I'm getting really bad at updating sooner, yea I'm sorry about that. Really, I am. Hope you enjoy and hopefully I can update faster
Percy didn't even try to move from the position he was in, "You can get off of me now, father," he stared past the god pinning him down as the words lulled out of his mouth. His voice lacked all traces of his natural sarcasm, or sassiness. Percy is dead serious. His eyelids drooped slightly, while the rest of his body lay utterly dead to the world. Percy is content with the situation. It may seem odd, but for someone who remembers that... well, it's not hard to just stay content.
Poseidon was taken back by his son's word choice. Not once has he ever called him father without some sort of sass behind it. However, he listened to the boy. Poseidon got up and flicked off his trident walking backwards towards his thrown, not taking his eyes off of Percy. Just in case. Yet, the thing he thought would occur, didn't. Percy didn't budge, just kept staring in the same spot, right behind where his father's eyes were.
No one else made a mark to move. Not even the other gathered family members of the Son of the Sea. Khione stood by, not a single trace of her thoughts being visible on her face, nor anywhere else. Completely unreadable. Other than the tighter than normal jaw, which was still pretty normal for Triton, he too stood attempting to act unfazed.
"Well? Anyone want to start?" Percy's voice echoed across the chamber, setting off a chain reaction of gods shifting in their seats. Their eyes bouncing from one another, while their faces morphed as if they were holding a conversation. A silent one between deities. Normally Percy would be amused at the whole thing, making fun of them or laughing and whatnot, but nothing. A cold dead air settled around him.
It'd be so easy to run up to and slap the hell out of Percy. It would be too easy to scream and shout begging for more answers. Or sit down and simply ask how he's doing. That would be too easy because Percy is just the type of guy to take it with a smile so somebody else wouldn't have to worry. However, neither Zoe or Annabeth are sure if it is alright to call him Percy at all. The way he's talking and laying... it's almost like he's given up.
A sigh from the center of the room seized all conversations. Percy rolled his head to the side making sure he looking directly at Artemis, "Guess not... I was right you know, they were too late to save me."
Annabeth looked over at Zoe with her eyebrows scrunching up in question. They most certainly did rescue them both from Atlas's wrath. So what in the hell is Percy even talking about?
"You're here now, alive. Looks to me like they did," Artemis responded in kind. If anything, that is a testament of just how far those that care for him are willing to go for his sake. That isn't something that should be taken lightly, "In the end, doesn't it make it better? Being alive to fight another day? For somebody else's sake?" She asks trying to push at his button of fighting till the very end.
Percy sat up crossing his legs over each other proceeding to talk like there was no one else around, "Better for who?" He questioned coldly. No one dared interrupt, this just keeps getting better and better, "No matter where I look, where I go, somebody always wants me dead. I'm a marked man Moonshine."
"Does that include me? Do I want you dead?" Artemis asked trying to throw a loop in his logic.
Instead Percy stared for a moment, then answered dryly, "You want to know if I'm a traitor. That's the only reason you stayed, to keep an eye on me," he said without a hint of denial. No shaky voice, dilated pupils, nor twitches to even hint he doesn't believe it.
Artemis straightened her back leaning back into her thrown following his words, "What makes you think I stayed?" There shouldn't be a way for him to know she had.
"You'd be a fool not to." Percy answered short and sweetly. If the roles were reversed, he'd do the same thing.
"Alright, I've had enough of this side show you two have going on. I want answers and you will provide them. Understood?" Zeus cut in, not liking that they are not even addressing anyone else present. Let alone the brat sitting around like he owns the damn place. It irks Zeus to no end.
Percy sighed, standing up on his two feet then cracked his neck as he stood so he could see every god, goddess, mortal, and monster gathered. Without bowing. "Sure," Triton and Khione looked at each other, concerned that Percy didn't even fight this. He must be simply playing along to quicken this whole thing.
"Have you lost all respect boy? You're in the presence of the almighty Olympians. Show some damn respect," Zeus threaten, but Percy didn't even acknowledge it.
"I won't, so go ahead and ask your damn questions already. I have people I need to check in on," Percy pocketed his hands, his dark blue eyes truly in an uncaring mood.
"You insignificant little!-"
"Father! Killing him now won't do us any good," Athena cut off her father with reason, perhaps the only one capable of doing so. And Zeus knows it.
"You're lucky I'm in a good mood," Zeus threatened yet again, however Percy didn't go for a comeback statement, just stayed quiet, "To move this along quicker we're going to start from the most recent and work our way backwards, is that clear?" Still nothing, so the King of gods took it as a simple yes. The other gods agreed wishing to proceed, "Good. Now what was that display you just showed here in the thrown room?" Zeus leaned forward in his chair slightly. Any and all threats to the Olympians are to be dealt with at a moments notice. Even if that threat is one of their own children. "Remember, if you lie, we'll know." Dear Zeusy nodded towards Apollo who gave the demigod a look that says he will not help. Nothing personal.
