Disclaimer! I had to reupload this story because the website was acting up and not displaying the chapters correctly.
Silence echoed across the streets of Olympus except for the footsteps of one lone demigod. His armor was battered and his once shining bronze blade now dulled with both blood and ichor. His head was hung low as he trudged his way up the grand steps of the Olympian throne room, each footfall feeling like the sky's ever-increasing weight on his shoulders, mocking him of his…victory, if he could even call it that. Countless demigods, both Greek and Roman were dead, their bodies littering the ground of Camp Half-Blood and the streets of New York after the battle against Gaea. The Gods, as powerful as they were, had used up all their strength against the Giants, causing their Godly energy to dissipate back to Tartarus, leaving the demigods to deal with the broken world alone. Only one of them remained, though he didn't know where she could possibly be. Most importantly though, Annabeth, the person he loved most in this world was dead, leaving him feeling like an empty shell that could never heal.
The doors to the throne room loomed ahead, their golden surface etched with the stories of heroes and Gods–glories that he no longer cared to take part in. With a heavy sigh, he placed a trembling hand on its cold surface before slowly opening, their creaking reverberating through the throne room. The vast hall was eerily silent, its once brilliant golden light now only a soft dim, seemingly as if the Gods themselves were mourning just as he was. With footsteps that echoed hollowly through the air, he advanced to the center of the room, his gaze fixed on the dim hearth Hestia held so dear to her heart. The soft embers flickered weakly, casting long shadows across the marble floor.
Stopping before the hearth, his trembling legs almost gave way as he felt Hestia's power flow through his veins, giving him but a fleeting moment of peace. Even now, after all that has happened, she was still looking out for her family. Feeling her soft, hopeful power was almost enough to send him bawling onto the ground, the weight of everything that had just transpired pressing down on him like Atlas's curse. But he held it in. Not because he was strong, but because he feared if he let his emotions go, he might never stop.
Continuing to stare deeply into the soft orange glow, he couldn't help but remember all of the friends he had lost. Their faces, voices, laughter, and promises would forever haunt him till the end of his days. They had fought, bled, and died for this moment. To be free of war and dream that the future wouldn't be stained with the same bloodshed. As he stood there, staring up at the empty thrones of the once mighty Olympians, he wondered if such a future was even possible now. The cost of that dream had been too great, and now almost nothing remained of the world he once knew.
He clenched his fists, the dried blood caking them feeling like sandpaper. "What now?" He whispered, his voice barely audible. "What do I do now, Hestia?"
A gentle breeze stirred the embers, and for a brief moment, they flared brighter, casting the room in a warm glow. Although she wasn't here, he knew his question had been answered. Even though all seemed hopeless, the world still stood. Life endured. Hope endured. Wiping his eyes of wetness, the faint sound of footsteps suddenly reached his ears. His hand instinctively pulled out Riptide but stopped when he turned around and saw one of the last remaining Goddesses of Olympus. His heart jumped for a moment as he looked upon her face, thinking for just a moment that his love was still alive. As he gazed upon her features though, he was grounded back to reality. They both had the same hair and eyes, yet hers was filled with countless more years.
For a moment, neither spoke. The silence between them was like a chasm that neither dared to cross, yet couldn't escape.
"Athena." He finally said, lowering his blade.
"Perseus." She replied, her voice calm but laced with an undertone of something deeper. Sorrow? Regret? Fear?
Stepping forward, his eyes not leaving hers, he noticed that the once mighty war Goddess was not what she once was. No longer did she hold the same intimidating aura or the sharp gray eyes that could freeze a person into place. Now, her armor was dulled, her gaze weary, and posture not as tall. Percy swallowed, unsure of what to say. His heart ached as he looked upon her. She had once been a symbol of strength for the Godly world, but in this silence, in the ruins of Olympus, she seemed as fragile as the embers flickering in the hearth.
"Where do we go from here?" He asked, his eyes breaking away to the empty thrones that surrounded them. "What do we do now?"
Athena's gaze followed his, resting on the vacant throne of her father. Her eyes, clouded with the weight of millennia, seemed to search for something–perhaps an answer or a purpose.
