Betrayal
I re read my story and came to the conclusion that most of the characters were OOC. So I decided to re write each chapter with more substance and plausible reasons. But don't worry, everything will remain the same way it has as the story will remain unchanged.
Chapter 1: The return home
It feels like I've been to Tartarus and back. And believe me, I've been there and it's not a pretty place. We were all returning back from our war with the Giants and, trust me on this, it was no easy battle. Sure we had help from the Gods and some of their assistants but still, the Gods aren't exactly helpful or active.
I looked at the figure head as I went into a silent revere, getting myself lost in the golden eyes of the dragon head. The thoughts of the battle flew through my head. The pictures of injured friends, each of their bruises shown clearly, were flashing in a timely sequence. I closed my eyes and shook my head, not wanting to revisit those bad memories. I tried to focus on the sea below me, trying to sense if there were any sea creatures approaching, but my hyper active thoughts prevented me from doing so.
I tried to busy myself by exploring the huge ship, checking if Frank needed any bandages or if Jason needed some gauze. Unknowingly I came upon the engine room, looking down at the various cogs and machinery and unsurprisingly a pair of legs from underneath a boll with blunt spikes. I was about to leave when I heard someone call my name.
"Hey Percy," I turned around to face the Hispanic mechanic, "What a guy like you doing in a place like this?"
"Just trying to keep busy." I replied, not sure if that was really the truth.
"You know that we don't blame you at all right?" Leo asked suddenly, surprising me, "It's not your fault that Frank lost his arm nor was it your fault that your brother screwed things up."
"I know Leo." I replied, "It's just that I don't feel like I tried enough. Didn't train enough. I could've saved Frank's arm. I could've handled my brother better."
"None of us blame you, Perce," Leo said, clasping a hand on my shoulder, "We're heroes. Stuff happens. That's how we roll."
"Thanks man." I said as I left the engine room, glad that someone felt that I was not at fault. I heard a distant reply of no problem which was soon followed by the clanging of metal. I explored the ship further and went up to the stables. I sat down on the bay doors and rested my eyes. More visions flew past, most of them concerning my brother.
Marcus Flint, my brother who was, allegedly, unheard off till a month ago was a new addition to the camp. Apparently, my father thought it wise not to tell me about him before but found it necessary to include him on the little trip across the Atlantic as I had taken a detour to Tartarus. What surprised me the most about him, though, was that he was exceptionally good at sword fighting and controlling his element. I guess dad made sure he was trained well.
Despite all his powers and skills, he lacked experience which resulted in some minor losses. Frank's arm being one of them. A hole in Jason's side being the other. Sure Frank's arm may or may not grow back, but they had caused life threatening situations. Marcus was assigned as their back-up bu-
"Hello Perseus." A voice said, surprising me in the middle of my silent reverie, "I have a message to deliver to you." I turned my head to the voice and took in the appearance of the salt-and-peppered hair on Hermes, a caduceus held in his hand.
"Greetings Hermes," I said, "Why is that you only talk to me whenever there's a message to be delivered? I have loads of free time."
"Do you really expect me to answer that question?" Hermes asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Yeah," I answered, not knowing why he didn't want to answer my question, "That was the point of the question."
"Zeus, you're dense," Hermes said, face palming himself, "Anyway, Zeus has summoned a meeting with the seven."
"Right now?" I asked.
"I'll have to ask father about that." Hermes said as a ringing sound appeared from his caduceus, "I've got to take this."
"They'll be arriving shortly Iris," Hermes said to his phone turned caduceus, "I don't care if your customers are begging for your cupcakes. They'll come when they want to." I heard some yelling from the phone.
"Fine! I'll be there in a while." Hermes yelled into his phone as the wings on his shoes opened up, "I'm sorry Perce, I've got to go."
"It's okay. Bye." I said, waving as he disappeared into oblivion. I can see why he has no time to talk to me.
A few days later
"Welcome my dear demigods," Lady Hestia said as my friends and I entered the Olympian throne room, "As you can see, the Olympians are a little pre-occupied at the moment."
