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. "I ... I suppose. But it was hard enough to rally them

before. I'm still an outcast. I could barely get anyone to listen to me about

Pan. Now will they ever listen to me again? I led them into a slaughter."

 

"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 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."

 

He blushed, but before he could say anything, conch horns blew. The army of

Poseidon marched into the throne room.

 

"Percy!" Tyson yelled. He charged toward me with his arms open. Fortunately he'd

shrunk back to normal size, so his hug was like getting hit by a tractor, not

the entire farm.

 

"You are not dead!" he said.