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"Don't get so excited, Jackson," he said, and I realized he was sayingyour life"Naturally"

"Just so we understand each other" He turned and began repairing his grapevine throne, which had been singed by fire

Grover stayed at my side From time to time he would break down in tears "So many nature spirits dead, Percy So ave hireat job, G-man We will come back from this We'll plant new trees We'll clean up the parks Your friends will be reincarnated into a better world"

He sniffled dejectedly "II suppose But it was hard enough to rally theet anyone to listen to ain? I led thehter"

"They will listen," I promised "Because you care about them You care about the Wild more than anyone"

He tried for a smile "Thanks, Percy I hopeI hope you know I'm really proud to be your friend"

I patted his ar, G-man You're the bravest satyr I ever , conch horns blew The army of Poseidon marched into the throne rooed toward me with his arms open Fortunately he'd shrunk back to nor hit by a tractor, not the entire farm

"You are not dead!" he said

"Yeah!" I agreed "Ahed happily "I am not dead either Yay! We chained Typhon It was fun!"

Behind hiave 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!"

I thought poor Grover would pass out He's deathly afraid of Cyclopes But he steeled his nerves and said, "Yes Umthree cheers for Tyson!"

"YAAARRRRR!" the Cyclopes roared

"Please don't eat me," Grover muttered, but I don't think anyone heard hiain The Cyclopes parted, and my father strode into the throne roo in his hands

"Tyson!" he roared "Well done, er atto zapon my throne You have saved Oly I realized, a little eed ular human--and he smelled of a salty beach and fresh sea air

When he pulled away, he sood, I'll aduess until that moment I hadn't allowed myself to realize just how terrified I had been the last few days

"Dad--"

"Shhh," he said "No hero is above fear, Percy And you have risen above every hero Not even Hercules--"

"POSEIDON!" a voice roared

Zeus had taken his throne He glared across the rooods filed in and took their seats Even Hades was present, sitting on a siuest chair at the foot of the hearth Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet

"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped "Are you too proud to join us in council, et mad, but he just looked at me and winked "I would be honored, Lord Zeus"

I guessseat, and the Oly--soods, etc--Annabeth walked in and stood next to ood for someone who'd recently passed out

"Missto kill us, so far," I whispered back

"First tiedus a dirty look

"As for my brothers," Zeus said, "we are thankful"--he cleared his throat like the words were hard to get out--"erm, thankful for the aid of Hades"

The lord of the dead nodded He had a sht He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen hih he looked like his pants were s, "we mustumthank Poseidon"

"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said "What was that?"

"We rowled "Without whomit would've been difficult--"

"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently

"Impossible," Zeus said "Ireement and pounded their weapons in approval

"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "only the od heroes, who defended Olympus so well--even if there are a few dents in my throne"

He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter, and pro the Hunters' ranks

Artemis smiled "You have done well, my lieutenant You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in otten They will achieve Elysiulared pointedly at Hades