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DAYS IN THE SUN

chapter forty-one
❛ 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚎. ❜

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

THE BRIDGE TO Olympus was dissolving. When they stepped out of the elevator and onto the white marble walkway, cracks immediately appeared underneath their feet.

"Jump!" Grover instructed, springing onto the next slab of stone while the demigods tilted.

"Gods, I hate heights!" Thalia yelled as she and Percy leaped over. Amara and Annabeth were the only ones left, the latter being in no condition to land the jump.

"Someone do me a favor," the brunette grunted and unwrapped herself from the blonde. "Catch her."

Annabeth shot her a surprise look, but she got her answer soon enough when a wind current sent the daughter of Athena flying to the other side and landing against Grover.

The pavement began to crumble, the floor disappearing while Percy held out a hand for Amara to grab onto. "Beauty, come on!"

She took a step forward, ready to jump when the floor underneath turned into dust and she narrowly missed Percy's hand. "Amara!" Thalia screamed, looking over the edge as the youngest daughter of Zeus began to free fall.

Her body tumbled through the sky, her hair whipping in her face as she attempted to gain control over the wind spirits. It was hard, pushing to the point of exhaustion as Fifth Avenue began to near and the sight of the Jackson family's Prius.

She was going to die. That was the only thing running through her mind as the wind gods struggled against the enemies wind spirits. She crossed her arms, bracing for impact until her body landed harshly against something else.

When she opened her eyes, Aella flew through the air until the wind and lightning spirit pegasus landed beside the familiar Prius.

"Good pegasus," Amara breathed, falling against the car as she attempted to catch her breath and closed her eyes.

"Amara?" She opened her eyes only to be met with Nico di Angelo's dark chocolate ones. "What are you . . . you're supposed to be on Olympus!"

"You try fighting wind spirits mid air," she huffed out and crossed her arms. "Having to fight for control against wind spirits while controlling some? Not the easiest thing."

Nico rolled his eyes, a small smirk twitching onto the corner of his lips. "Still the same old I see."

"Amara!" Jada Beckendorf rushed to her adoptive daughter, tears welled up in the older woman's warm brown eyes.

The engineer pulled her into a wordless hug, gripping onto the demigod right. "I'm so glad you're okay," she breathed. Amara froze and for a moment, she felt like she was back in Charles arms whenever she returned from a quest. "We saw you falling and got worried."

Sally quickly appeared, taking the opportunity once Jada pulled away to look over the brunette. She felt deja vu, the Jackson woman reminding her of Silena whenever she would check for injuries.

When Sally and Jada stood side by side, she could feel her heart stop. For a quick second, it wasn't the older woman in front of her anymore. Their images flashed, momentarily turning into Beckendorf and Silena. The couple held a smile, holding each other before they turned back into the mothers.

She blinked, her heart in her stomach as the world around her began to spin. "I—I gotta get back up there," she quickly hoisted herself onto Aella.

"Amara, wait—" Jada called, but her adoptive daughter shot off into the sky and was heading towards the top of the Empire State Building.

The wind spirits were easier to maintain this time around, not having to focus on keeping herself alive and before long she landed outside of the palace to find her sister trapped underneath a statue of Hera.

Aella took off into the sky, and arguing could be heard in the throne room as she rushed to Thalia's side.

"What can I do?"

The huntress jerked her head into the direction of the throne room. "Help them."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine," Thalia reassured. "Go!"

"But—"

"Go!"

This time, she didn't argue and took off into the throne room like her older sister had instructed. When she made her way inside, Kronos had Percy backed up against the throne of Hephaestus.

The Titan lord swung backbiter, Luke's sword, while Percy jumped onto the god of blacksmith's seat. The throne whirred and hummed with secret mechanisms.

Her boyfriend quickly jumped over Kronos' head, the throne shooting out tendrils of electricity in all directions. One hit the Titan in the face, arcing down his body and up his sword.

"Arg!" He crumpled to his knees, dropping his weapon.

