Janus stepped into his temple. He took a long breath, enjoying the silence, after a long day of granting wishes and confusing innocent people with choices. He was in the process of stripping down, when he was interrupted by a cough. He spun around, only to be stopped in his tracks.
"Don't turn around. Unless you wish for an eternity in Tartarus."
Janus's right head scoffed, while his left head nodded at the reaction. However he still didn't want to take the risk. He couldn't afford the time in Tartarus, he was so close to becoming a major god! Instead he would try to see if he could talk his way into finding out who this impudent person was.
"Who are you to give me commands? You do understand Zeus promised me a seat on the Olympian Council, come tomorrow. I have so much power I can crush insignificant ants like you."
After the Giant War, Zeus had become more accepting of minor gods. To show his gratitude for their support, he wanted to grant one of their number a seat on the council. A minority representative of sorts. The minor gods had been split between Hecate and Janus, but eventually they all realised Janus was more cunning and intelligent. It also didn't help that not many minor gods could connect to Hecate due to the amount of respect she carried already. Every magic user in America prayed to her. This included demigods and to mention the fact that Hazel Levesque, a very prominent demigod had spread her name as a teacher of magic. Hecate had willingly stepped out of the contest, due to this fact.
"Maybe, maybe not but you will do what I ask of you today if you value your position of major god"
Janus's left head scowled. Oh well if it was a wish he wanted Janus would grant it.
"Speak now, and I may grant your wish. I'm feeling generous."
The mysterious figure laughed.
"It's not a wish, it is an order. I'll be the one wearing the pants in this relationship."
Janus cried in indignation.
"For heaven's sake, you're not even a god. What could you even do to me?"
"Unless you want to find out, I don't recommend turning around. Anyways back to the point. Take a look at this, and tell me what you see."
A laptop was placed in front of him. He opened it and his eyes widened.
"How did you get this?"
It was a video of Janus talking to Iris and Hermes. However it was not an ordinary discussion. It was essentially Janus promising multiple favors, if they would 'miscount' the votes and put him in the lead. Janus still remembered that day.
Flashback
Janus scurried through the streets of New York. He had called a meeting with Hermes and Iris, down an alley two blocks from the Empire State building. He reached the entrance of the alley, and shuddered. Someone was following him. He whipped his left head around but no one was there. He shook his head. It was probably his jittery nerves. He entered the alleyway and began to talk.
"Hello Henry and Irelia."
"Henry" nodded his head while "Irelia" smiled uncomfortably at him.
"You probably know why I called you here today. In short I need to win the vote. I want that power. You two are the vote counters. I need you to miscount the vote so I can win."
"Henry" shrugged, while "Irelia" grinned, knowing she could milk this.
"What are you willing to give us?" "Irelia" asked
"I'm more than willing to guide your children through the toughest crossroads, and help them make the best choices."
"You're also forgetting another messenger god, who will help count the vote: Triton" "Henry" stated
"Okay, but you and I both know the vote of the sea doesn't even matter. It's only Poseidon's kids who vote, and there are only 5 that are participating this time."
"Besides where is the guarantee? Who is to say that you will always come through on this promise of yours" "Irelia" asked
"I, Janus swear on the River Styx, to always guide children of Hermes and Iris, should they help me now"
Thunder rumbled. "Henry" and "Irelia" had matching smiles on their faces. Their children were taken care of and they hadn't even binded themselves. Janus could be such a fool. Their smiles fell off their faces once Janus beckoned for their vow.
"I, Hermes, swear on the River Styx, to help Janus win this election"
"I, Iris, swear on the River Styx, to help Janus win this election"
Janus nodded his head, then scurried back to the Empire State building.
In the shadows a figure smiled and closed his video camera.
Flashback end
"That's not all"
Janus stood in shock. How had this man traced him without detection? Who was he? He still had more?
"I also happen to know about the deal you and Zeus made. Unfortunately I don't have a video recording of it, but I still know enough to spread a rumour. It would be a shame if this video was given to Hecate, and then the rumor got out that the only reason Janus was even considered to be the rep, was because he agreed to vote for everything Zeus said to vote for. In short another one of ol' Zeus' cronies who hates the Sea, and therefore Poseidon, and one who cheated his way into power."
Janus was gaping in awe. This figure had waltzed into his life out of nowhere, and had the ability to tear it down in a matter of seconds.
"What do you want?" Janus asked in a subdued voice
"It's simple, really. All you have to do is ask Zeus for a favor. The ability to -"
"- make minor gods out of demigods." Janus said
"I can definitely grant it, but I don't know if the council will be okay with it." said Zeus
"Please, I'm begging you, just this once." pleaded Janus
"Okay, why not. You have been a good friend and I know that you will continue to be one on the Olympian Council." Zeus said, looking him over sternly
"Of course, of course, without a doubt." Janus rambled
Zeus held up a hand.
"Very well then. Let's get this over with."
Janus glowed a bright gold and then smiled.
"Thank you Lord Zeus. I will remember this favour."
"I hope you do"
"Then you need to make the Seven of the prophecy minor gods."
"But Percy Jackson is-"
"I know"
"So you mean the rest of them?"
"Yes"
Hazel smiled, while sitting next to Frank in Janus's temple. The minor deity looked preoccupied, but he was smiling as well. The remaining Seven were there as well, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Leo and Calypso. They were all grinning except for Annabeth. She was sitting stoically looking down at her hands. Hazel felt her heart break again. Ever since Percy had-. Well no matter. Hazel wasn't about to cry at a happy occasion.
"Well? Have you decided?" Janus asked
"Yes"
"Yes"
"Yes"
"Yes"
"Yes"
"No"
Everyone looked at Annabeth. She was on the verge of tears.
"Percy died two months ago, and all you guys can think about is immortality? Have you no shame?" Annabeth said
Calypso sighed. "Annabeth it is what Percy would want. He would want you to move on and take this chance."
"No! I knew Percy better than all of you. He would want me to remember him."
"Annabeth, remembering is not the same thing as grieving. I speak from experience." said Leo
"You're right" said Jason "Percy would want you to move on"
"I saw Percy as he died, remember? I was right next to you trying to charmspeak him to stay alive. I still feel guilty it didn't work. Before he died he looked at me and said 'Tell her to move on'." Piper said, a tear falling down her cheek.
Annabeth looked guilty. She looked at her hands.
"If you guys think it's for the best, then OK. I accept."
"That's all I need from you Janus. Now look at the ground and don't look back up, otherwise your political career will be destroyed."
The figure got up, stepped out of Janus' temple and vanished into the night. Soon it reached the elevators to the ground floor. It got in, and closed the doors. On the way down it took off the mask, and removed the voice synthesiser. A streak of gray in a sea of blonde hair tumbled out of the hooded robe the figure was wearing. Her grey eyes watched as her hands stuffed the robe into her backpack. She reached into a pocket of her jeans to pull out a picture of him. The green eyed son of Poseidon.
"This is all for you Percy. I will make sure we get our revenge on the gods."
Annabeth Chase looked up and smiled as she exited the elevator.
A/N: Soooo many problems with the line breaks, it's not even a joke. Sorry if it was unclear to you guys, these line breaks should fix it now.