Chap. 6- Tying Up Loose Ends
And on it's seat were a bronze helmet and a cylinder of Celestial Bronze sparking with electricity.
Percy turned, then hesitated and looked back at Ares.
Kill him.
"Who was behind you?" asked the demigod, staring down. When the god didn't reply, Percy lashed a kick into his ribs, this time, "Who put you up to it?"
Another kick, "Who?"
Ares groaned, "L . . . Luke."
Percy nodded in satisfaction before turning away. Prometheus had no knowledge of the outside world besides what Percy told him. Both he and Ares incriminating the same camper was extremely damning. That camper being a son of the patron of thieves made him either a convenient scapegoat or the most real possibility.
Kill him.
"No."
He tried to kill you.
"And he's a god." countered Percy, "It's to be expected. After all, we're the tools of the gods."
It doesn't have to be that way.
"Yes, it does." replied the demigod, picking up the Bolt and Helm, "Lady Artemis would sacrifice any Hunter without a second thought. I have no qualms about death."
Why? You should enjoy life. Seize what power you can.
"I don't want power. Power makes life complicated. Power always has strings attached." Percy shook his head, then casually leapt off the side of the battleship.
There was no shock as he hit the water, of course, though in his hands the Helm and Bolt started vibrating harshly, heating up as they entered the domain of another god in a very direct way.
Probably not his smartest idea.
Silently, he willed bubbles to form around the symbols of power as he kicked his way to the surface and climbed to shore again.
Next stop, DOA Recording Studios.
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Charon had actually waved Percy right through, though the specter didn't take anyone waiting with him.
Percy didn't really care -there weren't any Hunters waiting for pay, nor would there ever be to his knowledge.
The River Styx was foreboding as he was polled across, and Percy could vaguely make out a silver bow in the water. A relic of a Hunter's dreams? The crushed hope of a girl who wasn't and wanted to be?
Regardless, he stepped off the boat and thanked Charon -flipping him a drachma as well- before heading off.
In the darkness ahead, a large, three-headed dog loomed. Cerberus, of course.
How do you fare, loyal guardian of this realm? Percy asked, keeping formal.
The huge monsters glared at him with three sets of eyes, sniffed, then bowed.
Percy walked passed, grateful that he wouldn't have to deal with that.
"You have returned." Alecto hissed.
Percy spun, looking all around. It took almost a minute before he remembered to look above him as well.
The Fury, alone, was perched upside-down on a a massive stalactite. Percy wasn't sure just how her shawl remained on, but he decided to be grateful rather than question it.
"I bear the Helm and the Bolt."
"So you do." answered the Fury, "I will bring you to King Hades."
"Thank you." Percy waited until Alecto's claws wrapped around his arms. The monster's wings beat powerfully as they lifted into the air, making great time until they sailed through the doors to Hades' fortress again.
Once inside and set down, the son of Poseidon knelt, "King Hades, I have returned with your Helm. I thank you for allowing me to enter your presence again, and humbly beg for a favor."
Hades was actually still surprised that Percy managed to retrieve the Helm and the Bolt -Ares, though he was technically the weakest Olympian, was no easy foe to best. And son of Poseidon didn't have a reputation rivaling Heracles.
That being said, he had the feeling that Percy would, eventually, amass such a reputation. And it would be in his best interests to curry favor with Poseidon. In addition, killing Percy now would give him no deniability . . .
But that would mean his own chosen daughter, Bianca, would have to be brought out of hiding now, and trained in time to be the one who would save the gods.
"Tell me, Jackson, when is your day of birth?"
Percy continued to kneel, "August 18th, 1993."
Hades smiled to himself. Perfect.
"And what is the favor you beg from me?"
"Transportation back to Camp Half-Blood." Percy replied, "I believe a singular camper, Luke Castellan, son of Hermes, to have possibly stolen the Helm and Bolt."
That spoke of sense to Hades as well; Clearly, this one wasn't as brain-dead as his father. All the more reason to get the demigod gracious to him.
"I shall grant you this boon, should you complete a task from me." Hades intoned, waving a hand. A tall, modern building with 'outsL teHol nAd Cosani'.
