There was a reason why most of the time, my favourite character in the whole series is the main character. They don't die. They just have everything that ever existed thrown at them and those around them die.
With Hecate on their side, news spread like wildfire amongst the minor gods. All wanted revenge against the Gods, already feeling the effects of the Gods' ruling.
The years following Percy's death, Hazel couldn't bother responding to Hecate's calls, despite what she promised the goddess.
Hecate seemed to understand Hazel's thinking, for she never gave up.
One day, about three decades after the tragic event that they called The Fall of Light, Hazel randomly answered Hecate's summons.
She teleported somewhere off the coasts of Corinth.
The Titaness of Magic was not alone. With her, was the Titan of the Sun. Helios.
Hazel never met him, but she has heard of his idiocy.
Perhaps it was wrong to call a titan she never met an idiot, but she listens to her myths.
Anyone who gives their naive son the reins to the sun was a complete fucking idiot in her books. That does not change here.
"I am in charge here." Hazel spoke, lifting her chin daringly at Helios, who had opened his mouth to speak. He snapped it shut, more of surprise than fear. "You will speak when spoken to, Titan of the Sun."
Standing to Helios's right, Hecate laughed in amusement. "Dear Góissa, truly you do not miss your mark."
Yes, Hazel used her last title. So what? It's not like there was anyone left to berate her.
"You bring him here?" She asked, ignoring Helios. "Do you have a death wish, Hecate?"
The Titaness of Magic gave a thin smile. Hazel was quite used to this. The kind of smile that told her that she was not amused by her words but will put up a smile to pretend that they were on good terms for the sake of outsiders. "Helios can be trusted. He sees all. Knows all."
"I know that." Hazel dismissed impatiently. "But not for long. You know of the God of Light. He who is the favoured son of the King of Gods. One day, he will take over Helios. You will not fight him. I do not need a pushover on my side."
The Titans shared a confused look at the term Hazel used. Ultimately, they still understood what she was implying.
Hazel shot Helios another stern look when he tried to speak up.
Hecate answered for Helios. "Helios would do no such thing."
"Time passes. People change. Humans start to worship Apollo. They forget the Titans. Helios grows weak."
"I will not!" Helios finally burst out. His shoulder glowed and smouldered with the fire of the sun. His eyes turned wild. Irises vanish, only leaving behind a white glow that covers his eyes. "How dare you call me weak? Apollo is the weakling here. I will never relinquish my throne for a puny god. I came here for revenge against them, for daring to try and replace me. If you cannot give me that-" Hazel's lips twitched upwards. Helios faltered. Clearly he had never seen someone who instead of becoming afraid, was amused of him when he got angry.
Hazel inclined her head to Hecate. "I accept Helios and his sister. You can include him in the plans."
Complete silence.
There was a barely noticeable wince that came from Hecate as Helios gaped like an open fish.
Hazel grinned, unperturbed. "I hope that you will follow through with your promises, Helios. When the time comes, defeat Apollo. But only when we give you the command. Do anything to gain the god king's suspicions… my wrath will make his look like a toddler, do you understand me?"
He may not know what a toddler is, but he was not dumb. He knew perfectly well what her saccharine sweet voice was hiding. "Yes, lady."
"Góissa." Hazel commanded, stretching a hand out.
After a moment's hesitation, Helios accepted. They shook, once. Then, Hazel quickly took back her hand, taking one step back. "Not a word to anyone else." She reminded them. "Helios, Selene can be informed, but that is all. I shall see you next time, Hecate."
"When will that be?" Hecate called out as Hazel spread her arms out.
Even as her body started to vanish, Hazel maintained eye contact. "You will know when."
They may have wanted Percy here when they get revenge against the Gods but they knew. Even if Percy wasn't here, she would have wanted them to continue and see the end of the war.
The brunette-haired girl had not been expecting guests.
After centuries worth of fighting, training, growing better, she had almost abandoned the outside world. She barely had any friends, choosing to dedicate all her time to training. Besides the occasional servants, Genia, Hyllus, and brief visits from King Frank, Isadora had never initiated a conversation with anyone, unless you counted the exchange of feedback with her sparring partners.
Her friends back in Kydria… they did not meet. Did not talk. Did not exchange any letters.
If they did… if they confirmed what was out there… if they broke through the haze of Isadora's sweet denial… Isadora would never recover.
So, they never met.
Isadora was not expecting to see anyone in her room as she entered after a long, tiring training. The moon was already shining above the castle of King Hyllus.
