Chapter Text
Chapter 2: Sad Tidings
Before…
Hades Castle
Hades hated the amount of paperwork he had. It just kept getting bigger and bigger as years passed. Nico was with him taking a break from searching for his friends.
"Dad…", Nico starts but was interrupted by Charon barging in.
"Charon! If this is about another pay rise forget it!" Hades growls.
"My Lord I just ferried two very important souls!" Charon tells them.
"So what?" Nico asks confused.
Who could be so important.
"They were the souls of Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Chase!" Charon announces breathlessly.
Making Nico gasps and Hades's eyes go big. He quickly rummages through the recent papers till he finds their names.
"How did they…", Nico chokes.
"I have it son", Hades replies showing him the records.
"They died of old age! And on the same day and same time?" Nico asks in disbelief.
"Yes", Hades replies just as confused.
"Perseus gave me this for you Lord Nico", Charon replies handing him the letter.
"Thank you", Nico replies teary eyed.
"Where are they?" Hades asks.
"They were heading for Judgement", Charon replies.
"Son come on", Hades orders.
They both shadow travel too the Judgement Pavilion to find a shied around two incredibly old people. A beautiful woman and the Fates.
"Dad what is going on? That is Percy and Annabeth! I can feel their souls!" Nico asks trying to get through desperately.
"Nothing like this has happened before", Hades replies just as confused.
They see the old couple's bodies change to the youthful looking Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase. They talked to the figures before the beautiful woman disappears and the sound barrier goes.
"Isle of the Blest!", the Fates boom.
Hades and Nico were shocked. That meant that Percy and Annabeth had lived Three lives. Nico looked at Percy and Annabeth walking towards the portal.
He was going to lose them! That was one place that he and his father couldn't go! He had tears falling as he tried to get to them.
He then sees his best friends turn and look at him. They looked at peace. He sees Percy and Annabeth give him a glowing smile each. Before they turn and walk through the portal. Forever out of his reach.
"Come son. There is nothing to be done now. Read the letter while I prepare to call a Council meeting", Hades instructs softly putting a hand on his son's shoulder gently.
Nico allows his father to take him back to his Castle. He was numb he had lost his cousin. He never had got to talk to Percy again. Percy and Thalia were his favourite cousins. Oh, gods how was he going to tell Thalia? How would his father and himself tell everyone else?
He looks at the letter and shakily opens it. To find two sets of writing in Ancient Greek.
Hey Death Breath, it is me your cousin Percy,
I bet it has been a long time since you heard that huh?
I guess if you're getting this then Charon did the favour I will ask. If you have not realised by now, then I am dead. I would have died along side my amazing wife of 100 years Annabeth Jackson.
Hey Nico, it had been a while, and know you have been greatly missed,
That was Ann in case you're wondering. We decided certain people need closure from us.
But this letter is for YOU.
Don't cry for us Nico,
We have lived a full life and experienced a lot. Know we have experienced everything we wanted to do in life. And our life was full of love, joy, and laughter.
We have had children and so much more, we thank the Gods for everyone of them,
Nico you need to know we are READY to die, and death must come for us a greet us once again as an old friend.
We were never made to be immortal. We knew this that day we ran. And we still believe to the day we die and beyond that is the right decision.
We have been living in Alaska for the past 102 years.
A land beyond the Gods reach. Perfect place huh? It IS beautiful here and the natural world is nearly untouched by the human hand. We can’t help but think how much Grover would love it here. If he could get over the cold!
A plan that I am sure My Mother will be surprised about.
Nico, know we have accepted everything to come. Ann and I are in this together. We can feel death upon us.
And wherever we go after we Judged it will be together.
I will miss you, you little Goth. But think about this. Annabeth and I will get to see those we have longed to see for many decades. People like Zoe and…Bianca. Those who died in the Titan War too.
Just know Nico we are at peace, and we are together always in death like we were in life.
Do not cry for us. And try to keep people together as we know that our death will be a catalyst.
We love you Little Cousin.
Have a good eternity and who knows we might see each other again one day. But I hope that one day will be LONG into the future.
And our love for you and everyone else will never die Little Brother.
Love
Percy Jackson
Annabeth Jackson
PS: Don't worry someone will come to Olympus two days past our death to explain. Make sure if anyone wants to say goodbye to be there. But know that goodbyes don’t always last forever.
We hope you do us one last honour.
