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chapter fifteen.
( titan's curse )
❝ the stars are brighter from afar! ❞

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     The trip in Artemis's sleigh was dead silent. Sitting in the back with Percy and Annabeth, looking over Zoë and making sure she didn't die was possibly the worst thing I've experienced so far. Having to tap her and say, "Come on, Zoë, we're nearly there," without crying was tiring in itself when all I wanted to do was cry and mourn over Luke myself.

      Luke, who died.

      Luke, who fell and died.

      Luke, the person who found me in that alley way and took me under my wing.

      I had been mourning that Luke for a long time, and now he's truly gone.

      My legs and arms still ached. Breathing was hard, because, you know, as it would be from practically being crushed by the sky.

      We landed at Crissy Field well after nightfall. As soon as Doctor Chase stepped out of his biplane, Annabeth ran towards him and threw her arms around him. "Dad! You flew ... you shot ... oh my gods! That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!"

      Their little reunion was nice, but with Zoë dying in Artemis and Thalia's, it had to wait. Percy, Annabeth and I walked over to where they sat. I gripped Annabeth's hand, like I used to all those years ago, not sure on what was going to happen. We had no ambrosia or nectar, and no human medicine would work. Right now, I cursed the gods above that I didn't have my powers. I could heal her, I could heal her right now.

      "Can you heal her with magic?" Percy asked Artemis, who still looked very tearful.

      She looked troubled. "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 tried to set her hand on Zoë's side, but the huntress grabbed it before she could. She looked into the goddesses eyes, and an understanding passed through them.

      "Have I ... have I served thee well?" Zoë whispered.

      "With great honour," said Artemis softly. "The finest of my attendants."

       Zoë's face relaxed. "Rest. At last."

      "I can try to heal the poison, my brave one."

      But I knew—we all knew—that it wasn't the poison that was killing Zoë. It was Atlas's final blow. One shall perish by a parents hand. Zoë had known all along, and yet she still went on this quest. She was a hero, the truest and bravest hero out of all of us.

      She saw Thalia, and took her hand. "I am sorry we argued," she said. "We could have been sisters."

     "It's my fault," said Thalia, blinking hard. "You were right about Luke, about heroes, men—everything."

     "Perhaps not all men," Zoë sent Percy a small smile. "Do you still have the sword, Percy?"

     He pulled out Riptide, unable to speak. He placed the blue capped ben in her hand. She held it tight. "You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like ... like Hercules. I am honoured that you carry this sword."

      "Claire," she finally turned to me. Zoë held out her hand, and I took it. I tried to push away the tears in my eyes, for Zoë's sake. "You are brave," she told me. "You are brave, and you will get through this. I wish we could've been sisters, but ... I understand now why we can't."

      The tears fell, and I tried to say something, but it was too hard. My throat closed up. "I ..." I squeezed her hand harder. "I wish that too ..." I took a deep breath. "Zoë—"

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

     A tear dropped down from Artemis's chin. It hit Zoë's forehead. "Yes, my brave one. They are beautiful."

      "Stars," Zoë repeated. Her eyes were fixed on the night sky above us.

     She didn't move again.

     I let go of her hand, letting it fall limp onto her stomach. I fell back onto my backside, staring at her still body and thought: too much death...

     Thalia hung her head. Annabeth gulped down a sob and her father put his hand on her shoulders. I felt Percy sit beside me, and I leaned my head on his shoulder, watching as Artemis cupped her hand above Zoë's mouth and spoke a few words in Ancient Greek. A silvery wisp of smoke came from Zoë's lips and was caught in her hand. Zoë's body shimmered and disappeared.

       I glanced up at the sky, following the goddesses gaze. The stars were brighter now. Zoë was right, they were beautiful. And amongst the magic, was a figure made up by bright stars—a gleaming constellation that looked like a girl's figure, a girl with a bow, running across the sky.

     "Let the world honour you, my huntress," Artemis said. "Live forever in the stars."

° ° °

      We said our goodbyes. Artemis had to return to Olympus, and Annabeth's father had to go back to his family. I'm not sure whether Annabeth will see him again after this, but I hope she did. Things seemed to have changed since the last time she saw them. She had a home to go to, she should take the chance.

