Artemis POV
Not a word was spoken. I don't think a word needed to be spoken. Just by looking at everyone's faces, I could tell exactly what they were thinking, and it was the same thought across everyone.
Percy Jackson didn't deserve to die like this.
Yet here we were, crowding the streets of Olympus as we all watched what remained of his body being carried down. After One had finished with him, the events had been… dramatic, heartbreaking and miserable. I reflected on just what had happened that fateful hour.
As soon as he hit the floor, the entire battle froze. Time seemed to stand still, the chaos of the battlefield fading into the background as the weight of Percy's lifeless form permeated the air. A collective gasp echoed through the ranks of both gods and mortal warriors, their voices hushed in disbelief and grief.
I felt a lump form in my throat, a heavy weight settling upon my chest. The pain was unbearable, as if the world itself had been stripped of all light and hope. The loss of such a valiant and noble warrior, a true hero, sent shockwaves through our ranks.
Calypso was the first to run towards him.
"PERCY!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, dodging an Integra and slamming into Gone's border. Tears welled in her eyes, far more than I had ever seen before. I covered my mouth with my hands, disbelief shooting through my body. It… it's just not possible. He was undefeatable. He was the person who'd save us and vanquish Gone, not die in the last battle at the last second.
"Let them mourn," Gone declared, his voice dripping with malice. As soon as Calypso heard his voice, she looked up, her eyes full of venom and hatred.
"Why you monster!" she yelled. "Watch what happens when I get my hands on you!" Gone just stood there, unfazed by her threat.
"Three days," he said. "But mark my words, when those days are over, there will be nothing to save you from my wrath. Let it be known across Olympus that after everything, still, I was merciful to grant you three days. In the final battle, I don't want anyone to say they weren't at their full potential. NO EXCUSES!" With that, Gone turned around, sulking into the shadows of Olympus and disappearing down the elevator. His words hung in the air, a chilling reminder that this was not the end, but rather the beginning of a twisted game orchestrated by Gone.
Around me, the reactions varied. Thalia's face contorted with grief, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched onto Nico for support. Pipe and Hazel both stood frozen, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief, unable to comprehend the magnitude of the loss. The hunters, usually resolute and unyielding, bowed their heads in sorrow. Some had no idea what this meant, but the older ones understood just how cataclysmic things were about to happen.
Even the gods, with their immortal presence, were not immune to the devastation that washed over them. Apollo, usually exuberant, now stood with a solemn expression, his golden eyes filled with sorrow. Hestia wept, her flames flickering mournfully, as she mourned the loss of her beloved son.
But out of everyone, no one reacted worse than Poseidon. His grief was palpable, etched across his countenance like a stormy sea. His mighty shoulders slumped, burdened by the weight of profound loss. The normally fierce and unwavering god of the seas stood broken, his eyes filled with a sorrow deeper than the abyssal depths he ruled. Every fibre of his being seemed to ache with an unfathomable sadness, his grief resonating through the very core of his divine essence. It was as if a tempest of anguish had engulfed his heart, leaving him adrift in a sea of sorrow, forever mourning the loss of his beloved son.
No one spoke. I don't think words were needed. The scene in front of us spoke volumes. Quietly and with a heavy heart, Apollo moved among the fallen warriors strewn across the battlefield. His radiant presence cast a gentle glow upon their lifeless forms, as he knelt down beside each fallen comrade. With a solemn expression, he carefully examined their wounds, his hands glowing with a soft golden light that brought a glimmer of hope even in the midst of despair. As he moved from one fallen warrior to another, he spared no effort in assessing their injuries and ensuring their spirits were properly sent off to the afterlife. To those who still had a bit of life in them, he did whatever he could to try and patch them up. The god of healing paid equal attention to demigods and immortal beings alike, for in that moment, they were all united in their sacrifice and shared destiny. No one was forgotten, no life deemed insignificant. Apollo's compassion extended to every fallen hero, their memories cherished and their sacrifices honoured.
Slowly, Hestia got up. She had been watching the war from the side, and gently wiped another tear from her eye.
"Where are you going?" I asked her. She looked at me, but all I could see was pain and misery etched deep in her eyes.
