. "One day, Andromeda Jackson," he said, using my full name, "I hope that you will find happiness as well. Your brother showed you the doors to a new world, but his happiness is not yours. You need to find your own happiness. See the world. Be free. Do not be restrained to one place. Make new friends. Friends who can make you laugh. Make peace with your past."

"The past is not a very happy place."

"It may not be, kiddo, but it is a part of you. Tartarus will always be a part of you. Do not fight it. Do not hide it. Accept it. But do it at your own pace. Percy will help you. He will be anything for you."

"You must go now." It was not a question. "Return to Elysium."

"One day, Andromeda, should you ever go there, I might not be there. But you will like it. There is peace there. A certain peace us demigods will never find on Earth."

"I am immortal. I will never die."

"Immortality was necessary back in Tartarus to ensure your survival in the Void, but it isn't now that you have left Tartarus. Hold onto it, for a mere human's lifeline is not enough for you. However when you are done with this life, you can reject it. Lord Chaos will not be offended."

"Why can't the Gods be as benevolent as him?" It was just a question. A rather innocent question. "I met Juno. She hates me. She is suspicious of me."

"Be glad Hera did not do worse. She hates your brother, hates Annabeth most of all. She stole your brother's life. She will certainly do worse."

"Then I will hate her back."

Luke laughed. "You do that, kiddo. Torment the Gods while you still can. Do it for me. And Andromeda?"

"Yes, Luke?"

"Tell my father I do not hate him. I was blinded by the injustice, but I understand him now. I understand his position, and I forgive him for what happened before, and I wish that he would forgive me for what I did, even though I would understand if he does not. Tell him I am grateful for the effort he has put in to try to honour Percy's wish, and that my siblings would not be like me, I am certain."

"Your father is lucky to have a son like you." He was almost completely gone. I grasped for his hands, hoping to hold on until I couldn't.

"Tell my siblings, if you see them, that I'm sorry for what I did to them. That I'm sorry I was so blinded by rage, I never considered them. Tell Chris Rodriguez that I hope his life will be one filled with happiness, and that I'm sorry I ever sent him into the Labyrinth."

"They will know. Even if I die, Luke, they will know. I will make sure of it. You just enjoy your afterlife and prepare for your next life. Goodbye." I blew him a kiss.

"I won't forget you, Andromeda, daughter of Poseidon." He promised. "You are a blessing to the world. Poseidon is lucky to have such an incredible child."

Such kind words for a monster like me. "No matter how long my immortal life will be, Luke Castellan, I will not forget you either. You are my first friend. The first friend to have seen me in my entirety, to have accepted me even when I was nothing. No one can take your place."

I sensed rather than saw his smile. The last remaining bits of him shimmered away, and I was left alone again. I rested my chin on my palm, smiling. "Thank you, my Lord. Thank you for allowing me to say goodbye to Luke."

The scar behind my ear burned. I raised my other hand in the direction of the sun. "Death does not always mean death." I repeated. "You will always be vague, Luke, but I like that about you. You would not be you if you weren't. In your second life, I hope I recognise you. I hope to be able to return the favour. To help you like you have helped me. You stayed for me. I will be sure to be around for your second life. I will find you."

When Annabeth came to find me, I was chirpier. "What's gotten into you, Romy?" She asked, linking arms. "We're going to map our path for after they come back in case we don't have a destination. Will you come? I'll point out everything you don't know."

I still wasn't sure what to make of Luke's unplanned visit. I was grateful. I missed him. He was my rock for such a long time, and I missed him so much. Still, death was death, and I have accepted his death. For now, life goes on.

"Alright. Is there water?"

"Of course. Enough water for you to drink to your heart's content." Merriment twinkled in her eyes. I wonder how she would feel to know Luke had been here.

"Then I'm not missing this." She led me inside.

Life will always be filled with uncertainties. The only option left is to just embrace it and deal with whatever it throws at you.

I sometimes fear for my brother's mind. Sometimes, insanity can be rather sudden, you know.