I looked up and noticed that most of them were talking amongst themselves, arguing feverishly over an unknown dilemma. I guessed that they weren't exactly one for giving rewards to mere demigods. We all waited for a while, the gods bickering acting as white noise as I fell asleep for we had just arrived at New York mere minutes ago.
I heard a cough but I didn't wake up. I could sense my legs getting weak from exhaustion and tried hard to resist the urge to fall onto the floor and rest. I heard a louder cough followed by something that felt like a gentle nudge in my head.
"Wake up, young hero," A familiar voice said, "The gods are waiting for you to open your eyes."
"But I want to sleep." I whined, the words coming out of my mouth instead of resounding in my head.
"Wake up you pitiful demigod," A rough voice said harshly, it's meaning barely registering in my mind.
"Ease up on him brother," A more calming voice said, "It's been a long week for them all. Him more than others."
"So what?" The rough voice said more loudly, "My sons have gone through these similar events and have yet had the decency to stand before us with their eyes wide open." The harsh tone made me open my eyes. I tried to recognize the people in front of me, but the war had altered the appearance of the gods before me. At the head of the throne circle I could make out the graying face of Lord Zeus, his eyes scowling at the man next to him, who happened to be my father, Lord Poseidon.
"Will you both shut up!" The lady on Zeus's right demanded, "The boy is awake and your insolent arguing is putting everyone else to sleep."
By the time the argument had ceased, I was able to take in everything around me; The Olympians, all seated in their thrones, most of their faces gaining back the color lost when the original Mt. Olympus was under threat; and my friends, who were staring at me in shock. I guess that they're a little surprised that I had fallen asleep.
"My god Percy," I heard Annabeth say behind me, "When will you ever learn to pay attention?" I was about to reply when I noticed the look in Zeus' eyes which shut me up effectively.
"I'm sorry for falling asleep, Lord Zeus." I said, bowing down.
"I will forgive your insolence for now," Zeus said emotionlessly, "But I suggest you remain attentive for the remainder of the meeting."
I nodded my head and looked over at my father, who winked at me when I did, for a few seconds before looking at the floor. I heard the old windbag talk for an eternity. He retold the story of how he had helped us, mere demigods, defeat the giants. He told us how great his children had been during the battle.
Oh the prideful old sot. He had forgotten to mention about how the other gods had helped. Forgotten to include the fact that he merely threw a few lightning bolts while others like Apollo and Hermes actually fought. Forgotten to congratulate the children of other gods. I hated the ignorant bastard. But who would stop him? Who would dare stop the prideful Zeus? Nobody I guess. Zeus droned on forever, that is until my uncle decided to interrupt him.
"Would you stop exaggerating, already?" Hades said, "You just sat down on your lazy bum and zapped the giants whenever they were incapacitated by the heroes."
"And what, pray tell, did you do O' great Hades?" My father, Poseidon, asked mockingly.
"More than you, that's for sure." Hades stated as he waited for Zeus to speak.
I ignored their mindless arguing and sort of went into a dreamlike state. However, a few stray snapshots flew through my head. Each of them similar to the ones I went through on the ship. These ones, however, were placed in chronological order. The first few showed my first encounter with my brother. The next, showing us prepare for battle. The next set showing the argument between my brother and I had while trying to decide on a battle plan. The next showing my brother fighting alongside Jason and Frank-
"It's no use going over things that have already happened," The familiar voice, which I realized to be Hestia's, echoed in my mind, "Pay attention to my brother, his dull voice will help you take your mind of things."
"I think it'll do quite the opposite, my lady," I answered, this time, however, with mind instead of mouth, "He always talks about one thing, mostly about himself and his bloodline."
"Hestia is enough," Hestia said, "My young brother sure has a flare for speeches, doesn't he? I guess he'd make a wonderful mortal politician."
I almost laughed hysterically at Hestia's little joke. I could only imagine Zeus as president of the USA and boy, would this country go to the Hades. I was about to answer back when my father coughed to bring my attention to, I hope not, future president of USA.
