Chapter 6

It was an hour later when Percy and Luke walked off the training field. Achiles and the others hadn't done any training with her today. Instead, they had her watch Luke's training and then discussed times with her. She was supposed to come whenever she was able to get off Olympus. Luke had been unusually quiet and she wanted to question him about it, but after not talking for several years, except when he was on his deathbed, it was weird.

Right before she was to exit Elysium, Luke put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her towards him. Holding her at arm's length, he looked into her eyes for a moment before sighing.

"You are never as broken as you think you are. Sure you have a few scars and more than a couple bad memories, but all the great heroes do. Keep your head high, Seph." It was the nickname he had given her when she'd walked through the Hermes cabin door and been announced as Persephone Jackson. Only he called her it, and it made her smile softly.

"I'm trying-"she couldn't continue because Luke shook her.

"No! Your story is one so brave and true that you must succeed," he paused and let go of her.

"What?" she asked and he shook his head and turned to walk back to his home in Elysium.

"Luke!" she called and he paused, not facing her.

"Are we still friends?" she asked, and she saw him stiffen. It was probably an uncomfortable topic for both of them.

"That depends." He replied

"On what?" she called back, and he turned to face her with glinting blue eyes that reflected the 'setting sun' of the underworld.

"If you want to be." With that, he jogged away, growing smaller and smaller in the distance. She smiled and continued on her way, along the skirts of the fields of punishment and towards an all too familiar river that held her ride home.

Xxxxx

It was late when Percy got back from the underworld. The sun had already sunk below the horizon and the moon was high in the sky. She took her helmet off once she was in the elevator. The armor she had on had used to way a ton to her, but now, it was like clothing. Without her armor seemed more awkward then with.

The doors dinged open softly and only certain places on Olympus where still lit up. Mainly, the throne room.

"Shit." She muttered under her breath, striding towards it. Only one of its doors was partway open, and she made her way towards it with a vehemently blank expression. As she neared, she could hear some of the conversation and walked slower to hear it.

"She's my daughter!" Poseidon's voice sounded angry, and Percy shuddered at the thought of him being angry at her.

"Yes, but she's also Olympus's only hope." It was Hera's voice this time, and Percy rolled her eyes at the goddess.

"Yes," surprisingly, this was Dionysus and she froze right outside the door. "She's also a sixteen year old girl whose friends have abandoned her and whose family is now dead."

"I'm her family! I'm not dead!" Poseidon cried out, slamming his trident into the ground.

"Really? You're like a dead beat father. She met you when she was twelve and has only seen you a few times." It was Artemis who said this and Percy found herself nodding softly in agreement. It was silent for a few moments before someone finally spoke.

"Look, I wasn't going to tell you this, but I think it's critical that you know." This sent cold shivers down her body. Apollo had stood up and walked to the middle of the room to have the attention of everyone.

"As Percy mentioned to Poseidon, three demigods have been to Tartarus. One of them is Athena's son, Anthony," he paused and let it sink in for a moment. "Anthony's brain will not let him comprehend what was down there so he hasn't been affected."

"What about the other two?" It was Hermes, curious as always.

"They were Nico, Hades son and Persephone, daughter of Poseidon." Dead silence filled the room and then came the outcries.

"My daughter?" was the loudest and Percy quietly stepped into the room to see their reactions.

"Persephone Jackson must be found!" Zeus's voice was loudest and she grimaced slightly, wondering why he wanted her found.

"Well, it's a good thing you think so father, because she's already been found." Dionysus stared down at her with a vacant, bored expression. Everyone looked at her with mixed expressions and she felt small under them.

"Technically, I wasn't found. I came here myself." She replied, rolling her eyes and setting her helmet at her feet.

"Where'd you go? We looked for you everywhere!" Poseidon yelled, making Percy grimace at him.

"Obviously not everywhere, and for my whereabouts, I'll keep that to myself," Zeus was about to interrupt her but she held up a hand to stop him.

"I'm not going to betray you and I can swear my loyalty to you if you need me too. Even if I don't like you as rulers, you're better than other rulers we could have." This made them frown, but they didn't say anything as Zeus studied his niece with a guarded expression.

"If the time comes for truths to be told, will you tell where you've been?" He asked and she rolled her eyes for what seemed like the millionth time.

"Yes. I'm sure you'll figure it out in a matter of weeks though." She replied and it made some of them shake their head at her in confusion.

"Why?" Apollo asked, almost afraid of what she'd answer. Her mental state really wasn't all that great at the time.

"Because I'll be continuing to go there. If you absolutely need me. Ask Nico where I am." She replied.

"Moving on. How was Tartarus?" Ares asked and Percy winced, and shut down all emotion on her face as she looked at him with lethal eyes.

"Great. As if being almost being killed isn't enough, it seems the nightmares still continue," she paused and let her face go dark as she smiled up at him eerily. "It's a wonderful vacation spot if you prefer the things like torture, death, stalkers, and things that some minds cannot comprehend."

"I think that is highly off subject. We have few questions about the killer of you mother." Dionysus answered him and Percy's face hardened again.

"His voice was unlike what I've heard before. It was full of death and fear. When he laughed it was like thousands of people being tortured." She replied, watching the faces of the gods for any sort of reaction. Most of them stayed calm except a widening of eyes.

"Thank you, Persephone. That helps us a lot." Zeus answered sincerely and she bowed her head. For a few minutes, nothing was said and only the quiet sounds of the city could be heard.

"I call this meeting adjourned until tomorrow. Do not be late." Zeus looked at Percy when he said this, and was surprised when he saw her still looking down.

"Poseidon, take your daughter to your palace." He flashed away in a streak of lightning, followed closely by the other gods. Poseidon rubbed his face, seemingly tiredly and got off his throne. Shrinking down to human size, he gestured for Percy to follow him and made his way out the throne room and down the temple steps.

"I'm sorry for-"he held up a hand for her to stop and leaned tiredly against one of the palace stair railings.

"I don't want to hear it. Where'd you go after going to Apollo's temple today?" he asked, watching her with slightly cold eyes.

"It's none of your business. I'm sixteen-"

"Yes! You're sixteen. You're mother and step-father where just murdered and you've been to Tartarus," he paused and took a deep breath before continuing in a quieter voice. "Percy, I just want to help. I know I haven't been a part of your life, but I want to." Sea green eyes met sea green eyes and she rushed forward to hug him.

"I don't know what to do." She cried into his shoulder and he hugged her tight. The moon shone brightly above them and the sounds of distant party let them know they were not truly alone.

"I know. It hurts and some days you'll feel like it would be better if you weren't here, but you need to stay strong because it's always bleakest in the storm right before the rainbow." She looked up at him with a confused, tilted head and then smiled softly, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"How do you know?" she asked, glancing up at him with a curious gaze.

"I've lost many that I love. Being a god means that you lose both your children and lovers." He glanced down at her and smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry." She felt foolish. Her father would never be able to see them again, but she would. Thinking this, she felt stronger and knew she could continue.

"Don't be. I'm just glad I have this time to spend with you." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and they continued down the street towards his temple in the dark. She felt happier then she had since Tartarus. Everything was falling into place, for good and for bad.