Percy's POV:
After that fight with Ares, I was exhausted. Absolutely drained. Even after faceplanting into the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean, I was left utterly worn out. But I knew that resting now wouldn't help me, I'm just gonna have to fight through it in order to reach Olympus on time. I could ask Khione for help with getting there quicker but, then the gods would know. And that could lead to something much more than giving a bolt to the king of the gods. It's not something I can deal with right now.
It was just after the sun rose above the horizon so, I fought through my weariness and started traveling back across the country. I could go on about every stop I made and how I tended to avoid cities because of the whole manhunt thing. But, I'm just gonna say it took a very long time to get back. The sun was already setting behind the skyscrapers and I could see the Empire State Building. Finally. I don' think my body could handle much more.
Putting it simply, water travel has a weird affect on your body if some one over uses it. When I water travel, my body basically becomes the water and I rematerialize back into myself. So if I do over use it, my body will cease to exist and just flat out turn into the water. That's what I think will happen anyway. That's how I began to feel after the last jump into New York. Like I was slowly loosing parts of myself, not emotionally, just physically. I don't plan on doing that again any time soon.
So here I am, dragging my feet along the pavement of the dirty streets and alleys of the city of New York. The weather was raining with lightning rolling across the entire state. I guess the gods weren't getting any happier. I kept my face hidden as much as possible through the crowded streets. No one said or did anything, I guess they must think I'm a homeless child. With my mucked up hair, tattered shorts, and no shirt to match. Not to mention the scars across my body. Even in the setting light, the star shaped scar on my side gave off a ghostly shine. Making it clearly visible.
After thirty or so minutes I entered the famous Empire State Building. Honestly it didn't feel as grand as people make it out to be. Walking up to the front desk I knocked on the desk in front of him to get his attention. "Hey uhh, I'm here to go see the big guy upstairs. You know, up on the 600th floor. "What else was I supposed to say?
"Sorry kid. I don't know what you mean." He said back, not bothering to look up from his newspaper.
"I don't have the time for your act. Just let me go up. And I won't use the master bolt on you." I'm sick and tired of people wasting my time. So, I reached behind my back pretending to get the bolt. His eyes shot out of his sockets and he stumbled to reach for a key card.
"Nonono! J-just insert this card into the slot. Be alone." He handed it to me and I walked to the doors. Once they opened, I walked in alone and let the doors close. Putting the key card into the slot, it disappeared and a new button appeared on the console. A red button with a 600 hundred written on it. Obviously I clicked it and began moving up. I'm almost done. I waited. And waited. And waited. And waited a little more.
Once the doors dinged I couldn't get any get out of there faster. The music was just awful. A form of torture if you ask me. Then I noticed where I stood. I stood high above Manhattan on a narrow stone walkway that floated in the middle of the sky. I was astonished. The marble steps on that lead to glorious city of the gods. In front of me was the top half of a mountain that had a summit of snow. My eyes wandered and I saw multilevel palaces that sprouted from the mountain side. Each building was a mansion. Worthy of a god. White columned porticos, gilded terraces, and bronze braziers that held a thousand flames. With roads that turned every which way, all the way to the peak. Magnificent gardens of flowers, trees, and fountains depicting gods and goddesses in different poses. A full on ancient Greek city, that glowed with life and floated above a city that was none the wiser. In a word a, perfect. And I was caught in the center of it.
My stroll across the city was just as dazzling as the view from the outside. Some nymphs decided to flirt with me and show me the market and it's assortment of goods. Foods, weapons, armor, even replicas could all be found here in the bustling city of Olympus. I didn't buy anything but, I tagged along with them for a moment. Then they invited me to see the nine muses play however I declined. They were disappointed and I told them it I had some where to be. Which was the truth.
Everyone was in festive and joyful mood. Of course they would be. It's not like they have to worry about a civil war breaking out. They were in one of the safest places on the planet. They don't need the luxury of worry when they are on Olympus. The city of the gods and goddesses. No worries. No wars. No taxes. A paradise in the sky.
As I continued my climb to the giant palace at the top, I kept receiving stares and whispers. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what they were saying and thinking.
Reaching the top I was nearly blinded. The palace was a an exact opposite of Hades' palace. Everything was white and silver with gold things here and there. The person who designed this placed really wanted to make a statement.
I walked past the central courtyard and into the throne room. The throne room had massive columns that climbed to a domed ceiling that had one of my favorite things in the world. Constellations that moved in a glorious fashion. Then the twelve thrones placed the same way as back at camp. Each designed for a specific god or goddess. And a massive fire that crackled in the central hearth pit... With a little girl sitting by the edge tending to the flames. The gods were discussing amongst themselves and were too distracted too realize I did in fact show up.
