Artemis' POV
Perseus stood there dumbfounded. I was surprised as well. I knew that we were going to offer him godhood again. But letting a son of Poseidon have a seat on the council… So that was the reason of that glint I saw in Poseidon's eyes. I admit Perseus is an honorable man. Having him would be better than anyone. So thinking that he would reject I interfered;
"Perseus, consider it well. You're just as restricted as one of us due to your status. But this way you will be much more powerful and at least you will be able to interfere with the events in your domains. We will be honored to have you in this council. This council needs someone like you." I said surprising many. My hunters looked at me with plate sized eyes. He looked me surprised as well. And Hestia spoke from the Hearth.
"Perseus, Artemis speaks truth. This council needs someone like you. I gave up my seat because of that filthy excuse of a man. I can't join the council because I don't like the politics of gods. I will be happy if my seat goes for someone who truly deserves it." She said.
Perseus looked her for a few seconds then turned back. We were waiting anxiously, everything was waiting...
After an agonizing, he finally spoke.
"I am extremely honored with the offer and your kind words." He paused and looked me again.
"I accept but I have one more thing to ask." He said.
"If it's reasonable then we'll grant it." Zeus promised skeptically.
"I wish for Lady Hestia to be recognized like one of you. During the war against the Titans, I made the right choice because of her. I had a gift from you but she didn't. Now I see that she deserves this as much as if not more than me." Zeus pondered this for a few seconds.
"All in favor?" Zeus ask again. All of us raised our hands.
"Then Hestia will join the Council as an honorary member. Sister, you will not join votes so don't worry about the politics." He declared. Now I was beginning to worry if all of this was a dream but it couldn't be. We always know if we're dreaming.
With that, there were cheers all around the hall.
Jason clapped his back."You deserve this."
"Thanks Jason." Perseus said.
"Now Perseus, you might feel some discomfort for a few minutes. Mortals, stay clear away from Perseus and avert your eyes unless you wish to be burned alive." Zeus said and started chanting. I joined him in chanting and the rest followed suit. Perseus fell on his knees and screamed. After a few seconds of thrashing, Perseus suddenly burst into a turquoise light. His true form was truly beautiful and I had a sudden strange urge to reach out to him. The whole room was darkened as if he took all the light for himself. Glow decreased gradually with my sudden urge until he stood on his knees in his fifty feet form like us, the Fates behind him.
"Hail Lord Perseus! God of Night, Rain, Tides, Depths, Darkness, Hunt and Nobility…" They spoke in union. They looked at me for a moment and disappeared. I was surprised when they looked me and that he will be sharing a domain with me. His throne was plain but elegant and black like solid shadows. There was a small layer of black fog covering it and the fog was floating in the shape of waves, ending in bottom like water drops raining down on the ground. All in all it was beautiful.
Meanwhile he composed himself and straightened up. My breath hitched at the sight. He looked around twenty-four. His hair grew longer, now falling on his shoulders, a few strands fell before his eyes and if that's possible it got even darker. A dark grey strand on the middle of head was now completely white and it was falling to the left side of his face. Souvenir of carrying the sky for me! I thought. His swirling sea green eyes were glowing with untold power. He was not as tall as Zeus or Poseidon but was definitely taller than other gods. He looked lean and athletic. His features were more defined. Dimples looked perfect on his cheeks. His entire clothes were black but occasional turquoise stripes were placed on them.
He was indeed a definition of nobility. Aphrodite looked like she was thinking about the ways to bed him. Athena and Hera were eyeing him approvingly. Poseidon was smiling; pride was clear in his eyes. Others simply didn't mind.
"You may take your seat." Zeus said gesturing the new throne. They nodded and took their thrones. I knew when an Olympian takes their throne for the first time they would feel a sudden power surge and it could be quite surprising, I thought amused.
"Your palace will be built in week's time Perseus, till then you will reside with your father since you're a sea god." Zeus said. Then Zeus smiled mischievously, surprising us.
"Welcome aboard Perseus!" He said. Everyone was frozen for a second. Then Apollo and Hermes roared with laughters.
"O-Oh my g-gods! Father m-made a joke." Apollo managed to say clutching his belly. There were laughters all around the hall even Hera was laughing. I chuckled a little for myself.
"What? Can't I make a joke?" Zeus asked looking at his sons with amusement in his eyes.
