AN: Okay, this is going to be a LONG chapter, I promise.

But first, I want to be honest with you.

If you're still reading this after all this time, thank you so much. Just know that the only reason I'm still writing this, is because I owe it to this fandom. I've spent so many years actively scrolling through all these fanfics, but I think those times are now officially over for me. At least, for the PJO fandom. Those books will always hold a place in my heart, but I've discovered so many other things that I like.

So that's one of the reasons for me neglecting this story (and my other one, too). My time in this fandom is drawing to a close. But I know how frustrating it is to read a fanfic that-

Just stops. And maybe I left it on a small cliffhanger, right before the finale… Sorry guys.

I really don't expect anyone to even want to read this anymore, but for those select few who will, I am going to finish this story. No matter how long it takes.

I don't think the same can be said for my other story, A Quest Without the Gods. Honestly, I just don't know where to go with that one, and it's far from finished.

I've got to admit I haven't taken the time to read everything I've written up till now, so as far as consistency goes... Yeah, probably not good. But, you know, it's something. I've saved all my notes and I've tried my best to make sense of them (it was very difficult).

By sheer force of will, I shall try to finish this for you. I would appreciate it if you let me know that some of you are still interested.

By the way, this will also be the LAST CHAPTER!

Disclaimer: Not entirely mine. Some of the conversation has been copied from TLO, written of course by Rick Riordan.

Chapter 19

Summer turned into fall, fall turned into winter.

Percy was not an idiot. He could tell that something was very wrong with Luke. It all started the day after his birthday, when Luke began avoiding him. At first he'd thought that he'd done something wrong, but Percy soon realized Luke wasn't just avoiding him, he was avoiding everyone. He spent so much time on his own, reading or just practicing on his own.

After having endured a week of this behavior, Percy decided to confront him. He'd been growing steadily more worried, as Luke seemed to be having even more nightmares than usual. Sometimes it would be impossible to wake him. Percy hated those nights... He always felt so helpless when Luke just kept trashing the sheets and whispering dark things. Luke used to confide in Percy, tell him what his dreams were about. That was their way of making up for the fact that their dreams weren't adjoined anymore. But now, Percy could only guess at what was making Luke scream his head of in the middle of the night. The son of Poseidon really wanted to know the truth, because it couldn't possibly be worse than the theories he had conceived in his head.

Of course Luke wrote it of as nothing to worry about. He told Percy that he still loved him, but that he really needed to be alone more. And that one day, he hoped to be able to explain everything to Percy.

The son of Poseidon had been hurt, but he'd eventually accepted it. Maybe they were just growing apart, that happens all the time, right? Maybe Luke didn't want to waste his time on the younger demigod any longer.

How tempting it may have been for Percy to resent Luke for it, he could see that Luke was trying to make up for his absence. Although he'd never admitted it, Percy knew for a fact that Luke had asked Annabeth to spend more time with him. And on those brief occasions that Luke did spent time with Percy, he would try to act as if nothing had changed. As if they were still best friends. Brothers, even.

On the upside, sword-fighting lessons have become so much better once Percy got the hang of it. He's now able to not humiliate himself when sparring even the strongest opponent. Percy had been so proud when Luke predicted that in a few years he might even become the best swordsman at Camp Half-Blood.

So yeah, life wasn't that bad, but Percy still missed the son of Hermes.

Things between Luke and him didn't improve. Neither did Percy's theories. He imagined the worst things happening to Luke, or sometimes even happening because of Luke. Percy felt guilty for doubting his friend, but he really didn't know what else to think. He had a feeling that Luke was sinking, and even the son of Poseidon couldn't save him.

Luke knew he was being a tremendous idiot. That's not a combination of words he'd usually associate himself with, but considering his grant master plan... Yep, he was a tremendous idiot.

Problem was, he had no other choice.

Cause however stupid Luke might be at the moment, his father would always be even worse. The messenger god truly seemed to believe that things were looking up for the gods. That their offspring were getting happier and that Camp-Half-Blood was finally at peace.

