AN: Response to a couple of reviews today. First to a Guest. He isn't being weakened for going against one of his domains. I didn't intend for that to be the reason for his power drop. He was weakened because being in the land beyond the gods he was cut off from his domains in a way. He can still feel them because they don't stop existing just because of where he is, but he can't fully connect with them.

To another Guest. I understand that people are going to differ on Percy giving up a domain. In this case, however, I feel it's incredibly like Percy to do that. He turned down being a god because he had a crush on a girl he wasn't even sure liked him back. If Percy could save Viva and by extension Hephaestus by giving up a domain I absolutely believe he would do it in a heartbeat. Maybe not if it was loyalty or being the Patron of Heroes, but then again seeing as that's how I wrote it I'm biased. Percy has never wanted power for power's sake, the only time we ever see him truly seek power in the books is when he goes to bathe in the Styx. The only reason he did that is because he needed to match Luke/Kronos to protect his family and the world. He gladly gave up the blessing in Son of Neptune knowing just how vital it had been to keeping him alive for weeks just for a chance, a chance not a guarantee, at getting his memories back. I'm not trying to belittle your opinion so if that was your review please don't take this as an insulting rant, I just love these stories and wanted to explain why I chose to make this decision in my story.

We are coming to the end of the story. Just some threads to wrap up, some moments I've been looking forward to writing, and the ending I've had written since before I even finished A New God to go. It's been an awesome ride writing both these stories and I'm glad other people have been able to enjoy them as well. Thank all of you for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing, even the negative ones that I will admit probably hurt more than I should let them. I appreciate constructive criticism but it has its ups and downs for sure.

As always I own nothing you recognize from officially published/licensed works, only my imagination.

Chapter 14: The End of Something New

Percy took several minutes to come down to a more normal level after learning he was going to be a dad. After he had Calypso confessed that she had been relieved by his reaction.

"I have told you about my life before Ogygia yes?"

Percy nodded not entirely sure where she was going with this but he knew it had to be important. It bothered him that she had been relieved by how happy he was to hear the news, and he wondered if that was why she was bringing up the past. She glanced at Thalia who turned and walked toward Apollo and Artemis saying,

"I'll leave you two alone."

Calypso looked relieved and when she turned back to him, Percy could see just how nervous she was. It seemed to get easier for her as she talked, the more she said the more freely the words seemed to come. She told him about what it had been like in the first war where her father had transformed from what she had known into the General. She told him how she saw so many similarities and yet so many differences between them.

"My Father was willing to give anything and everything for his family but he kept us at arm's length. I need you to understand Percy, I was never afraid of you. Only...only for you."

These final words were quiet, her eyes downcast as though she was again anxious about his response. He stayed where he was leaning against the lip of the tank his mind a jumble of thoughts and feelings. His fears screamed at him from the recesses of his mind telling him to run, telling him this was why he had to protect everyone from himself and his power. Then he heard Apollo's words again, and Calypso's words, it had only been a few minutes ago that they had strove to impress on him how important it was not to fear his power. It wasn't that simple. it never was, but hearing Calypso comparing him to her father was something he couldnt rationalize. Everything she told him could have been him in a different life. He knew the things she didn't say about her father, they both did but wasn't that Calypso's point? She didn't want him to give up everything that made him different from Atlas. Looking up he saw that Calypso had only grown more anxious watching him so he forced a half-hearted smile onto his face. This time he wasn't trying to hide how he was feeling behind the smile.

His mind continued to race as Calypso took his hand and dragged him toward the others. From one thing to another he wasn't sure what to think but that question was answered for him when a lance of pain shot through his head. He dropped Calypso's hand and clutched at his head, another spike of pain nearly drove him to his knees. He heard voices, so many voices, too many voices, all speaking at once. He turned and staggered back toward the tank but even as he crashed into the water another spike followed shortly by another caused him to grit his teeth against the pain. The searing pain began to spread and it was like every nerve was on fire. His skin itched and crawled, his eyes throbbed, his ears pounded, and he felt nauseous. His domains too fought for his attention as a river of his power raced through him. As if from a great distance he heard Apollo's voice.

"Percy! Don't fight it! You need to let it..."

