The world transformed into a blur of greens and browns as my feet pounded the dirt. I pushed myself faster, leaping over fallen logs and traversing the uneven terrain with ease. The wind whistled in my ears. Sweat trailed down my face and the back of my neck.

This place had served as my training ground many a time.

My first wilderness survival test had occurred on Delos under Artemis's supervision. Apollo had made me perform a two-hour-long concert in honor of the Muses' upcoming festival in Thespiae. I'd come camping with the twins and taught them how to make their first s'mores. I'd met the Titaness Leto one Mother's Day while Apollo and Artemis fought over who her favorite child was.

I'd even celebrated my sixteenth birthday here.

I came to a gentle stop as I approached a circular clearing. Yellow daisies and white dandelions outlined the perimeter. It reminded me of a fairy circle, but unlike most things in my life, fairies were genuinely a myth.

My fingers trailed along the trees skirting the edge, picturing where fairy lights had once wrapped around them. A few feet away, I saw the remnants of the illuminated tiles that had served as the dance floor buried beneath new growth. The stage where the Muses had played had started to warp and rot but otherwise remained standing.

I could've sworn we packed everything away that night – Artemis would sooner shoot her brother than violate her leave-no-trace policy – but I must've been mistaken.

I bent down and plucked a yellow daisy.

"The curse of Delos," I mumbled, twirling its stem between my fingertips.

"Indeed," Artemis said, nearly startling me out of my skin.

"That's the curse of Delos?" Frank asked, eyebrow raised. "A yellow daisy?"

"So, all we had to do was pick a flower?" Hazel said at the same time.

Artemis softly sighed. "For the physician's cure, the flower must be picked by my brother or me. It won't work otherwise."

"Oh," they chorused once more.

"Hey, Artemis," I began, catching the goddess' attention. "Would you like to make a flower crown?"

I giggled as the ordinarily stoic goddess of the hunt flushed gold, eyebrows pinching together in irritation. I swore, her eye twitched at the suggestion alone.

"A flower crown?" echoed Frank.

"An irrelevant matter," Artemis huffed, "but understandable given where we are. I'm not surprised you returned here of all places."

I shrugged. "I needed a break from the dark thoughts. What better place than the spot where I got the best surprise party of my life?"

"You've celebrated your birthday on Delos?" Hazel said, gaze flickering toward the dilapidated stage and buried dance floor.

Instead of saying anything, I summoned pink light to my hand and gestured across the landscape. Slowly, the clearing took on the appearance it had on the night of my sixteenth birthday: fairy lights encircling the tree trunks and loosely hung between branches, a dancefloor of glowing white tiles as if we'd be dancing the night away on a cloud, tables crowded with food and presents, and the Muses providing music straight from my playlist.

The gods in attendance took a corporeal form, tinged pink, of course. Aphrodite had transformed my tattered clothes – thanks, Hermes, for destroying them in the first place – into a stunning gold dress with all the matching accessories and given me a hairdo worthy of my new look. Dionysus had tried to spike the punchbowl when Hephaestus had his back turned. Hades and Persephone had taken to the dancefloor, ignoring Demeter's vitriol through mouthfuls of whole-grain bread. If I remember correctly, Poseidon unhinged his jaw to eat his club sandwich. Hestia fussed over my cake, changing the flavors and designs throughout the night until Artemis announced it was time to sing Happy Birthday.

If I kept the events surrounding my first dance a secret, well, that was between Artemis and me. I didn't need my friends to see how I danced the night away with Apollo.

"You seemed so happy," Hazel said, softly smiling. "It's a nice look on you."

"Well, that was a long time ago," I said, waving the images away. They vanished in a puff of pink smoke. "But we have other things to worry about right now. Do they know about the onagers?"

"Yes," said Artemis. "They are also aware of the monstrous 'allies' Octavian has paid for."

"I should've punted that runt into the Pacific years ago. Would've saved us all the headache."

