I don't own Percy Jackson

I often dream about that day. The day my life changed.

"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced. My name echoed through the chamber.

All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on me. I walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at me reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Her smile gave me courage.

First I bowed to Zeus. Then I knelt at my father's feet.

"Rise, my son," Poseidon said.

I stood uneasily.

"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"

I waited for someone to pipe up. The gods never agreed on anything, and many of them still didn't like me, but not a single one protested.

"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."

I hesitated. "Any gift?"

Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson-if you wish it-you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."

I stared at him, stunned. "Um… a god?"

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever.

I thought about the Three Fates, and the way I'd seen my life flash by. I could avoid all that. No aging, no death, no body in the grave. I could be a teenager forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving my father. I could have power and eternal life.

Who could refuse that?

Then I thought about everything I had done in the five years since learning I was a demigod. All the times my life was on the line. Fighting the titans and gods where I had so little chance of winning. Being immortal wouldn't solve that problem, it would just make it to where I would have to keep doing it with no chance of escape.

"No." I said.

The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.

"No?" Zeus said. "You are… turning down our generous gift?"

"I'm honored and everything." I said. "Don't get me wrong. It's just… I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."

"I do want a gift, though," I said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"

Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."

"It is," I said. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."

"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"

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

Hades shrugged. "Guilty."

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

"I want out. Out of the saving the world game you have. It isn't what any sane kid would want." I said. "I want you to go to other people to solve your problems and leave me alone."

Everybody stared in shock as I walked out of the Council room. I threw the doors open and didn't look back until I was in the elevator. I climbed onto Blackjack and flew back to camp before everybody else came back. I walked from the stables toward my cabin. Chiron was waiting for me at the Big House.

"What have you done Percy?"

"I got out. I can't keep risking my life every second of every day. The gods just use us like pawns to move around and do their bidding."

"Breaking ties to the gods is a dangerous thing. You will be on your own in a dangerous world."

"I will never be on my own. I made the gods promise to leave me alone; I didn't say I would leave my friends alone. I've got my mom too."

"The gods may forbid us from helping you after this."

"Then I better hope everything you taught me was enough."

I walked to Cabin 3. I grabbed the backpack off the floor and threw everything I own into it. It didn't take very long, a few clothes, some ambrosia and nectar, and I was packed. I put Tyson's watch on my wrist and walked out the door. I got to the bottom of the hill and saw somebody at the boundary. Annabeth was standing there waiting for me. I climbed up the hill.

"I'm coming with you, seaweed brain." She said.

"Fine by me, wise girl."

I took one last look at the camp before walking down the hill. Together we left that world behind. I broke all connection with the gods on that day, even my father.

This is my first fanfic so please don't hate. Constructive criticism will be appreciated.