He wasn't able to hear the rest of Apollo's words as the clamor in his throbbing ears redoubled. Then as he had so many times before he heard her song beginning. Calypso was singing and he would know her voice anywhere, even amongst the sensory overload he was experiencing. For the first time he felt the urge to join her, so he started humming along. At first, it only hurt more, but as he continued the pain began to ebb away starting with his ears. As the pounding died and the uncounted voices faded away, he heard her singing all the clearer. Then carried along like a fish caught in a current he started to sing. Haltingly at first but with growing confidence, compared to her voice he felt as though he must sound like a screeching seagull but he pressed on. Calypso had once told him that she liked his voice so despite his misgivings he continued. He didn't know what words he sang, he did not know what any of them meant, but he would remember them all as long as he lived. Soon enough the pain began to ease elsewhere as well. His eyes were next and he cracked his lids and found Calypso leaning on the edge of the tank, with her chin resting atop her crossed arms.

Slowly the overload of his senses faded entirely, and he once more felt the hum of power in his blood. He understood then what had happened but so long as Calypso sang, he too would sing. He had no idea how long they continued to sing but when the final note faded from the air he heard a single pair of hands clapping. Blushing a deep gold Percy turned to see Apollo looking very pleased.

"Where have you been hiding that talent all these years? Don't misunderstand you have some work to do if you want to be a truly magnificent singer but I am impressed, Percy."

Percy looked down at his hands and muttered under his breath.

"Shuddup Apollo."

His friend only laughed and walked forward. Gesturing to Calypso he stopped and asked, "May I?" She nodded and leaned against the tank much like Percy had been doing before he reentered the water. Apollo closed his eyes and held his hand just over her lower abdomen without making contact. His hand glowed ever so slightly for a few moments and a smile grew on his face.

"So what do you want to know and what do you want to be a surprise?"

Percy hummed to himself and looked up at her from the water as she turned to face him.

"What are you thinking?"

Her words were soft and excited, her mood even dragging a more genuinely happy smile from his lips.

"I'm thinking that you're going to be a great mom and that I kinda wanna know as much as he can tell us."

Calypso sighed and he watched as she rolled her eyes, a very familiar action.

"Of course you do. No patience whatsoever."

He hopped out of the tank embracing her again lifting her gently from the ground and kissing her. She smiled against his lips and rested her forehead against his. It was such a comforting feeling that he hadn't realized how much he had missed while he was away in the north.

"I can wait. For you. I'm just excited."

He knew saying he was excited was a bit of an understatement if he was completely honest. They had talked about this before but until now he hadn't realized just how much he wanted to be a dad.

"You don't wanna know anything about them?"

Apollo's voice brought them back to the fact that Apollo could tell them a lot and was just standing there smiling. Then the god's words replayed in Percy's head and he frowned slightly.

"Them?"

Apollo paled and Percy felt stupid.

"As in more than one?"

Calypso either hadn't paid attention to what Apollo had said or had just chosen to ignore it until Percy asked that question. She spun to look at Apollo, who was looking between them visibly guilty.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to..."

Calypso sighed but between the smile on her face and the tone of her next words, it was clear she wasn't upset.

"No harm done. We just know there's more than one. Just don't say anything else, right Percy?"

He shrugged and poked her gently in the side as he walked toward Apollo.

"I suppose I can wait. What's another what nine months?"

He embraced Apollo and his friend returned the gesture gladly. Separating, Apollo grew sober and rubbed a hand down the side of his face looking suddenly tired.

"Now that I'm done putting my foot in my mouth. You should tell your father Percy, and the council. It's better if you get ahead of this otherwise if someone finds out from someone else it becomes a whole...thing."

At that moment there was a boom from somewhere nearby that shook the floor and walls. Percy, still recovering from regaining his connection to his domains couldnt tell what had caused the noise so he placed himself between Calypso and the door. Riptide shimmered into view and on his left arm appeared a very familiar-looking shield. If it weren't for whatever was going on Percy might have done a double take, but as it was the only thought about it that occurred to him was, 'But I gave it back? Whatever I'll handle it later.' To his surprise, Apollo looked relaxed if slightly exasperated.

"Put those away. They wouldn't do you much good anyway."

Percy wanted to reply to his friend but even as the arms were dissolving the door flew open again. Poseidon stood framed in the doorway his body outlined with aquamarine blue to their eyes and a massive smile was on his face. Just as Percy had thought so many times before the expression was definitely where the lines on his father's face had come from.

"Percy! Calypso!"

His father swept them both into his arms.

"I'm glad the both of you are back."

