Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Leo’s body hit the ground with a sickening thud. Jason's heart stopped, horror freezing his limbs. He saw the glint of the drakon’s tail slick with blood, retreating from Leo’s stomach. The world seemed to slow as Leo crumpled, his face twisted in shock. His hands trembled as they clutched his middle, where blood was already pooling and spilling out.

“No!” Jason’s voice tore from his throat, raw and desperate.

Time snapped back to speed, and Jason sprinted toward Leo, dropping to his knees beside him. Blood was gushing too fast, staining Leo’s shirt a deep red, soaking into the ground beneath them. Jason's hands hovered over the wound, shaking. Panic flared in his chest, wild and uncontrollable. He pressed his hands against the gash, trying to slow the bleeding.

“Leo—gods, Leo, stay with me,” Jason pleaded, his voice trembling. His hands were slick with Leo’s blood, warm and sticky, and the sight of it made him feel like he was drowning.

Leo’s eyelids fluttered, his breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. His face was pale—too pale—his body going limp as the life drained out of him.

Jason’s heart pounded against his ribs, the fear in him transforming into sheer terror. “Don’t do this, please, you can’t leave me.”

“Jason!” Piper’s voice broke through the haze. She, Hazel, Percy, and Frank were sprinting toward him. Hazel dropped to her knees beside Leo immediately, already pulling out nectar and ambrosia from her pouch.

“Move, Jason! Let me help him,” Hazel ordered, her voice steady but urgent.

Jason hesitated, panic rooting him in place. He didn’t want to let go of Leo—couldn’t let go. His hands were drenched in blood, and his heart was breaking, splintering with every second. But Piper’s hand found his shoulder, squeezing tight, her voice trembling as she said, “Jason, please. Let Hazel help.”

With great reluctance, Jason pulled his hands back. His whole body shook as he watched Hazel begin to press bandages against the wound, trying to stop the flow of blood.

Piper knelt beside him, leaning closer to Leo, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with the soft rhythm of charmspeak. “Stay with us, Leo. You’re strong, you can hold on. You’re not leaving us.”

Leo’s eyes flickered, but his breathing remained shallow and labored.

Jason felt like he was going to be sick. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not to Leo. Not like this.

“Jason!” Percy’s voice was sharp, cutting through Jason’s spiraling thoughts. “The drakon!”

Jason snapped his head up, eyes locking on the massive drakon still barreling toward them. Its jaws snapped and roared as it advanced. He could feel the ground trembling beneath his knees. He should’ve been prepared to fight—but Leo’s blood was still warm on his hands, and his mind was in chaos.

“Jason, we need you!” Percy shouted, but Jason barely registered it. His eyes kept darting back to Leo, who was getting paler with every breath.

A roar from the drakon echoed across the battlefield, and suddenly Percy was lunging at the beast, Riptide flashing as it met the creature’s hide. Frank shifted into a bear, charging the drakon to assist Percy, swiping at its legs to slow it down.

But Jason—Jason couldn’t move.

“Jason!” Percy yelled, his voice strained as he struggled to keep the drakon from advancing further.

The battlefield spun around Jason. Leo’s still body. The roar of the drakon. Piper’s voice trying to soothe Leo, even as her own voice wavered.

Jason’s anguish morphed into fury. He stood, his entire body sparking with electrical energy. The skies above rumbled, lightning flashing in response to his rage. He turned toward the drakon, his sword glowing as he flew into the air.

The fight was chaotic. Jason attacked with raw, unfiltered rage. Every slash of his sword was reckless, driven by the fear gnawing at his mind. The drakon roared, but Jason didn’t hear it. His thoughts were consumed with Leo, lying on the ground, bleeding, dying.

Jason charged again, slashing through the drakon’s tough hide. He could barely register Frank roaring beside him or Percy’s commands to circle the creature. He was focused entirely on bringing the beast down—fast. His attacks were wild, and the drakon’s claws scraped him more than once, but he barely felt the pain. His mind was stuck on the vision of Leo, pale and fading.

Finally, Jason raised his sword high, calling down lightning. The sky answered, and with a tremendous crack, the bolt of lightning struck the drakon, reducing it to golden dust.

Jason landed heavily, panting and disoriented, but there was no victory in him. His gaze immediately snapped back to where Leo lay, surrounded by the others.

Hazel was pressing more bandages to Leo’s wound, but Jason could see the blood seeping through. Piper’s face was ghostly pale, her charmspeak faltering.

“He’s not responding,” Hazel said, her voice strained with panic. She pushed a small piece of ambrosia into Leo’s mouth, but it wasn’t working fast enough. “We’re losing him.”

Jason’s pulse quickened. He rushed back to Leo’s side, his heart hammering in his chest. Leo’s skin was clammy, his breathing even shallower than before. Jason’s throat tightened, panic rising up inside him like a wave about to crash.

“Why isn’t he waking up?” Jason choked out, his voice cracking.

Hazel shook her head, her hands trembling. “I—I don’t know. The ambrosia should be working, but the wound... it’s too deep.”

Jason's world was crumbling. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe. “No,” he whispered, his voice breaking. “No, this can’t be happening. Leo, please...”

Piper touched Jason’s shoulder again, but she wasn’t calm anymore. Her voice cracked, her hands shaking. “Jason, we’ll fix this. We’ll find a way.”

But Jason couldn’t hear her. His eyes were locked on Leo’s face—his best friend, the one person who made him feel alive, slipping away.

Leo’s eyelids fluttered weakly. His lips parted, barely forming a word, “Jay...”

Jason grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly. “I’m right here,” he whispered, tears rolling down his cheeks. “I’m not leaving you.”

Leo’s eyes rolled back, and his body went completely still.

“No!” Jason screamed, shaking Leo’s shoulder, his whole body trembling with fear and anguish. “Don’t do this! Don’t leave me!”