"My son needs a proper goodbye," she whispered. "If you will all stay here, then I'll be the one to do it." With that, the goddess turned around, walking back to the centre of Olympus.
The weight of grief pressed heavily upon us as we carried Percy's lifeless body, draped in a simple white shroud, towards the crackling campfire. Each step felt like an eternity, the burden of our loss etched deep within our hearts. The air was heavy with sorrow, and the once vibrant flames seemed to flicker with a sombre glow. Six of us, his closest allies and friends, bore the weight of his still form upon our shoulders. Leo and Nico led the way, their faces etched with a mixture of sorrow and determination. Their eyes, usually filled with sparks of mischief and resilience, now held a profound sadness that echoed the collective pain we all felt. Behind them was Poseidon, refusing to leave his son's side, even though there was nothing that could save him. Frank and Hazel walked on one side, their hands intertwined, offering each other silent support in the face of this devastating loss. Both of them had expressions that were a mix of anguish and unwavering loyalty, a testament to the bonds forged through shared battles and unwavering camaraderie. Last but not least, Calypso walked with a steady grace, her face a mask of quiet grief. She held onto Percy's lifeless hand, her touch gentle and tender, as if trying to impart warmth into his cold form. Her eyes, once filled with hope and love, now shimmered with tears that threatened to spill over.
I trailed way behind, my heart heavy with the weight of losing someone I had come to cherish dearly, even before I knew it. Every step felt like an eternity, each one a painful reminder of the void that Percy's absence would leave in our lives. Memories of our battles together and our final talk flooded my mind, intensifying the ache within me.
As we approached the campfire, a hush fell over the surrounding area. The flames danced and swayed, casting flickering shadows that mirrored the turbulent emotions swirling within us. The crackling of the fire seemed to echo the unspoken sorrow that permeated the air. Carefully, we laid Percy, still in shroud, next to the fire, arranging him with the utmost reverence and care. The shroud, pure white against the backdrop of the night, enveloped him, a final embrace to carry him into the realm of the departed.
Thalia, with tears streaming down her face, stepped forward, her voice trembling but filled with unwavering resolve. She spoke of Percy's bravery, his selflessness, and the countless lives he had touched with his unwavering spirit. Her words painted a vivid picture of a hero who had given everything for a cause greater than himself. Deep inside, I knew just how deep she was hurting. Her and Percy had never patched things up after what happened that… fateful day.
Next was Hestia. Slowly and shakily, she rose up, standing at the foot of the campfire, before launching into her talk.
"Today, we gather to mourn the loss of a true hero, Percy Jackson," she began, her voice carrying a mixture of sadness and reverence. " To most of you, he was a champion, a friend, and a beacon of hope in the darkest of times, but to me, he was just the son I never had." A heavy silence hung in the air as Hestia paused, gathering her thoughts. Her voice, though soft, echoed with an undeniable strength.
"He taught us the true meaning of loyalty, of standing up for what is right, no matter the cost," she said, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and admiration. "He touched the lives of many, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts." Hestia's words resonated deeply within each of us, stirring a wellspring of emotions.
"But let us not dwell solely on the pain of his loss," she said, her voice growing stronger. "Let us remember the joy he brought, the laughter and camaraderie we shared. Percy's spirit lives on in each of us, and it is our duty to honour his memory." She paused, her gaze scanning the faces of the mourners before continuing. "As we carry forth in this world without Percy, let his selflessness guide us, his bravery inspire us, and his love for others propel us forward," she declared. "Together, we will be the living embodiment of his legacy." Hestia's words hung in the air, mingling with the crackling of the campfire. The flickering flames cast a warm glow, illuminating the faces of those gathered, basically the entirety of Olympus, all the camps, and more. People from far away had come to say their goodbyes to Percy Jackson.
Finally, it was time for the last speech of the day. Slowly, Calypso made her way to the front of the crowd.
"Today, as we gather to bid farewell to Percy Jackson, my heart is heavy with both grief and an overwhelming gratitude," Calypso began, her voice laced with the tenderness of a love that transcended time and distance. "Percy, my beloved, you were the one who taught me the true meaning of love's enduring power." As she spoke, her voice quivered with a mixture of vulnerability and unwavering devotion, her love for Percy evident in every word.