"Of course you can father. And that was a good one, I give you that." Hermes said still laughing.
"Thank you Uncle." Perseus said. He was laughing as well. That smile made his already handsome features even more handsome.
"Now Hestia, come forward." Father commanded. Hestia stood up from the Hearth and came to stood before us. She grew into her thirty feet form.
"I, King of Olympus, hereby deem you as an honorary member of us in the name of Olympian Council. Do you all agree?" He asked.
"We do." All of us said clearly. Hestia's form shimmered and she grew into fifty feet.
"Welcome again sister." Zeus said and gestured the new plain throne at the end of woman side. She nodded and sent a smile to Perseus' way. He smiled back.
The moment Hestia took her throne; it caught fire and covered it completely.
"Okay I think the purpose of this meeting is over unless someone has anything to add." He paused for a moment.
"Very well, there will be celebrations here on Olympus and in our two Camps starting tonight. You are free to join parties wherever you please. Celebrations will continue for three days and four nights long. For now, council dismissed." Zeus said and flashed out with Hera leaving excited gods, nymphs, demigods, satyrs and nature spirits. Apollo and Hermes immediately got up and started a heated conversation about the party in a corner. Perseus leaned on the right side of his throne; his brows knitted, listening Poseidon intently as he spoke quickly.
Hunters were whispering and giggling and stealing occasional glances towards Perseus' serious face. Demigods started to head for doors, excitedly speaking about celebrations. Aphrodite was in her normal human form speaking with some of her daughters and giggling. Hmph. Probably about their hair or some accessories, I thought. Hephaistus was talking with his children about some automation. Athena and Demeter were talking about preparations. Hestia simply left to Chaos knows where. I shrank down into my human form and joined my hunters.
"Girls what are you talking about?" I asked and was surprised to see some of them actually blushed.
"Well they were gossiping about a certain new god." Thalia snickered while blushing ones glared at her. I raised my eyebrow and they immediately paled.
"It's not that we forgot our oaths milady. We simply think he deserves to be an Olympian even if he is a male. At least more than that filthy wine god." Abigail said frowning.
"And he does look good." Lucy said blushing.
We took a good look at him. He was still talking with Poseidon and they seemed to have a disagreement about something because he was obviously not sharing his opinion. Then Poseidon leaned further near his ear and whispered something. Perseus' eyes flashed dangerously for a moment and a furious expression appeared on his face. He whispered something but I could hear him of course;
'Absolutely not! This is my life and my choice, only mine father. I don't want to speak about this again.' He then looked his father in the face.
'Please father respect my choice.' Poseidon's shoulders slumped as he nodded and flashed out. Perseus remained back deep in thought. I was curious about the matter they were talking about. He leaned his temple against his fist. His eyes were looking into space.
I admit he did looked good, like a statue that was chipped out of marble. Hunters were giggling among themselves as we observed him.
"You're wrong Lucy, he looks perfect." I said surprising both hunters and myself.
"Awwww! Milady has a crush." Thalia said like a little Aphrodite girl.
"Thalia!" I warned, glancing at her only for her to laugh even more. I just ignored her and turned to examine Perseus again. But his eyes suddenly narrowed. His head turned towards us as his eyes looked directly into mine. I stopped breathing because I couldn't take my eyes from his as if they have captured my whole being. Hunters went silent when they noticed our intense eye contact. I didn't care. I cared about nothing aside those eyes, those whirlpools... My knees were weak as if they were drawing my energy.
Corners of his lips moved upwards and he bowed his head a little while his lips formed two words. It was nothing more than a whisper but it reached me through the chaos in room.
"My Lady!" With that, he was sucked into the darkness of his throne and disappeared. I realized I was able to breathe again and took a deep shaky breath. Hunters were looking at me with concern.
"Milady, are you okay?" asked Susan. I took a few calming breaths. 'That was strange.' I thought, confused.
"I am okay. Don't worry. I didn't get a proper rest for a while. It's because of that." I said avoiding their suspicious gazes. Only Thalia looked amused.
"Okay, now return to my temple. I know you don't want be near males but parties of Olympus are the best of all." I said and headed for doors, hunters following me.
Percy's POV
Dionysus' exile wasn't something that I expected. But replacing him... that was absolutely not something I would ever expect. Then again I wouldn't accept the offer. But one thing changed everything.