"I-I don't know." She admitted, her voice trailing off at the end. That scared Percy more than he cared to admit. Athena always had an answer yet now she was lost just as he was. Feeling the weight of it all pressing down on him again, his mind raced with questions that seemingly had no answers. Was their victory truly a victory if everything had been destroyed in the process?
"I never thought it'd end like this." He muttered.
Athena turned her head back to him, her gaze softening. "None of us did." She replied, stepping forward to put a hand on his slumped shoulder in a rare display of empathy. "We were so certain of our place, of our power. We thought we could never be defeated. Perhaps that was what led to our downfall."
"Olympus still stands though!" Percy said, optimism flickering in his voice, though it was faint. "There are still some demigods alive and the Gods will surely reform in Tartarus. We can rebuild!"
Athena's eyes softened even further but there was a deep sadness to them. "You may be right, Perseus, but it'll never be the same. The Gods could take millennia to reform and by the time they do, it could already be too late. Some other force of power will take our place and there will be nothing we can do about it."
The son of Poseidon felt a pang of despair shoot through his chest at her words. He had hoped, even in the face of all that had happened, that perhaps they could rebuild. That maybe, just maybe, they could restore some semblance of order to a world that had been ripped apart at the seams. But Athena's words stung with the harsh cold reality of their situation.
"So that's it then?!" He shook her hand away. "We give up?! After all I've -we've- been through?!"
"It's not about giving up, Perseus!" The Wisdom Goddess replied, her tone rising with his. "It's about understanding that everything has a time. Olympus, the Gods, nothing lasts forever."
"My friends died protecting this place!" He screamed, gesturing to the empty hall. "Your daughter…" His voice cracked. "Your daughter died protecting Olympus and all that it stood for! I refuse to just give up and forget their sacrifices!"
Athena's eyes closed briefly in pain at the mention of her daughter Annabeth, a sharp shaky breath escaping her lips as she tried to reel in her emotions. For a moment, she looked like a mortal woman. A mother grieving the loss of her child. It was so sad to see that Percy almost went up to hug her.
"I know…" She whispered, her voice high-pitched as she held back the sobs. "I will never forget their sacrifice. But we have to accept that we cannot resurrect the world we once knew or the lives we lost."
The green-eyed demigod scoffed at that notion and turned away, facing the open doors that led to the empty streets of the golden city. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white as he tried to hold back the anger and sadness he was feeling bubble inside. "If there's one thing I've learned throughout my years, Athena, is that we don't have to accept anything."
All his life he's been told of his fate. He was told he shouldn't have been born, that he was a mistake, that he would be dead before seeing the age of twenty. Time and time again he was told that there was nothing he could do and should just accept it for what it is. Not once did he do that though. Not once did he accept his so-called fate.
And he wasn't about to start now.
"You're right." He continued, his voice hardening. "Nothing lasts forever but that doesn't mean we have to let it fall apart. The demigods that died did so in hopes of seeing this world continue. And as long as I and the rest of us still breathe, we have a chance to honor their sacrifice and rebuild the world we once were a part of."
The Goddess didn't reply, only staring at his broad back. She could see the fire that had burned in him since he was a child flaring up, the same fire that had fate so many times. She had to admit there was a certain beauty in his unwavering conviction. Despite all that had happened to him, despite all the destruction and loss, Percy had never stopped fighting for what he thought was right. He still believed in a future for his family.
"I see what Annabeth saw in you." She murmured, her voice too soft for him to hear.
Walking out to the entrance of the throne room and looking up to the dark, stormy clouds overhead that were just beginning to part, he squinted his eyes at the first signs of light breaking through the gaps. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen the sun's rays. Perhaps it was a sign.
"We can rebuild, Athena." He said, looking out at the empty streets and houses of Olympus. "I don't care how long it takes for the Gods to reform. We'll still be here, stronger than ever, when they do."
"It'll be a long, hard road. There will be no breaks and no time for vulnerability or weakness. You will have to guide those who remain and protect the future we've lost." Athena walked up next to him, also looking up at the parting clouds, offering a glimpse of a new beginning.
