Am I dead? No Charon wasn't laughing at me for getting myself killed. Then where was I? I couldn't think about it much, because I lost consciousness again.

When I woke up again, the first thing I saw was Annabeth sitting in a nearby chair, asleep. When I started to come to, I realized she wasn't the only one here. Grover was there too, leaning against the wall, playing a sad song on the reed pipes. I was in the infirmary, felling like crap. I managed a weak groan. Grover's eyes went wide as dinner plates, and he started shouting.

"He's awake! Guys! Guys! Come quick he's awake!" he shouted.

Annabeth stirred. "Don't joke like that Grover, it's just cruel."

"Annabeth I'm serious this time, look!" he insisted.

She opened her eyes and looked at me. I managed a smile. She shot up out of her chair and pulled me into a sitting position so she could hug me. The hug was so tight for a second I thought she was Tyson.

"I thought you were dead," Annabeth told me sadly, yet a huge smile was on her face.

She stepped back as other people entered the infirmary. Tyson, Poseidon, Thalia, Nico, Travis, Luke, Clarisse, Chris, Zeus, Hades, Hermes and Athena all walked in. A lot of them looked like they hadn't gotten much sleep, except for the select few and the gods who weren't my father.

"PERCY!" Tyson shouted. And when he hugged me, I was reminded what a true bear hug was.

"Careful Tyson, we don't want him busted after he just woke up," Thalia joked.

"I dunno," Clarisse mused. "I kinda want him busted up again. He didn't talk as much."

"Why are you so evil?" Thalia asked.

"Why did you start stuffing your clothes?" Clarisse countered.

"Will you two can it?" Nico asked. "You're giving me a headache."

"Good," Thalia laughed.

After a lot of 'you're okay's and you're a lucky man Jackson's', most of them left. But Poseidon and Annabeth stayed, and Athena stood at the doorway, not leaving, but not quite staying either.

"Well Seaweed Brain, you did it," Annabeth said. Tears started to form in her eyes.

"You're not going to cry are you?" I asked.

"Pft, I'm done crying. I think I'd rather do this," she told me.

The kiss lasted about half a second before our parents cleared their throats. We pulled apart, both blushing.

"I'm very proud of you Percy. It is an honor to call you my son," Poseidon told me.

I smiled, realizing I'd just given my dad eternal bragging rights for siring the greatest hero of all time. Not even Zeus's son Hercules could touch me. I told my dad this, and he laughed.

"I guess you're right. I did pretty awesome...with you didn't I?" he joked.

"He had some help," Athena put in.

"Well, I suppose your daughter did alright too," Poseidon submitted.

"Alright?" Annabeth asked.

Annabeth and her mother both gave Poseidon the feared I'm-going-to-kill-you-slowly-and-painfully look. My father caved completely.

"Oh alright the girl did exceptional," he praised.

"That's better," Annabeth said smugly.

I jumped out of the infirmary bed. I nearly fell when I landed, but I kept on my feet. Athena smirked.

"Well, as long as he can stand, its time to decide the heroes' fates," she said, and walked away.

"Don't worry son," Poseidon reassured me. "This will most likely go well for all of you."

Thalia, Grover, Nico, Annabeth, Luke, and I were all summoned to the mostly restored Olympian throne room. The gods were back to normal in their full power.

"Grover Underwood," Dionysus called.

Nervously, my best friend stepped forward.

"For your bravery blah, blah, blah you know rest. And since they won't let me turn you into a shrub, I hereby declare you the new leader of the Council of Cloven Elders."

Naturally, he fainted.

"Oh that's just perfect," Dionysus grumbled. "Somebody get him out of here before he wakes up and starts groveling."

Tyson was up next, and he was given a new club and a new role as general of the army of Poseidon. He would lead the army into battle whenever required by the gods. Pretty sweet if you ask me.

"Annabeth Chase, my daughter," Athena said. Annabeth squeezed my hand and then walked forward.

"It has come to our attention that Olympus has been...trashed. We could restore it as it was before, but we believe it could be improved. Therefore, we have elected you to redesign Olympus," Athena told her.

For a second I thought Annabeth would faint too, but she stayed standing.

"Rise, Annabeth Chase, official Architect of Olympus," Athena announced.

Annabeth walked back to us in a trance. I smiled at her.

"Congratulations," I said.

"I...I need to start designing. I'll need...blueprints and...and..." Annabeth started, but I admit I kinda tuned her out after the first few seconds.

"Luke Castellan," Zeus called grimly. Luke gulped and walked forward. He bowed to Hermes first, which got a smile form the messenger god and a glare from Zeus. Luke knelt before the gods, awaiting his fate.

"Luke Castellan, you have betrayed Olympus, hosted Kronos, and nearly destroyed us all. And yet, for aiding in our victory and for your bravery in battle, I have to grant you complete and total amnesty for your actions. Tomorrow you will awake, a shameless hero," Zeus said.