"The Lotus Hotel and Casino. Time does not run there, nor do people who enter leave in most cases." clarified the God of the Dead, "Two of my children wait there, along with -I believe- your friends. Bianca and Nico di Angelo are their names. Retrieve them, and promise to train my children, and I will send you home."
"King Hades . . . you broke the Pact of the Big Three?" Percy asked carefully.
"No. I keep my oaths, unlike my brothers." Hades' mood soured, "Leave me."
"Yes, King Hades."
From there, it was easy to walk out again. Charon was waiting to ferry him across again, and did so.
Percy sighed as he stepped out of the lobby again, "Godsdammit, Annabeth. You and your stupid, arrogant Athena pride . . . and my own, I guess."
He kicked the concrete ground grumpily, his anger growing until it boiled over, "Godsdammit, Annabeth!"
The shout rang into the sky, scaring birds as the voice entered his head, You don't need her. You could leave her.
"I don't want Athena on my bad side."
Say you couldn't find her, but don't look.
"I thought Hope was a good spirit."
Hope is whatever you hope. Whether the ends are judged good or evil, it doesn't matter. I would say there is no good or evil, only those with the power to impose their ideals.
Percy cursed, I don't agree.
But you do. That's why I said it. Artemis had the power to impose her ideals, and she is good.
The son of Poseidon uncapped Riptide, glaring at it, "Are you implying something?!"
No. Nothing at all.
Percy shouted a curse and swung wildly with his sword at what looked like a branchless tree.
The blade went right through, and the pole started swaying harshly.
Over the course of this, though, Percy hadn't exactly been subtle. So the magic on his Hunter's uniform inevitably failed.
Mortal men, mostly muscled skinheads with knives and bats poured out of an alley, ganging up in front of the son of Poseidon.
"Oh, look, Dave. This little boy's a bit too far from his mommy." one of them commented.
"Yeah, wonder if he's got a wallet." Dave replied, "Let's take everything he's got."
Percy snarled, "Go ahead and try. I'm in a really bad mood."
"What're you gonna do about it?" one asked, who looked more bear than man, and more mountain than bear.
Kill them.
"Kill you. The world is better without your filth. Males like you should be culled from the herd." Percy answered, his teeth still bared and his hands free.
"What're you, some kinda Nazi?" another mocked.
Percy didn't particularly see the point of continuing the conversation, and after his failure against Clarisse and her friends back at Camp Half-Blood, he was very eager to prove to himself that his competency was unchanged.
And it was always better to move first. Who was first targeted depended on many things, but in this case, what he was taught was clear.
Extermination.
That meant letting none flee.
So it was better to go for the weakest one first, to avoid intimidating the others.
Percy lunged, slamming his the point of his right elbow into the weak solar plexus, before pulling back slightly and making a palm strike against the males' nose.
The human body was somewhat universal in reactions to certain stimulus. Certain places could cause a leg to collapse, an arm to weaken, or very painful spasms to occur. Hitting someone's nose makes their eyes flood with reflex tears.
The first gangster staggered back, eyes flooded with liquid and thus unable to see as Percy changed his target.
The first thing Percy learned was to never focus on a single target, but give all opponents something to think about.
So the second male got the same treatment, then Percy backed up to a brick wall.
The second thing Percy learned was to not let himself be surrounded. With his back pressed to a wall, he could keep his opponents all in view.
The third thing? Negate an enemy's advantage in numbers as much as possible. Only two could really attack at a time, now that a little less than half of the space surrounding Percy was blocked off.
So Percy was ready to kill them all.
The battle was brief and painful, though not bloody.
The son of Poseidon ducked the first fist that flew, then drove a knee into the genitals of the male it swung from. He collapsed in pain, crying pitifully and allowing Percy to focus on the other one.
Already he nearly messed up, as a fist only brushed his hair as he disabled another mortal.
He kept fighting, going for disabling injuries that would prevent them from escape. Breaking legs and toes. Cracking the pelvis, making their legs seize up and fail. Unconsciousness, or pain overload.
In the end, nearly fifteen mortals were collapsed on the ground.
So Percy picked up one of the fallen bats, bring it down on the first one's head. A horrible crack echoed as the male slumped, but Percy couldn't tell if he was dead.
