Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit, fanbase series. Percy Jackson and the Olympians; Heroes of Olympus; Trials of Apollo; Kane Chronicles and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard are owned by Rick Riordan. Spiderman or any concept of him are owned by Marvel Comics and Sony Entertainment. Please support the official releases.

Chapter 20: I get a visit from Madame Web (Sort of, but close enough).

"I see this Spark in you, it's amazing. Whatever you choose to do with it, you'll be great…" - Officer Jefferson Davis to his son. Miles Morales - Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

A day has passed since that conversation. And still, I feel terrible. These last couple of days, I thought that being a demigod would mean going on adventures and saving the day. I know that death was a risk, but I didn't think it'd be a near certainty for them. And from what Leo told me, children of the Big Three have an even worse survival rate. The fact that Percy is alive now is a miracle.

Jason was the Son of Jupiter and he died saving his friends, the same went for his sister, Thalia Grace; though she was one of the lucky ones and was given a second chance at life thanks to Percy and his friends. Even my other cousin, Nico Di Angelo the Son of Hades, lost his sister in this life too. It seems like no matter how strong you are, dangers will always lurk in the shadows. Demigods will have to look at their shoulders for their entire lives.

And here I am.

Trying to be a part of that because I just wanted to be like my brother.

Anyways, Sam woke up and was recovering quickly. However, she won't be able to use her arm for a while.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Ah, it's fine. We were in a tight situation; if I didn't act, who knows what would've happened. Besides, thanks to you, I was able to figure out how Typhon was able to beat Poseidon."

That's right, we now know how he did it. He used those magical bracers that shined whenever he activated its abilities which weakened those with godly blood. He must have used them when he attacked Poseidon in his domain and took his Trident. How he has them is still a mystery. Maybe those "Cult of the Cosmos" may have something to do with it? Well, that's an issue for a later date.

"That's right, and now that he has everything he needs to break through the barrier, there's nothing that can stop him."

"Sure there is: You," Sam replied. "You're not a demigod, and therefore, you have the upperhand. Plus, with your new powers, you'll definitely stand a chance.

I scoffed, "Hate to break it to you Sammy, but I screwed up big time. If I didn't plan for us to sneak out, Percy wouldn't have left camp to find us. He would've never been ambushed by Vulture and her gang."

And you want to know the crazy part? He and Annabeth would've most likely kicked their butts easily. But because Percy was worried for me, his main focus was my safety.

"Because of me… Percy was taken. And now Olympus is in danger, along with my brother."

I sigh in frustration.

"All I wanted was to be like Percy and Annabeth, Sam. I want to go have adventures and fight monsters. But instead, I screwed up everything and now the world is in danger because of it!"

Sam looks at me as I explain the situation we're at right now.

"It's my fault you're even hurt! I promised your dad I'd protect you and I already failed him too!"

Next thing I knew, my eyes were starting to get teary and felt the urge to just cry. I felt like I was disappointing everyone no matter how hard I tried to make it right.

Yeah… the classic Peter Parker fumble. I'm definitely a Spider-Man variant.

"Stella," Sam replied. "Listen, you made mistakes. It happens, I mean look at me. I'm literally a daughter of Athena, The Goddess of War and Wisdom. Sure I get good grades in school, have good instincts in strategies, I mean you should know, you saw me play Call of Duty," I chuckled as I recall Sam wiped out an entire team in Call of Duty. "And yet, I don't have much actual combat instinct nor control on my new powers. I mean, it activates on its own. I can't figure it out, yet."

I sigh, "And your point?"

"I'm saying that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I wouldn't be at Camp and met all these amazing people if it weren't for you. Remember? You saved me back at the field trip. And yeah, losing my dad… took a lot out of me," Sam replied. "After we buried him, I felt like I lost that last bit of my family."

I understand what she's saying. Her dad was the only family since her grandparents died a long time ago and Mr. Stacy was orphaned ever since. He joined the police force and later met Sam's mom. Mr. Stacy then raised Sam on his own while being a detective. His partner helped him out, along with my parents since he was living next door to us at the time.

Now that he's gone, Sam has no-one left.

