Too Many Memories

The Truth Comes Out

The Truth Comes Out

The next day, Chiron, Percy's team and him, as well as me to represent the Amazons, were called to Olympus. It had been reopened. We were supposed to be rewarded, but I think it was mostly because the gods wanted to talk to their children.

We rode the elevator up to the 600th floor. Percy wanted to feel mortal, like I was, and so we took the long way instead of him just teleporting us there. I still wasn't talking that much since Hylla's death was too fresh.

We walked into the throne room and knelt before the gods.

"Rise." Zeus said. We stood. "We would, erm, like to . . . thank you. For destroying most of Gaea's army, and for putting her back to sleep. We are sorry about the loss of Hylla Ramírez-Arellano, and countless other demigods and Amazons.

"To show our, um, gratitude, we would like to reward you. You each get one wish. Annabeth Chase, yours may be either for you yourself, or for the good of all of the Amazons under your leadership. Who would like to choose first?"

"Percy?" Poseidon prompted.

"My team and I have talked. We must politely decline. We don't want any rewards. No wishes. Olympus and Camp Half-Blood are our homes, we require no prize for protecting it."

Every god looked stunned. I guess they didn't realize Percy was so mature now. "Uh, okay then. Chiron, for the Camp?" His reply was similar to Percy's. "Annabeth?" Zeus turned to me.

"Oh, okay. Um, let me think for a moment." I thought, nothing coming to mind. Until something popped up. "I know. I was kidnapped by Connor and Travis Stoll--"

"WHAT?" Athena roared.

"--because Gaea was holding their little sister hostage. I understand why they did it, and forgive them. My wish is for them to be forgiven and unharmed." I glared pointedly at Athena. "Swear on the Styx. Percy already has."

The gods murmured to themselves, but swore. Athena did not look happy about it and Percy made a face at being reminded. Thalia smiled reassuringly at me. I'll watch him, don't worry. She mouthed.

"Well then, now that that is cleared up, I have told the other Olympians that they may have a few minutes to talk to their children." Zeus announced, and Hermes, Athena, Hades, Poseidon, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, and himself got up off their thrones and shrunk to human size, approaching their children.

Athena gathered Daedalus and I. "Son."

"Mother."

Daedalus stalked off and I was left with my mother. They both could hold a grudge, for a really long time. "Hello, Annabeth."

"Hey, Mom."

"I'm proud of you. You will be a great Queen for the Amazons. You don't need Hylla to help you. And as much as I would like to send my owls after the sons of Hermes, I trust your judgement. After all, you are the official architect of Olympus. And you have done a wonderful job." She gestured around the renewed home of the gods and I couldn't help but smile. It did look amazing.

"Lead them well." Athena said, before disappearing.

I walked back into the center of the throne room and waited for everyone else to finish talking to their parents. Thalia looked relieved when she joined my side, everyone else was neutral. Percy took the longest, and seemed the saddest at having to leave. It made sense. His team could travel here more often than he could, it was a risk for him to stay on Earth this long.

When all of us were there, Percy made a portal for us to walk through and to get back to Camp Half-Blood. When we got back, dinner was just starting. I hadn't realized we had been gone so long. We joined the throng of campers and Amazons heading towards the pavilion.

I sniffled and resumed the silence I had adopted since Hylla died. I wasn't ready to face the facts. I started towards the Amazon's table but Percy grabbed my arm and pulled me to his table with him.

I said nothing but glumly ate my food. Percy and I finished before everyone else and Chiron let us leave dinner early, knowing we needed time by ourselves.

We escaped to the lake and sat at the dock, our feet swishing in the water. Percy draped his arm around my middle and held me close to him. We sat in silence for a while, until Percy broke it.

"I visited my mom and Paul earlier." He started.

"Any change?"

"Yeah, actually. She's awake. My mom woke from her coma." He smiled.

"That's great! I bet she was happy to see you, after what? Two years?"

"She was really happy. I told her you said hi. She says hi."

"Good, I'm glad she's okay."

We fell into an uncomfortable silence again. This time I broke it. "Percy . . . we're twenty-one now. We shouldn't have to deal with this. I think we are the oldest demigods I've ever heard of." Percy opened his mouth to protest. "Luke doesn't count. Neither does Daedalus."

He sighed. "I agree. We've had probably the worst luck in demigod history."

"We can't even have five years before some crazy god or goddess wants to take over the world."

"No, we can't."

"But even as crazy as it is, I wouldn't trade it. In demigod standards, our lives are perfect just the way they are."

"They are, aren't they?"

"Yeah . . ." I rested my head on Percy's shoulder and was sat on the dock until the conch horn blew, signaling that it was time for the campfire.

We sat by the fire and halfheartedly toasted marshmallows. Chiron had a little, "pep talk."

"I know all of you are exhausted, and mad at the world for never giving you a break. But just think of all the men and women and children out in the mortal world who will never have to experience what you have. We lost some campers along the way, but the gods can't control themselves and we keep getting more." We all laughed at that.

"I would like to talk a bit about a certain person. Hylla Ramírez-Arellano. She may have intimidated a lot of you, more the males, but she was a good person. She gave her life to lure Gaea back to sleep. I hope you appreciate her sacrifice, and go easy on the Amazons. Hylla was the former Queen of the Amazons, and was liked by many. Her death has hit them hard. But luckily, they have Annabeth Chase to lead them, who went through quite an ordeal herself in this war." The campers turned to look at me and I ducked down, not liking the attention.

"I, along with the gods, would like to thank you all for your bravery and help during this war. We are very grateful. Now, off to bed. You have just been through a war but this camp has a purpose. And you need to be well rested tomorrow. Plus, our guests will be leaving. We must see them off." Chiron dismissed us and Percy walked me to my cabin.

He pressed a kiss to my forehead. "I won't leave without saying goodbye."

"Neither will I." I captured his salty lips and kissed him, before walking into the Amazon's cabin and collapsing on my bunk, falling asleep immediately.