Easier, he thought, to use one of the many fallen knives to cut the jugular and puncture the windpipe of all of them until he was confident they were all sent to Hades' realm.
That was what Lady Artemis would want.
And after the fact, Percy was more annoyed at the blood that stained his silver jacket than anything else.
"Lotus Hotel and Casino. Lotus Hotel and Casino." Percy muttered, "Island of the Lotus-Eaters. Supposed to be in the Sea of Monsters. Where would the Lotus Hotel and Casino be?" he asked the sky.
"Los Vegas, Nevada." answered Celyn.
"Gah!" Percy spun, "How do you keep sneaking up on me?"
"You still have much to learn, Percy." Celyn smiled, "You're lucky there are so many buildings around. Lady Artemis can't see us."
"Thanks. I don't suppose you can hold onto the Bolt for me?"
"Nope. That's your burden to bear." Celyn clapped him on the shoulder, "Nice work, by the way. With Ares, and those males."
"Thank you." Percy smiled, "You've all taught me well. Los Vegas is . . . that way, I believe."
Celyn shrugged, smiling, "Maybe. Maybe not. Gotta go, see you! Don't get killed. Oh, and remember to pack up."
"Right . . . might've forgotten about that." he shrugged, before walking away and collapsing his tent.
It was a comparatively easy walk, only taking half the day before he saw the lights of a major city in the middle of the desert. He stuck close to the road, within reason being that he had to be in the wild to, as Chiron said, 'Span distances more effectively'.
The Casino wasn't easily found. No one Percy asked had any idea where it was, so he took to wandering and hoping. After all, Hades himself had a personal interest in this venture.
And Hades did guide him.
Moments later, he was standing in front of the Lotus Casino.
It looked very, very modern, but Percy couldn't see any beauty at all in the structure. His view of beauty, after all, was organic and natural.
So he pushed on what he took to be doors, and went inside.
The lobby had a high, vaulted glass ceiling, exposing a bunch of mortal machines Percy had never seen or heard of before. In fact, he didn't even know what a 'casino' was.
His mission, though, was clear: Find Hades' children and Grover. Maybe Annabeth, too, if he felt in the mood.
"Hello, and welcome to the Lotus Hotel and Casino." a man in a suit said. Looking around, it appeared that the ones in the senior positions in staff -from what Percy understood- were men, and other -waitresses, attendants, maids- were all female. Misogyny at its finest.
"Hello. I'm looking for a few friends of mine, actually." Percy asked, trying to fit into the ultra-modern setting, "I'd like to explore the commodities of this hotel with them."
"Certainly. We could make an announcement over the PA system, if you'd wish." the suited man held out a plastic, thin, rectangular prism with rounded corners, "While you wait, why not try some of the machines here."
Yeah, no. Regardless of how wary Percy was of those machines, he had no idea how to operate them, "Thank you. Their names are Grover Underwood, Bianca di Angelo, Nico di Angelo, and, I suppose, Annabeth Chase."
"At once, good guest." the man bowed slightly and walked away. Only a minute later, the voice of the gods boomed out across the building, "Would Grover Underwood, Bianca di Angelo, Nico di Angelo, and Annabeth Chase report to the lobby, please? Would Grover Underwood, Bianca di Angelo, Nico di Angelo, and Annabeth Chase report to the lobby, please?"
Percy waited for half an hour until Annabeth and Grover arrived -they were the first.
"Got tired of your barbaric tent?" Annabeth mocked, "Got too cold, Hunter?"
Percy sighed, then wound back and slapped the demigoddess across the face. It felt a little too satisfying, but the daughter of Athena flinched as two young people -of Italian persuasion- arrived.
"Bianca? Nico?" Percy asked, "I need you to come with me."
"Why?" Bianca replied, eying the boy who was a little younger than her.
"Your father's orders, actually." Percy spun a quick lie, "My father, actually, is waiting outside. He's calling your father now."
"How do I know?"
"Umm . . ." Percy sighed, "Just please trust me a little? I won't touch you. These two, actually, were supposed to get you, but didn't."
The son of Poseidon pointed to Grover and Annabeth, then grabbed their wrists and started dragging. They both protested a little, but Annabeth was still reeling from the slap and Grover looked . . . dazed, actually.