Percy nodded solemnly, already feeling the weight of expectation on his shoulders. Leadership was never something he asked for yet it was always thrust upon him. Now, however, there seemed to be no choice. He had never seen himself as a symbol of something greater, but perhaps it was time to embrace the role fate had forced upon him. For the sake of all those who had died fighting, for the sake of Olympus, and for Annabeth, he would have to rise to the challenge. As he's done time and time again.
He took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs. "I'll do whatever it takes. You have my word."
Athena regarded him for a moment, an unfamiliar emotion in her eyes. "I know you will. Go forth, son of Poseidon, and rebuild our world anew." She said, kissing his forehead as if giving her blessing. He was stunned for but a moment, not believing that Athena of all people would be that sincere to him.
"And what about you?" He said, breaking away from his shock. "What about Olympus?"
"You let me deal with that." She replied with a sigh, looking back at the thrones inside the hall. "I'm sure the minor Gods will start appearing in due time. I'll have them help me rebuild Olympus. Until then, you need to focus on your people and do what's best for them."
Percy looked at the Goddess with concern in his eyes. "You're sure? You don't have to be alone in this, Athena. We can–"
A flicker of a smile laced the gray-eyed Goddesses features, cutting him off. "I'll manage, Perseus. But your people…They need you now more than ever. Go to them."
He nodded, knowing that there was no point in arguing. His path was clear and now was the time to walk it. Their world had lost so much but it wasn't lost entirely. There was still hope, as fragile as it was, and he wouldn't let it die. He'll rebuild for them, for his friends, and for Annabeth.
"I promise." He whispered into the wind offering one last glance at Athena who was still standing at the entrance of the doors, before taking a step forward, each step a promise to the world.
And as he walked through the desolate streets and into the elevator that would lead him back down to New York, he didn't look back again. The sun broke free from the clouds, illuminating the broken city with the softest golden light, as though the world was holding its breath for what was to come next. After a few moments of standing idly in the elevator that took him back to the mortal world, a thousand thoughts raced throughout his head. How would he help rebuild their world? How would he be able to build new camps for the demigods? Where would they go?
Countless questions that he didn't have the answers to clouded his mind until the ding of the elevator broke his train of thought. Exiting the stuffy compartment, the son of Poseidon was immediately greeted by the sight of the last remaining demigods of both pantheons. They all looked banged up as they filled the Empire State Building's entrance hall. They were scattered all across the room, talking in low murmurs, while others cleaned the blood of their armor or tended to the wounded. Once they saw him exit the elevator, however, they ceased all talking.
Looking up at him, they felt a glimmer of hope swell in their chest. To the Greeks, he was their champion who had defied fate time and time again. To the Romans, he was their Praetor and the savior of New Rome. To all of them though, he was their leader who had carried them through the darkest of days. He took a deep breath as he felt the weight of their gazes settle in on him.
"We've all lost so much." He began, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, locking onto familiar and unfamiliar faces alike. "Friends. Family. Homes. An entire way of life. Gaea destroyed so much…but we're still here."
A murmur rippled through the crowd as he continued. "We're still breathing, still fighting, still holding onto hope. I think if we can hold onto those three things, we have a chance."
The murmur only grew louder throughout the demigods, wondering what Percy meant. Piper, the only other remaining member of the seven left alive, stepped forward, her eyes red and puffy as if she had just been crying.
"What do you mean?" She asked, voicing aloud everyone's thoughts. The son of Poseidon took a moment, making sure to word everything the way he intended to.
"A chance to rebuild." He finally answered.
That seemed to light a spark within the crowd, causing some to look up excitedly while others straightened their posture at the prospect. The daughter of Aphrodite wiped her eyes, still having many questions fill her mind.
"How, Percy? We've lost everything." She replied, her voice not having any hint of hope in it. Percy knew how she felt at the moment. He too lost the love of his life and all he could wish for at the moment was to bawl his eyes out in grief like Piper was doing. But he couldn't. He had to be strong not just for himself but for everyone looking up to him.
"I know, Piper. I can't pretend and tell you I have all the answers. All I know is that I can't do this alone." He admitted, his voice softening. "And I can't promise it'll be easy. If we do this, there will be many challenges ahead."