Hazel frantically pressed down on the wound again, more blood seeping through the bandages. Percy and Frank stood back, helpless, their faces ashen.

“We need a healer!” Percy shouted, panic creeping into his voice. “We need someone who can help him.”

“Where are we going to find one?!” Jason yelled, his voice hoarse, his mind barely able to comprehend what was happening.

“I—I don’t know!” Percy shouted back, frustration clear in his tone. Frank had shifted back to his human form, his expression stricken as he paced, unsure of what to do.

Hazel pushed more ambrosia into Leo’s mouth, but it wasn’t enough. His body was growing colder, his skin as pale as death itself.

“We’re losing him,” Hazel whispered, her voice trembling. “We’re losing him.”

Jason felt his knees give out. He collapsed beside Leo, clutching his hand, his vision blurred by tears. He couldn’t lose Leo. Not like this. Not now. Not when there was so much left unsaid. So much they hadn’t done together.

But Leo wasn’t responding. His breathing was faint, barely there. The blood—gods, there was so much blood.

Jason felt Piper’s hand rest on his shoulder, but it was weak, uncertain. “We’ll get him help, Jason,” she said softly. “But first, we have to get out of here.”

Jason could barely hear her. All he could see was Leo, slipping further and further away, the warmth leaving his body.

Suddenly, Hazel gasped, her hands pulling back from Leo’s wound. The blood had started to pool again, seeping through the bandages even faster now.

“No,” she whispered, panic taking over her voice. “No, no... he’s—he’s losing too much.”

Jason stared in horror as more blood poured from Leo’s wound. His body had gone completely still, and his breathing was so shallow it was almost imperceptible.

Piper’s eyes widened, her face paling. “Oh gods...”

Jason’s heart shattered, his mind spinning out of control. Leo’s condition was worse—far worse. He wasn’t just fading. He was dying.

And Jason didn’t know how to stop it.

Chapter Text

The deck of the Argo II had never felt so suffocating. The tense silence was thick with desperation, only broken by Hazel's frantic breathing as she pressed her bloodied hands against the wound in Leo’s stomach. His skin had gone pale, far too pale, and his breathing was dangerously faint. Hazel had already given him ambrosia and nectar, but the golden food of the gods was doing little more than staving off the inevitable.

Piper sat at Leo’s side, her hand trembling as she brushed his hair from his forehead, her voice low and steady as she spoke, “Leo, stay with us. You’ve made it through worse—just hold on.”

Leo’s eyes fluttered weakly, but there was no sign of recognition. His usually mischievous expression was absent, replaced by something too fragile, too… distant.

Jason stood just a few feet away, frozen in place. His blue eyes were wide, helpless, watching as his best friend—the boy he had come to love—slipped further away with every passing second. Guilt gnawed at him, twisting his stomach into knots. He should’ve protected Leo. He should’ve been faster. And now, Leo was paying the price for his failure.

"Jason," Frank called from behind him, but Jason didn’t move. “We need to do something.”

Jason’s voice cracked when he finally spoke. “I... I can’t...”

“You couldn’t have known,” Piper murmured, glancing up at him with sad eyes.

Jason shook his head. “I should have known.” His voice rose, the frustration and guilt boiling over. “I should’ve protected him. I should’ve been faster. This is my fault!”

Before anyone could respond, a burst of warm, golden light flooded the deck, accompanied by a dramatic gust of wind that sent everyone staggering slightly.

Apollo had arrived.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite demigods,” Apollo declared, striding across the deck as if he were stepping onto a red carpet. His golden hair shimmered in the light, and his glowing toga fluttered majestically around him. He lowered his sunglasses just slightly, his gaze immediately zeroing in on Percy. A slow, appreciative smile spread across the god’s face. “Percy Jackson, we meet again. Looking very rugged, as always.”

Percy sighed, clearly used to Apollo’s antics by now. “Hi, Apollo. Good to see you.”

Apollo’s grin widened as he gave Percy a once-over, his eyes lingering perhaps a bit too long on Percy’s broad shoulders. “Honestly, I don’t know how you do it,” Apollo purred. “That windswept, brooding warrior thing? It just... works on you. Not that I’m surprised. I make it work too, but you… you wear it effortlessly.”

Percy’s face turned a slight shade of pink as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh... thanks?”

Annabeth, standing beside Percy, narrowed her eyes slightly, shooting Apollo a look that could melt steel. She crossed her arms, standing a little closer to Percy. “Apollo,” she said, her voice tight, “we need your help.”

Apollo barely glanced at her, though, his eyes still on Percy. “You know, Percy,” he mused, his tone playful, “if you ever need a break from all this demigod business, I could always take you on a little vacation. We could see the stars together. I do own the sun, after all. Perfect view.”

Percy blinked, his discomfort clear. “Uh, yeah. I think I’ll pass. But, thanks?”

Annabeth cleared her throat loudly. “Apollo, focus. Leo is dying.”

Apollo tore his gaze away from Percy with an exaggerated sigh, finally turning to the group. “Right. The whole saving lives thing. How could I forget?” He crouched down next to Leo’s still form, his expression shifting to something more serious as he examined the wound. The golden light around his fingers flickered as he assessed the injury.

"Drakon venom," Apollo muttered, his brow furrowing. "Nasty stuff. Old magic, too. Your friend here is in bad shape."

Jason’s heart sank, and he stepped forward, his voice breaking. “But you can heal him, right? You’re the god of healing.”

Apollo raised an eyebrow, turning toward Jason. “Well, I’m also the god of music, archery, poetry—basically, I’m good at everything. But this?” He pointed to Leo’s wound, his expression grim. “This isn’t a normal wound. The drakon venom is blocking my healing powers. I can patch him up for now, keep him alive a bit longer, but unless you find a cure, your fireboy here is going to burn out. Permanently.”

