Artemis POV
It was the mist that was concealing his true face. His mask was off and in his pocket, but I wasn't seeing the young face I had been expecting (and hoping for.) In this one warrior's face, I was seeing... everyone's face. I could see my father, Apollo, and Gaia and pretty much everyone I knew. Only his eyes had remained the same, still half green, and still half gold. My hopes plummeted as I realized that this wasn't who I wanted. The twice saviour of Olympus never learned to control the mist, so who was this person. I suppose he deserved more than being called a 'person'. Perhaps I should be referring to him as saviour or ally, but the life had just been sucked out of me yet again after realizing my guardian wasn't here.
For a moment, during the brief silence and moment of confusion, Father glowered at him, his hand testing over his lightning bolt, and I sensed that his patience had come to an end. Tired, angry, impatient and wounded, he spat, "Well who the hell are you! then?" stomping his foot on the ground so hard that I could feel vibrations all the way from my throne. Most people would've jumped back or at least flinched, but Alpha wasn't normal. He just sighed.
"As I said previously, I'll tell you right after the council meeting," Alpha replied for the 69th time, smiling sweetly.
"Wait, what council meeting?" Father asked, and Alpha comedically facepalmed.
"I told you, remember? The council meeting that I called…" Father finally snapped. Pent up energy from the fight with Gone all the way up to Alpha's jokes all exploded in one massive ramble.
"Listen here, you sick kid. You turn up here randomly one day, haven't even got a throne on the council, keep playing games with us and refuse to tell us who you are. We aren't going along with this meeting until we know more, and by more I mean everything. For all we know, you could be part of Gone's side, because I have been told by multiple anonymous sources that the war isn't starting for another 2 years and that it's meant to be relatively quick. I've got a funny feeling that you're a liar, who's just going to get us all killed, like you have to so many others because you have NO IDEA what the hell you're talking about. No one here thinks you're funny, and no one wants you here!"
Alpha thought for a moment, a calm expression still on his face. "Just to quickly confirm, when you say multiple anonymous sources, you do mean Hestia, Apollo and Hades, right?" Father's dumbstruck face told it all. "Ah good, just so that we were all on the same page. And as for the throne, I guess I'll just take… ah, this vacant throne," he said, pointing to the one golden throne that had remained empty for over 4 years. It's ironic actually, that The saviour of Olympus had never actually seen his throne. The fates linked it. It had been constructed a year after he had left, in desperate hopes of bringing him back. The throne was a bright gold, very simple, yet expensive in mortal money. An aura came from it, almost like a deadly aura, as if his presence was watching us, and tutting at us all. It didn't change the warrior's mind however. This warrior was either mad, or suicidal at this point. The throne had been partly attached to the God of Time. We physically needed the God in order to connect them, but the fates had helped, synchronising the throne's power with time. That didn't give anyone a reason to sit on it. In fact, no one had dared to sit on it, and it had been collecting dust for the last 3 years. Well, asides from the sweeping Hestia had done every solstice.
Every single God present watched, mortified as Alpha did the unspeakable, slowly sauntering to the golden throne. Reaching it, he paused, brushing the armrest, his face lost. For a moment, it was as if he wasn't going to do it, but he wasn't one to cower out. Both November and Hotel helped him up, pushing him. Clambering, the warrior pulled himself up, his arms flexing as he did so. Slightly panting, he reached the throne, shuffling up, and sitting on it with regalty. Every single God was holding their breath. No one had dared to sit on the lost God's throne, and now, a new, random, probably dystonic warrior was casually relaxing on it, basically asking for death.
There was a sudden wind in the isolated room, and the golden throne began to glow, brighter and brighter. It made Apollo's carriage look like a matchstick as heat radiated from it. The smell of smoke issuing out, as Alpha melted into nothingness, his pride dying alongside him. So much for being a God. Alpha, the poor warrior dissipated into nothingness and his ever so short legacy died alongside him. Then, for the first time in four years, a voice came, nice and loud, bellowing seven words.
"WHO DARES TO SIT ON MY THRONE!"
Silence followed, and I had to stifle my sobs, having finally heard the voice I had been yearning for. My hunters next to me silently watched, their mouths agape. Slowly, the throne glowed brighter, shining my eyes. I looked away, as did everyone else, shielding my face from the heat. It glowed brighter and brighter, the light shining through my eyelids. I could only imagine what was happening to Alpha. Most likely, he was being burned alive, although I heard no screams. It was as if he wanted this. The light reached an astonishing high illuminance, and for a moment, I was scared that my eyes would be blinded, but it all stopped. The wind disappeared, as the throne dimmed and the cool day resumed. I was nervous, but I knew that it was my duty to look up and see what had become of the throne and Alpha. Fearing what I would see, I opened my eyes, and looked at the throne.
There, holding his staff, still wearing his golden robes was Percy Jackson, in the flesh, towering over the rest of us Gods. I was rooted to the spot in amaze, curiosity and yes, the feeling of being reunited with someone I had been yearning for. Not much had changed. His face was still as beautiful as I remembered, his body still as muscular. His hair, instead of being short, had grown long, and was tied neatly in a manbun. The throne, however, had changed. It was now etched with black-gold, similar to his robes in a beautiful pattern, a dark pegasus on the back. He was still grinning, unmasked and roughly 25 feet tall, the tallest. Everyone was staring in silence, as the young, powerful God simply said, "I dare."
