Everybody looked at Nico expectantly as he delicately opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. Using the torchlight, he looked at the paper, but then frowned. It was written in Latin, so Nico passed it to Hazel to be read.
So, if you guys are reading this, I guess that means my sun has set. I swear, I have better died doing something cool instead of just being hit by a bus or something lame like that. Also, if I find out anyone is sad or crying right now about me kicking the can, I will find a way out of the Underworld and come haunt you until the day you die.
This got a chuckle out of those gathered.
But seriously, please don't be sad. If the fates willed my string to be cut, then it was my time. I've accepted my death, and I want everyone hearing this to do the same. Besides, we'll see each other again. Well, assuming I don't get Asphodel of course.
Percy, my man, stay strong. You are the strongest guy I know, with your friends around you I know that you can get through anything. Just don't let Annabeth get you down, okay? She was a fool to let you go, and you deserve so much more than that sadistic Athena Spawn. In fact, a certain Daughter of Zeus comes to mind. Seriously man, you both like each other, just get together already!
Percy and Thalia blushed beet red while everyone giggled, this was the second time he had called them out.
Also, Thalia, thank you so much for all that you've done. You convinced Lady Artemis and the Hunt to at least let me stay without castration, and I am definitely very grateful for that.
Clara, I'm so sorry. Sorry I never visited you and mom, sorry we didn't get to spend more time together, and sorry that I wasn't there when that bastard entered your life. I was trying to protect you by staying away, but I see now that I was wrong to do so. I was a horrible brother, and a horrible son, I hope that you can forgive me in time. As a final parting gift I would like you to have Radium. Our dad gave it to me when I was little, and I want you to have it. May it serve and protect you as well as it did me. I know it will, you're already quite the archer, and I'm sure Thalia can help you master the spear.
The young auburn haired girl's eyes widened and mouth dropped open when Hazel read this. With a trembling hand Clara accepted the black ring and placed it on her right hand ring finger, the same finger her brother had kept it on. It then shrunk until it fit comfortably on her finger.
Hannah, I will always cherish the time we had together, and I hope you feel the same way. I'm sorry that the fates have caused me to leave you, but please, I beg of you, please move on. Don't be held back by me or my death. I want you to move on with your life. You are strong, and I know that you'll do amazing things. I want you to take my watch, may it protect you as well as it protected me. I may not be able to be at your side physically, but I hope this will serve you like it did me. I also have a request, please watch over Clara. She has no one else, and she really loves you. Please remember, I always loved you and I always will.
Hannah's thumb traced the face of the watch as she held it in her palm. Tears pricked her eyes as she listened to Hazel read. Even in death, Jacob was only worried about making sure everyone would be okay.
To everyone else, my deepest gratitude. Thank you for being my friends, and thank you for accepting me.
P.S. Nico, if you try to summon me I will slap you so hard you'll be visiting your dad in a whole new way.
Everyone chuckled at the thought of a ghostified Jacob trying smack Nico. After a while longer spent in silence an unspoken consensus was reached to head back to Camp Jupiter. Lingering wouldn't bring him back, it was time to move on. They would remember, of course, but they still had lives to lead. As they were walking Hannah was thinking, and she decided that there was really only one option open to her. There was only one way to watch over Clara, and it's not like there were any romantic prospects on the horizon.
"Hey, Thalia," Hannah said as she jogged to catch up to her friend.
Thalia stopped and turned to meet her friend. "Oh, hey."
"So, um, I was wondering," Hannah said nervously. "Is Artemis around by any chance?"
"Um, not right now," Thalia replied. "She can't come to us without having conflict between her forms here. Why do you-" Hannah interrupted her with a pointed look. "Oh, well, I'll try to get a hold of her as soon as possible."
"Thanks, Thals," Hannah said gratefully before the two split. Hannah was staying with the fifth cohort in Camp Jupiter, while Thalia was with the Hunters.
# # #
It had been a few days since the funeral, and Hannah had been summoned by a messenger to meet with Frank and Reyna. She was confused about why though, she had no idea what they could possibly want. Hannah hesitantly knocked on the door to the Principia before standing back and nervously fingering the watch that now adorned her left wrist. Seconds later the door was opened by a member of the Legion, and Hannah was admitted inside. "Glad you could make it," Reyna smiled from behind a desk next to Frank. "We have something to discuss."
Hannah took a seat across from them. "What about?"
"As you know, the Senate held a meeting yesterday," Frank stated. Hannah nodded, she had seen all the demigods heading down to New Rome the day before.
"We held a vote, and the Senate agreed to admit you into the Legion with full status," Reyna said.
"Um, what?" Hannah said, astonished and confused.
"You aided in protecting a former Praetor, and have sacrificed much for the glory of Olympus and Rome. Because of this, if you are willing, you will be admitted into the fifth cohort with three years of service," Reyna explained.
Hannah didn't know what to say, from what she could tell this seemed like an honor. "Um, I don't know what to say. I'm honored, but I was going to join the Hunt once Lady Artemis returns," Hannah replied.