The two children of Hades followed hesitantly, Bianca taking the lead. Meanwhile, Percy looked around for the creature he knew was there. He had no doubt that a Fury or two was following.
"Tell Hades I have them, but they don't trust me." announced Percy.
He heard only a single wingbeat, and seconds later, his world turned over.
Percy staggered, then tripped over a low table and fell face-first on the Big House' carpeted floor. His head clipped the corner of a chair, and the world went black.
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"Perseus."
The son of Poseidon blinked -he was still on the floor, but now everyone was standing over him -Chiron included.
Annabeth snorted, "Typical."
"Are you injured?" Chiron asked.
Percy felt around, "Just a bump. How long was I out?"
"Only a minute." answered the elderly centaur, "The two demigods you brought are watching the orientation video currently. Were you successful?"
Percy gathered his thoughts, while Annabeth shook her head, "Ares has the Master Bolt and the Helm of Darkness!"
"About that . . . Chiron, I need to talk to you. In private." Percy groaned as he got to his feet.
"We need to find Ares!" protested the daughter of Athena.
"We'll get the Bolt soon. After I talk to Chiron." Percy promised, heading out.
Chiron clip-clopped after him, and once they were in a secluded room, the son of Poseidon unslung his pack and pulled out the most powerful Symbol of Power among the gods.
"Luke stole the Bolt and the Helm. I don't know what he wants, though." said Percy with a hushed urgency.
The old centaur raised an eyebrow, "Annabeth seems to think Ares still has the Master Bolt and the Helm of Darkness."
"She was trapped in the Island of the Lotus Eaters." answered the son of Poseidon, "I don't have time to explain it all, but Luke stole both symbols of power. He's our real enemy."
"Perseus, my boy, what evidence do you have? Luke Castellan is a veteran camper; I have not seen a reason to accuse him of treason." Chiron replied carefully.
"Ares said that Luke was the one who gave him the Bolt and the Helm. First, though, I need to return this," Percy gestured to the Bolt, "and stop a war. If it gets stolen again, I will move against Luke even if no one believes me."
"Argus will drive yourself and your questmates to Olympus tomorrow." answered the aged centaur, "But the word of an enemy is worth very little. Can your questmates be ready to leave tomorrow?"
"No. I'm not taking them. They were less than useless." scowled Perseus, "I'll fought alone, so I'll see this to the end alone. I won't let them take credit for the blood that I shed."
"Perseus-"
"No! You want evidence? I'll get evidence. Tell everyone I have the Bolt! Announce it at dinner, why don't you? Tell them it's in the Big House! I'll wait, and I'll see who tries to steal it, and I'll stop them!" Percy shouted, "You don't believe me? Fine! I have the Bolt. I'll get the evidence."
Chiron looked at the young man almost red with anger and frustration, "If that is what you wish, Perseus. If that is what you feel you need."
"Yes. That is." slowly, Percy calmed, and when Chiron went for the door, he spoke again, "Actually, don't do that. I'll tell Annabeth that I have the Bolt, and I'll tell her not to tell anybody that I think Luke is a traitor. She'll tell Luke, and I'll catch him trying to steal the Bolt."
"Are you sure?" asked Chiron.
Percy nodded deftly, "I'm sure."
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It was nightfall, and Percy was waiting in Cabin Three.
The Bolt, however, was not waiting. It was in Juniper's tree, in fact.
The cheese didn't have to be in the trap if the mouse thought it was there.
Inside the cabin were an impressive array of assorted traps.
And outside that cabin was Percy, waiting with an arrow notched.
No one came. Not even a whisper, other than the harpies, who didn't approach after a few warning arrows.
When the morning arrived, the son of Poseidon cursed, got the Bolt from Juniper, and let himself be driven to Mount Olympus without complaint.
The many-eyed creature led Percy through the busy streets, the son of Poseidon clearly out of his element even before they entered the august building, with the man who looked like a guard waving them through as soon as he set eyes on the monstrous Argus.
The inside of the 'elevator' was tortuously small. Sounds drifted from somewhere hidden, filling the metal box with strained sounds of someone singing. It was an unfamiliar tune, and strange instruments as well.
Argus inserted a plastic card into a little slot on in the 'elevator', and it began moving.
