CHAPTER 01

PERCY POV

War was over. Everything had settled down slowly. I had returned to the mortal world to spend some time with my mother and Paul. Basically life was awesome after the war. Poseidon had bought me a house near the beach and had also given me an unlimited amount of bank balance. The only thing that I was missing was Annabeth.

She had decided to stay back at camp. She was helping in restoring the camp. I had first wished to stay back, but I really required a break so Poseidon helped me with with this arrangement. So life was really cool. I could go swimming everyday and not even bother about school as I had dropped out and even my Mom didn't put up much a fight.

Today was the big day as I was taking Annabeth out for a date and I was also ready to propose her. Few days ago Athena had appeared in my house and asked me if I was serious about Annabeth. She told me that she had already spoken about this to my Mom and Poseidon. I of course replied affirmatively and it was then that she gave me the ring as a gift. It had something to do with me taking care of her during the quests or something similar to that. I wasn't really paying much attention at that time. I was literally stunned. I hadn't expected it to be so easy.

But here I was getting ready to take Annabeth out and propose her. I climbed on to my bike (courtesy of Dad of course) and headed towards Camp Half-Blood. As soon as I entered camp I began to notice all the changes. All the destruction that had taken place a month or so ago was not visible anymore, instead it was camp as I remembered from my first day. It was a good feeling to be back.

"Hey, Percy! You didn't tell me you were coming?" I spotted Grover rushing towards me. We fist bumped. However much I enjoyed my house near the beach I really missed my friends.

"Hey! G-man what's up?"

"Nothing much, with camp restored we have also reverted to our earlier duties , me being the God of Wild and all."

Just then I spotted Annabeth and as usual she was looking breathtakingly beautiful. Grover nodded at me and left us to ourselves.

"Hey Wise Girl! Been a while hasn't it?" I told her as I wrapped my arms around her and breathed in her scent.

"It has... And why this sudden date Mr. Jackson?" she asked wiggling her eyebrows.

"Umm... Just like that. I mean can't I just catch up with my incredibly beautiful girlfriend?"

She rolled her eyes as I led her to my bike.

"Now where did you get that?" She asked as I gunned the engine.

"All in good time. Let's head over to restaurant first shall we?" I asked.

She nodded and we were off.

As soon as we reached the restaurant the sky began crackling with lightning and Hermes appeared before us.

"Now what?"I asked exasperated.

"Zeus is summoning you both." Hermes said while staring at Annabeth for a little too long. I completely understood the sentiment but, hey she is my girlfriend right?

"Can it not wait for an hour or too? And what does he want at this ungodly hour? I mean why can't we have the meetings in the morning?"

"It's important cousin. And you know he can't stand if anyone other than himself delays the meetings."

I nodded in acceptance and he flashed us both into the throne room. Everyone was looking lively which was kind of a surprise as most of them didn't care about the meetings. I looked at my Dad and Athena, the nodded at me relaying that they had understood what a bad time it was for Zeus to call for a meeting.

As I turned around I was surprised to see my friends from the quest Jason, Piper, Hazel, Frank, Nico and Reyna present too. They were looking equally surprised at being summoned.

"Now demigods you must be wondering why you have been summoned here?" Zeus' voice boomed catching our attention as we turned towards him and bowed. We all nodded.

"Well, due to the selfless services provided to us during the time of war ,we have decided to reward with you anything you want." He said.

We were all happy to hear this and Jason was grinning from ear to ear. He would surely be asking for for godhood and maybe this time I too shall accept godhood after all I could live with Annabeth forever. The very thought made me happy.

"Jason Grace, tell us your heart's desire and we shall fulfill it." Zeus said.

As expected he asked for godhood and also for the recognition of the minor gods as he had promised my sister to do so.

The others followed suit by asking for godhood and each of them were made gods. Annabeth had turned more beautiful I noticed. Then it was my turn finally.

"Perseus Jackson." My father called me out.

"Do you accept godhood this time?" Zeus asked threateningly, "Or are you going to reject it this time too?"It was rhetoric question and I was supposed to say yes, but someone beat me to it.

"No. He shall not be a God." The three fates spoke in sync.

"What do you imply, is my son not worthy?"

"No. It is simply not meant for him to be a God. The fates will not allow it." Saying this they disappeared.

We all remained silent for a bit of time.

"So Perseus, seeing that we cannot give you godhood, what else do you want?" Zeus asked me.

"I have got three wishes. First I want Lady Hestia and Lord Hades to have a throne in this room."

Zeus looked at me for a moment but then clapped his hands and two thrones one bathed in fire and the other deep black arose out of the floor. They both left their temporary thrones and sat on the new ones with a nod of gratitude towards me.

"Next I want to renew my River Styx insurance, so can't you guys like call her and..." Zeus understood and just as he was about to summon her Hera spoke up.

"Why not give him the blessing of Artemis? With this he shall remain immortal unless injured in battle?"I had to give her the credit, not for suggesting a great idea, but for able to suggest such an idea.

Artemis looked downright pissed. Ï shall not give my blessings to a male, even though he is an honorable one. Period."

Just as Hera was about to reply, Zeus spoke "Couldn't you give such a blessing Hades?"

"Well it is a hypothetical possibility, but I have never tried it and the process itself is..."

"It doesn't matter. He shall have his blessing and that is final. Now proceed." Zeus commanded his brother.

Hades rolled his eyes and summoned a sword made of mortal steel, celestial bronze and imperial gold. He looked at it with approval and admiration. He felt the blade from top to bottom.

Then he threw it, right at me. It plunged into me and it pained like hell. Suddenly the pain stopped and everything went dark.

In the throne room Nico whispered softly "You killed him?"

Hades replied "Yes."

AN: Guys this is my first story, all types of reviews are invited, constructive criticism is appreciated and please let me know how the story is. I'll be updating in a week again.

Signing off,

Panchajanya Das.