Still, she barely reacted, seeing the two figures sitting on her bed.
They were the closest of friends, bonding immediately after Aiónia had introduced them. Isadora could not imagine her life without them now that she's known them.
It just didn't make sense to her why Aristorine was here, especially because she was supposed to be travelling to Africa now. (Some kind of mission that the Τελευταία sent her on)
Or maybe it did, as both Aura and Aristorine raised their heads, hearing the door open. The three friends stared at each other, unblinkingly.
In unison, they made up their minds.
Isadora held the door open for them.
—
In the silent night, only the brilliant light of fire shone, burning the temple made for Zeus. The fire reflected in Isadora's brown eyes, cold and merciless, as she stood among the falling debris. Perhaps she should escape like Aura and Aristorine had done. They were waiting for Isadora by the doors of the temple, waiting for her to join them as they revel in the brief moment of happiness that just transpired here.
Yet, no matter how hard she tried, Isadora wanted more. Burning one temple didn't justify what Zeus has taken from her. It didn't matter if it was the biggest temple in his name so far, Zeus would just have another one made for him and punish innocent souls for the destruction.
She wants revenge now. Waiting for the twentieth century was way too long.
Why must they wait? The Gods took their saviour, they should get to have their revenge now.
"It is not just the Gods." Isadora jumped, hearing Aristorine behind her.
Her crystal-blue eyes, sombre and empathetic, were almost black in the unforgiving light. She had a hand on Isadora's shoulder, but Isadora had not realized that until Aristorine spoke. "I do not- why- what do you mean?"
Her grip tightened. Her mouth pressed into a straight, thin line. Her forehead creased, making her seem older than she physically is. "Zeus was not the only one who took her away." Aristorine repeated. "The Gods were not the only ones responsible."
Almost instantaneously, Isadora understood what she meant. "The Fates?"
Aristorine looked away. Her hand slipped from Isadora's shoulder, stopping at her side, clenched tightly. "They gave Aiónia Hali and Azure." She explained, her words stilted and stiff. "They knew Zeus would do something like that, but they took their powers away. The Fates wanted the Gods to be overthrown but they want things to go their way and when the Τελευταία started toeing the line, they tried to make it straight."
"They told them to follow the timeline." Isadora said roughly. "They really expected the Τελευταία to follow instructions."
"They killed Aiónia." Aristorine nodded. "I overheard Hazel and Frank. Frank said Aiónia had successfully stopped the attacks. That she randomly fell over. It was suspicious but at the point, he was also badly affected by his contributions."
"Aiónia successfully stopped him." Isadora repeated. "But she still died. Zeus helped, but he did not kill her. The Fates did."
"No immortal is safe for us." Aristorine voiced out Isadora's growing realisation. "Yeah."
Isadora allowed Aristorine to drag her out of the temple, silent tears falling down her cheeks.
She had hoped… she had hoped in the end, she could trust someone. But there was no one left to trust. No one.
—
"This is what you get for taking our queen, mister."
"Pay for the crimes you have committed against us."
"We will not rest until you are dead, and even after."
Their promises were not something to be forgotten. There was no need for an oath on the Styx. They did not need a binding promise to keep theirs. Zeus has taken their goddess, and they will not stop until proper justice has been served out.
Aura, moments after Isadora finished her own promise, called out. "Fates! Wherever you are, hear my oath. The Gods will not be the only ones who pay for their crimes! You who have taken charge of the destinies of others for so long, you will pay as well! Pay for always seeing the truth but never doing anything to help. Pay for letting others do your work, only to throw them away after. You will learn that what you did was a big, big mistake."
If the Fates were listening, they would be scared.
Not because of the words, that radiated the truth.
But because of the young mortal, whose rage lit up the world brighter than the fire she had started. "I promise," Aura continued, "that even death will not stop me. I will crawl back to the world of living a thousand times, if it meant that I could destroy you on my thousand and first life. I will personally tear apart this world. I will not stop, until you are dead! You took away my world, I will take away your life. You will learn of the torments you have put through people personally. You will experience every bit of a pain-filled life. And I am sure, that Tartarus has a special place for you—right next to the Gods once we are done with them. Mark my words."
She wiped her face harshly, ignoring the looks the two proélefsi gave her.
Zeus may have been the one to act out, but the Fates were the ones who decided that their 'precious rules' were broken and dealt out the punishment.
The Immortals have ruled for far too long, creating rules they expect everyone else to follow but would break them instantaneously as long as it benefitted them.
