Chapter Thirty-Five

Percy stirred, twitching. He opened his eyes. The ceiling above him… it wasn't Hell. Instead, he had woken up in some kind of apartment bedroom. After a couple of seconds, he remembered this was his room in Valhalla. The last thing he remembered was an arrow going through his eye. He sat up and rubbed his eye before blinking a couple of times. His eye, the one that had been shot with an arrow, seemed to be completely fine.

"You are finally awake. I have been waiting." A voice came from the corner of the room.

Percy jerked back, caught by surprise. In the corner stood Odin, a cloak around his shoulders, and a raven on each shoulder. He held a spear that he seemed to be using as a walking stick. His eyepatch seemed to glitter, the inlaid gold catching the light of the room.

"Samirah has explained to me why you are. At least, she tried." Odin stepped forward and sat down near the end of the bed. "Maybe you could paint a clearer picture. Why are you here, Percy Jackson?"

Percy sat silent for a second. "I delved into the mind of God. He has plans, of which I saw very little. But what I did see, I came to warn you. Are you familiar with Ragnarӧk?"

"The Twilight of the Gods, yes, I am indeed familiar. I shall meet my end at the jaws of the Fenris Wolf. And so shall most of my fellow Aesir and Vanir meet their ends. Those who remain will rebuild the world, as is fated. Humanity will continue through the two mortals who hide in Yggdrasil, as is fated."

"All of it is pretty set in stone, right?"

"Correct. I have searched for ways to undo this, to live past my death, but to no avail. I will die, as fated."

"What if I told you that it isn't?"

Odin raised an eyebrow. Nothing more, nothing less. He waited for Percy to continue, not showing any other reaction, steadfast in his belief in predestination.

"I have looked into the mind of God, and in there, I saw a vision… of Ragnarkӧk. It started normally, with a couple of the Gods deaths, but at a point, angels flew down from Heaven, and slaughtered everyone, leaving behind nothing but corpses, and warm blood and ichor melting the snow."

"That is… troubling." Odin admitted. "However, Fate is powerful, so powerful it binds even Gods. And visions… visions are not meant to be taken literally. They are representative of your hugr. They indicate some conflict within your soul, and are meant to help you analyze it."

Percy shook his head. "Maybe to you Norse, that's what they mean, but not to us Greeks. Visions show the past, the present, and the future. They are meant to be taken seriously. I've rarely had a pleasant night of sleep because of them. This is more than just some therapy work. And besides, Fate no longer exists. It hasn't for a while. Not since, well, we think not since I killed Lucifer." His voice gained a hard tone. "Look, here's what I know. God wants to start over from a fresh slate. He wants me to partake in The Revelation, which will wipe Humanity off the face of the Earth. But I also know that he has some other plan. And interfering in Ragnarӧk is part of it."

Odin stood up. "Percy, I told you. Fate is powerful, and killing some Archangel isn't going to upend it."

"Aren't you supposed to be wise?" Percy said, the insult coming out before he could stop it, his frustration coming to a head.

Odin's head jerked to look at him. His one eye was blazing with fury behind it. "I believe it would be wise to consider your words more carefully when speaking to me. You may be in Valhalla, and have no fear of death, but this is my hall, and I can render it useless to you."

Percy let out a breath. "What can I do to prove that Fate is gone? Is there anything?"

"No, I will not send you on a fool's errand." He started towards the door. "I fear your death has been a waste. You may leave, or stay if you wish. After all, you say Fate does not bind you." He exited the room and a couple of seconds later, heard the door open and close.

Percy leaned his head back against the headboard. All that, and for nothing. Back to square one. As he sat in the bed, his mind raced. Should he just give up, let the Norse meet their Fate?

He rose from the bed and exited the suite. He walked down the hall to the door that read Magnus Chase on it, before knocking and leaning against the doorframe. Behind the door, hea could hear footsteps. The door swung open, revealing Magnus. Behind him was Alex, who was shirtless. Then he noticed Magnus was too.

"Am I interrupting something?" Percy asked.

"No." Alex said, and Magnus said "Yes." Magnus glanced back at his partner, before turning back to Percy. "Nevermind. What's up?"

"I can come back later, it's no problem."

"Moment's gone, Percy." Alex said. "Continue."

Percy grimaced. "Sorry man." He told Magnus. "I talked to Odin."

"How'd it go? Based on your face, not well?"

"He didn't believe me. Said that Fate is too powerful to be broken. That's the gist. He did say my death was a waste, so that's cool." Percy said bitterly.

Magnus stepped to the side. "Come on in, sit down."

Percy walked in. "I'll stand." He said, as Magnus and Alex sat down. Magnus crossed a leg over his knee, and placed an arm around Alex.

"What now?" Alex asked.

"I don't know." Percy sighed. "I didn't have a backup plan. I really should have, I've been in this business for around ten years and yet, I somehow still don't realize just how fucking stubborn Gods are."

"What if there was some way to convince him? Some kind of evidence that he couldn't refute?"

"I already asked if there was anything I could do. He said no."