Annabeth kicked Ethan out of the way, charging Kronos. "Luke, listen!" The Titan flicked his hand and sent the blonde flying backwards, slamming her head into the throne of Athena while her body crumpled to the floor.

"Annabeth!" Amara screamed, giving away her presence as Kronos' gaze landed on her. "Well, well," the Titan spoke. "Daughter of Zeus, welcome to the party."

Ethan Nakamura got to his feet, standing between the children of Poseidon and Athena. Grover's song tune became urgent, the satyr slowly moving toward Annabeth. Grass grew on the throne room floor, roots creeping between the cracks of the marble stones.

The lord of time rose to a knee while his hair smoldered, his face covered from electrical burns. He reached for his sword, but the weapon didn't appear like he had hoped.

"Nakamura!" Kronos groaned. "Time to prove yourself. You know Jackson's secret weakness. Kill him, and you will have rewards beyond measure."

The familiar buzzing returned to Amara's ears, blocking out the world and making it so the only thing she could focus on was the tightening grip on her sword.

Annabeth was crumbled against her mother's throne, already wounded because of what Kronos had done to her earlier. Beckendorf, was dead because he had gone to blow up Kronos' ship to give the demigods an advantage in the war.

She had witnessed Silena die, all because Luke blackmailed her into becoming a spy for Kronos. And Luke, the boy she once viewed as an older brother and called family was gone because Kronos had gotten into his head and manipulated his anger.

She was reminded of her earlier moment with Sally Jackson and Jada Beckendorf, how badly she wished it was Beckendorf and Silena checking up on her just like they used too. But, they were gone. They were dead, and there's a possibility she would never see them again.

It was like a floodgate had opened, her anger being replaced by pain as she felt like she was drowning in it. Everything from the past couple of days, months, and years rose to the surface. Jake was right, she's a ticking time bomb and she was finally going to explode.

The wind picked up within the throne room, vicious wind spirits rushing around the daughter of Zeus as teal overlapped her electric blue and electricity began sparking in her palm. Outside of the throne room, the clouds darkened and lightning repeatedly struck.

Kronos growled, raising his arms against the currents until he was blown backwards from the strength of the wind.

The electricity in Amara's palm fizzled, finally forming into the shape it was attempting to create over the past few days as she held a lightning bolt.

"You took everything from me," she began to make her way to the Titan. Kronos froze for a second, the demigods voice echoing as her body began to glow with a sky blue aura. Her eyes, reminding him of his youngest son as she swung her sword and bolt together. "Now, I'm going to kill you."

"Amara!" Percy yelled, but it was too late. She had already grabbed a wind current, launching herself into the air and slicing pieces of Luke's hair before the Titan quickly rolled to the side.

"You killed them," she yelled while dodging a swipe of his sword. "You took them away from me!"

Amara swung the bolt, meeting the Titan's lord sword when she suddenly swiped her sword across his arm. The blade didn't bounce back, instead knocking Kronos backwards as he stumbled and cutting into his gauntlets.

The lord of time let out a war cry, slicing his sword across her arm. But the blade bounced off, much like what had happened with Clarisse earlier that day.

She thrusted the bolt into his shoulder, the electricity dispersing as Kronos let out an agitated yell from the shock running through his body. With a force of his hand, Amara was knocked backwards and the Titan quickly advanced.

When Kronos stood over her, she could've sworn for a second she saw his face morph into one of sadness before she used a ball of wind to throw him across the room.

The demigod and Titan fought through the hearth, kicking up coals and sparks along the way. "Oh, yes," Kronos said. "This one will make good kindling for my new hearth!"

Their blades clashed in a shower of sparks, and she could feel her energy beginning to wear out. But for that moment, she could feel the power of the winds in her arms and she quickly pushed the Titan back.

Within a seconds notice, another lightning bolt formed in her hand as she slashed both her sword and the makeshift creation across the Titan's chest, creating a gash in the celestial bronze.

Kronos let out a growl, swatting the bolt out of her hand as he stomped his foot and time slowed. Amara was moving slowly, the Titan using this to his advantage and slamming the hilt of his sword into her bad shoulder.