Luke just thought it was a bit sad that a god could be that naive. So what if Zeus is finally listening to their complaints? Everyone with brains knows that he has only agreed to let the demigods visit the winter solstice because he was being pressured to, and not because he gave a dam about the demigods. Only the most naïve demigods actually believed that they would get a chance to voice their complaints during the meeting.

So things were as bad as ever. The gods were still ignoring the biggest problem, and Kronos could still go back on his word and start collecting demigods for his army.

Hermes and Morpheus' efforts to change things hadn't worked out.

The dreams had been pointless.

Now it is all up to Luke. After agreeing to the deal, both Kronos and he had made their oaths. Kronos would steer clear from Camp Half-Blood, and Luke would give him the Lightning Bolt and the Helm of Darkness.

Not counting the research he'd done before swearing to the River Styx, that was only step one of Luke's idiotic plan.

And step two was approaching fast: the Winter Solstice.

"Luke!"

Said demigod cringed when he heard his name being called. He had tried to make a quick exit to his cabin after the campfire.

"Annie," he greeted once the blonde had caught up with him. Then, quite dismissively, "did you need anything?"

Luke tried not to feel guilty when he saw a flash of hurt shoot across her face at the badly hidden dismissal.

"I... no. I just wanted to say how excited I am for the trip tomorrow."

"Oh, well, so am I. Really looking forward to seeing Olympus, yeah. If that's all, then-"

"Wait, Luke." Annabeth sighed, looking far too serious for someone her age. "Actually, that's not all. I know I probably shouldn't get involved, but Percy is my friend, too. He's really bad at hiding his feelings, as I'm sure you know." Annabeth seemed to be struggling for words. "The point is, I can tell that he's sad. He misses you, Luke. You two were so close, but now... it's not my business to know what happened, but as I said, Percy's my friend. And so are you. So as a friend, I am asking you to at least talk things over with him. Maybe you could both use some reassurance that your friendship isn't over and done with. Or, in the worst case, at least give him so closure."

Mixed feelings ran through him as he listened to the little girl. There was no way he could explain to Percy why he had been so busy. What with trying to keep the unclaimed demigods on his side (not the god's specifically, just Luke's), and fending of Kronos' attempts to completely invade his mind, he hadn't had much time left to spend on Percy. What must Percy have gone through? Luke suddenly felt guilt stir up in him. Of course he had been doing it for the greater good, but he should have at least made a bigger effort to spend time with Percy.

"Annie, you're completely right, as always. Know what, I'll wait for him in cabin three for us to talk."

The stern grey eyes lit up with relief. "Thank the gods, Luke," she exclaimed as she moved to hug him.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

She let go. "Yeah, of course. I can't believe I'll finally get to see Olympus! I wonder who designed the buildings..." Luke left her there, trailed of in her thoughts of golden arches and marble decorations.

Luke didn't have to wait long for Percy to show up.

"Luke?" the smaller one timidly called out upon seeing him. "You're here?"

He nodded with a sheepish smile, feeling guilty again at the slightly surprised tone. He gestured for Percy to sit next to him on the bed.

"Look, Percy. I know I've not been a good friend these last months. I'm sorry. I promise that everything will be solved tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? At the Winter Solstice?" Percy question. "Are you going to suggest changes to the camp? Is that what you've been doing?"

"Not exactly, but it's part of it. I'll explain it another time. But Percy... Just because I haven't always been by your side, doesn't mean that I haven't seen how much you've grown. Percy, you're special. You've got a big future ahead of you, and I want to help you. That said, I've got a gift for you."

"A gift? Luke, you didn't have to."

"It was actually meant for your birthday, but now I know for sure that you're ready." Luke reached into his pocket and retrieved the ball pen. With a big grin, he said: "Happy belated birthday, Percy."

Percy hesitantly took the pen. "Gee, thanks Luke. You shouldn't have..."

A fond laugh escaped Luke's mouth upon seeing Percy's confused expression. "Don't worry Perce, it's not just a pen. I'm sure you'll find out for yourself soon enough."

