Sacrifice of a Hero (Chapter 14)

Quote: "There are many evils in the world, but there are also many good in the world, you just don't see it as often."

I charged with all my strength I had left. I needed to save them, even if I had to die. Law raised a large sword of stars, most likely made by Order. This person was clearly experienced, I can tell. Maybe even more experienced then some gods.

I slashed my blade as hard as I could, but he blocked it, sparks flying everywhere. I can already tell this is going to be a tough fight.

But I am stronger, I need to be. There is no point in living if there is nobody else to live for, my remaining family and friends.

"You call that a strike? You are no match for a minion of Order!" Law shouted as he swung his sword.

I keep focusing on blocking his strikes continuously, trying to think of a plan. At the corner of my eye, I see Artemis and Thalia waking up, eyes widening. It seems Law planned for this to be much quicker. The two stare at the battle infront of them, unable to intervene due to their hands being tied behind their backs.

I sweat endlessly as I begin to become tired, but I continue no matter what. We fought for Zeus knows how long, our strikes were countering each other, neither side could win. I would get a strike off, he would get a strike off. Eventually one of us will give up. Eventually.

Thalia started to encourage me, shouting at me to not fail. While Artemis did not say anything, I can tell she wanted me to win badly. Law was stronger than me, but not as determined. Not at all.

After a long while (1 hour) it was awful. We were both reaching our limit. I felt completely drained. My legs struggled to stay up, my body racking with cuts, painfully bleeding out. Maybe I won't live through this. I had a good run, but I dont care if I die, I need to get rid of Law.

I couldnt try out many options before when we were extrmely focused on battle, always being alert. Now that we both are much slower, I can start testing by using different powers. I start with fire.

I summon a large ball of fire, the size of a basketball, sweat starting to form on my head, and I hurl it at Law. He hesitates for half a second before slicing the ball of fire in half, both halves flying away from him.

"You think a mere fireball will defeat me?" Mocked Law

"Yes. Yes I did" I say. Hey, if I was going out, im doing it in style.

Okay, so that was a fail. It is clear that none of my other powers will work, he seems to be able to survive the elements just fine. Using all my abilities would just waste all the energy I have left.

I glare at Law, who evily grins back at me. We get ready for a charge. We both know. We are going to end this battle once and for all.

Thalia and Artemis's eyes widen in shock at what I am about to do.

A joust. Basically. This challenge is the most certain way to end a fight. Me and Law will charge each other, swords drawn, no protection. We will both slash, and one of us will be stabbed. One will live, one will die.

Law smiles creepily as he holds up his sword, and I hold up Riptide. Only one sword may be used, so I put Bane in my back. My suit is practically torn, and will need severe repairs. My helmet is cracking around the sides, and is crushihg my head inside. I remove my helmet, letting the cool air rush over me. This is it. Maybe.

We get into positions, until...

"Percy! No! Dont't do it, you can't die for us. You are Olympus' s last hope, they need you more than us!" Thalia shouted, tears beginning to form. She had witnessed her friend fighting for over an hour, all for her, but why?

"I am sorry, but I disagree. It is too late for me, I have already lived a full life, and you havent yet. I lost my freedom when I was gone, but now that I am back, I will never let anyone else I care about die. Not again." I reply "You don't need to do this! If you die, we all die, me and Artemis are just soldiers, we are meant for this..." Thalia states sadly.

I turn to her. "No. I will never allow you or any whom I care about die before me. If I die, I die. I will not be happy, but as long as you two are safe, I will be at peace. Please Thalia, let me do this." I ask

Thalia looks at me with tears, knowing she may lose her friend moments from now. "....okay.....I trust you.." she whispers.

I give a sad smile to her and turn to Law, who seems amused.

"Wow. Just wow. A noble cause, truly heart warming. Too bad you are going to lose." He sneers.

"Just shut up, get into position." I growl.

We get into position, my heart racing. Is this it?

"When I count to 3, we will charge alright?" Law says.

"Ok." I reply quietly.

"3"

This is it, isn't it? Funny, always thought I would have a good life, after saving Olympus twice, I would have thought I would be doing much better than this.

"2"

Thalia, Artemis, Jason, Piper, Frank, Leo, Reyna, Hazel, all of them. I wish I could say goodbye, I couldnt have asked for better friends. What a mess, the bunch of us. We were young and brave back then, now look where we all are now....on the brink of death. At least me anyway.

The more I think about them, the more I realize I don't want to leave them. They need me, how could I be so stupid to just lay down and die? But I don't stand a chance.....