"Amara!" Percy yelled, anger radiating through his tone as she fell to her knees clutching her shoulder.

Kronos backed up leisurely, catching his break while examining the gash in his armor. In the corner of her eye, she could see Percy struggling to move.

"It's too late, Percy Jackson," Kronos said. "Behold."

The Titan pointed to the hearth, and the coals glowed. A sheet of white smoke poured from the fire and Amara could see Nico, Percy's parents, and Jada down on Fifth Avenue fighting a hopeless battle.

In the background Hades fought from his black chariot, summoning wave after wave of zombies out of the ground, but the forces of the Titan's army seemed just as endless. Meanwhile, Manhattan was being destroyed. Mortals now fully awake were running in terror, cars swerving and crashing.

The scene shifted and she could see a column of storm approaching the Hudson River, moving rapidly over the Jersey shore. Chariots circled it, locked in combat with the creature in the clouds. The gods attacked, lightning flashing while arrows of gold and silver streaked into the cloud and exploded. Slowly, the cloud ripped apart and she saw Typhon clearly for the first time.

Typhon's head shifted constantly. Every moment he was a different monster, each more horrible than the last. Looking at his face would've driven Amara insane, so she focused on his body, which wasn't much better. He was humanoid, mottled green, with blisters the size of buildings, and blackened patches from eons of being stuck under a volcano. His hands were human, but with talons like an eagle's. His legs were scaly and reptilian.

"The Olympian's are giving their final effort." Kronos laughed. "How pathetic."

Zeus threw a thunderbolt from his chariot, the blast lighting up the world and she could feel the shock from Olympus. But when the dust cleared, Typhon was still standing. He staggered a bit, a smoking crater on top of his misshapen head but he roared in anger and kept advancing.

The monster stepped into the Hudson River and barely sank to mid calf. A conch horn suddenly sounded from the smoky picture. The call of the ocean, the call of Poseidon. All around Typhon, the Hudson River erupted, churning with forty-foot waves.

Out of the water burst a new chariot pulled by massive hippocampi, who swam in air as easily as in water. Poseidon, glowing with a blue aura of power, rose a defiant circle around the giant's legs. As the sea god swung his trident the river responded, making a funnel cloud around the monster.

"No!" Kronos bellowed after a moment of stunned silence. "No!"

"Now, my brethren!" Poseidon's voice was so loud Amara wasn't sure if she was hearing it from the smoky image or from all the way across town. "Strike for Olympus!"

Warriors burst out of the river, riding the waves on sharks, dragons, and sea horses. It was a legion of cyclops, and leading them into battle was . . .

"Tyson!" Percy yelled.

The brunette stared at him wide eyed, he'd grown in size. He had to be thirty feet tall, as big as any of his older cousins and for the first time he was wearing full battle armor. Riding behind him was Briares, the hundred-handed one.

All the cyclops held huge lengths of black iron chains, grappling hooks at the ends. They swung them like lassos and began to ensnare Typhon, throwing lines around the creature's legs and arms, using the tide to keep circling, slowly tangling him. Typhon shook, roared, and yanked at the chains, pulling some cyclops off their mounts, but there were too many chains.

The sheer weight of the cyclops battalion began to weigh Typhon down. Poseidon threw his trident and impaled the monster in the throat. Golden blood, immortal ichor, spewed from the wound making a waterfall taller than a skyscraper. The trident flew back to Poseidon's hand.

The other gods struck with renewed force. Ares rode in and stabbed Typhon in the nose, Artemis shot the monster in the eye with a dozen silver arrows. Apollo shot a blazing volley of arrows and set the monster's loincloth on fire. Amara's father kept pounding the giant with lightning, until finally, slowly, the water rose, wrapping Typhon like a cocoon, and he began to sink under the weight of the chains.