"He isn't open to the idea. We are. I'm sure we could come up with something." Alex said. "What if we consult the Norns? Odin would have to believe them, right?"

"Yeah, but how would we even do that? I mean, to even reach them would be a difficult task, and then to convince them?" Magnus said.

"The Norns?" Percy asked.

"They weave the future, destiny, fate."

"Oh, so like the Fates."

"Such a literal name, but I guess." Alex said.

"Do you know where they are?"

"Oh yeah. At the foot of Yggdrasil."

"Okay. How do I get there?"

"Percy." Magnus said. "It's not a good idea."

"Has your cousin not told you about me? All my ideas are not good. When I was thirteen, I snuck out of camp to be a part of a quest I wasn't supposed to be on. I did the same thing a couple of months later."

"Actually, when Annabeth talked about you, she mentioned that you were dense, but also smart. She praised your wits and quick thinking that saved you and your friends countless times." Magnus stood up. "There are better ideas."

"Okay. But, just, please, what is the problem with this plan? You mentioned even getting to them would be hard?"

Alex frowned. "Yggdrasil houses three living beings. Well, more than that, but three well known ones. At the top is an eagle, and at the bottom, where the Norns are, is a dragon named Nidhogg. In the middle, acting as a messenger between the two,is a squirrel named Ratatoskr. All three protect the World Tree fervently. You'd have to climb down, while Ratatoskr is scurrying about, then avoid Nidhogg, just to reach the Norns, who might not even help you. And if you fall…" Alex trailed off. "If we have some alternatives, we should explore those first."

Magnus interceded, "I mean, it's kind of hard to fall. The smallest branch is still the size of a redwood tree."

"Still. Better to seek a different situation."

Percy sighed. "I have an idea that's a little better. Still kind of stupid though."

"All ears."

"Okay, so when us Greeks need wisdom, we visit an oracle. I just so happen to know where one should be.. However, as you know, I'm kind of a wanted man. Another problem, I don't know if the oracle would even work considering Fate is no longer a thing."

"It's worth a shot." Magnus said.

Percy reached unsheathed his knife and sighed. "I hope this goes well." He sliced the air in front of him, opening a rift to his father's cabin at Camp Half-Blood. He stepped through, the rift closing behind him.

He looked around the cabin. He had been here recently, the day Artemis found out about Hell, and yet, it felt like an eternity ago. He shook his head free of the incoming thoughts, the urge to lament about the unending march forward of time. Maybe Kronos had won in the end.

He exited the cabin and started for the Oracle's cave. He had to hurry. At any moment, Zeus would come, lightning blazing, ready to turn him into a pile of ash. Since it was the end of winter, the camp was pretty much dead.

He ran across the field, feeling time against him. In the distance, he could see the entrance to Rachel's cave. He reached it and slowed down. He pushed aside the curtain and entered the cave. Paintings covered the walls, depicting scenes of past events, events that were probably future events when they were painted. As he crept deeper into the cave, the events became more and more recent.

He stopped before one of the paintings. The scene depicted a giant wolf, standing tall and proud. A golden rope lay at its feet. The wolf was bathed in moonlight, with wind rustling its fur. The art was so masterful, it seemed like the painting was moving. Around its paws were white flowers.

"That one always confused me." A voice said from behind Percy. "It was the last one I had before the Oracle left me."

Percy turned around to see Rachel. She was dressed in her normal clothing, jeans and a t-shirt, both stained with splotches of paint. "Hi Rachel. How have you been?"

She shrugged. "Alright, I guess. Ever since the Oracle left, I've felt, I don't know, like I don't belong here. Being mortal and all. The Oracle was the only thing that made me fit in here." She chuckled. "Jesus Chirst, almost twenty-two and I'm talking about fitting in."

"I'm sorry."

"Why, it's not your fault."

Percy didn't respond to that. Instead, he turned to the painting to hide his grimace. "You said this was the last vision you had?"

"Yeah. The wolf was freeing itself from its rope, and roared into the sky. It was a noise filled with both rage and pain."

Percy stared at the wolf. He could've sworn it looked familiar. Suddenly, it hit him like a hammer. It was the wolf from his vision of Ragnarӧk. The wolf that would slay Odin. Upon studying the wolf, an idea started to form in his head.

"Was there something you wanted?"

"Yeah, but I think I got my answer. Thank you."

"Oh, okay. You're welcome, I guess." She pursed her lips. "Hey, I heard you and Annabeth split up. How're you holding up?"

Percy blinked. "Uh, fine? You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"I'm married. The Olympains arranged a marriage between Artemis and I."

"Oh." Rachel frowned. She smiled, but he could tell it was strained. "I'm happy for you. And her."

"Thanks." Percy said.

She nodded.

The air between them now awkward, Percy started to leave. "I gotta go."

"Don't let me keep you."

Percy walked towards the exit. Just as he was about to leave, Rachel spoke up. "Percy?"

He turned around. "Yes?"

"You should visit more often. It was nice to see you."

He nodded. "Yeah. I just gotta sort some stuff out first."

He exited the cave and walked back to his cabin. He entered and shut the door behind him. He pulled out his knife and cut the air in front of him, the familiar rift appearing, leading to his room in Valhalla. He stepped through.