It was like how Percy felt during his first year finding out he was a demigod. He lost mom, the gods and monsters want him dead; and the entire world is at the brink of ruin because of one person.

Being a demigod must really suck.

"But Stella," Sam continued. "After all that, I ask myself, 'what would Estelle Blofis do?' And I knew that you'd get back up and keep going. No matter who or whatever is in your way. You always pull through. Why do you think I stood up to Typhon with you?"

She says that, yet she got her arm broken and been kicked by him.

"Just, get some rest, Sam. I'm gonna head out for a bit."

Before Sam could reply, I already left her room to rest and headed downstairs. Leo and Calypso closed the shop so that they keep an eye on me and Sam since she's recuperating. As I enter the restaurant, I see Calypso in the kitchen, making food.

"Hey, Estelle? Think you can help me real quick?"

I helped Calypso make dinner for everyone.

"Don't let it get to you. Everyone is just trying to protect you," Calypso said. "When it comes to the people we love, we tend to do stupid things. Take Leo for example."

Calypso rambles on about her husband being irritating, insufferable and rarely takes their conversations seriously and they end up arguing all the time. And that was last week.

"But, despite all that, I still love him. Because no matter how much we fight, how distant we are, he always comes back to me. Always there to cheer me up; help with the restaurant; and most of all, cherish me and Zoe with all his heart."

I smiled. I do recall how Leo does so much for them. Back then, before I knew about this life, Leo made monster-proof technologies that even helps detect their presence so that their little girl can go to school safely and back. I wouldn't blame him though. After hearing the truth about his mother's death and how his family disowned him, I'd be overprotective to my family if that ever happened to me.

Changing the subject, I asked, "You know, it's still crazy how my adopted sister is THE goddess Calypso. Which reminds me, Percy? Like, really?"

Calypso laughed.

"It was a long time ago, I moved on. Percy was just someone who truly defined a hero. He was selfless, brave, loyal and kind," Calypso chuckled. "You kinda remind us of him back in the day. Though that's probably why they did all this in the first place."

"I just… I want to be a part of it, Calypso. But… after seeing all those names on that wall…"

I sigh, "I never really considered how truly dangerous this life could be. But if it's all that bad, why are kids going out there doing quests?"

"There's many reasons, Estelle. Some just wanted to prove themselves or get the gods' attention. Some just want to have an adventure like in the stories. And some just want to be left alone. It's… not an easy life, but then again, neither is the mortal world."

On that, I can agree. Seems like no matter where you go, danger lurks everywhere.

"Percy once told me something, back then. It was after you were born. Apollo came to visit and met you once."

"Really?" I said.

"Apollo once said to Percy that he believes that if you really wanted to, you could conquer the world. So he never told Zeus about you."

I laughed.

"And what do you think, Calypso?"

"...I think he's onto something."

I stopped abruptly and said, "What?"

She looks at me with a serious tone.

"I watched you grow up for a long time, Estelle. You have that same kindness as your mother; the curiosity and hardship as your father and the loyalty and selflessness as Percy. You may not be a demigod, Estelle. But that doesn't mean you can't be a hero."

"...Thanks, Calypso. I just wish Percy and everyone would believe in me."

"They do, Estelle… they do."

Later that night, I try to head to sleep. Since Sam is resting in the guest room, I'm spending the night in Zoe's room.

"Aunt Stella? Are you okay?" She asked.

Zoe was as kind as her mother and mischievous as her father. She has the same hair color and style as that of her mother but the same eyes and ambitions as her father. She'll tend to watch her dad work and does her best to memorize the tools and pieces he works on. Sometimes, she'll even tend to help out with her mom at the restaurant side of the business.

For a young girl like her, she's pretty smart.

"I'm good, Zoe. Just thinking about what I want to do later."

"...Is it true that you're Spiderman?"

"Huh? Who told you?" I asked.

"Daddy told me."

I snickered.

"Yeah, kind of. Though everyone is telling me that I shouldn't."

"I think you should!" She replied. "Aunt Stella will be an amazing Spider-Man!"

I smiled and ruffled her hair.

As she fell asleep, I followed suit. Remember how I said that I don't dream?

Guess what?

It happened again.