Jason’s blood ran cold. “A cure? What cure?”

Apollo stood up, smoothing out his toga with a dramatic flair. “Lucky for you, there’s a cure. Dead Man’s Bloom. It grows in the Garden of the Hesperides. Mix it with some of the drakon’s blood, and you’ve got yourself a remedy.”

Percy, who had been trying to follow along, frowned. “The Garden of the Hesperides? That’s all the way across the world! We don’t have time for that—”

Apollo waved his hand dismissively. “Time? Please. I’ll buy you twelve hours, tops. After that, well...” He snapped his fingers. “Your friend’s flame? Snuffed out. Permanently.”

Jason’s heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. “Twelve hours? That’s it?”

Apollo grinned, patting Jason’s shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry, Sparky. I’ve seen you in action. If anyone can save him, it’s you.” Then, with a sly smile, Apollo turned back to Percy, his tone dropping to a playful purr. “And remember, Percy. If you ever need a little extra healing... or just someone to talk to, I’m your god.”

Percy’s blush deepened as he avoided Apollo’s gaze, clearly used to the flirting by now. “I think I’m good.”

Apollo winked. “You’ll change your mind eventually. They always do.” With that, he flashed a final grin at the group and disappeared in a burst of golden light.

As soon as he vanished, Leo’s body jerked violently, his back arching off the deck.

“Leo!” Hazel screamed, rushing to hold him down.

“He’s seizing!” Percy shouted, kneeling beside Leo’s thrashing form.

Jason was beside him in an instant, his heart slamming against his ribs. “No, no, no, no—Leo!” he yelled, trying to keep Leo’s head steady. His body convulsed uncontrollably, his eyes wide and glassy, staring into nothing.

“Hold him still!” Frank barked, grabbing Leo’s legs as they flailed violently.

Leo’s breath came out in short, rapid gasps—and then stopped entirely. His body went still. His chest unmoving.

Jason’s entire world seemed to collapse in on itself. “No... Leo, no!” His voice cracked as he pressed his hands against Leo’s chest, frantically searching for a heartbeat.

Nothing.

Then—faintly—a weak, fluttering pulse.

Jason let out a shaky breath, his shoulders trembling as tears spilled down his cheeks. Leo was alive, but barely. His breaths were shallow, uneven, and his skin was growing colder by the second.

“He’s alive,” Hazel whispered, her voice trembling. “But he won’t be for long.”

Jason looked down at Leo, his heart shattering. The boy he loved was slipping away, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

“We need to get that cure,” Percy said urgently, his face grim. “Now.”

But Jason barely heard him. All he could hear was the weak, fading sound of Leo’s breathing—and the sinking feeling that even if they made it to the Garden of the Hesperides, it might already be too late.

Chapter Text

The Argo II raced through the sky, slicing through thick clouds with desperate urgency. But despite the breakneck speed, every second felt like an eternity. Leo's condition was deteriorating rapidly—his breathing shallow, his skin a sickly, unnatural color. Jason sat at his bedside, unable to take his eyes off the boy who had become his whole world.

"Hold on, Leo," Jason whispered, his voice cracking. He hadn’t left Leo’s side since the injury, the others practically having to drag him from the battlefield. Leo’s unconscious form was a constant reminder that time was running out. Jason’s hands shook as he reached out to touch Leo’s clammy forehead, trying to reassure himself that he was still there, still fighting.

But deep down, the fear was gnawing at him—relentless and all-consuming.

Percy stood at the helm, his knuckles white on the wheel as he pushed the ship faster, willing the wind to be on their side. The air hummed with tension, the entire crew on edge as they worked frantically to navigate.

“We’ll get there in time,” Piper said softly, placing a gentle hand on Jason’s shoulder. But her voice wavered slightly, betraying the fear she, too, couldn’t shake.

Jason didn't respond. He couldn’t. His throat was tight, his heart pounding in his ears. His focus was locked on Leo’s fragile body. Every shallow breath from Leo made Jason’s own chest tighten painfully. He couldn’t lose him—not now, not ever.

The Garden of the Hesperides

The Argo II descended rapidly, finally reaching the lush, green expanse of the Garden of the Hesperides just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The trees loomed tall, casting long shadows that made the place feel more foreboding than it should have.

"We don’t have time to waste," Percy said, turning to the group as they landed. His face was set with determination, but his eyes kept darting toward Leo. The situation was dire.

Annabeth, Hazel, and Frank exchanged nervous glances before they nodded, preparing for the task ahead. Percy’s voice softened as he gave his orders, but there was a weight behind them. "Hazel, Annabeth—find that bloom. We’re not leaving without it."

Jason stood, but there was hesitation in his movements. His hands hovered near his sword, but the usual confidence was gone. Piper watched him closely, concern etched into her features.

“Jason, we need to be ready,” Piper whispered, though she wasn’t sure if her words were getting through.

Jason blinked, trying to focus. But his mind kept drifting back to Leo—the memory of his blood, the wound, the horrible moment when Leo’s breath had almost stopped entirely. He swallowed thickly, his throat tight with the weight of the fear he couldn’t shake.

Ladon, the hundred-headed dragon, had been waiting for them. With a mighty roar, the enormous serpent lunged from the shadows, each of its heads snapping and hissing. The sound echoed through the garden, shaking the very earth beneath their feet.

Percy, Frank, and Jason immediately sprang into action. Jason summoned the winds to buffet the dragon back, but his strikes lacked their usual precision. His mind wasn’t on the battle; it was on Leo, whose condition was worsening with every second that passed. He couldn’t focus, couldn’t block out the fear gnawing at him. His attacks were erratic, weak.

“Jason, focus!” Percy yelled, throwing up a wall of water to block Ladon’s snapping jaws. “We need you, man!”

