"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."

I hesitated. "Any gift?"

Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson-if you wish it-you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."

I stared at him, stunned. "Um . . . a god?"

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."

"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."

"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth.

I glanced back. Annabeth was trying not to meet my eyes. Her face was pale. I flashed back to two years ago when I'd thought she was going to take the pledge to Artemis and become a Hunter. I'd been on the edge of a panic attack, thinking that I'd lose her. Now, she looked pretty much the same way.

I thought about the Three Fates and the way I'd seen my life flash by. I could avoid all that. No aging, no death, no body in the grave. I could be a teenager forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving my father. I could have power and eternal life.

Who could refuse that?

Then I looked at Annabeth again. I thought about my friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, Silena Beauregard, so many others who were now dead. I thought about Ethan Nakamura and Luke. I couldn't let their deaths be in vain.

And I knew what to do.

"Yes," I said.

Annabeth looked as if she were going to collapse and tears welled into her eyes and she tried to hold them back. She turned away and the disappointment in her eyes was unmistakable.

Seeing this I quickly said,"But only on one condition."

Zeus raised his eyebrows,"And that is…" he asked.

I stood tall, confident of my decision, "My soul must be separated into separate sections. One part mortal, one part god, and one part half-blood."

The Olympians began to whisper among themselves.

"So does he or does he not want to be a god?" Ares questioned while crossing his arms.

"Do you think this is a wise choice?" Athena implored with a steely tone.

Zeus stroked his beard and spoke up, "I don't see why this would be a problem," he mumbled to himself more than to the council.

More murmurs erupted from the gathered Olympians

"Very well," he announced

I glanced back at Annabeth to see her reaction. Her head was still down and I saw a tear drip down her nose onto the cold marble floor with a plop.

My face burned with anger and guilt, "Percy, you've really screwed up this time," I thought to myself.