Percy Jackson-Guardian of the Hunt

Chapter3- after the war

Last time: As the dust settled Gaia was nowhere in sight. Cheers echoed from our side but I didn't last long enough to let one out myself as I succumbed to the darkness willingly.

Narrator POV:

The battle was over and relief was spreading through the survivors of the war. The monsters were either dead or had run away. Most people were now relaxing, celebrating or receiving treatment for their wounds. The Gods however along with Thalia, Nico and the remaining members of the seven were standing around the unconscious hero of Olympus-Percy. Apollo crouched down to check on Percy's condition. He put his hand on Percy's neck to feel him pulse. He relaxed. It was still there beating normally. Percy was alive. He looked up to see all the faces looking at him with worry. Apollo took a flask of nectar from his waist and slowly poured a small amount down Percy's throat causing his wounds to heal. Apollo said "he's fine. He's just exhausted. I doubt he's ever used that much energy before. Heck I'm surprised he didn't faint sooner. He will wake up soon can't do much else now."

The next few minutes composed of the Gods checking on their remaining children, Artemis checking on her hunters and everyone getting treated by either Apollo or his kids. The deceased heroes' shrouds were burnt after they were given their final rites. There were many casualties-3 hunters, 35 nature spirits, 10 Romans, 8 Greeks and 6 Amazons. Most that had perished had been the young and inexperienced members of the battle who had not had enough time to be adequately trained and therefore unable to handle the strength of the opposing army.

On one of the beds in the medical bay a demigod with sea green eyes and messy raven black hair stirred.

Percy POV:

I groaned. I sat up and looked around. The last thing I remembered was cheering before I blacked out. Heroic I know but I couldn't help it. I was exhausted using my powers to that extent. I had never pushed myself that far. I took in my surroundings. I was in a room...no a tent that was filled with beds-but only a few were occupied. A few people with broken arms or legs that took a while to fully heal after ambrosia and nectar.

Then I remembered Annabeth and sadness immediately filled my body. Fresh tears flowed down my face. She was really gone. My Wise Girl had been unfairly taken from me. The last thing she said to me was to move on and live for her and not be depressed. I had promised her and I don't make promises that I don't intend to keep-but I knew it would be difficult. I swung my legs off the bed and make my way slowly towards the mass gathering around the campfire. "...and so I congratulate the Gods and their infinite bravery in their resounding efforts in defeating the Giants and Gaia." I snorted. Of course Zeus was giving a speech on the bravery of the Gods. "Now onto you. The brave soldiers who valiantly defended Olympus with pride. I am to bestow upon you fitting rewards. Firstly to the Cyclopes. Err...What would you like?" The entire battalion of Cyclopes raised their broken weapons and said as one "Sticks." There was laughter scattered around the crowd. "Very well," said Zeus. "You should have the finest sticks in the land. To the amazons we shall lend you the Cyclopes to forge you weapons for your...website range whatever that is as well as give you funding for your endeavours. To the Romans and Greeks I decree a joint camp so that you are all safe and united as well as letting you spend the next hour or so with your parents. Anyone disagree?" the rest of the Gods shook their heads. I was shocked. Zeus had given everyone a gift that they truly wanted. For the demigods who hadn't seen their parents let alone spoken to them, this meant a lot as I could clearly see from their faces. "And of course the fallen heroes shall reach Elysium I'm sure." Hades nodded to confirm Zeus's statement.

I sighed. It was a perfect evening. It was warm with a slight breeze. The sun was setting on Camp Half-blood and there was a smell of strawberries in the air. But I couldn't enjoy it. Not without Annabeth. I walked over to the beach and sat down and looked out to the sea. I glanced back and saw the Gods sitting down with their kids-whose faces were lit up with joy as if the entire war and all the casualties that had come with had been worth it just to sit down with their parents for an hour or so. Even the hunters had been allowed to break ranks to go and visit their parents and half-siblings. Both Greek and Roman campers had gathered and it must have been weird for the Romans as the Gods were in their Greek form. I saw Poseidon walk over to me and sit down. He looked tired; hell he probably had to do the most out of the Gods during the battle against Gaia with him being the Earthshaker and all. "Percy ma boy how are you feeling?" he asked. I held back a sarcastic comment. I looked into his eyes and saw concern. "Dad...I don't know. I want to cry, I want to scream and shout, I want to sleep but most of all I just want Annabeth." I broke down. He put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me in for an embrace. I let it all out. "Percy it will only get better and know I am there for you, and proud of you." He pulled away and dissolved into a sea breeze.

I walked back to the campfire as the Gods were saying goodbye to their kids, embracing them one by one. I saw Hestia in the flame tending the hearth. She looked up and gave me a bright smile that filled me with warmth and hope. I returned the smile. Suddenly I felt a weird sensation course through my body as I fought the urge to throw up. I looked up and recognized that I had been flashed onto Olympus. The rest of the seven were beside me along with Nico and Reyna. "Demigods we have summoned you here as we have all agreed to grant you gifts individually due to your crucial part in this war. Now we have decided as a council that we can give you a little while to think about what you want but it has to be reasonable because it will be your back up wish as we will obviously be giving you what you deserve. Go on then off you go." We were all brought back to reality after being shocked that the Gods and especially Zeus had allowed to choose our reward...kind of. I knew what Hazel and Frank were going to ask for-removing the others curse so that they could live in peace. Leo was probably going to sacrifice his wish to free Calypso and I had no idea what the others would wish for. I took a deep breath and beckoned Leo, Frank and Hazel over to me.