The monster bellowed in agony, thrashing with such force that waves sloshed the Jersey shore, soaking five-story buildings and splashing over the George Washington Bridge. But down he went as Poseidon opened a special tunnel for him at the bottom at the river, an endless waterfall that would take him straight to Tartarus. The giant's head went under in a seething whirlpool, and he was gone.

"Bah!" Kronos screamed. He slashed his sword through the smoke, tearing the image to shreds.

"They're on their way," Percy said. "You've lost."

"I haven't even started."

He advanced with blinding speed. Grover tried to protect Percy, but Kronos tossed him aside like a rag doll.

Suddenly, Annabeth appeared by Amara's side and she sent the brunette a small smile. "Always so reckless, you never change Am."

She rolled her eyes at the blonde, and the daughters of Athena and Zeus helped support one another's weight as they got to their feet.

She watched as Percy sidestepped and jabbed under Kronos's guard. The Titan lord countered the strike and disarmed him, the son of Poseidon's weapon skittering across the ground and falling straight into the open fissure.

"Stop!" Annabeth yelled.

Kronos whirled around and faced the blonde and brunette duo as he slashed with backbitter, but Annabeth managed to catch the strike with her dagger hilt.

For a moment the girls stood face to face with the Titan lord, keeping him at a standstill.

"Luke," Annabeth said, gritting her teeth, "I understand now. You have to trust me."

Kronos roared in outrage. "Luke Castellan is dead! His body will burn away as I assume my true form!"

The Titan attempted to push against the daughter of Athena, trying to dislodge his blade but she held him in check. Annabeth's arms were trembling as Kronos forced his sword toward her neck. It was then Amara realized what Annabeth was trying to get out.

"Your mother," Amara grunted as she adjusted her own sword to take over for Annabeth in a moments notice. "She saw your fate."

"Service to Kronos!" the Titan roared. "This is my fate."

"That's not the end, Luke," she argued and held back her sadness from slipping out. "The prophecy, she saw what you would do. It applies to you!"

"I will crush you, child!" Kronos bellowed.

"You won't," Annabeth said.

"You promised," the brunette continued. "You're holding Kronos back even now."

"Lies!" Kronos pushed again, and this time Annabeth lost her balance. With his free hand, the Titan struck her face and she slid backward. Amara took her place, clashing her sword against Luke's to hold him back.

"Family, Luke," Annabeth croaked. "You promised."

Kronos staggered, his attention landing on the dagger in the daughter of Athena's hand before his gaze went to Amara. "You said I was your sister, you promised we would always be together." She added, unable to hide the sadness that swept into her tone.

Luke seemed to get a good look at her then, blood flowed lightly from her forehead from the blows she received towards the end of her fight against Kronos. She was bruised, and looked completely exhausted with tears forming in her eyes.

The son of Hermes then gasped like he couldn't get air. "Annabeth . . . Amara . . ." The older boy's voice had returned to normal, stumbling towards the girls while Amara fell to her knees from exhaustion. "You're bleeding . . ."

"My dagger," Annabeth attempted to raise her weapon, but it fell from her hand. "Percy, please . . ."

The son of Poseidon surged forward, scooping up the dagger and was quick to knock backbiter out of the son of Hermes' hand, but Luke didn't care as he stepped towards the daughters of Athena and Zeus.

Percy outstretched his arm towards Amara, holding a glare towards the older boy. "Don't touch her."

Anger formed on Luke's face, Kronos' voice returning once more. "Jackson . . ." Luke gasped again, his voice back to normal. "He's changing. Help, he's . . . he's almost ready. He won't need my body anymore. Please—"

"No!" Kronos bellowed. He looked around for his sword, but it was in the hearth, glowing among the coals. He began to stumble towards the weapon and with use the last of her strength, she used a wind current to knock the sword away from the lord of time.

The Titan lord turned, growling as he struck her with enough force to send her flying and cracking her head on the base of Zeus' throne.

"Amara!"

"The dagger, Percy," Annabeth muttered. Her breath was shallow. "Hero . . . cursed blade . . ."