His face contained a smirk, and his eyes were lit, as he turned to November and whispered loudly, "well how was that for an epic reveal?" He rolled his eyes.
"I could've done better, so don't gas yourself." The God nodded, leaning back in his throne.
"Well we'll see in a bit. But how are we all doing!" The saviour of Olympus waved his hands around.
"My gods, I haven't seen you guys in ages. How are things? I can assume no one killed anyone important while I was away, right?" Everyone was too baffled, and too shocked to respond. "OMG Zeusies! You've lost some weight man! What was it, thrusting exercises with someone not called Hera? Damn! Even you've changed Ares. You're not scowling anymore." Naturally, this brought a scowl to the war god.
"Listen here punk," Ares began. "I can still-"
"Still pultervise me yeah I know," Perseus Jackson yawned. "Learned anything new in the last five years?" He opened his mouth, but closed it, not knowing what to say. Perseus let out a laugh, and as cringy as it may sound, it was literal music to my ears.
Silence engulfed the throne room, the only sound being the God's drumming and quiet humming.
"Now, about that council meeting… Can we start now?" When no one responded to him, most still in shock, he said, with a tinge of annoyance, "Oh come on guys! It's not like you're seeing me again after years. Odysseus went missing for a decade or something… I can't actually remember… but he didn't have the whole council gaping at him. Seriously, let's just have a chill meeting/catch-up, preferably followed by Dorito's eating and sleeping. Just talk to me, someone please - OH MY GODS I AM SO SORRY PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!" His long ramble suddenly turned into a scream as Poseidon grabbed his trident, stood up, and ran towards the God. On one hand, it was kinda freaky, but at the same time, it was funny. The young God bounded back to Hestia, and whined in a really childish voice, "Mommy, Daddy's trying to kill me!" I feel like that was all needed to break the tension. Every God roared in laughter, with the exception of Poseidon and Hestia who were redder than Demeter's tomatoes.
"I missed you too, Father," Perseus smiled once all the jokes had finished. "But sometimes, you gotta do what they don't want you to gotta do in order to do what they need you to do." He said it as if it meant to make sense, but frankly, it must've sounded much better in his head.
No, it really didn't. The absence of Percy in my mind had felt good, and now I remembered why. I felt him smirk at that thought.
Perseus and Poseidon hugged, and Aphrodite went "Awww" extremely loudly and uncomfortably.
"Shut up Aphrodite!" the two Gods yelled, earning another ripple of laughter from everyone else. They then both took seats and Zeus crackled his lightning bolt, sending my hairs on end and signaling the start of the meeting.
"So Perseus, I presume you have a lot to tell us then," Father enthusiastically began.
"Yeah, 4 years of information," Athena muttered to herself.
Upon hearing his name, Perseus stood up from his throne. He opened his mouth, and then closed it right after.
"I think it'll be better if I sit down," he mumbled, taking a seat again. "Actually Mr Zeus, I don't have anything to say."
"Oh um I see…" An awkward silence followed. "Well, do you want to explain how you knew about the massive army?" Perseus thought about it, before shaking his head.
"Nah, no thanks boss man." What the hell is a boss man?
Me, the God smirked again. It felt like he was flirting with me again.
"Oh," Father said uncomfortably. Well, why not introduce your friends to us?" He motioned to the other, still masked warriors of The Revenant.
"To be honest, I hadn't been thinking of anything more than a warm catch-up, date night and a good pepsi, yes PEPSI," he screamed towards Dinoysus, causing the old doof to sit up and frown in disappointment.
"So you want to disappear without our permission, nearly kill poor Artemis, come back with secretive information and tell us nothing?!" Athena flared.
The God frowned. "Firstly, I don't need a retard's permission to disappear. Secondly, that female isn't poor, because she made me leave in the first place. And thirdly, yeah, you sum up stuff really well."
"Perseus," Hestia warned, and even Poseidon gave him that look. He stared at them, before inwardly sighing.
"I suppose I should." The God motioned for his soldiers to come. The little kid that always gave me deathly (get it) stares, walked forwards, and took his place next to the young God.
"So, firstly we have Mr Nico Di Angelo, aka my second in command, aka the random black dude that saved me before. C'mon Nico, give them a wave!" Nico took off his mask, walked to me. He leaned forwards, and whispered, "You do one thing to Perseus, and I'll have you signed up for adoption," before walking to his father. It may sound like a light joke, but from a freak who is also the second in command of Perseus, that's a big thing.
"Okay… not precisely a wave but thanks Nico! Also please don't hit on Thalia because I've been killed enough times by Artemis!" Another roar from the council, excluding me and Nico. Perseus smirked. I can't find any traces of the old Percy that left our hunt four years ago. This is a new version, a really goofy, powerful version trying to cover up his previous issues with a new coat of paint.