"Our love blossomed amidst the challenges and hardships we faced, like a rare flower blooming in the midst of adversity," Calypso continued, her voice filled with the warmth of cherished memories. "Percy, you were the anchor that grounded me, the light that illuminated my world. In your arms, I found solace, acceptance, and a love that knew no bounds." A gentle breeze whispered through the gathering, as if nature itself acknowledged the depth of their love and the pain of their separation.
"Though our time together was fleeting and we did decide to stop our relationship recently, the impact you made on my life is immeasurable," Calypso expressed, her voice filled with a raw, heartfelt yearning. "You showed me the beauty of love's resilience, the strength to believe in a future even when fate seemed intent on tearing us apart." Her words held a tender ache, a longing for a love that could not be fully realised. Yet, they also carried a sense of profound gratitude for the moments they shared, a love that transcended the boundaries of time and space.
"As we bid farewell, know that my heart is forever intertwined with yours," Calypso shared, her voice resonating with a profound sense of loss. "I will carry the memories of our love, our laughter, and our shared dreams in the deepest recesses of my soul." Calypso's speech evoked a wave of bittersweet emotions, the intertwining of love and grief that defined their connection. Her words enveloped the gathering, inviting them to glimpse the power of a love that defied the odds.
As she finished speaking, we gathered around the campfire, our faces illuminated by its warm glow. The flames rose high into the night sky, casting dancing shadows upon our tear-stained cheeks. The crackling of the fire served as a sombre symphony, a mournful melody accompanying our farewell to a fallen hero.
Zeus placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, exchanging a knowing glance.
"It's time," he said, his voice resonating with a mix of sorrow and reverence. The four gods - Zeus, Hades, Apollo, and Poseidon - stood together, their faces etched with grief, but also a shared understanding of the sacred duty before them. With a sombre nod, they approached Percy's lifeless body, wrapped in its shroud. As the gods encircled the campfire, their presence seemed to command the attention of the heavens above. A hush fell over the gathering, as if the very elements paid tribute to the fallen hero. With a solemn procession, they carried Percy's body, cradled gently within the shroud, towards the towering flames. The fire, once a symbol of life and warmth, now became a gateway to the realm of the departed. It roared to life, its hungry flames licking at the night sky, as if eager to receive a hero who had fought bravely until his final breath.
As the gods reached the heart of the blaze, they laid Percy's body upon the pyre, their hands moving with a reverent grace. The four gods were so silent. IN all of Olympus, no one could think of a time when they'd been so… miserable.
The flames intensified, enveloping the shroud, and the air crackled with energy. The sight was both awe-inspiring and heart-wrenching, a testament to the immensity of Percy's sacrifice. The fire consumed his mortal vessel, transforming it into ashes that danced upon the wind, carrying his essence towards the heavens. In that moment, the gods became the conduits of both grief and strength, their power united in this final act of honour. The flames soared higher, casting a warm, golden glow upon the faces of those who had loved Percy, the flickering light reflecting the collective love and gratitude that flowed from their hearts.
Silently, we all watched as Percy's physical form merged with the sacred fire, his spirit ascending to join the pantheon of heroes who had come before him. The heavens seemed to weep, as if mourning the loss of a valiant soul, but also celebrating his indomitable spirit. As the last remnants of Percy's body turned to ash, the flames gradually subsided, leaving only glowing embers as a testament to the hero's passing. The gods stood in a solemn silence, their heads bowed in reverence for the fallen hero. Behind, the demigods and the hunters had the same expression, and finally right at the back were all the satyrs, citizens of Olympus, nymphs, and the rest of the people gathered here, each with a sorrowful expression.
That was it, I thought to myself. He's really gone. I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to be in this war. For a moment, I just wanted everything to stop. Silently, I left the crowd, walking through the lonely streets of Olympus.
It was time to make Gone pay.
Some crazy plot twist huh... Anyway, let's just say not all is as it seems. Hope to update soon!