Percy's hands flew to the railing, keeping himself railrod-straight and his entire body tensed. His breath quickened, his heart sped up, and his vision wavered as -slowly- different lights turned on the the 'elevator. Different numbers were outlined, counting higher and higher and higher until -finally- his claustrophobic torture ended.
The son of Poseidon practically leaped out of the torture box, only after stopping in amazement at the spectacle that was Mount Olympus.
It was a strange sight. The Hunters had told him about it, of course, but now that he was here . . . it far outshown any words that could be used to describe it.
The summit of the mountain was shrouded in clouds, veiled in a light mist. Hundreds of glorious mansions, made of bronze, marble, gold, silver, granite, even gemstones coated the slopes. Winding roads of brilliant white marble wended their way up the sides, leading to flawless green courtyards and even small parks.
Yet to Percy, it felt off. There was clear tension in the air, and what greenery he saw was all domestic, kempt, and cordoned.
That wasn't the wild. It was far from the wild.
Even Lady Artemis had little power here.
Percy started walking, uncaring that Argus was no longer with him. Elegant, massive palaces lined the streets on either side, and music played in the background -light, beautiful, playful tunes of jingles and the heavy, dramatic strains of epics mixing, intermingling but never clashing.
These were instruments he recognized. This was, despite his sense of foreboding, the society he was used to -the paradise with strict social structure, and a powerful, absolute ruling class.
It went to show that Prometheus was right: The Olympians, and their governing system, were opposite of the representative democracy of the United States of America. There were greater centers of art then this nation, as well, and several countries weren't in debt.
It all only highlighted the one great similarity they shared: Power. Military power.
It was disgusting, but that was life for Percy.
He soon passed through a courtyard that disgusted him in it's own way -delicate, beautiful flowers with fragile, wavering blooms. Something like that would be exterminated quickly in the wild that he called home.
Then he came to the Throne Room of the Gods.
Or rather, the Throne Room of Twelve Gods.
It was on a complete different level of opulence. Wealth so great that it didn't need to be flaunted -for even flaunting it would be enough to cover the entire city in gold. It was grandiose, a show of power that was meant to awe and impress.
But the open space and the massive size didn't make Percy feel small. In fact, he'd seen trees just as big -or bigger- in one of the Hunt's travels to California -the redwoods.
And besides, he like the open air much, much more than suffocatingly enclosed spaces. If they wanted to throw him off, they'd need a box or a tight tunnel.
The massive doors -made of pure gold and silver- were open wide, and inside sat twelve empty thrones.
Behind each one was a single column, decorated with the respective god's or goddess' domains and scenes from their past.
The sky had been covered with a freestanding dome, inside of which was inhabited with moving constellation.
Five days until the winter solstice remained. If Luke wanted to make a move, then would be the perfect time. But unless he popped out from behind a pillar, the son of Hermes was far too late.
"Young hero." a voice said. Female. Young.
Percy turned, seeing an hearth with a small fire burning in the center -small still being three times his size.
A hearth. One goddess only would inhabit the hearth in the Throne Room of Twelve Gods. Perhaps it should be Thirteen, then?
The soon-to-be Hunter knelt, "Lady Hestia."
"You carry a burden. Something weighs on you."
"Yes, my lady. It would not be due, however, to trouble you with it." replied the son of Poseidon, his head bowed.
"I don't mind. You are a member of a certain hearth which is dear to me. I have a place around that flame as well." explained the goddess, "I was a Hunter for a time. Long ago."
"If you truly wish to know, I feel that something is wrong. A camper -a traitor- who as far as I know wants to trigger a war between the gods." Percy shrugged off his pack, reaching in to retrieve a certain magical cylinder.
"I wouldn't reveal it now." Hestia warned, "Once you do, the entire Council will be alerted. They will come. And it would not be remiss to be ready to plead for your life. It would look especially bad if it appears that you are presenting the Bolt to me, a good friend of your . . . patron."
"I see." Percy replied. He could understand that, as well. It was something Celyn had told him about -Olympian politics. He couldn't blow off Poseidon, for instance, because the Sea God would be enraged at Lady Artemis. At the same time, he couldn't truly acknowledge Poseidon as his father or do as he wished, because Lady Artemis would be suspicious of any interactions Poseidon might've taken.
