It's been more than a hot minute so if you are still here, I am very thankful for you! It's been a bit crazy on my end but I will definitely try to post at least once a month for this story. PJO is a bit harder for me to write with just because it's been so long since I worked with these characters. As much as I love them, my mind has been very HP based when it comes to writing fanfics lately. I hope y'all enjoy this new chapter, thank you so much for being here!
Love Always,
Adrien
Disclaimer: I sadly don't own the PJO world, that very much belongs to the freaking awesome Rick Riordan, and OrionArchis was the original owner of this story. I just like running with their ideas. Also, the text underlined like this comes directly from The Last Olympianand I definitely don't own that.
Chapter Eight: One Person Can Change a Whole Point of View
Artemis was a lot of things but heartless wasn't one of them and her heart shattered for the boy who had held the sky in her place and the girl who had been her lieutenant for the past year and change. They had won the war for the gods...but it had cost them everything. Everyone around them was celebrating but every crevice on their faces screamed out in pain. Perseus hadn't even looked that hurt when he was holding the sky.
Then Zeus started spouting out his usual nonsense about heroics and sacrifice and Artemis couldn't help but think that it had been a long time since any of the gods, herself included, had truly sacrificed anything. For so many millenia, they had stood by and took anything and everything they wanted and just left the demigods to pick up the pieces.
Artemis had always thought herself better than the majority of the gods and goddesses of Olympus but seeing these two demigods in front of her, who, in all honesty, had been given no reason to fight for Olympus, so shattered for saving them all...it made her rethink everything. Every boy she'd hurt in the past century for no other reason than his difference in gender. Every girl she'd basically turned her back on because they had a different point of view from herself. Every mistake she had made.
And she realized that she was just like every immortal that she hated. She had long ago lost the right to even consider herself a hero...but these two...these two demigods in front of her were more heroic than almost anyone she had ever met.
When Zeus offers Thalia help refilling the hunters' ranks, Artemis's smile is tight as she claps along with everyone else because it isn't enough. A mass amount of new people can't replace the bonds that had been broken and the lives that had been taken in the last few days. This gift wouldn't relieve the brokenness present in her lieutenant's eyes. The brokenness that had started as fractures and had been present for as long as Artemis had known Thalia; it's what had made her offer the young woman a place in her hunt when they'd met all those years ago. But those fractures had completely shattered with her experiences over the last few days. And Artemis wasn't certain the young woman would ever have a semblance of wholeness again.
When Percy is called forward, he rises with confidence. There is a certainty that fuels his steps in place of the cockiness he'd had four years ago. She isn't sure exactly when this sort of serene certainty had filled him, part of her thought it had always been there underneath everything else, but it suited him. And it proved that he was more deserving of this gift than anyone who had come before him.
Zeus offers the gift of godhood with an air of arrogance, like Percy should be kissing his feet in thanks for this extravagant gift and like he knows exactly how Percy will receive this gift...to be honest the expectant looks on almost everyone's faces told Artemis that they all thought they knew exactly what Percy would do...
But Percy had never done what everyone expected of him and his answer isn't instant. Instead, the young demigod takes a deep breath and his eyes slowly drift across the gods. They don't pause until they land on the two gods currently seated in guest thrones. Hades's expression is unreadable to Artemis but the flash of recognition in Percy's sea green eyes tells the goddess that the demigod saw something there that she clearly didn't. Persephone's smile is soft and her gaze is more open and accepting than Artemis had ever seen before as she gives the demigod a small nod. Percy's lips twitch up slightly in return before his eyes travel over the gods again.
Artemis's eyebrow shoots up when his eyes catch hers, silently searching for her opinion in a way that no one else ever had. But, as much as she wishes she could give him an answer, this isn't a decision she can make for him. Godhood made you more powerful than you could ever imagine. It was the highest honor that any hero could ever hope to achieve but...eternity is a long time. Especially when you're going through it alone.
Something changed in Percy's eyes. What that something was, Artemis wasn't entirely certain but she could definitely see the difference as the demigod's lips once again twitched up.
Percy gave the goddess a small nod of thanks before his gaze began moving over the crowd again, stopping only when they reached the goddess that had taken Percy's place beside Thalia in front of the hearth.
