Annabeth stood face-to-face with the titan lord, holding him at a standstill.
"Family, Luke. You Promised," she said, gritting her teeth.
Percy took a painful step forward. Grover was back on his feet, over by the throne of Hera, but he seemed to be struggling to move as well. Before either of us could get anywhere close to Annabeth, Kronos staggered.
He stared at the knife in Annabeth's hand, the blood on her face. "Promise."
Then he gasped like he couldn't get air. "Annabeth..." But it wasn't the Titan's voice. It was Luke's. He stumbled forward like he couldn't control his own body. "You're bleeding... ."
"My knife." Annabeth tried to raise her dagger, but it clattered out of her hand. Her arm was bent at a funny angle. She looked at him, imploring, "Percy, please..."
Percy could move again.
Percy surged forward and scooped up her knife. He knocked Backbiter out of Luke's hand, and it spun into the hearth. Luke hardly paid Percy any attention. He stepped toward Annabeth, but the son of the sea put himself between him and her.
"Don't touch her," Percy growled.
Anger rippled across his face. Kronos's voice growled: "Jackson..." Was it his imagination, or was his whole body glowing, turning gold?
He gasped again. Luke's voice: "He's changing. Help. He's... he's almost ready. He won't need his body anymore. Please—"
"NO!" Kronos bellowed. He looked around for his sword, but it was in the hearth, glowing among the coals.
He stumbled toward it. Percy tried to stop him, but he smacked him out of the way with such force Percy landed next to Annabeth and cracked his head on the base of Athena's throne.
"The knife, Percy," Annabeth muttered. Her breath was shallow. "Hero... cursed blade..."
When Percy's vision came back into focus, he saw Kronos grasping his sword. Then Kronos bellowed in pain and dropped it. His hands were smoking and seared. The hearth fire had grown red-hot, like the scythe wasn't compatible with it. He saw an image of Hestia flickering in the ashes, frowning at Kronos with disapproval.
Luke turned and collapsed, clutching his ruined hands. "Please, Percy..."
Percy struggled to his feet. He moved toward him with the knife. 'I should kill him', he thought to himself. 'That was the plan.'
Luke seemed to know what Percy was thinking. He moistened his lips. "You can't... can't do it yourself. He'll break my control. He'll defend himself. Only my hand. I know where. I can... can keep him controlled."
He was definitely glowing now, his skin starting to smoke.
"You are not the hero," Rachel had said. "It will affect what you do."
"Please," Luke groaned. "No time."
If Kronos evolved into his true form, there would be no stopping him. He would make Typhon look like a play-ground bully.
The line from the great prophecy echoed in his head:A hero's soul, cursed blade shall reap. His whole world tipped upside down, and he gave the knife to Luke.
Grover yelped. "Percy? Are you... um..."
Crazy. Insane. Off his rocker. Meh, probably.
But Percy watched as Luke grasped the hilt.
He stood before him—defenseless.
Luke unlatched the side straps of his armor, exposing a small bit of his skin just under his left arm, a place that would be very hard to hit. With difficulty, he stabbed himself.
It wasn't a deep cut, more like a shallow scratch, but Luke howled. His eyes glowed like lava. The throne room shook, throwing him off his feet. An aura of energy surrounded Luke, growing brighter and brighter. Percy shut his eyes and felt a force like a nuclear explosion blister his skin and crack his lips.
It was silent for a long time.
When Percy opened his eyes, he saw Luke sprawled at the hearth. On the floor around him was a blackened circle of ash. Kronos's scythe had liquefied into molten metal and was trickling into the coals of the hearth, which now glowed like a blacksmith's furnace.
Luke's left side was bloody. His eyes were open—blue eyes, the way they used to be. His breath was a deep rattle.
"Good... blade," he croaked.
Percy knelt next to him. Annabeth limped over with Grover's support. They both had tears in their eyes.
Luke gazed at Annabeth. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew..."
"Shhh." Her voice trembled. "You were a hero at the end, Luke. You'll go to Elysium."
He shook his head weakly. "Think... rebirth. Try for three times. Isles of the Blest."
Annabeth sniffled. "You always pushed yourself too hard."
He held up his charred hand. Annabeth touched his fingertips.
"Did you..." Luke coughed and his lips glistened red. "Did you love me?"
Annabeth wiped her tears away. She looked at him sadly and opened her mouth as if she was going to say something, only to get a dazed look on her face. "Always," she said as she bent down and gently kissed him on the cheek.