The demigods deflated somewhat but the son of Poseidon pressed on. "Which is why I need all of you–your strength, your courage, and your ideas. I know we Greeks and Romans have a bad history but now is not the time to hash out old grudges and rivalries. Now, what we need is unity. We need to stand together as one, not as Greeks or Romans, but as demigods–children of the same shared destiny."
The crowd stirred in excitement, getting to their feet as they reeled in on the feeling of hope rising through their veins. Even the wounded, too tired and hurt to speak, lifted their heads to get a glimpse at their leader.
"We have the numbers and the skills." Percy continued, his voice growing stronger. "We have the knowledge and the strength to do what must be done. But most importantly, we have each other. That's what Gaea couldn't destroy. That's what Olympus couldn't save. But we can!"
A cheer went throughout the crowd as his words washed over them like a wave, reinvigorating spirits that had been on the brink of collapse. The demigods were fired up now, excited at the thought of creating something new. If they had Percy leading them, anything was possible. The son of Poseidon felt a warmth spread through his chest as he gazed upon his friend's smiling faces, not realizing that he himself held one as well. It had been an eternity it felt like since the last time he smiled.
"You've got a lot of ideas, Jackson." Clarisse's voice broke through the loud crowd, her arms crossed and expression steeled. "But this rebuilding idea of yours is a lot to ask of a hundred or so demigods. It'll take resources we don't have."
Percy met her hard gaze with determination, knowing that what she said was true. "You're right. We don't have nearly enough which is why we start small. We'll scavenge what we can from the ruins of Camp Half-Blood. Then to the abandoned mortal shops and grocery stores. We will take all that we can. Once we have what we need and our wounded are taken care of, we'll go out and search for it."
"It?" Piper asked, her voice still filled with anguish but this time laced with a little bit of hope. It seemed even she, despite all that she had been through, still held on to it.
"A new home."
His words hung in the air like a prophecy, the kind that resonated deep within the soul, stirring something primal and unwavering in the hearts of everyone present. A new home. A place where they could start over, where their sacrifices wouldn't be in vain, and where they could honor the memories of the fallen.
"A home where both Greeks and Romans can live and thrive together. A home that will harbor future demigods that will hopefully never have to experience what we've gone through." His voice wavered slightly at the end, emotion creeping in on his words, but he stood tall, meeting the eyes of every demigod in the room. A sense of purpose filled the hearts of everyone present as they gazed upon their leader, understanding that what they were about to undertake would be something bigger than just themselves.
A thunderous cheer erupted once more from the crowd of demigods, shaking the hall of the Empire State Building with its collective determination. The demigods stood taller, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as Percy's words lit a fire within them. It wasn't just a dream; it was a promise they could fight for, a future they could build together.
"When do we start?" The Stoll brothers asked in unison, excited at the prospect of looting abandoned stores.
"Soon but for now we have to rest and take care of our wounded." Percy replied loud enough for everyone to hear. "The war might be won but remnants of Gaea's army still remain out there. We need to play this smart. Where we are right now is safe for the time being, let's take advantage of that."
With that, it seemed his speech had come to an end. The room was now buzzing with determination, the demigods already coming up with plans for the next few days. Watching this with a flicker of happiness, Percy allowed himself a moment to breathe. He was happy there was a sense of unity between the two groups now, a stark contrast to what had transpired between them a mere day ago.
"Had it only been a day?" He wondered to himself, not quite believing it. Only one day since most of his friends, since Annabeth…died. The thought was too much. Digging his nails into the palm of his hands tightly, he pushed down the grief he was feeling. He would have his moment to grieve eventually. Walking over to a cracked window that overlooked one of the many empty streets of New York, he gazed out at the broken city. It was weird seeing the sleepless city so empty, so quiet. He could smell the faint scent of ash and smoke lingering in the air, most likely from their battle.
Leaning against the window frame, he let his thoughts churn. A new home. Those three words echoed in his mind like a mantra. The enormity of the task however loomed like an unscalable mountain. Could they really do this? Where would they even begin searching?