Hestia had always been one of Aretmis's favorite people and the softness that enters Percy's eyes when they stop on the other woman tells Artemis that he feels the same way. The goddess's gaze is just as open and accepting as Persephone's but there is an undercurrent of certainty that says Hestia knows exactly what Percy wants to do and that she truly believes the demigod is making the best decision.
A tight smile turns up the corners of Percy's lips as he gives the eldest of the gods a nod in thanks before turning his attention back to Zeus.
"No," he said, an almost cocky smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The Council as a whole are silent, shock radiating from their bodies. Artemis is sure that her eyebrows would have disappeared into her hairline if they could have. She had expected any number of responses but a simple "no" was not one of them.
"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," [he] 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."
Percy paused, his lips quirking up into a half smile as his eyes flicker from Thalia to the son of Hades then Annabeth before skimming over Artemis's remaining huntresses.
It takes the goddess a moment to understand what, or who, he is looking for but when she realizes, she gently pushes her way into his mind, She's in my cabin with the wounded huntresses. Hestia and I thought it best to keep her identity a secret until the situation has calmed.
Percy nods almost imperceivably and replies with a soft, Thank you. before his eyes move back to Zeus, his actions completely unphased by the glares the majority of the council were sending his way.
"I do want a gift, though," [he states]. "Do you promise to grant my wish?"
Zeus thought about this. "If it is within our power."
"It is," [he replies]. "And it's not even difficult. But I need your promise on the River Styx."
"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"
It takes everything in Artemis not to roll her eyes at the drunkard's response. Percy had every right not to trust them. Hell, Artemis didn't even trust them and she was one of them.
"Someone once told me," [Percy] 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."
Artemis agrees, her head cocking slightly to the side in curiosity, while the other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.
"From now on, I want you to properly recognize the children of the gods," [he] said. "All the children . . . of all the gods."
A soft smile tugs at Artemis's lips as she leans back in her seat. Of course his wish wouldn't be for himself.
The [majority of the] Olympians shifted uncomfortably.
"Percy," [Posiedon] 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] said. "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 [tried to cut Percy off but the demigod pushed forward].
"And the minor gods," [Percy] 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, [Leto], and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades and Hestia deserve not only cabins but seats on this council. Hestia is the eldest of all the gods. She creates home and hearth. Without her, your stronghold would have fallen today even with the demigods' attempts to protect it. She is the first child of both Rhea and Kronos, her seat NEVER should have been given up to the son of one of the eldest gods. Hades is the first born son of Kronos and Rhea, considered by you all to be one of The Big Three. He never should have been excluded to begin with. They deserve to deserve seats among you and Hades children deserve a place to live at Camp Halfblood. All the children of all the gods deserve to have their own space. No unclaimed demigods will be crammed into the Hermes cabin anymore, wondering who their parents are…And 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."
Artemis's eyes narrow, her hand twitching to her bow at Posiedon's words. This is nothing. This gift is far less than Percy deserves for everything he has done. It's honestly pathetic that a gift needed to be used for the gods to own up to their actions and accept their own flesh and blood.
"I hold you to your oath," [he] said. "All of you."
The majority of the Council shits uncomfortably, many of their eyes narrowing at the demigod in front of them.
But before Artemis's irritation at their inaction boils over, Athena begins to speak,
"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"—she glanced at Annabeth, and then spoke as if the words had a sour taste—"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 [and looped his arm around Thalia], but before [he] could leave, Poseidon called, "Honor guard!"
Immediately the Cyclopes came forward and made two lines from the thrones to the door—an aisle for [Percy and Thalia] to walk through. They came to attention.
"All hail, Perseus Jackson," Tyson said. "Hero of Olympus . . . and my big brother!"
A party starts almost immediately, the majority of the Council using their powers to come up with something quickly. The demigods fall into line quickly though her huntresses wait for her quick nod of approval before joining in on the festivities.
Artemis has one objective in mind as she exits the throne room.
"Percy!" She calls out to the demigod son of Poseidon moments before he, Annabeth, Nico, and Thalia step onto the elevator.
