The Throne Room
Hestia
The arguing has been going on since Zeus called this meeting, which is hardly surprising. I sit in my hearth silently, only listening to their bickering. I'm not one of them, I'm here to keep the fire burning. They're talking of a war I'll never see. Not until it reaches the doors of my home. And it will reach the doors of my home, it seems. They're speaking as if it is inevitable. The continued struggle to be the most powerful in the room almost has me at my wits end, though it is rather amusing when Zeus loses. He hasn't lost for eons, though. Not since the boy, Perseus.
The energy in the room shifts. No one else seems to notice it yet, and I realize that it's because the new source of energy isn't in the throne room. Yet.
"Zeus," I call timidly, but only Artemis looks. She smiles kindly but jumps right back into the argument.
I almost drop it, but the power only grows as whatever it is gets closer. Whatever it is, this kind of power could make even Zeus' head spin. I can't sense the intentions, whether they be good or bad, so I had to get the king's attention somehow. I clench my eyes shut, and will myself to rush to the front of his throne.
"King Zeus!" I yell, my voice echoing. I hate yelling. I never raise my voice. Maybe this is why the rest of the hall falls silent immediately.
"This is a matter concerning only Olympians, Girl," Zeus frowns in annoyance, but his voice is only confused, not angry like I expected.
"Someone is here," I warn as they approach the door, before quickly slipping back into my flames. The hearth must stay burning, no matter what. What are we fighting for, if not our home?
Percy
Getting these people ready was almost impossible. The stream of weapons being stored was endless, though I guess that's a good thing. It just wasn't fun this morning. Especially with the constant bickering, but I've decided to blame that on stress. By the end of everything, Luke and El were at completely different sides of the group. They haven't really been talking this week or training together at all. Whatever their problem is, they have to deal with it. And soon.
Getting to Olympus was easy. Everything is easier with wings. I carried Luke, and Cal carried El. Luke was annoyed and threatened my life if I ever told anyone. El took it with grace, though even she wasn't happy.
"Wings away. Helmets remain on unless I give the go-ahead," I murmur quietly, retracting my wings. They obey automatically, falling into formation behind me.
We walk purposefully towards the throne room, and I wave my arm at anyone who moves to stand in their way, sending them flying. I make sure they don't get hurt too badly, of course. We agreed swatting them away would probably be a bit faster than explaining. Summer wasn't thrilled at this, but he agreed that it was better than fighting.
"Who's that?" Autumn whispers quietly, gesturing to a single figure standing in front of the doors to the throne room.
Rage boils up in my chest as I recognize Annabeth. I'd be able to spot her anywhere, no matter how big the crowd. She's been haunting my dreams for a week. I've had enough.
"Per-" Luke begins, reaching an arm out to grab my shoulder, voice dripping with pain.
"Who are you?" Annabeth calls, pulling out a knife quickly. Good. I might feel guilty if she was unarmed.
"Annabeth Chase," I growl, voice booming in the empty hall. "Move."
I don't wait for her witty retort, I just make a shoving motion away from my chest in the air. She flies into the doors so hard, the heavy metal slams into the walls. The sound still echoes as she rolls across the floor limp like a rag doll.
The throne room that is usually full of the voices of bickering gods is completely silent. All eyes are on us, hands clenching uncertainly around weapons. Zeus must be stunned into silence, or maybe Chaos is keeping his stupid trap shut. Either way, I'm glad we're avoiding the fighting for a moment. Our entrance wasn't the agreed upon peaceful one, but no one really looks concerned for Annabeth as she groans and stands to her feet. I feel the disapproval radiating off of Summer, but Luke nods slightly in understanding. Calypso touches my shoulder lightly, and I can sense Autumn trying not to laugh. Nothing ever quite went quite right with our little group.
I spoke too soon about the silence. The room explodes into action as twelve Olympians and the Lord of the Underworld jump up, brandishing their chosen weapons. We draw our own weapons seamlessly, holding them down so we look a little less threatening. I know we can take them all, but it's probably better to avoid a fight altogether.