     We flew back with the help of Blackjack's friends. Thalia had fallen asleep on hers, while Annabeth was quiet, in deep thought. Her grey eyes stared at the sky before her, and I had a feeling she was thinking about what her father had said: "But please remember you always have a home with us. We will keep you safe."

     The pegasus that I rode was a lovely chestnut. Absentmindedly, I ran my hand down its flank. Once again, we survived, and yet, not all of us did. There's been too many deaths; Bianca, Zoë, Luke ...

      We all went into this knowing that not all of us would survive, but I had a feeling that we all thought that we'd end up being the ones who died and not the ones who deserved better.

      At least, that's what I was thinking.

     I noticed Percy had guided Blackjack so he flew next to me. I sent him a weak smile. "How are you feeling?" I asked him.

     He shrugged, "I'm alive ... you?"

    I breathed a small smile, "I'm alive ..."

     Percy watched me, his brows knitted. I knew he was thinking of something that was puzzling him, but I was too scared to ask. I was glad that he spoke instead.

     "Why did you do that?"

     "Do what?"

     He gave me a look, and I knew what he meant. I went red.

     "We're in this together, aren't we?" I muttered, tucking the grey strand of hair behind my ear—a reminder of holding up the sky. "You've got my back, and I've got yours."

      I think he knew it was more than that, but he didn't say anything. We were in a silent agreement, together, that it was bigger than 'we're in this together'; something was there, something neither of us understood, but it was there.

      Percy pursed his lips. He gave me a small smile before he made his way over to Annabeth, having a heartfelt chat with her, and I drifted off to sleep.

      Thalia woke me up I don't know how long after. When I rubbed my eyes and slipped off the pegasus, I saw Olympus. The Mountain was cast in a blood orange light from the torches and fires that lit up the early-morning darkness. The twisting streets were filled with demigods and nature spirits and minor gods that rode chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclops. It looked just as I remembered the last time we visited during the Winter Solstice. We stood before the Throne Room, in front of huge silver gates. Before we could even think to knock, they opened for us.

      Blackjack and his friends then flew off, leaving Percy, Thalia, Annabeth and I alone. For a minute, we stood there, just staring at the palace, before—side by side—we walked into the throne room.

     There, waiting for us, were twelve humungous thrones shaped in a great big U around a central hearth, just the same as the cabin placements at camp. All of the seats were occupied; each god and goddess standing at least five metres tall. I saw my father seated opposite Artemis, and then Hades with a deep scowl upon his seat of darkness. I shrunk.

     "Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.

    "Moo!"

    It was then that I noticed Grover and the Ophiotaurus. Bessie was swimming happily around in a sphere of water in the centre of the room, while Grover, however, was knelt down at Zeus's throne, as if he had just been giving a report, but, when he saw us, he cried, "You made it!"

     He started to run towards us, then remembered he was turning his back on the God of Olympus. He glanced nervously back at Zeus, and asked for permission.

     "Go on," said Zeus. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staring straight at Thalia.

     Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke, and the air around us was tense. I just knew something bad was happening, just by the look on the gods faces. It had something to do with Bessie and Thalia, I know.

     Grover gave Annabeth, Thalia and I huge hugs. Then, he grasped Percy's arms. "Percy, Bessie and I made it! But you have to convince them! They can't do it!"

     "Do what?"

     "Heroes," Artemis called.

    She slipped off her throne and turned to human size. Despite being shorter than some of us, she walked gracefully amongst the gods, like a column of moonlight. "The Council has been informed of your deeds," she told us. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."

     There was some mumbling and shuffling amongst the Olympians, as if not all of them were happy. I frowned.

     "At my Lord Zeus's command," Artemis said, "my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans' cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea—" I pursed my lips, hoping Jay wasn't amongst them, "—And as for you, my heroes..."

     She turned to face the other immortals. "These half-bloods have done Olympus a great service. Would any here deny that?" Artemis narrowed her eyes at the assembles gods, meeting their faces individually.

     I met Hades's eyes once more. I knew he wanted to kill me, then and there, but he didn't say anything. Maybe he understood that no matter what, we were needed for the future of this war, despite how unhappy he was about it. I suddenly felt that guilt again. I promised him I'd keep Bianca safe ...