Percy's entire stance straightens and he gestures for the other three to go on without him before he turns to meet Artemis's gaze, his eyes raised nearly to his hairline as surprise contorts across his face.
It takes the goddess until she is right in front of him to realize that she has never called him "Percy" outside of her own mind before.
"Yes?"
"Why did you mention my mother? When you were talking about peaceful titans. Calypso makes sense, you've met her. But you don't know anything about my mother."
Percy leans back on his heels, his stance relaxing as he gives Artemis the most genuine smile she thinks she has ever had directed at her even if it's smaller than the smiles she is used to seeing from the demigod before her.
"Because she never should have been imprisoned in the first place…When I was small, before everything got bad and I left, my mother would tell me stories. I didn't know at the time but she was telling me my history. She was preparing me for the life I would have to live without her one day. And when I ran away, one of the only things I took with me was my book of greek history. I was so excited once I was able to settle in at camp because I finally had a chance to learn even more about my stories, my history…but what I found, among many other atrocities, was a continued theme of harm toward women. Sometimes physically, sometimes mentally, sometime emotionally, and often times without cause. Your mother's story was among those. She was imprisoned because of Zeus. She didn't get to see you grow up because of Zeus. Honestly, I can understand your hatred toward men and your desire to start the hunt from the moment you were able to make the decision because Zeus was really all you knew at the time. And once you were introduced to the other gods, there wasn't really much improvement to convince you that all men weren't trash."
"Thank you," Artemis murmurs, her voice rougher than she realized as she offers the boy her hand.
One of Percy's eyebrows cocks up again in surprise but he willingly takes her hand in his.
"Would you like me to take you to your sister? The rest of your friends are already there, I think the young son of Hades shadow traveled them all."
"I would very much appreciate that, Lady Artemis," Percy replies, giving her a crooked grin as excitement sparks in his sea green eyes.
"Just Artemis is fine," Artemis surprises herself with the offer as she returns his smile but she doesn't give him a chance to respond before she flashes them to camp.
What she finds when the light fades is utter chaos.
Little Estelle is lying unconcious on the ground.
Her injured huntresses are attempting to sit up, struggling to ensure their youngest member is ok.
Her uninjured huntresses are fretting about, clearly wanting to get closer but holding back.
Percy drops to his knees immediately, taking his little sister into his arms, with Artemis a half-step behind him, her hand glowing as she reaches out toward the little girl when the corpse in the corner catches her eye and she realizes exactly why her huntresses had hesitated.
"APOLLO!" Artemis screams, willing the glow to leave her hand though she still begins running her fingers through the child's hair. She didn't want to risk her magic reacting badly with her brother's.
"You called, dear sister," Apollo states lazily as he flashes into her cabin.
"What in tartarus is this?!" Artemis growls furiously, her power rolling off her in waves as she glares at her brother, though she continues calmly running her fingers through Estelle's hair. Whether the action was for herself or the little girl she couldn't tell anymore.
Apollo glances from the little girl to what used to be his oracle, "My oracle was finally able to move on!"
"She's just a little girl, Apollo!" Artemis argues, her stomach twisting painfully. This had happened under her watch. She had promised to protect her and now…
"I know! And she's part of your hunt. It's perfect!" Apollo exclaims, excitement coloring every word.
The room darkens, a chill as cold as any winter's night overtaking the air as the floor begins to shake and all attention turns to the demigod currently cradling his little sister to his chest.
"I have given up everything for this world…The only thing I asked in return was that she be kept safe… She doesn't have anything to do with this world, Apollo. So why would you let this happen?" Percy's tone is darker than Artemis has ever heard it as he glares at her twin.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Apollo takes a step back from the angry demigod, his eyes wide as he holds his hands up in innocence. "Now just a second, Perce. I don't decide. The magic does. You sister was meant not just to be a part of this world but revered in it. Oracles are a sacred thing."
"She should have had a choice," Percy growls.
"I did," Estelle's voice is slightly muffled by Percy's shirt as she pushes herself up in his arms, taking Artemis's hand in her own much smaller ones when Artemis attempts to pull away.
The rumble of the earth ceases, the room brightens, and the chill dissipates instantly.
"What?" Percy asks incredulously.