"What do you mean by that?" Percy laughed. "Stop talking in riddles."

"Okay, one little hint." He grinned. "What I said about you becoming the best swordsman the other day, I was wrong. I'd forgotten that you'd be second best to me," Luke joked.

"Oh just you wait, one day I'll win from you," Percy grinned, already having a suspicion what the pen could be. But how did it work...

Luke laughed, though he actually believed it to be true. "I bet you will do great as the second best swordsman... though if I'm gone, that would make you the best."

"Gone?" Percy repeated, his voice unreadable. His good mood had evaporated. "You can't go... Go where? What do you mean 'gone'? Luke, please tell me what you've been doing all on your own. Are you leaving us?"

Luke cursed himself for that slip. He didn't know how to reply to that. Luke wasn't planning on returning, but he couldn't tell Percy that. Yet, he didn't have it in himself to outright lie to him. "I don't want to leave camp, Percy."

"But you're going to." It wasn't posed as a question.

"Nothing's certain."

"What's going to happen tomorrow?" Percy demanded.

"I am truly sorry, Perseus, but I can't tell you."

"Why can't you just say?" he shouted. "You can't just go off by yourself like that, you've got friends here. People who actually care, and you've been cutting them out of your life!" His eyes were like a stormy sea, his words a giant tidal wave that swept over Luke and hit him where it hurt.

Luke had the sinking realization that this could really be the end of their friendship. All those months Luke had just assumed that when this was done, they'd end things as friends. Percy had proven to be as unpredictable as ever. But Luke had to try one last time, figuratively extending a hand, he said: "Trust me for one more day."

"How can I trust you anymore when you won't even talk to me?"

Luke flinched. "Percy, please. Think of all that we've done together, in those dreams, but also in real-life. Isn't that worth just one more day?"

"Fine."

Mount Olympus, night of the Winter Solstice

Percy was a little disappointed. He hadn't really had any expectations in mind, but the trip had frankly been a bit boring so far. Chiron had led them on a tour around the mountain, which had been amazing. Especially Annabeth loved it. Even Percy had to agree that it was beautiful, but it felt like there was something missing from the trip.

After the tour, they were invited to join the gods for the Winter Solstice meeting they held. Al the Olympians plus Hades were there.

Though it was a relief when they were told to go to bed, halfway through when things were getting heated between Percy's father and Zeus. Percy had decided then that he didn't like those meetings much. It only consisted of the gods sitting on their thrones, shouting at each other while the demigods had to sit on the floor and listen. Percy knew that some demigods had expected that they could also speak up during the meeting, but apparently the Gods hadn't even thought of that. They hadn't even addressed the demigods a single time. His dad had barely glanced at him! Whatever they were discussing, it didn't seem to have been resolved by the time Chiron told the campers that it was bedtime.

The demigods were allowed to stay on Mount Olympus for the night, so they all got assigned their own room. It was the first after a long time any of them had slept in a room of their own.

Percy didn't like it. The bedroom felt way too empty with no one to talk to. He tossed and he turned, but he couldn't fall asleep. He wasn't tired or comfortable enough, and his mind was still thinking about Luke's words from the day before.

If Luke had spoken the truth, tomorrow was going to be a much better day. He really wished that Luke could be trusted, but he wasn't sure about anything anymore. Ever since Percy's birthday, there had been this... air hanging round Luke. He felt more powerful, older and... dangerous. Almost like he wasn't just Luke anymore, but something more. Something bad.

Deciding there was no way he could get to sleep, Percy got out of bed and silently opened the door. The hallway was empty. Percy had no destination in mind, though he had a feeling that he wasn't supposed to be outside on his own. He felt in his blue pj's pocket, feeling reassured when he found the sword that Luke had given him.

Luke. Maybe he couldn't sleep either. No, scratch that, Percy knew for sure that Luke would still be awake.