Soft footsteps clattering against broken glass broke his train of thought, causing him to turn around only to find Piper standing there. Her tear-streaked face was illuminated by the dim light filtering through the window, offering Percy a glimpse of how she was feeling. Her usual confidence and charm were gone, replaced by a quiet vulnerability that mirrored his own. She didn't say anything at first, simply walking over to stand beside him. For a moment, they stood in silence, looking out at the same desolate view with the murmur of demigods conversing in the background.
"I know how you are, Percy." Her voice was quiet, but filled with sincerity. "Even before I met you, I felt like I've known you my entire life due to Annabeth's constant yapping."
Percy looked down at his feet with a soft, reminiscent smirk on his face. Although others might've not enjoyed it, he loved to hear Annabeth talk away.
"Which is why I know that you think you have to take this on alone." She admitted, tilting his head upward with her hand to make him look her in the eyes. "You don't have to be alone anymore. We'll help you. You just have to let us in."
The son of Poseidon swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded wordlessly. Her words hung in the air between them like a fragile bridge of understanding. He had always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, not wanting to have others deal with the pain. It was a part of his fatal flaw after all. But as he stared into Piper's kaleidoscope eyes, he felt as if for the first time, he could allow others to share the burden with him.
"I don't know if I'm strong enough for this." He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. Doubt was starting to take hold of him even after his conversation with Athena and giving that speech. "I don't know if we can really rebuild everything we lost."
The daughter of Aphrodite suddenly hugged him, resting her cheek in the crook of his neck. For a moment, they just stood there, two lost souls finding solace in each other's presence. The weight of the future suddenly seemed distant, softened by the quiet understanding that passed between them. Smelling the scent of her hair, Percy allowed himself to relax for a moment. Just one moment.
"You'll make it work. We just have to take it one step at a time." Piper whispered into his neck. Softly leaning back out of the hug, the son of Poseidon looked down at her, giving a reassuring smile.
"One step at a time." He repeated, his voice growing steady. Taking a deep slow breath of air to calm his racing heart, he straightened up, wiping the last traces of doubt from his face. Although he had lost so many people dear to him, he still wasn't alone. He still had friends who cared for him and people who looked up to him. He still had Annabeth's memory, something he'll never forget.
"Thank you." He said quietly to Piper, offering her a small, genuine smile.
She returned it, smiling for the first time in what felt like an eternity.
Stepping away from the window and looking out at the group of demigods, he knew that although the war was over, the journey was only just beginning.
"One step at a time." He whispered to himself before joining them. Nico, noticing him approaching, stood up and slyly gestured him over. The son of Hades had a troubled look in his eyes, filled with concern and anxiety.
"We're gonna need more than just plans and a dream, Percy." He said quietly, his tone carrying a gravity that matched the moment. "Things are in shambles right now not just in the mortal world but also in the underworld. The souls, the ghosts, monsters, all of them, they're…it's chaos down there right now. I'm doing what I can and I've put in charge some of my father's senior advisors but it might not be enough."
Percy took a deep breath, nodding. He figured things were as such. The underworld was already such a cramped, chaotic place and now with Hades gone and all the death Gaea had caused, he couldn't imagine the trouble his cousin was going through. A thought, one that scared him to his core, suddenly ran through his mind. If things were bad down there right now and Hades wasn't there to sort out the dead, did that mean their friends who had died weren't being judged? Was Annabeth…stuck down there in limbo?!
"The judges are still there. Don't worry, their souls are okay." Nico eased his panic, seeing the thought process on his features. The son of Poseidon let out a relieved huff, clenching his fist to stop his shaking. They were okay down there. She was okay. They are getting the judgment they deserve and are hopefully in Elysium.
"I'm sorry, Nico. I wish there was more I could do…"
"Don't worry." The younger cousin replied, looking past Percy's shoulder into a specific room. "I just wanted to let you know. I'll do what I can but that wasn't the reason why I brought you over."
Following the son of Hades into a dimly lit room away from everyone else, Percy noticed the figure of Will Solace standing over someone lying in a bed. Getting closer, he could see it was Reyna who had her torso wrapped with bandages which were slightly soaked with blood. Her eyes were closed in strain but when she heard him speak to the son of Apollo about her condition, she immediately opened them.
