Chapter 2: The Truth
*1 Year Ago*
(Percy)
At last with the defeat of Gaea, life would be easier to enjoy and peace will finally be attained. One would think that after a grand quest and battle after that, peace will surely come and it would be a happy ever after ending. Yeah not my life.
After Gaea fell and the Athena Parthenos majestically placed on Half-Blood Hill, the seven including Reyna and Nico were called upon to attend the council meeting. One would think that we heroes will be rewarded for our valiant efforts in stopping the destruction of our world. Well that is correct, sort of.
Throughout this conflict, my only goal was to survive and keep Annabeth alive with me so that when this is all finally over, we can leave the life of a demigod behind us and start a future together. Well, this was the same goal I had in mind when I was tasked on leading Camp Half-Blood on the defense of Manhattan. Sadly, I was kidnapped shortly after our hard-fought victory, used as a pawn to play Fate's games.
I couldn't help but feel as if I have finally done enough, that the life I longed to live with Annabeth is finally going to happen and we can both leave this life of constant running, fighting, and near-death situations behind us. Turns out, Fate had other plans for me.
During the council meeting, me and my friends were given the choice of any gift as a reward. Naturally, the Olympians 'generously' offered godhood to all of us. I was obviously planning on saying no and Annabeth also reassured me that she would turn down the offer as well which made me very hopeful of the life we can finally have together.
When the time came, Jason, Piper, Leo, Frank, Hazel, and Nico have all accepted godhood. Annabeth's request was that she may be allowed to design a new camp, one where both Greek and Roman demigods may live after their service in Camp Half-Blood and New Rome was finished. A safe haven where they may grow up and start lives of their own. The gods granted her request.
Reyna also chose to decline godhood and requested that she may remain praetor for a few more years in order to further stabilize New Rome for a smooth transition of passing it on to her Successor. She also requested that the Amazons be included as allies to the camps and Olympus so that unity and peace can finally be established. Likewise, the gods granted her request as well.
Then came me, and then that's when it happened.
"Perseus Jackson!" my father announced proudly. "For your deeds of defending Olympus and leading its army to victory twice, we give you an offer we have not given in a very long time. We would like you to become the 13th Olympian, the highest of all honors! What say you my son?"
"I'm sorry dad, but the answer is no." I said smiling, my father looking at me with a smile as well because he had expected this.
"You have turned down a very gracious offer Perseus." Zeus said looking at me curiously.
"I am sorry milord but I do not wish for godhood or power, I only wish for peace and a life I can enjoy." I said.
Then all 12 Olympians frowned, and I had no clue as to why.
"Ahem, new gods and heroes, I'm afraid we need to talk to Perseus only at this time, you may go celebrate the victory and your new status!" Zeus commanded, eager to make them leave already.
My friends looked at their parents curiously but reluctantly left the room, I smiled at Annabeth and told her I would see her later.
Then it was just me and the 12 Olympians.
"Milord, may I ask what's going on?" I asked politely.
It seemed all 12 gods were in a mental conversation with each other because the throne room was left awkwardly silent for a few seconds before I interrupted.
"Ahem!" I said, getting impatient.
"Percy, I am sorry my boy, I tried to stop this from happening." My dad said sadly, on the verge of tears.
"What do you mean dad? What's going on?" I said starting to get frightened.
"Before we say anything Perseus, you still have not asked anything from this council." Said Zeus.
"Very well." I began, "I would like Lord Hades and Lady Hestia to be a part of this council again and be made Olympians, as well as the peaceful titans who were not part of the last 2 wars. That is my request." I finished, hoping they would accept.
"I have no problem with those terms, welcome back brother and sister." Zeus said as he clapped and two thrones appeared. Hestia hugged me and thanked me for my selfless-ness and reminded me to always go to the hearth if ever I seek comfort. Surprisingly, Hades smiled at me and hugged me as well.
"Thank you, Perseus, I'm sorry for the trouble I may have caused you in the past. I have always dreamed of having a throne beside my siblings and never would I have thought that you would be the one to grant that for me. Therefore, you have my eternal gratitude." He said sincerely
"It has long been overdue Lord Hades." I smiled back.
"Now that the request has been fulfilled, we have some unpleasant news for you Perseus." Zeus began, "I'm afraid peace hasn't quite been established yet and we need someone to help us with that. I will let Athena explain."
"Thank you, father, Perseus, we need you to help us establish peace so that there will no longer be danger in the future. I'm afraid in order for this to happen, we have to make you immortal or partially at least so that you can fulfill your task." Athena said and I felt my heart break. "During this period of time, we need you to go undercover as such you will not be allowed to contact anyone aside from us 12 Olympians during your missions. I am sorry Perseus, but for the sake of the future generations, will you help us? You are the only one capable enough to perform such a task."
I had tears in my eyes, how could I respond to that? I had thrown myself into 2 wars and now they want me to do more missions for them, its only worse now because I will be alone and none of my friends will be able to help me.
But then, it is for the future, but why does it always have to be me? Why can't it be somebody else to do this. Why can't I just have peace in my life. Unknown to me I was crying in front of all the Olympians, but I did not care.
"Percy, I am sorry but we need you." Athena said sadly.
"May I ask what missions these are?" I said roughly, trying to stop crying.
"Tartarus has awoken when you exited the pit, this caused a chain reaction on the monster world that set an unfortunate number of events. Tartarus is the pit so he has control over all life there, we are seeing old enemies starting to regenerate faster in the pit according to the reports of Thanatos. What we require of you Percy, is to find us some allies."
"I'm sorry? Allies? What other allies are out there aside from the amazons and camps?" I asked confused
"Well, you have the titans for a start." Said Athena. "There are a number of them that will be released thanks to you, and your friends Iapetus the titan of the west and Damasen the giant of peace have managed to also make it out of Tartarus and have sought shelter in the ruins of Othrys, the old home of the titans located near Camp Jupiter. I believe you will also find Atlas there who is imprisoned under the sky. He is also allowed to be freed as he was not part of the first war. The conflict only began later that day."
"So, you want me to go to the Titan's and plead for help? That sounds suicidal at most." I said shocked
"There is no one else capable to carry out this task, we are sorry for asking this of you but we have no choice." She said sadly.
"Why do I need to go undercover though?" I asked, seeing no point in hiding myself.
"We do not want our enemies to know that you are in Othrys trying to win the favor of the tians, therefore we need to limit the amount of people that will know about this." She stated and it made sense. "We will give a cover story to the camps that you have ran away and no one can track you, to assure them we will have Artemis herself say this so that they will truly believe it. If the goddess of the hunt declares a target untraceable then it truly is hopeless." She finished while Artemis nodded to me as well.
"And my friends? Annabeth?" I said tearing up again.
"They can't know either Percy I am sorry." Athena said. "You have to begin now as the newly freed titans have now arrived in Othrys."
"But I have not been able to say goodbye…" I said almost crying again.
"I am sorry my son but it is for the best" my father said sadly as he hugged me then my vision went dark.
AN:
Chapter 2 is out on the same day as Chapter 1! Hope you guys like the first chapter as well, don't be afraid to leave a comment and give some feedback as it will be highly appreciated. I will also do my best to reply to any questions you all have! Chapter 3 out soon!