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PS. Sorry for the long wait guys! Here's the second last chapter!

Between Two Worlds

It didn't feel real.

Percy's stared blankly at the sight of Hick holding on tightly to Hazel's stiff cold hands. Viktus had relocated them and they were safe now, back in the city of Terra. The servants was about to approached Hick but Percy waved them off. The girl needed some time along.

It didn't help that Nico and Jason had arrived on site a minute later, on the backs of the Stingers that brought them to the now fallen dam. Jason was the first of the two to realize what had happened.

"Nico, don't look," Jason said.

But of course, Nico didn't listen. He walked over to what was barely a recognizable Hazel, and then stopped a few feet short. He couldn't bear to have a closer look at the deformed corpse.

"Who did this?" he asked.
"Nico, not now," Percy intervened.
"Who did this?" Nico persisted. "I'm going to kill him!"
"It was King Gorger," Ares spoke up. "And the Warrior has gotten rid of him."

All eyes turned to Hick, who had barely spoken a word since Ares arrived. Something in her had evidently snapped. Her gaze was hollow, blank.

Percy watched as Jason poured water over and bathed away the thick dry blood of King Gorger that encrusted Hick's hand. The blood that glued her fingers to Hazel's dissolved. One by one, the warrior's fingers peeled away and finally broke away from Hazel's, falling limply by her side. Just as her fingers broke free from Hazel's and the dry blood, Hick gradually emerged of her trance and finally started to take in her surroundings.

"You've been strong, Hick. You've been strong all the way, up 'til now. The war is over. You can put that burden down," Jason told her.

And as Hick met Nico's teary gaze, the expected tears did not come for her. Her spirit had broken. "I'm sorry," was all she could murmur, as Nico ran to her side and brought her into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry."

The war had ended. The moment the earth swallowed the sea of corpses whole and the oceans cover the burial, all was silenced with shock the following day. News of Hick as the prophesied sky Warrior of Red and her demi-god abilities spread. And of course, along with the news came gossip. That it was the warrior who caused the blood bath at the dam, hence the title 'sky Warrior of red'. That the warrior has an insatiable thirst for blood. Of course, there was awe too, as some told of how the sky, the ocean and the underworld rumbled and then roared under the demigods' command, bringing down the great dam. Then there was outrage when it came to light that Hick had spared the Bane, despite fighting for the humans. Whose side was she on, the rats or the humans?

But did it all matter? The people of Terra got their waters back, didn't they?

Hick stared at the casket that contained Hazel's body. It just didn't feel real, even when Dane had ordered servants to embalm the body with some kind of fluid. "It's the least I should do after all that you've done for Terra," the young king had told Hick, Percy, Jason and Nico. It was all too much for Hick to take in, and she shut her eyes and tried to sleep away the worries, wanting not to remember the scenes that kept playing in her mind. It made her feel alone. But this time, she was not alone. She felt someone gently adjust her head to rest on what felt like a shoulder. She looked up and saw that her companion was Percy.

"Hey," he said, mustering a small smile. "You've been hanging out here a lot lately."

Hick stared at him. It almost seemed like he was trying to be considerate of her feelings. That's one thing Hick never thought the thickheaded boy could execute.

"Just trying to get as close to closure as I can. How's Nico?" she asked, immediately worried for the one person closest to Hazel.
"Coping with all of this. And grieving, as we all are," Percy replied.
"And you?"
Percy made a gesture with his hands. "Here to bask in your delightful company!"
A scoff came from the sole living daughter of Hades. "Well, I'll be damned."

A minute of silence passed. And then Hick found Percy speaking out again.

"You know, I wasn't entirely joking when I said you are delightful company."

He paused, purposely waiting for a reply from her.

"Yeah? Well that's a shocker, coming from you," Hick finally murmured in response.
"What I meant is, don't do what you did at the Labyrinth," he said.

He watched as Hick's gaze changed.

"You knew?"
"That you tried to kamikaze so the rest of us could live? Yes, you inconsiderate twat! We all knew you were headed for canyon. When we thought you were gone for good that just killed Hazel and Nico. And Jason… And me," he added in a tinier voice.

Percy waited for another reply. And then Hick did what she never thought she would've done, what with the history of tension between her and Percy: she slipped her fingers between Percy's and squeezed his hand.