Percy leaned into the embrace and felt Calypso do the same. Even after Poseidon spoke they remained still simply enjoying the closeness for another few moments. They separated and Percy felt his smile growing again almost giddy.

"Me too Dad. We have something more important to tell you though. Calypso do you want to?"

She leaned into his side and wrapped one of her arms around his waist.

"I'm pregnant."

Poseidon had almost moment for moment the same reaction to the news as Percy had. He stood with his lips parted not moving for a second before his whole face was lit with a new smile that even bigger than the first. Stepping forward he hugged Calypso and twirled her once in the air before setting her back down looking apologetic.

"Sorry, my apologies. I shouldn't have presumed..."

But Calypso was laughing too hard to hear his apologies. Soon all four of them were laughing and it felt good. It felt so good to be here, here in safety, here with family, here laughing. Despite the pain and the loss, he was beginning to understand just what his father, Hermes, Apollo, and Chiron had meant. It wasn't any easier but eventually, you learn to live with it. The fallen demigods still weighed on his heart but now he didn't let it consume him.

Percy stood looking out over the edge of Olympus. The sparkling city lights illuminated the city and below turned the night into day. Above the stars shone as brilliantly as if there was not an electric light anywhere on the planet. Billions of stars painted the sky and Percy sought constellation after constellation. Artemis had been touched that of the few constellations he knew The Huntress was his favorite, but she had still insisted that he learn the rest. Dozens of hidden patterns chronicled the ancient history of his people. From Orion and Scorpius, Argo Navis, and Cancer, to Cassiopea, Pegasus, and his namesake. The wind whipped around him the night air clean and sweet even here anchored above New York. He could smell Nectar and Ambrosia, food cooking, spices, and an uncountable number of flowers. It was times like now that he appreciated how truly beautiful Olympus was. Even amongst the ghosts of his past, he found himself thinking of it, perhaps for the first time, as home. He had built a new life here, he had a family, and he was truly beginning to be happy. Despite himself, he was beginning to move from under the shadow that had lain upon his heart since he was twelve years old.

"The stars are bright tonight."

The words came out of seemingly nowhere and Percy turned to see who had joined him. A bulky figure was stepping from the rest of the garden and at first, he wasn't sure who it was but then it clicked, this power he realized he knew. The voice belonged to Heracles. He was wearing a pair of simple linen pants that ended halfway down his calves. Laced leather sandals wrapped around his feet and what Percy guessed was a linen shirt hung rather loosely around his bulky shoulders.

"What do you want Heracles?"

Percy was wary of the other god. After everything he had put Zoë through and everything else Percy had learned that was the best he would get from Percy. To his credit, Hercules didn't seem offended by the question or Percy's tone.

"I... I came to say thank you."

Percy's eyebrows raised and he was surprised, to say the least. It seemed like Heracles was chewing on his tongue for a long while before he spoke again.

"For Sam. She was... She was one of mine, and she reminded me of... It's not important. Most of them are the other guy's but Sam, she was mine. So thank you."

Before Percy could say anything Heracles turned and disappeared into the night like he had never been there. Percy stood pondering that conversation for a good while before slowly making his way farther up the mountain to return home. As he stepped from the gardens and onto the street a hand slipped into his.

"I thought you were going to stand there until they're born."

Percy just laughed and squeezed Calypso's fingers gently. They walked together silently until they reached the fire that had stood before his palace since the day they were married. It felt so long ago now but it had been less than () weeks since then.

"And miss getting to be with you for all of it? Not likely."

She hit his arm as they approached the front door.

"Oh don't even try to suck up now. It's much too early for that."

"You mean in the night?"

She tried to smack his arm again and he caught her wrist gently, using it to twirl her into his arms.

"I've got you now! Gonna be harder to hit me isn't it."

She moved one of her hands lower and quirked an eyebrow at him. He swallowed hard and released her.

"I stand corrected."

"Of course you are. Better get used to it."

They stared at each other, one second growing into a handful. Then Percy couldn't keep it together anymore and started laughing. His laughter broke Calypso's resolve and she too dissolved into giggles. After they had calmed down they walked out the rear doors of the house and watched as the waves gently rolled in from the enchanted waters.

"I love you, more than anything, more than this life."

Calypso had been leaning into his chest when he had spoken. She pulled away slightly and gazed up at him.

"I love you too Percy. More than I can say."

Eight Months Later

"I was wrong."

"About what?"

Came Calypso's tired reply.