There was a delicate system of alliances within the rulers of Olympus. Lady Artemis had close ties to Athena -and Hestia-, while she knew she could wrap Zeus around her little finger. She also had sympathies with Hephaestus, and -of course- Apollo. Aphrodite and Ares would never support her, and Hera didn't think she fit the mold of the perfect family -unlike the beautiful Aphrodite and the powerful Ares.
Dionysus, for his part, liked no one and was liked by no one. Hermes and Demeter usually followed their conscience, and Poseidon voted against Athena in all but the rarest circumstances
Politics.
"Please, don't hesitate to talk to me whenever you wish." Hestia smiled wistfully, "Few do. Too busy to think about their homes and their families."
"I will. Thank you, Lady Hestia."
"Please, no honorifics."
"As you wish." Percy stood as Hestia sat within the fire, bringing it to a roaring blaze before the son of Poseidon took the Bolt from his pack.
The bright flashes of light that followed nearly blinded him.
├-┼-X-X-X-┼-┤
When Percy opened his eyes again, only a few seconds after closing them, he faced a group of gods. All twelve Olympians.
After this, his official quest would be over. Hopefully, they would give him their personal sanction to bring Luke in.
"Mighty King Zeus." Percy knelt, holding out the Master Bolt, "I would like to return what was stolen, and swear on my life that I was not responsible for the theft."
The god was dressed in a sharp, dark blue pinstriped suit, with a voluminous beard. His black hair had a youthful color, not yet apparently belonging to a man past his prime. Percy knew all the gods kept themselves in peak physical condition, but few actually put in the effort to get it the 'natural' way.
"There is a threat to Olympus." Percy said, "Another sought to create bad blood between you, King Zeus, and your brother, Lord Poseidon. I know not his end goal, but several very unlikely things have happened. Lord Ares," he gestured to the beat-up god, "has been manipulated by a demigod. I believe the same demigod to have stolen two of the most powerful, most magical, and most symbolic items on this Earth."
"I see." Zeus grumbled, his voice rumbling like thunder that hadn't yet erupted in a major clap. His hand outstretched, and the weapon flew into his right palm. There, it lengthened and changed into a javelin of lightning, crackling and hissing. The clean, sharp scent of ozone filled the air, and the sheer power radiating off of it was staggering.
"Another was stolen?" a new voice asked. Athena.
"Yes, Lady Athena. The Helm of Darkness." replied the son of the sea, turning his kneel to face her, but still keeping his head down. Percy was acutely aware of the dislike she must have, "Knowing the effect that the second World War had on the mortal populace, and how close the following tensions came to ending the world, I can scarcely hope to imagine what a new war -a modern war- would do to the domains."
"You said a demigod betrayed Olympus. Who?"
"A son of Hermes, Luke Castellan. It is he who manipulated Lord Ares, and stealing two symbols of power may not be beyond him." answered Percy, "That is what I came to believe over the course of my quest."
"No! Luke wouldn't do this!" Hermes shouted in protest, then the entire Council erupted into arguing.
"Silence!" Zeus boomed, a thunderclap punctuating his words, "Present your reasons, spawn of the sea."
"Lord Ares identified him as the one to give him the Bolt and the Helm." Percy answered, "I have also spent some time in the company of Annabeth Chase, who traveled with him for a long time. Having heard stories from her -one concerning a confrontation between him and Lord Hermes, along with an older demigod named Halcyon Green, that I believe Luke Castellan feels used. Admittedly, the evidence is circumstantial. However, it is also strong."
Athena, who was keeping a cool skepticism of his words, spoke up, "What does my daughter think of this accusation?"
"She offered little words, though I gather she didn't agree. Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood, my companions on the quest to retrieve the Master Bolt, were trapped in the Lotus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada while I obtained the symbols of power and Lord Ares' testament."
"Isn't that convenient?" Athena asked, "Both of those who could offer their testament were not present at the event, and more so, are not present here. A son of Hermes would be easily incriminated. A specific son of Hermes that you personally heard of and are familiar with the history of, yet not giving any credit to the struggles he overcame."