"I'm sorry. I must've worried you guys. It's just that… at that time, after I thought we lost Jason, I'd rather it be me instead of any of you," Hick replied. And then she let a sad laugh. "Look how that turned out."
"Well I'd rather not," he whispered, and for some reason, Hick felt her heartbeat accelerate a little.

Percy could see the blush that emerged on Hick's cheeks. Was it because she was touched? Flattered? Could she perhaps like him a little in the romantic sense? Just like how he does to her? Percy shook his head, trying to block out his thoughts. No, that's not true. He only knew Hick for a couple of months. He's loved Annabeth for years now. Annabeth is the only one he loves.

And then Hick spoke, bringing Percy's attention back to reality.

"You guys got love ones waiting for you back home. I don't have anyone. Everyone who knew me had their memories of me erased remember? It's not like they're waiting for me and missing me now," she said.
"Hick, it - " he began.
"And that's cool, you know. I'm not complaining, and I don't need you to feel sorry for me because you shouldn't. It's actually kind of convenient. They won't get hurt or anything when I'm gone."

"Hazel would have," said Percy, and Hick finally met his gaze. "Hazel cared for you, and so does Nico and Jason. Believe it or not, there's me too. You're not disposable, Hick."
"Yeah," said Hick, after a moment's pause.
"That's a half-assed response and you know it! Seriously? After all that mushy stuff I said, you're still not convinced?" said Percy, prompting a laugh from Hick.

"Seriously though," he added. "You've got to stop trying to kill yourself."
"Okay! Okay! Geez, you're starting to nag like Ryan!" Hick laughed.

Percy knew it was stupid, but he couldn't but feel insulted. He was like Ryan?

"You love talking about Ryan a lot, don't you?" he muttered. If there was a tinge of anger in his voice, Hick clearly caught on to it.
"I'm sorry. You must be annoyed, hearing me bring him up over and over again. It's not that I don't like your company. You're funny, Percy, even though terribly overbearing at times," Hick joked, trying to prompt some laughter out of him. When Percy didn't speak up, she sighed and didn't bother to reprimand him. "Anyway, I won't bring him up anymore. Sorry."

As the minutes ticked by, Percy started to feel a little guilty for giving Hick the silent treatment. What was he doing, picking a fight with Hick before a casket? Hazel would've totally whacked him in the head for being a big jerk. He had been nothing but a big jerk towards Hick ever since they that portal incident.

"Hick, I should be the one who's sorry. It's just… I think I've got some working out to do with what I'm feeling about this whole thing," he said uneasily, lowering his tone as the embarrassment started creeping in. "About me and I think what I might be feeling towards you."

He paused.

"Hick?"

He looked over his shoulder and immediately regretted it. His face was terribly close to hers. Her eyes were shut and lips slightly apart. A small snore wheezed through her nose. The mighty Lone Warrior had just slept through what was barely a squeak of a confession coming from him. He sighed. Maybe it was for the best.

Hick didn't know what to say so she pretended to be asleep. What the heck was she supposed to say? Percy just confessed to her and she had not seen it coming at all. She had so many questions. When? How? But most of all, WHY?

If she remembered clearly, she had been was a huge pain in the ass for Percy lately. She recalled their time spent together before, tried to figure out how it came to this, but it was interrupted all to soon when Nico and Jason came bursting through the doors. They ran into the room.

"Hick, you must come! Hurry!" he said, grabbing Hick's arm while Jason beckoned Percy to follow.

Hick's first thought was that there'd been an attack on the palace, but that was not it.

"A war! They want to start another war!" gasped Nico as all four demigods sprinted down the corridors.

"What!" Percy exclaimed.

They finally reached the High Halls, and upon Hick's entrance, all arguments ceased. One side of the court consisted of rats, and the other side the humans. Hick caught sight of Crunch amongst the frontline of the rats, and Dane for the humans, with a trembling ball of white fur in his arms. The baby Bane caught sight of Hick, immediately wriggled out of Dane's arms and scuttled over to her.

"Is it true? Another war is happening?" Hick asked the young king, as she picked up the Bane.
"I thought the people of Terra would like to settle for peace once and for all, after all my assistance given in your quest," Crunch snarled. "But your king over here is making matters unduly difficult."
"If it's peace you want, you should have no problem peacefully leading your fellow Clawers into the Uncharted Lands," Dane spat.