Do you have a way to make this less volatile, Chaos? I call out anxiously, suddenly becoming relieved when her familiar presence fills the room.
Why are you so foolish, Winter? She all but sighs, annoyance filling her voice. I hear a faint pop.
Suddenly, all of the Olympians are in their thrones and weaponless. There are cries of fear, and then almost complete silence except for Zeus' cursing. I smile slightly, silently thanking Chaos for holding them in place. At least we can figure this out without interruptions now.
"Zeus, we're willing to talk civilly if you will just shut up for a damn minute," I sigh, sheathing my sword. "I apologize for the daughter of Athena. There were better tactics, the fault rests upon my shoulders."
"I don't negotiate with usurpers boy," Zeus growls, his hand going for the bolt that is no longer in his reach. "Who are you?"
"We aren't after your throne," I snort in disbelief, wondering how he misread the situation that terribly. "Gods, that's the last thing I would want. None of us are after Olympus. We come to offer your help in the coming war. You do feel it, don't you?"
"That's what this council meeting is about," Zeus frowns, clearly not trusting our offer. "Who are you to think you can assist the Olympians, boy? I don't trust anyone who can't give me their name."
"My name is Winter," I nod as respectfully as I can manage. I hate Zeus with every fiber of my being, but I've failed Chaos enough for one day. "With me, I have the Agents Summer, Autumn, and Spring, along with our Legion Commander and…"
"Elowyn," El supplies quickly, and I can hear the smile in her voice. She's always been better at this faking friends thing. "I'm no one important, Lord Zeus. Winter often forgets my name. I do apologize."
I open my mouth to protest, but I feel her silently telling me not to. If this all goes to Tartarus, it might actually be good for Zeus to think we have a weak link. Besides, I can see Zeus' shoulders visibly relaxing after being addressed properly. Point for El.
"Who do you serve?" Zeus questions further, scratching his beard nervously. "Don't lie. I can see it isn't the Olympians."
"We serve Chaos," I reply after a moment, not knowing how he'll react. "She only wants to help you save your home. None of us are powerful enough to freeze the Olympians and hold their weapons hostage."
"I would like my master bolt back," Zeus sits up quickly, eyebrows furrowed. "Now."
"She wants you to accept or deny her offer, Lord Zeus," I explain, his title tasting sour on my lips. "If you do not accept our help, you will lose though. We want to fight for the place we once called home. It is ultimately your war, so the decision is yours to make. I would offer you time but it will be time we do not have."
"What would you get in return?" He asks suspiciously. "What would Olympus pay for your help?"
"I'm not quite sure we'll win. If we do, Lady Chaos will give us orders then. I want nothing from you," I lie smoothly. Maybe it isn't a complete lie, I don't want anything from him specifically.
"Then I will accept your help," he frowns softly, "If you can convince my daughter. I would like to hear Athena speak."
Chaos? I ask, glancing at the others behind quickly. I kind of kicked our plan entirely apart, and no one looks overly happy about it, but they're still standing by silently. Maybe one of them should talk to Athena?
You must convince her, Percy. She trusted you at one time. Remind her of that, even if you don't want her to know who you are. They can all hear.
I don't have time to question how she expected me to do that. She's pulled herself from my mind, but I can feel her presence. She's observing, thankfully. Athena was one of the only things that worried me about returning. If a god was going to figure out who I was, it would be her, and I'm going to have to talk to her one on one.
"You threw my daughter across the room, and you expect to be able to draw me to your side?" Athena's voice yanks me to reality, making me angrier than it should have.
"That idiot should have moved," I shrug, unable to stop myself.
"Dumbass," Calypso hisses through her teeth, digging painfully into my back. "Apologize."
"You think my children are idiots?" She frowns, standing up quickly. I'm relieved that she doesn't have a weapon. Not like she needs one. She'd be terrifying even if she was offering someone cotton candy or something. That's just who she is.