With my trying to catch every detail of the room I barely noticed that Annabeth and Grover were here. They stood anxiously to the side talking to each other and gripped the backpack tightly. Like it was going to run away. I guess I took longer than expected and they decided to wait for me off to the side. I walked over to them, "I see you guys got here alright." I told them catching their attention.
"Percy!" The two of them shouted and rushed to hug me. To say it didn't hurt would be a lie. My body was sore and still drained. And their bear hug didn't help. They started bombarding me with questions and for the life of me, couldn't catch a single one.
That's when the silence hit me. The gods weren't talking and now stared upon the three of us. Grover and Annabeth trembled, I didn't. "Let's do this." I grabbed the backpack from them and started pushing them to the center of the throne room. With every step, the smell of ozone and lightning only grew. Once in the center I let them go. All eyes on us. Tension as thick as a barreling fog. I felt small in front of them. Maybe it's because they were over ten feet tall.
I decided to shock the gods and goddesses gathered. I wonder how that will turn out?
I started to walk to the little girl tending to the hearth. In the most respectful way I could muster I knelt at her feet and bowed my head. The shocked gasps and hollers didn't escape my ears. But I didn't stop there. Whispering in an almost absolute silent voice, I prayed to Hestia to keep my family and home safe. Then I went and prayed to all the gods and goddesses. Leaving my father, Zeus, and Hera for last. Once I got to Hera, I prayed about my family and mothers, so they were looked after.
Then came the moment I walked up to my father. At first I looked directly into his eyes that were the purest sea-green emeralds. Reflected his own emotions, I could tell he wasn't upset that I didn't come to him first. He actually looked quite pleased. Taking in every detail, I saw that my features were nearly a carbon copy of his. Right down to the crinkles that showed he usually smiles a lot. I bowed and knelt my head, "Father." Then came a soft chuckle from Poseidon. I honestly didn't know what to say to him. This is the first time in my life that I've seen him. What could I even say?
"I've had enough of this!" Zeus was outraged. "I am the King of the gods! Why bow before them first!? In my house!" I sighed and got off of my knee. Then I walked up to his throne and did a sarcastic curtsy. No one dared to laugh but, that didn't stop a few giggles from escaping. "You dare to be so disrespectful to me!? The almighty Zeus!"
"I dare. Because you tried to kill me on multiple occasions! Even though I brought back your stupid bolt!" Some of the gods looked at Zeus in shock and my father's calm demeaner changed to anger. Like the sea, unpredictable. "Oh he didn't tell you? I guess I will." I began telling them the entire story. From start to finish and didn't leave a single detail out. Near the end, every single person and god looked at Ares. Not in disgust. But in shock, like it wasn't utterly normal for the deranged god. Even more so, it was something to laugh at. Hermes and Apollo wouldn't stop hooting and hollering as they gasped for breaths. Getting beat by a kid was an everyday occurrence. "That isn't all." I continued. "Ares was controlled."
There was a sudden outburst in the room that lead to a shouting match involving everyone. "Who could possibly control a god!? Was it you!? It's because he didn't enough cereal!" Were the general shouts and questions. Clearly they weren't gonna stop anytime soon so, I sat down on the hard floor and requested my two friends to join me. Reluctantly they agreed.
Sitting around completely still was never my strong suite. I always had to be doing something. Twiddling with a piece of wood or grass. Or constantly tapping or playing with something. Or I would play something on my flute. That always seemed to calm my ADHD nerves.
So I took out the enchanted piece of wood from my pocket, the same pocket that held Riptide. Funny enough, that pocket never wore out or tore from all the adventures I've been on. I brought the piece to my lips and began to blow a soft melody. A little something to calm the jumpy nerves of Grover and Annabeth while we sat in wait.
After a few minutes of playing, I stopped. Not because the powerful beings decided to not argue anymore but, because their shouting was messing with my rhythm. "Oh, for the love of- It isn't that hard to figure out who!" That managed to grab their attention. I then told them about my dreams that I would get and how it would usually tie in to the thing of the pit. And the presence that washed over the coast of California. "It is none other than Kronos. Your father..." The temperature dropped as soon as he was mentioned.
"Don't blatantly say such names!" Zeus shouted in response.
"Or what?"
"Names are powerful things, Perseus." Athena chimed in.
"They are no different than the nicknames we use now. The crooked one. Storm-bringer. Or even the kindly ones. They know we use such names and to think otherwise would be ignorant. Monsters are not stupid. If they were, we wouldn't be needing to do such quests and being sent to the Underworld because of it." I reasoned. "If he is rising then-"
"Enough! We will speak of this matter no further. Now... my bolt." Zeus extended his hand and the master bolt began to hum violently from inside the backpack. I took out the cylinder of bronze at looked at it carefully.
