Okay, I couldn't wait to update this :D Thanks for the great reviews!
Lina
"They're what?" my father says, almost laughing.
"Zeus, this is not a laughing matter. They are uneducated and do not know we will defeat them. We cannot kill hundreds of humans," Athena says.
Let me explain. I am sitting in the throne room on Mount Olympus. Zeus is my father, and I am a goddess. Soon I'll officially be the goddess of the stars and also the thirteenth Olympian. Athena has just told my father that humans will be attempting to attack us. I'm sitting on a normal chair in the throne room, and all the Olympians are seated, except for Athena, who is standing before my father. I'm keeping quiet, as many of the others are. Even if the humans attacking Olympus is true, there is no way my father will ever believe it.
My father shakes his head. "My dear Athena, there is no way that humans are going to attack us. And if they do, then we kill them. There's only what…fifty?"
"Two hundred sixty eight," Athena says grimly.
"Well, that isn't very many."
Athena sighs in exasperation. "Yes, but if that many humans die in New York City mysteriously, it will attract a lot of attention. The humans who can see through the Mist may suspect something. And besides, killing that many ignorant humans is not wise."
Ares chuckles from across the room. "I see no problem with it."
Several gods shake their heads and roll their eyes at Ares' statement.
"Perhaps Athena is right," Artemis says.
I wish I could speak up, but it would probably just make a few of them laugh. I've only been around sixteen years, and they've been around for thousands. Most of the gods were not happy to hear that Zeus and Hera were having a goddess child, and they were even angrier to learn my father was making me an Olympian.
My father laughs again and says, "Fine Athena, if what you tell me is true, we will not kill them. Unless they give us something to kill them for," he says. Athena seems to find this satisfactory for now, because she nods and takes her seat.
Then the conversation once again turns to me.
"Now Zeus, can we please discuss the matter of making your daughter an Olympian?" Dionysus says with distaste.
"There is nothing to discuss," he says, looking at me, "Lina will become the thirteenth Olympian. This is my decision."
My father smiles at me, as does my mother. Several of the gods, including Ares, Dionysus, and Demeter, glare at me. I don't blame them. I may be setting off the balance of the whole universe by becoming the thirteenth Olympian.
However, Athena smiles at me and says, "She will make a fine goddess. She is not an arrogant fool, unlike some people in this room." She shoots a glance at Ares.
Artemis nods, "I agree."
"And she's very beautiful," says Aphrodite. I sort of blush.
Poseidon looks a little bit worried. "Yes..she is not arrogant, but is it wise to add another Olympian? After so many years of there being twelve?"
"Trust me, it's wise. But, of course, you wouldn't exactly know that. I mean, you are not the god of wisdom, are you? You are the one who wants our children to be together. My daughter can do much better than your son," says Athena.
Everyone on Olympus knows about Athena and Poseidon's newest disagreement. Apparently, much to her mother's distaste, Annabeth Chase, a daughter of Athena, has been dating Percy Jackson, a son of Poseidon who led the demigods against the Titans. They often brought it up. Athena thought Percy was an idiot, but Poseidon approved of Annabeth and Percy's relationship. I'm technically the around the same age as them, but I haven't ever met them, unless you count eavesdropping on my father offering Percy immortality, and him turning it down.
Poseidon frowns. "When will you accept they are together, Athena? They are happy; and that is also beside the point. I know I am not the god of wisdom, and I don't claim to be."
Athena looks like she's about to say something, but my father says, "Enough! We will vote on Lina's status as an Olympian. All against?"
Ares, Demeter, Dionysus, and Hephaestus raised their hands. Poseidon raised his halfway.
"All for?"
Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Hermes, and Hera raised their hands.
"It's settled once again then. On the day of her seventeenth birthday, Lina will become the goddess of the stars and the thirteenth Olympian," says my father. Everyone stares at me. I just sit tall and don't speak.
My father dismisses the gods, and many zap themselves back to their domain. A few stay behind, including Athena, Artemis, and my parents.
Athena puts her hand on my shoulder and smiles warmly. "I have full confidence in what I have said about you," she says.
"Thank you, Lady Athena."
She walks away, and Artemis approaches me.
"I would like to speak with you about something," she says, smiling.
"Yes, Lady Artemis?" I ask, wondering what she wants to talk to me for.
"Have you considered becoming a maiden goddess?"
Honestly, I had. A lot of the gods I know aren't the nicest guys, and I kinda think my father will end up marrying me off to some glorified hero granted immortality or an arrogant minor god.
"I have," I say.
She nods. "Think very hard about it, Lina. I don't want you choosing something you don't want to honor, but you should consider it. Being a maiden may not make you popular with Aphrodite, but it can be rewarding. You would not have to marry someone you do not want to, and you would not have to watch mortal lovers and demigod children die. Just think about it."
"I will," I say, nodding.
She smiles and says, "I must get back to my hunters. I assume I will see you soon."
And then, with a cloud of silver smoke, she is gone. My parents approach me.
"Rise, daughter," my mother says, smiling. Often times I think she only likes me because I am her first child to be recognized recently. Nevertheless, she offers me her hand to help me up.
"Soon you will have your own throne, Lina. You will be recognized for the powerful goddess you will become, and not your age," she says, still smiling.
My father looks upon me proudly. I smile for his pleasure.
Suddenly, Aphrodite arrives in the room with a puff of pink, sparkly smoke that smelled faintly of roses.
"My darling Lina," she says, taking my hands.
"Hello, Lady Aphrodite," I say.
She smiles a moment then frowns. "Artemis talked to you, didn't she?"
"Um, yes."
She shakes her head angrily. "Don't listen to her. Becoming a maiden goddess is so not worth it. Trust me. Soon a handsome god or demigod will come to you, and you will fall in love with him. I can help you out there. Let's see…I'll focus on gods later, start with demigods…well, of course, Percy Jackson is very attractive, but I have plans for him and Annabeth…what about the son of Hades? He's attractive, now isn't he?" when she realizes that I'm not really listening, she smiles. "Don't worry about it now, dear. But I'll figure something out later."
I smile and say, "Thank you Lady Aphrodite, but I haven't made my decision yet."
My father was listening the whole time, which makes it very awkward for me. He looks at Aphrodite threateningly and says, "Goodbye, Aphrodite."
She flashes him a brilliant smile and disappears in her cloud of shimmery perfume.
Know what? That was a ton of fun to write. I think I'll update soon, but please comment!