No more.
It was dark.
Really dark.
Like the sun had died and became a dark hole, sucking everything in, destroying all light.
Like she was floating in the domain she called her own, but felt no familiar sensation. No bursts of energy. No calming feeling. Nothing.
If you'd ask Percy how to describe her current situation, that was how she would explain.
Nothing.
It was just a dreamless sleep.
Not always. Sometimes she would gain enough strength to wake.
The Fates were foolish. They had given a gift to the Τελευταία, and took it back as soon as they thought it would amuse them. They didn't realise that the three wouldn't let their found powers go so easily.
Maybe those jewelries brought the powers out, but at the end of the day, it was their power. Their blood. Hali and Azure had acted as doorways, allowing Percy to taste the tip of her power source. She learned how to reopen it eventually.
The Fates could not kill her. It wasn't a matter of whose power was greater, they just couldn't.
Perhaps a slight mishap from their plans—her jewels gave her immortality. To kill her was to destroy her jewels. To destroy them was to bite off a portion of the Fates' powers.
They were too selfish to allow that. So Clotho had stolen Percy's soul, trapping it between everywhere and nowhere, putting it in endless sleep.
Percy wasn't going down without a fight. Occasionally, here and there, she would break free, reaching the surface of the real world before being dragged down again by a thousand hands.
It didn't matter how many times they came after her, Percy could not be contained. She refused to be trapped, and that was enough for her to keep on trying.
She could still feel it, the ghostly impression of Azure around her neck, thrumming with power.
Her last moments. The relief that washed over her as the clouds started to brighten. As lightning stopped crashing, and the rain lessened. It changed to panic as Frank suddenly doubled over. His grip had loosened around her wrist, the power he had transferred to her halting.
He was the first to fall, landing on his back, paralysed as he hit the ground. Percy remembered his veins turning black for a few daunting seconds.
She had landed back on Earth, running to him. She had placed her hand over his neck, where his veins were most obvious.
There had been a sharp pain. First it was the small of her back. Her mortal anchor—one she had tried to forget for so long but came back to haunt her after six or so centuries. Then, it had been her heart, lurching painfully.
It had forced her to kneel over, blood splattering on the stones around her. On her knees, as if she was bowing to someone.
But she promised herself, never to bow to anyone.
Percy had felt lightheaded. The world around her seemed to taunt her, spinning so quickly that Percy could not focus on anything. She tried getting to her feet, she recalled, but each time she did, she just fell back down again. Still she tried, until her knees were bloody. Even then, she tried, not wanting to stay in that bowed position.
Her ears had buzzed, the faint mimicry of thunder against her ear. The scent of the ocean filled her nostrils, and light flashed in her eyes.
She hated it—how even then, she was only viewed as a child of the Gods. That was why she had decided to call the phoenix her sacred animal. The guardian of all of Kydria.
Along with its other attributes, the phoenix was not associated with Zeus or Poseidon, and she was happy. She was so happy.
Yet her phoenix did not come to her. Erin was nowhere to be seen because the Fates looked down on her attempt to escape her heritage.
In her final moments, as she no longer had the strength to hold herself up, she had heard her cousin speak her name.
Her lovely, beautiful cousin, who had a heart for gold.
Percy knew Hazel, as narrow-minded as she was at times, would take care of their empires. Some time ago, Hazel had already decided that her top priority would be the empires, and that has stayed that way, even through this. Percy knew Hazel would make sure everyone was safe. She knew Hazel would take care of Frank, and vice versa.
She had allowed the Fates to steal her and even then, she had a smile on her lips. It did not falter for years to come.
Her last moments were a recurring dream. Sometimes, she would see herself again, from an outsider's view. Sometimes, she would be reenecting her 'death'.
There were other dreams. Percy had so many, she no longer knew whether they were reality or not.
Some were happy. The Τελευταία would be out alone, doing nothing or everything.
Frank would be reading to Percy and Hazel, as the two girls did each other's hair. It was easier that way, since Frank hated having his hair touched for long periods of time and they still could not read without getting headaches.
Hazel would be fretting over their sitting positions as Frank and Percy laughed. She would be trying to get them to settle down so she could do another portrait of them while the two siblings would play a game and try to make the other laugh.
In the middle of the night, Percy would rudely interrupt them because of a speech she had to make the next day but she needed someone to look through the script. No matter what they were doing, or how late it was, Hazel or Frank would be by her side immediately.
So many times… so realistic… Percy would forget that it was not real. It would never be real again.
