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chapter seventeen ˏˋ°•*⁀➷
017. Forever Among the Stars

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ZOË HAD ALWAYS BEEN THE BEST OF THEM.

When they finally landed at Crissy Field it was far past nightfall. Annabeth had practically climbed over Cassie to meet her dad's open arms. Dr. Chase held his daughter in a tight hug.

"Dad! You flew... you shot... oh my gods! That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!" Annabeth rambled.

Her father's face went red. "Well, not bad for a middle-aged mortal, I suppose."

"But the celestial bronze bullets! How did you get those?"

"Ah, well. You did leave quite a few half-blood weapons in your room in Virginia, the last time you... left." Annabeth's eyes dropped to the ground, embarrassed. Cassie could tell Dr. Chase refrained from saying ran away.

"I decided to try melting some down to make bullet casings. Just a little experiment." He spoke nonchalantly, but there was a sparkle in his eyes. It made sense why Athena would like a guy like Dr. Chase. She was the Goddess of Crafts and Wisdom and he was a mad scientist deep down.

"Dad..." Annabeth trailed off.

"Annabeth, Cassie," Thalia urged them over to where she, Percy, and Artemis were knelt by Zoë side to wrap her wounds.

The girls joined them, but what else could
they do. They had no ambrosia or nectar. Normal medicine would do no good. Even though it was dark, Cassie could tell Zoë wasn't doing so hot. She was shivering and her usual glow was fading.

"Can't you heal her with magic?" Percy proposed. "I mean... you're a goddess."

Artemis seemed unsure. "Life is a fragile thing, Percy. If the Fates will the string to be cut, there is little I can do. But I can try."

She went to place a hand on Zoë's side but her wrist was caught by the huntress. The lieutenant spoke with her eyes and an understanding passed between the two.

"Have I... served thee well?" Zoë breathed out.

"With great honor," Artemis whispered, brushing the stray hairs out of the girl's face. "The finest of my attendants."

Zoë could finally relax. "Rest. At last."

"I can try to heal the poison, my brave one." But it wasn't only the poison eating away at Zoë's life. Her father's hit was wearing her away too. Zoë knew from the start that she would fulfill the last prophecy line. She would die by a parent's hand. Yet she had gone on the quest anyway. She decided to save them and Atlas's rage had broken her inside.

The huntress placed a hand on Cassie's knee. "You are brave Cassandra, something I can not say for many. You have the spirit of a true huntress and will make a fine hero. I am honored to have known you."

Cassie held back a shaky breath. "The honor was all mine Zoë. Thank you for everything." She held the huntress' hand for a moment before letting go. The daughter of Ares turned away, not wanting to ruin the moment with her crying.

Zoë's eyes shifted to Thalia, grabbing her hand. "I'm sorry we argued. We could have been sisters."

"It's my fault," Thalia blinked back her tears. "You were right about Luke, about heroes, men-everything."

"Perhaps not all men," Zoë muttered, sending a weak smile at the son of Poseidon. "Do you still have the sword, Percy?"

He made no verbal reply but took out Riptide, placing the pen in her palm. She held it satisfactorily. "You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like... like Hercules. I am honored that you carry this sword."

A tremble ran through her.

"Zoë-" Percy started

"Stars," she admired them. "I can see the stars again, my lady."

A single tear fell down Artemis' face. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful tonight."

"Stars," Zoë repeated, eyes never leaving from the sky as she fell motionless.

Cassie pursued her lips, holding all her emotions in. Thalia ducked her head. Annabeth swallowed a sob, her father holding her shoulders, trying to offer comfort.

Percy stared as Artemis cupped her hand above Zoë's mouth, speaking in Ancient Greek. A wisp of silver smoke came out with Zoë's breath and the goddess held it in her palm. Zoë's body disappeared in a shimmer.

Artemis got to her feet, whispering a blessing, and breathed into her hand. She blew the silver dust which flew into the sky. It sparkled then vanished.

For a split second everything looked the same, but Annabeth gasped and Cassie glanced up again. The stars shone brighter and made a pattern-a constellation of a girl with a bow sprinting across the sky.

"Let the world honor you, my Huntress. Live forever in the stars." Artemis stared at the constellation.

The goodbyes were the hardest. The storm still brewed over Mount Tamalpais sending thunder and lighting through the sky.