"I remembered, is all. Everything up to loosing all consciousness on that mountain, and, well, it didn't occur to me that I was in a safe place, so I panicked." Perseus shrugged, it was as straight forward an answer as they were going to get.
"You panicked?" Poseidon cut in, concerned for his son's well being, "Even though you've been conscious for a little whilst in the company of friends?" That doesn't sound like him at all, even if Apollo isn't speaking up declaring him a liar. It just doesn't seem like something his son would do. If Triton's stories are anything to go by. Or those of the guards and Amphitrite.
"Not friends," He made abundantly clear. Annabeth looked hurt, but otherwise didn't do anything else. Zoe just grew angrier. Yet Percy went on to explain himself, "But, yea I panicked. My time on that mountain wasn't exactly pleasant by any means, so apologies if I seem jumpy, standoffish, or if I straight up don't trust you... *Sigh* It's hard to believe I'm even here right now, even as I stand right here... Like I might wake up still bearing the load of the sky. Or worse." His voice stayed steady through his entire message, not a voice crack or pitch out of place.
"That brings me to my next question," Zeus declared feeling satisfied enough that it wasn't some planned attack or anything of the sort, "What happened on that mountain?" That was a heavy question. Not only for the one answering, but also for the ones that managed to grab and see Percy's condition towards the end of it. In fact, it has everyone curious. All that damage for one man? How? Why?
Percy smirked, the only sign of his old self, "Well in order to understand that, you'll have to hear from someone else first. Probably- wait- definitely, the only one that can fully understand," That can only mean one person here. The one that was there at the start of it. The one that talked to Percy, pleading him to give up the curse. Really, the only one that bore witness to the atrocities.
Everything shifted to take a good look at Artemis. What exactly did Percy mean however? Sure, she and he share something, but to totally understand? Artemis doubts there is anyone that can say they truly realize. Nonetheless she prepared herself to speak of the account. Though as her lips parted, she saw not everyone was looking towards her. Percy wasn't looking at her. He turned to face, "Ares." He stated. His name felt like a backhand strike to the face of everyone.
Really? How could it possible be him? How could he be the only one to understand when they have a literal witness to the whole thing. Or someone that shares something with the boy, like a brother perhaps? Or someone that risked their lives for his sake? Why does it have to be the god of war?
"The muscle head known for his bloodlust? Not Artemis?" Hermes questioned, speaking of the question on all their minds. It doesn't make any sense. It sounds like a joke. Even Athena, the god of wisdom, looked puzzled.
"I get why you'd think it was her, but she simply can't understand my duress," Percy ignored all the pairs of eyes staring at him and chose to stare at Ares hollow fiery sockets, "Isn't that right, god of war?" Ares' perma-sneer shifted into a half smirk unbecoming of the deity. The god rested his chin on his cheek beginning to laugh that quickly turned into a bellow. No one knew what was going on. It's irritating.
"Percy, I witnessed the entire thing, even heard you cry out in agony as they dealt blows against you. I watched your wounds made fresh, and the water crawl up to heal torn muscles and bleeding vessels. It was I who you talked to in the midst of it all. And I who talked to you as time progressed. So why exactly can't I understand your duress?" Artemis clenched her fist thinking this has to be because of something else, "Is it because I'm a woman and Ares a man?"
"That's not the point Artemis," Ares took a breath from laughing then scoffing at the huntress, "Percy gave me something much more valuable than just a window. It's that simple," Ares waved his hand casually, ending his point.
"That doesn't explain much." Apollo hopped in to defend his sister. Not that she needed it of course. Cause that would be insane.
Percy was going to answer, but Ares rose his hand stopping him, "Don't worry kid, I got this," Stunned silence echoed throughout the thrown room, "Battles, wars, POW's, and all those that lost are in my domain. Basically if it has to do with war then I am aware," Now some gods are beginning to understand why him, "And this brat over here has won plenty of battles, but that here is not the point. The point is his most recent battle that happened right up there on that little mountain top before Artemis was captured. The one he subsequently lost that ultimately trapped him... and it was then, during the midst of combat, the sea slug called out to me for a blessing," No one dared utter a word, "He almost begged then just shut his trap. Only to ask me to stay. He was desperate enough to call me over all of you because there was nothing any of you could have done. And he knew it." He sneered.
The chorus of silence that followed confirmed it. Honestly though, that is only partly true. Perseus didn't want anyone to see him that way, in that light. So he was only left with the one option.
