Hello. This is chapter 3. Enjoy and stuff. Not much has happened yet but the plot advances a bit. Yay.
Also, thank you for the very kind reviews. It kinda motivates to write a lil bit more so thanks for that. I didn't really expect such positive feedback for my first fic. I'll keep 'em comin for you.
"Olympians, today we are gathered once again to discuss the fate of Olympus and our world." Zeus's thunderous voice boomed in the throne room. All the gods were less enthused about the ordeal than Zeus.
"Dad, we've been over this. If Percy was going to rebel against us he would've done it by now. Everyone knows everyone owes Percy at least once." Apollo voiced out his thoughts, the rest of the gods didn't seem to care. Ares was sharpening his knife, Aphrodite was filing her nails, Hephaestus was building miniature flying drones. Hermes and Dionysus were carelessly sleeping.
"Father, I agree with Apollo. After all these years you still do no trust Perseus? He's done more service to Olympus than any other demigod in history." Surprisingly, it was Athena who spoke up. "I believe him to be a trustworthy ally, betrayal is not in his blood."
"Brother, I grow tired of this. My son has never done anything against the interest of the gods, much less aim to claim your throne. Have you gone senile?" Dad tried his best to calm down the Thunder Lord but it didn't seem to work.
"History will repeat itself. The Protogenoi were overthrown by their children, the Titans by theirs. And of all our children, this boy has the greatest chance of overthrowing us."
I really didn't get the point of Zeus's paranoia. I barely had the intention of being a god, what made him think I wanted to ride to power? I guess this is what he felt when Kronos ate his sibling, history does repeat itself.
"Husband, you realize that your fear of being overthrown is the same as Kronos when he swallowed us. Do you not see what you are becoming?" Hera was the last person I imagined defending me but I guess even she got tired of her husband's endless tirade.
Zeus's expression softened, realization dawning his face. I was relieved but I couldn't help but find his reaction funny.
"That may be so but we can not let him do as he wishes, his powers are becoming far too dangerous."
"Then grant him godhood. As a god he's bound to rules that he can not break, as mischievous as he is." Hestia's voice soft and gentle but everyone heard her. All eyes were on her, even Apollo and Dionysus creaked an eye open.
"As a god he's sworn to us, let him swear eternal loyalty. Would that satisfy you, little brother?"
"But making him into a god would grant him more power! The point of this meeting was to contain said power, not increase it."
"They are family, brother. Not slaves. You are not our father, you are better than that." I watched as all these powerful beings argue over me. To be quite honest I didn't really see myself as that big of a deal. Sure, I got stronger over the years but I couldn't just raise an army on a snap of a finger to topple over Olympus. That'd be more in Nico's department.
Zeus close his eyes in thought, probably weighing his options. He's usually rash when making decisions, it's a bit odd seeing him actually think.
"I see your point, Hestia. What do you think of Percy's godhood, Athena?"
"Personally, I think it's a pain in the ass to have kelphead's ego inflated." And there was the Athena I knew, firing away with the insults. "But I can't deny the boy's value as an ally."
Zeus scratched his beard. Here comes the verdict.
"Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon. Do you accept our gift of godhood, as we've offered you all those years ago?"
"I do."
"Why the sudden change of heart? Years ago you refused as fast as you accepted today. Why now?"
I remembered why I refused back then, Annabeth. And now I was accepting it for the same reason. With godhood I'd have a higher chance of surviving down in Tartarus.
"No reason, Lord Zeus. I really don't see a reason to refuse."
"No matter, let's get this over with. Swear upon the River Styx Jackson. Swear eternal servitude to Olympus."
"I solemnly swear upon the River Styx to serve Olympus and its interest." Upon finishing my oath a thunderous boom followed, sealing my oath to the Styx.
"Good. Now swear to the Void." The entire room had gone silent, each of the Olympians had their gazes fixed on Zeus with mised reactions.
"Father, do you not think this is too much?"
"Holy shit, this ought to be good."
"A bit overkill there dad. All because of a demigod?"
"Brother, you dare—"
"ENOUGH!" Zeus slammed his Master Bolt on the ground, sending a blue shockwave down the floor of the Throne room. "I have deemed it necessary. I will not make the same mistake of our forefathers."
I've been clueless for a good portion of my life but this was the first time I was completely lost. What the hell was the void?
"Uhm, a little explanation please?" I squeaked out and Athena, being the smartass that she was, answered first.
"The Void is the realm of the first deity. Everything emerged from the Void, from Chaos. Breaking an oath bound to the Void will cause you to disappear, no soul, no essence, no chance of reforming. You will simple cease to exist."
I felt a drop of sweat run down my back. Chiron was right, death isn't the end. But having my existence erased sure sounds like the end.