"You know better than most, but that's not how things work."

"I get enough of that from the Fates, my lady. Please, save your lecture."

Artemis frowned. "It's been a while since you've returned to honorifics."

"Years of indoctrination will do that to a person."

Artemis recoiled like I'd slapped her. Hazel and Frank made a point of looking anywhere else but us.

"Andromeda..."

"Sorry. It's the stress." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I appreciate all the gods have done for me. Your guys' training is the only reason I've lived this long. Tartarus just has a way of screwing with the mind, you know? It makes you question even the sturdiest of beliefs."

"Right," Artemis said, clearly in disbelief. I knew she'd be putting a pin in this conversation. She'd continue this at a later time when there were no eavesdroppers. However, I don't think Frank or Hazel counted as eavesdroppers in this case since we knew they were here the whole time.

Artemis turned to the demigods and said, "In any case, Apollo should be done with your friend soon. I suggest you begin making your way to the docks."

"Yes, my lady," Hazel said, bowing her head. "Thanks for your help."

"We really appreciate it," added Frank.

"Thank me by defeating the Earth Mother. Good luck, demigods. You will need it."

I turned to follow after my friends but stopped when Artemis grabbed my wrist. Great. I wouldn't be getting back to the Argo II any time soon.

We walked in silence back to the amphitheater, where Apollo went about collecting the shattered remains of his ukulele. He mumbled to himself in Ancient Greek, mostly grumbling about Zeus's overbearing nature and wood's tendency to splinter into thousands of tiny pieces. He could've restored the ukulele with a snap of his fingers, but it was the principle of the matter. Plus, I think he was trying to find ways to kill time until the summons for Athens arrived.

Artemis shook her head and beelined for the bench she'd been on when we'd first found them. She picked up her half-finished bow, summoned a knife, and returned to work.

Loving the subtlety, Artemis. The only thing missing was a flashing neon sign reading: YOU TWO NEED TO TALK.

It seemed like yet another person thought Apollo and I needed a chaperone before engaging in conversation. It felt like a scene directly from Bridgerton.

I bit the bullet. "Apollo," I said, watching as said god spun around at breakneck speed.

He dropped the pieces of his ukulele once more. He took a single step in my direction, arms outstretched, before jerking to an abrupt stop. He gave Artemis a despairing look, face pinched as if he were in pain. Artemis didn't look away from her work, but I'd been around the pair long enough to know that she'd spoken in his mind.

Whatever she had said, it had dimmed Apollo's eagerness.

"Andy," he said, voice catching in his throat. "Did you go through with it?"

"Yes. I sealed away that power for the good of us all."

Apollo inhaled sharply as if someone had knocked the wind out of him. Not even Artemis could hide her surprise, fully enraptured by my revelation, bow forgotten in her hands.

"You're insane. Completely and utterly insane."

"So I've been told." I fiddled with my bracelet. "Look, can we not fight about this now? You and I both know it's a temporary thing until you reclaim Delphi."

Apollo blanched. "Why do I have to reclaim Delphi?"

If looks could kill, Apollo would be dead twice over. Artemis looked like she wanted to throttle her twin. "Oh, possibly because Delphi is your domain," Artemis scoffed. "It's not like you can send demigods on a quest when there is no Oracle to dictate said quest. That is your responsibility, Apollo, like it or not."

"I definitely do not like it."

"In any case," I said, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction, "I have some news to share: Will's awake. I haven't spoken to him in person, but he appeared to be in good health based on our last Iris-message."

"Oh, thank the gods," Apollo sighed. "That's a relief. Did he say anything else?"

After getting Apollo to swear on the River Styx not to retaliate against Will, I repeated his message verbatim. Apollo turned away, scuffing his toes along the stage while Artemis wildly grinned and said, "His mother raised him right. I'm sure my Hunters would take him up on that offer."

"Arty, it's not funny!"