Hick frowned. So territory was what this whole conflict was about. With Dane's proposal, everything quickly became ugly and hard.

"Yes, I do have a problem with that, Your Highness. So much so that I flatly refuse to do it," Crunch spat at Dane. "What do you say to that?"
"We have spared the Bane and given her back to you, so I say you may go peacefully or by force; it is your choice!" said Dane.
"If it is another war you are looking for, then believe me you shall have it!" growled Crunch. "But I wonder how you will fare, with your limping army and your broken city and me at your throat instead of your back!"
"I do not need you, Crunch. I have the Warrior and her comrades!" said Dane.
"Do you? I wouldn't count on it. Why would they fight for you, when they have lost a comrade on your expense? They'd be better of fighting by my side!" retorted the rat.

Hick's mouth dropped open in disbelief. What were they talking about? What were they both doing? Could they actually be going back to war? And did they plan for her to join them?

"We will leave it to the Warrior to decide," Dane said, and then turned to her. Everyone in the whole arena turned to her, wanting to know where she stood.

"Oh, hell, Hick," Nico whispered, and Hick would've socked him in the face had she not been so appalled at what was going on.

"You're really going to do it, aren't you? You're really going to go back to war?" Hick said. She could feel something boiling up inside of her, and Jason immediately took the Bane from Hick, for fear she might accidentally crush the life out of it in her rage. "So, we'll just forget about what happened. King Gorger, the dam, the Bane." Her voice was rising and she could feel the Rager side of her taking over. "Forget about everybody who's dead! Aurora and Henry and Hazel! And the family, the friends, and comrades you've all lost! Let's just forget about everybody who gave their lives so that you could have this moment where you could — could make things right again! So you could stop the killing! And now you stand there and ask me to choose between you? To help you kill each other?" Hick paused, glaring back at all those eyes that stared at her. "Well, guess what? The so-called 'Warrior of red' is not fighting for any of you!"

That was when each and every creature in the High Hall lapsed into a mournful silence. Whatever thoughts of vengeance had momentarily diminished. Until Dane finally spoke up.

"There will be no treaties as the Clawers ask," the young king announced. "They have always failed us in the past." Hick's heart slammed somewhere down around her feet. But Dane had not finished.

"There will be no treaties!" Dane repeated loudly, amidst the murmurs that threatened to escalate into outburst. "But I offer this." He stepped forward and raised his right hand to Crunch.

The crowd, except for the puzzled demigods, let out a gasp at what Dane was proposing. Even Crunch was initially taken aback. But he recovered quickly. "A bond?"

"A bond between all humans and Clawers. A vow to defend each other to the death. I offer it. Do you dare take it?" asked Dane.
"Do I dare?" said Crunch. "Yes, I do." He lifted his paw up and pressed it against the young king's hand.

With a flick of a blade, Dane slit a small cut in his palm, and Crunch did likewise. And as paw and palm met, and two bloods mingled, a bond was sealed.

Then the rat dropped his paw and gave a big stretch. "Don't we get a feast now?"
"Let it be as he says," said Dane. And the whole arena broke into cheers.

Hick had trouble believing it was really happening. The quick flight back past through the portal, leaving Terra and her legacy as the Warrior of red behind. Their few possessions acquired from the museum already neatly packed in a bag. "How about this weapon of yours?" Dane had asked Hick, holding up the brass knuckles. Hick shook her head. "Keep it," she said. "I have no use for it now, and never had much use for it before anyway."

There were hugs and good-byes but only the baby Bane said, "See you soon," as she pressed her twitching wet nose to Hick's forehead.

Crunch made a point of giving Hick some last-minute Rager advice. "Watch yourself. That Rager thing isn't going to magically disappear. It's part of you. There won't be anyone you can't take. And you've killed enough that you don't have to think twice to do it. Remember, it's a lot easier to lose your head than to keep it."

The words made Hick's blood run cold. "I'll remember," she said. "Thanks Crunch."

"Fly you high, Hick the Sky-dweller," said the rat, and then turned his attention to Hazel's casket. "Fly you high." A couple of able Stingers flew Percy, Nico, Jason and Hazel's casket over the Waterway and hover over the portal for each of them to slip through the portal. Hick, entrusted in the care of Ares, bade the bat with a goodbye kiss.