"Fine. I solemnly swear upon the Void to serve Olympus and its interests." And as soon as I finished my oath I experienced the most excruciating pain I've ever felt in my life.
Black tendrils sprouted from the ground and slithered around my body before plunging itself into my mouth. I writhed on the ground in pain, I felt the tendrils wrap itself around my insides. I could feel it from every inch of my body, I couldn't even scream. This pain was more than the pain from Lethe and Styx combined.
"I have heard you and I will hold those words." I heard a whisper that sent a chill through my core. I swear powerful deities have a weird fetish for ear whispering.
It wasn't long until the tendrils receded and I was left convulsing on the floor, my clothes drenched in sweat. Worst god initiation ever.
"As head of the Olympian council I, Zeus, King of the gods, bestow upon Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon, the gift godhood. From this moment forward you will bear the title God of Natural Disasters, a Lord of the Seas. All hail the new god." Zeus's voice was broadcasted all around Olympus, I heard some cheers from outside the throne room. I'm sure I would have been elated if every single part of my body felt like it was being torn apart. This really is the worst initiation ever.
"Somebody get him to my palace, I'll watch over him." Apollo flashed in a bright yellow flash, presumably going to his palace. I was picked up from the ground by his sister, Artemis.
"Well Mr. Sulking and Brooding, congratulations on godhood. It's not how most gods are initiated but you've always been a special case." I answered with grunts and moans because that was all my body was capable of producing. I'm sure she got the message.
"Apollo will take good care of you. He's a god of medicine for a reason. Now rest Percy, rest. Sleep."
"Save me, Percy!"
"You abandoned me!"
"Help me!"
"I don't wanna die!"
"Help us. Help us! HELP US!"
I snapped my eyes open and I was greeted with the smiling face of the Sun god, uncomfortably close to my face.
"Why, hello there sleepyhead. Morpheus not cutting you some slack? He's usually not an asshole." His blazing yellow eyes were like miniature suns. I guess I've never seen him this close. I was in what looked like a hospital room, white walls, white tiles, a window overlooking Olympus.
I sat up from my bed, my body still ached. I noticed my clothes were fresh and weren't soaked with sweat. I actually smelled nice too. I raised an eyebrow towards Apollo, asking for an explanation.
"Well bathing a patient is a part of being a medical provider. Don't worry, I was very thorough." And I felt more violated than the time I got mouth raped by void tentacles.
"Anyways, you were just exhausted. Void oath probably sapped a bit of your life force but don't worry, you're immortal now so it's not like it matters." God of medicine or not, he's got to be the worst doctor I've ever had.
"So yeah, welcome to godhood. You've got shiny golden new blood now! That's pretty much it. Now, out of the palace I'm throwing a party and Hephaestus is looking for you." Apollo switched from terrible doctor to party dude in less than a second. So this is why Artemis is annoyed, he could be serious one moment and be a sleaze the next.
"Thank you, Lord Apollo. I should get going." But before I could get to the door Apollo grabbed my arm, his eyes flared ever so slightly.
"I know you've been going out at night with my sister. I don't know what you're planning but I know you're a good man. You hurt her and I will burn you to a crisp. You won't die but I guarantee you it won't feel nice."
All I could do was nod. No matter how goofy he was Apollo could be scary when he wanted to.
"Great! Congrats and stuff on the godhood thing. Try not to die." I'm afraid all gods are secretly insane and now I was one of them. Apollo flashed out and I left room only to be greeted by Hephaestus waiting outside. He was wearing a white chiton, exposing his extremely muscular arms. He was fidgeting with a small flying drone, the same one he had in the throne room.
"Hey Hephy, thanks for stopping by." Hephaestus put the drone in his pocket along with his tools and stood up. He stretched out his hands and I gladly shook it.
"Welcome to godhood, lad. Can't say I didn't see this coming." He smiled, his seemingly burning beard followed cheeks.
"Thanks. It felt like hell though. But pleasantries aside, do you have it?"
"Aye. Finished it before coming to Olympus." From his pocket he pulled out a golden watch. It shined and glistened like marble. It had nothing special about it, it seemed like a regular watch.
"Here you are, your weapon as you've requested." The old god proclaimed, obviously proud of his work. I put the watch on and it had a bit of weight to it. "Tap it twice." Hephaestus commanded.
Two taps and a celestial bronze handgun appeared in my grasp. It had wave-like engravings on its sides and a trident on the grip.
"It was designed after what mortals call a Desert Eagle. I just made it better. It fires Celestial bronze, Imperial gold and silver. I've put a spawning enchantment on the magazine so you wouldn't have to reload, save you some time when in battle. And just like your sword, the watch will always return to your wrist. Just let go of it and it'll become a watch again." Hephaestus listed off its capabilities with Glee. He was a man who took pride in his work, it's always nothing less than perfection.