Which of these doors could lead to Luke? They all looked the same, and Percy hadn't paid attention when the rooms were being assigned. If there was one thing Percy did have, it was the worst luck possible, so he couldn't rely on that. Fortunately, he'd always had good instincts. Picking a door that felt okay, he knocked. Hearing no reply, he meant to walk away, but something stopped him: a gut feeling. Something was wrong.

He carefully nudged the door open, praying that it wasn't someone else's room. The room was empty, untouched. If this was indeed Luke's room, the older demigod hadn't even set foot here.

With a frown, Percy closed the room again. He was just being paranoid, right? He should go back to bed.

Needless to say, he didn't do that. Instead, he went searching for his friend. Despite Chiron's tour, Percy didn't know his way around Olympus. Neither did Luke, probably. Maybe he was just looking for his father? Percy had no other lead to go upon, so he started off by walking the way back to the throne room.

Olympus was beautiful, maybe even more so in the dark with the Greek fire lighting the way. Percy felt very grateful for Annabeth's excited chatter on their way to the bedrooms, for she'd pointed out all the landmarks that she'd found beautiful, which included almost everything. Thanks to her detailed gushing over architecture, Percy was able to navigate his way back to the Throne Room.

Even before entering, Percy could tell that the meeting was over. Otherwise he would have heard the thunderous voices from afar. Standing in front of the impressive doors, Percy was unsure whether or not he was allowed to enter without supervision. Before he got the chance to make up his mind, however, a girl opened the door. She seemed to be roughly the same age as Percy. He had never seen her before, so she couldn't be one of the visiting demigods. Besides, something told him that she wasn't a demigod at all. He felt a sudden calm in her presence, and the worry he had felt before, disappeared.

She smiled, honest, kind and... warm. Percy couldn't help but smile back, mesmerized.

"Come inside, it's warmer there," she beckoned him. He nodded his thanks.

The throne room had looked so intimidating in the daylight, with all the gods sitting there. Now that they were gone, the atmosphere had undergone a change. It felt like a home. The flickering flames of the heart provided the room with light and warmth.

Percy wanted to ask who she was and if she had seen Luke, but he also didn't want to disturb the peaceful silence. He had just made up his mind to ask her, when she spoke up first. "I shall not keep you here any longer than necessary. Luke is hiding in the gardens. But before you go, let me offer you some free advice. Destinies can change. It may not always look like you have a choice, but you do. Just remember that home is where the heart is."

"I'm not sure what you mean," Percy admitted.

She shook her head, smiling. "You will understand when the moment is there. I feel confident you will do the right thing. Now go, Perseus Jackson. Go save your friend."

Things were going too easy for Luke. After Chiron had left them all alone in their rooms, he'd doubled back to the throne room and waited for the gods to leave.

After they'd gone, he simply walked into the throne room and put the weapons in his bag. They really should have been more careful with them. It was like leaving two nuclear bombs lying around on a park bench.

Oh well, Luke had no problem with things going smoothly for a change. Step two, completed.

Now comes the scary part. Luke didn't want Kronos to get the weapons, but he also needed the gods to acknowledge that Kronos is a real threat and that today could have gone wrong. This only served as a wake up call. Unfortunately, this meant that Luke had to stay hidden from Kronos and the Olympians.

Without checking his surroundings, Luke had fled from the room. From all the books he read over the months, he had been able to draw up a rough map op Olympus. If the books were right, the gardens should be a perfect hiding place. They lay on the same side of the mountain as the throne room and, funny enough, there was a very convenient labyrinth, courtesy of Demeter.

Luke felt confident that he could hide himself and the lost symbols of powers for a night. That should be enough time for the gods to realize that the situation was getting serious. If this didn't work, then he really didn't know if there was any hope left of the gods changing their ways and fixing the problems at camp.

No, Luke couldn't think like that. This had to work.

He entered the maze. Getting himself lost was the easy part. Staying put was the hard one. All the anxiousness that had been building up from the moment he said yes to Kronos, suddenly caught up with him. What if there was no loophole in their deal? Luke knew that with every minute that he spent in the maze, he could be breaking the oath that he had sworn.

