Jason was shocked, he dived down to his best friend, the Romans walked towards them to see their Pontifex Maximus. Jason kept repeating, "No, no, no!" He held Cassius in his arms, Cassius coughed, blood trailing from his mouth. His face morphed with pain, he looked up at his friend, "Jason, do you think they're proud of me?" The area was silent so everyone heard him. Jason nodded, "Yes, they are proud of you. You have done right by your name, you honored your family. You helped save everyone, you're a hero." Cassius coughed again, smiling, "Thank you, my friend. For being here with me. I'm sorry, for all that I have done." Jason was crying, "No, I can't lose you too. It's not your time." Suddenly, two flashes appeared. Everyone looked up to see Mercury and Venus. They looked devastated, they both shouted, "Cassius!" The two ran towards him, crouching down next to him. "My son," Mercury said while crying. Venus openly sobbed for her grandson, "Cassius, my little dove." Her voice broke the crowd's hearts, even more, Piper looked at her mother, crying as well for her nephew. Cassius looked at his father, "Father. I tried. To be great for you. And for my mother. Would she be proud of me?" "Yes, she would. So would your grandfather and so would Augustus." Cassius started to cough more, more blood seeped from his wound despite the hands placed on it. Venus looked to the sky, tears streaming down her face, "Apollo! Apollo! Please, help us, please help him. Save him!" But nothing happened, Apollo did not appear. Annabeth walked to Cassius, crying, "Cassius, you deserved better. Thank you, you comforted me after I got out of that place." "No problem, you helped me as well. I enjoyed our talks, if only we had more time." Cassius broke out into a fit of coughs.
Nico walked towards the senator, who he met and bonded with during his time as Pluto's ambassador. He crouched down next to the crying god and goddess, tears welling in his own eyes, "It's too late, he's dying. I can sense it. I'm so sorry, Cassius, you deserved to live." Reyna watched, a single tear escaping from her usual stone-cold exterior. Cassius smiled at the young son of Hades, "It's alright, Nico. It's ok, I know I'm dying. I grew up as a soldier, I learned how to die a long time ago. I just wish I could have done more." Cassius' skin had paled, looking sickly, his eyes were half-closed. The Romans formed a circle around him, kneeling with their heads hung low in honor of their leader. Venus sobbed at her dying grandson, "You did well, Cassius. I'm so proud of you, my little dove. You will see them again, your mother, your grandfather, and Augustus, in the Elysian Fields. You stood by Rome and what you believed in."
Reyna walked towards him, joining the small group, "Cassius, you will be remembered by Rome. The Legion will honor you. The Greatest Senator Camp Jupiter has ever seen. I know you think no one loves you, but you're wrong. The people love you, they followed you." Cassius smiled at her, "Thank you, Reyna." Venus said, "She is right, I know their emotions and feelings. They respect you, they do love you. You will be missed." "Th-thank y-you," he said, his voice slightly fading. Jason spoke once more, "I will make sure Camp Jupiter honors you for the great person you are. No one will ever forget Cassius Caesar." Cassius nodded and smiled again. Cassius looked around him, his friends and soldiers crying as they knew he would die. He spoke to them all, to everyone, "The Gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, b-because any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful th-that way because we're doomed. I-I will see you again soon, my brother, but n-not yet." He was propped up slightly in his father's arms as he spoke to Jason. His eyes slowly closed, his breathing stopping after he whispered his last words, "Not yet." His body went limp, slumping down. Mercury slowly lowered his son's body to the ground, whispering, "Go to them, my son."
Jason looked at his fallen friend, tears streaming down his face. He drew his gladius, as did all the other Romans, confusing the Greeks. Jason went down on one knee, holding his sword upside down, its blade pressed into the ground. The legionnaires followed his cue, doing the same with their swords and hanging their heads in respect. Venus and Mercury did the same, minus the swords. The Greeks, all still standing up, looked around as every single Roman was down, showing respect for their fallen leader. Jason looked up, tear stains covering his cheeks, he said something that everyone heard, "Ave Atque Vale." Annabeth, who knew some Latin phrases and words, whispered the translation to herself, "Hail and Farewell." All Romans repeated Jason's words in unison. Venus and Mercury looked at the Romans, Venus stood up, still crying, "He was a Soldier of Rome. Honor him!" Camp Jupiter held a funeral for their Leader. Their Pontifex Maximus. Their Senator. Cassius was honored by all, celebrated as a hero. Annabeth designed a statue of him to be made for both camps. To honor him, they gave him the title of Consul, also retiring the position. Making Cassius the last Consul of Rome. Cassius was reunited with his family in Elysium. He watched his friends and family live their lives, eventually seeing them again.
Cassius saw himself in front of a council of three people for a moment before hearing them yell, "Elysium!" He was transported in front of a large beautiful gate. It was tall and golden and it slowly opened, revealing beautiful fields and small cottages scattered around. Cassius walked forward, he noted that he was barefoot. He looked down as he slowly walked through the tall fields. He was wearing all white, his laurel pendant dangling from his neck. His hand was slightly outstretched, allowing him to feel the tall grass. Cassius looked around, he saw people, all dressed in white like him. He came upon a trail and followed it. He stopped when he saw three figures in the distance. A woman with long wavy blond hair and beautiful green eyes and dressed in a white Roman dress. A young man with short-cropped blond hair and bright blue eyes was dressed in a white Roman tunic. Another man, a little older than the other, with short light brown hair and similar green eyes to the woman, was also dressed in a white tunic. They smiled at him as he approached. He knew them. The woman was Claudia, his mother. The younger man was Augustus, his adoptive father. And the older man was his grandfather. They waved at him and he ran towards them. Cassius was happy, he was reunited with his family. He was content to spend the rest of eternity in Elysium.
Gaius Cassius Caesar, Son of Mercury and Legacy of Venus, Senator, Pontifex Maximus and Consul of Rome, 26 BCE-2010 CE. The Hero of Rome.