Nico had tears falling. His cousins last words mixed with Annabeth's. What did they mean 'someone will come to Olympus'?
"Dad, you need to see this!" Nico says still choked up.
Hades reads it and frowns. So, someone was going to come to Olympus. But at the moment he needed to tell the Council now!
"Come Nico we must inform the Council and the Immortals. I have already sent word that this is important for everyone to gather", Hades tells him softly.
"Coming Dad", Nico says looking out to Elysium and beyond to the Isle of the Blest.
Olympus…
The Council had gathered at Hades's urgent call. Saying he needed a meeting. With the Immortal Campers and Chiron there as well. Which had everyone confused. What was so big for Hades to demand everyone?
Poseidon had felt off for the last few hours. He felt dread something had happened. But it was too faint for him to trace.
Athena was also looking worried like Poseidon she had felt something happen just hours ago. But she could not trace it either.
Thalia did not know why back she just KNEW this meeting of Hades would change everything. Someone had passed. She prayed it was not the one person that she didn't ever want to hear pass. Or his girlfriend.
Suddenly shadows change and Hades appears with a red eyed Nico with tear stains. Thalia felt her heart drop. As she looked at Nico.
"Nico…", Thalia asks her cousin knowing he would understand.
Nico looks at Thalia his eyes giving the answer.
"I am sorry Thals, I’m so, so sorry. Both", Nico tells her.
Thalia collapses with a sob and Nico falls too and they wrap their arms around each other making everyone look at the two cousins. Worried. As tears were falling from them.
"Thalia?" Jason asks softly.
Thalia does not look at her brother. How could she knowing now who this meeting was about?
"Thalia stop hugging that boy…", Artemis starts.
"I can't my Lady. As he is the last one left", Thalia chokes out.
Everyone looks confused. Except for Hades who looked at his son and niece with true remorse.
"What has happened Brother?" Zeus asks looking at his normal calm strong daughter crying in her cousin/brothers arms.
Hades turned to Poseidon and Athena.
"I am so, so, very sorry brother, Athena. I cannot tell you how much", Hades tells them.
Poseidon and Athena eyes widen in horror putting the pieces together. Also putting the pieces together was Chiron whose eyes had turned so incredibly sad.
"No. No. Brother please tell me your wrong…", Poseidon begs.
"Not her. Please Uncle. Please say we were not too late", Athena begs.
"Council as of 22.34 on the 16th of July 2113 in Anchorage, Alaska. Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Jackson nee Chase passed away in their sleep. At the same time and same place", Hades informs everyone.
Gasps and Cries were heard throughout the Throne Room. Chiron bows his head muttering a pray. Jason pulled a crying Piper into his arms as he watched his sister still crying in Nico's arms. Frank had caught Hazel as she cried. Leo held Calypso who also had tears in her eyes. Reyna's usually stern face had a tear fall. The other immortal Campers let tears fall as they thought of their now deceased friends.
There wasn't a dry eye in the room. As the gods and immortals grieved.
"We were too late", Poseidon sobs.
Hestia moves to Poseidon's side and places a hand on his shoulder. She had tears flowing freely down her face for her favourite hero.
"Can't you get them out of Elysium?" Athena asks desperately.
"They didn't go to Elysium", Hades states.
There were shouts of outrage. Thinking that Percy and Annabeth went to one of the fields.
"Quiet!" Hades booms, "Let me finish!"
"What brother?" Zeus asks.
"Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Jackson made it to the Isle of the Blest!" Hades announces.
Gasps were heard throughout the room.
"That means they lived three lives", Thalia whispers.
"I don't know. I did not talk to them. Nico and I were blocked from them", Hades tells everyone.
"Blocked?" Demeter asks.
"Yes, a woman and the Fates talked to them. Announced the Isle of the Blest. Then Perseus and Annabeth waved us goodbye then walked through a portal to the Isle", Hades explains.
"Who was the woman?" Aphrodite asks.
"I have never seen her before. But she was powerful", Hades states.
Everyone wondered who it could be to actually able to block Hades in his own domain.
"Perseus gave a letter to Charon to give to Nico. It was a personal letter but did say someone will come to Olympus in two days to explain", Hades tells everyone after some time.
"He gave you a letter?" Thalia asks Nico.
"Yes. Actually, Annabeth and Percy wrote me a letter", Nico states.
"What does it say?" Athena asks her voice full off grief.
