Chapter 14: Poseidon's Gift (Percy's POV)

I opened my eyes to bright sunlight. I looked over to my right. Silena was lying next to me-asleep. She was still holding my hand from when the stone broke from beneath of us. I moved my free hand around. I felt...sand? We were lying on a beach.

Silena mumbled in her sleep and let go of my hand. I sat up. How the hell did we get on a beach? I tried to remember. The last thing I remembered was creating an air bubble so Silena wouldn't drown.

My body was weak and I barely had the strength to continue sitting up. So many of my friends-dead, gone. It didn't seem fair that only a few of us survived when we all helped on the quest.

"Percy?" Silena asked. "A-Are we safe?"

I looked over my shoulder at Silena. "Yeah. The Kraken is gone and I'm sure we won't hear from Hades again for a long time." I smiled.

Silena sat up. I looked out to the ocean. Maybe if I walked into the water I wouldn't feel so weak. I pushed myself off the sand and took my shoes off. I let the water hit my feet. It made me feel a little better. Then Silena had to ask the question that I didn't want to answer.

"Percy, did Charile come back with you?" she asked.

I bit my lip. "No. Beckendorf...I'm sorry, Silena. But Beckendorf died back at Medusa lair. He fell thrugh one the cracks and fell into lava."

Silena jerked me around to face her. I couldn't even meet her eyes. "What?"

"He's dead."

"No-no, he can't be...he promised me-"

I put my hand over her mouth and pressed the metal into her hand. "Beckendorf, hung onto a rock but I couldn't get him. He threw this to me and told me to give it to you."

Silena gripped the metal tightly. "Thank you."

I nodded. In the distance, a large boat was coming toward the island we were on. I knew it had to be from Argos, coming to get Silena. I wasn't going to stick around. I didn't want anything from them.

"This is good-bye, Silena. I have to go," I told her.

As I tried to walk away, Silena grabbed my arm. "Wait."

"Yeah?"

"Argos...needs a king," Silena said.

I realized what she was saying and shook my head. She wanted me to go back to that city, marry her, and then I would become king of Argos when Pollux died. I sighed. "Be honest with me, Silena. Would you really be committed to me if I was your husband?"

She pursed her lips. Her hand dropped from my shoulder.

"I'm touched by your offer. I really am. But you know it wouldn't be right. Besides, your heart never belonged to me; it belonged to Beckendorf. And my heart will never belong to you. The person who had my heart is gone now. I'm just going to start over," I said.

As I turned back around, Blackjack few down from the sky. Boss, you're not dead! I saw the stone crack and you and the lady fall into the sea! I thought you both drowned! Blackjack told me.

I smiled and stroked his neck. "I'm a son of Poseidon, Blackjack, remember? I can breath under water." I looked back at Silena. "Good luck with being the queen of Argos and all."

Silena grinned. "Thanks. And I hope the gods don't bother you anymore with quests."

I nodded and climbed onto Blackjack. Blackjack took off down the beach. I didn't know where we would go. Somewhere far from Argos that was for sure.

It had been hours since Blackjack and I saw Silena. We were flying through the sky over the sea. Honestly, I was surprised Zeus had shot us out of "his terriory" by now. Are we going anywhere, boss? Or are we just flying around until I get tired? Blackjack asked.

"I don't know where we're going. I don't ever want to see Argos or anywhere near there ever again. Too many bad memories," I said.

Whatever you say, boss, Blackjack said.

Suddenly there were storm clouds all around us. Blackjack hovered in the air. My heart was racing. Why was Zeus doing this? I looked up and a lightning bolt came down on Blackjack and me.

I shut my eyes waiting for the pain. It never came. I opened my eyes. We were standing in Olympus. All of the gods and goddesses were on their thrones. They were all, like, ten feet tall. I flet like a mouse they could crush with their foot. I jumped off Blackjack and stood before the gods.

"Um...hi?" I said, but it was more of a question.

"Perseus," Zeus leaned foreword in his chair until he was face-to-face with me. "thank you."