When the black dots finally subsided enough for her to see, Amara was able to make out Kronos grasping backbiter. Then, the Titan bellowed in pain and dropped the weapon as his hands began smoking and smeared. The hearth fire had grown hot, like the scythe wasn't compatible with it.

She could vaguely make out the image of Hestia, the goddess flickering in the ashes while frowning at Kronos with disapproval.

Luke turned and collapsed to the floor, clutching his ruined hands. "Please, Percy . . ."

Percy moved toward him with the dagger. "You can't . . . can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can . . . can keep him controlled."

The son of Hermes skin began to smoke. Percy raised the dagger to strike, until he turned around. Grover had dragged Annabeth to be with Amara, the satyr cradling the former with one arm while holding the brunette against him with the other.

"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."

Percy gave the dagger to Luke.

Grover yelped. "Percy? Are you . . . um . . ."

Amara could only watch as Luke grasped the hilt. She managed to get to her feet, wobbling her way towards Percy despite Grover's many protest.

Luke stabbed himself using the dagger, it wasn't a deep cut but the older boy howled. His eyes began to glow the color of lava, the throne room shaking and throwing the children of the big three off their feet. An aura of energy began surrounding Luke, continuing to grow brighter and brighter.

Percy was at her side in an instant, his arms wrapping around her tightly as he held her close while a force like a nuclear explosions blistered her skin and cracked her lips.

It was silent for a time long before she opened her eyes again, only to see Luke sprawled at the hearth. On the floor next to him, was a blackened circle of ash. Kronos' scythe had liquefied into molten metal and was trickling into the coals of the hearth, which now glowed like a blacksmith's furnace.

The left side of Luke's body was bloody. But his eyes were open, back to their normal bright blue color as his breaths came out in deep rattles.

"Good . . . blade," he croaked.

Percy helped Amara to her feet, leading her over to the son of Hermes while Grover did the same with Annabeth. The boys shared a look, aware of the tears that were forming in the girls eyes.

Luke gazed at Annabeth. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew . . ."

"Shhh," Annabeth's voice trembled. "You were a hero at the end, Luke. You'll go to Elysium."

He shook his head weakly. "Think . . . rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest."

Amara shook her head at the older boy. "You always pushed yourself too hard."

He held up his charred hands, Annabeth touched his fingertips while Amara gently laced his with hers. "Did you . . ." Luke coughed and his lips glistened red. "Did you love me?"

"There was a time I thought . . . well, I thought," the blonde wiped her tears away as she spoke softly. "You were like a brother to me, Luke. But, I didn't love you."

The son of Hermes nodded, as if he'd been expecting it before wincing in pain.

"We can get ambrosia," Grover said. "We can—"

"Grover," Luke gulped. "You're the bravest satyr I ever knew. But no. There's no healing . . ." He coughed once more.

Luke's attention turned to Amara, a weak smile attempting to force on his lips. "You always saw the best in me, didn't you Amara?"

She nodded. "And you always saw the best in me." It was hard not to choke on her tears, but, she managed to keep them back.

Luke looked at Percy. "Ethan, me, all the unclaimed. Don't let it . . . Don't let it happen again."

His bright blue eyes were angry, but pleading too.

"I won't," Percy said. "I promise."

"Oh, and Percy . . ."

"Yeah?"

"You better take care of her, she's like my little sister you know . . ."

"I will."

Luke nodded for the last time, his hand going limp in the hands of the daughters of Zeus and Athena. Amara couldn't help the stray tears that raced down her cheeks, Percy gently pulling her into his side as he kissed her temple.

The gods arrived only a few minutes later in their war outfits, thundering into the throne room and expecting a battle. Instead what they found was Amara, Percy, Annabeth, and Grover standing over the body of broken half-blood in the dim warm light of the hearth.

"Percy," Poseidon called, awe in his voice. "What . . . what is this?"

Percy briefly let got of Amara, turning to facing the gods and goddesses. "We need a shroud," he announced as his voice cracked. "A shroud for the son of Hermes."