Sometimes her memories would be gone, and she would find herself back in Camp Half-Blood. There was always a nagging feeling at the back of her mind, insisting something was wrong. She never listened and as a result, always had her heart broken as she woke up from her dream. It was the Fates, she knew, punishing her for daring to go against them.
You took me away. Percy seethed. It was so dark constantly, she forgot how she looked. She always felt like she was floating, so moving was out of the question. Every delicate movement led to her having a massive headache or pulling a muscle. Yet no matter what, there was always a crushing feeling on her chest. Punish me however you like now because soon, you won't get the chance. You really think my friends, my council, my people, will believe that the Gods were the only ones who took my life? They will suspect, and they will know. They will know of your deception, and your insane expectations. They will know never to trust you again, and when the time comes, they will take your life away like you have taken mine.
There was never a response. Percy could not open her mouth. The times she did, she was suffocated immediately. She did not necessarily need to breathe or drink or eat, because she was just a soul, so the space did not affect her. Yet should she dare open her mouth, it would feel like she was alive again, but with a hand around her throat, constricting her breathing.
It was humiliating.
The Fates tried to embarrass and humiliate her in a million ways, but Percy refused to give in. They can push her around a thousand ways, but she'll push back each time with a fierceness to rival their power.
That's just how she works, and they will pay for everything they did before and they do now.
They will pay for making her do this.
—
This was one of the few dreams where Percy knew what she was doing. What transpired before, what the consequences had led her to.
It was because the dream took place just as Percy managed to break free a little. The power surrounding her had protected her as the Fates dragged her to another nightmare again. She didn't see the point of making her relive them. The only outcome that could take place was her growing angrier.
She was back in Camp Half-Blood, sitting on the roof of Zeus's Cabin. It must have been after Jason's death, because Piper had shown them how to get up, and they could make new memories in that place. Fill it up so that every time someone went there, it won't just be haunted with memories of Piper and Jason.
Annabeth was pondering over her blueprint of Camp Half-Blood, mapping out all the space they still had, and making notes of what they could use that space for.
Percy snuck up behind her. By now, she had grown tired of trying to resist a dream. It wasn't like her memories could change.
It was like a symphony from heaven, Annabeth's surprised shriek as Percy covered her eyes with her palms. Annabeth's skin was like silk against her hands, and Percy was almost disappointed when Annabeth shoved her back, her cheeks flushed as she tried and failed to hide a grin.
I didn't hear you come up. Annabeth laughed, her blonde hair dazzling in the sun. She pushed back her sweat-covered locks behind her ear, placing her pencil down. Since when were you so good at doing things silently, Seaweed Brain?
Percy allowed the magic around her to pull her lips up into a grin. Why, Wise Girl, I'm a person of many talents, as you should know by now.
Annabeth rolled her eyes endearingly, standing up after putting her book on the blueprint to ensure it didn't fly off. Sure, she said, voice laced with sarcasm.
She had tangled her fingers together, bringing their hands up so that it was between them. Annabeth had watched in amusement and love as Percy kissed each of her knuckle.
Jokes aside, I just wanted to see what you were doing. Percy lowered Annabeth's hand after she was done, taking the other hand that Annabeth offered willingly. Made any killer plans for Capture-the-flag later?
A hand came up and swept Percy's hair away from her face. Annabeth kissed her gently on the lips. I thought I would leave that to you, Seph, seeing how you love a good revenge plan.
Percy drew back, this time without the magic coaxing her. That had not been what Annabeth said. She had said "Dummy, you said you would do it, remember? You said, and I quote 'the red team needs to be knocked down a peg or two. Think they're so good after winning the last three games. Don't worry Wise Girl, I got it under control'. What happened to that, hmm?"
Flabbergasted and at a loss on what to say, she could only open and close her mouth like a gaping fish. Annabeth laughed, pecking the corner of her lip. You always wanted revenge as long as you were wronged, Seph. Remember when the Conner stole your Mother's Day card? You beat him up pretty bad. You're ruthless when someone crossed the line.
Percy spluttered. "I don't- I don't-"
Her hand came up gently, cupping her cheek. Percy closed her eyes, letting herself enjoy the warmth of Annabeth's hand.
For a moment, Annabeth's grey eyes seemed real. They seemed alive. And Percy wished they were real.
"I am real." Annabeth whispered, voice cracking. Percy's eyes snapped open. Her hand came up, grabbing Annabeth's wrist. The girl in question just offered a crooked smirk, her eyes watering. "Oh, Seph."