"Thank you, warrior, for the peace you brought us," Ares said, as Hick gingerly inched her way off his back to the portal.
"I've not brought it to your world permanently, Ares. There is still unrest. Peace will be fragile, but I hope this world will preserve it, guard it well," Hick replied.
"I will let it be known that is your final and parting message. Fly you high, warrior."

With one last glance and a smile back at the black bat, Hick disappeared behind the portal.

As she slid back into her world's ocean waters, Hick saw Percy waiting just outside for her. He extended his hand out and she took it. From the way he moved so comfortably, Hick could tell he finally felt at home as the obedient waters of his dad's territory covered his every pore. For a moment, she felt like she was without a single sadness in the world. Just the glistening ocean and infinite silence.

Mount Olympus

"You have defied every single divine authority before you. Do you realize how many people you've pissed off?" asked Ares. "A life would not have been lost if you had simply wielded Aetos to destroy that bastard creation of Phoebe!"
"Not everyone is pissed, Ares," Aphrodite began. "The girl has managed to make peace with the other realm, surely – "
"We cannot be sure that this peace will hold. There will always be the threat of armies coming in to invade us from beyond," Hera interrupted. The goddess turned to shoot Hick a look of disapproval. "All this because of the incompetence and foolishness of a weak-hearted demi-god."
"Save your breath, Hera. Words will not get through that girl's thick skull," Zeus growled.

Electricity started to cackle in the throne room and Hick could feel the current sparks getting dangerously close to her skin.

"Enough!" Hades boomed, and darkness immediately clouded over the throne room. A deafening silence followed right after the underworld ruler's rare display of rage. Percy, Jason and Nico simultaneously pulled Hick away from the electric currents, which eventually died off as Zeus turned his attention to Hades.

"Do you have something to say for this idiot offspring of yours, brother?" Zeus remarked, his words full of spite.
"I have a lost a child who died to save a realm from our murderous intent," said Hades. "I will not stand to lose another for the same reason."

"Please, if you would hear me out," Hick began as all heads turned to face her. It was unnerving, having so many eyes on her, especially since those eyes belong to divine figures that could obliterate her to a pile of ashes without blinking.

Taking in a deep breath, she continued. "While there was evil in that world, there were also good individuals like Hazel. Many had extended a helping hand, offered alliances, and even expressed love."

"It's true," Jason added, and Zeus had sat up straight as his son spoke. "There were comrades and families there who cared and mattered to each other."

"And why should that be any of our concern?" Ares scoffed.

"Look, I don't know if you understand what that means what with all the demi-god children you guys produce, but I am tired of taking away innocent lives like they don't matter," Hick replied. "And if you still think I deserve punishment for that belief then go ahead and carry out your judgment on me because I don't want to put up a fight anymore. I am done fighting."
"No! No, we are not allowing that option!" Percy exclaimed. He looked at all the apathetic faces that stared down at them in the throne room. "Come on, you can't be serious! After all we've been through!"

"To be honest, I do not see what the fuss is all about," said Apollo. "Hick has ultimately saved Poseidon's world from ultimate destruction, along with Olympus here and the other realms connected via the ocean world."

Poseidon nodded in agreement. "As much as I hate to admit it, I am indebted to this child of Hades."

"While I do not fully agree, the demi-gods here make a reasonable point," the Athena spoke up. "Punishing the Lone Warrior would be unjust. And in all fairness, the Lone Warrior has fulfilled the prophecy and consequently pulled us all away from the brink of extinction. Within the several weeks she and the other demi-gods have been in the portal, not once did we witness another invasion."

"Perhaps a reward would be more fitting," said Hades. "If there are any ingrates alive and well because of this girl still willing to deny her this, speak up."

The throne room was silent at Hades' menacing words. There was a flicker of doubt in Zeus' eyes, and the god eventually relented. "Go ahead, brother."

And with that, Hades beckoned Hick over to him. As she did, she saw in her father's jet black eyes a flicker of purple flames, the same shade of purple that her eyes had. For the first time ever, Hick got to see what it was like, having pride written all over a father's face for a child.

