"He who has a why [...] can bear almost any how."

-Friedrich Nietzsche


Beta'd by PraetorFable

Co-written by Vanadium Oxide


Chapter XVII

The Twelfth of June

Thirty Seven Days A.B.M


"This is outrageous! This body has not even been notified of a declaration of war, or a movement of troops!"

The call for protest was met by a low cry of approval and Maria Sharpe had to steel herself. As grateful as she was being designated Prime Minister, the task of navigating the brutal and volatile arena of politics in the new nation was by no means an easy undertaking.

"I move to remove our troops immediately. This was not an action that has been approved by the senate!" the senator continued.

"The Emperor needs no approval from the senate to move his army," someone from, presumably, the other end of the aisle argued. "We must deal with the situation as it has been presented!" The challenger's statement set the room into a flurry of debate as vocal shouts of approval met also a hum of disagreement.

Drawing her chin up, for the sake of posturing if nothing else, Maria stepped forward. She was on her own elevated platform in the middle of the senate chamber. It was like nothing she had ever seen before — a mix of a sci-fi senate chamber and the German ratte house, with a throne behind and above her to boot, should the boy-emperor Perseus ever deign to show up.

"Order! There will be order!" she called forth to the chamber. Though there were still a few scattered mutterings, most of the senators quieted immediately, returning their attention back up to her. It was both a gift and a curse, her elevated stage gave to her the air of authority, but at the same time, it was quite exposing. There were hundreds of seats, representing hundreds of millions of people surrounding her, and she was but a single person.

Feeling the resentful glares in the other aisle, she steeled herself. Her authority bestowed by the Emperor only carried her so far. "Senator Garves—"

"Clovis" the senator in question corrected.

"Senator Clovis," she continued, "is correct. The senate serves at the pleasure of the Emperor. His majesty elected to move the soldiers of his empire. I will convene with his majesty at the earliest opportunity to bring answers to the senate, however this subject is not one which is open for debate."

As she expected discontent took to the various seats surrounding her, and Maria couldn't help but agree. It really should be up to the senate to move soldiers and declare war — not their seventeen year old, disinterested monarch. But she had to bite her tongue and carry on. Without a clear support of the majority, suggesting that the emperor had done something not within his right would end up with disastrous consequences.

"This is a legislative body, but our responsibilities and duties are to only deliberate on internal affairs. Any further debate on this will be ceased immediately." Quickly nodding behind her to her Deputy Prime Minister — another senior official from the populist party — she stepped down off of the dais, moving out of the room. Hopefully he would be capable of dealing with the rowdy mass known as the senate.

But she had a job to do. She wasn't kidding when she said she was going to speak to him as soon as possible. She was herded by her bevy of security personnel from the exit to the Empire state Building across the street. It was still… hard, to wrap her head around the fact that she was basically a head of state. Sure, she wasn't technically in charge, she didn't have the absolute last say-so on everything, that was Perseus. But she had read her list of responsibilities. As far as she could tell, they were what a head of state would have to deal with in a sovereign nation.

She bustled up to the entrance to the tower and stared expectantly at one of the guards stoically standing at the entrance.

"Apologies ma'am, nobody is permitted entrance to the tower at the moment."

Maria blinked. "I am the prime minister. I need to meet with his majesty immediately."

"Nobody is permitted entrance, ma'am. I will send the word that you are requesting an audience to his majesty as soon as feasible."

Maria pursed her lips. This was… not planned. But they were the royal guard, practically an extension of the emperor himself. It had been made clear to her that so much as questioning them would be met with summarious execution. Letting out a sigh, she nodded. "Please do so."

She turned around, preparing to wait in her limo for as long as she needed to until the emperor would see her. She only hoped he wouldn't take too long.


Percy sat Sadie down on the guest bed gently. She was still conscious, but hardly responsive. As much as he had dealt with trauma, he had no experience with shock, or anything similar. He was hardly a doctor, and had no real idea how to deal with the situation. Speaking of which…

"Any news on that doctor?" Percy asked, gently pushing Sadie to lay down on the bed.

"She's still gathering instruments she needs, and an assistant, apparently."

Percy grit his teeth. "We should've just gotten a field medic, they'd be better equipped for this sort of thing."

Nico decided not to comment, standing silently next to him as Percy held Sadie's hand reassuringly.

Thalia was back in Cairo, sorting out things there and organizing search and rescue after the Rama debacle. Percy had to stop his hand from crushing Sadie's as he thought the name of that… thing.

He had killed Percy's friends, removed everything Sadie had in her life, and killed probably hundreds of those who had dedicated their lives to serving him.

He didn't have the means to go to full scale war with the Hindus just yet, but when he did… They would pay.

Percy let out a sigh and released her hand as Nico disappeared and reappeared with a woman in a stereotypical lab coat, several medical instruments stuffed under her arms, and a younger woman in scrubs next to her.

Percy didn't even bother addressing the lady and her nurse, just nodding to Nico. He would make sure everything went smoothly. Unfortunately, Percy had responsibilities it would be remiss of him to ignore. As much as he wanted to ignore the country he had more or less created, this was godly business and he had started it. He'd have to be the biggest prick on planet earth to ignore the problem now.

Percy didn't bother calling Blackjack this time, pushing out of the room to the attached balcony. Unlike the one attached to his room, this one was an actual balcony — enough room for a table and a few chairs, but not half a football field.