But Jason couldn’t respond—couldn’t even think clearly. He stumbled back, narrowly avoiding one of Ladon’s heads as it lunged at him. His grip on his sword was shaky, and the usual sureness in his movements was completely gone.

Frank, in the form of a massive grizzly bear, tackled one of Ladon’s heads, but even he couldn’t gain much ground. The fight was dragging on, far longer than it should have, and the group was paying for it.

Jason’s breathing was ragged, his heart pounding in his chest. Every second they spent fighting felt like another second closer to losing Leo. His mind was racing, spinning out of control, and the terror was choking him.

While the fight continued, Annabeth and Hazel wove through the twisting vines of the garden, racing to find the Dead Man’s Bloom. The garden was eerily quiet compared to the chaos of the battle, but the weight of their mission pressed down on them.

“There it is,” Hazel gasped, pointing to a gleaming pool at the center of the garden. The golden flower floated just beyond their reach, glowing faintly in the twilight.

"We have to hurry," Annabeth said, her voice tense as she waded into the water. She reached out, her hands trembling slightly as she plucked the bloom from its resting place. As soon as she did, the ground rumbled beneath them—a warning, perhaps, or a sign of what was to come.

With the flower secured, they sprinted back to the others, their hearts pounding as they hoped they weren’t too late.

As the battle raged on, Ladon suddenly reared back, letting out a thunderous hiss. The air seemed to ripple, and a figure appeared in the midst of the chaos—the goddess Hesperia, keeper of the garden. Her eyes flashed as she waved her hand, causing Ladon to retreat with a snarl.

“You come for the bloom,” she said, her voice soft yet filled with authority. “You understand the price?”

“We don’t care about the price,” Piper responded, stepping forward with her charmspeak voice dripping with urgency. “Our friend is dying. We’ll pay whatever we have to.”

Hesperia studied them, particularly Jason, whose hands trembled on his sword. She tilted her head, and after a long moment, nodded. “Very well. Take the bloom. But beware—it may cost you more than you realize.”

Once back on the ship, Hazel worked quickly, preparing the nectar and ambrosia with the Dead Man’s Bloom. Piper knelt beside Leo, her voice soft as she whispered charmspeak into his ear, trying to coax him back to consciousness.

“Come on, Leo. You’ve got this. Just a little longer.”

Jason hovered over them, his face a mask of terror. His hand never left Leo’s, gripping it as if letting go would somehow mean losing him for good.

When Hazel pressed the nectar-laden flower to Leo’s lips, he barely stirred. His body was limp, his skin cold to the touch. “Please, Leo,” Hazel murmured, her voice trembling. “Please let this work.”

For a moment, it seemed like nothing was happening. But then Leo took a shallow breath, and the crew let out a collective sigh of relief.

Jason’s heart skipped a beat as he watched Leo’s chest rise and fall. The tiniest flicker of hope ignited in his chest. “He’s going to be okay,” Jason whispered, more to himself than anyone else. “He has to be.”

But just as relief began to wash over them, Leo’s body suddenly stiffened. His limbs jerked violently, and his eyes rolled back as he began to seize.

“No, no, no!” Jason’s voice was raw, filled with panic as he tried to hold Leo down. “This isn’t happening. Not now, not after—"

Leo’s body thrashed uncontrollably, the seizure wracking his small frame with brutal intensity. Piper and Hazel rushed to help, but Jason was already spiraling, his breaths coming in short, shallow gasps. His hands shook violently as he tried to stabilize Leo, but the fear in his eyes was overwhelming.

“Jason, let us help!” Piper shouted, trying to get through to him, but Jason was beyond hearing. His entire body trembled as the full weight of his helplessness crashed over him.

He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think.

This was his fault. Leo was dying, and it was his fault. He had promised to protect him, and now…

Jason collapsed to his knees, his chest heaving as panic closed in on him like a vice. His vision blurred, dark spots dancing in front of his eyes as his breath came in quick, shallow bursts. “I—I can’t—”

Percy was beside him in an instant, grabbing Jason’s shoulders and forcing him to focus. “Jason, you need to breathe. Look at me. Just breathe.”

Jason’s eyes were wild, his hands still shaking uncontrollably as he tried to take in air, but his body wasn’t cooperating. “I c-can’t,” he gasped, his voice barely a whisper.

Piper knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. “We’re not losing him,” she whispered into his ear, her voice filled with determination. “We’re not losing either of you.”

Just as Jason’s breathing began to slow, Leo’s convulsions stilled, his body going eerily quiet. The crew gathered around him, watching anxiously, but something wasn’t right. Leo’s chest barely rose and fell—his breathing shallow, ragged.

Hazel pressed her fingers to his neck, searching desperately for a pulse. When she found it, her face paled.

“It’s weak,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “So weak…”

Jason looked up, his face streaked with tears. “No…”

The room fell into a tense, suffocating silence as they watched Leo, his life slipping further and further away with every passing second.

Chapter Text

Apollo stood on the mountaintop, his gaze fixed on the swirling storm clouds that had gathered overhead. The air crackled with electricity, thick with Zeus's anger. The god of the sky was furious, and Apollo knew it. He could feel it in every fiber of his being, the weight of his father’s wrath pressing down on him like a stone.

It had been a mistake. Apollo knew that now, though it had seemed like the right choice at the time. Leo had been dying. His life hanging by a thread. What kind of god would Apollo be if he didn’t intervene? He had the power to help. He could heal, even if it was only a temporary fix.

But now... now the storm clouds above seemed to mock him. He wasn’t sure if they were angry with him, or if they were simply reflecting his own emotions, the guilt that gnawed at his heart.

Zeus appeared before him, descending from the heavens in a crackle of lightning. The god’s face was a mask of fury, his eyes flashing with the kind of anger that could destroy worlds. Apollo straightened, forcing himself to stand tall, though his limbs felt heavy, weighed down by something darker than the storm.