Annabeth pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index. "We told you to restrain Victory." She said, breathing slowly through her nose. "Why is she here?"

"What's that in her mouth?" I asked curiously. Nike made a moaning sound, glaring at us. Her gaze stayed on me for a second.

Frank chuckled awkwardly and looked away. Percy gave me a hug before moving over to Annabeth and kissing her. "That, my sister, is called a gag. You use it on annoying people who don't shut up."

Leo perked up. "Also, we need to bring her to Greece right? This is the easiest way!" He gestured to her. "I mean, we didn't fight the Nikettes just to leave her be!"

Annabeth flung her arms up. "You know what? Forget it! I don't want to know. Let's just get out of here while we still can."

"Yep! Charting a path to Pylos now!" Leo bounced away.

Annabeth turned her glare at Percy. "You, mister, will start explaining. Please tell me if you guys actually thought of where she'll be going."

Percy scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah… I mean kinda?"

"We'll stash her in the stables!" Frank said, already pulling Nike away with Hazel close by. "You guys enjoy your talk!"

"I must go see Leo." I said. "Perhaps he can shine some light on what is going on."

Annabeth nodded before harshly pulling a laughing Percy away. I disappeared in Leo's direction.

"What do you think?" Leo screamed, jumping away and blasting a stream of fire at me. I blinked as fire came straight at me, raising one hand to extinguish it. "I forgot about that, honestly."

Leo heaved. "Great. We exchanged one Nico for another. Awesome! Hey, do you like to hide in the shadows?"

"Shadows make things much darker. It can be fun." I nodded seriously, taking a seat on the smooth surface of a table. Several buttons were centimetres away from me. "Was Nike's news not what you expected?"

"Don't know what you're talking about." His voice held steady but his hands twitched. He moved away so his back was facing me. "Isn't Percy looking for you? The two of you are usually attached hip to hip. Or you and Annabeth."

"I am his sister and Annabeth's friend, but they are in love. They do need some time alone, Leo." I arched an eyebrow. He sighed and grumbled something under his breath. If I wasn't mistaken, he said, "my luck. Tyche, why do you do this to me?"

Giving up, he raised both hands mockingly and turned to face me. "Okay. So what do you want?"

"To storm and fire the world must fall." I quipped, observing him. "I wanted you out of this quest for a reason, Leo. No one should have to have their death written out for them."

"Percy did." Leo pointed out. "He knew he was going to die before he went to war."

"Actually, that was Luke." I corrected. "Hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap. It may have been Percy's prophecy but that line was very much Luke."

He rolled his eyes, but the smile directed at me told me he wasn't angry. "Yeah, okay. Whatever."

"You may find the need to hide from everyone else, Leo," I traced the cracks on the table, following every single tiny line. "But there is no need to hide from me. I can see it, for one. Also, I will not judge. I will not suddenly play the sympathy card or convince you that your life has been hard or whatsoever. I will not lie to you. I will not butter up the truth."

"So you know everything?" He gave a roguish smile. "Alright. Will I die?"

I licked my lips. "Yes."

He shrugged, not very surprised. "Thanks for being brutally honest with me, chica. Will I see Calypso again?"

"No man can find her island twice in a lifetime." I said. It was the truth. He slumped down. I added, "no one said a man cannot find her twice in two lifetimes."

He cocked his head. "You're saying that I'll find her in my second life?"

"Death is required. But yes."

"How do you know?"

I tapped the side of my left eye. "Not many secrets are hidden from me, Leo. Chaos did not tell me, so you don't need to ask. Instead, although I paid a price whilst falling into the Void, I was gifted with the future. Many scenes. Endless possibilities. One thing is for sure. If you die, you will be reunited with your beloved."

He let a bitter laugh escape. "How the Fates play us."

"They weave. They cut. They see what will happen. That is how they work. You can hate them, but it doesn't change. Eventually, I gave up hating them." I raised one finger. Water swirled, joining to become a sphere. My element amazes me even still. "If it soothes you, Leo Valdez." I murmured. "You will not be the only one who dies." I did not think he heard it, but the pause in his work told me so.