"Do you remember the night I was in the gardens looking up at the sky?"

She nodded sleepily turning her slightly drooping eyes on him.

"And you remember that I told you I love you more than anything?"

Again she nodded but a soft smile had grown on her lips from the memory if if she had guessed what he was going to say he wasn't sure. Her response told him it was likely the latter of the two.

"Oh yeah? Do tell."

"I found two things I love more."

Looking down at the two tiny bundles in his arms he didn't think his heart could feel more full than it was right now looking down at his twins, his children. A boy and a girl, he had inherited his father's blue-green eyes though they were darker in appearance and his fathers jet black hair. She had her mother's eyes and Percy hoped her mother's hair, though what she had seemed very dark at the moment.

"I know. I was thinking the same thing."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

"I know we discussed names already but I had a thought the other night. Would it be okay if we named her Sarah?"

"Not very Greek sounding is it?"

Percy shook his head.

"No. I suppose it's not, but it was my mom's name."

She had gone by Sally most of her life but he knew her legal name been Sarah. They had talked about so many names but because they hadn't known if the babies would be male or female they hadn't been able to decide anything. Then a few nights ago he had visited the memorial he had built for her and Paul. She had been his entire world until he was twelve years old and it just felt right.

"Sarah, Daughter of Calypso. I like it. Though you know what this means right?"

He sighed heavily and nodded.

"You get to pick his first name."

"Alexandros, Son of Perseus it is then."

Percy rolled his eyes slightly at the pronouncement. She had been set on Alexandros since the first time they had discussed names. She had told him it meant 'Defender of Man' and while he wasn't sure he wanted to give his son such a prescriptive name he knew that it was a meaning his son could be proud of. He knew why his mother had named him Perseus but it had taken him a long time to reconcile its meaning with his life.

"Might as well just call him Alexander and be done with it."

"Stop it. You have teased me enough."

He just kissed her again and leaned closer to her. She was right of course, he had teased her mercilessly for weeks because she had somehow managed to not learn anything about Alexander the Great in a decade of being free from Ogygia. Her excuse had been why should she bother to learn about the supposed heroes of the past when she had her own hero close at hand. Percy hadn't known how to respond to that so he had just given up on teasing her about it. The words still came back to him months later and he was sure he would remember them for the rest of time. They filled him with a sense of pride that she thought so highly of him. Her words were like a warm glow any time he thought of them as though he was hearing them for the first time.

All too soon however Apollo was back to check in with Artemis in tow. They examined the young ones, checked on Calypso, and all in all lifted much of the nervousness that accompanied the previous day.

"So are they going to be running around stealing cows in a week or what's the story?"

While entirely valid his question drew a few laughs from the other three, even his twins giggled along. Their eyes were bright and he could swear they both already had more hair.

"No, though judging by their progress it will only be a few months before they are walking. Immortal children are a very unpredictable subject because we can vary so much. Like you pointed out Hermes stole my cattle within days of being born and invented the Lyre. Generally, though we grow as fast as we need to if that makes any sense."

Percy thought he got it but looking at Calypso he got the feeling she wanted to know more. So Percy asked the question for both of them.

"Sorta. Mind being a bit clearer?"

"Of course. What did Hermes and we..." He gestured to Artemis and himself as he spoke, "...have in common? Our mothers were running, hiding. We didn't have the luxury of being infants so we simply weren't. Your twins have no such pressures so they will likely grow slower. Though you will likely be able to speak with them and they with you before their first birthday."

Percy nodded, it made sense. It reminded him of the talk that Calypso had with Apollo following his return from the north. About how demigods grew based on the challenges they were forced to confront.

"So what did you name them?"

Artemis' question dragged Percy's eyes off of his children with a small amount of surprise.

"I know. Doesnt make it any less fun to tease you. Do you want to do the honors Calypso?"

"Do the...Ohh yes, Apollo, Artemis, meet Sarah and Alexandros.'

At that moment Alexandros caught a strand of Artemis' auburn hair and Percy had no idea how he had even gotten his hand free to do so. He giggled and his sister was soon giggling right along.

"Yes ha ha, now would you please release my hair little one?"

Artemis' voice was calm and incredibly gentle, like the featherlight touch of moonlight. Alexandros released her hair and smiled again waving his tiny fist over his head. Artemis pulled her hair up so that it would be well out of reach. The older set of twins smiled though Percy thought he saw a touch of a strange sort of melancholy. Given what Apollo had told him he supposed it made sense, they looked upon a mirror of what their childhood might have been had their mother not been running for her life. Percy nodded his head at the twins while looking at Calypso and she nodded in return smiling.