“Apollo,” Zeus growled, his voice a low rumble that made the earth tremble. “You think you can just waltz in and play hero with mortal lives?”

Apollo flinched, but he refused to back down. He had always faced his father’s wrath with a mixture of defiance and detachment, but this time was different. This time, the weight of his own failure pressed on him like a thousand-pound stone. He had tried. He had done everything he could, but Leo was still struggling.

“I didn’t mean to overstep, Father,” Apollo began, his voice more subdued than he intended. He had never been one to beg, but this was different. “I just—I couldn’t let him die. Not when I could help.”

Zeus’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a sneer. “Help? You call what you did ‘helping’? You’ve only made things worse. You’ve meddled in affairs that are none of your concern. Those demigods are beneath us. You should know that by now.”

“I know,” Apollo whispered, his voice thick with regret. He didn’t need Zeus to remind him. The demigods were always a complication. But Leo had been different. Leo had fought so hard, had so much potential. Apollo couldn’t watch him die. Not like that.

“I don’t regret helping him,” Apollo said quietly, his heart heavy. “But I should have done more.”

Zeus’s eyes blazed. “You should have stayed out of it, Apollo. And now, you will pay for your interference.”

Before Apollo could react, Zeus raised his hand, and the air around him grew cold. A crack of thunder split the sky, and Apollo felt a sharp pain in his body. He gasped, staggering backward as a bolt of electricity shot from Zeus’s hand, striking Apollo square in the chest.

Apollo screamed in agony, his body convulsing with the force of the lightning. It felt like every nerve in his body was on fire, every muscle screaming with the force of the electric current coursing through him. He fell to his knees, unable to control the shaking in his limbs, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

Zeus watched him impassively, the storm around them growing even more violent. “You will learn,” Zeus said, his voice cold. “You will learn what happens when you defy me. And this is only the beginning.”

Apollo’s vision blurred as the pain intensified, but through the haze, he could still see his father’s face. Zeus’s expression was unreadable, but the anger was unmistakable. The god of the sky wasn’t done punishing him yet.

Apollo’s heart hammered in his chest, the pain and guilt combining into a searing ache that spread through his entire body. He couldn’t help but feel the weight of everything. He had done his best to help Leo, but it wasn’t enough. Not enough to save him.

As the pain from the lightning strike began to subside, Apollo slowly rose to his feet, gritting his teeth against the lingering burn in his chest. His mind felt foggy, clouded by a sense of failure and the bitter taste of regret. He had done everything he could, but it wasn’t enough.

“I couldn’t heal him more,” Apollo whispered to himself, feeling the guilt wash over him like a tide. “I should have done more.”

Zeus’s laughter was harsh and mocking. “You’re a fool, Apollo. You’ve always been a fool. If you can’t accept that, then perhaps you’re not worthy of the power you wield.”

Apollo’s fists clenched at his sides, his eyes flashing with determination, even in the face of his father’s cruelty. “I don’t regret helping them,” he said again, his voice steady this time. “I won’t apologize for trying to save a life.”

Zeus’s face twisted with disgust. “You will regret this. I will make sure of it.”

With a flick of his hand, the storm subsided, and Zeus was gone. Apollo stood alone, feeling the remnants of his punishment in his chest, still raw from the electric sting. He breathed deeply, though every breath felt like an effort.

The storm had cleared, but the feeling of guilt remained. He had tried. That was the only thing he could hold on to now. But was it enough?

Apollo turned and looked down at the world below. He could see the flicker of lights in the distance, the demigods still out there, fighting their own battles. He had done what he could for Leo, but the god of the sun knew that even with all his power, some things were out of his control.

He wasn’t a perfect god. He was flawed, just like everyone else. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t keep trying.

And perhaps, just maybe, that was the only thing that mattered.

***

Jason had never liked dreams. They were always disjointed, hazy, a strange mixture of memories and feelings that didn’t quite make sense. But tonight, it was different. There was nothing hazy about this dream.

He stood in a dark, empty void, the stars twinkling far overhead like tiny, cold eyes watching him. He felt a pressure in his chest, a weight that settled on him with every passing moment, and a creeping sense that something was terribly wrong.

"Jason."

The voice came from behind him, deep and sorrowful. Jason turned, heart racing in his chest. Standing before him was Apollo. But the god was nothing like the radiant, confident figure Jason had always known. Apollo’s golden skin was dull and ashen, his usual vibrant robes now wrinkled and draped loosely over his form. His eyes, once full of energy and mischief, were dark and hollowed, lacking the usual fire that Jason had seen in him time and time again.

“Apollo?” Jason said, his voice unsure. “What’s—what’s going on?”

Apollo sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping as if he carried the weight of the entire world. “I came to speak with you, Jason. About Leo.”

Jason’s stomach twisted. He immediately felt a cold rush of dread. “Is Leo—”

“He’s in trouble,” Apollo cut him off gently. “No, Jason, worse than trouble. He’s dying.”

The words hung in the air like a crushing weight. Jason’s heart dropped. “What? What do you mean? He’s not… he’s not gone yet, is he? You’re Apollo. You can fix him.”

Apollo’s face contorted in frustration. “I tried. I tried everything I could. But I was too slow. The wound… the poison from that blade, the damage it caused... it’s too much. His body is rejecting the healing. I can’t keep him alive for much longer. And I don’t think there’s anything I can do.”

Jason’s knees nearly gave out beneath him as his world spun. “You’re the god of healing,” he whispered in disbelief, his voice cracking. “You have to be able to fix him. You have the power to—”

“I don’t,” Apollo interrupted, his voice sharp, and Jason could see the raw pain in his eyes. The usual arrogance, the flamboyance Apollo was known for, was gone. “I’ve already done everything I can. The wound’s too deep. I’m the god of healing, but even I have my limits.”

