2. Poseidon- Code red
We all sat on our respective thrones, waiting for 'lord Zeus', my little brother, to arrive. My eyes scanned the room, as my siblings all stayed dead quiet, only adding to the uneasiness in the atmosphere. I quickly noticed that Hades, my big brother, has joined us from the underworld, sitting on his dark grey, stone throne, with his helm of fear sitting in his lap.
But what I also noticed, was that Ares, Aphrodite and Artemis were missing. On normal occasions, this wouldn't be at all odd. Ares and Aphrodite sneaking off together isn't abnormal, in fact it is generally appreciated not to have to listen to that brutish wargod's opinion. And with Artemis preoccupied with her huntresses, and whatever major threat they are facing, she can't always be around. But when Zeus calls for a 'meeting of great importance', nobody would dare defy him, not me, not Hades, not the rest of the Olympians. But definitely not his children.
All I know is that it is of the strictest confidentiality, which in other words means: No minor gods allowed. So either a massive threat is arising, some other set of gods have crossed their side of the river, or Zeus 'misplaced' his lightning bolt again. Whatever it is, it's bad, and we have barely finished repairing Mount Olympus from the last big disaster.
Finally, Zeus materialised in his seat, and already I could tell we are on code red, because Zeus was lacking his lightning bolt. The thought of another possible catastrophe on the rise made me tighten my grip on my trident. He'd better not accuse me, I thought. Not again.
"So!" Zeus bellowed, anger seething in his voice. "Take a guess at why we're here!"
"Because someone stole your lightning bolt… again," Athena answered, without a tinge of humour in her voice. She's good at that, I'll admit. Applying reason by removing emotion.
"Indeed. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you brother?" Here we go.
"Zeus, might I ask you not to repeat the same mistakes you made last time your bolt was stolen," I said, trying my best to mimic Athena's tone.
"That was different. I admit, last time my judgement may have been a little bit…"
"Rash?" Dionysus filled in for him.
"Maybe. But it is different now-"
"Father. I think Poseidon can be safely ruled out. He has little reason to take your bolt, and the three gods that are not currently present make far more reasonable suspects," Athena said.
Zeus sighed, as if disappointed by the fact that Athena had a point, as always. He looked at me, then at Hades, before shaking his head, dismissing the idea that Hades would take the bolt. What would the god of death want with the most powerful weapon of all?
"You may be right."
"And considering that Ares stole your bolt last time," I added. "The fact that he isn't present is a little bit fishy." Hey, even gods can make puns, can't let Apollo have all the fun.
Before the conversation could go any further, we were interrupted when a certain maiden goddess, walked in, and took her seat. She had ichor flowing from a cut on her forehead, that she wiped out of her left eye.
"I bring news," she said.
"What happened to you?" Zeus asked.
"Ares happened. He-"
"Has the master bolt?" I finished for her.
"Yes. He, uh, lightninged me out of my moon chariot last night." We all know the power of zeus's bolt. Artemis was most likely knocked out on impact, with her head cracked open like an egg.
"But why would Ares commit such a betrayal?" I wondered aloud, whilst stroking my beard.
"Are you sure it was Ares?" Athena questioned.
"Yes, he flew right up besides me in his war chariot, pulled out the bolt and… well, I saw a really bright flash, followed by complete darkness…"
"What I don't understand is why Ares didn't just kill you, if you really were knocked unconscious," Zeus said.
"Perhaps to send a message," Athena said. "But what he thinks he can achieve is unknown to me."
"A war," I mumbled, not intending the others to hear me.
"What?" Hestia asked, with an eyebrow raised at me.
"A war," I spoke up. "What if he doesn't need a reason? What if war is his reason? I mean… he is the god of war."
After a long silence, Demeter spoke up.
"Actually, knowing Ares, that might just be the most reasonable explanation."
"There has to be more to it than that," Athena said.
"It's Ares," I reasoned. "Does there?"
We continued our meeting for the next five hours. A battle plan was formed, and it was like most of our battle plans over the last century: Demigods. But mainly one demigod in particular, if he even still counts as one. My son, Perseus.
"So, Dionysus will oversee the defence of camp half-blood. If Ares intends to win this war, he will have to go through them before he hopes to get anywhere near Olympus. We will recruit some campers to help bolster the guard, and we will lock down the entrance," Zeus said, whilst receiving nods from the rest of us.
"Ok, now there is only one last matter to consider," Athena said, giving me a knowing look. "Perseus," Hestia finished, with a hint of regret in the tone of her voice.
"No," I said, for I knew already what they were considering. Something that I myself am guilty of thinking about. "He chose not to be a part of this life, he wants to be mortal, a demigod, so let him be."
"Poseidon," Athena began. "He's getting there by himself anyway, whether he knows it or not. Eventually, one way or another, he will realise his power. This time next year, he'll practically be a minor. You see it."
"I will not allow you to… It will have to be his choice, and you already know what the answer is," I fought.
"Send him, and… Athena's child, to camp half-blood, to assist with the war," Zeus said, and my heart sank.
"You would set him on the path? Why?" I asked.
"Because, he has potential. He just needs to see it, to feel it. He can still be one of us."
"Even if it's not what he wants?"
"We can't force him to do anything. We can however convince him, or help him get there himself."