The Heroes Of Olympus

Chapter 17

'Hazel Levesque. Daughter of Pluto. Wonder with mist. Saved a lot of lives. A-'

Hazel jumped in, 'Save your breath. Everybody knows the details. Well, what I want is straight and simple. I don't want Frank's life dependent on a piece of wood. It is not fair. So, I want, whoever is in charge of this, to make him normal. Well, you can't make him mortal-normal. But, at least demigod-normal. That's all.'

'Are you sure, Hazel? That's all?' Hades asked.

'Yes. I am sure. I want nothing more.'

Frank looked at Hazel gratefully. He knew how much she loved him, if instead of asking for something else, she helped him. Practically, saved his life. Because, he was sure he wouldn't have survived with that stick for a long time now! He owed her one.

'Frank Zhang. Son of Ares. Praetor at Camp Jupiter. Saved Thanatos by risking his life. Destroyed all the Katoblepones in Venice. The only demigod with a Greek legacy in modern day. Destroyed Giant Alcyoneous.'

Ares looked at his son proudly. Frank was relieved. It had seemed almost impossible to please his father. But, at last, he was able to do so. He got up from his tiny-chair throne.

Frank's mind was racing. He wasn't prepared. What could he ask for? He wanted never to be separated from Hazel again. But, that was something for which he didn't need the help of the Gods. He would never allow Hazel to get separated from him. Hm. Hazel had done him a favor. He must help her too.

'Sammy! Of course.'

'What?' Ares asked.

'I mean...'

He looked at Hazel. Her eyes were already full of tears. Now, he was sure what he wanted.

'Aphrodite will know him. Sammy. In Hazel's first life, he was supposed to be her true love. But their love story never had a proper ending. I want... that ending to be now. I want Hazel to meet Sammy, so that they could have their last talk together. So that, Hazel, too, could live happily, satisfied... knowing that her first life hadn't been for nothing.'

Hazel and Frank looked at each other. Hazel's eyes were full of tears now. Frank, too, was on the verge of crying.

All the Gods looked at them, their mouths opened and eyes widened. Ares was looking completely furious. He didn't like it when his children got all soft- heartened.

Aphrodite, on the other hand, was looking very happy. She knew true love perfectly and this was the best example of it.

'All right, then.' She said. 'I and Hades could take you both to him. Right, Hades?' She flickered her eyes. Piper groaned, knowing exactly what her mother was trying to do.

'Right.' Hades said. 'We could meet Sammy in Elysium. Come with me.'

Frank, Hazel and Aphrodite walked with him. He muttered something and the next moment they were in a room—a golden room. It had a door on its end. They pushed the door open and walked through it.

Now, they were in the most beautiful place Hazel had ever seen. It was full of colors and birds and all sorts of animals jumped all around. It was wonderful.

'Woah.' Frank and Hazel said together.

'And this, my friends, is Elysium. You both are probably looking at different things right now, for Elysium shows a person what that person's most inner core of heart appeals. Hazel, move forward and keep thinking of Sammy. He will appear soon.'

Hazel looked at Frank, who nodded in approval. She started walking. It was wonderful. Nothing like The Fields of Asphodel. She kept walking. She wondered...what age would Sammy look like now? She wanted him to look her age. It would be weird talking to an 80 year old.

Suddenly, she stopped. For, in front of her, she saw the most handsome looking man ever. His face was like- Leo. But, he was way better. (No offence, Leo) Hazel had lived every day, thinking that she would never see this face again. The face she desired. Her first love.

Sammy looked at her and froze.

'Hazel?'

'Sammy.'

Then, all of a sudden, their surroundings changed.

They stood in an old compound, which looked like a monastery. They were surrounded with red brick wall covered with vines. Big magnolia trees were all around, so huge, that they looked like they ruled the place.

'My school.' Hazel said. Unlike, the last time, the air was cold; not shivering cold but pleasant cold. She looked at Sammy. He was looking a bit taller, but other than that, he looked exactly like she had seen him last time. The same devilish smile. The same nervous energy. The same curly brown hair. The same Sammy.

'Miss Lamarr. Wasn't your line supposed to be, 'Oh my Romeo. Whereforth were thou? I have been missing you, you handsome devil. I miss the way you smile at-'

'I think that's enough, Sammy.' Hazel said, laughing.

They both smiled at each other. Hazel couldn't stop her temptation. She ran forward and hugged Sammy.

'Woah. Miss Lamarr. You, being a graceful actress must know better than hugging the director?' Saying this, he pulled her away from him. He was slightly taller than her.

'You missed me, Levesque?'

'How couldn't I, Sammy?'

'You know, I broke the promise. I used that diamond. I-I' He looked away.

'Sammy...I too, did a lot of wrong things, but, let's make the most of the time we have.'

'You-you ...died?'

'Yes, yes! But, I came back then. You know what? Long story. So tell me all about your machine shop and your fa-family.

'Hazel! You haven't changed.' And saying this, he hugged her once again.