"You died." Percy mumbled, shaking her head. "Six centuries ago."
"But souls don't just vanish. Especially those who have the blood of the Gods. Those who are related to this world. I was watching, even before you went back in time. Oh, Seph, you were so, so, brave, my courageous sea princess."
"Don't call me that." Percy croaked. "I'm not- I don't want to be Poseidon's-"
Annabeth interrupted her with a kiss on her brow. The blueprint was forgotten. The memory was forgotten. Percy couldn't remember what she was supposed to say if Annabeth had stayed on script. The edge of her peripheral vision blurred. "You're not his anything." Annabeth whispered next to Percy's ear. "You are the ruler of Kydria, the queen of the oceans. Not because of your blood but because the ocean chose you. You don't need to be Poseidon's child to be chosen by the ocean, Seph. You know this."
She did. A long time ago, she did, but it was forgotten.
Annabeth continued talking. "You called me. I don't know how, but you did. Jason, Leo, Piper, we've all been watching. I tried to talk to you in every dream you had but I couldn't. This was my first successful attempt but it only worked because of you. I'm so proud of you, Seph. So proud."
Percy stumbled back, overwhelmed with what was going on.
For so long… she thought they were gone. She thought Annabeth was gone. Everyone she knew was gone.
But they were there, weren't they? Annabeth wouldn't lie to her, they were all still there. Watching her from a distance.
Struck with the realisation, she tried to pull Annabeth closer, tried to kiss her. Annabeth resisted.
Frustrated, Percy stomped her feet. "Why?" She demanded. "We can be together again. Annabeth, don't reject me, please. I can't- I can't do this without you. I haven't been living. Today- Today I feel like I'm back to normal again. Please. Just accept me."
Her bottom lip trembled. Annabeth also looked like she was holding back tears. "You might as well forget me, Seph, because I'm not returning. My soul is intact for now, yes, but that is because I have not been born yet. As soon as I am born, it will be like I swam in Lethe. I will be born anew, and the Annabeth you knew will be gone. I won't let you do that to yourself. Take the easy path right now, it will only destroy you in the future."
"Then I'll kill Athena sooner!" Percy said as if it made sense. "She will never meet Fredrick. You won't be born. Simple as that!"
"I'm not real." Annabeth spat. "My soul is here, but I have no body. I'm not actually alive, Seph. You're just torturing yourself. Do not change the timeline. I don't want to see you hurt more than you have to."
Percy laughed maniacally. "The Fates already killed me, what more can they do? Make me forget? Go ahead! That might be bliss."
Annabeth shook her head sadly. "That's not how things work. You cannot kill the Gods before you reach our era."
"Explain to me, then! Tell me! Don't leave me in the dark. Please."
"Do not destroy the Gods, Seaweed Brain. I know you want to, and quite honestly, I'm not stopping you. But the time isn't right. The timeline cannot change so drastically, it will tear your minds apart. Let the Gods do what they did. Interfere if you wish, stop them from ruining humanity. But do not kill them."
It was not an answer, it was a plea. "This is not-"
"The Fates have not interfered so far because they can't." Annabeth said. "They took away your gateway to your powers, but they could not take away your source entirely. They managed to kill you, only because you interfered. As long as you don't, they can't affect you. Do you understand that? They sent you back because in our timeline, their focus was to kill all demigods. Zeus did not want that, the Fates wanted it. He was just a tool to make it happen."
And suddenly, it was like the fog cleared for Percy. For once, she saw everything like how Annabeth must have saw it. She did not like what she saw.
They were right to say they could not trust the Fates. They thought the Fates wanted the Gods to be dethroned because they did a horrible job of ruling. They thought the Fates were too lazy to do it themselves, so they sent Hazel, Frank and Percy. They sent the three back in time to protect them from the Gods and train to defeat them.
That's not true, was it? It was never the Fates intention to dethrone the Gods. They did not bother to, knowing the Gods would kill themselves. It had just been a matter of time before the Gods' enemies were at large.
No, the Fates had not been worried about the Gods.
They wanted to eradicate the demigods.
If the Τελευταία had so much hidden potential they had not yet uncovered, imagine the power the demigods had combined. The Fates knew that, and they wanted to stop it.
They whispered the idea into Zeus's mind, twisting their words to make it more appealing to Zeus.
Power-hungry and worried about his throne, Zeus did not think of the consequences, and killed them all. With quick manipulation from the Fates, it had taken little to no effort to convince the other Gods as well to kill their children.