I was stunned. "Thank you?" Zeus thanked me for something? I glanced at Poseidon. He smiled and nodded, so I guess Zeus wasn't going to fry me. Zeus leaned back in his chair and stared at me, like he was expecting me to do something amazing for him.

"I...I don't understand. Why have you brought me here?" I asked.

"Heroes need to be rewarded," Hermes said.

"I'm not a hero. All the demigods that died on that quest, they were the heroes. I stopped the Kraken, they did the rest," I said.

"What can we give them? They are dead and they're in Hades' releam now. We could not bring them back. You, however, we can do something for. We have a gift for you, my son," Poseidon told me.

"W-What gift?"

"If you wish it: immortality," Zeus boomed.

"Me? Immortal, like, forever? A god?" I asked.

"A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes," Zeus said. "You may rule in your father's realm as one of his generals."

Immortal. Forever. It seemed impossible to think about forever. I'd never die or worry about going on stupid quests ever again. I wouldn't really have to worry about anything. Is that what I wanted?

I remembered what Annabeth had said. She said that immortality was a curse. She would live forever and watch her friends and family die. Paul had said to not become one of them. I knew he was right. If I became a god, I wouldn't be me anymore. I'd just be another face to worship.

"No," I said firmly.

"No? Are you not honored by our offering?" Athena asked.

"No, no. I am honored, really. But I don't want to be a god. I just want to be me. I want to die like everyone else. Besides, I think be a god and being able to do anything all the time would make it kinda boring, don't you think?" I said.

"If you do not want the gift of immotality, then what do you want?" my father asked.

"I don't want to be bothered with anymore requests from the gods. I want to live a normal life, with no monsters or other gods making my life hell," I said.

Zeus sighed. "Very well. Do what you want, Perseus."

"Thank you. Can Blackjack and I leave now?" I asked.

Zeus nodded. I climbed on Blackjack and we fell through the floor. Blackjack's wings shot out and soon we were soring through the air.

a month later...

I groaned and wiped the sweat off my forehead. A month had passed since I had faced the gods on Olympus. I hadn't been bothered by any monsters and no god had asked me for help. I was simply sailing on the ocean, like I had with my family before they died.

Blackjack had even stayed on the boat with me. He was really the only company I had these days. I stood at the edge of my boat and looked out over the ocean. There was still so much I hadn't seen in the world. I could have seen it all if I had become a god.

The noise of rushing water came from behind me. Blackjack stomped his hooves. I didn't even need to turn around to know who it was. I grabbed Riptide and faced my father.

"What do you want? I told you I don't want any gods bothering me," I growled.

"Percy, I never meant for your mother or your adopted family to be killed. I just wanted you to be happy so I never inferred with your life," Poseidon said.

"Oh, and when you didn't help me save my family you were just 'not inferring because you wanted me to be happy?'" I snapped.

"I just came to say I was sorry for anything. I also came to give you something. A gift because let's face it, you shouldn't be living alone on a boat with no one to talk to but a horse-" he looked at Blackjack. "no offence."

None taken, king, Blackjack said.

"What do you mean...dad?" I asked.

"You shouldn't be alone if you're going to live a mortal life. You're a son of Poseidon after all." I watched as my dad burst into water and ran into the sea.

What the hell was he talking about? Boss! Look! Blackjack cried.

I turned. On the front of my boat stood Annabeth. She was wearing what she was the day she died. Annabeth had her arms crossed and was smiling at me. I glanced down at the sea and smiled. I hugged and kissed Annabeth.

For once, I didn't feel like the gods's puppet. I was in control of my own destiny.

Author's note: Well, that it people. Thank you to all my reviewers. I honestly didn't think this sotry would have that many reviews and favorites so thanks guys.

As far as I know this is my last Percy Jackson fanfiction. The Lost Hero is out and I'm sure everyone will like it better than the old series. I don't like the new series ot new characters very much. So I hoped you all enjoyed my PJ stories as much as I did writing them. Later!

-Angel of Darkness1337