"Would you like to hold them?"

Artemis looked slightly surprised and Apollo a bit like a deer in headlights. Percy almost laughed but he forced the reaction to remain hidden. He knew that while in their long years, both of the twins would have held many infants he also knew that trusting the both of them enough to hold their newborn children would mean something to the both of them. Artemis gingerly lifted Sarah into her arms to no one's surprise and Apollo after a seconds hesitation bent and lifted Alexandros whose giggling never ceased. Percy felt Calypso lean back into the pillows and his side so he glanced back to find her asleep. He didn't blame her, she must be exhausted after everything she had just been through. Apollo and Artemis held the newborn twins for a good while, even as other guests began to filter in and out.

First were Poseidon, Amphitrite, and Tethys. All of whom were the picture of proud, doting, grandparents. Percy couldn't help but be reminded of the ghost of a smile and the warm glow that had convinced him his father had seen him as a baby. Percy gently woke Calypso so that she would be able to speak to her mother which she was grateful for and they talked for quite a while. Advice, praise, and blessings were all common as the day wore on having begun with Poseidon. The final visitors of the day were Hephaestus and Viva. Hephaestus pulled Percy into a one-armed embrace his other hand still entwined with Viva's. Percy wasn't surprised, the two had been nearly inseparable ever since he had helped Viva return to a physical form.

"Congratulations Percy. I'm happy for the four of you."

"Thanks Heph. How are things with you?"

"Well, you heard about everything between Aphrodite and I right?"

Percy nodded, it had been impossible to avoid for months. Though he had been surprised by the actual order of events. When Hephaestus had returned to Olympus with Viva in tow he had found a rather strange set of circumstances waiting for him.

Hephaestus felt them before he had even turned to lead Viva back inside from the garden. The first was unsurprising and certainly the more welcome of the two goddesses at his front door. The second of the two was a bother at best but as it was she was likely to be a thorn in his side.

"Aphrodite and Hera are here."

"Why?"

Hephaestus froze, in any other circumstance his answer would have been a terse 'I don't know', but he did know.

"Well... Because of you I'm sure. Aphrodite is... my wife."

Viva stopped on the spot staring at him looking confused and hurt. Seeing that look on her face tore at him and he rubbed his face wearily.

"My father arranged it. If it makes you feel any better she has never shared my bed and the only kiss we have ever shared was on our wedding day. I'm sorry. I didn't ask for any of this. All I ever wanted was..."

He couldn't finish the words. He knew that she knew what he intended to say, he had told her as much long ago.

"Well let's go see what they want shall we?"

Her voice fluttered slightly but he appreciated the sentiment. He understood her nerves all too well, Hera had been less than friendly often enough all those years and Aphrodite was an obvious issue. He gently squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead.

"I can handle them. There's no need for you to deal with them so soon."

She shook her head and squeezed his hand in return.

"You aren't going anywhere without me."

He felt the fire seeing her on the shore of Lake Superior had kindled grow in response. Maintaining his hold of her hand he guided her to the front door of his palace. Upon arriving he pulled the door open revealing his least favorite goddesses. Shocked silence held sway for a handful of moments before Aphrodite broke the silence, her voice filled with a joy that Hephaestus had rarely heard.

"I knew it!"

Aphrodite then moved forward surprising everyone present as she embraced Viva as warmly as Hephaestus had ever seen. Viva met his eyes over Aphrodite's shoulder and he had to stifle a laugh at the look of bemusement and confusion on her face. Releasing Viva, Aphrodite stepped back her face alight with a radiant smile. Turning to face him, Hephaestus saw a brief look of trepidation behind her eyes before it was swallowed up.

"I'm sure youre confused but not since Perseus have I felt such a strong pull on my domain. I couldn't think of anything else!"

"Wait you knew about Viva? I thought..."

Aphrodite looked sheepish at his question.

"Goddess of Love remember? Of course, I knew. Zeus made me swear to say nothing to you unless... well it doesn't matter now. This is more than I ever could have hoped for."

Hephaestus wasn't the best at dealing with others and he could feel a headache growing at the base of his skull. Despite his lack of skill with people and emotions he felt the truth of Aphrodite's words. She was every bit as elated as she seemed to be which was not an emotion he had grown to associate with his wife when she was with him. Her next action surprised him even more, he watched as she removed her wedding ring and handed it to Hera.