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

The three fates were the ones who took Luke's body, gathering up the older boy in a white and green shroud and began carrying it out of the throne room before they were stopped.

"Wait," Hermes called. The god had switched back into his usual outfit of white greek robes, sandals, and helmet with the wings of his helm fluttering as he walked. He briefly unwrapped Luke's face, kissing his forehead and murmuring words in ancient greek.

"Farewell," the god whispered. Then he nodded and allowed the Fates to carry away his son's body.

A dizziness suddenly washed over Amara, her knees buckling while her vision became blurry. Percy was quick to catch her, but accidentally grabbed onto the arm connected to her bad shoulder. "Oh gods," her boyfriend said. "Mara, I'm so sorry."

"It's all right," she attempted to give him a reassuring look before going limp in his arms. She was on the verge of passing out.

"She needs help!" Percy yelled.

"I've got this," Apollo stepped forward. "God of medicine, at your service."

He passed his hand over the brunette's face and spoke an incantation. Immediately the bruises faded, her cuts and scars disappearing. Her arm straightened, and she let out a sigh from against him.

Apollo grinned. "She's exhausting from overusing her powers over the last few days, that I can't fix. But she'll be fine in a few minutes, injuries and all. Just enough time for me to compose a poem about our victory: 'Apollo and his friends save Olympus.' Good, eh?"

"Thanks, Apollo," Amara muttered. "But please, no poetry." She went limp against Percy once more as she passed out.

Thalia had taken the younger girl from Percy, Zeus directing his oldest daughter for them to rest in his room until Amara awoken. A few hours passed before the brunette woke up, only for her older sister to inform her there was a meeting going on and after making she was okay, the Grace sisters made their way out into the throne room.

Amara immediately made her way towards Percy, her boyfriend smiling gently as she joined his side.

"As for my brothers," Zeus said. "We are thankful," he cleared his throat as if the words were hard to get out. "Erm, thankful for the aid of Hades."

The lord of the dead nodded. He held a smug look on his face and patted Nico on the shoulders, the di Angelo boy looked happier than Amara's ever seen him.

"And, of course," her father continued, though he looked like his pants were smoldering. "We must . . . um . . . thank Poseidon."

"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said. "What was that?"

"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom . . . it would've been difficult—"

"Difficult?" The sea god asked innocently.

"Impossible," the king of the gods spat. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."

The gods murmured in agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.

"Which leaves us," Zeus said. "Only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well even if there are a few dents in my throne."

He called Thalia first, the immortal being his eldest daughter and promised her help in filling the hunters ranks. Artemis smiled. "You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."

The goddess glared pointedly at Hades.

The lord of the dead shrugged. "Probably."

Artemis glared at him once more.

"Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."

Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis' side.

"Amara Grace, my daughter." Her father called her forward, attempting to hide his pride as he spoke. "We shall talk, in a more . . . private setting."

Amara nodded, stepping back in between Percy and Annabeth.

"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the council regardless.

"Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" The lord of the sky muttered before continuing after he was shot a look from his youngest. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war and for leading the cyclops, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new . . . um . . . what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"

"Stick!" Tyson said, showing his broken club.

"Very well," Zeus said. "We will you grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."

"Hooray!" Tyson cried, and all the cyclops cheered and pounded him on the back as he rejoined them.

"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called.

Their protector went forward nervously.

"Oh, stop chewing your shirt," the god of wine chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah. Since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a number of the Council of Cloven Elders."

Grover collapsed on the spot.

"Oh, wonderful," Dionysus sighed as several naiads came forward to help the satyr. "Well, when he wakes up, someone tell him that he will no longer be an outcast and that all satyrs, naiads, and other spirits of nature will henceforth treat him as a lord of the Wild. With all rights, privileges, and honors, blah, blah, blah. Now please, drag him off before he wakes up and starts groveling."

"Foooooood," Grover moaned, the nature spirits carrying him away.

Athena called next, "Annabeth Chase, my own daughter." Annabeth gave Amara a wink, then walked forward and knelt at her mother's feet.