Ouch. That, sadly, was a great deal of similar circumstantial evidence that would call Percy's word into doubt. Hades wouldn't be trusted, either, but there was one other goddess present who could weigh in with on-scene experience. However, he wasn't suppose to know that Lady Artemis was there.
Percy was only hoping she would step in here, but if not, he had a plan.
Unfortunately, Lady Artemis didn't speak up.
"I understand that my testament can't be completely trusted." Percy acknowledged, "So I only hoped to repair relations between you, King Zeus, and Lord Poseidon to prevent a war that would divide Olympus to an even greater degree than the Trojan War, while also retrieving the Helm for Lord Hades. If another enemy rears it's head, I plead you to remember who the real enemies are."
Zeus looked down on him, then finally spoke, "You have my thanks for retrieving my chosen weapon. While my brother isn't the most shocking bolt in the sky, perhaps even he isn't brainless enough to steal my symbol of power. I will spare your life, despite it's breach of the pact, to show my thanks. If no one else has any other comments to make, this council is over."
No one spoke.
"Very well. The Council is dismissed."
Within seconds, every god was gone but three. Four if you counted Hestia in her fire, of course.
Zeus, as it turned out, only had one more thing to say, "I may be thankful, but you are a risk to Olympus that I am only reluctantly tolerating. Do not overstep your bounds."
He disappeared, Bolt in hand, with a brilliant flash. Leaving two -Poseidon, and Lady Artemis.
"Thank you, my son." Poseidon said. He was aware of the goddess' presence, too. And aware of what it subtly signified as well -her very real claim over Percy.
"It was necessary to prevent a war and ensure Olympian stability, Lord Poseidon." his son replied -not explicitly renouncing their relationship, but not giving Poseidon anything to work with.
Poseidon shifted uncomfortably, "I am . . . sorry for . . . putting you in the path of Zeus' anger."
Percy didn't show any emotion, "I understand, Lord Poseidon."
"You do?"
"Gods can't care about mortal beings. We die. I can't expect you to be the exception, Lord Poseidon." replied the son. He knew that wasn't what Poseidon was looking for, but Percy had no intention of becoming Poseidon's 'property' instead of Artemis', "I would like to return to Camp Half-Blood and continue my search for evidence."
"Of course." Poseidon replied, shocked before he hardened again, "You did well, Perseus Jackson. Never mistake my silence for disapproval. Remember that you are my son, a true son of the Sea God. You are mine."
That was a challenge. If Percy acknowledged it, then he couldn't swear allegiance to Artemis with a Hunter's oath. If he didn't, it would trigger Poseidon's anger against Artemis.
And Percy couldn't let that happen.
"Lord Poseidon, I'm sure you understand that the sea overcomes any barrier set against it. I cannot control where my path with lead. I can only hope that you will approve of my actions." Percy bowed, "I'm sure someone of your august status has much work to do in the running of such a powerful domain."
Poseidon blinked, not expecting the veiled dismissal, yet on the receiving end of a glare coming over Percy's head. A glare that he didn't like, "Yes. I will see you again, Perseus."
Then the god was gone, leaving only a sea breeze behind.
Now for the last one. Percy turned, and knelt, "Thank you, my lady. I'm still working on my sword skills, but once I learn, can I enter the Hunt?"
"You will be the correct age in another year, my Hunter." Artemis replied, "I will bring the Hunt to Camp Half-Blood soon this summer . . . very soon. Keep Luke Castellan there."
"Yes, Lady Artemis."
"You did well, Perseus." Artemis smiled proudly, "I'm glad you survived. Unlike Zeus, I don't think leaving you alive is a fitting reward, so take this."
'This' was an arrow. A very special arrow.
"Should you face an opponent of Ares' caliber again, use it." directed the goddess, "And, if you ever feel the woods are unsafe in Camp Half-Blood, you have my permission to use Cabin Eight."
"Thank you, my lady."
"You did a great deed, Perseus." Artemis shrank in size, then placed a hand on his shoulder, "There is a maiden in Camp Half-Blood who needs your help. You are the only one in Camp Half-Blood, one of only two in this nation, who can help her."
"Who, my lady?"
"Thalia Grace."
A/N: Done with that. Man, finals are coming up quickly.
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