Without pause he threw himself over the railing, allowing himself to fall for a few hundred feet before taking control of the water around him, gently slowing him until he was at a standstill, standing straight up.

He continued walking over the water as it formed a bridge in front of him, heading for the landing pad outside the command level of the spire. He casually transferred from the water platform he had been walking on to the cement landing pad, padding inside the command center where it seemed like not a person had moved since he had left.

"Hail, your majesty!"

Percy didn't pay attention to who noticed him first this time, just waving it off.

"Get up." he snapped irritably at the soldiers scrambling to kneel to him. He knew they really weren't at fault for… anything, but they were soldiers. They could take a teenager getting snappy with them.

Percy walked up to the war table and leaned against it with both arms. "How's the occupation going?"

Reyna and Darlton glanced at each other, sharing a look. Percy pretended not to notice it.

It was Reyna who answered him. "The occupation is… progressing, your majesty. The population centers in the north of Egypt have been pacified with heavy casualties, but the less populated areas in the south have posed… more difficulty."

Percy quirked a questioning eyebrow, and Reyna and Darlton glanced at each other once again. He didn't fail to note that everyone else in the room coincidentally happened to not be looking towards them.

"The areas south of Cairo have consolidated into a resistance movement, led by the former Egyptian president, who managed to escape. British military advisors are holding with them, and we've been informed by the prime minister that NATO has threatened war should we advance further, and not withdraw from northern Egypt immediately."

"And I'm guessing we're not in a position to take them at the moment?"

Darlton cleared his throat, and it was he who spoke this time. "No, your majesty. The supply issues we mentioned earlier have reared their head. We've had to requisition food from the locals to make up the difference, and most of our forces are now inoperable on account of a lack of fuel. We're rapidly moving to resupply these forces, but, well... "

"We're stretched thin, then."

Darlton nodded. "Stretched thin and boxed in. The French, Italian, and Spanish navies have maneuvered to form a blockade against our cargo ships, preventing us from resupplying anything in the area. Our military on the eastern half of the Mediterranean is not combat effective."

Percy pursed his lips, thinking long and hard. If only he had Annabeth here, this was always her forte. He almost flinched at the thought of the wound that was still so fresh, but managed to cover it up.

"Can you get me a conference with representatives of NATO from here? Or at least the French, Italians, and Spanish?"

Darlton nodded. "We should still have secure lines between the former US and its allies in Europe. I'll get right on it."

"Good. Call for the prime minister, too. Get her up here. And contact the viceroy of Greece, have him supply our troops in the meantime." There were a few confused glances at the title of viceroy being given to the prime minister of Greece, but they carried out his orders anyway.

Percy let his eyes roam as he waited for the transmission to start, observing everyone hard at work. Nobody in this room was at fault, he had to remember that. Hades, he should be giving them medals for the feat they pulled off. Just because what happened had happened didn't mean anyone in here deserved his ire for pulling off exactly what he asked him to, unreasonable expectations and all.

Percy's thoughts were interrupted by a flash from behind him, and a body of water suddenly materializing out of mid-air. He resisted the urge to slam his head against the table, and let out a drawn out sigh.

"Sup, 'cuz."

As a rule, officers weren't allowed to have weapons on them so that things couldn't turn hostile due to a controversial decision. It was only because of this that the god wasn't filled with lead as every officer in the room was suddenly standing.

Reyna was the only one to recognize the god for who he was, quickly bowing. "Your highness."

Percy didn't bother straightening. "Hermes," he greeted, fighting to keep his voice from sounding cold. It wasn't his cousin's fault that he was in a pissy mood.

Hermes winced, completely ignoring the now kowtowing officers. "Ouch, yeah. Not in a good mood, huh? Hate to be that guy, but I have bad news."

Percy closed his eyes and forced himself to keep his temperament in check. "Which is?"

"Dad wants you to step it up a bit. He was happy with your progress in America, but you… haven't really moved since then."

Percy scowled. "I just invaded Egypt and have an international coalition at my door. I can hardly step it up without declaring all out war on the planet."

Hermes shrugged. "Do whatever you need to, dude. I'm just the messenger. Also, the big man himself wants to talk to you soon about the whole Egyptian debacle."

Percy rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Got it. Is he expecting me sometime in particular?"

Hermes nodded, coming to lean on the table next to Percy. "Tomorrow evening. Says he'll let you wrap up this situation before speaking with you. Also, he wanted you to bring that Egyptian girl you brought home."

That got Percy to glance up at the god. "He's actually giving me time to deal with a situation before speaking with me about it? That's a nice change of pace. But why Sadie? She'll still be recovering."

Hermes winced. "The big guy did not elaborate. Also, I wouldn't be so relieved if I were you. I mentioned he was getting impatient and I meant it. He is expecting the beginning of the next conquest by the time you meet."

Percy slammed a fist on the desk. "That's not how modern warfare works! I can't just invade anywhere I please like it's ancient Rome!"

Hermes winced, and thunder rolled in the sky above. Everyone in the room kept their eyes on the floor, not quite knowing what to think about an argument between their emperor and an actual god they were supposed to worship. "Don't shoot the messenger, man." Hermes raised his hands in a surrender motion. "I told you what he wants. It might not be a good idea to keep him waiting for much longer."

Percy scowled as Hermes blinked away, looking down at the table.