      "I gotta say," Apollo broke the silence. I glanced over to where my father sat, looking rather young compared to the other gods and goddesses, save Artemis. "These kids did okay," he cleared his throat and began to recite: "Heroes win laurels—"

      "Um, yes, first class," Hermes interrupted, like he was anxious to avoid Apollo's poetry. "All in favour of not disintegrating them—?"

       What?!

      A few tentative hands went up—Demeter, Aphrodite, my father, even Hades rolled his eyes before putting up a finger. I was surprised by that. He glared at me as he returned his finger to his chin, where it had been before. I'm not sure whether he was voting in not killing us because of Kronos, or maybe—deep down—Hades actually kind of didn't want me dead, despite everything.

     "Wait a minute," Ares growled. He pointed at Thalia and Percy. "These two are dangerous. It'd be much safer, while we've got them here—"

      "Ares," Poseidon interrupted, "they are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits."

     "Nor my daughter," Zeus grumbled. "She has done well."

    Thalia blushed. I watched her strong exterior crumble for a second as she stared at her feet.

     Annabeth's mother, Athena, cleared her throat and sat forward. "I am proud of my daughter as well. But there is a security risk here, with the other two."

     "Mother!" Annabeth said. "How can you—?"

    Athena cut her off with a calm but firm look. "It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods ... such as Thalia and Percy ... are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point."

     "Right!" Ares said. Then he realised. "Hey, wait a minute. Who you calling—?"

    He started to get up, but a grapevine grew round his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down. "Oh, please, Ares," Dionysus sighed. "Save the fighting for later."

     Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. "You're one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?"

      Dionysus gazed down at us wearily. "I have no love for them. Athena, do you truly think it safest to destroy them?"

     "I do not pass judgement," Athena said. "I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide."

     "I will not have them punished," Artemis said. "I will have them rewarded. If we destroy heroes who do us a great favour, then we are no better than the Titans. If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it."

     "Calm down, sis," my father said. "Jeez, you need to lighten up."

     "Don't call me sis! I will reward them!"

     "Well," Zeus grumbled. "Perhaps. But the monster at least must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?"

     A lot of nodding heads.

     Percy immediately stiffened. "Bessie?" He frowned. "You want to destroy Bessie?!"

    Bessie the Ophiotaurus mooed in protest.

    Poseidon frowned. "You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?"

    "Dad," Percy turned to him, "he's just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can't destroy him."

    His father shifted uncomfortably. "Percy, the monster's power in considerable. If the Titan's were to steal it, or—"

     "You can't," Percy insisted. He turned to Zeus. "Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn't that true? Besides, Bess—the Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It's just as wrong as ... as Kronos eating his children, just because of something they might do. It's wrong!"

      Zeus seemed to consider this. I hope Percy got through his thick brain. His eyes drifted towards his daughter, Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says."

     "You have to trust them," Annabeth spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them."

    Zeus scowled, "Trust a hero?"

     "Annabeth is right," Artemis said. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoë Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to your privately."

    Zeus beckoned Artemis forward. He leaned down and listened as she poke in his ear.

    Beside me, Percy tensed and suddenly grabbed my arm. I frowned at him, "What?"

   "Claire," he said under his breath, panic in his eyes. "Don't."

   He looked pale—like white pale. "What do you mean, don't?"

   "Look, I need to tell you something," he continued. "I couldn't stand it if ... I don't want you to—"

    My heart raced, "Percy? You look like you're going to be sick."

   He froze. Percy stared at me with an open mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't. His grip on my arm tightened, and I was starting to get worried when Artemis turned.

     "I shall have a new lieutenant," she announced. "If she will accept it."

    "No," Percy muttered. I frowned again.

   "Thalia," Artemis said. "Daughter of Zeus. Will you join the Hunt?"

    Silence. Percy's eyes widened and his grip fell. He stared at Thalia in surprise. I gasped, before running to Thalia in excitement. I threw my arms around her and squealed, "Oh, my gods! Oh, my gods! Oh, my gods!"

     I pulled away, unable to stop grinning. Thalia deserved something like this. After everything, she needed a place to belong that didn't bring back old, terrible memories. She needed a sisterhood, another family. Annabeth looked as if she had tears in her eyes. She reached forward and squeezed Thalia's hand.