"If it is a reward fitting of a hero that saved the whole of Olympus, I propose the gift of immortality. You can be made a god, forever undying," said Hades.
"Forever?" Hick echoed after him.
"With the consensus of the entire council, you can be made immortal," Athena explained kindly. "No aging. No death. The powerful youth you are now and forever."

The offer was just too bizarre and brilliant. And she knew what she had to do. Hick turned to Hades, who was watching her closely. His usual stoic expression was replaced with a sad smile. He knew her conclusion.

"Forever is… a long time, dad," Hick whispered to him.
An exasperated sigh came from Zeus. "I believe this imbecile is turning down our generous gift, just as Perseus has. Well, Miss Valkyrie, what gift would suffice for you?"

Hick looked over her shoulder to see Percy, Jason and Nico watching her. She still hadn't gotten used to not seeing Hazel standing with them.

"I – " Hick began, but Percy cut her off.

"Wait! They have to promise on the River of Styx!" he called out.
"The what?" Hick frowned at Percy, irritated by his interruption.
"PERSEUS!" Zeus thundered.
"Not this nonsense again," Aphrodite sighed.

It was apparent that something like this had happened before between Percy and the gods.

"The River of Styx," Percy repeated. He looked earnest. "Make them promise on that. It's a solemn oath, and they can't backtrack on their promise to your request."

Nico nodded. "It's true. It's true."

Hick blinked. She turned to the gods and titans who now looked like they all wanted to murder Percy. "So…"

"Very well!" Zeus growled at the boys. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant Hick Valkyrie's reasonable request as long as it is within our power."

The other gods and titans muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.

"Go ahead, Hick," Hades told her. "What is it?"

"I wish to be human. One hundred percent human."

Percy angrily made his way out, while Jason followed right after him and Nico trailed behind with Hick.

"Bet you regret mentioning the Styx oath now," said Jason. Percy stopped short and shot him a glare.
"I don't know what you mean."
"You haven't been exactly subtle in hiding your crush for Hick. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Annabeth has caught on."

"Look," said Percy, looking over his shoulder to see if Hick had heard them. Thankfully, she and Nico seemed preoccupied talking to Hera. He turned to face the blonde boy's nonplussed gaze, which only infuriated him even more. "I'll get over this soon. It's just a passing phase."

"It's been four months. I only see your infatuation growing stronger."
"Don't call it an 'infatuation'! Okay, I'm not 'infatuated' with her!"
"Sure," Jason replied sardonically. "Just sort your feelings out soon before someone gets hurt. Such as Annabeth. And yourself."

Nico looked over at Percy and Jason. They didn't look happy. What the heck were they talking about?

"Well… I think it's about time I return you the memories I took from you," said Hera.
Hick gave a scoff. "Yeah about time that – "
"You will have it back once you set foot back into the human world."
"What! Why not now?" Hick scowled.

Nico saw Hera's jaw clench and shifted uneasily. As much as he disliked Hera, he didn't want witness her fury. "My gods, Hick, don't anger it," he whispered to his sister.

"Go now. Before I decide to vaporize the both of you," Hera sighed, folding her arms.

Leaving it at that, Nico hastily dragged Hick away.

The elevator ride back down was long and painfully silent. As soon as the doors open, Percy walked out, his hands jammed angrily into his pockets.

"Well, I guess this is it then," Jason said to Hick as all of them stood at entrance of the Empire State Building. "This is where we part ways."
"Yeah. It is," Hick smiled sadly. She cast a glance out at the human world beyond the glass doors. One step out there, and she'll be human. She'll have all her memories back, and so will her love ones.

"Gods, the both of you, don't act like its goodbye forever," Nico snorted. "We can still visit each other."
Hick looked over at Percy. He was holding the door ajar. And he was avoiding her gaze. She knew he felt bitter about her just turning human, choosing the world Ryan was in instead of the world she could remain in with him. And maybe it was right for her to walk that route. Time would make them forget.

"Well, I'll get going now. Goodbye Nico. Jason. Percy."

And leaving it at that, Hick made her to the glass doors. She took one last glance at Percy, and he finally looked up. He was silently pleading with her. Please, don't do this. Please, stay.

With her jaw clenched in tight determination, Hick looked straight at the bustling streets outside and pushed the door open.

The end. Well, not really. I'm sorry, this story is so shitty.