It was almost successful, except Apollo, in a moment of selfishness, had wanted the remaining weapons that Michael Varus lost. He wanted a bragging right. He wanted to boast in front of Ares. That would explain his arrogant smile that Percy mistook as genuinity. He sent the three to recover the weapons.
The Τελευταία were in Alaska, the land beyond the gods, the one place Zeus could not affect. Zeus did not sense them.
Assuming that he had killed all the demigods, he had gone to celebrate, too arrogant to check for himself. That was when the Τελευταία had returned.
Apollo had never said anything, so Zeus did not check. But it was quite obvious to guess that Apollo had merely forgotten about them, drunk on the feeling of success.
The Fates saw that they were alive. They saw that the Τελευταία knew about Zeus's intention to destroy the demigods. The Τελευταία were now more prepared than ever. The Fates knew that Zeus would not be able to kill them easily, so they took matters into their own hands.
They pretended to be their friends. Heartbroken, none of them thought anything of it. They bought the Fates' lies, and bought the false offer of partnership.
The Fates' warned them not to interfere with the timeline but obviously, they weren't going to listen.
Getting Kronos to deliver the jewellery served no purpose other than to intimidate the Τελευταία a little, show them the true power the Fates' held, but it did not meet its intended purpose.
The Τελευταία were supposed to side with Saturn. They were supposed to be killed.
The Fates even added Emily into the plot so that Percy would get distracted, more susceptible to being killed.
When all that didn't work, they took away the jewels' powers to make them more vulnerable. It worked, mostly.
Until Zeus got the idea of destroying Earth.
Percy had stepped in. The Fates had an excuse to take her away.
Frank and Hazel were heartbroken and angrier than ever. Sooner or later, they would also slip up, and the Fates could take them away as well.
With their souls under close supervision, the Fates could have gone on with the timeline. When it reached their era, the Fates would have made sure they could not be born.
Without Percy, Kronos would have won.
Even if he did not win, the Τελευταία had a big role in defeating Gaia.
Even if Gaia did not win, no one would have grown so tired of fighting like Percy had. No one would readily accept Apollo's offer to go back to a place that nearly killed them every single minute. The Fates' plan would have worked. The demigods would be gone permanently.
And along with them, the Gods would fall shortly after.
It was all planned.
Which meant…
Percy gasped. "I need to get out of here."
Finally, Annabeth smiled. A genuine, little grin that made her look like the Wise Girl Percy missed so much. "Atta girl. Wait for me. Only then will you have the happy ending we longed for. I'm sorry I won't be who we wanted me to be, but at least I'll be there."
"I want you. I've only ever wanted you." All these years, Percy lied to herself. She never moved on from Annabeth. All the love she held for this blonde-haired, quick-witted demigoddess came rushing back, and she doubted it was going away anytime soon.
"Don't." Such a simple word. Such a hard request. "We've had a taste of happiness, love. We've had it. It's not enough, it will never be enough, but I won't allow you to throw your life away for me. The Fates sent you back to try to annihilate you but you have a life to live. Beyond plotting the immortals' demise. It won't be with me, and that's okay. Miss me, mourn me, but don't bring me back. I'll be so disappointed in you if you do."
And oh, if Annabeth didn't hit her heart with that one word. Disappointed. Not angry, not sad. Disappointed. The one thing Percy always feared.
Sensing her inner turmoil, Annabeth softened, reaching out a hand. Before they could touch, her hand froze in front of Percy. A look of sorrow crossed her features as she took back her hand. "My life ended. Yours didn't. Be strong, love. Be the leader you were born to be, the queen you were destined to be. Lead your people to victory. Destroy the Gods. Give us a life where we won't have to fear for our lives but don't hold yourself back. Do you hear me?"
Not wanting to break the trance, Percy nodded, her eyes locked on Annabeth's.
The smile that graced the dead girl's lips was worth it. It was worth the years of crying and mourning. Worth the anger, worth the pain.
A smile like that could destroy Percy's world as easily as it breathed life to it. But it's fading. Her whole form is fading. The memory was ending.
Crying out, Percy lunged at her, fingers outstretched, but Annabeth just moved further.
"I died because of our blood. You will flourish because of it. Don't view someone else's destiny as a warning, view it as a lesson learnt. Don't deny it. The Gods have abused their power, their authority for far too long. With the power of the youngest two, you will set things right. Now wake, Queen Adira, your throne awaits you. Your people await you."