Kronos wanted him to steal the bolt and helm, and hand it over to him without telling anyone. The thing he hadn't asked was for Luke to do it as fast as he could. So in theory he could wait for however long he wants to, as long as he plans to give it to him in due time. At least, Luke was hoping that this wouldn't count as breaking the oath. But Kronos certainly won't be delighted in the least once he realizes that he's been played.

So at the moment, Luke wasn't breaking his oath yet, but he knew it was only a matter of time before he had to. There was no way in Hades that he was going to let Kronos lay his fingers upon those weapons. Consequently, this also meant that there was no way Luke could keep his oath.

Sacrifices had to be made.

Once he'd found the gardens, Percy felt like a seaweed brain for having missed them in the first place. What had first looked like a huge building was now clearly a wall, woven with things that looked like grain crops on steroids. Percy blamed the dark. Why did all the epic things have to happen in the dark?

Tracing the cereal wall, he'd eventually managed to find the entrance, though he couldn't tell how much time had gone by. Was there a chance that Luke had already come out of hiding and went back to his room? Going back didn't really sound that bad at the moment, Percy thought. Still, there was a chance that Luke was still there, hiding for whatever reason. Percy had to try.

So he entered the labyrinth. And quickly learned that he hated them. Having no clue where he was supposed to go, he also couldn't tell if he was going the right way. The girl at the heart had said that Luke was hiding, so Percy figured that simply calling his name wasn't going to work.

Percy remembered a story his mum used read to him, about The Labyrinth and The Minotaur... Okay, no thinking about Minotaurs now. Not the right time or place.

It took him a while to figure out that the maze was probably alive. Obviously, the cereal plants were alive, but they were also moving. Changing place. Creating doors where there used to be only walls. In any other situation living walls would have been a nightmare to navigate with, but Percy had this odd feeling that they were actually working in his favor. Eventually, Percy realized that the walls were steering him, changing all around him so he could get where he wanted to be. Where he needed to be. Percy decided to just accept this strange fact and he let the labyrinth guide him.

When he found Luke it came as a shock to both of them.

"Luke!" Percy exclaimed in relief, though it quickly turned into worry. "Are you okay? What are you doing here?"

Luke took a moment to recover, though he still sounded uncharacteristically nervous. "I'm not hurt, if that's what you mean. Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"Shouldn't you?" Percy shot back, not liking the fact that Luke was still avoiding questions.

"Really Percy, you shouldn't be here. It's too dangerous." Luke scanned the, fortunately empty, pathways.

"If it's dangerous, then you shouldn't be doing this alone," Percy insisted.

"I don't need help, you'll only get in the way," Luke bit back.

Percy was a bit startled by his hard tone. "Luke, if you just tell me what's going on, I can-"

"I don't want you here, Percy!" Luke shouted, unable to keep it in any longer. "I don't want you to see-" he abruptly fell into silence.

Percy frowned. Luke was hiding something. Scratch that, Luke was hiding many things. Looking around, Percy was able to find one of them. Even in the dark, he could spot the golden bag lying forgotten on the ground where Luke had been hiding. With two quick strides, Percy was on it before Luke could stop him. He emptied the bag, spilling its contents on the ground.

He couldn't believe his eyes. His brain must have processed it wrong. Or his eyes are seeing things that aren't there. Percy didn't know what went wrong, but something must have because there was no way that Zeus' Lightning Bolt and Hades' Helm of Darkness were lying on the ground at their thief, Luke's feet. Every bit of that scenario was wrong.

"Percy..." he heard Luke saying, but he wasn't listening.

He was still trying to tie his head around the fact that Luke held these objects in his possession, though he clearly wasn't meant to have them. Stolen. But why?

"Percy, I know how it must look, but..." Luke trailed off.

Percy let out a sharp laugh, bordering on manic. "What's happening to you, Luke? Why are you doing this? These are weapons, what did you want them for?"

Percy really wanted to give his friend the benefit of doubt, but after all those months of him acting strange and detached...