Nico reads it allowed. Many were confused by some of the parts.
Why didn't they want to become immortal?
Who were the people that were going to get closure and what did they mean?
Athena did admit Annabeth's plan to live in Alaska worked they could never find them there.
Artemis was puzzled about why Percy Jackson would want to see Zoe again as well as Bianca. To mention they specifically was different.
But everyone wondered who would be coming here to Olympus?
Two Days Later…
Everyone was gathered again. Still mourning the lose of two great heroes. The seas had turned rough as Poseidon grieved for his favourite son. Even Amphitrite and Triton couldn't help him.
Camp Half-Blood had been told the news, and it had plunged the Camp into mourning as many were in tears. Such as the children of Athena. New Athens flags had been lowered to half mast in the honour the two greatest heroes of all times death.
Camp Jupiter too was plunged into mourning. They help two minutes silence. As well as the City putting their flags at half mast.
Thalia had not stopped crying at the lose of her cousin/brother and honorary sister. She only allowed Nico near her and not her brother. Only Nico knew how close they had been.
Now they waited for whoever was coming to talk to them.
Suddenly the shadows warp around, and a girl appears. Black hair and black eyes. And a boy with black hair and grey eyes.
"Natasha. My daughter why are you here?" Hades asks her surprised at her appearance.
"I am here by request of my in-laws", Natasha replies.
"What?" everyone asks confused.
"My in-laws", Natasha repeats, "Where Perseus and Annabeth Jackson. They were my husbands Grandparents", Natasha reveals.
Gasps were heard around the room at what the daughter of Hades had said.
"I am her husband, James Jackson. Grandson of Perseus and Annabeth Jackson", James says to everyone.
"My daughter married a descendant of Poseidon", Hades mutters shaking his head.
"Why are you here?" Hestia asks for everyone.
As it was Athena and Poseidon were not talking, they were lost in grief.
"We have come to deliver some letters and give you a message and ask something of you", Natasha states.
"Letters?" Piper asks her eyes read.
"Yes. They were written by my Grandfather and Grandmother", James tells them.
"Who to?" Hera asks.
"Thalia Grace, Piper Grace nee McLean, Jason Grace, Leo Valdez, Calypso Valdez, Frank Zhang, Hazel Zhang nee Levesque, Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, Chiron, Grover Underwood, Clarisse La Rue, Lord Poseidon, Lady Athena, Lady Hestia, Lady Artemis and Lord Zeus", James informs them handing out the letters.
Everyone had tears in their eyes as they take their letters. Clarisse tries not to let tears or surprise show.
"Why me?" Zeus asks confused.
He never had a good relationship with his nephew.
"I don't know. Maybe it is in the letter", James replies with a shrug.
"And me?" Artemis asks just as confused.
"Same again. I do not know", James repeats.
"What else? You said ask something of you?" Athena asks clutching the letter from her daughter.
"My Grandparents have given instructions for what is to happen after their death", James replies.
"And what is that?" Hermes asks.
"They want to come home and be at a pyre at sea. They want to be sent off together in the ancient way. They want to finally rest at home in peace with their family. Where their friends before them have passed", James chokes out.
Everyone eyes widen.
"Please brother lets honour this", Poseidon chokes out.
"We will do it. As Perseus and Annabeth were heroes of Olympus no matter how much time has passed", Zeus announces.
"When should we expect the…bodies?" Chiron asks.
"At this time the family of Perseus and Annabeth are escorting them on their final journey . . . Their final journey back too all of you. Within hours their bodies will be here. With the whole family ready to say goodbye", Natasha says for an emotional James.
"Then we will give them a send off for the ages! Let us give them a Heroes Funeral", Frank announces loudly.
The Immortal Demigods all shout their agreement among their tears.
"They also have one last request of Thalia Grace and Nico di Angelo", James states.
"What?" the grieving Cousins ask.
"They both wanted you two to send them off. They ask for you two to light the pyre. As you're their siblings in all but blood", James replies with a tear.
Nico and Thalia look at each other. Could they light the pyre of their brother and sister? That is what they were to them. Especially Percy.
"We will do it. It is the least we can do", Thalia replies.
"Thank you", James replies softly.
"Everyone let's prepare!" Zeus booms.
As everyone leaves. The letters the select few got were looked at before they go somewhere private to read the last words of the Heroes Perseus Jackson and Annabeth Jackson…