"Percy!" Sally dropped her bag with a thud. "Is that…you don't know how worried I've been. You look…"

"Older?" Percy said.

"I was going to say like your father."

She put a hand on his cheek then pulled it away.

"Next time you disappear, you better tell me, Jackson."

"I missed you too, mom. There's a lot we need to talk about."

The living room was empty. Paul was at work, and if he was affected by the spell like everyone else, then he wouldn't be back until nighttime. The city had started to wake up, and people were demanding answers. The mist was doing its work wonderfully. Headlines read, "Freak Meteor Strike Leaves Manhattan in Disarray".

Hestia had reported that the gods had gained the upper hand against Typhon. Without Kronos to assist him, he couldn't stand against all of the gods at once. And with Zeus healed to take charge of the battle, it wouldn't be long before he was defeated and they returned to Olympus.

"So…I'm going to be a grandmother?" Sally sat on the couch, a blank expression on her face.

"I think you're focusing on the wrong thing, mom. I'm immortal now. Things are going to be different."

"Oh, my little boy…" Sally sighed. "I can't believe I missed so much. I'm so sorry about your friends, honey. Grover was…well, he was part of our family. I owe him so much for keeping you safe all these years."

"I just wish I could've done more," Percy explained. "But I think he'd be proud, wherever he is now."

"Percy, I'm just glad you're safe. And what's this I hear about being immortal? This isn't your father's fault, is it? If I see him again…I still have that medusa head in the storage room."

"No, mom. I made that choice myself. And I'm glad I did. If I didn't, well…I might not be here right now."

Percy held her hand.

"This…is a lot to take in, Percy. I…oh, I almost forgot to ask–do you want some water? On second thought, no–you don't need it anymore. Do you?"

"It's still refreshing," Percy smiled. "Although…there is one thing I missed more than anything. Remember those blue pancakes you used to make me for my birthday?"

"Yes, of course," Sally laughed, "although all that food coloring might be a little bit unhealthy."

"Well, we have six birthdays to make up for. And since New York was almost destroyed, you'll probably get a few days off work."

They sat in silence for a moment, looking at each other until Sally started laughing.

"What is it?" Percy asked.

"I still can't believe you're married. And to a titan. I always thought you were going to date that Annabeth girl."

"Well, we're not exactly married…" Percy rubbed his neck.

Sally looked at him in confusion, and Percy knew he probably should've kept his mouth shut. After some more explanation, Percy was able to calm her down, under one condition: that he go back to Ogygia and propose—immediately. Of course, Percy had already planned to marry her. He and Calypso had already agreed several months before Hermes arrived and took him away.

The first thing Percy did was find Tyson. Now that the war was over, he and the other cyclops were back in their underwater forges, crafting the very best armor and weapons for Olympus. Tyson was ecstatic to see his brother again. He hugged him so tightly that he could still feel it in his immortal body. After they had caught up, Percy asked him for a favor. Two rings–something beautiful and natural, but also simple and intimate. Tyson smiled a big smile, and immediately cleared his workbench to start hammering away, saying he would be done in an hour.

"I do good?"

"They're perfect, Tyson." Percy said.

"Will you visit again?"

"Of course. I can come whenever I want, buddy."

Percy took a deep breath. There was one more thing he had to do before going back to Ogygia. He closed his eyes and, in an instant, he was back on Olympus, watching the hearth light the marble walls a soothing orange. Hestia sat on her knees in front of the fire, taking the form of a little girl.

"Welcome, Perseus."

"Hestia. I came to ask you a question. The curse on Ogygia. Is it gone?"

She closed her eyes.

"Yes. It broke the moment Kronos was defeated, in fact."

"What? How?"

"Ogygia's curse was special. Thousands of years ago, there was a titan, one so old we do not remember her name…"

Hestia blinked, as if trying to remember.

"She attempted to overthrow Kronos, but she was captured, her forces were destroyed. To torture her, Kronos stranded her on Ogygia, using his mastery over time to curse the island. A year in Ogygia would amount to a century in the mortal world. The titan tried to leave, but no matter where she went, she found herself back on the island."

The hearth crackled.

"One day, the father of the sun, Hyperion, came to visit her. You see, he watched her from the sky during the day, and could not bear to see her in isolation. He had fallen in love with her. Hyperion knew Kronos would kill him, yet he freed her anyway, taking the titan aboard his boat to navigate the Sun's path. Once he realized the girl had escaped, Kronos was outraged. He searched for millennia–and eventually, Hyperion was caught."

"How do you know all this?" Percy asked.

"You forget: Kronos is my father. Rhea is my mother. I am the eldest of the gods, and I have heard many things they have not. But I was so young…it is a distant memory."

"So Kronos is the one who cursed Ogygia, not Zeus?"

"Not quite," Hestia continued, "Hyperion was sentenced to a millenia on the prison of Ogygia, a reminder to never disobey Kronos again. After he had served his sentence, the island was left untouched. Then, very soon, the gods were born. Calypso took the side of her father, Atlas, whom I believe you have met before. Needless to say, they lost against our combined strength. However, I find it curious…"

"What is it?" Percy asked.

"They never did find the titan girl. Which means somewhere, our cousin is still in hiding. Yet even more curious is the boat. Every hero who finds themselves on Ogygia is given the opportunity to leave. A boat, just like the one Hyperion sailed in the sky, appears on the ocean as if descended from the clouds. Perhaps it was him taking pity on the heroes that find themselves in isolation."

"I still don't understand. What does this have to do with Calypso?"

"After the war, Zeus was enraged with the titans. He sent her to Ogygia as punishment. Although it is his fault she has suffered so much, Zeus did not create the curse. He simply modified it. Therefore, there was no way for him to break it."

"So that means…" Anger filled his chest. "Hermes lied to me. He was never going to free Calypso."

Hestia nodded. "But because you were not immortal at the time, the curse was different for you. Heroes can leave by divine intervention–but Calypso would have had to stay forever."

"Or until Kronos was destroyed," Percy finished. It all made sense now. "So why lie to me? I would've gladly fought Kronos if it meant breaking the curse."

"They needed you on their side," Hestia said, "they needed you thinking they were the ones with the power."

Percy grit his teeth, then let out a sigh. What good would being angry do now? The war was over. The curse was broken, and now he could finally be with his family. Hestia smiled.

"I wish all of us could have been demigods like you, Percy Jackson. Even if just for a few years. We have become cold and callous from time…and I am no exception. It is refreshing to have a cousin as compassionate as yourself."

"Thank you, Hestia." Percy bowed.

"If you ever need my help, I will be here on Olympus waiting for you," Hestia said.

Percy turned to walk away, but stopped.

"Do you think you'll ever have a family of your own?"

Hestia thought for a moment. They both stood in their true form.

"Perhaps one day."

"Well, don't wait too long. Even with an eternity, you might miss your chance."

And in a blink, Percy was gone. The last thing he saw was Hestia smiling to herself.