Artemis was flickering with silver light, so upset. Percy was worried that they'd all be disintegrated if the goddess lost control and showed them her true divine form.

"I must go to Olympus immediately. I will not be able to take you, but I will send help." Artemis told them.

She placed a hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "You are brave beyond measure, my girl. You will do what is right."

Glancing at Cassie, the goddess nodded. "Cassie, you impressed me dear one. Remember to always listen to your head, but never before your heart." The daughter of Ares was confused but accepted Artemis' advice.

Then she stared skeptically at the younger daughter of Zeus, like she didn't know what to think of her. Thalia didn't want to meet her eyes but something made her and they held eye contact. Something was passed through the two and Artemis softened her gaze sympathetically.

Turning to Percy she said, "You did well. For a man."

He went to argue but the realization that this time Artemis' hadn't called him a boy hit. She stepped onto her chariot which glowed as a result. They all looked away and in a silver flash the goddess was gone.

"Well, she was impressive, though I must say I still prefer Athena." Dr. Chase told them, earning a slight chuckle from Cassie who had finished wiping her eyes.

Annabeth faced him. "Dad, I... I'm sorry that-"

"Shh." He just held her in his arms. "Do what you must, my dear. I know this isn't easy for you." There was a quiver in his voice but still he gave her a courageous smile.

There was the whooshing of air as three pegasi broke through the fog. Two pure white ones and one black one. One of the light ones was fit for two, more muscular.

"Blackjack!" Percy shouted.

'Yo, boss!' the horse neighed back. 'You manage to stay alive okay without me?'

"It was rough," Percy told him.

'I brought Guido and Porkpie with me.'

'How ya doin?' The other pegasi nodded at the son of Poseidon.

Blackjack trotted past Percy, scanning the rest of the group. 'Any of these goons you want us to stampede?'

"Nah, these are my friends. We need to get to Olympus pretty fast."

'No problem,' Blackjack whinnied. 'Except for the mortal over there. Hope he's not going.'

Percy let him know Dr. Chase was indeed not coming with them. The professor was gaping in amazement at the horses.

"Fascinating. Such maneuverability! How does the wingspan compensate for the weight of the horse's body, I wonder?" He contemplated the matter.

Cassie cut in to jest, "It's a demigod thing sir. With an oblivious mortal mind like yours think of it as magic if you must." She laughed, tugging her flannel over her cold shoulders.

Dr. Chase mocked offense, "Did you just call me dim-witted?"

"Your words not mind," the brunette shrugged, innocently. Annabeth's father could only laugh.

The daughter of Athena watched with a fond smile as Cassie held a conversation with her dad.

There wasn't any awkwardness and Cassie was joking around comfortably, sending an occasional smile in Annabeth's direction.

The blonde swore she'd never seen her dad laugh so much. Dr. Chase wasn't an unhappy man but he was over the moon as he chatted away with brunette. She guessed Cassie's jokes just had that effect on people.

That's when Annabeth realized...

Falling off a cliff had hit hard but accepting that she had fallen for Cassie Carter hit harder. This was the same girl Annabeth couldn't stand five seconds around just two summers ago. This was the same daughter of Ares who had been relentless with the teasing insults ever since they first met.

But when she thought of it now, Annabeth wondered how she could've ever hated Cassie. The thought was so strange that maybe Annabeth had never really hated her. Maybe it was a cover up to push away those feelings. But whatever the reason, the blonde was sure happy she wasn't using it anymore.

Because Cassie Carter was special and Annabeth didn't mind falling for her.

Meanwhile Dr. Chase had continued to confuse the pegasi and was still going on about them.

Blackjack tilted his head. 'Whaaaat?'

"Why, if the British had had these pegasi in the cavalry charges on the Crimea, the charge of the light brigade-"

Annabeth interrupted him. "Dad!"

He stopped speech and held a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry, my dear. I know you must go." Dr. Chase wrapped her in one last slightly awkward hug and waved to Cassie.

The daughter of Ares had already climbed on Guido, the two seater pegasus and waved back. Annabeth headed over to her and took the brunette's outstretched hand.

"I guess it's you and me, Blondie." Cassie grinned.

Annabeth scoffed, but reciprocated the smile. She was about to let Cassie hoist her up but her father called out. "Annabeth. I know... I know San Francisco is a dangerous place for you. But please remember, you always have a home with us. We will keep you safe."