I'm not sure who was happier, Luke or Hermes. George and Martha Hissed happily, and Luke promised George a rat.

Thalia was called up next, and after being praised to the point where it got annoying by her father, she was promised help in filling out hunter ranks as well as a new magic necklace, but no one bothered to tell her what it did. Oh joy, more mysteries.

Nico was called forward and Hades congratulated him, calling him a true hero and quite possibly his favorite son. He was promised a life of glory and adventure by the gods, and Aphrodite winked at him and Thalia.

"PERSEUS JACKSON!" my father called.

My name echoed through the chamber, and everyone, mortal and immortal alike fell silent. I stepped forward, and after giving Zeus a respectful bow, knelt before my father.

"Rise, my son. You have performed deeds second to none. Is there anyone here who would deny what my son deserves?" Poseidon asked.

The gods stayed silent.

"Perseus Jackson," Zeus stated, "you may have one gift from the gods."

"Any gift?" I asked.

Zeus nodded. "I know what you will ask, the ultimate gift. We haven't bestowed this on a mortal hero in years, but–if you wish–then yes. I can make you a god, and you will serve as your father's lieutenant for all time. And we will have to put up with you forever."

I thought about it. I looked back at my friends, they were staring at me in awe. I saw Annabeth's face, and I remembered how I felt when I thought she was going to join the Hunters. I knew my decision.

"No," I said.

"I'm sorry, did you just say, 'No'?" Zeus said, a dangerous edge on his voice. "You are...turning down our generous gift?"

"I'm honored and everything, but I..." I looked back at Annabeth and the others. "I've still got a lot to live for. I do want a gift though."

Zeus sighed. "If it is within our power, we will grant it."

"It is, and it's not that hard either. But I need you to swear on the River Styx," I told them.

"What you don't trust us?" Dionysus asked, but I could tell he was thinking smart boy.

"Someone once told me I should always get a sacred oath," I said, looking at Hades.

He shrugged and rose his hand. "Guilty."

"Very well," Zeus huffed. "In the name of the Council, we swear to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."

"From now on, I want you to properly recognize all the children of all the gods," I stated.

"Meaning?" Zeus asked.

"No more unclaimed children. I want you to properly recognize all demigod children by the time they turn thirteen. And the minor gods should be given general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. And Hades–"

"Are you calling me a minor god?" he snarled.

"No my lord. But your children should not be left out either. They deserve a place at Camp Half-Blood, as well as you deserve a throne on Olympus," I continued.

Hades perked up a little, and Zeus tried to interrupt.

"Well if that's all, then I suppose–"

"And the peaceful Titan folk like Calypso should also be given amnesty. It's time to stop holding grudges," I finished.

"Pfft. Is that all?" Zeus asked.

"I hold you all to your oath," I reminded them. "Remember that."

"And what if we don't do as you ask, hmm?" Dionysus teased. "What then?"

"Oh, that's easy. I'll come after you guys," I told them.

Dionysus reclined in his chair, but I caught the slightest hint of fear in his eyes. Good.

"Just checking. Carry on."

The gods agreed to my wish, and the meeting was about to conclude when Thalia spoke up.

"You know what I don't get?" she said.

"What?" we all groaned.

"The prophecy said someone would die. A single choice shall end his days. But even though a lot of us came close, none of us died. I don't get it."

I thought about it. She had a point. We all looked at Apollo, god of prophecy. He found a new interest in the floor.

"Well...I suppose...due to the deteriorating power of Olympus...it may have been possible...that for the first time in three thousand years...my Oracle wasn't...one-hundred percent..."

"Oh for gods' sake brother just say it? Your Oracle was wrong," Artemis interrupted.

"One line!" Apollo cried. "One line of one prophecy in three thousand years! Cut a god some slack!"

"Maybe you just needed a new Oracle," a voice said.

We turned to see Rachel standing at the back of the room, wearing a confident look on her face. She waved to us and looked at Apollo.

"Guess it's a good thing I showed up," she smirked.

"Wait, Rachel...you're–" I stammered.

"You've got to be kidding me," Annabeth groaned.

Apollo shrugged. "Ladies and gentlemen," he hastily announced, "may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi!"

Green mist surrounded Rachel. Eventually, she was back to normal. But, I knew something had changed in her.

Zeus declared the meeting over, and the victory celebration began.

I danced with Annabeth, won the sword fighting competition we had, and watched Grover single-mouthedly down half the buffet table. He really was about to start eating the table itself, but some naiad stopped him thankfully.

Nico pulled some crazy prank on Travis. I'm not sure on the details, but it ended with Travis hanging upside down over the punch bowl. Katie Gardner–who had also miraculously survived the war–cut him down, but not before the old, fun loving Travis swore revenge on Nico. Thalia laughed and said she'd help Travis if he needed any.

It was great. I'd never felt so pumped in all my life. The party lasted long into the night, and despite everything that had happened, we felt awesome. We felt invincible.