"Where's that call?" he snapped impatiently.

Darlton quickly held out a cellphone to him. "Your majesty. A video conference was not possible, however we were still able to secure a line with the presidents of Spain, Italy, and France. I thought it prudent to wait until your… conversation was over." Percy nodded in a way he meant as grateful but probably came off as impatient, and took the phone.

"Mr. Jackson?" A heavily French accented voice came over the line, and Percy grit his teeth. Funny, a month ago he hated to be called anything but Percy, much less something as overly formal as 'your majesty', and yet now he felt himself bristling at the disrespect behind the lackluster formal address.

"This is he."

"I'm disappointed, Mr. Jackson. I thought we were beginning to work out our differences at the summit. We can still salvage this. Order your men to surrender. We'll return them to you under the rights stipulated by the United Nations given to prisoners of war." The Spanish president spoke, sounding genuinely sincere, and yet with an air of patronization as well. Percy couldn't believe the gall of the man. Disappointed, as if he were scolding a toddler who'd eaten one too many cookies from the cookie jar. He wasn't talking to Perseus, the bane of Gaea, slayer of titans and toppler of giants, the emperor of the most powerful nation on planet earth. He was talking to Percy Jackson, a kid from New York in way too over his head.

Percy closed his eyes. The chatter around the operations room had halted when he had taken the phone call, likely to give him the silence required for an actual conversation.

Unfortunately, this had another affect, as Percy sensed the attention of every person in the room on him. Dozens of highly decorated men who had fought wars and run divisions, all waiting to see how he would handle the situation. How he would handle their lives.

"I have a different proposition." Percy began, keeping his voice as level as he could after the day's events. "Withdraw your navy, and you get to keep it. Your men will live and you get to stay in power for the few days it takes me to clean up the mess that is Egypt. That's my offer. Take it, or don't. It's hardly even an inconvenience for me, really. The only difference is the lives of tens of thousands of people I had hoped to save, but which ultimately mean nothing to me. I do not have much time, but I will allow you all thirty seconds to decide. What's your choice?"

There was a long silence on the line only punctuated by the silence of the room around him.

A cautious Spanish voice responded. "Now Mr. Jackson, I understand this might seem like we are standing against you, but think logically. You cannot expect any nation to take your demand seriously in this situa—"

"We will withdraw our forces immediately." The Italian president interrupted. "Hail your majesty." he ended, hanging up the call.

"Ten seconds."

The shock over the call was tangible. Percy wasn't a fan of what he was about to do, but he also had orders from Zeus.

The ten seconds ticked by in silence, and Percy tapped the end call button. It looked like negotiations weren't going to be very successful after all.

With a flex of his will, every French and Spanish ship in the Meditteranean was taken under the waves. A hundred thousand lives gone in an instant.

Percy closed his eyes and let out a slow breath. They deserved a moment of silence, at least.

"Can we hold against an assault?"

His senior command staff seemed to remember their existence and straightened up, moving past their momentary shock.

"...Likely, your majesty." Reyna was the one to respond. "Despite the chaos within our own forces, our military still vastly outstrips even the rest of NATO combined, and they've also beefed up their defenses on the Russian border. The issue will be if China or Russia decide to respond. Would you like us to begin pushing into Canada and Mexico?"

Percy waved it off. "It's simply a matter of stopping them from reaching our shores. They have to pass through sea or air to get here, so I can just cut their supplies. Are most of the NATO forces in Canada?"

"In North America? All of them, your majesty. Some Latin American nations have banded together to defend the Mexican border, but the forces presented are paltry even compared to the European defense."

Percy nodded. "I'm hardly going to starve them out, then. Pull every one of our men out of foreign military bases, bring them back home. Inform our former allies we're giving them their military bases back. When that's done, push south into the Americas with everything we have except for what we need to hold the northern front. Wait them out. They'll find themselves without enough food, fuel, or ammo soon enough."

"And the… strong possibility of nuclear attack, your majesty?"

Percy turned to the new voice, took note of the man's American air force uniform, and nodded. "Leave that to me. Don't worry about it. And I want none of our own nukes launched in retaliation, under any circumstances."

The head of the air force shared an uneasy glance with his colleague sitting next to him, before dipping his head in acceptance. "As you say, your majesty. We will pass the order to NORAD."

"Reyna, you're in charge of everything here. Keep in mind that they won't be able to resupply their forces overseas." Percy straightened, ready to leave and attend to other things in the meantime.

Reyna nodded quickly. "Will you be allowing civilian supplies to get through?"

Percy blinked, before shaking his head. He wouldn't even know how to differentiate between the two, to be honest. At least, not on that scale — he couldn't pay specific attention to every ship he sank and every plane he knocked out of the sky. And even if he could, the civilian goods ceasing to be able to reach Canada would suddenly mean there was a very restless population. In fact… "No. This is war, isn't it?"

Reyna hesitantly nodded. "As you command, then. I'll get things underway."

Percy nodded back, beginning to turn back to the landing pad when someone burst through the door. Percy glanced back to see the recently appointed prime minister arriving in a hurry.

"Ah, your majesty, I needed to talk to you about-"

"Walk with me." Percy interrupted, turning back to the landing pad.

She hurried to catch up to him in her long skirt and heels, only managing to match his stride once he was almost off the pad.

"Walk with you where exactly, your majesty?"