"Next we have Hotel! She's not actually a hotel. In fact she's actually called Hazel. Hazel, come on up and unmask yourself, everybody cheer her on!" Clapping from the council, and loud cheering from Perseus and Nico as the girl with the black glitter and chocolate hair walks up, takes a bow and removes her mask, revealing a shockingly young, smiling girl. She too walks up to me, pulls me in, and says with menace, "Touch Percy ever again, and you'll be rich in something you wan't want to be rich in." Putting a smile on again, she too walked up to Hades, and sat down cross legged in front of his throne.
"Okay so who's next…." A boy with fiery glitter jumped up, raising his hand and yelling, "Oh do me please do me!" Percy waved his hand.
"No you're last!"
"What! No! Me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me! Won't stop till you say me me me me!" I know the God could've easily frozen him, but I don't think he wanted to show off his manipulation over time.
"Fine! Here, we have an incredibly annoying mechanic and decoder called Leo something… Valdez! He is dumb, smart and basicaly the reason why we still have a moon goddess." With a smug look on his face, he walked up towards me. "If you dare do a thing to Percy, I can assure you, the next time you need me, and you will, I won't be there. Pretty cliche, I know, but it's the best thing I can think of so yeah." He walked towards his dad, who hopped off, shrunk and gave him a hug, which lasted until Perseus coughed his throat, loudly. I mean, he didn't even try to make it subtle, but practically screamed "COUGH COUGH!" It sounded like he was going to die, and the two sat down fast, a little red in the face.
"Up next is Juliet, who is actually a man called Jason, alongside his unwedded wife, Romeo, who is actually a girl called Piper, who actually doesn't play the pipes, unless she actually does and hasn't been telling me about it. Now, let's hear it for the couple!" Both flustered, they walked up, towards me, but Percy quickly interjected.
"Whoa whoa whoa, both of you come back here, right now!" Confused, they both walked backwards, to the point where they had unmasked themselves.
"I said, let's hear it for the couple." The Gods clapped again, extremely confused as to what they were meant to do. Perseus facepalmed both internally and externally.
"I said, let's hear it for the couple. Couple, couple, couple, Aphrodite help me out here will you." The love goddess stared at him dumbfounded, before going "Ohhhhhh!" A smug look on her face, she began singing.
"Jason and Piper, sitting in a tree…" The rest of the Gods began chipping in. "F, U, C-"
"STOP!" Perseus yelled. "Can we at least try and keep it PG for the maiden goddess please?" Everyone laughed again, mainly at me.
"K, I, S, S, I, N, G!" Both of them, red in the face, walked up to me. Jason merley scowled, and Piper talked. "You don't know love, and you never will, idiotic female. Stay away from my friend." They walked to their respective parents.
"Okay, so now, we have another couple. Please welcome Foxtron, who is quite literally a fox, also named Frank! He's just like a big cuddly teddy bear… if big cuddly teddy bear's loved shooting people and looked like wrestling koalas." Franks, a chinese, walked up towards me, removing his mask. Internally I sighed again.
The big guy, upon reaching me, looked back cautiously, before leaning in, real clost.
"Look, don't tell them, but I secretly believe you might have a chance with Perseus, so I'm just gonna say nothing." He winked at me, before walking to Ares, and sitting five feet in front of his throne, leaving me to ponder on what he said, and if he meant I actually had a chance or if it was just his way of mocking me.
"Now I saved the best till last! Ladies and Gentlemen, females and non-females, please welcome Can, aka Calypso!" No one clapped, aside from Apollo who quickly stopped.
"Did you just say Calypso?" Father asked, anger in his eyes.
"Did I just stutter?" Percy answered back. "Also, why is no one clapping?"
"Listen here, who the hell gave you permission to bring her out of Ogygia."
Well I could ask who the hell gave this lunatic permission to command all of Olympus? Perseus muttered in my head, and I had to conceal my smile that he had actually talked to me.
"Did you agree when I said all good Titan's were free to go?" Percy asked, thoughtfully.
"Well, yes," Zeus mumbled uncomfortably, "but-"
"And doesn't that mean she's allowed to leave her island?"
"Yeah, but-"
"Then we have no problem!" Perseus clapped. "Now, everyone welcome Calypso!" More scattered clapping as she sauntered towards me. Crap it's her. It's that girl who I called a s-l-u-t. Holy crap!
"I'm gonna kill you," she whispered bluntly to me. Nothing else needed to be said for me to understand her pure hatred for me. "Do anything to Perseus, and I will bury you the same way he buried all of those monsters you just witnessed." A smug look on her face, she walked back. Then, she walked towards Perseus. That was strange. No one else had walked towards him, but she did. Truthfully, she ran. She ran, collided into him, and kissed him in a way that severed my heart into fragments, scattered across the Underworld.
Hey guys, sorry it's been a while but how was the chapter?
Edit: Also thanks to @theinvisiblereaderguy, @PercyJackson'sWorstNightmare and @Guest (I dunno what to call you sorry!) for pointing out how the chapter repeated for some reason. No idea why that was but I've fixed it now!