The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)

by Rick Riordan

Annabeth ignored me while she scribbled on her inspection scroll, giving both cabins a one out of five. I found myself staring at her, which was stupid since I’d seen her a billion times. She and I were about the same height this summer, which was a relief. Still, she seemed so much more mature. It was kind of intimidating. I mean, sure, she’d always been cute, but she was starting to be seriously beautiful.

Ooh la la. Mr. Percy's got a crush on Miss Annabeth ;)

He took a deep breath. “Percy, all I mean…when the fighting starts, we won’t be able to make the journey. This is our last chance. I’m sorry if I’m being too pushy, but two years ago my sister gave her life to protect you. I want you to honor that. Do whatever it takes to stay alive and defeat Kronos.”

BRO WHY AM I CRYING ;(

I looked at the cave entrance and thought about the long climb back to the world of the living. “To get this war started. It’s time I found Luke.”

“You’re cute when you’re worried,” she muttered. “Your eyebrows get all scrunched together.” “You are not going to die while I owe you a favor,” I said. “Why did you take that knife?” “You would’ve done the same for me.”

STOPPP WHY IS THIS SO CUTEEE

Clarisse sniffled and wiped her nose. “She was a hero, understand? A hero.”

STOPPP IM SOBBING ;(

I remembered something Chris Rodriguez had said: There’s no point in defending camp if you guys die. All our friends are here.

“Luke was a hero,”

Amen to that

How could Annabeth, battered and half dead with exhaustion, have the strength to fight a Titan like Kronos?

Nah, 'cus I'm honestly wondering the same thing

She croaked, “Family, Luke. You promised.”

Yay! The part I've been waiting for!!!

He stared at the knife in Annabeth’s hand, the blood on her face. “Promise.” Then he gasped like he couldn’t get air. “Annabeth…” But it wasn’t the Titan’s voice. It was Luke’s. He stumbled forward like he couldn’t control his own body. “You’re bleeding….”

STOPPP IM CRYINGGG ;(

“Shhh.” Her voice trembled. “You were a hero at the end, Luke. You’ll go to Elysium.” He shook his head weakly. “Think…rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest.” Annabeth sniffled. “You always pushed yourself too hard.” He held up his charred hand. Annabeth touched his fingertips. “Did you…” Luke coughed and his lips glistened red. “Did you love me?” Annabeth wiped her tears away. “There was a time I thought…well, I thought…” She looked at me, like she was drinking in the fact that I was still here. And I realized I was doing the same thing.

Hermes unwrapped Luke’s face and kissed his forehead. He murmured some words in Ancient Greek—a final blessing.

Oh, so now he cares?!

In the end, I wasn’t really the hero. Luke was.

He tried for a smile. “Thanks, Percy. I hope…I hope you know I’m really proud to be your friend.” I patted his arm. “Luke was right about one thing, G-man. You’re the bravest satyr I ever met.”

Behind him, fifty other armored Cyclopes laughed and nodded and gave each other high fives. “Tyson led us,” one rumbled. “He is brave!” “Bravest of the Cyclopes!” another bellowed. Tyson blushed. “Was nothing.” “I saw you!” I said. “You were incredible!”

Athena smiled. “You, my daughter, have exceeded all expectations. You have used your wits, your strength, and your courage to defend this city, and our seat of power. It has come to our attention that Olympus is…well, trashed. The Titan lord did much damage that will have to be repaired. We could rebuild it by magic, of course, and make it just as it was. But the gods feel that the city could be improved. We will take this as an opportunity. And you, my daughter, will design these improvements.”

Athena smiled wryly. “You are an architect, are you not? You have studied the techniques of Daedalus himself. Who better to redesign Olympus and make it a monument that will last for another eon?”

“Kronos couldn’t have risen if it hadn’t been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents,” I said. “They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason.”

“No more undetermined children,” I said. “I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won’t be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive.”

“And the minor gods,” I said. “Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn’t be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—”

“No, my lord,” I said quickly. “But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They’ll have their own cabins, for all the gods. And no more pact of the Big Three. That didn’t work anyway. You’ve got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We’re going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish.”

I got a lot of steely looks. Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up: “The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps”—she glanced at Annabeth, and then spoke as if the words had a sour taste—“perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy’s plan.”

“All hail, Perseus Jackson,” Tyson said. “Hero of Olympus…and my big brother!”

“I thought you were a bad father,” I admitted. “I thought you abandoned Luke because you knew his future and didn’t do anything to stop it.” “I did know his future,” Hermes said miserably. “But you knew more than just the bad stuff—that he’d turn evil. You understood what he would do in the end. You knew he’d make the right choice. But you couldn’t tell him, could you?” Hermes stared at the fountain. “No one can tamper with fate, Percy, not even a god. If I had warned him what was to come, or tried to influence his choices, I would’ve made things even worse. Staying silent, staying away from him…that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” “You had to let him find his own path,” I said, “and play his part in saving Olympus.”

“And my daughter?” “I couldn’t leave her,” I admitted, my throat dry.

“You are so not making this easy.” Then she laughed for real, and she put her hands around my neck. “I am never, ever going to make things easy for you, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.”