Percy answered her question by stepping off the landing pad without breaking stride. When it became evident she'd stopped her pursuit, he glanced back, lifting an expectant eyebrow.

"Um, how can I-?"

"Just walk off. It'll be solid." Percy assured her.

Nervously, she let a single foot step off the platform onto an invisible platform of air holding them aloft. She hesitated, but soon dragged her other foot on to solid air as well.

"You'll be fine." Percy told her, turning his back to her and casually walking away as if he was walking down stairs.

Swallowing, Maria followed after him, struggling to catch up between her nervousness and overall lack of appropriate dress.

"Is this… safe?" Maria glanced nervously at the open air under them, and the thousands of feet they had to fall should gravity suddenly decide to resume function.

Percy snorted. "This is the most safe you've ever been, Miss Sharpe. A nuke could be launched at this very spot and it'd be smacked out of the air before it could get more than a hundred feet from where it was launched. Something as trivial as gravity could never hurt you as long as you're near me."

Maria nodded quickly, struggling to keep up. Noticing this, Percy slowed his pace slightly.

"I know you're hardly a fanatic, but it's important for you to know that I or any of the major gods could end human life with a flex of will. Keep that in mind. It will be important should you or your co-workers ever have doubts as to why you're listening to a teenager and his imaginary gods."

Maria pursed her lips, simply dipping her head. She had to admit, she… hadn't been the biggest believer before this moment. She figured there was something to it, sure. But gods? Yeah, not likely.

Now? Now she wasn't so sure.

"Now, I was notified you needed an audience with me, Miss Sharpe?"

Regaining her bearings she straightened up, clearing her throat. "The recent movement of troops, your majesty. As your prime minister the state department falls under me, and-"

"And you want to know what in Hades is going on." Percy nodded. "It is understandable, I would too. I imagine the senate is also clamoring for answers."

"That's correct, your majesty. Whilst most have accepted the movement as legal, the senate still requests the status of our-"

"I will explain to you, but you will not tell them anything."

Maria blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You're all influential individuals, in the senate. You're used to deciding things, forming committees and questioning decisions — receiving answers when you want them, and receiving nothing less than the full truth. But that's not their job. Their job is to write and vote on laws because personally, I find the people do better when they create their own laws, rather than my assistant writing them for you all. That's it, that's the point of the senate. It's because I choose to let the people have as much freedom as I can safely give them, not because I am in any capacity required to."

"So you're saying…?"

"I'm saying tell them nothing. Inform them that they are civilians, and as the commander in chief — that would be Supreme Commander Reyna Ramírez-Arellano — hasn't deigned to inform them of anything relevant to their job, they don't need anything more."

Maria walked in silence for a few moments, trying to absorb the information. A senate without any sort of oversight, without actual power of committee or investigation was powerless. No checks and balances, just absolute rule.

"Then why would you tell me?" was the primary question on her mind.

Perseus stopped suddenly, turning to look at her. She stopped with him, and she could swear she saw mirth glistening in those eyes.

"Because you're not just the head of the senate. You will run the country for me. Foreign affairs, the judicial system, policy, almost every agency and administration we have — I have selected you to deal with all the bureaucracy I do not have the time to deal with. If you have no idea what's happening in Egypt, how can I expect you to… I don't know, write our trade policy. So," Percy began walking down the invisible stairs once again. "Here's the full story."


"They were… are, all real, then?"

"Were, actually." Percy corrected, stepping off of the final step of air and setting himself on the pavement outside a certain building he had yet to visit. "As I said,

most of them have faded from existence. I ensured that personally earlier today."

Maria swallowed, warily eyeing the teenager who had 'personally ensured' that entire groups of deities didn't exist. "I… see. I'll make appropriate changes based on what you've told me. And I'll address the senate, inform them of your… decision."

Percy winked, patting her on the shoulder. "Good. I have some divine business to take care of real quick, but if you need me to show up, let me know. Actually…" he seemed to consider something, before tapping a charm on his necklace. A moment later he was holding a long, titanium scepter. "Take this. Find a place for it on your desk in the senate building. It will grant you my full authority — the ability to speak in my name, which is your job anyway... However, if you were to use it in a way you think I would not approve of..." his eyes darkened, and Maria could swear she watched the calm summer sea in his eyes turn into a category five hurricaine. "Well, I think you know the ramifications."

And just like that, his eyes were back to sea green, the sky above them literally seeming to brighten at the passing of his warning.

"I understand, your majesty." Maria took the scepter reverently, bowing, turning, and ducking her head as she made her way back to the senate building.

Turning as well, Percy made his way into his intended destination, walking straight into the forges he had had built what seemed like so long ago.

Walking into the forge, he felt the invisible barrier around it like he was moving through a physical layer of molasses.

"Young emperor." One of them greeted the moment he was inside. Percy was only slightly embarrassed he couldn't remember any of their names.

He noticed again that he was oddly miffed at the informal-ish address, having gotten far too used to 'your majesty' for his liking. But he shook it off — it was probably just his bad mood.

"Hello. How are things progressing?" Percy asked in lieu of greeting them by name.

It was the perpetually pissed off one who responded. "Not very quickly, unfortunately. The boy insisted that he's needed his sword most of the time, so we've yet to be alone with it. Fortunately he's been around often enough that we've been able to get done most of the preparation."

"Which means?"