Jason stood frozen, trying to process the overwhelming flood of fear and confusion crashing through him. He could feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Leo, dying? No. This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real.

“You’re Apollo! You heal people. You—” Jason cut himself off as he fought to breathe. “Please, tell me there’s something else.”

Apollo’s eyes softened, full of sorrow. “There’s nothing more I can do. If another god, one with more power, decides to intervene, maybe… maybe Leo will have a chance. But right now, he’s fading. And the gods, they…” Apollo’s voice faltered for a moment. “They’re not coming.”

Jason’s chest constricted, and a cold shiver ran through him. “Please,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “You can’t be serious. There has to be something more you can do. You can’t just let him die. You have to be able to help him.”

Apollo’s gaze hardened as he looked down at the ground, his face twisted in frustration. “You don’t understand, Jason,” he muttered, voice thick with regret. “Zeus won’t let any of us interfere anymore. Not with mortals. Not with the demigods. He’s made it clear that we’re not allowed to interact with them, not unless it’s absolutely necessary. We’re not allowed to get involved. And I… I can’t defy him.”

Jason’s breath caught in his throat. He shook his head, feeling the world spin around him. “Zeus? Father? He won’t let you help?”

Apollo nodded grimly, his eyes dark with anger and helplessness. “Yes. No healing. No contact. No guidance. He says it weakens the gods. That we need to stay away from mortals, even from our children. He believes it’s better if we let you all figure it out on your own.” His voice dropped, filled with bitter frustration. “And all we can do is watch.”

Jason felt a chill run through him. He didn’t know which part of Apollo’s words hurt more: the fact that Zeus had restricted his own children from helping, or the fact that Apollo, who had the power to heal, couldn’t do a damn thing to save Leo.

“You did your best,” Jason said, voice firm despite the doubt that lingered in his own mind. “You tried. Leo... Leo knows that. He’d never blame you.”

Apollo’s eyes met Jason’s, and for a brief moment, they were full of sorrow and resignation. “I wish I could do more” he whispered. “But I can’t go against my father. Not without facing his wrath. And even if I did, I’m afraid it might be too late.”

Jason felt his body go numb, his heart sinking deeper into despair. “I can’t lose him. I can’t… I can’t lose Leo.”

Apollo looked down, a bitter laugh escaping him. “I know. I felt the same way.” Hid eyes glazed over as he got lost in his memories from thousand years ago. For a second, Jason saw a flicker of his old self—sharper, quicker, more alive

Jason stood there, his mind reeling, struggling to process the enormity of the situation. The gods, the supposed protectors of their children, couldn’t even intervene to save them. He had always known Zeus was a cold and distant god, but this—this was beyond anything he could have imagined. Was that really Jason’s father?

“You tried, Apollo. You did what you could.” Jason said, though his voice trembled with the weight of what was happening.

Apollo didn’t respond, but his eyes filled with something unreadable. Then, just as Jason opened his mouth to speak again, Apollo’s form began to flicker and fade away.

“I’m sorry,” Apollo’s voice echoed softly as the dream began to disintegrate. “I truly am. If there was more I could do… I would.”

And then, just like that, Apollo was gone.

Jason was left alone, standing in the cold void, his heart heavy with the knowledge that there was nothing more that could be done. Leo was slipping further and further away, and no one could help.

Chapter Text

Jason bolted upright, his chest heaving as he shook off the remnants of the dream. Cold sweat clung to his skin, making the room feel freezing despite the warm California breeze filtering through the windows of the Argo II. For a moment, he sat still, gripping the edge of his bed, letting Apollo’s haunting words replay in his mind.

Leo was dying.

Jason clenched his fists. His best friend, his brother in arms—he wasn’t going to let him slip away. Not like this. Not after everything they had fought for together.

The sound of footsteps broke the silence. Jason turned to see Percy standing in the doorway, his green eyes glinting with concern.

“Dude, you okay?” Percy asked, stepping inside. His tone was light, but his eyes betrayed his worry. “You were talking in your sleep. Something about Leo and…” He hesitated. “Zeus.”

Jason rubbed his temples, willing his racing thoughts to slow. “It’s bad, Percy. Real bad.”

Percy crossed the room and sat cross-legged on the floor, his expression shifting from curiosity to seriousness. “Tell me.”

Jason took a deep breath, recounting the dream in detail—the storm, Zeus’s fury, Apollo’s pain, and the helplessness he felt as Leo’s life slipped away. The words tumbled out in a rush, like they had been waiting to escape since the moment he woke. As he spoke, Percy’s expression grew darker, his lips pressed into a tight line.

“So Zeus is being Zeus,” Percy said bitterly. “Big surprise there. And Apollo? He just… gave up?”

Jason shook his head. “It’s not like that. He tried. He’s broken up about it. But Zeus has tied his hands.”

Percy snorted, his voice tinged with anger. “Zeus ties everyone’s hands, doesn’t he? Except when he’s busy throwing lightning bolts at his own kids. Typical.”

Jason let out a humorless laugh. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Jason’s words settling over them. Finally, Percy’s tone softened. “You’re not gonna let this go, are you?”

Jason met his friend’s gaze, his blue eyes blazing with determination. “Leo would never give up on us. I can’t give up on him.”

Percy nodded, a glint of approval in his expression. “Then let’s figure this out. Together.”

By sunrise, the Argo II was a hive of activity. Jason and Percy had roused the others, and the demigods gathered around the central table in the ship’s dining area. Annabeth was buried in ancient texts, her brow furrowed in concentration, while Piper and Hazel whispered about potential allies they could call upon. Nico leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his dark gaze unreadable as he watched the scene unfold.

“There has to be something,” Annabeth muttered, flipping through a dusty tome. “Something ancient, hidden… dangerous enough that Zeus wouldn’t want anyone to find it.”

