He Stoll My Heart - Connor Stoll.

Ch.17: Rewards.

A/N: This chapter also takes place during TLO, ch.20 ("We win fabulous prices").

Today is Sadie Kane's birthday, she who had the best love triangle ending👍 (at least that I've read) (17/03)

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Up on Olympus, the gods had set about repairing the throne room, which went surprisingly fast with twelve superpowerful beings at work. Once the sky bridge re-formed, the surviving Defenders of Olympus were greeted by Percy and the others.

That's when they got the full story.

Apparently, Luke had had a change of heart and had defeated Kronos himself, by stabbing himself in his Achilles' heel (which was under his left armpit). Then, all the Olympians had arrived, expecting a battle, but instead found Percy, Annabeth, and Grover standing over him. Then, the Three Fates themselves had taken him to the underworld, but not before allowing Hermes to say goodbye.

Connor and Travis had smiled sadly at each other when they were told this information.

At least he died a hero, like Silena, they said.

Rose and Brina and those who could immediately got to work, helping out with the injured.

The Cyclopes had saved Thalia from the fallen statue. She was on crutches, but otherwise she was okay.

Connor and Travis had made it through with only minor injuries. They promised Percy they hadn't even looted the city much, but Rose knew better. She told Percy his parents were fine, though they weren't allowed into Mount Olympus.

While Rose had been talking with Demeter, Mrs. O'Leary had dug Chiron out of the rubble and rushed him off to camp. The Stolls looked kind of worried about the old centaur, but at least he was alive.

Katie reported that she'd seen Rachel Elizabeth Dare run out of the Empire State Building at the end of the battle. Rachel had looked unharmed, but nobody knew where she'd gone.

Nico di Angelo came into Olympus to a hero's welcome, his father right behind him, despite the fact that Hades was only supposed to visit Olympus on the winter solstice. The god of the dead looked stunned when his relatives clapped him on the back. Demeter and Persephone followed him.

Clarisse marched in, still shivering from her time in the ice block, and Ares bellowed, "There's my girl!" The god of war ruffled her hair and pounded her on the back, calling her the best warrior he'd ever seen. "That drakon-slaying? THAT'S what I'm talking about!" She looked pretty overwhelmed. All she could do was nod and blink, like she was afraid he'd start hitting her, but eventually she began to smile.

As she helped who she could, Rose observed the deities around her. It was rare to see them doing anything else than lounging around, ordering people around, and being all around unhelpful. Seeing them rebuilding their home was... refreshing, she supposed. Plus, Camp Half-Blood would soon have to do that themselves anyway, so not being alone in such an endeavor was comforting.

Rose found it funny how Percy Jackson seemed to be having colloquial conversations with a few deities. She wondered how much he would or could push his luck. Probably until he got turned into fried fish.

Rose considered all the losses. Countless demigods, satyrs, hunters, nature spirits had passed during the fight. They hadn't been in vain, but Ceres/Demeter's talk about the Second Great Prophecy didn't sound very positive.

Suddenly, conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon marched into the throne room.

"Percy!" Tyson yelled. Rose knew him from when he'd gone on a quest with Percy. She didn't even remember which one, that guy had gone on way too many. The Cyclopes charged toward Percy with his arms open.