7. Memories

Percy POV

I reappeared in the place I have been staying in for the past four years. I staggered a bit when I retook my physical body, but it was normal after expending so much energy fighting so it was only a few moments before I steadied myself.

I walked over to the nearby kitchen table and reached up to take my mask off before putting it down on the table. I reached over my shoulder and unclasped the sword sheath from my back and placed it and the sword in front of my mask.

That was close, too close. It had taken me all of my willpower to not run up to Thalia and hug her but I knew it was for the best. Nobody else would get hurt because of me. Nobody else will die because of me.

I ran my hand through my hair as I thought about the events that happened a few minutes ago. I had gone to rescue a girl from her abusive uncle and was on the way to the Hunters' camp. It took a while to get there but we managed. The girl was not in the best shape when I arrived so I had to heal her and we rested for a night before continuing our journey. When we approached the Hunters' camp, I sensed multiple monsters hiding in the shadows near where the Hunters were about to set up camp. I told the girl to hide and wait in a bush before helping the Hunters exterminate the monsters.

I raised my hand towards the sink and called upon water to flow from the tap into the glass on the table. As I took a drink to replenish my energy, I couldn't help but feel something was wrong. For the past few years, I would learn to always listen to my gut, especially in times like these.

Now, my gut is telling me something big is going to happen. Something I'm not going to like.

What didn't make sense was the way the monsters attacked the Hunters. Monsters don't normally hide in the shadows and wait to attack. The second they see a demigod, they would charge and attempt to separate their heads from their bodies. The recent attack was planned, planned so perfectly that the Hunters would have been completely annihilated if I hadn't arrived on time.

Whoever planned the attack knew exactly what they were doing. The monsters had attacked when Lady Artemis was busy with her duties. They had used projectiles to surprise the Hunters, giving them no time to react or retaliate with their bows. More importantly, the monsters had used the Hunters' own tactic against them: ambushing the prey when they least expect it.

I sighed and pulled out a pen from my pocket before putting on the table next to my sword. I use my pen most of the time but I didn't use it when I was fighting earlier in fear of someone actually recognising it. I then took a black ring off my left hand and placed it next to the pen. The ring had helped me more than I remembered.

I walked into the bathroom and went to take a shower, my clothes still on as I continued thinking about the attack. The Hunters were not usually attacked. They were a formidable fighting force and monsters would usually ignore them or run the other direction in fear of being sent to Tartarus. This time, the monsters held little to no fear in the Hunters and had attacked them confidently.

Instead of turning on the shower, I willed water out of the sink and covered my entire body, using my powers to clean myself and my clothes.

Yeah, I'm lazy. Sue me.

After a good five minutes of thorough cleaning, I sent the water filled with dirt and leftover monster dust into the drainage and walked out.

As I walked to the sleeping area of my residence, I couldn't get one thought out of my head. The last time the monster attacks had been this coordinated was when we had the war with Gaia, and before that the war with Kronos. If I am right, we would have another war on our hands.

I really, really hope I won't be right this time. At the rate things are going, I wasn't really hopeful.

A war would be bad, but I couldn't help but wonder who it might be against. The last two were against two of the most powerful and dangerous enemies anyone could have; the Lord of Time and Mother Earth.

Surely there wouldn't be anyone worse than those two.

I plopped down on my bed and thought about how much my life had changed in the past four and a bit years. Despite not being in contact with my friends, it had been surprisingly peaceful. Now, I can only hope that the peace would last.

I made a mental note to check on the Hunt the next day. During the past two years, I had guided a few girls to the Hunt and I cared about them. I wouldn't want them to get hurt or worse, killed. I had to make sure Thalia would be alright as well.

I drifted off to sleep with one thing in mind: if there was a war, I would fight for Olympus to my last breath. No matter what.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The light level dropped down to normal and I saw Apollo standing there in a T-shirt and jeans, his blond hair back to normal and his blue eyes shining. He was smiling without showing his teeth, thank gods.

To make myself feel better, I dropped down into a bow. 'Lord Apollo.'

I could hear Apollo scowl. I was already struggling to contain my laughter as I imagined his face. It took all my willpower not to start rolling on the floor.

'Get up, Percy,' he said as I straightened myself while also trying to keep a straight face 'You of all people need not bow to me. You did me a lot of favours.'

I waved him off. 'Don't worry about it. Just promise me you would change your ways of being, well, you.'

'Of course, man! You saved me from being punished by my father. Who knows what he was planning to do?' Apollo stated incredulously 'I swear, if he was planning on making a mortal again, I would-'

I stopped the ranting god. 'Hold up, what do you mean 'again'?'

'Long story. The point is, not only did you save me from harsh punishment, but you also freed my mother! I can't thank you enough!' He walked up to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, leading me to the elevator slowly. Really slowly. Painfully slowly.

Did I mention how slow we were walking?

'Your mother?' I asked confused.