Jason leaned forward, gripping the table. “Apollo mentioned something in my dream. He said if another god intervened, Leo might have a chance. But…” He hesitated.

“Zeus would throw a tantrum,” Nico finished bluntly.

“Exactly.”

Annabeth tapped the table thoughtfully, her gray eyes alight with an idea. “There’s a myth about the Panacea, a healing artifact forged by Asclepius himself. It’s said to have unparalleled power but was hidden away by Zeus after he killed Asclepius for resurrecting mortals.”

“Hidden where?” Percy asked.

Annabeth’s lips thinned. “The Underworld. It’s supposed to be locked in a chamber near the Fields of Punishment, guarded by… well, let’s just say it won’t be easy.”

“Nothing ever is,” Jason said, his voice hard.

Hazel, who had been silent up to this point, straightened. “I can guide us through the Underworld,” she offered. “If we’re careful, we might be able to avoid the worst of it.”

Piper nodded, her expression resolute. “And I can use charm-speak to help. If we run into trouble, I’ll talk us out of it.”

Nico’s gaze flicked to Hazel. “It won’t just be the wards. The Panacea is the kind of artifact that draws… attention. Every vengeful spirit and Underworld beast will be drawn to its power.”

Percy cracked his knuckles, a grin playing at the corners of his lips. “Then we fight. We’ve faced worse.”

Jason’s heart swelled with gratitude as he looked around the table. His friends—his family—were ready to risk everything for Leo. He wouldn’t let their faith be in vain.

That night, as the ship sailed silently through the sky, Jason stood alone on the deck, staring at the stars. He closed his eyes and whispered a prayer to Apollo, his words carrying both desperation and hope.

A golden light shimmered in the air, and Apollo appeared, his radiant aura dimmed. He looked older, wearier, as though the weight of countless centuries had finally caught up to him.

“You called,” Apollo said quietly, his voice lacking its usual bravado.

Jason stepped forward. “We need your help. We’re going after the Panacea.”

Apollo’s expression darkened. “The Panacea is locked deep in the Underworld for a reason, Jason. It’s not something you can just take.”

“We don’t have a choice,” Jason said, his tone firm. “Leo doesn’t have time.”

Apollo turned away, gazing out at the horizon. “I really can’t do anything more,” he said softly.

Jason clenched his fists. “Then help us now. Guide us. Do you understand? If we fail, Leo—” His voice cracked, but he pressed on. “Leo will die. I know that death doesn’t mean much to you, but to me… I can’t lose him.”

Apollo’s shoulders tensed, and for a moment, he didn’t respond. When he finally spoke, his voice was thick with emotion. “Do you think I don’t understand what it’s like to lose someone?” he whispered, almost to himself. “To try with every ounce of your power, only to watch them slip away?”

Jason hesitated. “Who?”

Apollo’s jaw tightened, his golden eyes darkening. “A name you wouldn’t know. Someone I couldn’t save.”

Jason opened his mouth to press further, but the raw pain in Apollo’s voice stopped him.

Apollo turned back to him, his expression hardening. “The Panacea is real. It lies in the Underworld, near the Fields of Punishment. But retrieving it won’t be easy. It’s guarded by ancient wards and worse.”

“Tell us how to get there,” Jason said, his voice steady.

Apollo raised his hand, conjuring a glowing map that hovered between them. A pulsating light marked the artifact’s location. “This is all I can give you,” Apollo said. “The rest is up to you.”

Jason stared at the map, his resolve hardening. “Thank you.”

As Apollo prepared to leave, Jason called out, “Apollo… why are you helping us save Leo?”

For a moment, Apollo didn’t answer. Then, in a voice so soft it was almost a whisper, he said, “Because I failed once. I can’t let someone die again.”

Before Jason could respond, Apollo disappeared in a flash of golden light.

Percy found Jason on the deck later that night, staring at the horizon.

“Big night,” Jason said without looking up.

Percy leaned against the railing beside him. “Yeah.”

They stood in comfortable silence for a moment before Jason spoke again. “You think Apollo’s being straight with us?”

Percy chuckled. “I don’t think that Apollo could possibly be straight.”

Jason smiled faintly at the joke. Percy sighed. “You know, I’ve seen a lot of gods. Most of them wouldn’t care about Leo. But Apollo… he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world.”

Jason glanced at him. “You trust him?”

Percy smirked. “No. But I trust you.”

Jason chuckled softly. “Thanks, Percy.”

“Don’t mention it.” Percy’s grin faded, replaced by a look of determination. “We’re gonna save Leo. No matter what it takes.”

Jason nodded, his gaze fixed on the stars. “Yeah. We are.”

Chapter Text

Leo hadn’t woken up since the last seizure.

The infirmary on the Argo II had never felt more claustrophobic, even with the wide windows and celestial bronze fixtures. The steady thrum of the ship's core echoed in the floor, too quiet now without Leo’s usual commentary on how he “definitely didn’t rig the cooling system with chewing gum, but if he had, it was genius.”

Jason sat beside the cot, gripping the edge so tightly his knuckles had gone white. Hazel stood near Leo’s head, dabbing a cool cloth against his forehead. Frank hovered near the doorway, hands clenched at his sides, like he was waiting for a problem he could punch into submission.

Annabeth broke the silence. “We have to go now if we’re going to make it to the Underworld before the next dusk cycle. Time moves weird down there.”

Piper looked from Leo’s still form to Jason. “You don’t have to come.”

Jason didn’t even look at her. “Yes, I do.”

“Frank and I will stay,” Hazel said, calm but firm. “We can handle things up here. Leo’s stable—for now. He just needs someone to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t try to sit up and fix the engine mid-coma.”

“That’s very Leo,” Percy muttered from the hallway, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. “Next thing we know he’s going to be half-awake and trying to rewire something with a spoon.”