The more amicable one answered this time. "It means that we're almost ready to start. It'll be a few days of constant forging from there, but it's what cyclopes like us live for."

"Amen." the third one muttered quietly from the corner.

"We'll need some time to rest afterward, however. If you have another project for us, it might have to wait."

Percy nodded. "That's fair enough. Anything else you're working on in the meantime?" he asked, mainly because he was genuinely curious.

It was the third one, the normally quiet and hunched cyclops that took the lead on this one. "Experiments. Mostly to do with channeling and storing power in objects. A symbol of power creates its own power source based off of a baseline, which is then based off of whatever power the individual who creates it puts in combined with the inherent power of the item itself. So if we—"

"Spare him the details, Brontes. You may as well be speaking gibberish."

Brontes shook his head. "As you say, then. There are always ways to improve one's craft, and our current goal is to create a vast pool for holding energy within a symbol of power, not just having the symbol itself act as a power source. Think of it… think of it like hooking up a large battery to a generator. The main problem is that while we are good at forging, cyclopes are not the most magically adept of peoples."

Percy nodded. "That sounds interesting. So, what, you need someone who has a lot of magic?"

"Not just a lot of magic, but one who has studied the craft. It would help immensely, yes."

Percy smiled softly. "I'll see what I can do about that. Good luck with your experiments." he nodded, turning out of the building and heading back to his tower. Two of his royal guards rushed to escort him the moment they saw him exiting from the entrance.

Percy ignored them and all the civilians who kneeled at the sight of him, moving back to the Empire State. He had more than one homecoming to make.


"Percy, you're alright!"

Sasha seemed to be surprised to see him standing at the entrance to her room. Hurriedly, she made to kneel.

Huffing frustratedly, Percy took two long strides forward and pulled her into a hug. "Everywhere I go, people kneel. When I enter a room, people kneel, when I walk on the streets, people kneel, when I give a speech, or someone approaches me, they all kneel. Please, for the love of the gods, Sasha, don't kneel." he whispered into her ear.

Sasha pulled back slightly, vague hints of confusion present on her face, before her features settled, and she leaned forward into a kiss.

It wasn't like any other kiss he had shared with her. It was chaste, born of compassion, not lust. The fact that this was a first for them was probably not a good sign, but it was happening now. Percy could feel her love for him, in a way that kind of sickened him. He knew it was a love born of adoration, of worship. A love a hundred million girls her age across the world probably shared for him, not that he deserved any of it. But beneath that was a genuine compassion; genuine care.

She pulled back to look him in the eyes, and Percy refrained from chasing her lips. It would ruin the moment.

"I may not be able to understand, but I can try. I don't know how tough it must be for you, but I'm hardly making it easier, am I?"

Percy didn't answer.

"I think I've known you wanted me to treat you as an equal, I just didn't… it doesn't matter, because — I'm here for you."

She pulled him in, and Percy cradled her into his embrace. Percy tugged her over to the bed, but unlike every other time they had retreated to the bed they just laid there, holding each other. Percy closed his eyes and kissed the crown of her head, breathing in her scent. He relished the moment. Relished being cared for again, as a human being, not as an idol or a god.

Maybe… maybe this thing could work out after all.


"We agreed to this more than a year ago!"

"A year ago was a year ago. Things were different."

"But his deeds haven't changed. If anything, he's even more deserving of godhood."

"Deserving, perhaps, but the pantheon could not take the change. An addition of a new major god at a time like this…"

"A time like this is the perfect time! The mortals know him, they already worship him as if he were one of us."

"And that is acutely the problem. I agreed to grant him godhood upon his death when he would have become a minor god like Heracles, but now…?"

"And what of Dionysus? You granted him godhood for a fraction of the deeds my son accomplished, and he sits on the council!"

"He is not Dionysus!"

"No, he's better."

"And that is precisely the problem."

"You simply fear him usurping your power."

"I fear him usurping all our power! Already his worshippers outnumber our own — especially yours. If we deify him, he might rise to become the head of the pantheon in the eyes of the mortals. The only thing keeping him in check is that he is not a god himself, and even then… we have seen how that has progressed."

"... I must admit, that episode today was… startling. I was not aware he was that far along the process. But he was willing to show us his progress, is that not a sign of his willingness to be subservient, to his father and king if nothing else?"

"Perhaps, but I know we both have not survived this long by working off of what we think potential threats will do. If the boy ascends fully, he will be more powerful than either of us. With his temperament, all it would take is one bad day…"

"The council could keep him in line together. I could keep him in line, as his father."

"No, that is not acceptable. He cannot be allowed to ascend, in death or otherwise. It would spell the end of us."

"Then what will you do should he become deified naturally? We both know our power is based off of the beliefs of the mortals, and they believe him to be a god himself. It is only a matter of time... "

"We will deal with that when the time comes. For now, I have plans to keep him in line, or at the least reaffirm his loyalty to us."

"Very well. Just… speak to me before you take any other action. I don't like the games you're playing with him. They're dangerous. You're playing with fire, and bound to get yourself burned."

"I've handled greater threats before. The earth mother comes to mind. We will be fine, brother."

"As you say, then…"


The Thirteenth of June

Thirty Right Days A.B.M

1100 Imperial Standard Time

"Were you aware of the anti-imperial forces within the police borough?"

