Annabeth Chase and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Chapter 44 - We all become Pan

"But that wasn't true!" Grover protested. 

"Your kind never believed it," Pan said. "You sweet, stubborn satyrs refused to accept my passing. And I love you for that, but you only delayed the inevitable. You only prolonged my long, painful passing, my twilight sleep. It must end."

"No!" Grover looked like he'll burst into tears. 

"Dear Grover. You must accept the truth. Your companion, Nico, he understands."

The demigod nodded slowly. "He's dying. He should have died long ago. This . . . this is more like a memory."

"But gods can't die," Grover said. 

"They can fade," Pan corrected, "when everything they stood for is gone. When they cease to have power, and their sacred places disappear. The wild, my dear Grover, is so small now, so shattered, that no god can save it. My realm is gone. That is why I need you to carry a message. You must go back to the council. You must tell them of my passing. Because they must stop waiting for me to save them. I cannot. The only salvation you must make yourself. Each of you must -"

He stopped and glared at the dodo bird, who had changed her tune. 

"Dede, what are you doing?" he demanded. "Are you singing 'Kumbaya' again?" 

She blinked her yellow eyes innocently at him. 

Pan sighed. "Everybody's a cynic. But as I was saying, my dear Grover, each of you must take up my calling."

"But . . . no!" Grover whimpered. 

"Be strong! You have found me. And now you must release me. You must carry on my spirit. It can no longer be carried by a god. It must be taken up by all of you."

Pan switched his gaze to Percy, who looked stunned by the attention. 

"Percy Jackson," he said. "I know what you have seen today. I know your doubts. But I give you this news: when the time comes, you will not be ruled by fear."

Then he turned to me. "Daughter of Athena, your time is coming. You will play a great role, though it may not be the role you imagine." My heart thudded deeply in my chest. 

He moved on to Tyson. "Master Cyclops, do not despair. Heroes rarely live up to our expectations. But you, Tyson - your name shall live among the Cyclopes for generations. And Miss Rachel Dare . . . "

The mortal flinched when her name was called. She looked like she wanted to flee the cave, but Pan smiled reassuringly at her and raised a hand in blessing. 

"I know you believe you cannot make amends," he said. "But you are just as important as your father."

"I -" Rachel began. A tear traced her cheek and she looked away, blinking rapidly. 

"I know you don't believe this now," Pan continued. "But look for opportunities. They will come." 

Finally, he turned back to Grover, who was still struggling with his own tears. I wanted to comfort him, but I was too stunned with my own thoughts. 

"My dear satyr," Pan said kindly. "Will you carry on my message?"

"I - I can't."

"You can. You are the strongest and bravest. Your heart is true. You have believed in me more than anyone ever has, which is why you must bring the message, and why you must be the first to release me."

"I don't want to."

"I know," Pan said sadly. "But my name, Pan . . . originally it meant rustic. Did you know that? But over the years it has come to mean all. The spirit of the wild must pass to all of you now. You must tell each one you meet: if you would find Pan, take up Pan's spirit. Remake the wild, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world. You cannot wait for anyone else, even a god, to do that for you."