Throne room, the thrones of the Olympians, placed in a half circle with Zeus throne at the center. Each throne displayed the domain of each god. Currently, only half the Olympians were present. My father sat in his throne. He seemed calm almost gloomy. Following his gaze, he stared at his hands… clearly depressed for some reason.
"Father…" I called.
He looked at me, clearly shaken. "Son… are you well?" he asked.
"As well I can be…" I said.
"I need to speak with you…" he said. Getting off his throne, he walked toward me, motioning out the room. Zeus nodded, allowing Poseidon to speak with me.
Glancing at Zeus, his face contorted in rage. Giving me a angered stare, he left in a golden flash. Zeus is angered… for what reason? Is it because Of what happened with Artemis? I've heard she is Zeus favorite daughter… but then again I have no idea. Then why my father so saddened… almost if sadness or regret clenched his heart. I guess things will clear up when I talk to him.
I followed him through Olympus's busy streets. Nymphs, satyrs, minor gods roamed Olympus. Curious eyes followed our every move. Some questionable looks but others searched for gossip. We were on the Olympian circle, where the palaces of the gods made a circle around the main palace. Stopping at my father's palace, an aquarium lay in front of his blue-green palace. Entering the palace, we sat on a couch in a small living room.
"Percy… I heard… about what happened with Artemis," He said, "how are you feeling?"
"like I haven't heard that exact line so many times," I said," how do you expect I feel? Happiness? Excitement? Of course not, I feel violated, hurt… am I but a mere toy to you gods?"
"Son… it is not like that. I care for you… like I care for triton." He said, "You are precious son to me…"
"Answer my question…" I asked, "Why do seem depressed? And I know it has to do with me… don't lie."
He remained silent, diverting his eyes away from me.
"Why the hell are you looking away, father?" I said, "You're hiding something…"
I clenched my hands, into a fist, and drove through a small coffee table. The table shattered into pieces. Faintly, in the background, the large television on CNN spewed reports of powerful storms at sea and numerous hurricanes in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
"I hate all this… lies and deception," I said, "isn't there supposed to be peace… the war is over and the camps have come to a truce. But all I feel is pain…Can't nobody understand my shattered existence"
Poseidon looked at me, signing, he said, "You aren't the only one Apollo tried to trick,"
"Say it… don't deceive me, tell me the truth,"
"Apollo tried to prank Athena and me…. but, "it worked but it wasn't Athena… but Annabeth… so your memories of her recovering were taken and we told you, she was injured, even though she had recovered. Annabeth was worried about you, so we decided not to tell you anything… because of your current state,"
I laughed as my heart shattered. I knew something occurred, but I would not even think it would be that… no wonder he uncomfortable, almost unrestful. It reminds me of myself…I am his son after all. Annabeth… I, worried for her, wondering if were okay. It seems it had all been a lie. I wonder how much of my life has been but a distorted reality. I wonder if Annabeth even loved me in the first place. To betray me with my father, it quite a low thing to do. Does my mother even love me? What a cruel but beautiful world.
"I see… father… everyone has betrayed me… I am alone," I said. I headed for the door, until a hand stopped me."
"Percy… It but an accident," he said
"Heard that too many times I lost count," I said
"If you don't trust me, what about your mother, she loves you," he said.
She took care of me, at least but I know everything Poseidon. Mother used me to try to "catch" you. But being daughter of Amphitrite, that bit took me by surprise. Going after your stepfather, sally. You sure have no bounds, don't you my dear mother? Didn't help that Amphitrite made my life hell. Blaming me for all that happened. You don't anything my dear father.
"Don't joke with me… I know everything, about her being Amphitrite daughter and the mess that came after I was born. She appeared before when I had turned five… she was enraged and told me everything including how much she hated me and wished me dead. I denied everything she told me… until she apologized after the titan war, but affirmed the truth. Do you know how devastating it was to hear your mother using you… a mere child to catch a man? It destroyed me, shattered me. I ignored such information especially when we lived with Gabe but I still had such dark thoughts In the back of my mind. Even now, I doubt her love for me." I said. I took a deep breath, after releasing everything… my deepest fears. Poseidon brow curled.
Poseidon eyes widened. "They both love you Percy," he said, "Sally would protect you to the point of defying the gods and Annabeth thinks of your wellbeing…" I said.
"I know my mother loves me but that does not excuse her for using me at first. It's not my fault I was born into this world," I said, "and Annabeth, I don't know what to say, I loved her… maybe I still love her… I don't know anything anymore. My world has been shattered."
No one spoke. Silence covered the room, only the faint sounds from the television in the following room. At one point, I did love my mother and Annabeth unconditionally. But what about Artemis? A close friend, one I trust. After I took her purity, I doubt she wants to see me alive. She became an anchor to my pitiful existence. Do I love her? No, I can't. Even if I did, I doubt she would return my sentiments.
What is love anyways? Affection? Attraction? Or maybe even obsession? I cannot even fathom what love is? I know I care for my mother for all she's done but I can't forgive her for trying to use me. Annabeth is someone I like maybe even loved. Artemis, the cause of my doubts and the one person I betrayed. With Artemis, I felt comfortable. I had no reason to lie to her, no reason to put up this façade of a good person when my life was hell… is still is. Is that love? Enjoying Artemis' company and faithfully trusting her. Then what did I have with Annabeth? A simple attraction? Or something else?
"Father isn't there a meeting, we must attend," I said.
Poseidon gazed at me in concern. "Do you want to see your mother?"
"Not really… I don't want to worry her," I said.
"Seems you are out of luck," a voice said.
I turned to see my mother sally, entering with Amphitrite at her side. What are they doing here? Most of all, what the hell is Amphitrite doing here? She made my life hell and now she is nice to me. I won't forgive her…
"Hello… Percy," Amphitrite said," haven't seen you in a while… you've sure grown."
I clenched my fists, calming myself and my mind. Calmly I said, "Hello mother…" looking at Amphitrite directly, "Amphitrite… how have you been?"
*Quick update... New years's still by 10 minutes. hope you enjoy... and back to percy...