"Percy..." Luke said for a third time. "It may not look like it, but I am doing it for you and for the others."

Fed up with all the unanswered questions, Percy pulled out his pen. The one Luke had gifted him with, now aimed at him.

"Did you steal those weapons?" Percy asked, awkwardly pointing the pen at him as a threat.

Luke tensed, but didn't draw his own sword. Percy didn't notice him inching a bit closer to said weapons, though. "Yes, but not for myself."

"For whom then?" Percy asked, whilst trying to figure out how his sword actually worked.

"I... I'm not supposed to say."

"Is he or she bad?"

"Er... well, I suppose so, yes."

"Then why are you doing this?" Percy uncapped his weapon.

"Because I have to."

"Why?"

"...I can't say."

With that, Luke finally drew his sword, Backbiter, and made to but Percy in the head. Percy's quick reflexes saved him, though. Percy pushed down on the betrayal he felt, throwing all his anger into the fight. He immediately realized that Luke wasn't even really trying, but that realization only made him more frustrated. He had given Luke his trust, only to catch him doing... this!

{A half-blood of the eldest gods}

Luke didn't want to hurt Percy. He had tried to knock him unconscious, because he didn't want Percy to see him when... when the Styx would punish him. Finding a hole in his defense, Luke gave him a kick to the chest, making him fall to the ground with a groan.

Luke scooped up the weapons, putting them back in the bag. With one last glance at Percy, Luke ran. In the back of his mind, he though he could hear dark laughter following him wherever he went. Instinctively, he knew it to be Kronos, taunting him for even thinking he could escape his fate. As son of the Messenger God, it was only ironic that he would be the one having to play delivery guy with two of the world's most powerful items. Well, kronos could stuff it.

{Shall reach Olympus against all odds}

The Olympians had been woken up. If it had only been Luke Castellan missing, no one would have noticed, probably. Thing was, Perseus Jackson was also been gone from his room, as Poseidon had found out when he came to visit his son. All the Olympians were aware of the prophecy, though none had imagined that it would come to fulfillment this soon. Which was why they were all gathered in the Throne Room again, squabbling like little kids, when the lightning thief came rushing in.

"Luke! Where have you been?" Hermes asked surprised.

"Have you seen Percy?" Poseidon added hastily.

Luke held up a hand so he could catch up with his breath. "I have come to warn you."

{And while the world lies asleep}

"HOW DARE YOU MORTAL EVEN TOUCH MY LIGHTNING BOLT!" Zeus boomed, sounding even louder still in the silent night.

"It was the only way to make you listen," Luke explained again. "Let's just say, I've come to bargain."

"BARGAIN!"

"YES, BARGAIN." Luke shouted back. That gained him the attention he wanted. Any mortal who dared to scream at the King of the Gods, was worth listening to, right?

Unnoticed by anyone but Hestia, Percy entered the throne room. Observing what was going, he wisely kept silent and went to stand by the heart.

"Do you have any idea how much danger we're all in? Kronos is active. He came to me in a dream, asking for my help. Didn't give me a choice, really. For the past four months he's been in my head, and none of you noticed a thing. Even worse: I'm not the only one he'd gotten into contact with. All the unclaimed campers would've been happy to do exactly as he told them to, but he didn't want them. He wanted me. So we made oaths. For the moment, you're all safe because I made him swear not to do anything until I hand these-" he held the bag up, "to him. In return, I swore to do it. It was an oath on the river Styx."

{The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap}

"Traitor!" Ares screamed at Luke, his spear ready to be thrown. Hermes stopped him. "Don't you dare lay a finger on my son!"

"He's helping Kronos! He said it himself!"

"It is an oath that I've always intended to break," Luke hastily admitted, half expecting the Styx to just kill him off now. It was pure luck that he'd survived so long. He was no fool, though. He knew that the cursed water was coming for his soul. "Instead of doing what's easy, I devised a plan. I thought that if I could just steal them, and use them for bargaining, at least the others would not have to suffer for the time being. And even you can't still be in denial about whether or not Kronos is back. He is. That's what I've come to warn you about. You need to start preparing for war."