Deputy commissioner Rubin shook his head. "No, your honor. I had no idea whatsoever. I had no suspicion there was such a sacrilegious group within our own community."

The judge nodded, writing something down on a piece of paper.

"And you were not in prison, during the time the conspiracy was uncovered."

"No, I was not."

"You were reading the news, then?"

"Some, yes, your honor." The deputy commissioner slowly nodded, not sure where the line of questioning was going.

"Then you read of officer Milo's testimony of an anti-imperial group within Decantur's own police force?"

"Yes, yes, of course."

"Well, there we have it! So you knew there was an anti-imperial group within the very borough you yourself work at." The judge turned to the courtroom secretary. "Write that the defendant acknowledges that he knew of the existence of the anti-imperial organization within the borough."

Deputy commissioner Rubin stood up suddenly, quickly restrained by the bailiffs. "But it was from the news that I heard of it!"

The judge sat his pen down and began shuffling papers, almost bored. "It does not matter to the court from where you knew about the conspiracy, you knew," the judge grunted. "Any questions?"

"I—"

"No, then. Any last words?"

"B—"

"We've heard it all before. Next defendant."


"Hey." Percy pulled a chair to the bedside, sitting next to Sadie.

Sadie leaned up, rubbing her eyes with one hand. "Hello?"

Percy smiled, watching Sadie wake up to the smell of the tea in his hand. Holding his hand out, he offered it to her.

Carefully, Sadie extended her hands to take the cup.

"Did… Are you okay?" Sadie nervously glanced at him.

"I'm perfectly fine, Sadie. Thank you for asking." Percy let his hand rest on her knee. He really did appreciate her concern, but he had escaped uninjured. She'd just escaped unconsciousness and lost her entire family, if anything it was the one who needed the concern at the moment.

Sadie savored the tea as she took a long sip, lowering the cup and raising an eyebrow at him. "How do you know what kind of tea I like? Or was it just a lucky guess that you gave me green leaf."

Percy smiled a little at that, just a little abashed. "I had Nico ask the NSA about your preferences. Turns out you usually like green leaf around this time of year."

Sadie stared down at the drink for a few moments before taking another sip. "Ignoring how awfully creepy that is, thank you."

They sat in silence for a few minutes. It was one of those silences where Percy wasn't sure if it was an awkward silence or a comfortable one, but they were silent all the same, Sadie sipping away at her tea and Percy just watching her.

"Was there a reason you're here?"

Percy blinked, taken aback a bit by the bluntness of the question.

"This is the first time you've lost people, isn't it? Like, really lost someone that you were close to. At least, the first time in a while."

Sadie winced. "What made it obvious?"

"The voice in the back of your head that's telling you you're allowed to get snappy at people because you lost someone. That you're done outright grieving, but you still have an 'excuse', I guess."

Sadie pursed her lips and looked away, avoiding his eyes.

"Don't worry, it's normal. You get over it after the first couple of times. It doesn't mean you loved them any less."

"You've lost a lot of people, haven't you?"

Percy shrugged, hiding his own wince. "Many. It doesn't mean I've forgotten them, just that I've accepted they're not here anymore. I have an advantage over most people in that I've seen the afterlife first hand, there's not a doubt in my mind what awaits them when they pass. But we're not here to talk about that."

"Then what are we here to talk about?"

"Well firstly I wanted to check in on you, to make sure you're holding up."

Sadie put her empty cup of tea on the nightstand. "I'm surviving. Dr. Hawthorne helped a lot."

Percy nodded, committing the name to memory. He'd have to give her a commendation somehow. That couldn't hurt her career.

"It still… hasn't sunk in, really. I feel like I'm gonna break down and start crying at some point, but I have no idea when that'll be."

Percy nodded. "That's… normal, I think. These things never happen when you want them to. I usually just keep moving, it never really lands, not until you've already gotten used to life without them."

Sadie swallowed. "I'm not sure if I should feel bad that I'm not grieving them enough, or happy that I'm not still in shock. Dr. Hawthorne said there's no such thing as normal for these kinds of things, but…"

"Listen to her, then. There's not a doubt in my mind that you loved them, and I'm sure there's not a doubt in yours either. So don't get into your own head like that, they'd want you to move on as quickly as possible. But, that's not the only reason I'm here, unfortunately."

Sadie raised a questioning eyebrow and Percy sighed, shifting in his chair.

"The big man upstairs wants me to take you to our meeting tonight. I think he wants to talk about what happened yesterday. Look, if you're not feeling up to it, then—"

"I can be there." Sadie said, before handing him back the teacup. "I just need a shower and a change of clothes. Do you…?"

Percy nodded, standing from his chair. "I'll have someone bring you some clothes as soon as possible. And, ah... if you're up for it, I can have you briefed on what's happening with the nomes."

Sadie nodded, avoiding eye contact again. "I'd like that. Thank you."

Percy nodded, turning around and leaving, to go back to what he had been doing before he'd decided it was late enough to wake her.


Clouds angrily swirled around a single point, waves reaching hundreds of meters into the sky to scrape at the lower clouds. Far above it all a single form floated, the humanoid shape made of a white light which evaporated anything which came within miles.

