AN: This is in Percy's POV for the most part. If not, it would be stated. This could be considered a Chaos story except it is not quite Chaos who creates the army. I'm doing it with a slightly longer betrayal. Might contain book spoilers so read all the books plus HOH first.

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO and HOO. Rick Riordan does.

Chapter 1

The second giant war had been won. There were no doubt casualties, Drew, Clovis and many others. I deeply regret not being able to save all of them. Shrouds were burnt, condolences were given, and it was time for the victory party.

Not everyone was happy when it was stated, but if I had learnt anything in battle, it was to cherish the happy moments. If I wasn't happy now, chances are that I'll regret it when something happens. I'm not trying to jinx myself or anything but my luck failed me most of the time.

Now, I'm actually happy I enjoyed the celebration.

"Come on Percy, we're going to be late," Annabeth snapped me out of my thoughts. After the war, we had gotten a lot closer. The seven plus Nico and Reyna are all going to the award ceremony at the celebration too.

*I am just a line I am just a line I am just a line*

"…and now for the awards. Does anyone on the council not agree with the fact that they are deserving of the award? If not I'll begin the ceremony. Perseus Jackson son of Poseidon, Annabeth Chase daughter of Athena, Jason Grace son of Jupiter, Piper Mclean daughter of Aphrodite , Leo Valdez son of Hephaestus , Frank Zhang son of Mars, Hazel Levesque daughter of Pluto, Nico di Angelo, son of Hades and Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano. The council offers you the gift of godhood. Think carefully before you give your answer, this is a chance you most likely would never get again," Zeus stated. Was it just me or did he look at me when he said the last bit.

The gods looked at their children expectantly, as if all wanting them to do them proud. Yet I already knew my choice. And I had hoped my friends too would choose the same. Boy, I didn't know how wrong I was. One by one they accepted the gift of godhood till only Jason, Nico, Annabeth and I were left.

Gingerly, Annabeth stepped up. What she said next would be etched in my heart for the rest of my life. "I accept the offer." My mind was ringing non-stop, this meant that… we would no longer be together. To think I had thought that after being together for so long, she would know what I wanted. And that she would support me fully on it. "I would speak for my son." Hades and Jupiter agreed that Nico and Jason would receive god hood, both fully knowing that they might hesitate.

"Perseus Jackson, what is your decision? 2 years ago, I offered you the same choice, you declined. Now I offer you godhood again, this time as one on the council, I hope you will make the right decision this round." Zeus urged. As much as I wanted to ensure a life of peace for myself, I had made my choice. "Last time, I declined because I still had a life to live. Now, I am declining the offer for the second time. This round, it is because I know who would be a better choice. Swear on the river Styx that you would adhere to my wishes so long it is within your power."

The disappointment could be seen in several of the gods' faces while worry could be seen in Athena's and Zeus'(if I betray Olympus, they would be in serious danger). Nonetheless, they took the oath. "I wish for my place on the council to go to Hades and Hestia." They truly deserved the place more than I did. Hades is one of the Big Three; he deserved the place on the council from when the council was formed. Not to mention that without him, the second titian and giant war both could not have been won. Hestia actually had a seat on the council a long time ago. She was the one who made me remember who I was in time of need.

Zeus looked as if he was about to come up with a reason not to adhere to my request, but a glare from me was all he needed for me to remind him that he had sworn an oath.

*I am just a line I am just a line I am just a line*

Later that day, I went back to the Poseidon cabin. I couldn't believe that Annabeth actually chose godhood over me. After all we had been through… from the beginning where I first met her, to the day we had to retrieve the lightning bolt, to the day she wanted to hear the sirens and the day we ventured the labyrinth. She was there for all the important moments of my life, all my quests all had something to do with her, yet now she…

There was a knock on my door. If anybody knew, this was not the time. A letter was slid in from the gap below the door. Nervously, I reached out a trembling hand to pick it up, hoping it was not from whom I dreaded it from.

"To Percy:

First of all, I want to say I am sorry. I knew from your gaze that you had made your choice since Zeus announced the reward. I also knew that nothing would be able to change your decision. However, you know me just like I know you. You know all these years I have wanted recognition, blame it on my fatal flaw. Since we were 12, I wanted a quest, so Athena would not know me as just another of her kids but as Annabeth. Later on, I wanted to hear the sirens; I wanted to know my flaws so I could be one of the few children of Athena who corrected their flaws.

Although I love you with all my heart from when it was a small crush when we were 12 to when I would be willing to die in your place, I cannot just tell that to Athena. I want to be remembered in history, I want to live up to all my expectations of myself. My love for you would only be felt by you, it would only be known by people we know. I want to build something to last a thousand years.

I have changed over the years while to me you seem to be the same still, I hope you will understand.

From,

Annabeth, goddess of battle strategy."

By the time I finished the letter, there were tears running down my cheeks. So this was how much our love meant to the recognition of Athena.

That day, I promised myself one thing, I would never love again.

AN: So… this is the end of chapter 1. And yes, this story is not going to have a pairing( sorry to those who wanted one but I am still trying to learn to write romance). Thank you for reading. Criticisms are welcome, but please, no flames. Review! - I am VOID