And with that Percy felt his heart shatter into a million tiny pieces.
Luke a gave her a small smile before he gripped Percy's sleeve, and Percy could feel the heat of his skin like a fire. "Ethan. Me. All the unclaimed. Don't let it... Don't let it happen again." His eyes were angry, but pleading too.
Percy wanted to hate him, but right now watching the life fade from his eyes he couldn't. "I won't," he forced out. "I promise."
Luke nodded, and his hand went slack.
The next few hours went by in a word repeated itself over and over in his head, everything felt like a dream. Always. It was strange how one word could affect someone so greatly. Always. Annabeth had said she had loved Luke, and she always had. It had never been him. She never returned the feelings he developed towards her.
It wasn't until he felt his heart shatter into a thousand tiny fragments that Percy had realized how much he cared about a certain daughter of Athena.
He was so sure that Annabeth had shared his feelings. She kissed him right? She looked so broken when she thought he had died on Mount Saint Helen's last year. That's something people do who love each other, right? Well that's at least what he thought, but he could not help but feel some resentment towards her for leading him on. At best Percy was just something Annabeth had tried to use just to get over Luke.
"PERCY JACKSON!" Poseidon announced. This snapped him out of his dream-like state, and Percy looked around to find myself in the throne room as his name echoed around the chamber.
All talking died down. The room was silent except for the crackle of the hearth fire. Everyone's eyes were on him—all the gods, the demigods, the Cyclopes, the spirits. Percy walked into the middle of the throne room. Hestia smiled at me reassuringly. She was in the form of a girl now, and she seemed happy and content to be sitting by her fire again. Her smile gave him courage to keep walking. He noticed Hera peering at someone behind Percy. Her eyes shifted back to him and she smiled.
First Percy bowed to Zeus. Then he knelt at his father's feet.
"Rise, my son," Poseidon said.
He stood uneasily.
"A great hero must be rewarded," Poseidon said. "Is there anyone here who would deny that my son is deserving?"
Percy waited for someone to pipe up. The gods never agreed on anything, and many of them still didn't like him, but not a single one protested.
"The Council agrees," Zeus said. "Percy Jackson, you will have one gift from the gods."
Percy hesitated. "Any gift?"
Zeus nodded grimly. "I know what you will greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson—if you wish it—you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."
Percy stared at him, stunned." Um... a god?"
Zeus rolled his eyes." A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."
"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."
"I approve as well," Athena said.
He could be a teenager forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving his father. He could have power and eternal life.
Who could refuse that?
Then Percy looked at Annabeth. He thought about his friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, Silena Beauregard, so many others who were now dead. He thought about Ethan Nakamura and Luke. And Percy knew what to do, he looked up into the eyes of the king, "No."
The Council was silent. The gods frowned at each other like they must have misheard.
"No?" Zeus said. "You are... turning down our generous gift?
There was a dangerous edge to his voice, like a thunderstorm about to erupt.
"I'm honored and everything," Percy said. "Don't get me wrong. It's just... I've got a lot of life left to live. I'd hate to peak in my sophomore year."
"I do want a gift, though," he said. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"
Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."
"It is," Percy said. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"
"Someone once told me," he said, looking at Hades, "You should always get a solemn oath."
Hades shrugged. "Guilty."
"Very well!" Zeus growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."
The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.
"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," Percy said."All the children... of all the gods."
The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Percy," his father said, "what exactly do you mean?"
"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," Percy stated. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."
Zeus's royal nostrils flared. "You dare accuse—"
"No more undetermined children," Percy said. "I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."
"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but Percy was on a roll.
"And the minor gods," he said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—"
"Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed.
"No, my lord," he said quickly. "But your children should not be left out. They should have a cabin at camp. Nico has proven that. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are. They'll have their own cabins, for all the no more pact of the Big Three. That didn't work anyway. You've got to stop trying to get rid of powerful demigods. We're going to train them and accept them instead. All children of the gods will be welcome and treated with respect. That is my wish."
Zeus snorted. "Is that all?"
"Percy," Poseidon said, "You ask much. You presume much."
"I hold you to your oath," he said. "All of you."
Percy got a lot of steely looks. Strangely, it was Athena who spoke up: "The boy is correct. We have been unwise to ignore our children. It proved a strategic weakness in this war and almost caused our destruction. Percy Jackson, I have had my doubts about you, but perhaps I was mistaken. I move that we accept the boy's plan."