I'm once again in an empty space with nothing but a mist surrounding me. As I looked around, I heard a sinister chuckle in the distance. I looked around to find out who it was. As I search, I see a figure walking towards me. It was the same hooded lady from my last dream. She had four large spider legs attached behind her and was walking towards me with them.

"Your family has no confidence in you. Must be so sad to see everyone you love and idolized not believe in you."

"Just who the hell are you?!" I yelled.

She laughed.

"Child, how could you not know me? After all, you have my curse."

I paused and pondered for a minute until I realized who she is.

"Arachne…" I said. "That's impossible… Percy told me you died a while back."

"True, but thanks to my curse, we have made a connection, Estelle Blofis." Arachne walked closer to me and I walked backwards to make some distance.

"You try so hard to have Percy's approval. Why? My powers will make you far superior than him. Better yet, why not use it to conquer the world? Make it yours so that they can't stop you."

Arachne reached out one of her hands.

"I can help you. Help you reach your full potential and conquer it all. Don't you want that?"

I shook my head, "No! I just want to help! I just want to prove to them that I'm not scared; weak or useless!"

Aracne laughed sinisterly.

"You don't need to prove yourself. You have my powers, my gifts. With it, you can even defeat those pathetic gods. Percy would agree to it."

"You're wrong! Percy would never let that happen!"

"But he has every right to allow it. Do you truly know of his past?"

Arachne snapped her fingers and the mist started to shift.

"Let me show you…"

The fog spins around me and begins showing me images. Arachne was showing me everything Percy and his friends went through in the past. The first thing I saw was Percy being around 12 years old and was facing the Minotaur after he (technically) killed our mom. Percy went through an entire quest to find the Lightning Bolt just to save mom. The only family he ever had at the time.

I felt his pain and sorrow through the mist. One by one, scenes of all of his failures and sacrifices were popping. I felt all of it, his pain, sorrows and griefs.

How much Percy truly cared for his friends and fought so hard to protect them. How he failed them.

"Stop it…" I said. I can barely contain the emotions that are flowing from these memories.

"You feel it, don't you? The pain. The Guilt. The sorrows… All of it was from his life. But you? You can make it better. With my help."

"No!"

"Think about it, Estelle Blofis. It's not just Percy and his friends," She said. "Think about their children. Sooner or later, they will face the same trauma as their parents. Or worse… They'll die."

I wanted to run away, but I can't deny that what she says is true. If this goes on, my nephews and nieces will suffer the same situations as their parents. And I have the power to help them. But to join forces with Arachne? The woman that harmed my family? To conquer the world of mythology and fantasy?

"Join with me, Estelle. And together, we can rule the world. Make it a safer world for demigods and their offsprings. Make it… our Empire."

Okay, so I'm not the only one getting Star Wars vibes, right? I'm not just hearing Arachne going all 'Emperor Palpatine' vibe, right? Well, before Arachne could reach out to me, a loud and large lightning bolt impacted between us, distancing us.

ZAP.

Arachne retreated into the mist and left me alone. At least that's what I thought; I felt a warm presence behind me. I turned around and saw a small campfire burning brightly through the mist. I walked towards it since it was the only source of light in this mist. As I walked closer, I saw another person wearing a hooded cloak, just like Arachne. Only, it wasn't Arachne, it was a man.

"I was wondering when we'll finally meet, Estelle," He said.

I was being careful and kept my distance since I don't know who this man is.

"H-how do you know who I am?"

The hooded man chuckled.

"I know many things, Estelle. I know that you're second guessing yourself since your brother said you can't do it."

I frowned, "And you think I should agree to Arachne? Join up with her and conquer the world?"

"No, despite what she says, that power belongs to you. It chose you, Estelle."

"Then why? Why me? I'm not a demigod, I don't have magic like the Kanes and I'm no warrior like the Einherjars. I'm just me, Estelle Blofis, a simple teenage girl blessed with a loving family and doing decent at school. I'm nothing special!"

"... Maybe that's why."

"Huh?" I said.

"Maybe you're something the world needs right now. Someone who isn't gifted or talented like Percy and the others. Maybe the world needs someone who is just an average kid who just wants to help people. Not simply because it's destiny or for glory, but simply just because it's the right thing to do."