'Yeah. You know, titan of motherhood,' Apollo said casually 'I haven't seen her in ages. She was one of the titans freed from your wish. I know I've said this a lot, but thank you, Perce.'

'Uh, no problem.'

It was starting to get really awkward. For me at least.

'I should probably go turn in for the night,' Apollo said yawning 'I have to drive the sun early tomorrow.'

Before he could leave, he turned towards me with a bright smile. 'If there is anything you need, Percy, anything at all. You know who to call.'

I hesitated. 'Anything?'

Apollo nodded.

'Actually,' I said with a small smile 'There is something you could do for me. It's not even a big favour, too.'

Apollo looked at me curiously. 'I'm listening.'

'Before that though, do I have your word to grant my wish?'

Apollo nodded again without hesitation. 'I swear on the River Styx.'

My eyes widened as thunder boomed overhead. I composed myself and took a deep breath. 'I want to disappear.'

Apollo looked at me confused, and then his expression shifted into concern.

'What do you mean you want to disappear?' he asked warily.

'I mean exactly what I mean. I want to disappear.'

'Like...from camp?'

I looked Apollo dead in the eye. 'I want to disappear completely. Away from this world.'

Apollo's face contorted into confusion again. 'Like in outer space? 'Cause I wouldn't be able to-'

'No,' I interrupted him 'I want to disappear from the Greek world. Roman too.'

Apollo's jaw dropped. 'Percy, do you know what you're asking for?'

'I know exactly what I'm asking for.' I said seriously.

'How do you expect me to help you do that? You wouldn't be able to just disappear, Percy. The gods would be able to find you in an instant.' Apollo asked still in shock.

'Not if you know where to go.' I countered.

Apollo stared at me for a minute before the realisation set in, 'You don't mean-'

'Yes.'

Apollo placed his hands on my shoulder and held me in front of him, 'Percy, think about this. We wouldn't be able to help you there. Something could happen to you!'

'Nothing would happen to me, Apollo,' I said as I gently removed his hands from my shoulder 'You know nothing would be able to do anything there. I'll be fine.'

Apollo still looked determined to change my mind. 'What about your friends? Your family?'

My heart clenched painfully before I looked at Apollo. My expression must have been a bit weird because concern etched its way onto his face once again.

'It's for the best, Apollo. I don't want anyone else to die because of me.' I said as I felt tears build up in my eyelids.

'Percy, you know none of those deaths were your fault.' he said softly.

'Yes, it was.'

'No, it-'

'Yes, it was, Apollo. How many people had died by my hand? Annabeth was killed with my own sword.' I said bitterly.

'You were possessed by an eidolon, Percy.'

'Does it really matter? It was still my blade that took her life,' I took a deep breath but it did nothing to calm me down 'Speaking of Riptide, what about Zoë? If I hadn't been so stupid and attacked Atlas, she would still be here.'

'Percy, it was the prophecy. There was-'

'I don't care, Apollo!' I was yelling now. Luckily we weren't near any of the living areas or people would have woken up by now 'Fine, say that Zoë was fated to die. What about Bianca? She was new. She lived as a demigod for less than a week! I should have tried better to stop her. It should have been me! I should have been the one to be 'lost in the land without rain', not her! I could have prevented that!'

I had tears on my face now. Talking about the friends I let down had burst the dam that held them in.

'Percy-' Apollo tried but I stopped him.

'What about your son, Apollo?' I saw Apollo's face darken but I still continued 'Michael Yew would still be here if I took the time - just a brief second - to make sure he backed up, that he got to safety, before I blew up the bridge. I killed him, Apollo! I didn't even find his body! How could you be so nice to me when I killed your son, and so many of your other children when I led them into a war?'

I stood there breathing heavily in front of Apollo, completely expecting to get vaporised but when I looked at his face, I could see his own tears leaking out of his eyes and onto the ground.

'I don't blame you, Percy.' Apollo said softly 'Michael doesn't blame you either. None of the demigods that died in the wars blame you for their death. They accepted their death knowing they died protecting the people they love. You need to accept it as well.'

We stood there silently for a minute before I broke the silence.

'Sorry, Apollo,' I said as I wiped away my tears 'I just-'

'I know, Percy. You just needed to let it out. I understand,' Apollo had finally reeled in his emotions and the shine in his eyes was slowly coming back 'I could see the grief eating away your soul. You need to understand that their deaths were not your fault. Let me finish.'

I closed my mouth that was ready to interrupt him and nodded for Apollo to continue.

'You have to understand, Percy. Being a demigod is hard, I know. You all die too young but in all my millennia of existence, I learned that you can't save everybody. You wouldn't be able to make sure everyone going into a war would make it out alive. Not even us gods would be able to prevent that. It took me too long to understand this and I wish for you to not make the same mistake I did.'

I could see the hurt and pain in his eyes when he spoke. It made me believe that he truly knew what he was talking about. Honestly, what Apollo said made me feel a lot better. He was right, I wouldn't be able to save everybody, but I was willing to do anything to prevent as many deaths as I could. 