"The gods would like to bestow a few gifts upon the various leaders of both camps," Zeus said, a small cough from Hera coming a little later, "Oh yes! The Roman leaders will be given their gifts at their camp."
He snapped his fingers and tempest drawn chariot appeared in the centre of the throne room. The Roman demigods bid their farewells to their Greek friends and boarder the chariot, which was able to handle a large amount of campers. Zeus snapped his fingers again and the chariot flew through the doors.
"Now, I suggest that the rest of you pay attention to what I have to say." Zeus said, making it a point to glance over at snapped his fingers and a scroll appeared in his hands, "Will the children of the non-big three gods please step forward."
Everyone looked at each other as the mentioned campers went forward, each bowing to their parent before bowing to Zeus, and sat at the bottom of their parents' thrones. They all looked nervous, and I guess they should be considering how stingy Zeus is when it comes to the children of other gods, but they never uttered a word as they were too scared to talk. Unlike my mom who would have talked about everything that had entered her mind in the last few minutes, had she been here.
"The other gods and I have come to an agreement that each and every one of you will be granted immortality," Zeus said as he read from the scroll, and looking annoyed as he did so, "However, the level of immortality is similar to that of a huntress of Artemis and thus you can be killed by a mortal wound."
"You forgot to mention the other thing, brother." My dad said, looking as if he knew that Zeus did not forget at all.
"Did I?" Zeus said, faking surprise, "Oh it seems I have. Sorry about that."
"Like Tartarus you're sorry," Hades mumbled under his breath as I snorted out a laugh. But none of our little statements or outbursts was noticed by Zeus who had begun to read from his scroll. I glanced at Uncle Hades and we shared a knowing look before turning our attention to our boring host.
"In addition to your immortality," Zeus said, no longer reading from his scroll, which when I looked at, seemed bare of any writing, "Your godly parent will grant each you special powers related to his or her domain."
A small glow appeared around each of my friends, each of them a different color. I looked closely at them all and noticed that some of them looked more muscular. But the one who looked the most amazing was Annabeth. I guess whatever her mother had given her, had made her more beautiful and regal. Almost princess like. She looked back at me and smiled, and I would've almost fainted had Hestia not spoken.
"Pay attention, my dear hero."
I shook my head and tried to look away from Annabeth's face. I succeeded but I wasn't able to understand what Zeus was saying as the sound of blood rushing in my head drowned out his voice. I focused on his lips and was able to make out a few words like 'justice' and 'might'. After a while I was able to fully comprehend what he was saying, and in the nick of time too, as he was giving us our gifts.
"-and now, I would like to bestow upon my daughter, the ability to transform into an eagle." Zeus said, his statement coming out more commanding than kind.
"If I may father," Artemis asked, "I would like to give Thalia the ability to transform into a wolf. It should provide useful when in battle."
After a nod from Zeus and some chanting from Artemis, Thalia stood before us, her facial features looking more wolf than human. She had some dark lines here and there which only added to the effect.
"For my son," Hades said, "I would like to grant him immortality and power over metals, just like his half-sister, but without the curse."
I guess Hades isn't one for speeches. He raised his hand and Nico started to glow a dark color. I waited for a while and stared at him, checking if something had gone wrong. But the glow died and Nico stood before us, fine and well.
"I would give him more," Hades said, throwing a look at Zeus, "But little Zeus here doesn't want any of the other kids having more powers than his own. Paranoid little brat."
"Now before you all start fighting," My dad said, preventing the inevitable argument, "I would like to give Percy something for his troubles."
"What about Marcus?" I asked. Sure he may have done some mistakes, but he was valuable in the war, "He surely deserves to be rewarded."
"He already has my boy," Dad said, surprising everyone in the room, "We had sent him to eradicate all remaining traces of giant activity in Alaska. At first, we had only expected to find a few monsters but in reality, it was inhabited by Echidna and her monsters."
I looked at Marcus and wondered as to how in the name of Hades had he survived. From the looks of the others in the room, I could guess that they were also thinking the same thing. He had made so many rookie mistakes in our fight with the giants that none of us thought he had done any training at all.
"But how…" I asked in wonder.