She began to tear up again, turning away. Dr. Chase started to speak again but fell quiet, deciding against it. He waved one last time and headed the opposite direction on the field.

Cassie didn't say anything as she pulled Annabeth onto Guido's back. The daughter of Athena wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist tightly. She couldn't see the red tint that rose to Cassie's cheeks.

Thalia and Percy had mounted their pegasi and together the four soared upwards. They flew above the bag and toward the eastern hills. Before they knew it San Francisco was only a shining speck behind them. It was decorated with sporadic lightning strikes.

The daughter of Zeus must've been extremely tired to fall asleep on Porkpie's back, especially with her fear of heights. She managed to sleep in the air and she didn't have a good reason to worry. Her pegasus was a smooth flyer and knew how to adjust himself to keep Thalia comfortable and safe.

The other two girls flew beside Percy. Cassie had also closed her eyes, but she wasn't actually asleep. She leaned back to rest her head on Annabeth's shoulder.

"Your dad seems cool," Percy said. He couldn't see her expression due to the dark. She had turned, careful not to disturb Cassie, and glanced back at California which was much too far to see.

"I guess so. We've been arguing for so many years." Annabeth reminisced.

"You've told us," Cassie mumbled into her shirt.

"And you think I was lying about that?" The blonde halfheartedly challenged, almost as if she was asking herself.

"We didn't say you were lying. It's just... he seems okay.
Your stepmom, too. Maybe they've, uh, gotten cooler since you saw them last." Percy defended himself and Cassie.

The daughter of Athena wavered. "They're still in San Francisco, guys. I can't live so far from camp."

Percy debated whether or not to ask his next question but he decided too anyway, somewhat scared. "So what are you going to do now?"

They were flying over a town. The lights were a break from the dark and passed by so fast they could've been in a plane.

"I don't know," she said truthfully. "But thank you for rescuing me.

"Of course Chase. It's what friends are for." That struck a chord in both of them.

"You didn't believe I was dead?"

"Never." Cassie stated.

She paused, staring at Cassie's hair. "Neither is Luke, you know. I mean... he isn't dead."

The brunette sucked in a breath and turned to look up at Annabeth. The stress might've been getting to her. "Annabeth, that was a pretty nasty fall. It's not really possible-"

"He isn't dead," the blonde denied. "I know it. The same way you knew about me."

Cassie's nose scrunched at the comparison.

The town below were zooming by, the lights got closer and closer until they covered the whole landscape. Dawn was arriving soon. The eastern sky was a full gray and a giant glow spread out in front of them-New York's lights.

'How's that for speedy, boss?' the smugness could be heard in Blackjack's words. 'We get extra hay for breakfast or what?'

"You're the man, Blackjack," Percy pet his mane, realizing his mistake. "Er, the horse, I mean."

Cassie had leaned forward and wrapped her arm around Guido's neck. She gazed at the lights below.

"You don't believe me about Luke," Annabeth read her body language, "but we'll see him again. He's in trouble, Carter. He's under Kronos' spell."

The daughter of Ares stayed silent, she wasn't in the mood to argue. Her body heated at the thought of Luke surviving. Even more so at Annabeth's remaining affection for him. Brother or not, Luke had done so much wrong. He kidnapped and manipulated her for Hades' sake.

Luke had deserved the fall. He deserved... he deserved to die. Yeah, Cassie admitted it. He shouldn't be given another chance unlike Bianca, unlike Zoë. If he was alive it wouldn't be fair.

"There it is." Thalia spotted in the distant Manhattan which got closer and closer. She had woken up and was pointing at something. "It's started."

"What's started?" Percy inquired.

Following her finger they saw Olympus. It was on its own island, floating above the Empire State Building. The mountain had endless amounts of torches and braziers decorating white marble palaces.

"The winter solstice. The Council of the Gods."

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ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ author's note

shorter chapter was a nice little cool down for me!! but ahhh! it's important too! annabeth admiring her future wife speaking with her basically father-in-law🤭

my writing spree kinda died so now i'm like 3 days behind but after writing this note im supposed to catch up 🥲 double update was planned for next week but we'll see what ends up happening

by the time this is out everything might be back on track 😪 if not well i start school next week so we'll have to see what my writing time will be with all of that

enough of that though and thank you for reading!! this was a double update so make sure u read the chapter before if u didn't! <3

-Just Another Overthinker