"You're right. It's hilarious!"

"Listen here you little-!"

A sharp wolf whistle returned their attention to me.

"Next time, I'll keep my mouth shut," I said, shaking my head. "There are more pressing issues at hand. The fighting in Athens will begin in two days. Is there anything else I can help with before then, any message you'd like me to pass along?"

"Reassure my Hunters that we will give a proper tribute to their fallen sisters should we live long enough to see the second of August," Artemis requested. "Tell them that whatever the outcome of this fight, I am proud of them and that I am honored to be their patron goddess."

I nodded and turned to face Apollo.

"I don't suppose you can try and reason with my father about blaming me for this war?" Apollo said, weakly laughing. He winced when Artemis punched his arm.

"Be serious about this," she reprimanded. "Andy is our last chance to get a message off the island."

"Tell my children that I might not be around for some time should we defeat the Earth Mother. I know Zeus, and he will probably punish me for furthering the divide between Roman and Greek demigods." He stayed quiet for a few moments then said, "And lastly, I have a personal request for you, Andy. Whatever my punishment is, I ask that you not interfere if it will turn my father's ire toward you."

It was my turn to be stunned into silence.

"I know you, Andy," he continued, beginning to pace the length of the stage. "You'll most likely stand against Zeus, which will only anger him further. There is a chance he will worsen my punishment, but there is an equal chance he will lash out at you. I won't have you getting hurt on my behalf."

"You suspect what he's planning, don't you?" I said.

"I do. He will cut me off from other gods' help until he deems that I've learned my lesson."

"What if he alters your memories? What if this time is different?" My hands curled into fists at my sides. I felt myself tremble with barely restrained anger. "How am I supposed to leave you to fend for yourself?"

"You must." Apollo crossed the stage and took my hands into his. I could feel his racing pulse in his fingertips. He must've been petrified about his fate but tried to maintain a brave face for my sake. "Even if my memories fade to dust, even if I'm as powerless as a newborn baby, you must not directly interfere with my father's plans. All that I ask is that you treat me kindly in whatever state you find me. Think you can do that for me?"

I wanted to scream. I wanted to march right into my brother's palace and throttle him for being so harsh to Apollo. I wanted to blow Gaea's head off and then torch Python until he was nothing but ash.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I said, "I'll agree to your terms on one condition."

"Which is?"

"I will join your fight against Python when the time is right."

"Andy, no-"

"The Fates have asked me to slay him," I said, shutting down his protests. "Joining you is simply an extension of my duties. I'm a prisoner of Delphi at the moment, anyway. It'll be satisfying to regain full control of my soul and powers."

I met Apollo's eyes, threatening to drown in the intensity of his blue irises. They glowed with the power befitting his station as the god of the sun, revealing the depths of his emotions. This was him raw, vulnerable, afraid.

He needed the assurance that whatever may become of him, I would still be here.

It was a good thing he left a glaring loophole in his conditions even if he wasn't aware of it.

"Do we have a deal?" I whispered.

"Deal."

I surged forward and wrapped my arms tightly around him, burying my face against his chest. He smelled of sandalwood cologne and sunscreen. His heart pounded steadily, keeping me grounded in this moment. He hugged back with equal intensity, resting his cheek against the top of my head.

We stayed like that for a while, simply taking in each other's presence, reveling in the fact that for this moment in time, we were safe.

Artemis cleared her throat, interrupting my train of thought.

She had a point. I'd lingered on Delos for long enough.

"Your friends must be wondering about you," Artemis said, dusting the last of the wood shavings off her completed bow. "They departed Delos over thirty minutes ago."

"They've learned to expect this type of behavior from me," I said while pulling away from Apollo's warm embrace. "But I'm always there when they need me most."