Ares continued, "He lost, taken in as a prisoner, tortured for information, swore an oath... and I was painfully aware of it all," Ares turned to look at the goddess of the moon, pointing at her with a freakish smile on his face, "Unlike you huntress I felt the damage done to him, I heard the voices in his head, I saw what he saw, smelt what he smelt, I understood because I was basically there with him!" Ares rose from his seat declaring this to everyone, "A feat that even the old legends would talk about," He slowly sat down and continued, "So believe me when I tell you it was bad. Because there is no way I'd exaggerate about such a thing."
"How? How did you know?" Annabeth sought answers because she knows what happened between Ares and Percy on that beach in California. Percy wouldn't throw away his pride because he was losing. Not to someone he considers an enemy. "How can we trust that what you're saying is true?"
"Listen girly, other than sun spot over here not saying anything to refute my claim, I also know something that would make everyone in this room who knows the bastard child keel over if I spill," His cocky attitude leaking from his character, " As for how? I guess you could say a part of me never left him after our little tussle in California."
"The curse." Annabeth concluded remembering what Percy told her.
Ares nodded, "I guess you could say I stayed to watch the show... Although I declared him an enemy once, I refuse to call him that now. He never broke, never wavered, fought dastardly, all for an honorable purpose... very much like a Spartan of old," Every one was too stunned to speak. Appreciated, Percy slightly bowed respecting the god in turn, "He didn't turn his back on us for even a second. Any lesser warrior would have given in. He didn't." It's not out of character for Ares to praise a strong willed warrior, but the fact that it is Percy of all people is. One doesn't just unbecome a foe of Ares. There is so much more to it.
Percy appreciated the sentiment, really, but since this isn't that kind of meeting he looked at the war god, "You can tell them cause I definitely don't."
"Tell us what exactly?" Poseidon spoke up afraid of what he might say.
The god of war scoffed, "That your brat wanted to die, actually wished that none of you got their in time to save him. Or rather that when you did and he's no longer bound by the titan's curse, he'd merely be a corpse."
"You're lying!" Khione burst forth, "Percy would never because all he wanted was to live long enough to make a difference. And stop anyone else from shouldering his burden. He'd never-"
"I did, I do," Percy cut his sister off with a deadpan, "I am tired snow princess, just so very... tired. And now I just want to get all of this done and over with," He sighed away his fatigue, looking at his hands, "I won't act like everything is the same as before because it clearly isn't... I'm sure you all know your fair share of what Titans are capable of. And here stands the bastard mortal who dared challenge one... just a shell after all of that bullshit."
Part of the room grew excited to hear that he wants to die, but the majority couldn't believe it- scratch that- didn't want to believe it. So once more a little silence waltzed in like a dance calling everyone forth.
"Why?" All eyes turned to Triton, clenched fists at his side, "Why did you call Ares? Your enemy? Over literally any god who has your back!?" Triton was pissed. Of course at his brother, but also at himself for not doing or knowing something sooner.
"Because he was my enemy. He wouldn't take this personally, nor exaggerate, nor try to get me out of there. Any one else would have just helped, but I didn't need that. Just look at Artemis, she didn't know me well, but well enough that all she wanted to do was make sure I survive."
"What's so bad about that?! Can't you see that people want you around!?" Annabeth shouted trying to get it through his thick skull. Again.
"Because if I'm around than no one else will be," His icy tone sounded like freezer burn, "It was the oath I made. My life in exchange for my family's, yours, camps, all of it. And now that I'm not there, guess what wise girl?" She didn't get the chance to answer, "Since my blood isn't the one soaking into the ground, it will have to be everybody's' now too. I wanted this to end before it actually started."
"Hmm," Apollo hummed bringing the attention of the room over to him. Obviously something has him shaken enough to speak, "That's not the whole truth," He commented.
Percy froze himself rigid, he completely forgot that Apollo was reading him like a book. Of course he'd know if the truth was whole or not. Shit, this isn't good. ''Damn, damn, damn. I completely forgot about him! Gods damnit. Whatever happens next, they can not know the truth.'
"What do you mean?" Zeus questioned his son wishing to drive as much information out of Percy as possible. He was going to get what he wants.
'Listen, please for the love it all, they can't know. Not now, hopefully not ever. Please. Please, please, please! They can't.' Percy begged to, well he doesn't know, but he begged hoping to keep whatever it is secret for a little longer. He'll be open about it all if he has to, just not this.
"Well?" Athena egged him on.
'I'll explain later, I swear! Just stall, come on. I know you're smart enough to realize when something is at jeopardy why you see it.' Percy's little voice begged, yes begged, from the back of his head. Although Percy's body didn't register it, so he stood still. Unable to do what his mind wants to do.
Apollo smiled, by the gods this is just one crazy day! "The kid thought he could get past me, but nuh-uh," he wagged his finger. Percy's heartrate sped up, "The oath you made was only for those reserved closest to you. So don't go acting all high and mighty trying to include everyone." Apollo answered without any hesitation.
'Thank you.' Percy prayed. Apollo winked.