"Heard you gave some big speech." She rasped out, her voice dry and coarse. Approaching her bedside, he knelt down to eye level, taking her hand in his.
"Thought you were dead? How'd you hear about that?" He softly joked, causing her hand to tighten around his.
"Can't kill a daughter of Bellona that easy." She replied, laughing in pain. Seeing a droplet of blood spill out the corner of her mouth, the son of Poseidon gently wiped it away, causing her to turn away, abashed. "Will told me about it when I woke up. He was pretty excited about the idea of rebuilding a camp for us."
Percy turned to the son of Apollo who rubbed his neck with a grin on his face. "Not every day you see history in the making." He said.
"You've lived through two wars, Will. You've seen plenty of it." The green-eyed demigod replied before turning back to the Roman whose face was growing paler by the second. It was such a stark contrast from the strongwilled Reyna he knew who could scare a man with just a mere glance.
"I'm glad you're doing it. I'm glad you're stepping up and-and doing what I can't." She continued, her voice shaking in anguish.
"Come on, Reyna…" Percy tried to reason.
"No." She quickly interrupted, tears cascading down her cheek. "No. I failed them. I failed all of you. I let New Rome fall…"
Percy sighed as he gripped her frail hand, remembering how the Roman city fell. Gaea had destroyed it as soon as the legion made their way to Camp Half-Blood. There was practically nobody there to defend it except the veterans who were too few in number. It was a slaughter fest with no survivors. If there were any, they'd be scattered in the woods around the valley, hiding and unsure of where to go.
"You didn't fail anyone." He shook his head, his voice soft yet firm. "And it isn't your fault. You've done more for your people than any Praetor before you. Be proud of that."
Reyna let out a choked laugh, her tears glistening in the dim light. "And look where I led them. A city in ruins, countless dead, and me–" She gestured weakly at her bandaged torso. "Broken."
"You're just as broken as the rest of us." Percy countered, squeezing her hand gently, willing her to feel a fraction of the strength she'd shown him countless times. "But we're together and as long as we have that, you, me, and everyone else can heal."
Her lips trembled as she looked into his sea-green eyes, searching for something–comfort, absolution, maybe just someone to share her pain. "Promise me that you'll lead us. Promise that you'll rebuild what we've lost."
The son of Poseidon hesitated for a moment, seeing the fear and hope battling in her gaze. He knew what she was asking of him. She didn't just want a leader–she wanted someone who would carry the burden she felt too broken to bear.
"I promise." The words inadvertently came out of his mouth. He knew he shouldn't have been promising such things when even he didn't truly know if it could be done. But seeing her fragile features, he couldn't bring himself to do anything but reassure her. That promise seemed to quell her fear for now, causing her to softly smile as her eyelids began to droop. "Just rest, Reyna." He said softly, brushing her hair away from her face.
Soon enough, her hand slackened in his and her breathing evened out. Quietly standing up, the son of Poseidon took one last look at his friend before exiting the room with Will in tow. The two of them stood in the darkened hallway for a moment in silence, knowing what the other was about to say.
"How much longer?" Percy asked.
"Too hard to say." The son of Apollo tiredly sighed, rubbing his eyes. "I'm doing all I can but it's like patching up an already sinking ship. She needs medicine, Percy. We're all out of ambrosia so she's going to have to go through it the old-fashioned way. And even then, I-I don't know…"
The son of Poseidon let out a slow breath, leaning against the cold wall. "Alright, tomorrow. Tomorrow, me, you, and anyone else will go out there to search for supplies. For now, make sure the wounded are stable."
Will nodded quietly, already mentally tallying what medicine he would need.
"We can only stay here for a couple days more. Four at max. After that, we're on the move. Make sure you're ready by then."
With that, the green-eyed demigod walked away, endless worries racking his brain. He knew things would only get harder from here on out. Rebuilding camp, keeping the demigods alive, and much, much more all with him in the center.
"One step at a time." He murmured, reminding himself of Piper's reassurance. That's all he could do at the moment to prevent a panic attack.
"One step at a time."