Reyna nodded. "We understand, but please consider our offer," she pressed.
"You can still fulfill your service within the Hunt," Frank offered. "That is, if my fellow Praetor agrees."
"That sounds acceptable to me," Reyna agreed.
Hannah thought for a moment. "Alright, I'll do it." She honestly wasn't sure why she was, just that it somehow made her feel closer to Jake.
# # #
Percy was showing Thalia around New Rome. They were having a great time just being in one another's company, but what Jacob had said lurked in the backs of their minds. "It really is beautiful," Thalia remarked as she gazed at all the gleaming white marble around her.
"Ya, it is," Percy sighed. "You know, I was planning on coming here for college with her before. . . Well, before everything happened."
"I never knew that," Thalia replied. "What do you want to do now?"
Percy let out a deep sigh. "I don't know. I have this prophecy to worry about first, who knows what will come after." The two walked in silence for a few moments before Percy spoke again. "Honestly, I just really just want to stay with the Hunt right now, it's my home now." Thalia felt both elated and depressed by this statement. Percy wanted to stay, but that also implied that he wouldn't break his oath. "But most of all, I want to stay with you."
Thalia paused mid-stride and turned to look Percy in the eyes. "Really?" she breathed.
"Really," Percy grinned.
They stood there awkwardly for a moment before Thalia decided to do something about it. "Kelp Head," she muttered as she punched Percy in the arm before she started walking ahead.
"Ya, your Kelp Head," Percy countered once he had caught back up. Thalia grinned to herself. Her Kelp Head, she liked that.
# # #
Annabeth was sitting at her desk when there was a knock at the door. "Enter," she said.
The door opened, admitting a nervous looking Hermes girl. "AnótatosI Igétis, pardon the intrusion," she said. "But there's a bit of a problem."
"What is it?" Annabeth questioned impatiently.
"We've had some, ah, defectors," the Hermes girl stammered.
Annabeth scowled. "Who?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"Some of the older campers," she said while pulling out a paper. "From the Apollo Cabin: Will, Austin, Zach, and Alyssa; Athena Cabin: Malcolm and Lucy; Hermes Cabin: Travis and Conner; Demeter Cabin: Katie; Aphrodite Cabin: Lacey; Hecate Cabin: Andromeda; Hebe Cabin: Dottie; And lastly, Rachel the Oracle."
Annabeth had to compose herself before the anger could hit. This was bad, if they found Percy and talked to him, everything she had done could fall apart."Very well," Annabeth said. "Bring me Sherman of the Ares Cabin and Violet of the Ikhnaie Cabin."
"Right away AnótatosI Igétis," the Hermes girl said before running out.
Once the girl was gone Annabeth pulled out the black stone used to contact the King. The campers would need some reinforcements, even if it was in monster form.
# # #
The two wandered through New Rome for about another hour, and sometimes when people would pass they would respectfully nod and call him 'Praetor'. After what felt to Percy like the ten millionth time that this had happened, he finally turned to Thalia. "Okay, seriously, why do people keep calling me that?" he exclaimed.
"Well, you were a Praetor, Kelp Head," Thalia pointed out.
"I know that, Pine Cone Face! I just don't know why they keep calling me that, I resigned years ago!"
"It's a matter of respect," Thalia explained. "The Romans raised you up and elected you Praetor, and they won't forget that."
"I guess," Percy sighed. "I just wish they would stop calling me that, you know how much I hate titles!" he whined.
"Get used to it Kelp Head," Thalia laughed. "You know how the Romans get with their procedures and ranks." The two continued on again, stopping to get some hot chocolate before heading up the path to the Garden of Bacchus. The two leaned on a railing as they sipped the hot beverage, watching as the engineers constructed a fort for that night's War Games. "Hey, Percy?" Thalia said.
"Hmm?" he replied as he tore his gaze from the Field of Mars and to Thalia. Gods, she looks beautiful, Percy thought.
"Was this a. . . date?" Thalia asked hesitantly.
Percy nearly spit out his drink when she said that, coughing as he tried to swallow. "Um, uh, did you want it to be?" Thalia had to resist from facepalming at that statement. Percy could be such a Kelp Head sometimes, of course she wanted it to be!
Deciding to try a different angle, Thalia asked a different question. "What Jacob said, is it true?" Thalia asked. "Do you like me?"
Percy started blushing furiously as he started gulping a little bit. "Um, y-ya," he stammered.
"Good," Thalia said with a satisfied smile. "Then Jake was right about something, for once."
"What?" Percy said, still confused about what in Hades was going on.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "Kelp Head," she said affectionately before pulling Percy into a kiss.
A/N: Haha, Perlia has officially become a thing! And it only took 31 chapters. . . . . . Ya, sorry about that. Seriously though, Percy is such a Kelp Head when it comes to girls. Oh, and Hannah joined the Legion, I guess that happened.
Have a great day!