"Humph," Zeus said. "Being told what to do by a mere child. But I suppose..."
"All in favor," Hermes said.
All the gods raised their hands.
"Um, thanks," he said.
Percy turned, but before he could leave, he saw Hera muttering something to Zeus, and he saw a flash of annoyance flash across his face before he bellowed, "IF YOU ARE NOT ON THIS COUNCIL BEGONE. THERE IS ONE MORE THING THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PRIVATELY".
Everyone started clearing out, Percy turned to follow them-
"YOU STAY PUT BOY!" he heard Zeus yell.
Percy swallowed a lump in his throat. He knew that he wasn't lucky enough for that to mean anyone but him. He turned back around to face the King of the gods.
Percy started to panic as everyone in the throne room continued filing out the doors, many giving him looks of pity as they passed by. They seemed to think Percy was in for a load of hurt, and Percy couldn't help but agree with them. Zeus was going to make him pay for turning down his offer of godhood, with everyone as a witness.
His panic must have been showed across his face because Zeus smirked. "Relax boy we aren't going to blast you into dust...well at least not yet."
Ares frowned and crossed his arms across his chest, "Not even a little bit?"
Zeus put a hand to his chin as if he was considering this until Poseidon glared at him. "No one will harm my son."
Zeus sighed, "No, not even a little."
Percy let go of a breath he didn't realize he was holding. "What do you want then?" he asked still feeling like he's going to have to change his underpants at any moment.
"My wife has been kind enough to point out that since your gift only helps others, you still deserve a real gift. This time the gift shall be chosen for you," Zeus stated. It was clear he did not want a chance to be turned down a second time.
Percy didn't know what to make of this, the goddess who hates his guts, doing something nice for him. He felt this had to be some kind of trap, but he had no idea what it could be. All Percy knew was that he wanted no part of it." Thank you for the offer, but this gift will help me," Percy said. "The gift will prevent future wars which-"
Poseidon shook his head, "My son is too modest for his own good."
"Your father is right Percy," Hera said. "So we must insist you accept our gift. It would benefit both Olympus and yourself."
Percy didn't like where this was going, when a god insists something you have no choice but to comply. He looked at Zeus and asked him, "What gift do you have in mind for me?"
"Don't interrupt me, I was getting to that boy," Zeus scowled. "You are to train under any god of your choosing. You will get an unprecedented glimpse into the everyday lives of us Olympians. You are to serve them faithfully until you training is complete."
The son of Poseidon didn't know what to make of this. Why did Zeus choose this gift? What was there for him to gain by doing so?
Percy remembered the story of the Trojan War. 10 years of death and destruction all because Paris of Troy was only able to choose a single goddess out of Athena, Aphrodite and Hera to win a beauty contest. Now Percy had 12 to choose from, 14 if you count Hades and Hestia. Percy could end up dealing with 13 ticked off gods and goddesses if he choose poorly. Was this Zeus' plan? Did he want Percy to have him have to deal with 13 Olympians who hated him for the rest of his life?
Percy swallowed nervously once again. He looked around the room, glancing at everyone that was there. There were so many powerful gods to choose didn't seem to matter all too much right now though. He just wanted to choose someone that wouldn't piss off all the other gods so much.
Percy eliminated his dad, he didn't think he would resent him for any choices he made. Hera, Dionysus, and Ares already hated him and there was nothing he could really do about that. Besides the feeling was pretty mutual. Artemis would probably not be happy if he choose her due to him being a boy and all. Apollo, Hestia, Hermes, and Hephaestus didn't seem like ones to hold grudges...he hoped. Picking Zeus, Hades, or Athena, all being Poseidon's rivals, would probably be the only way Percy could make his dad angry. Percy crossed them off his list, he would just have to deal with them hating him a little bit more.
All that was left to choose from was Aphrodite and Demeter. Percy didn't know if he could take Demeter forcing him to eat cereal three times a day.
He looked over to Aphrodite, to stay she was stunning was be an understatement. His tongue got heavy just looking at her. It was clear to see why she was the goddess of beauty.
She gave him a heart-wrenching smile and winked. "Percy choose wisely," she purred. Percy felt himself begin to drool, and started unconsciously walking over to her. He needed to choose her, there was no other option-
"ENOUGH!" Percy heard Poseidon yell, which snapped him out of his trance and he stopped walking towards the love goddess. "HOW DARE YOU CHARMSPEAK MY SON!" He bellowed.