I was shocked as I realized I completely forgot why I even wanted to do this in the first place. I didn't want to prove myself; I just wanted to help my brother and his friends. I want to help them. I want to do the right thing and use this power to save people, to help people.

"Then why doesn't Percy believe in me?"

The hooded smiled and replied, "He does, Estelle. Though, if you don't believe me, let me show you."

He snapped his fingers and the entire realm shifted. Next thing I knew, I was back home in our apartment. The only difference is that in the living room, I saw Percy and Annabeth around my age. Percy was wearing a simple hoodie and jeans while Annabeth was wearing her Camp Half-Blood shirt and jeans. I noticed that Percy was holding something so when I looked around to see, it was me.

Percy was holding me in his arms.

Obviously this was a memory from the past. But why was he showing me this memory?

I heard a whimper and saw myself moving around in Percy's arms.

"You're getting good at this," Annabeth said.

"It just… feels weird. I'm a big brother now," Percy said, smiling as he played with baby old me.

Annabeth smiles as she watches her boyfriend take care of his little sister, then frowned.

"Are you sure about this, Percy? You really want to hide our life from her? Once she finds out, she's going to hate you."

Percy was quiet for a moment, looking at me as I was waking up and started smiling the moment I saw him. Even as a baby, I loved my big brother.

"Annabeth, for as long as I can remember, I always wanted a normal life. I always wanted to be a normal kid and not have to worry about what's hiding in the shadows or what god needs my help the next time. Not just for me, but for us, too. But Estelle? She's got the chance to live a normal, happy life. If I brought her into our other life, I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to her."

"But Seaweed Brain, she's your sister."

"I know, that's why I have to do this. She'll hate me and may never forgive me, but I rather do this than to see her suffer," Percy caresses little me's cheeks as she giggled. "Apollo once told me that if she was curious enough, she'd conquered the world. And you know what? I believe it too. She can conquer our world and probably make it better. Maybe it's just me being a big brother, but I know she can do it."

"Then why hide it, Percy?" Annabeth asked.

"...Because I know that she'll make tough choices and may lose a part of herself. Like we did…" Percy took a deep breath. "But no matter what she does, she will always be my little sister. And I will always be proud of her."

He lifts little me up at his level of eyesight. He looks at me with so much joy, love, hope… and fear.

"Whatever she wants to do in her life… she'll be amazing…"

I watch this entire scene in front of them, watching my big brother; the same overprotective, dorky and lovable brother, willing to hide so much just to keep me safe.

To keep me happy.

I watched my brother willing to do the same for his friends and family in the past.

Because that's who he is.

A hero.

And I want to be like him.

The scenario dissipated and I was back in that small campfire, with the hooded man.

"So… have you found your answer?" He asked.

I was quiet for a moment as I thought about everything that happened this whole week alone. All the people I met; all the people I knew turned out to be even greater than before. How my whole life was changed, forever.

"Can I see those memories again? The ones that Arachne showed me. All the pain and suffering Percy and his friends went through."

"I can, but why?" he asked.

I looked at him, and I know he can see what my eyes show.

Determination.

Resolution.

My proper answer.

"I want to understand my family's struggles. I want to understand their pain. Their fears. But also their love and hope for a better tomorrow."

The man smiled.

"Now there's the Estelle I know." He snapped his fingers and the mist spins around me. I frowned at the comment he said.

"Wait! Who are you?!" I said.

He never replied as he slowly fades into the mist. But, under that hood, I could've sworn that I saw a pair of bright blue eyes...

As he fades, all of Percy's memories appear before me. I felt them all. All of his hardships, his sacrifices, his betrayals; and his hopes. I watched him lose so many important people in his life. But also the many he saved. The many promises he broke and the many he kept.

And he was just a kid.

He wanted to live a normal life.

He wanted to be just a kid who doesn't have to worry about world-ending quests or monsters hiding in the shadows.

He wanted to be safe.

He wanted to be happy.

They all do.

So… who's going to protect them?

Who's going to keep them safe?

…Who's going to be their hero?

As all these memories flow around me like a huge mist, I realized what I have to do.

What I have to be.

And then… I woke up.

Author's Note: Next Chapter is done. Will post it later today.