He walked out of his room and over to Magnus', knocking on his door. After about thirty seconds, the door cracked opened and Magnus' head popped out. His hair was a mess, and his lips swollen. "I'm definitely interrupting this time, aren't I?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, kind of."

"Okay then, I'll make it quick. The Fenris wolf."

Magnus froze, before opening the door all the way. "Nevermind, come in, we would have to discuss that fully."

Percy stepped into the room. Alex poked her head out from Magnus' bedroom. "He had an idiotic idea, didn't he?"

"Yeah."

"Give me a second." She said, before closing the door. A couple of minutes later, she came out and sat down next to Magnus on the couch. "What's the plan?"

"At Ragnarӧk, Odin is going to die to Fenris, right? So if I kill Fenris, and bring back proof and show it to Odin, then that'd prove that fate is no longer a thing, right?"

"I mean, yeah, it'd probably work, but Percy…" Magnus trailed off.

"It's a terrible idea." Alex said. "And it's not even possible right now."

"Why?"

"Well for one, Fenris is a giant wolf. And wolves are extremely deadly. Fenris is a bloodthirsty monster. But you don't even have to worry about that. He lives on a remote island that you have to reach by boat."

"That doesn't sound too bad. Boats are kind of my thing."

"I didn't finish." Magnus said. "The island only exists on this plane for one day every year."

"What day is that?"

"Doesn't matter, it already passed."

"What day?"

Magnus sighed. "The first full moon of the year. And that—"

"Already passed. Because it's March." Percy sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of fucking course." He paced back and forth, before coming to a stop. "I've got no other options. Is there no other way to get to the island?"

Magnus shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Well, I guess that's it then. I failed."

"Don't feel too bad." Alex said. "This is on Odin. He chose to not believe you."

Percy stuck out his hand. "Thanks for helping me. I don't know if you two are ready for Ragnarӧk or not, but if you want to avoid it, I have a place it probably won't hit."

Magnus shook it. "When Ragnarӧk comes, we'll fight. Thanks though."

Alex shook it after. "Our troth depends on it. Take care, dude."

Percy drew his knife. "Goodbye guys, thank you again." He sliced the air in front of him, imagining his throne room in Hell. The rift appeared, revealing the place in his imagination. He stepped through, the rift closing behind him.

He sheathed his knife and approached his throne before sitting down, letting out a groan. Footsteps came from the room next to him. He looked over to see Artemis, who was entering the room. She approached him and sat down in her throne next to him.

"How did it go?" She asked.

"I failed, Artemis. I failed." He said softly. "All that, for nothing. Odin didn't believe me. He called me a fool. Essentially." He sighed. "I died. For nothing."

"Is there any way we can convince him? Should I come with you, lend credibility to your story?"

"I don't know if that would do anything. I had an idea, but it won't work."

"What was the idea?"

"Well, at Ragnarӧk, Odin is going to die to Fenris, right? So I thought, what better way to disprove Fate than to kill Fenris, and bring him back proof of the kill."

Artemis frowned. "It sounds like a good idea, why will it not work?"

"Magnus told me that Fenrir is chained on an island that only exists on the night of the first full moon of the year. And that's since passed."

Artemis' eyes gained a far away look, as if she was contemplating. She remained like that for a minute, before speaking. "I have a way I could get around that. However, it would be very risky. It would alert all of Olympus to our location."

"Well, we've already taken that risk a couple of times." Percy sighed and leaned his head back against the throne. "At what point do I say fuck it, and leave them to it?"

"What?"

Percy looked at her. "I'm tired, Artemis. Of all this… bullshit. At what point do I say, 'I've pushed all I can, and decide to rest?' When do I say that it can be someone else's problem?"

"Percy… As much as it sucks to say it, I do not think you can. That is just not who you are."

"I can change. Right now. I will put the sword down, stop fighting."

"Where is this coming from?"

Percy let out a breath. "I told you about those visions I had, right?"

"One of them, yes. The one pertaining to Ragnarӧk."

"I had two other ones. One, I died fighting God on Olympus. The other… you and I had a place up in Alaska. We lived in the wilderness as mortals. It seemed… nice. We had a cabin, very cozy."

Artemis didn't say anything. Percy looked away. Maybe he overestimated their relationship. He remembered when he and Annabeth had first gotten together, he felt like their relationship was a glass sculpture, and he was scared he was going to do the wrong thing. This was like that, except ten times worse.

"It does sound nice, Percy." She said. "But, I still stand by what I said. I do not think you have it in you to put the sword down."

Percy's head dropped, before sighing. "I know." He said quietly.

A/N. Wow, it's been almost a month since the last update. I'm gonna be honest, this chapter was just a bitch to write. Had to restart several times, edit the conversation with Odin multiple times, had writers block (despite knowing what I wanted to happen) more days than not. Probably didn't help that I've taken to trophy hunting video games the past year and a half. (Just finished the Ezio Trilogy of Assassin's Creed and started 3. Can't wait for Shadows as well).

Anyways, hope this one is good. Thoughts?