Percy Jackson and the Incarnate-5: The Mahayudha

CHAPTER 23 POV: Hestia

After the war ended and.. and Hari died, Chaos arrived along with Shiva. Both of them showed no emotions, but even they know the pain of losing Hari. Hades and Kripacharya, with help from Yamaraj and Lord Shiva himself, discussed how to bid Hari farewell in his final journey. We learnt from Shiva that since Hari was an avatar, His soul merged with him and Vishnu directly. He had no need to go through the underworld.

The funeral procession was planned and executed. Percy, Pranjal, Ashwatthama and Hanuman were the pall-bearers as they carried him to the funeral pyre. Apollo and Kripacharya chanted the hymns. I held the torch of fire, which would be used to light the pyre. Grover and Aranyani, the Hindu goddess of the wilderness created the funeral pyre. Agni, the Hindu god of fire, sat on my torch in his micro-form, to transport the last essence of Hari back to the five elements. Apollo kept chanting the hymns but I didn't pay heed to it. My own son. My son died. That were the only thoughts running in my mind.

The rituals went as per planned and Hari was lowered onto the pyre. A few layers of wood were placed over his body as I lowered the torch. Agni started to consume his body and me being associated with fire felt the residual essence of Hari, the essence that made Hari human gather around the fire. Agni then proceeded to distribute the essence to the five elements, completing the journey of this life.

The pyre burned and after a day turned to ashes. Being half-Greek and half-Hindu, Hades had to talk with Shiva to chalk out the death rituals. And it was done respectfully. Thirteen days. The rituals happened, just like it did for his father Sivakumar. The next day after the pyre was lit, the ashes were collected in an urn. At the end of thirteen days, the ashes were spread across the bank of the new lake. And the results were beautiful.

The ashes acted as seeds, and new plants grew in the place. About seven distinct flora was established, each representing each mythology and their direction from that place; Hindu, Chinese, Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Norse, Maya-Aztec and African. Even creatures of each mythology grew from the ashes. It was a beautiful sight. From Dragons to serpents, from phoenix to the Chakora. All of us stood in awe. Artemis was drooling.

"No hunting here Artemis!", I scolded. She looked as if I snatched away her favorite bow and sulked behind.

Then a bright light shone and at the middle of the lake stood Hari. But in his divine form. As Lord Vishnu. They looked very similar. Percy had his eyes popped out in shock. Pranjal was in his knees praying. The seven Chiranjeevis looked at Hari with tears.

"Hari?!", I choked on my tears. He smiled at me.

"Amma Hestia. Thank you for being my mother. I know you are pained by my death but please. I was born for this. I was born for this day. Lord Shiva knows it. I know it since the time I returned with Percy back to India to train. I was preparing for this day. Please do not lament over my death. Please.

Percy and Annabeth. You have been my gateway to this Greek world. Without two good friends as you, I would have been lost; directionless. And thank you Percy. Your loyalty was my greatest luck. You put your reputation on line and supported me during the darkest of times. I will never forget that.

Pranjal! Pranjal. You were my first brother here. You saved my life the first time I came to this world. We had a very good time together. You cured my homesickness. Remember the time we would annoy Frank by chatting in Hindi?", he said and Pranjal had a small chuckle, "Those were good times. You were the only one other than Percy who completely believed in me. Thank you. Thank you for everything.", he said.

"Hari. Why did you bargain with the fates?", I asked.

"For you guys. The camp was my home for nearly a year before I faked death and reached India. I loved it. I loved the demigods, but they lived by the knife edge. And the seven had faced enough to last a lifetime. They deserve retirement. And this is my choice. So, do not fret.", he said and the demigods cheered him.