"Are you just gonna drop this discussion like it never happened? Willing to bet that it was just a fluke? Willing to risk lives?" I asked the king of the gods.
"My bolt. Boy." His eyes flashed dangerously and I got the message... Doesn't mean I'll listen though.
"Are you stupid!?" Without hesitation. The cylinder with the bolt flew out of my hands and straight into the hands of the king. In a flash he had it in his and pointed at my throat. The electricity stung my skin from proxy. I put on a strong face but, inside I was terrified. I just want to go hug my parents and tell them I love them. I closed my eyes and waited to be struck down.
"Get that away from my son. Zeus." I snapped my eyes open and there was Poseidon out of his throne and trident in hand. Pointed at Zeus himself. It even glowed slightly green with power.
"He has disrespected us for the last time brother! I will not let him go unpunished!" Zeus raged and didn't even glance at the deadly weapon pointed at him. I don't know what the other gods and goddesses were doing however, it looks like they were indecisive on what should be done. Some looked like they were about to jump in and others probably didn't care.
"You will not take my son away from me! You did what you had to to save Thalia. And I'm doing exactly that. Now get your bolt away from him." Poseidon scolded back. Tightening his grip on his symbol of power.
"So you still claim this brat as your own? Even after the pact we made? The pact that you broke." Oh for the love of.
"Let me remind you that you broke the pact you made first. So don't go acting all high and mighty on me brother." Poseidon shot back.
"For the last time, I won't let this brats actions against us go on unpunished! First, he has the audacity to send Medusa's head to our doorstep with the message that he'll be seeing us soon. Who does he think he is? I should have killed him then and there. Be done with his ignorance. Every step he took disrespected me!" At the last would, Zeus moved the master bolt forward and pierced my neck. Blood slowly crawled down my skin.
"One more move and I won't hesitate to-" Poseidon tried to threaten but, I cut him off.
"Stop!" I shouted at top volume. Easily snatching the scrutiny of the two vastly powerful beings. "This is exactly what I'm trying to prevent! Another World War III yet, somehow bringing back the thing that I was thought to of stolen, did nothing! Father, I love what you're trying to do for me but, a lot more is at stake than just my life here." The smug grin on Zeus's face never wavered. I almost rolled my eyes at him.
"Why not put it to a vote?" Athena voiced her opinion. Never would of thought that. "Clearly he has to be punished for speaking against us."
"Athena, I swear if you so much as try-" Poseidon got cut off again.
"I'm not saying sending him back to Hades. I actually had a different idea in mind." Is that a good thing?
"So what do you propose?" Zeus acknowledged, finally removing the electricity power super weapon from my neck. Then he made his way back to his throne. Like him dive bombing me didn't even happen. I'm going to have to thank Athena for this. I'm pretty sure I owe her now. Not that I like owing super powered beings but, hey. I do like living. Seeing that I was no longer in danger, Poseidon made his way back.
"...Banishment from camp. No support, contact, or anything of the matter from any former encounters. Home or camp. He is to be removed from Long Island and live on for the rest of his days. Or until the situations changes. Not like that will happen to begin with." The first part didn't sound so bad, I didn't mind it actually. I would have lived the way I lived for the past few years. Not bad at all. Until she finished that is. Now I can't talk to my friends and family because of a god with a massive ego? "Adding the fact that his scent will only grow, monsters will swarm him endlessly. Only increasing his damnation all the more." I looked around the room and it seemed a silent discussion was had between many of them. This is starting to turn out badly. Just how far is it going to go?
Zeus looked pleased. I bet he wants to watch me suffer at the hands of monsters. I didn't know what else to do here so, I looked at my father and he had a tiny smile on his face directed at me. Why? I then snapped my head towards The Wisdom goddess and she winked at me. What is she planning? Really? I then swiveled my head at my two friends and to say there weren't happy would be an understatement. Grover looked like who wanted to brawl every body and Annabeth had a look like she lost someone. Again. What am I going to do?
"What a lovely idea. And coming from my daughter nonetheless. Let's put it to a vote, shall we?" Zeus stated. Nearly every ones head nodded in agreement to this absurdity. Even dad's. The only one who didn't do anything was Hestia. Who still tended to the hearth. "All in favor!" He said and boy did my heart fall. No matter which direction I looked in, all hands were raised. Not a single one hesitated. Twelve hands, up in favor. Falling down to my knees, I was lost. For the first time in my life, I was genuinely and utterly lost in my way. I don't think this has ever happened before. Not in all of history. And I was in the center of it. "You have three days to get your belongs and leave... Now that that is settled. I must go rid my bolt of it's taint." Zeus zapped out a dramatic flash of lightning. Followed closely by half of the council flashing away.. Leaving Poseidon, Athena, Artemis, Hera, and of course Hestia. I get Poseidon staying because, you know, the father thing he has going. But, why would the others stay?
