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"through you"
ARIADNE IGNORED THE stares from the gods and focused on Percy. The cut on his chest had stopped bleeding, but without nectar or ambrosia, they couldn't heal it. She tugged at the grey streak in his hair every time he pointed out that he got cut for her right above his heart. A cheeky smile adorned his tan face as she grumbled. The boy didn't ask what happened, as he knew she wouldn't be able to explain it, so he brushed against the slash on her cheek.
Nothing was left of the giants except heaps of ash, a few spear and some burning dreadlocks.
The Argo II was still aloft, barely, moored to the top of the Parthenon. Half the ships's oars were broken off or tangled. Smoke streamed from several large splits in the hull. The sails were peppered with burning holes.
Leo looked almost as bad. He stood in the midst of the temple with the other crew members, his face covered in soot, his clothes smoldering.
The gods fanned out in a semicircle as Zeus approached. None of them seemed particularly joyful about their victory.
Apollo and Artemis stood together in the shadow of a column, as if trying to hide. Hera and Poseidon were having an intense discussion with another goddess in green and gold robes--Demeter. Nike tried to put a golden laurel wreath on Hecate's head, but the goddess of magic swatted it away. Hermes sneaked close to Athena, attempting to put his arm around her. Athena turned her aegis shield his way and Hermes scuffled off.
The only Olympian who seemed in a good mood was Ares. He laughed and pantomimed gutting an enemy while Frank listened, his expression polite but queasy.
"Brethren," Zeus said, "we are healed, thanks to the work of these demigods. The Athena Parthenos, which once stood in this temple, now stands at Camp Half-Blood. It has united our offspring, and thus our own essences."
"Lord Zeus," Piper spoke up, "is Reyna okay? Nico and Grover and Coach Hedge?"
Zeus knitted his cloud-colored eyebrows. "They succeeded in their mission. As of this moment they are alive. Whether or not they are okay--"
"There is stull work to be done," Queen Hera interrupted. She spread her arms like she wanted a group hug. "But my heroes...you have triumphed over the giants as I knew you would. My plan succeeded beautifully."
Zeus turned on his wife. Thunder shook the Acropolis. "Hera, do not dare take credit! You have caused at least as many problems as you've fixed!"
