The Child of the Dead Sea (a Percy Jackson fanfic)

14. New Beginnings

LEO

We made our way back to the ship. Everyone noticed that we left without one of us. And nobody liked it.

The ship had taken off from that place three days ago. We would get to camp in only a few hours.

I stayed at the helm. I didn't want to face anyone else. If i did, i knew i would break.

Percy already had. Since we were back on board, he had refused to leave his room until we were back at camp. Annabeth had been taking food to him, most of it blue in an attempt to cheer him up. She stayed in the room with him the while time, only coming out for food.

The first time i asked what he was doing. She had told everyone that he was making a burial shroud. I remembered that at camp, if a camper died, it was tradition for that camper's cabin mates to make the shroud. It wasn't fair. Kate only had one sibling. That was Percy. It was sad. There was no other word for it. I felt bad for Percy. He should not have to make the burial shroud for someone who should still be alive. If it wasn't for this prophecy, Kate would still be alive.

Camp was in view. I landed in the middle of the cabins, right next to the hearth. Chiron and most of the campers had gathered and were cheering. The rest of the demigods, except Percy and Annabeth, came on deck and we all walked off the ship.

"Welcome back. Where are the others?" Chiron asked when he saw that Percy Annabeth and Kate had not walked off with us.

Before any of us could answer Percy and Annabeth appeared on deck. Cheers broke out but soon died when they saw them walk off.

Percy's face was tear stained and he carried a blue, folded shroud.

"What happened?" Chiron asked Annabeth.

She carried herself like it was a normal day, but her eyes gave away how broken she was. We all were. "Kate sacrificed herself to save everyone." Her voice shook slightly.

Chiron's smile melted and was replaced with a grim expression.

ANNABETH

Percy had worked on the shroud for three days. I had helped him some, but he mainly insisted on doing it himself. It turned out beautiful. It was blue and showed an ocean scene. He told me the scene was from his father's palace. He remembered it from the time he was there. It showed the palace and various sea creatures. Higher up on the fabric was Olympus itself, sitting just above the waves. I was impressed with his work. If it had been any other occasion, i would have marveled at the shroud. But this was not a different time.

Leo moved the Argo II to the back to the Hephaestus cabin. Chiron announced to the camp what happened when everyone had been called for lunch. We were about to leave to prepare for the funeral when flashed of light appeared all over the pavilion. The light cleared and the campers gasp. All twelve Olympians, along with Hades and Hestia, were now standing at each of their own table.

While they all took on their regal appearance, i could tell it was an act. They all looked tired and a few had tear stains on their cheeks. I guess that Kate's death had affected them too.

Zeus made his way to the front along with the others. "I believe there is to be a funeral." He spoke softly to Chiron. He nodded and the gods nodded. The gods parted again and left the pavilion to make their way to the strawberry fields where we had planned to hold the funeral.

I followed Percy back to his cabin. He hadn't spoke since we got back, and I was getting worried.

I opened the door and Percy was leaning over the saltwater fountain in the corner of the cabin. "Percy?"