Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians and their stuff…
Chapter 3
7 years passed…
During the 7 years Percy had with Lady Khione, he trained everyday on his combat skills with swords and daggers. Even though he aced throwing knives, he can never shoot straight when holding a bow and arrow. He was still learning with creating hurricanes while fighting and minor earthquakes but Khione was sure he can do it when the time comes. Over time, he learnt that the bracelets were actually twin daggers in disguise and he christened them "Tidnals".
13 year old Percy dragged his heavy feet up the endless stairs towards his mother's throne room tiredly after his training since his mother wanted to talk to him. He drew in deep heaving breaths while he cursed the fact that his destination was at the top-most tower of the palace, making his journey terribly tiresome. He literally crawled up the stairs as glistening beads of sweat dribbled down his forehead.
As he reached the last few steps, he broke into a jog, taking hurried but long strides to see his mother. Khione sat regally on her throne that was made of ice, her usually stoic expression was now replaced by a hint of worry and fear in her sapphire blue eyes. "What made mom so concerned?" Percy wondered as he approached his mom.
"Hey mom, you should re-construct this palace and situate your room on the ground floor, it drives me crazy to know I have to climb those blasted stairs to see you." Percy greeted, adding his own suggestion in a hopeful voice.
"Dear son, you know I will not go through all the trouble to do so and when you are even more powerful, you can just control the winds to bring you up the stairs." Khione told Percy.
"True… But the wind powers are difficult, I barely inherited any of the powers from grandpa." Percy whined, pouting childishly.
"Percy!" Khione exclaimed.
"Okay, okay. So why did you call me to talk to you?" Percy asked, smartly changing the subject before his mother scolds him.
"Can't a mother talk to her own son?" Khione questioned in return.
Percy raised an eyebrow in response as if saying, "I know that is not the reason."
Khione sighed in reluctance and gave in. "Okay, maybe that is not the real reason. Your father and I just had a talk."
"Okay…. So what is the big deal about that?" Percy inquired to his mother, his eyebrows furrowed in perplexity.
"Your father said his brother, Zeus, found out about you. The gods are requesting your presence. Since you were not supposed to born, and you are powerful, Zeus might kill you. But it is the king's orders, no one can deny it. Poseidon thinks it is time for you to reveal yourself. We can only hope some gods will disagree with Zeus." Khione informed Percy sadly.
Percy thought back to their talk about gods….
Flashback
"Mom, Auntie Hestia once said you were against the gods of Olympus, is that true?" Percy asked hesitantly, knowing he was stepping onto a minefield. His mother changed the subject every time he mentioned this.
Khione sighed, knowing they cannot avoid the topic any longer. "Yes…"
"Why? Do you not like them?" Percy asked curiously, thankful that his mother finally gave in.
"Well, I do not like the mortals they protect. If there was a war against Olympus, I would join the enemy, because wherever they stand the gods protect the mortals." Khione explained, frowning in distaste at the word 'mortals'.
"So… you do not like mortals then. That is all, that is the only reason why you would go against Olympus?"
Khione nodded after some thought. But then she added, "I do not like how Zeus rules with his big ego, but other than that yes."
Percy nodded, he agreed with his mother, the way Zeus ruled was not proper, he was arrogant and he uses his powers incorrectly by eliminating possible threats to his seat of power. His mother constantly reminded him of that. But the other gods were fine, they contributed to helping the world without a universe-sized ego.
"But why do you not like mortals?"
"They never paid attention to me. They never knew I existed. I was just a mere snow nymph that stayed in the shadows. Even in ancient times, they hardly recognized me. I hated their cluelessness, how they thought they knew everything." Khione rambled, her fury overwhelming her.
"Mom, it was their loss, you are a powerful goddess and a compassionate mother. I know you for who you are." Khione calmed at her son's words.
"Thanks, Percy. But only you know me. How about the rest of the world that think I do not exist? Do you understand how painful it is to see that the people I was supposed to help and support did not know me, to them I was nothing." Khione said, throwing her arms up in exasperation, as frustrated tears ran down her cheeks. "To think the gods will protect them! They only do so because the mortals worship them because they are oh so powerful. But they never knew or gave one thought about others."
Percy's devotion to Olympus wavered for a while after hearing his mother say all those meaningful and hurtful but true words. He always thought the Olympus he was destined to save was fair, and that they made sure everyone was noticed. But he thought wrong, he thought of all the minor gods that never had the attention that they deserved. He felt sympathy to them. He started to see those that stood up against Olympus in a new light.
"Mom, I swear on River Styx, I will make sure every minor god or goddess that was left in the shadows will get what they deserve. They will be noticed, their kids shall be claimed, and they will finally be accepted. I will do this for you and for the sake of other gods if I ever have a chance." Percy told his mom sincerely.
"Really Percy? You would do that for us?" Khione asked shocked, she never thought her boy would be so… so loyal and selfless to do such a thing for her and the other gods.
"Of course, mom. We can prevent the titan war that is approaching from ever happening again." Percy assured his mom, nodding his head.
"Thank you." Khione breathed, gratitude laced in her voice as she leaned down and gave her son a peck for thanks.
End of Flashback
"So I have to tell everyone who I am after hiding for so long? What about Zeus' kids, dad cannot have kids but Zeus can?" Percy asked is disbelief.
"How did you know Zeus had kids?" Khione asked her son, shocked at this revelation.
"During the outings I had in other countries when I helped demigods find their way to Camp Half-Blood. I encountered a daughter of Zeus, I could smell the ozone, but she seemed nice and selfless." Percy explained casually, wrinkling his nose where he mentioned the smell.
"Oh, really? Actually no one knows Zeus had kids, you need to mention this when you are brought before the council. Since Zeus is paranoid about people with more powers than him, you cannot show or mention about your access to mines and Aunt Hestia's powers, okay?" Khione instructed Percy, her concern to Percy deepening.
"Don't worry, mom. But for now, I will just live my life and wait until they come for me. So can I go for an outing?" Percy asked his mom eagerly, anticipating the prospect of having free time with no stress, no training in other countries.
"Hmm, sure. But be careful, okay?" Khione answered after a while.
Percy nodded cheerfully. He then closed his eyes and concentrated on breaking down his essence and transforming them into little water particles before moving them through water around the world, bring him to his destination.