{A single choice shall end his days}

"So what's it going to be? Are you willing to listen to my demands? Cause the thing is, you don't have to deny me, just to pay me back for this. I'm going to die anyway, so why not just listen?"

Zeus didn't like the demigod, but he really wanted his lightning bolt back. Besides, even he could respect the sacrifice that had been made. "Fine," he huffed. "List your demands."

"From now on, I want you to properly recognize the children of the gods... all the children, of all the gods. No more undetermined children. Secondly..." Luke began listing all the changes to be made, in order to preserve the future of Camp-Half-blood, and Olympus.

{Olympus to preserve or raze}

"In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your request."

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

"Now that that's done, give me my bolt back."

"I'd like my helmet back too, yes," Hades piped up.

"Wait!" Hermes jumped out of his throne, rushing over to his son. Before Luke knew it, his father had put his arms around him in a tight hug. After the initial stiffness, Luke let all the tenseness ease away as he embraced his father one last time.

"I'm sorry my son, I tried to save you but it didn't work," Hermes whispered. He had only altered the events, though the result was the same. Even the combined efforts of Morpheus and him hadn't been enough to keep Luke from dying.

"Don't worry about it, father. After all, you did manage to give me a true friend."

With a sigh, Luke let go of the god, turning around to said friend, who had remained at the heart.

"Come here, Perce." He opened his arms.

The younger demigod practically leapt into them, still in shock. He didn't know if he should be feeling relieved that Luke hadn't betrayed him, or just sad because he was dying. He felt dazed, muted. The situation hadn't really dawned on him yet. For now, he just knew that he really didn't want Luke to go.

"Luke..." There was so much he wanted to say, but he couldn't get them out.

"You don't have to say anything Percy, I know," Luke reassured. "I guess I'll see you in Elysium, then?"

Percy forced himself to grin, just for Luke. "Of course you will."

"Right," said Luke. "I'll be waiting for you."

Hestia watched everything play out. Once it was done, once the stolen items had been returned and the hero's soul reaped, she knew she needed to speak to the boy. After all, there was no need for unnecessary grieving. However, knowing that a certain messenger god would also want to hear the news, she decided it would be best to just let them all know.

She coughed for attention, which was immediately bestowed upon her. "After the recent events, I have seen it my duty to inform you that am alteration has been made to the prophecy."

Had it been anyone but Hestia speaking, this declaration would have been followed by chaos and disbelief. But the Olympians knew better than to doubt her.

"Apparently," she went on, "when two gods decided to meddle with the lives of the demigods, trying to save a son, they ended up changing fate. Apollo? As the god of prophecy, you should do the honors."

"Well, of course, Auntie," he smirked dazzlingly, though even he was struggling with the concept of a rewritten prophecy. An abrupt change came over him as his eyes glowed a bright green, with green smoke coming out of his mouth.

"A half-blood of the eldest gods

Shall reach Olympus against all odds

And while the world lies asleep

The hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap

A single choice shall end his days

Olympus to preserve or raze"

But where all the gods, minus Hestia, expected Apollo to stop, he continued:

"Only friendship, tested by sacrifice

Can allow the hero to once more rise"

Luke Castellan, demigod son of Hermes, the lightning thief, Percy's friend, the hero.

Percy was the first to break out of his stupor. He looked at Hestia with renewed hope. "Does this mean..."

"The time has come, Perseus Jackson. Go save your friend."

AN: That's it then. I'm not going to do a sequel, but if anyone else wants to write one, go ahead. (Do send me a message, though)

Short epilogue for those who want it:

In my mind, Percy will succeed in somehow brining Luke back. Also, the gods will have been warned of Kronos' return in time for them to start preparing for the war. Because they were better prepared than in the books, the demigods survived and Kronos was defeated. The end.

The only reason I managed to finish this story is because of you all, so please, for the last time, leave a review. Let me know if it has been read.