Percy sat on a platform of air, concentrating on his metaphysical powers. It had been getting easier in the last few weeks, with the practice he had put in. He was, to a pretty wide extent, able to project his consciousness in the way the gods did. Unfortunately (well, fortunately, really.) he was not immortal, and so didn't have nearly the mental capacity the gods did. He couldn't throw his consciousness into multiple directions, or be miscellaneously roaming as he spoke with someone in his body. He still needed to shift his limited attention to one or the other. Maybe in the future he could pay attention to one area and speak to someone with his body like Nico, but right now that wasn't feasible.

Percy painstakingly pulled his power back into himself, covering his own form slowly with the visage he wore in his day to day life. He could do it instantly, of course, but it felt better this way. Like slowly leaving a hot tub rather than just standing up and walking out. Day by day he felt less comfortable in his more mortal form, like he had an itch somewhere he couldn't scratch, like it was constricting him more and more by the day.

Percy sighed as he let the rest of himself be covered, and then let the air supporting him dissipate, releasing him to fall thousands of feet to the water below. Several seconds later he hit the water, plunging hundreds of feet. Diving for the bottom, he quickly put on the clothes he had removed before taking on his new true form. Stretching, he began making his way towards the shore. At least the water helped to ease his discomfort.

He was getting better with this aspect of his powers, though he hadn't really found any practical use for them other than the projection of his consciousness. He could use it offensively, but unless he wanted everything for miles (including the ground itself) gone, that was a no-go. And the only real use for that would be if he went to take on the Hindus, which was looking like a better option every day.

He tensed. That brought up bad memories. He didn't really have a beef with any of the pantheons before, but if Rama was the avatar of the leader of their Pantheon, and he had killed hundreds of people who had given up their free will for his sake — who were extensions of himself all but literally. Well, Percy had some scores to settle with the Hindu pantheon.

Percy released a deep breath, letting his emotions float off into the ocean. It was another thing he had gotten better at since he'd let his true form free, though this one was less of an ability and more of a personal accomplishment. When a temper tantrum might submerge a subcontinent, controlling his emotions was paramount.

Percy let himself emerge from the water on a beach, not bothering to find an abandoned one this time. They knew he was a son of Poseidon by now anyway, it wouldn't exactly hurt to see his powers showcased in a non-harmful way.

Predictably, the nearby pier had seen him almost instantly, phones and cameras going crazy. The sunset they had come out there to see was forgotten at the sight of him.

Percy rolled his eyes, staring pointedly at a shadow for a couple of seconds. Nico apparently got the message, because a moment later the shadows themselves reached out and grabbed Percy by the ankle, pulling him into shadow travel.

Percy blinked. Well, Nico had picked up some new tricks too. He should have figured that when he didn't need all of his royal guard to be touching to be teleported a couple days ago either of the times he had transported them, but it just hadn't occurred to him.

Apparently Nico had picked up some psychic abilities as well, because when Percy popped out of the shadow dimension, he was in Sadie's guest room, Nico popping out right beside him.

Sadie yelped, jumping out of a chair. "What the hell! Don't I have privacy?! What the Duat are you two doing in my room!?"

"I checked before I teleported us, I knew you weren't naked or anything."

"How is that better?! You looked before you teleported… that's worse! Have you ever heard of knocking?"

Nico glanced at Percy, asking the silent question Do I really have to pretend privacy is a real thing?

Percy rolled his eyes. "Nico, be considerate. Most people primarily use their eyes to see."

Sadie glanced at him incredulously "What does that even mean?"

Percy ignored her. "Are you ready to go? He should be expecting us any time."

Sadie sighed, realizing he wouldn't elaborate any time soon. "Ready when you are."

Percy nodded, and stepped off towards the elevator. This conversation was probably going to be a pain.


Sadie gasped as they stepped out of the elevator, and Percy smirked at her, feeling just a bit proud of his pantheon's home.

"It's nice, right?"

Sadie's eyes flickered around Olympus, an ethereally glimmering city. It was even more beautiful than it had been the last time Percy had been here.

"It's beautiful." she muttered.

Percy started walking ahead. "Not to ruin your moment, but he's probably expecting us soon. You'll have plenty of time to stare as we walk through the city."

Sadie's jaw clicked shut, and she dazedly nodded, walking after him, though her eyes remained wandering throughout the rest of the walk.

Percy wondered how it must be to see Olympus for the first time while it looked like this. He had seen the city for the first time when there were maybe a thousand demigods aware of their heritage worldwide, and it had still taken his breath away. Now hundreds of millions believed in Olympus, and it showed.

"They're bowing to us." Sadie muttered, as if afraid they would hear. And true to her word, the immortals towards the base of the mountain were bowing towards them as they passed.

"They're bowing to him, not us." Nico spoke from behind them, and Percy shot him a light glare.

"Oh, yeah, right," Sadie blinked. "You have this much clout on Olympus? I'm lucky if I can get Isis to listen to me," she said, before suddenly wincing.

Percy glanced at her. "Is something up with Isis?"

"She's been giving me the silent treatment, like before I became her host, almost. She's never been this silent."

Percy pursed his lips. "Are we sure that I didn't… inadvertently fade your pantheon entirely?"

She shook her head harshly. "I can still feel her, but as far as I can tell she's just staying silent. I can't blame her, considering what I've done to her family."

Percy grit his teeth. "You didn't do anything to her family, nor to yours. Their mistake was in starting this in the first place, in standing against me. Rama was the one to kill them. If anyone else is to blame it would be me, but not you."