Charmspeak, Percy thought, it suddenly made much more sense as to why Percy felt the need to choose her. Aphrodite could make him do anything she wished, and there wasn't a single thing he would be able to do about it. He always dismissed her as a goddesses just obsessed about her looks and love stories. He couldn't be anymore wrong. He gulped, that kind of power scared him more than any amount of lightning bolts Zeus could throw at him. The love goddess could take away his free will. Aphrodite was someone to fear, she was no pushover.
"Dad it's ok," Percy said. "Aphrodite just helped me realize something. I want to train with her, I want to learn how to fight this power of hers. I don't want anyone to be able to control me," he explained.
Aphrodite flashed Percy a brilliant smile that made his knees feel weak. "I accept!" she yelled out before Percy's father or Zeus could say anything else.
Poseidon looked at his son questioningly, "Son are you sure? This isn't about your," he paused. "...friend is it?" He choose the word friend carefully.
He hadn't considered that, Aphrodite being the love goddess would probably be able to help him deal with all the emotions coursing through him right now. Percy also felt embarrassed, did he make it that easy for everyone to guess what had happened, or did they just simply know since they were gods?
Percy felt guilty, it wasn't right to blame her for not loving him. He did however want to get a better control of his emotions. He never wanted make the same mistake and love someone who didn't love him back. "Yes Dad I'm sure," he decided.
Not knowing what to do, the son of Poseidon turned to face the goddess of love and looked at her questioningly. She seemed to pick up on his dilemma and beckoned him over, "Come Perseus." He nodded and made his way over to her throne.
Once he reached it he knelt before her. "Rise Perseus, my champion," she said with a smile on her face. She slid down from her throne and reached out her hand, "And take my hand."
Percy hesitantly reached out and grasped her hand and immediately felt power coursing through his body. It felt as if he was bathing in the Styx all over again, except there was no one to help him through the agony this time. If he wasn't kneeling he would have already fallen to his knees. Luckily the flow of power stopped before he started to scream in agony. After a few seconds he slowly rose to his feet.
Demeter pointed to him and said, "See! That's what happens when you eat cereal!"
Percy was confused, what was she talking about? It must have shown because Aphrodite snapped her fingers and a mirror appeared in front of him. Percy's mouth must have hit the floor. In the mirror he saw himself, but it wasn't himself. The person in the mirror looked better than the person he saw back at Circe's Island. He was tanner, taller, and his muscles were much more rigid. Every part of his body seemed to be enhanced. Percy then looked up at his eyes which were still a vibrant sea-green, but they had small specks in them that seemed to change color like a kaleidoscope.
"A nice improvement don't you agree?" The love goddess seemed to be proud of herself.
Percy reached out and touch the mirror. "Is that really me?" he asked, his mouth still agape.
"It is, and don't worry," Aphrodite added, "Your appearance won't be the only thing that has changed, my champion," she said in her angelic voice. "I can't wait to see what you can do with some of my other powers."
"Other powers?" Percy asked questioningly? He hadn't been aware that he would be getting any powers.
Aphrodite winked, "You think the goddess of love and beauty only has one power?"
"Enough, you two may finish this later" Zeus said, "For now, you will take him somewhere where he will be able to train." Zeus looked at Percy. "Your training is your life now. Until it is complete you shall not contact anyone from your previous one-"
"Wait what-"
"SILENCE!" The king yelled. "Aphrodite take him and be gone."
Aphrodite nodded, then winked at Percy for the final time.
Percy's knees went weak, he crumpled to the floor. Blackness slowly made its way to the center of his vision as Percy faded into unconsciousness.
Oh look, a wild Archmage!
Yeaaahhh... I have no excuse... I guess I just don't have any good ideas on how to continue my Merlin story.
I love u all & don't worry I'm not abandoning it! i'm just... on Hiatus for a while to focus on College (I start Monday) and this new story. Which! btw is adopted from Living1LikeLarry - it hasn't been updated since like 2016 and while I did DM the author for permission I doubt i'll get a reply so i'm adopting it anyway! Chapters 1 - 11 are all from his/her I take no credit for them apart from extremely minor changes.
Review and tell me what u think
- M
EDITED - 6th September 2020 - minor changes