The goddess of wisdom smiled. "You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strengths, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is . . . well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved, so we shall take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements."

Annabeth looked up, stunned. "My . . . my lady?"

Athena smiled wryly. "You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?"

"You mean . . . I can design whatever I want?"

"As your heart desires," the goddess said. "Make us a city for the ages."

"As long as you have plenty statues of me," Apollo added.

"And me," Aphrodite agreed.

"Hey, and me!" Ares said. "Big statues with huge wicked swords and—"

"All right!" Athena interrupted. "She gets the point. Rise, my daughter, official architect of Olympus."

Annabeth rose in a trance and walked back toward them. "Way to go," Amara told her, nudging the older girl.

For once the blonde was at a loss for words. "I'll . . . I'll have to start planning . . . Drafting paper, and, um, pencils—"

"Percy Jackson!" Poseidon announced, her boyfriend's name echoing around the chamber.

The room became silent expect for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on him, all the gods, the demigods, the cyclops, the spirited. He walked into the middle of the throne room. First he bowed to Zeus, then he knelt at Poseidon's feet.

"Rise, my son," the sea god commanded.

Percy stood.

"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said while Annabeth gripped onto Amara's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"

Not a single one protested.

"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."

He hesitated. "Any gift?"

Her father nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but Perseus Jackson if you wish it, you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."

Percy stared at him. "Um . . . a god?"

Amara felt like her breath got caught in her throat. Annabeth let go of her hand and wrapped her arm around her shoulder, squeezing her reassuringly.

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."

"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."

"I approve as well," Athena said, though the goddess was looking at Amara.

Percy glanced back. The brunette was trying not to meet his eyes, she knew her face had gone pale. He looked away and was silent for a while before looking at her again, and then back at the Council. "No," he said.

The Counsil was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they just have misheard. "No?" Zeus said. "You are . . . turning down our generous gift?"

There was a dangerous edge to his voice, like a thunderstorm about to erupt.

"I'm honored and everything," Percy said. "Don't get me wrong. It's just . . . I've got a lot of life left to life. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."

The gods were glaring at him, but Amara couldn't help the smile that laced her lips as her eyes shined.

"I do want a gift, though," Percy said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"

Zeus thought about it. "If it is within our power."

"It is," He said. "And it's not even difficult, but I need you to promise on the River Styx."

"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"

"Someone once told me," Percy said and looked at Hades. "You should always get a solemn oath."

Hades shrugged. "Guilty."

"Very well!" The king of the gods growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."

The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room meaning the deal was made.

"From now on, I want you to properly recognize the children of the gods," Percy said. "All the children . . . of all the gods."

The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.

"Percy," Poseidon said. "What exactly do you mean?"

"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned d by their parents," he said. "They felt angry, resentful, unloved, and they had a good reason."

Zeus' nostrils flared. "You dare accuse—"

"No more undetermined children," Percy said. "I want you to promise to claim your children, all your demigod children, by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."

"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo tried but Percy was on a roll.

"And the minor gods," he said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, and Hebe they all deserve a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—"

"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.

"No, my lord," Percy said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the big three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods, we're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."

Zeus snorted. "Is that all?"

Amara narrowed her electric blue eyes. "Father." She chided.

"Percy," Poseidon said. "You ask much. You presume much."

"I hold you to your oath," the Jackson boy said. "All of you."

He got a lot of steely looks, but strangely, it was Athena who spoke up first. "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakensss in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."

"Hump," Zeus said while spending a look towards Amara. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose . . ."

"All in favor," Hermes said.

All the gods raised their hands.

"Um, thanks," Percy said. He turned, but Poseidon called. "Honor guard!"

Immediately the cyclops came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door, an aisle for Percy to walk through as they came to attention.

"All hail, Perseus Jackson," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"

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02-11-25

     hello hello ! ugh i love this chapter so much. my heart hurts because we only have one chapter left, but i am so excited to move onto heroes of olympus. with that being said, i'll see you all on thursday for the last chapter !