Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter- again, not much action yet but there will be lots of action fairly soon so I mean, there's lots to look forward to and enjoy in the coming chapters. Please please do review- seriously, I love hearing what you think even if your suggestions can't always be implimented.
They reached the desk quickly- the guard sat there was reading a big black book with a flower on the cover. He looked up when they reached the desk and he spoke quickly. "School group? We're about to close up."
"Do we look like a school group?" Percy raised an eyebrow, "Are you gonna be as much of a pain in the ass as you were last time-"
"Oh." the man's eyes narrowed, "It's you. The Jackson girl-"
"Yes. And if you don't let me up there I'll cause so much trouble that you'll be begging for us to go. Am I clear?"
The guard hesitated, looking her up and down, his eyes flicking to the crowd of demigods behind her before he gave a tight little nod hitting a buzzer that made the security gate swing open. "Make it quick then."
"You don't want us going through the metal detectors." Percy pointed, "Right?"
"Um, no," he agreed. "Elevator on the right. I guess you know the way."
As they walked past Annabeth tossed a drachma to him and Percy led the way to the elevator, pausing outside of it and turning to face the group. She pressed her lips together tightly.
There were a lot of them- the elevator was big but it'd be way to crammed to carry them all up.
"Right." She spoke firmly, "We're splitting into two groups-" she listed off several demigods to come up with her in the first group- including Annabeth, and setting the Stolls in charge of bringing the second group up.
The music that played during the ride up was different than it had been the first time Percy had come this way- it was Staying alive- and Percy snorted at the mental image of Apollo in bell-bottom pants and a slinky silk shirt- he'd probably enjoy that.
Then the doors finally dinged open Percy held back her relieved sight as she stepped out of the elevator. In front of them a path of floating stones led through the clouds up to Mount Olympus, hovering six thousand feet over Manhattan.
Even on the eve of war Olympus was beautiful. The mansions glittered gold and white against the sides of the mountain. Gardens bloomed on a hundred terraces. Scented smoke rose from braziers that lined the winding streets. And right at the top of the snow-capped crest rose the main palace of the gods. It looked as majestic as ever, but something seemed wrong.
Percy quickly realised what it was and she felt a sinking sensation in the put of her stomach.
It was too quiet- there was no music, no voices or laughter. Percy glanced at Annabeth who nodded, she'd noticed it too. Olympuus was truly deserted.
Then the elevator doors behind them opened again and the rest of the demigods joined them, and Percy and Annabeth led the way across the sky bridge into the streets of Olympus. The shops were closed. The parks were empty. A couple of Muses sat on a bench strumming flaming lyres, but their hearts didn't seem to be in it. A lone Cyclops swept the street with an uprooted oak tree. A minor godling spotted the group of demigods from a balcony and ducked inside, closing his shutters.
They passed under a big marble archway with statues of Zeus and Hera on either side. Annabeth made a face at the queen of the gods.
Percy glowered at the statue. "Bitch-"
"Fuck her." Annabeth agreed firmly- which made Thalia laugh.
"You two are gonna get smote some day-"
"She fucked with my baby bro-"
"You know she actually came to talk to me after?" Annabeth asked, "When I went to visit my dad-"
"She did?"
"You didn't think she'd show her face in front of you again did you?" Annabeth snorted, "You made it real clear what you think about Hera in the Labyrinth-"
"You didn't tell me she showed up-"
"I didn't want to worry you, you've been stressed enough as it is."
"What did she want?"
"To take credit for helping us on our quest." Annabeth snorted, "She's the one who paid Geryon to let us through-"
Percy's eyes narrowed, "Just us. Not Nico and Kayla." she scowled, "Oh that bitch-"
"Probably not a good idea to insulter her while we're walking past her statues." Thalia laughed, "Though-" she paused before theatrically whispering, "Fuck Hera."
Which caused the two other girls to burst out laughing, as Thalia wrapped her arms around the two younger girls shoulders.
"Oh you especially shouldn't be mouthing off about her." Percy laughed, "She hates you especially-"
"Eh, she hates me for existing- she hates you two because from the sound of it you both got mouthy with her-"
"Just at different times." Annabeth agreed with a grin, "But honestly, she had it coming."
"Yeah, bitch fucked with my baby brother. No one fucks with my baby brother-"
"Look!" Pollux cried, pointing toward the horizon, interrupting Percy mid sentence. "What is that?"
And Percy turned her head to follow his gaze. Blue lights were streaking across the evening sky toward Olympus like tiny comets. They seemed to be coming from all over the
city, heading straight toward the mountain. As they got close, they fizzled out. She watched them for several minutes and they didn't seem to do any damage, but still it was
strange.
"Like infrared scopes," Annabeth's voice was slightly strained. "We're being targeted."