     Thalia took a deep breath and met Artemis's gaze. "I will," she said firmly.

    Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. "My daughter, consider well—"

    "Father," she said. "I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. I will never turn sixteen. I won't let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will never tempt me again."

     She knelt before the goddess and began the oath: "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt."

     After she had finished, Thalia came over towards us. She smiled, and reached over to hug Percy. The stupid boy blushed. When she pulled away, she gripped his shoulders.

     "Um ... aren't you supposed to not do that any more? Hug boys, I mean?"

     "I'm honouring a friend," she corrected. "I must join the Hunt, Percy. I haven't known peace since ... since Half-Blood Hill. I finally feel like I have a home. But you're a hero. You will be the one of the prophecy."

      "Great," he muttered.

     "I'm proud to be your friend."

     She hugged Annabeth, who was trying hard not to cry. She then turned to me, and I welcomed her embrace once more, already missing her. It was almost like saying goodbye all over again, and yet, it wasn't. It was hopeful. It was a step into the future. She wasn't dead, but it was a way that I could finally move on.

     After hugging Grover, who looked ready to pass out, like somebody had given him an all-you-can-eat enchilada coupon, she went to stand by Artemis's side.

      "Now for the Ophiotaurus," said Artemis.

     "This boy is still dangerous," Dionysus warned. "The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—"

     "No." Percy cut him off strongly. "Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here in Olympus. But you have to protect him."

     "Why should we trust you?" rumbled Hephaestus.

     "I'm only thirteen," he said. "If this prophecy is about me, that's nearly three more years."

    "Nearly three years for Kronos to deceive you," Athena said. "Much can change in two years, my young hero."

     "Mother!" Annabeth said, exasperated.

     "It's only the truth, child. It is bad strategy to keep the animal alive. Or the boy."

     Poseidon stood. "I will not have a sea creature destroyed if I can help it. And I can help it."

    He held out his hand, and his bronze trident appeared. I've never seen it before, and it was amazing to see it basked in a blue, watery light. "I will vouch for the boy, and the safety of the Ophiotaurus."

     "You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession."

     "Brother, please," Poseidon sighed.

     Zeus's lightning bolt appeared in his hand, and the Lord of the Sea let out a frustrated sigh, "Fine!" he said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I couch for this on my honour."

      Zeus thought about this, "All in favour?"

     A lot of hands went up—including Hades. Dionysus abstained. So did Ares and Athena. But everybody else... "We have a majority," declared the Lord of the Sky. "And, so, since we will not be destroying these heroes ... I imagine we should honour them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"

° ° °

      The party is great, really. Parties on Olympus beat any afterparty you'll ever go to, but despite all the music and food and Grover leaning over his coffee in a golden chalice muttering, "Pan! Pan!" I couldn't find myself enjoying it.

     Annabeth and Thalia had gone to dance with some of the minor goddesses. They asked me to join, but I told them I wanted a breath of fresh air.

     The party was everywhere, but at least outside by the edge of the main gardens, it wasn't so suffocating. Off to the distance, there was a satyr chasing a tree nymph. I watched as he rammed himself straight into the oak. The nymph giggled off into the night.

     I thought about what my father told me: Percy and Thalia weren't the heroes of the prophecy. It didn't make sense! Thalia joined the Hunt, that makes sense, she's no longer the child of the prophecy. But Percy? It made me worry because if he isn't the hero, then what would happen to him? There was only one other child of the Big Three that I knew off; Nico. No one else but me and Hades knew. That's how it should stay. No god or goddess, not even Chiron could know about Nico, it would bring his death.

     I promised I'd protect him. I couldn't save Bianca, but I'll save him.

    Someone sat down on the bench beside me. The warmth told me it was my father, but I still inched away. It felt weird to be sitting on the same level as a god.

     "The fact that you're not enjoying the party as my child really disappoints me."

     I gave him a glance. Despite what he said, he looked concerned. "Wouldn't be the first time."

     Apollo rolled his eyes. "Look, I know that I'm not the best father out there, but, hey, at least I helped you guys on your quest!"

     I arched my brow. I don't think I could stand talking to my father right now, not after what Jay told me. I hated being his favourite. I don't want to be my father's favourite. I don't want to be any god's favourite. So I said, "I saw Jay. He's fighting alongside Luke. I'm guessing you knew that?"