"This belongs to you."

Her tone was surprisingly cold and clipped as she thrust the ring toward Hera. A fact not lost on anyone present given the scowl adorning Hera's face.

"Really now? Do you think I am going to stand by and allow you to leave my son? All so that he can marry some low-born nymph?"

Fire roared in Hephaestus' ears and he took a half step forward toward Hera.

"Insult her again and I shall make my last punishment for you look like a stubbed toe in comparison. Do not do it again. Do not refer to me as your son again. You lost that right the moment you threw me from the mountain."

Tongues of flickering flames curled off his exposed skin for a moment only to vanish almost as quickly. The stones around his feet began to give off a heat mirage as their temperature rose, and waves of heat rolled off of him as the fire inside him blazed white hot with fury. He threw his wedding ring at her and took no small amount of satisfaction from her stifled yelp of pain from the superheated metal making contact with her skin. Thunder rumbled and Zeus appeared just beyond the gate, tiny arcs of electricity racing through his beard and the smell of ozone blanketing everything as he approached. Then Hephaestus saw his father's eyes fall on Viva, the sparks died, the smell of ozone faded, and he grew still. His expression was unreadable and his eyes betrayed nothing like a sky without trees to show just how hard the winds were blowing.

"Is this... Are my eyes deceived by some spell?"

"No father, what you see is real. Perseus sacrificed a domain that she might return to physical form."

If the silence following Zeus' arrival had been intense, the silence following these words was like the silence on December twenty-fifth, nineteen fourteen. Filled with bitterness, hope, fear, and anticipation the feelings rolled through the air becoming physical sensations. Had any mortal been present their skin would have itched and crawled from the intensity of the atmosphere between the five Olympian gods. Zeus was the first to break the silence.

"As King of Olympus, may I extend my formal congratulations to you Lady Viva. Both on your return to physical form as well as your new station."

His tone was stiff and formal, but Hephaestus could feel the olive branch it was hiding within it. Long ago he had often dismissed Viva due to her lack of power and her station as a lady of Poseidon's court. To acknowledge her now was an apology for the slights in the past as well as something that Hera could not publicly criticize lest she appear ungracious and rude. He wouldn't put it past her to do it anyway but Zeus had made sure that if she did it would be her actions not the queen of Olympus' actions. If the tight line her mouth was set in was anything to judge by the same thoughts were even now racing through her mind. Hephaestus enjoyed watching her struggle with herself, she had never been as accomplished as others on the council of hiding her emotions.

"Thank you, my lord. I am glad to be so warmly received."

Another blow to Hera's position though Hephaestus wasn't sure that had been Viva's intent. She had never been a politician of old, and he didn't think her thousands of years of near unconsciousness would have changed that. That meant she was being completely genuine in all likelihood which was all the better. Hephaestus took her hand and gently squeezed it again.

"It is my intent that my marriage to Lady Aphrodite be ended that I might marry the one whom promised me her hand before she was taken from me by the one whom Perseus has now seen fitting justice dispensed upon."

"Lady Aphrodite? What say you?"

Zeus asked, his tone still stiff and formal.

"I have already given my ring to Lady Hera. Of all the forces in this world, Love is the last that I would stand between even was it not my domain. I can even now feel the heartache that has for so long weighed upon the Lord Hephaestus beginning to be lifted. That is my answer."

Zeus nodded and with a flex of his fingers a bolt of bronze and power was in his hand. He struck the flagstones at his feet and spoke in ancient Greek, imbuing his words with power.

"As King of Olympus and father, I give my blessing that this union be dissolved from this day onward."

Hera turned and stalked away, vanishing after passing the gate. Before he could ready himself Hephaestus felt Viva fling her arms around him and he felt his weak leg beginning to buckle despite the braces. A gentle hand supported his shoulder and he thanked Aphrodite for her assistance mentally. Her reply was swift and sincere, 'You are welcome, do not forget my words.' He would never forget her words, nor her support on this day. He felt the beginnings of a newfound respect for her that until now he would have thought it impossible to believe. He was free to marry Viva. The thought once a long-forgotten memory was now true once more. It would be a long time, no, he would never forget his pain but now as when a thorn is drawn from a lion's paw, he would heal. He had friends again, he had his love again, and he could once more look to uncounted tomorrows with hope.

