Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or anything written by the author Rick Riordan, I only own my Original Characters. Signed, George Hurt

Chapter 7: The Game of Immortal Life

Today was the 5th anniversary of the death of Perseus Jackson Jr. Percy hadn't really came out of his palace at all. He just stayed there, summoned the occasional scrap of food, watched sad movies, and pitied himself. He stayed in surprisingly good shape though. Perseus Junior's child that his girlfriend, Julia from the Ares cabin, had conceived was born healthy and strong. A boy named Perseus Jackson the 3rd, so it was basically turning into a name cycle. Gods came by once in a while to try to cheer Percy up and get him out of the palace, but all failed. Eventually Percy got tired of this and let Dionysus in of all people. Percy asked, "What do you want Mr. D?"

Dionysus replied, "You are a god now, call me Dionysus."

Percy sighed, "Sure thing Dionysus, what do you want?"

Dionysus yelled in Percy's ear, "GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF YOU DOPE!"

Percy whined, "What was that for?"

"You need to snap out of it! Your son died, big deal! Sons and daughters come and go! In the Greek world, parents usually outlive their offspring. I've had plenty of children. Remember Castor? He died fighting in the Battle of the Labyrinth and I still mourn him on occasion, but I accepted his death. I lived through it. Why? Because I am immortal and that is what immortals do. Immortals outlive their mortal children, Percy. That is the cold truth."

Percy was shocked and amazed for several reasons during Dionysus' speech. All Percy could say was, "You called me Percy."

"Excuse me?"

"You used to ignore my name and be ignorant. You used to call me Peter Johnson, or something like that."

"You want to know why?"

"Why?"

"So I wouldn't get attached. I've seen heroes and kids go from this world that deserved so much more. I called them by their names, got to know them, and they died. When they died, it hurt. So I started to ignore their personalities. I didn't get to know them. I purposely called them by false names. Why? I didn't want to get hurt. You got hurt, but it's ok. You have the entire Greek pavilion to support you. You are not alone."

Percy was amazed at this caring side of Dionysus. Maybe he really would be ok.

As corny as some of it was, it worked. Percy brightened and improved his life. He started to do his job again using his various age forms and he started to take personal care of the campers who needed help. He was there no matter how small the problem was. Amanda Ring joined her mother's hunters. She stopped aging and the secret of her birth was pretty much kept. Some of the hunters knew, but other than Percy and Apollo, that was just about it. Sally Jackson died though. Percy started working even harder after that. He mourned his mother's life of course, but he didn't focus on it. One day Percy was taking a new camper to camp named Alex, he was a boy, who asked Percy, "Is Jesus real?"

Percy didn't know how to respond so he asked, "Why do you ask?"

Alex pipped, "I'm a Catholic."

Percy started to choke on nothing and said, "Christianity is a hoax, the Greek pavilion, that's real. Greek history has been tweaked into Greek mythology, but a good deal of it is the truth. Humans make what they need to believe things. For some, Jesus is easier to believe than a bunch of old figures from history. So, in conclusion, believe what you may. The Greek pavilion is it."

After that Percy thought more often about the beliefs the children had before their Greek lives. Was it hard to abandon what you believed your entire life? Percy searched for answers, but results varied so he dropped the subject and went on doing his job.

On one of the more relaxing days, Percy was sitting on his couch and watching old reruns when a knock came from the door. That wasn't unusual since he did have a life after all. But it was Artemis. Artemis whooshed in and sat down on the couch without a word. Percy was puzzled at this, but shut the door and sat next to her, asking, "So, what's up?"

"I got them to tweak it. I am now allowed to date."

Percy sputtered as he asked, "Excuse me?"

"Percy, how would you like to be my first official boyfriend of this new era?"

That was 40 years ago. Percy and Artemis had been dating since. His grandson died when a mortal war came up. Died a hero he did. Paul had died and his little siblings had branched out into families of their own. Zeus and Hades started to have demigod children. Poseidon still didn't impregnate any mortal women. Percy had a life of routine he stuck with and things could not go better under all of the circumstances. So, in a bold and daring move, Percy called on Zeus. Percy had asked him to meet him at Central Park and they sat on the benches, both as mid-30s young men. Zeus asked, "So why did you want to see me?"

"I want to marry your daughter. I would treat her as a queen, give her the respect and admiration she deserves, and I would never cheat on her. Never."

"Percy, do you remember your first real encounter with my daughter?"

"Sure, at Westover Hall. We were rescuing Nico and Bianca. Annabeth went missing for a little while."

"Remember how, when she was kidnapped, you set on a quest to save her and that girl, Annabeth?"

"Yes."

"You could've been killed, but you put your neck on the line for them and working together, conquered a Titan. You may have done it for Annabeth, but you saved my daughter as well. I've liked you better since then."

"Thank you, Lord Zeus."

"You have stolen yourself into the heart of Olympus and we welcomed you with opened arms. You became a god that exceeded our expectations. You are a kind soul, Percy Jackson, so I give you my blessing on this marriage. If she rejects you, it will be her loss."

Percy started tearing up, "Sir, everything you just said was very moving and emotional. Thank you."

"You are welcome. No go forth and propose when the time is right."

Of course, Percy planned a romantic evening at the finest restaurant on Olympus. Percy had learned from a plaque that this restaurant was designed by Annabeth Chase, Official Architect of Olympus. Percy remembered those old days. Several buildings here were by her design. But now he had a new love. A true love. A love waiting inside for him. Percy entered the restaurant and sat across from Artemis. They had their usual things they talked about on dates. Their domains, the kids they take care of, anything they needed to talk about. Percy asked, "Do you ever think of the future?"

Artemis replied, puzzled, "I think of the future of the hunt all the time. We are growing by numbers."

"I'm talking about your future. Do you ever think about what you want to do later on in this immortal world we call life?"

"Sometimes. What are you getting at sweetie?" Yep. Sweetie. Artemis sometimes called Percy pet names to see if any of them worked. She liked this one and it stuck.

Percy got out of the booth and on one knee, pulling out a ring box and opening it, revealing one of the most beautiful rings ever to be created. It kept shifting what it looked like to the viewer's eyes on what the most beautiful ring would be to them. It was a gift from Aphrodite for whenever Percy did propose to Artemis. Percy started, "Artemis, for th"

Artemis interrupted, surprisingly gleeful, "Yes!" Percy got up to put the ring on her finger and the restaurant goers applauded as Artemis pulled Percy in for a kiss.