The gun wasn't too heavy to carry, wouldn't hinder much in maneuverability. What I was worried about was the recoil of the gun. I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I get there.
"Thank you, Lord Hephaestus. I expected nothing but the best from you."
"Hah! As if I was going to give you anything less. Think of it as a gift from me, I never really properly thanked you for Leo. I love that kid, even more than some of my children. From the grips of Thanatos you brought him back and that's something I can never thank for enough."
Leo was probably the worst off from everyone I knew. The war broke him more than we thought it did, he was just never the same after everything was over. I should visit him when I get the chance.
No more words were exchanged between us and we went our separate ways. I took a stroll around Olympus, sightseeing, relaxing for a bit. I knew that in a few days I wasn't going to have another moment like this. A few nymphs and satyrs recognized me, thanked me, congratulated me. I didn't know who they were or how they knew me but I guess I've helped them one way or another back then. I've done so many things that I'm starting to lose count of the things I've done.
I didn't stay in Olympus for long. I decided to return to camp to plan for my trip down to hell's hell. I started packing cans of nectar, boxes of ambrosia, a whole lot of water, and Riptide. I needed to bring as much as I could with as little weight as possible. I probably would've brought gallons of water if I was as strong as Hercules.
It wasn't long before I finished packing and I laid down in my bed, absorbing the fact that I was a god now. I didn't really feel all that different. To be quite honest it was a bit underwhelming. I would've thought there was going to be bright lights and angelic choirs when I became a god, instead I got tentacle violating my insides. I guess Apollo was right, shiny blood and that was basically it.
"Godhood blows." I said out loud. And surprisingly received a reply.
"Yeah, it kinda does." Out of instinct, I tapped my wristwatch and pointed my new weapon where the sound came from. At the end the barrel was a very nervous looking Hestia.
"Hello, Percy. Can you please not point the bronze death machine at my face? I've heard from Ares that it 'hurts like a bitch'."
Realizing I almost blew off the face of the oldest Olympian, I returned the gun to its watch form.
"Sorry, Lady Hestia. Just didn't expect a visitor is all." She was currently in her teen form, her her brown hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Well I'm sure you do well at surprise parties." I guess smartass remarks run in the family. "I came to visit you at Apollo's palace but he said you had already left, he did have the Party Ponies over so that was a dead giveaway."
"Well I'm honored to have your company."
"You're so formal these days, Percy. Back in the day we used to eat smores together, eat your mom's blue cheesecake, and watch Hermes' children play pranks. Now you're a boring old man." Despite being older than everyone combined, except for Chiron, she seemed a bit childish. A twinge of pain struck me when I realized I haven't talked with Hestia for a long time.
"I'm sorry, I guess I really have gotten old. Not as old you but still older." Hestia did not take the age joke well.
"I see, I guess I'm just a cranky, little old woman. Well this cranky, little old woman brought home cooked pot roast and I just decided you won't have any." And so began our hour long banter before sharing home cooked meals, catching up on what I've been doing for the past few years. To say I enjoyed it a bit is an understatement. Hestia was like a mother, a sister and a friend rolled into one. I didn't bother leaving the cabin that day, I figured I deserved this little celebration.
I talked about being a teacher at camp, and she talked about the drama between Zeus and Hestia in Olympus. Hestia was a silent gossip, with family being her domain she knew the happenings around the Olympians. But just as things were going great the conversation took more of a serious atmosphere.
"Percy, I know what you're planning. It seems very obvious, you're about to do something stupid. I know you're going back down there." I shook my head in denial but she's already read me like a book.
"You can grow a beard, you can become a god, but you're still Percy down to the core. Don't do it, Percy. She's at rest now, it wasn't your fault."
"If I was strong enough then I could've saved her. Annabeth wouldn't have suffered if I was strong enough. I'm doing this for her as much as I'm doing this for me. This is penance for my shortcomings."
"Don't do this to yourself. You've done everything you could, not even you can defy the Fates."
"I'll return, Hestia. It's not like I plan on staying there. I just feel like I need to do this."
Hestia surrendered. She knew she couldn't stop me, not even I could stop myself from doing stupid things. It's not like much is gonna happen when I die, I'll reform in a few thousand years. Not a big deal.
"Well it's not like I could stop you, more powerful beings have tried. All I'm asking is that you return. The world would surely be a lonelier place without you."
"I'll come back, in pieces if I have to. As long as I've got people waiting for me I'll come back
I'm considering turning this into a Percy/Hestia fic because she doesn't get enough love. Just putting the possibility there, nothing's set in stone. Tell me what you think about it.