"That kind of loyalty is rare nowadays. They are lucky to have you, as are we." Artemis exhaled deeply before meeting my gaze. "I know we don't say it enough, but you truly are a blessing to Olympus. Watching you blossom into the young woman you are has been an honor and a privilege. We might have had petty squabbles or times where you might have thought me harsh, but know it was out of a place of love and duty. Your friendship is precious to me. Just thought you should know."

If not for Artemis's aversion to touch, I would've flung myself at her.

Instead, I allowed myself to beam at her praises, hoping she understood how happy she'd made me.

"Thank you. Your friendship is equally precious to me. And I promise you, we will have eons to enjoy each other's company because we will win. I have faith in my friends. Mother Earth has no idea what we have in store for her."

"With that conviction, how will we lose?"

"I'd better get going. I'll see you in two days."

"Until then," Artemis said.

"Be careful," Apollo added.

I waved goodbye and faded into my shadow.

I waited for Leo in the engine room the next night.

He almost crashed into Buford, swearing in Spanish as he clutched his toolbelt in fright.

"Weren't you just upstairs with the others?" he asked, a hand pressed to his chest.

"Yup."

"And now you're here."

"An astute observation."

He lifted his eyebrows. "Why?"

"I'm sure you know the answer to that."

I opened the access panel and held a hand out toward Leo. He stared for a couple of seconds, still taking his decision in. Eventually, he gave me the vial containing the real physician's cure. I turned it over, the dark red liquid sloshing in its container.

A part of me shuddered at the power contained in this vial. There was no good way to explain it, but the existence of the physician's cure felt wrong. The nearby shadows wanted to lunge at the vial and whisk it away into the ether. Only my command kept them at bay.

Hades would have a field day if he ever got his hand on a dose.

Festus's voice creaked over the intercom.

"Yeah, buddy," Leo agreed. "It's time."

More creaking.

"I know," Leo said, expression pinched. "Together till the end?"

Festus squeaked affirmatively.

Leo checked the ancient bronze astrolabe, which was now fitted with the crystal from Ogygia. I could practically hear him wishing for the astrolabe to successfully guide him back to Calypso.

He flipped a switch and brought the navigation device online. He set the timer for twenty-four hours.

I gestured to the engine's ventilator line, opening it once I got a nod of approval. I inserted the vial of the physician's cure, and it disappeared into the veins of the ship with a decisive thunk.

"Too late to turn back now," Leo said.

Buford chittered sadly, carefully nuzzling against Leo's hip.

"Does it hurt? You know, at the end?"

"I can't speak from personal experience, but I've heard it depends," I said. "I won't sugarcoat this, Leo. Should the physician's cure work, it will most likely hurt. Whatever happens in those last moments, you will feel it upon your return."

"And should the cure fail…will I see mami again? Is that even a possibility?"

"In the unlikely scenario that the cure fails, I swear on the Styx that I will reunite you with Esperanza. It's the least I could do after everything you've done for us."

Leo managed a watery laugh. He rubbed his eyes, leaving damp streaks on his cheeks. "This ship is as much yours as it is mine. Gods knows how I would've completed all the repairs without your help."

"You would've done fine without me. You're the ultimate McShizzle, after all." I cupped his face with my hands and gently dried his tears. "I want you to know that I'm proud of you, hermanito."

His crying intensified. I allowed him to crash against my chest, burying his face between the junction of my neck and shoulder. I carded my fingers through his sweat-soaked curls, simply holding him.

My heart ached something fierce. Here was yet another fifteen-year-old about to sacrifice his life for the sake of the world.

It wasn't fair.

Then again, life wasn't fair.

I slowly lowered us to the ground. I held him until his cries turned into small hiccups until they finally smoothed out altogether. He breathed deeply, fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns against my arm and along the lines of my legionnaire tattoo.

"I have one more request," Leo whispered, voice hoarse. His eyelashes glittered with lingering wetness as he tilted his head upward. I understood the urgency in his eyes, his need for reassurance that I'd accomplish whatever he wanted to ask of me.