"Perseus, consider it well. You're just as restricted as one of us due to your status. But this way you will be much more powerful and at least you will be able to interfere with the events in your domains. We will be honored to have you in this council. This council needs someone like you." Artemis said, hope was clear in her voice. Her beautiful face was almost pleading for me to accept. When I saw that I knew I could never say no.
After her, Hestia asked me the same. Artemis was also right when she said that I would be restricted because of the Ancient Laws. But I couldn't just take something belongs to a kind goddess like Hestia now, could I? So I asked for her to join as well even if she will be just an honorary member. I wasn't surprised when they accepted her as well.
When Zeus started chanting, it felt like I was on fire. I couldn't help but scream then my vision filled completely with blue. No, not blue… turquoise.
When I was able to see again I was the same size with gods.
After a few seconds Zeus spoke;
"You may take your seat." I nodded went to my throne. It was completely black with and covered with a layer of black fog.
The moment I sat on it, I felt powers of my domains. Closing my eyes I felt the north side of America was rainy. I saw every huntable animal. Restlessness of tides was like my own. I was able to see through the shadows. It was amazing.
Then I couldn't help but crack a smile at Zeus' joke while Apollo and Hermes were howling with laughters.
We accepted Hestia as a member of us. She sent a grateful smile which I couldn't help but return. Her plain throne was covered with fire the moment she sat. Even her eyes contain fire so why not her throne? I thought in amusement.
Zeus dismissed the council but before I leave my dad stopped me. I leaned on the right side of my throne.
"Son, I'm proud of you." He said.
"Thank you, father." I replied.
"I have an offer."
"I'm listening."
"You have gained power on Olympus. But I want you to be my heir. For this to happen I want you to marry the princess Mermans. Merman king will not reject an offer of marriage from an Olympian."
"Father I am honored that you wish to make me your heir but first of all that status belongs to Triton. He served you well for hundreds of years. I can't just ignore that. Another reason is that I can't marry someone I don't love. I loved a girl but she died less than a day before. I can't just think about someone else yet." I answered.
"Percy I love Triton and recognize his achievements but yours are far greater than his and I think, as an Olympian, you deserve more than being just a prince of my kingdom. It's my choice to declare you as my heir. But to do so I must have some more valid reasons. The Merman people don't dare to oppose me but they are not my allies either. If we become allies, we will be invincible." He said hopefully.
"What you don't see is that we are already invincible. Father, think about it. We are two major gods. Before me, you were more than capable of taking control of the seas. But now you have me at your side. Your enemies have always been afraid to go against you. So can those enemies have enough courage to go against two Olympians at the same time? I don't think so."
"Perseus, just think about it you will not be just my heir but Mermans' as well. Please son."
"Absolutely not! This is my life and my choice, only mine father. I don't want to speak about this again." I looked him in the eye.
"Please father respect my choice." His shoulders slumped with disappointment.
"Okay son, if this is what you want, then so be it." And Poseidon flashed out.
I remained in throne room thinking about events the last day.
Then I felt a shiver went down my spine. I was being watched. I turned towards the source. It was Artemis. I looked into her silver eyes. She blushed a little. I continued to look her eyes. They were like little moons, shining. I couldn't think anything else but how beautiful she was. Her pink cheeks fit her face nicely.
I cracked a smile.
"My lady!" I whispered and disappeared into darkness.
This chapter is dedicated to three people who took their time to review. Oh and don't feel bad. I love you guys too. Just some reviews are well appreciated. I had no plan on publishing this chapter before Sunday but the fourth review of the story changed my mind. So you could thank him (I assume, you're male:)), I guess. But that's not essentially a good thing because I couldn't take my time to control the small mistakes so I could have used a 'to' instead of 'too' or something like that. There might be some mistakes in words too. Sorry about that.
Anyway, I would like to say that I am going to update weekly or once in more than five days because I want more time to think about the course of events.
If you're thinking that you have some good ideas you can always PM me or leave them as reviews.
By the way Perseus will know all of his abilities. I don't like the idea of having an Olympian in need of training. Domains come with knowledge. At least that's what I like to think.
Now I will be a good writer and give something to wait for more. In the next two chapters we might learn something about a hero's past. Guess who?:) Hahaha, I know, I'm evil.
Have a good day guys.