The air at Camp Half-Blood was electric with anticipation. Alex, Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson stood before Thalia's pine tree, the Golden Fleece in hand. The crowd of campers surrounding them murmured with excitement, their faces a mix of hope and exhaustion. The borders had been weakening for weeks, and this moment was the culmination of everything they had fought for.

"Let's do this," Percy said, stepping forward with the Fleece. Alex nodded, her red eyes glowing faintly in the dusk light. She had been pivotal in the quest, and yet, the weight of what they'd accomplished settled heavily on her shoulders.

Percy draped the Fleece over the tree, and immediately, golden light radiated outward. The tree, which had been sickly and dull, began to rejuvenate before their eyes. Its needles grew lush and green, its trunk sturdy and strong. Cheers erupted from the campers as the protective aura of the camp's borders returned.

As the golden glow intensified, Alex felt a shift in the atmosphere. The air grew heavy, almost electric, and the faint scent of ozone filled her nostrils. She glanced at Percy and Annabeth, who were both watching the tree intently.

"What's happening?" Annabeth asked, her voice tinged with worry.

The tree began to vibrate, the ground beneath it trembling. A hush fell over the crowd as they watched in awe and fear. Suddenly, a crack split the trunk of the tree, and a blinding light poured out. Alex instinctively stepped back, shielding her eyes with her arm.

From the crack emerged a figure—a teenage girl with dark, choppy hair and piercing blue eyes. She stumbled forward, gasping for breath, her face a mixture of confusion and terror.

"Thalia," Chiron whispered, his usually calm voice filled with shock.

The girl collapsed to her knees, clutching her head as if trying to piece together fragments of a memory. Campers rushed forward, but she flinched away, her body trembling.

"Stay back!" she shouted, her voice hoarse. A faint crackle of electricity surrounded her, the power of Zeus evident in the charged air.

Alex stepped forward cautiously, her heart pounding. "Thalia?" she asked gently.

The girl's piercing blue eyes locked onto Alex's. "Who... who are you?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.

"My name is Alex. You're at Camp Half-Blood. You're safe now." Alex offered her hand, and after a moment's hesitation, Thalia took it.

Chiron approached slowly, his hooves silent on the grass. "Thalia Grace, daughter of Zeus," he said softly. "You've been restored."

Thalia looked at him, her brows furrowing. "Restored?" she asked. "I don't understand. The last thing I remember is..." She trailed off, her eyes widening in realization. "The tree. I was the tree."

The campers around her whispered amongst themselves, their voices filled with awe and confusion. Chiron placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's a long story, and one we will explain. But for now, know this: your return is both a blessing and a challenge."

Alex caught Chiron's eye, and he gave her a meaningful look. She knew what he meant. Thalia's return was a miracle, but it also complicated everything, especially the prophecy about a child of the Big Three.

In the days that followed, the camp buzzed with excitement and uncertainty. Thalia's return was celebrated, but it also stirred tensions. The prophecy loomed over everyone, and whispers about who it referred to grew louder. Was it Alex, with her dual connection to Poseidon and Artemis? Percy, the hero of the prophecy thus far? Or Thalia, newly reborn and just as much a child of the Big Three?

Alex felt the weight of those whispers. She had fought hard to prove herself as a leader and as someone who could carry the responsibility of the prophecy. Now, with Thalia's return, she felt a twinge of doubt creeping in.

One night, unable to sleep, Alex found herself wandering near the tree where Thalia had been reborn. She wasn't surprised to find Thalia there, sitting on the grass and staring up at the stars.

"Couldn't sleep either?" Alex asked, sitting down beside her.

Thalia glanced at her and gave a small shrug. "A lot to process," she admitted. "I still feel... disconnected. Like I'm here, but not really."

Alex nodded. "I get that. Being a child of the Big Three isn't exactly easy."

Thalia raised an eyebrow. "You're one too?"

"Poseidon," Alex replied. "And Artemis is... well, it's complicated."

Thalia smirked faintly. "Everything around here seems complicated."

They sat in silence for a moment before Alex spoke again. "You're going to be okay. It's a lot, but you're strong."

Thalia looked at her, and for the first time, there was a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks," she said softly.

As Alex walked back to her cabin that night, she couldn't shake the feeling that Thalia's return was more than just a miracle. It was a turning point, one that would shape the future of the war against Kronos and the Titans.

The stars above seemed to shimmer brighter, and Alex felt a familiar presence beside her.

"Artemis," Alex whispered.

The goddess appeared in the moonlight, her silver hair glowing softly. "Thalia's return is a reminder, Alex," she said. "The path ahead will test all of you. But remember, you are not alone. Trust in yourself and in those around you."

Alex nodded, her resolve hardening. The challenges ahead would be immense, but she was ready to face them, not as a pawn of prophecy, but as a leader, a protector, and a daughter of both Poseidon and Artemis.