𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 ✦ JACKSON

𝐱𝐯𝐢𝐢. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ENDGAME} act iii. . .
. . .true love, that doesn't exist

             CHAPTER SEVENTEEN°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
— 'The world will know you'

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･Rayn°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

We landed in Crissy Field after nightfall. I wanted to run up and hug my step mother but I couldn't bring myself to let go of Zoe's hand.

Artemis, Thalia and I knelt beside Zoe. I knew we couldn't save her. She was shivering and the glow always surrounding her was fading.

"Cant you heal her with your magic?" I asked Artemis. "You're a goddess."

Artemis lifted her head sadly. "Life is a fragile thing. If the Fates will the string to be cut, there is little I can do. But I can try."

She placed her hands on Zoe's side, but Zoe gripped her wrist. She looked into the goddess's eyes and a moment of understanding passed between them.

"Have I... served thee well?" Zoe whispered.

"With great honor," Artemis said softly. L the finest of my attendants."

Zoe's face relaxed. "Rest. At last."

"I can try to heal the poison, my brave one."

In that moment, I knew the it wasn't just the poison killing her. It was her father's final blow.

"You knew all along," I whispered. "The prophecy... you knew."

"Yes," Zoe smiled weakly.

Zoe's gaze turned to Thalia. "I'm sorry we argued, we could have been sisters."

"It's my fault," Thalia said, blinking hard. "You were right about Luke, about heroes, men—everything."

"Perhaps not all men," Zoe murmured. She smiled weakly at Percy. "Do you still have the sword, Percy?"

Percy didn't say anything, but he uncapped Riptide and gave it to Zoe. She grasped it in her hands. "You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like... like Hercules. I am honoured that you carry this sword."

A shudder ran through her body.

"Zoe," I said.

"Thank you, Rayn," she whispered.

"Do you remember our boat ride?" I asked her, tears slowly falling from my eyes.

"Of course," she nodded.

"You left an impact," I sobbed. "The word will know your name, Zoe Nightshade. I will make sure of it."

Zoe smiled at me and look up at the sky. "Stars," she whispered. "I can see the stars again, my lady."

A tear trickled down Artemis's cheek. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."

"Stars," Zoe repeated. Her eyes fixed on the night sky, and she did not move again.

The tears I had tried to keep back, broke out, like a dam. I felt arms wrap around me.

"It's okay," my mom whispered. "She's happy now, she's at rest."

I fell back into her arms and stared at the sky. The feeling of Zoe's hand in mine faded until she was no longer there.

"Let the world honor you, my Huntress," I heard Artemis saying. "Live forever in the stars."

I gazed at the new constellation in the sky, a girl with a bow, running across the sky.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

I stood up from the floor, my mom still steadying me.

"I must go to Olympus immediately," Artemis said. "I will not be able to take you, but I will send help."

The goddess eat her hand on Annabeths shoulder. "You are brave beyond measure, my girl."

She looked at Thalia, studying the daughter of Zeus. I wasn't sure what happened but Artemis's gaze softened with sympathy. Then she turned to me.

"You are courageous," she smiled. "You will do what is right, for you."

Artemis look at Percy. "You did well. For a man."

She mounted her chariot, and disappeared with a flash of silver.

"Well," my mom sighed. "She was impressive."

I turned to her. "I... I'm sorry that, I ran-"

"Shh," she hugged me. "Do what you must, my dear. I know this isn't easy for you."

Her voice was shaking but she gave me a brave smile. I could tell that if anything else happened, she might break.

"You should go home," I smiled at her. "Make sure Emily is alright, for me. Tell her a story for me."

"What one?" Anne asked.

I thought for a moment, trying to rack my brain for what books she had. "One of a brave Huntress that saved everyone."

My mom stared at me sadly before pulling me into a tight hug. "Oh, Rayn."

"Rayn?" I heard Percy ask. "Are you ready to go? We can leave you with your mom if you want—"

"No, no," My mom said. "Go."

I walked over to the Pegasi waiting for us with Percy. Thalia and Annabeth have already mounted theirs and I do the same.

Together we soared across the San Francisco sky until the city was a glimmering crescent behind us.

"Your mom seems cool," Percy said.

"Yeah," I sighed. "They're too far away for me to live with them though."

I heard a crackle of thunder and stare at the point, high above the Empire State Building.

"The Council of the Gods has started," Thalia said.

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

©️gracexeo , 2024