No. I can't just leave them. I need them. They need me. I can do this. Hope.......hope....

"1!" Shouts Law as he begins his charge.

I let out a war cry as I charge as well. We build plenty of speed, to a point where if we were to swing, it would be lethal. We begin to close in to each other, and all I can think about is...

I can do it....I can do it

And our blades met.

Slice!

We pass through each other, still in position. When one of us fall, it means that one of us dies.

I stand still in position. I dont feel anything....thats good right? I turn to Law, who is also in position. We stand for about 10 seconds, not looking or feeling any wounds. Thalia and Artemis stare, waiting to see what happens.

Suddeny, Law stands up. He was fine, and grinning at me. I gasp in shock, and I pull off the front of my torn suit, checking for a wound.

Blood. Lots of blood. Right on my side, a huge line. I was bleeding out. Pain erupts from every part of my body. I fall to my knees in pain, clutching my side in agony. Thalia has a hand over her mouth in shock, Artemis looks as if she expected this.

"Well, well. I must say, that was quite a scare, but you lose." Law states happily.

I groan in pain, its obvious that no amount of healing can be done. He nearly severed through my spine. No point in trying to cover it. Its too late. I failed.

I turn to Thalia and Artemis.

"......I.......am....so....s-orry..." I struggle to say as blood starts to leak from my mouth.

Thalia starts to cry slowly, and Artemis nods, she respects what I had tried to do for them.

Law observes my last few moments in glee. He seems to have met a worthy opponent. Me.

I can feel the blood starting to pool under me. The pain. Its all I can feel. My side is practically eating me. Since I was immortal and all that, it took me much longer to die.

The sorrow. The pain isn't alone. I will die knowing I let them down. All of them. I can't take it. Why do these things happen to me? It never ends. Ever.

Minutes pass, the pain growing more and more to a point where I cannot even kneel. I lie on the ground, giving my last few moments on Gaea. Artemis looks in disgust, she hated to see me die this way for so long, and Thalia had been crying continuously.

"L-aw...." I stutter

"Hmm?" He asks curiously

"...can I please have my last moments...with Thalia and Artemis...please.." I managed

"I suppose so. You were a worthy opponent, and I will treat you with enemy's respect." Law replied

He moved Thalia and Artemis near me, so we could talk. I see the sorrow in their eyes.

"Why Percy? You idiot...." Thalia weeped.

"Thalia....let me talk for a moment. .....I was a fool....always was. I would have given anything to protect y-you guys. I am dying....as you can see" I joked but coughed some blood. "But know that I care about you. About you, about Artemis, about Camp Jupiter, about Chiron, and about anyone who has helped me before. ....back in Tartarus.....I lost my humanity. I lost what it meant to feel. I...lost too much, I felt too much. It is....gone. Percy Jackson died in Tartarus alongside Zoë." I finished, breathing heavily.

Thalia looked at me with tear all over her face. She looked cute, too bad I would never see her again.

I turn to Artemis.

"I a-am....sorry I.... couldnt save you and Thalia. L-listen...I do not blame you for what you did two years ago. Do not feel bad, I chose this......fate. I was glad to have given you some hope, but I f-failed in the end. When I am dead, forget about me. Tell all of my friends to forget me." I struggle to breathe, but I need to finish. "If you ever see any of them, Gods, demigods, whatever, tell them I was a story, made up. I don't deserve a legacy, you all will do better if you forgot about me....I would ony trouble you. Please." I ask.

Artemis nods "Look, Percy. You are one of the only suitable men in this world. It is a shame you cannot stay with us. But I respect your final wish, and if i see any if your friends...I will tell them."

I sigh in relief. I lay on the ground, my breath running out. I can feel the air leaving me. Law, Thalia, and Artemis can see it. This is where it ends for me.

My breaths slow down, to a point where I breath once every 15 seconds. My vision blurrs, but out of the corner of my eye, I see Law take Artemis and Thalia away through a portal.

I cry.....and cry. Using all the strength I have left, I let the tears out. My breathing stopped. My last seconds of breath going. Black clouds appear in my sight. The end is upon me.

I had a good run right? I accomplished a lot, saved olympus twice, slayed the Titans and Gaea.

But I couldn"t save my friends.

Finally my vision goes, pitch black. My bode is still on the dirt where I layed, Law didnt bother moving my bloody mess. My consciousness is all that is left. It is slowy slipping away. I cannot feel anything, just nothing.

And my eyes close for the last time.

The end.

JUST KIDDING. IT IS NOT THE END.

Don"t worry, he isn't dead, and this story still has a long way to go!