Sadie frowned, but stayed silent. Taking the minor victory, he kept walking for the time it took them to reach the throne room. They approached the doors and Percy began to push them open.

You and your pet may enter, but leave the girl outside.

Percy stopped pushing open the door and almost looked around, before stopping himself.

He'd felt this before. This was… this was like when Artemis had tried to tell him something, but much clearer, like an image in focus.

Percy blinked, realizing he had actually understood that message. Maybe he had progressed in some areas he wasn't aware of.

Percy looked over his shoulder at Sadie. "He's asking you to stay outside for now. I'll let you know when we're ready."

Sadie nodded and took a step back, turning around to gaze over the city from the top.

Percy turned back to the doors and pushed them all the way open. Zeus sat where he always did, on his throne at the head of the omega shaped throne room.

Percy had always felt pretty small in this room, but for some reason he felt right at home among the chairs taller than him, striding into the enormous room. Zeus sat in front of him, on his throne as usual. But once again for some reason Percy didn't get the sense of intimidation he usually did. They both knew the size of their body didn't really mean anything, it was an illusion anyway — a farce to seem more normal.

Percy kneeled once he reached the appropriate distance from the throne, letting propriety take its place since Zeus had called him to the throne room. Nico echoed him, the light clanking of metal indicating he had lowered himself as well.

"Rise." Percy stood up, looking at Zeus expectantly. "I expect you to be quicker in your conquests in future. The pace is too slow. It's been weeks since you've moved an inch, with the exception of Egypt."

Percy raised an eyebrow. "I've taken over the most powerful country that exists on earth in the last few weeks, the seat of your own power. I'd hardly call that slow. Besides, Italy, Egypt, and Greece have all been added as well. It's only a matter of time before the rest follow one by one."

"It's slow, and we both know it. If you had wished, you could have forcibly taken the world weeks ago. It is only your compassion for the mortals that holds you back. I agreed to let you run the mortal realm how you wished, but only so long as you conquered it. You aren't following through on your end. Step it up, or I will find someone else who will. I expect them all to be within our fold by the end of the year."

Percy narrowed his eyes, but just dipped his head. "As you wish."

That would be a hard goal to meet, a very hard goal. Well, that was a lie. Nothing was hard when it came to the mortals anymore. It's just that a lot more people would have to die than he'd like.

"You also need to enforce worship of the gods more. Mortals are foolish if left to their own devices, and will not see the truth even if it is right in front of them."

"What?!"

"I'm commanding the conversion of every mortal, under threat of death. Protest or speaking out against the law will also be met with execution. Effective immediately."

Percy clenched his fist, to the point he'd have drawn blood if his skin wasn't harder than steel by now.

"You are telling me to prosecute people based on their religion, on a nationwide— no, worldwide basis, under threat of death. This… this will be the largest mass slaughter in human history."

It was Zeus' turn to narrow his eyes now. "The war we are fighting, the one that matters, is based off of the belief of the mortals. If they do not worship us, they are only a tool for our enemies. The point of conquering the world in the first place was to enforce their worship of us."

Percy closed his eyes and let out a deep breath through his nose, trying not to show his true thoughts.

"Can you give me time, at least? If you wait just until the end of the year until I'm done annexing the rest of the planet, it will be much easier to enforce worship. If we do it now, my entire military will have to be recalled to put down the revolts."

Zeus shrugged. "Then you will have to take a more active role in the fighting. It is of little consequence. I expect you to make the decree today. Make it a decree from me, if you want to; All mortals must demonstrate their faith for the gods of Olympus, or shall be put to death."

"The conse—"

"There is one more matter at hand, before you go. The incident which occured in Egypt. Retrieve the girl." Zeus cut off Percy's objection.

Percy grit his teeth, and turned to get Sadie. He… he would find a way to prevent a mass slaughter. He would have to. He didn't have a choice, millions of lives depended on it.

Percy gently pushed open one of the large doors and peeked his head out. "Come on in."

Sadie nodded and followed him back to Zeus, bowing before the god.

"Lord Zeus." She rose from her bow. "I am honored to meet you."

Percy could tell her heart really wasn't in greeting the king of the gods but then again, whose was.

"Inform me of what happened in Cairo, to the last detail." Zeus looked at Percy, completely ignoring Sadie.

Percy did so, explaining the plot between himself and Sadie beforehand, and how he had been called away to deal with it, fully invading the country to make sure there was no possibility of retaliation from behind.

Zeus stayed silent for a moment after Percy's retelling.

"You did well, acting as you did. I had initially planned to order the execution of the remaining members of the other pantheons." Percy tensed, and so did Nico and Sadie, slowly pulling a hand behind her back. "However," Percy relaxed slightly. "You have shown that it is worth trying to cooperate with those beyond our own." he turned to look at Sadie.

"Marrying you will provide ample assurance of your loyalty, as well as reassuring the Hindus that we only acted in self defense."

An emotion that Percy couldn't comprehend unraveled within him. "You can't just marry her off!"

Sadie rested a hand on his arm. Percy glanced at her, and her head was lowered. "No, Percy. It's fine. I'll do it, if that's what it takes to convince Lord Zeus that my people should continue to live."

Percy shook his head, turning back to Zeus. "This is ridiculous. She's loyal, I'll personally guarantee it."

Zeus raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you will. Who did you think I was marrying her to?"


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Next Chapter February 28.