The Spartan of Olympus

11

Percy's POV

Pain.

Unimaginable, unfathomable, crippling pain.

That was the only feeling that coursed through Percy's body as his eyes landed on Zoë, with Atlas's javelin protruding from her stomach. He rushed to her side, along with Artemis and Bianca.

Zoë's teary eyes met Percy's, just as he choked out, "No . . . you can't die,"

Zoë gave him a weak smile. "I-It was prophesized . . . I-I can't beat f-fate."

Salty tears began to flow down Percy's cheeks. "I love you."

Zoë flashed him another feeble smile, her energy leaving her. "I l-love you too, even after all these y-years, P-Perseus."

For a moment, the gravity of the situation slammed down on Percy's shoulders, even stronger than the weight of the sky had earlier. For a moment, he let the pessimistic side of him take over, and silently accepted that Zoë was going to die, and he would be left alone once more. But as quickly as it came, it was shoved away by the more optimistic and hopeful side of him. His determination solidified—Zoë Nightshade would not die today.

Percy turned to Artemis. "Can't you heal her?" He asked hopefully, his mind racing to come up with a plan.

Artemis shook her head, her teary eyes focused on her dying lieutenant, and best friend. "No. Well—no, not entirely."

"Explain," Percy prompted.

"I'm weak after holding the sky. I have enough energy to heal the javelin wound, but not enough to expel the poison. Or vice versa. I could only gain enough energy to heal both by a sacrifice—but not just any sacrifice. It has to be something big—something so monumental that it would reenergize me entirely, something like—"

"Immortality?" Percy interrupted quietly.

Artemis's words stopped, and her mouth slowly closed. "Yes, but why—"

Her eyes widened in realization. "You cannot seriously be willing to—"

"I am," Percy confirmed.

Artemis gazed at him worriedly. "Perseus, as much as I want you to heal Zoë, I urge you not to do this. By taking your immortality away, you will become the eldest child of the Big Three. You will become the prophecy child."

Percy nodded. "Anything to save her."

Artemis nodded and closed her eyes. "Perseus, please give up your immortality."

Luckily, Apollo had told Percy what to do if he ever wished to give up his immortality, for whatever reason. He told him to be specific when giving it up, so the energy could be channeled into the correct being.

"I, Perseus Jackson, forfeit my partial immortality to Artemis, goddess of the moon, in order to heal Zoë Nightshade," Percy stated.

The warm, golden glow that usually surrounded Percy faded, and Artemis glowed silver. Her silver-yellow eyes snapped open, pulsing with energy. She let out a rare and bright smile.

"It will work."

Artemis placed one hand on Zoë's wound making Zoë squirm uncomfortably. Percy rested her head in his lap, and slowly ran his fingers through her hair.

"It's okay," Percy whispered, "you're going to survive."

Zoë's volcanic black eyes gleamed with happiness as she gazed at Percy. Artemis placed her second hand on Zoë's chin. She closed her eyes and began chanting in ancient Greek—one of Apollo's hymns to be exact—and Zoë began to glow with silver.