"Anything within my power is yours to ask for."

"If I don't come back, I need you to swear to me that you will free Calypso from Ogygia." He gripped my wrist like a vice, palm rapidly heating up as he talked. "She's been alone for long enough. She deserves her freedom, a chance to explore the world, and so much more. The gods made a mistake in imprisoning her.

"I promised her I would come back and rescue her. I don't care what happens to me, I just want to make good on my end. Plus, I might've sworn on the Styx, so the location of my soul is in jeopardy if I don't make it back to her. Hehe."

Smoke curled under Leo's hand. I didn't make a fuss about it. Leo had other things on his mind, and honestly, it kinda tickled.

"I'm confident you'll follow through on your oath, but I will swear on the River Styx to free Calypso from Ogygia should you be indisposed."

"That's a nice way to say dead."

"I'm hoping you'll be a temporary guest in my brother's domain. If all goes to plan, Thanatos himself won't know you were ever there."

A beat of silence.

Then he said, "Andy, I'm scared."

Not knowing what else to do, I held him tighter and sang a lullaby I'd learned from Hestia. It spoke of peace and tranquility in the face of adversity, fitting the given situation. The lullaby echoed around the engine room. It almost felt like Hestia was here with us.

I sang until Leo fell still, snoring softly as he tried to get comfortable. With the wave of my hand, a bed appeared. I took care to tuck him in under Buford's watchful gaze. Thankfully, the Wonder table approved of my behavior and didn't disturb Leo with any of Coach Hedge's preprogrammed holograms.

I pressed a kiss to Leo's temple and tiptoed out of the room only to crash into Jason in the hallway.

His newly acquired glasses tumbled to the floor. We simultaneously bent down and bumped heads, turning an awkward situation into a more awkward situation.

We stared at each other for a few tense moments of silence.

Jason's eyes flicked to the engine room door. "How's he doing?" he asked at last.

"He's exhausted," I said truthfully. "I was able to get him to sleep, though. God knows he needs it."

"Oh." Jason rubbed the back of his neck. "I wanted to talk to him. Guess I'll wait till morning."

"You should get some sleep, too." I placed a hand on his shoulder and started walking toward the staircase leading to the upper decks. "Big day tomorrow. You'll need all the rest you can get."

"To storm or fire, the world must fall. Tomorrow, either Leo or I am going to die. That's why we have the physician's cure." Jason's electric blue eyes stared deep into my soul. I suppressed the urge to shiver. "You've seen the future, haven't you? You can tell Piper who needs to keep the cure with them."

"If only it were that simple. I could see glimpses of the future, sure, but the future is always fluid. Even if I were to act on my limited knowledge, my interference could drastically change things. It's in our best interest for Piper to hold onto the cure until the right moment."

Jason deflated like a balloon. I'm sure he'd wished to hear something else, anything else, regarding his or Leo's fates. I wasn't in the business of giving false hope, though. It was a cruel and unusual punishment.

"That's settled, then," he said, defeated.

"You really should get to bed, Jason. It's getting late."

He shook his head. "Not yet. I don't want to see…I'm not ready for…"

I filled in the blanks: Nightmares. Tomorrow. The world ending.

There were many depressing options to choose from.

"I get it. How about this? Let's go to the mess hall, I'll make us some hot chocolates, and we can talk about literally anything else."

"Does that include ideas for your shrine?" he teased, lips quirking upwards.

"An unnecessary endeavor, I assure you, but if that's what you want."

I resigned myself to talk of what Jason thought would be appropriate for a shrine dedicated to yours truly (my face burned the whole time) if only to distract him from tomorrow for a little longer. I could grant him that small mercy.

And if the night ended with Jason drooling onto his notebook, well, at least my plan of getting him to rest had succeeded.

I sent him to his bed with a snap of my fingers before heading to the deck, resuming lookout duty until August 1st dawned.

One way or another, all of Gaea's madness ended today.