Hephaestus thanked the Fates and anyone he could think of the Perseus Jackson had accepted his due rewards.

Percy thought that he had never been happier. Even as days became weeks and months, his pleasure in each new day had not lessened. Already as Apollo predicted less than two months after being born the twins were beginning to walk though that was an understatement. Alexandros had almost given both of them a heart attack when he had simply stood up in the middle of the grassy garden they had been in at the time and toddled toward the carefully cultivated plants. Sarah had stood the next day seemingly wanting to be able to keep up with her brother.

Less than a month after that they were already able to walk fairly independently. Percy once again was thankful for his powers as it made it so much easier to ensure neither of them wandered where they shouldn't. Both of them seemed to have inherited his proclivity for rule-breaking as already he was having to hide his cookies out of sight or they would find a way to get to them. By now it was also becoming increasingly obvious that only his son had inherited his hair. As he had hoped his daughter's hair had revealed itself to be the same shade as her mother's. Calypso insisted that it was curlier than hers had ever been and Percy hadn't seen a reason to argue that point. While Alexandros had his eyes and hair his face was very much like his mother's, both of them in fact looked much more like Calypso.

Six months after they had been born their powers began to show themselves. While both shared his ability to just not get wet only Sarah seemed to go beyond that as of yet. She had more than once soaked Calypso and tried to soak him with water. Alexandros however just seemed inordinately strong for his size and he never seemed to tire. He knew that Calypso had hoped both children would get their power from him but he knew that it was unlikely as of now. He knew where this power of Alexandros' came from.

"You have nothing to be afraid of. His power doesn't dictate who he is."

Calypso smiled at him but her nerves were written so plainly that the smile did nothing to hide them.

"I just wish... No, that's not fair to him. You're right. He is my son and nothing we do will turn him into my Father."

It was a worry he knew she had carried ever since Alexandros' resemblance to her became apparent. Because if you did not look at his hair or eyes he bore a striking resemblance to Atlas.

As more time passed and the children both grew Apollo's predictions once more came true. Two months before their first birthday Sarah spoke and her first word was slightly disappointing to them both. They had been trying to get either of the children to say either 'mama' or 'dada' for almost a month. However when Poseidon had stopped by for a visit Sarah's eyes had lit up and she had spoken.

"Granda"

Percy and Calypso had frozen and turned to look at their daughter in Poseidon's arms before bursting into laughter. They shouldn't have been surprised, Poseidon doted on his grandchildren and visited often. There was no favoritism from Poseidon toward either twin but it was obvious that Sarah liked her grandfather more than her twin did. Alexandros only a day later spoke as well.

"Mama."

His first words were no surprise as Percy pointed out that just like him their son was a mama's boy.

Soon enough it was their first birthday and both of the twins stood on chairs to blow out their candles. Alexandros' was a mess of blue just like every dessert that Percy made but Sarah's was white with silver detailing. She adored the Moonlace that had spread throughout Calypso's gardens and like 'Aunt Artie' as she called Artemis, she loved the color. The party erupted with cheers of happy birthday as the candles went out and the twins both beamed. Though when Percy prevented them from diving into their cakes face first they pouted a little. Calypso cut them pieces which Percy tried to get them to eat slowly but as soon as he set the plates before them their hands were immediately in the large pieces of cake.

Percy was so happy that he thought his heart might just explode. He was surrounded by a family that he had grown to love with all his heart. Poseidon, Amphitrite, Tethys, Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Hephaestus, Viva, and more besides. Looking back over everything he had been through, everything he had lost, and everything he had gained was a painful experience but now, now it felt like maybe it had been worth it. He would never forget all he had lost but everything he would never give up what he had gained without a fight. He could do so much more, save so many demigods, love, and be loved in return.

Watching his one-year-old children eat their first slices of birthday cake wiped all the dark thoughts from his mind. He slid his hand around Calypso's waist and he squeezed gently even as she leaned into him.

Percy looked out over a world he knew but it just wasn't the same. He had lost so much but in return, he had so much that he was grateful for. Looking back over his life Percy realized that there were none now living save the gods, his cousin, and his wife who remembered him because they lived and fought alongside him. The campers still told stories about his adventures, they still listened when he told them not to call him lord, but it wasn't the same. He finally understood the full extent of why Chiron had told him it was terribly depressing at times but never boring. Percy was still around and that meant that his story remained in a way many of his friend's stories did not. When the campers spoke of the Seven Percy knew that they knew little more than their names. Even their deeds were beginning to fade and that, Percy thought, was the real reason. Chiron had watched generation after generation of heroes grow, some rising to become legends in their own right, but most fading, their stories lost to time.