"Percy, a word if you don't mind. Alone." Poseidon said sternly. I nodded my head and turned to my friends.
"It's ok guys. I'll see you at camp. Promise." I tried reassuring them.
"But Percy-" Grover started.
"I know. Don't worry, everything will turn out ok. I have three days after all. No matter what they say, it won't be forever. I still have a promise to keep about a certain someone." They clearly got to who I was referring to... Thalia. I'd be damned if I wasn't gonna follow through with it. I swore on it. Saying our quiet goodbyes and hugs. They walked out of the throne room. Constantly looking back, until they were out of sight. The smile I put up for them vanished, now it's just emotionless. After three days, I won't be able to talk or see them until Elysium.
"Percy." The goddesses and god called me back to them. On my way back, they changed forms and now stood like normal mortals. Good, I was getting a pain in my neck from looking up all the time.
Here stood I, a demigod, in front five gods. The same ones from the old myths and legends, wanting a personal conversation with me. Ugh! Why does everything have to get so difficult. I'm only twelve!
"Mind if we go first? It shouldn't take long." Hera, the queen asked. Does a queen even have to ask?
"Not at all, what's a few more minutes?" Poseidon answered and walked away. Out of the throne room while Athena flashed away. Not as dramatic as her father.
"Now, we have something to say to you. Hestia and I." I gulped... "Thank you. We mean it. It feels good to know that some one out there thinks about us. Not in fear, but in gratitude." She held a light smile along with her sister. Oh my gods! I tried to form words yet, I couldn't. Without saying anything else, the two of them flashed away.
"What is it that you want boy?" Artemis asked oh so pleasantly.
"Oh right. I wanted to give this back to you." I reached behind my back and took out the silver arrow I took from quite awhile ago. "I am sorry for stealing such a weapon. I needed something if I wanted to survive." I extended my hand and she swiped it away.
"You've tainted it! What was this used for?" Clearly she had the wrong impression.
"Only to kill monsters. I swear on the Styx." Thunder rolled over and I survived. Her cold demeaner didn't change and she still looked over her arrow.
"Keep it. Once I've caught you, that's when I'll retrieve my arrow and use it to hunt you down." Artemis tossed it back into my hands and nearly killed me when she teleported back to her group of man-haters. Great. Just great. I didn't think I could make my situation any worse.
I plopped onto the ground and rubbed my head with my hands. And of course that was when Olympus's two greatest rivals decided to come back. "Perseus, why do you look so glum?" Athena asked. Was she joking?
"Oh I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that I can't see my family ever again! What exactly do you want from me!?" I snarled when I spoke. I ran my hand through my wild cropped hair three times in quick succession and fixed Athena in a stare that could have frozen the Pacific. Burning rage hissed through my body like deathly poison, screeching a demanded release in the form of unwanted violence. It was like a volcano erupting; fury sweeping off me like ferocious waves. The wrath consumed like, engulfing my moralities and destroying the boundaries of loyalty. Loyalty. I know what my heroic flaw is.
"Percy, stop this! It's not as bad as you think!" Poseidon shouted through the winds forming from within the throne room.
"Not as bad as I think!? Then explain it! Go on! Tell me what I'm missing!" I shouted with my arms spread out.
"What did I exactly say Percy? Word for Word?" Athena asked calmly. I ran her words through my head, over and over and over again. My rage died out with every repetition.
"Former. You said former. Meaning that..."
"That's right my boy. From now on you're going to be staying with me, in my palace under the sea. Until we can figure out a way to lift your banishment." The moment I realized I'd misinterpreted their actions, their words, their expressions... as if they've been speaking a language I couldn't understand... that moment my words stopped was the moment my heart broke... yet it was a good breaking... the type that leads to healing and new ways onward; sometimes, the loss of words says more.
It felt like it was the kind of day even a feather would fall without drifting one way or the other. The grass was straight and silent, the leaves dangled more as if they had been painted there. Should a person be able to feel the beating of the birds' wings - that would have been the only breeze. It was still, utterly still.
I felt happy. As happy as a rat with Roquefort. As happy as a dragon in a princess parade. As happy as a tornado in a trailer park. As happy as a rabbit in a carrot field. As happy as a fire imp in an inferno. Yet sad at the same time. A new beginning with new adventures and an end to something I cherish with my very being.