"I think that particular one is more book-smart than she is common sense wise, actually," I counter, biting my inner cheek. "Lady Athena, I've always respected you. Asking you to trust me would be foolish, and I know you'd be lying if you said you did. I only offer you facts. The Agents of Chaos have never lost a fight when they've teamed up with the Olympians."
"That's because they've only offered help a few times," she points out stoically. "Not enough proof to back that."
"Then send us away, My Lady," I frown deeply, unable to keep the sarcasm from dripping through my words. I turn around to face my team in annoyance. "I'm sure the odds are much better without a few extra hands. Agents, our help isn't needed."
"You're impertinent for a leader," Athena calls idly. "Clearly not the best team player either. Yet they respect you. What did you say your name was?"
"They call me Winter, Lady Athena," I answer, looking over my shoulder to meet her eyes.
"That isn't what I asked," she replies so quietly I almost don't hear her. Her bright grey eyes are whirring a mile a minute, and I almost see the vaguest hint of recognition. Almost. "We should accept their offer, Zeus. it will be the best we get."
"Then it's final," Zeus rumbles, arching an eyebrow. "Our weapons?"
The room is full of chaos, figuratively of course, once again. Shouts of anger, mostly directed at me I'm fairly sure, fill the room. Zeus angrily screams for control, and I can hear Luke chuckle quietly.
"Do you guys ever miss the dysfunctional gods of Olympus?" He murmurs quietly.
"Now that I'm here I do," Summer replies just as quietly, and I nod in agreement. The only one who doesn't seem to agree is Calypso, which is understandable.
"Enough!" Zeus bellows, slamming his master bolt against the ground as he stands. The entire room quakes and everyone falls silent. "They are only here to offer assistance. The terms have been agreed upon."
"Not all terms. I need one more thing," I call, smiling slightly as Zeus glares daggers at me. I feel my group trying to reach out to ask me questions, but I keep them all blocked out except Luke who nods encouragingly. Chaos can't get mad if they didn't know about my plan in advance. "If I may ask it, your highness."
"If it is within my power," Zeus sneers, voice bubbling over with rage. I guess he picked up on the sarcasm with the whole 'your highness' bit.
"We need help training your army of demigods. We've done extensive research, and I'm going to request we pull demigods from the past. Only an elite few, of course. And only if they agree," I talk quickly, hoping to finish before they interrupt. "I would like to borrow Thalia Grace from the huntresses of Artemis. I would like to have Jason Grace, Piper McLean, Frank Zhang, Hazel Levesque, Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, Nico Diangelo, and Leo Valdez from the realm of Hades."
The silence that follows from my own team is more deafening than the silence that follows from the Olympians after my request. I hear Calypso's breath stop after I say Leo's name, and it doesn't sound like it's resumed just yet. I'm about to turn to check on her when Hades interrupts.
"You will not use my son," he growls softly. "He is happy where he is."
"Then make the offer," I counter. "To all of them. It will be their decision."
"We do not bargain with souls," Zeus protests.
"This isn't a bargain. Monsters are returning from the dead. These were your best heroes. The demigods you have now need good trainers," Luke steps forward. "They'll be marching to their suicide without the training. We don't have time to do it ourselves, strategy is what we should concentrate on."
"Then you need Percy Jackson. Or did you fail to read about him in your research?" Annabeth pipes up, causing all the attention to be turned to her. My name must have been banned, judging by the looks on the faces around the room.
"He was banished," I retort, "And it seems you all have lost him completely if the legend is correct. Are we in agreement now, Zeus?"
"I will not-"
"-Answer for the realm of another. Good choice, brother," Hades interrupts. "I will let them go if they choose to help. The Grace girl will be left up to Artemis.
The room explodes again as Hades vanishes. I feel a familiar tug in my gut, and we find ourselves standing in the painfully familiar fields of Camp Halfblood.