However, it was different now, it had to be, Percy refused to let their stories fade. He began to work with Athena and Hephaestus again, to work on changing his monuments. He poured his power into them and with Athena's assistance finally managed what he wanted. The monument no longer displayed only names, it served as a record of every hero's deeds from the moment they first encountered the mythological world to their last. A long story told by the monument was full of pain and sorrow, but they were not the stories that weighed on Percy. The stories that weighed on him were those that were barely able to start. Stories that began and ended before they had even managed to make it to camp, or worse those that made it and ran out of fear only to fall. He could only protect demigods who asked him for help and he bitterly regretted the fact.

His only consolation was that when he had been Lord of the Wild, Grover had made sure that every nature spirit, every nymph, and every satyr knew to tell the demigods they protected his name. To tell them to pray for help even if they didn't understand why. Thinking about Grover brought another pang to Percy's heart. He had been the last of Percy's friends to die. He had fallen defending a forest from some wild southern wind spirits. Percy had chained the spirits responsible himself, despite the burns that would forever more marr his flesh. He had ensured they would remain locked in Aeolus' dungeons for a long, long time. His friend had gone down fighting and had even been reborn as a Pine Tree, a tree that Percy had planted before his palace on Mt. Olympus. In the centuries to come it would serve as a reminder of Percy's oldest friend, a friend that had been there as Percy had been introduced to this crazy world with all the grief and glory that came with it. It would also serve as a reminder of the cousin who had nearly given her life to protect her family more than once. First on Half-Blood Hill to protect Annabeth, Grover, and Luke. The second some years ago, she had stood between a mass of monsters and his twins long enough that Artemis had been able to rejoin them, bringing Percy with her.

Percy looked down now and clenched his fists his eyes clouding with unshed tears as he fought to maintain control. It had been so long, so long since he had thought about them all, about his friends, his family. Warm fingers ghosted down his wrist and pulled his hands into hers. An involuntary sound that was halfway between a laugh and a sob broke from his lips as Calypso pulled him close. Despite her diminutive size Percy always felt a sense of completeness, comfort, and safety in her presence. He felt a single tear run down his face even as he gently rested his chin on the top of Calypso's head, his face turned east toward the rising sun. Calypso didn't say a word but he didn't need her to, she held him, and he held her. They stood together, the simple comfort of their love more than enough for the moment. Percy was reminded once more of how this all started and how far he had come. His children joined them then, and he felt their small arms tugging at his clothes. Bending he lifted both of them and hugged them and Calypso all at once. His heart lightened somewhat. He thought about all that he had lost and all the gifts that life had now given him. He knew that despite the pain, the grief, and so many unanswered questions he had made the right choice. He would stand so long as there were heroes to defend and monsters to defend them from. The countless years yet to be stretched out before him in an endless line and for the first time, Percy was not afraid of what was to come. He would never be alone again, no matter what he lost. He was Perseus Jackson, husband, father, friend. He was the god of the Currents, the god of Loyalty, and the god of Weaponry. He was the Patron of Heroes and so long as he lived no hero would fall unremembered and unhonored.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." - John 15:13

AN: As I said at the beginning of the story I've had the very end written since the beginning. If you aren't religious and/or Christian I hope you can still appreciate that the bible verse at the very end has served as a guiding idea for this story. Often the idea of laying down your life means its end, but I think that isn't all it means. Living for something can be harder to do than to die for it. If you disagree then I won't argue with you but that is what I believe. That idea has always seemed to resonate with Percy, to me, despite the decidedly non-Christian nature of a story about the son of a Greek god.

I have enjoyed writing this story, and the story that came before this one. However, this is the end of the road for this story. I may write more Percy Jackson in the future, and perhaps not. If I do I don't think it will be to continue this story. Thank you, thank you to everyone who has read, followed, favorited, and reviewed this story. Whether you've been following from the beginning of the original or discovered one or both after they are completed, thank you. It's been such an interesting experience writing these stories and I'm so glad that someone other than me likes my ideas.

Thank you and remember as Peter Cullen once related as a part of the story of Optimus Prime's voice, "Be strong enough to be gentle."