     The glint in Apollo's eyes faded, "Yes."

    "And you're not doing anything?"

    His jaw tensed. "Claire, children only listen to their parents when they want to. When you're a god, it's even harder to get your child to listen to you."

     "Maybe start paying attention to more of them," I muttered. "Then maybe you'll have better luck."

     I stood up and walked away, but his hand grasped my shoulder gently, and I stopped. "Give me a sec," he said.

     I rolled my eyes, but I turned back around. Apollo had golden eyes, like the sun, but now, in this light, they seemed a lot more hazel, like mine. Seeing that, it made my anger almost disappear. I frowned. "C-can I ask you a question?"

     "Go ahead."

     "Why did you fall for my mother? What did you see in her?"

    Apollo pursed her lips. "You're mother used to be an amazing woman. She just didn't handle the truth as well as others."

     "So why did you come back?" I then asked. "If she couldn't handle the truth, why did you come back?"

     He frowned. "Come back?"

    "Yeah," I said. "You came back when Mom wasn't healthy and she had my brother. That made everything worse."

     Apollo seemed very worried. "Claire, I don't have another child with your mother."

    "Yeah, you do." I was confused. "You came back and you played Tic Tac Toe with me and bought me a princess colouring book."

     Something switched in his brain. For a second, Apollo's form seemed to shift. In that moment, I could see his blond hair longer, and his hazel eyes turned to a cat-like yellow. But then, it was gone. Apollo cursed and held his hand to his head, as if he was in pain. I stepped back, frowning. "A-are you okay?! What happened?"

     Apollo looked even more worried now. "Nothing," he said. I knew he was lying. "Nothing, don't worry. Look, good job, kid. You did well. I have to go, though ... I'll see you some time..."

     And he left. I watched him walk away with a new wave of anger. But underneath that anger, was disappointment. Percy, Annabeth and Thalia were all praised by their parents, while my father rushed mine as a 'goodbye'. I realised then, that even now, I still wanted to prove myself to him more than anything, especially now that I wasn't his 'special-light-bearing-child' anymore.

      I sighed and turned away, returning to the party.

    Before I got there, I found Percy. He seemed to have had the same idea I did: brooding off into the sunrise. Except, he looked way cooler when he did it.

     I walked up to him, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "What's up, Drool Boy? What's got you down in the water depths?"

     He glanced my way. Percy looked ready to say something, just like he had done back in the Throne Room, but once again, he thought against it. Instead, his lips quirked up into a small smile. "Just the fact that you've decided to come and ruin my fun at this party, Miss Sunshine."

     I rolled my eyes. I shoved him. "You're a jerk."

    "Says you."

     I gaped, trying not to laugh. "Oh, really?"

     "Really." He bit his lip, grinning.

     I just shoved him again.

    We stood there in silence for a few moments, just staring out at the streets and palaces below. Olympus was truly a beautiful place—kind of what I imagined to be Utopia, but I guess that was the point. In the background, I heard soft music playing. People around us were dancing in the streets, listening to their own, personalised version. I don't know why I wanted slow dance music, but apparently, I did.

      Percy seemed to hear it too. He glanced at the people dancing, and us standing there awkwardly, before his ears went pink. "Uh ... you, wanna, uh, dance?"

      I arched a brow, a bit surprised. I know my cheeks were red. Bianca told me I had a crush on Percy Jackson, and I guess she was right. Child-hood crush, school-girl crush, but a crush none-the-less. "Um ... sure, I guess?"

     I hated how awkward I was, taking his hand and just weirdly swaying to the music. But, at the same time, I loved it. It was slow; a little sad, but at the same time, hopeful, with Zoë's constellation watching over us in the night sky.

*

a/n: eH. I tried to write different types of scenes for Annabeth and Claire, because I wanted them to have a heartfelt conversation. But the thing is with these two, is that for them actions speak a lot more than words (which is also a downfall because it means that they don't talk to each other when the other annoys them—like in the last book where Annabeth snapped). So I settled with them holding hands with Zoë's death. It's their little thing, since they were baby demigods and it's their way of showing more emotion than they ever could thru words.