"It was easy," Marcus said, smirking a little, "I guess they were just too weak for me."
"But what did you get?" I asked him.
"I granted him the ability to transform into an equestrian at will." Dad said proudly, "But I have something a little more in mind for you, young Percy. I would like to grant you the ability to control any type of water containing object and also the ability to shape shift into basic transformations."
"A little too much if you ask me." Zeus mumbled to himself but I heard him perfectly.
"And I would like to grant both my sons immortality." Dad said as he clapped his hand firmly, "So, what do you say?"
"I accept." Marcus and I said at the same time. I felt a small ray of warmth emit from within me which soon disappeared, only to be replaced with some weird pulling sensations.
"Would you mind if I gave them something as well, little brother?" Hestia asked surprising everyone. I could hear a few scoffs coming from my dad and uncle but I decided to pay attention to Hestia.
"Depends on what it is."Zeus said, eyeing Hestia suspiciously.
"Just a little something for Percy and Nico," She said, smiling innocently, "Like summoning some basic edible substances, just minor stuff."
"Zeus is not the only one who can talk like a politician." Hestia remarked into my head.
"If that is what you want to give, so be it." Zeus declared, as if the ability to summon food was a mere parlor trick to him. Hestia ignored his tone and raised her arms. I soon felt heat spread throughout my body till it diminished in a few minutes.
"Now without further ado," Zeus clasping his hands together, "I would like to hold a small festivity in the honor of our success against the giants."
"What?" I heard someone say from behind me.
"That means," Apollo and Hermes said together, "We get to PARTY!"
During the party
"I can see you're enjoying the punch, Perseus." A familiar voice said behind me.
"And I can see that you're enjoying the party, my lady." I said, bowing down as I realized that it was Hestia who had spoken.
"There is no need for formalities, Perseus." She said, a smirk showing on her lips.
"Then why is there a need for you to call me Perseus, my lady?" I asked, a smirk on my lips as well.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Percy." She said, an innocent smile displayed on her youthful face.
"Who knew that the great sister of Zeus had a sense of humor?" I asked rhetorically.
"For your information," She stated, "I always had a sense of humor." She looked around a little before beckoning me to come closer, "And speaking of my paranoid little brother, I secretly gave Nico and you the ability to summon fire."
"Oh thank you, O' gracious and wise Hestia." I said as I bowed down.
"Watch it with 'wise' remarks," She said, "It makes me sound old."
I was about to retort when we were interrupted by my father, who was holding two goblets of punch in his hand. He nodded his head towards Hestia who smiled in response and excused herself. He handed me a goblet and we both fell into a small and awkward conversation. I missed talking to Hestia.
"So Percy," My dad said after an uncomfortable silence, "I would like to talk to you about a proposal I had in mind." I nodded my head in response as I observed the crowd. I noticed that Marcus and Annabeth were talking by themselves. Must be about architecture, because those were the two things they shared in common.
"I would like it if you accepted godhood the next time some presented it to you." He said, his words registering a second later than they were supposed to.
"What?" I asked, not sure if I heard him right.
"Would you accept godhood?" He asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry dad," I said, "But I have friends and the Ancient laws would restrict me from visiting them."
"But come on son," He said, "We could rule the seas. You, me and Triton. It'll be amazing."
"I'm sorry dad, but no, I would decline." I stated firmly.
"I knew that that blasted daughter of Athena would ruin you," Dad said, "No other son of mine would refuse such a request."
"That is my final statement." I stated firmly.
"I see Perseus," My dad said, using my proper name for the first time in years, "I see it's no use changing your mind."
He walked off, his head hung low as he did so, but somehow I knew that something was going to happen. Not right now. Not tomorrow. But sometime in the near future. I walked off in search of Annabeth and tried to shake the feeling of uneasiness that had entered my body.
I hope you liked it. But if you don't, review or PM me and I'll make some changes. If what I'm doing receives a lot of negative feedback, I will revert it back to it's original form but with small corrections here and there.
Peace out and I hope you all liked it.
P.S. I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a little while, but I promise that I will upload a new chapter every three or four days.