'Thank you, Apollo. I-I needed that,' I stammered 'I'm sorry, but I made up my mind.'

Apollo looked defeated but nodded in understanding. 'What do you need?'

'I was planning on leaving as soon as I got back,' I said thoughtfully 'But since you'll be helping me, I think that I should spend some more time with my friends before I left.'

Apollo nodded again. 'So when would you leave?'

'I was thinking about leaving on my birthday. It's in about three weeks anyway, so it should give me plenty of time to spend time with friends. I was thinking, since you're helping, to have you teleport me as close as you can to the place I'm going to. If it's possible of course.'

Apollo looked thoughtful for a while before smiling. 'Yes, it's possible. I'll get you some supplies as well. You know, some ambrosia and nectar, clothes, maybe some weapons and a few thousand dollars worth of cash. Small stuff.'

I was shocked that he offered to get me supplies. I wasn't planning on asking for any but since Apollo offered...

It isn't wise to decline gifts from gods.

'Thanks, Apollo,' I said gratefully 'I wasn't planning on staying in contact with anyone but since you're helping me so much, I was thinking about a sort of catching up session we could have, let's say every fortnight? We could meet up somewhere and talk about things that are happening on your end and mine if something actually happens.'

It was Apollo's turn to be surprised. It took him a while to get over his shock and when he did, he smiled at me. 'That would be great, Percy.'

I nodded. 'I would appreciate it if you would tell anyone where I will be. I'm leaving for a reason.'

'You don't have to worry about it. I won't tell anybody,' Apollo said 'I swear it on the River Styx.'

'Thanks again, Apollo.' I said again as thunder rumbled over our heads 'I owe you one.'

He looked at me for a few seconds before laughing hysterically. I was confused and waited for two whole minutes for him to gather himself and stop laughing.

'Oh, that's funny,' he said with a snicker 'You owe me? Please. I never thought you were a comedian.'

He cleared his throat and raised his hands to the sky. 'The great Perseus Jackson, Son of Poseidon, Hero of Olympus, and comedian.'

I scowled playfully at him. 'I would just like to thank you once again for your generosity, Lord Apollo, God of the Sun, poetry, music, archery, and many other wonderful things.'

'Okay, I guess I deserved that,'  Apollo said trying to hold in his laughter 'I guess I'll see you at camp since we can actually do that now.'

I smiled. 'You would.'

I turned around to leave but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. Before I could turn around, I felt some sort of power go through me, like when you would drink ice-cold water and you could feel the coldness go down your throat. Except this was more...warm. Like I was drinking sun rays instead of a cold drink.

I abruptly turned around to face Apollo to find him smiling. I looked at him questioningly.

'Consider this a reward for everything you've done for me and the Council. You now have my blessing. It means you can finally do archery. My blessing greatly improved your archery skills, similar to Artemis' blessing, but you would have to train and practice if you wish to become a master.'

I was too stunned to say anything so Apollo continued.

'My blessing also gives you the ability to heal people. I passed on the knowledge on how to heal to you since you can't really learn that by yourself. You also have incredible poetic and musical skill, but I don't really know why you need that. It just comes with the blessing.'

I just stood there speechless. I was just blessed by an Olympian. I have never heard of anyone getting a god's blessing before and I didn't know what to think of it. I basically received the demigod skills of a child of Apollo, but had gotten all of them instead of just one or two like most children of Apollo.

'T-Thank you, Apollo.' I stammered.

'No problem,' he said dismissively 'You'll find it helpful where you're going. Are you sure you want to do this?'

'Yes, Apollo,' I said with finality 'I must thank you again. Call me if you need anything.'

Apollo smiled at me. Unfortunately, he showed his teeth. 'Sure thing. I'll try and make sure to not get you too involved in godly business.'

I nodded in understanding. I was grateful, of course. Apollo was one of the more laid-back gods. He got with the times and was surprisingly easy to talk to. He understands what it was like to be a demigod and it was really thoughtful of him to help me stay out of it for as long as he can.

'I really, really should be off now,' Apollo said tiredly 'It's been a while since I gave someone my blessing, and giving it to another demigod is tiring.'

I chuckled softly as I watched Apollo walk back to his golden palace. I turned and started making my way towards the elevators where Calypso was.

The talk with Apollo made me think about my life a bit more. Being a demigod is hard, yes, but we get special abilities normal mortals aren't able to have. I can use those abilities to protect the ones I love and care for. I would never be able to forget the ones that died during the wars, but I was able to move on and not dwell on it too much. They made their choices. I won't take their heroic sacrifices away from them by blaming myself.

They would crawl out of Elysium to beat my ass if they found out how much I blamed myself for their deaths.

Even though there are those that had passed on from the world of the living, I still have people that I care about that had not gotten on a boat with Charon, and I would do anything I can to make sure that doesn't happen.

Anything.