Frank cracked a smile. “We’d let him. He’s the only one who knows how anything works.”

Jason didn’t laugh. He stood, brushing Leo’s hair off his forehead with more tenderness than he probably meant to show in front of the others. “If anything changes—”

“We’ll Iris-message you,” Hazel promised. “Go. Find the Panacea. Bring it back.”

Annabeth slung her pack over one shoulder. “It’s a long shot,” she said, never one to sugarcoat, “but if Apollo was right, it’s our best chance.”

Jason nodded once. Then again, slower. He leaned down and said something to Leo too quietly for the others to hear. Hazel caught only the end: “...can’t lose you, too.”

And then he turned, eyes hardening like storm glass.

Piper looked to Hazel and Frank. “Watch his heart rate. The drops are the worst part.”

Hazel nodded. “We know.”

The sky outside was darkening, stars beginning to peek through the clouds. The Argo II rumbled gently beneath them, almost like it was holding its breath.

The four of them—Jason, Piper, Annabeth, Percy—made their way to the lower deck, to the circle Hazel had etched for them earlier. A blend of celestial bronze dust and river clay shimmered faintly on the wood.

Annabeth glanced at Percy. “Last chance to bail.”

Percy sighed. “No more Underworld puns, I swear.”

Jason rolled his eyes. Piper took his hand without saying anything. Annabeth activated the spell.

With a flash of dull gold light, the deck vanished from beneath their feet.

And the Underworld swallowed them whole.

***

The Underworld always hit like a punch to the lungs.

One second, they were on the Argo II, bathed in starlight. The next, they were surrounded by stale air, the sharp tang of minerals and ash in their mouths. The air was heavier here, like breathing through grief. Annabeth stumbled slightly as they landed, adjusting her pack. Jason looked around immediately, tense, hand on his sword. Piper and Percy both held their ground, but neither looked happy to be back.

“Ugh,” Percy muttered. “Yep. Still hate it here.”

“Noted,” Annabeth said, brushing dust from her jeans. “Try not to insult the landscape. It has ears.”

They’d landed on a jagged ridge overlooking the Fields of Asphodel. Endless gray stretched out below them, whispering souls drifting like mist. The Styx glimmered faintly in the distance, black and wrong.

Jason looked pale under the unnatural light. “You know where we’re going?”

“Not exactly,” Annabeth admitted. “Panacea’s not a location. It’s an object. A relic. If it still exists, it’s somewhere sacred—or sealed. And definitely guarded.”

Percy glanced at Jason. “You okay?”

Jason hesitated. “No.”

Piper stepped closer to him. “Leo’s going to be okay.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I believe it.”

He didn’t answer. Just kept walking.

They passed under a broken arch of marble, half-buried in black vines. As they walked, Piper took out her dagger, Katoptris. The blade shimmered in the dim light, showing flickers of things that weren’t there—Leo’s face, Jason’s hands shaking, Apollo with his back turned.

“You saw something?” Annabeth asked quietly.

Piper nodded. “Yeah. But it’s… unclear. It’s like fate hasn’t decided yet.”

Percy sighed. “Classic fate. Never texting back.”

***

The shrine of Panacea lay quiet and buried in dust, as if the world had forgotten it.

Cracks split the stone walls. A faint glow pulsed beneath their feet—the kind of quiet magic that only existed in sacred places no one dared disturb. Jason stood near the altar, still hearing the echo of Apollo’s voice.

“Because I failed once. I can’t let someone die again.”

He hadn’t said more than that. He hadn’t needed to.

Jason spoke the words aloud now, as if saying them would help him make sense of them.

Percy leaned on his sword. “That… sounded personal.”

“It was,” Piper said. Her voice was different—soft, serious. “He wasn’t just talking about Leo.”

Annabeth, already scanning the shrine walls, looked up. “He meant Hyacinthus.”

Jason glanced over. “Who was he?”

“A mortal,” Annabeth said, stepping carefully around a fallen pillar. “A Spartan prince. Beautiful. Brave. All the ancient poets obsessed over him. But none more than Apollo.”

Piper continued for her, walking closer to Jason. “Apollo loved him. Completely. They hunted together, played music, studied philosophy—he even tried to make him immortal.”

Percy raised an eyebrow. “That sounds familiar.”

Annabeth nodded. “It is. Apollo doesn’t fall in love often. But when he does… it’s all-consuming.”

Jason looked between them. “So what happened?”

Piper’s gaze dropped to the dust. “Hyacinthus died. They were playing discus, just a game, and the disc hit him in the head. Hard.”

Annabeth’s mouth tightened. “Some say Apollo threw it. Some say Zephyrus—the West Wind—was jealous and redirected it. Doesn’t matter. The result was the same.”

Jason sat on the edge of the altar, staring at his hands. “Apollo couldn’t save him.”

“No,” Piper whispered. “And he tried. He begged the Fates. He cried over Hyacinthus’s body. His blood became the hyacinth flower. That was all Apollo could do—turn grief into something pretty.”

Percy crossed his arms. “And now Leo’s dying, and Apollo’s back in that same place again.”

Jason’s jaw clenched. “So when he saw Leo hurting. He remembered.”

“Yeah” Piper nodded. “When he saw you and Leo, he saw himself and Hyacinthus all over again.”

The silence that followed was heavy. Not empty—weighted. With old stories, old grief, old patterns too cruel to break.

Annabeth finally broke it. “Apollo has a lot of flaws. But he cared. Not as a God of healing. As someone who’s also lost the person they loved.”

Percy tapped the tip of his sword to the stone beneath them. “Let’s get that Panacea.”

They turned toward the stairwell now glowing behind the altar, faint gold light flickering along the steps—like the sun breaking into the dark.

Not hope yet. But a path.