σɾɳιƚԋαʂ (ρʝσ x ɱαʅҽ σƈ)

The New Oracle of Delphi

Theo: But then—

Hermes: I don't know. None of us do. Blown to dust. Scattered to the wind. With luck, he's spread so thin that he'll never be able to form a consciousness again, much less a body. But don't mistake him for dead, grandson.

Theo: And the other Titans?

Hermes: In hiding. Prometheus sent Zeus a message with a bunch of excuses for supporting Kronos. "I was just trying to minimize the damage," blah, blah. He'll keep his head low for a few centuries if he's smart. Krios has fled, and Mount Othrys has crumbled into ruins. Oceanus slipped back into the deep ocean when it was clear Kronos had lost. Meanwhile, my son Luke is dead. He died believing I didn't care about him. I will never forgive myself.

Hermes slashed his caduceus through the mist. The Iris-picture disappeared.

Theo: No one can change the past. The best you can do is honor Luke by recognizing your other children. All the gods can do that.

Hermes: They'll try, Percy. Oh, we'll all try to keep our promise. And maybe for a while things will get better. But we gods have never been good at keeping oaths. Percy and Thalia were born because of a broken promise, eh? Eventually we'll become forgetful. We always do.

Theo: You can change.

Hermes: (laughs) After three thousand years, you think the gods can change their nature?

Theo: My mother did. She wasn't one to fall in love until she met Alexios, was she?

Hermes simply nodded.

Hermes: Do you think...Luke actually loved me? After everything?

Theo: Yeah.

Hermes: I'll give you a list of my children. There's a boy in Wisconsin. Two girls in Los Angeles. A few others. Will you see that they get to camp?

Theo: I will.

George and Martha twirled around the caduceus. I know snakes can't smile, but they seemed to be trying.

Hermes: Do you still have the fob?

I took out the car fob from my pocket.

Theo: Can't really use it, though. The car is wrecked.

Hermes held out his hand. I gave him the fob, and as soon as it was in his palm, it started glowing for a few seconds before dimming completely.

Hermes: Not anymore.

He handed me the fob, and I took it in surprise.

Hermes: Your friend Percy Jackson might just teach us a thing or two.

I walked away, and then...

???: So it's true.

I looked behind me and saw Maryam behind me with a solemn expression.

Maryam: Jackson might change things for the better.

Theo: He might.

Maryam nodded.

Maryam: I just wish Ethan was still alive to see it.

Theo: I'm sorry.

Maryam: Don't be. It's not your fault.

Theo: Well, if you want, you can come with me back to Camp Half-Blood. You can stay with me and Zoe until there is a cabin for Nemesis.

Maryam: (shakes her head) I'm not going back to that camp. The gods might forgive the half-bloods that fought with the enemy, but not the campers. I still got many of your allies killed.