No one was guarding the hall of the gods. The gold-and-silver doors stood wide open. Their footsteps echoed as the large group walked into the throne room.
Of course, "room" didn't really cover it. The place was the size of Madison Square Garden. High above, the blue ceiling glittered with constellations. Twelve giant empty thrones stood in a U around a hearth. In one corner, a house-size globe of water hovered in the air, and inside swam the Ophiotaurus, half-cow, half-serpent.
Percy smiled softly when she saw the familiar monster, who mooed in greeting and turned in a circle. Seeing him brought back her memories of the quest to save Artemis, her mom and Leo. And it brought back memories of her standing between Bessie and the Olympians and refusing to let them kill him because of the threat he presented.
She remembered Thalia standing hand in hand with her and declaring that she wasn't the child of the prophecy, that it was Percy.
It was so strange to think that she was right- and Thalia squeezed her shoulder gently. "Thinking about last time we saw the Ophitaurus?"
"Yeah." Percy admitted, "Yeah, I am. It's just weird-"
"Well." Annabeth's voice was firm, "The time's here and you're not even tempted so clearly the gods made the right choice in the end, letting him live."
"Your kindness is admirable-" and Percy's head snapped to the side and she focused on the figure stood by the hearth, a beautiful woman with long wavy brown hair and eyes that glowed red like fire- they almost reminded Percy of Ares' eyes except the woman's eyes were warm and welcoming. She was wearing a simple brown dress that did nothing to hide her beauty, "Welcome to Olympus Persephone Jackson, and your friends."
"You- I've seen you before." Percy said slowly, blinking, "You-"
"Yes you have. I am Hestia."
"My aunt." Percy realised, bowing low. "It's an honor to meet you."
"There's no need for that child." Hestia's smile was warm and gentle- somehow when it was aimed at Percy she felt that everything was going to be okay- which was ridiculous- she knew how serious things were- but- it just made her feel safe and comforted, and she stepped away from the fire- "Come- I wish to speak with you a moment." she held out her hand, and Percy glanced between Thalia and Annabeth before she stepped forward and took Hestia's hand, letting the goddess pull her away from them.
Once they were a short distance away, "Your brother is on his way, yes?"
"Yeah." Percy nodded, her throat suddenly dry- somehow she knew which brother Hestia was talking about without having to ask, "Yes he is Lady Hestia."
"Prophecies are funny things- their meanings can change but they can never be fully avoided. I know my nephew was terrified for his young sons fate until a scared woman expecting her first child visited a woman haunted by dreams of what might have been, visions caused be a cursed Oracle."
"I know." Percy's voice was soft, "We know. I don't know how it would have happened but it could have been him, not Alabaster-"
"It could have." Hestia nodded, "Not in this future but in another yes- and in that future the prophecy would have had a rather different meaning." Hestia turned her head, eyes expression almost curious as she examined Percy, "You two have always been tied together." she said after a moment, "It was always destined to be you who would reach sixteen, one way or another- and while he may not have the role he once would have had he will nevertheless be the deciding factor in your choice."
"I don't understand-"
"Not yet child. But you will." Hestia's expression was sad, "What will happen after is still unsure- but that much I can see. Your life is tied to his so very tightly."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I feel you deserve to know. I don't know how it will happen, but your choice when the time comes will be motivated by him."
"How will I know if I'm making the right choice?"
"You will know." Hestia looked faintly amused, "You are smarter than you think young Persephone. Trust your instincts and they will see you through."
"And then I'll die-"
"As I've said. I know that your choice will be motivated by your brother- I don't yet know what that choice will be or who will die in the end-"
"If it's between Luke and I then there's no question."
"I imagine he'd say the same." Hestia looked faintly amused, "If only my brothers could get along so well as you get along with yours the world might just be a better place."
"Hah." Percy snorted, "We both know that's never going to happen." she ran her fingers through her hair, pushing it out of her face. "My dad and uncle Hades would possibly be willing to try these days but Lord Zeus would never go for it." she let out a breath, running her fingers through her hair. "What do I do Lady Hestia-"
"You do what you think is right- I do believe Lord Hermes has just arrived on Olympus sweet child, I'm sure he will take whatever message you wish to give your uncle back to him."
"But I was hoping to see Lord Zeus-"
"We know." Hermes' voice came from the entrance to the throne room and Percy whirled around, her eyes wide.
He looked so familiar, though it was so strange- he didn't look much older than Luke, maybe twenty five, with curly salt-and-pepper hair and familiar elfish features that she saw on all of the Hermes kids faces in some ways. He wore a military pilot's flight suit, with tiny bird's wings fluttering on his helmet and his black leather boots. In the crook of his arm was a long staff entwined with two living serpents.
"I will leave you now," Hestia said. She bowed to the aviator and disappeared into smoke.
Percy let out a breath as Hermes strode towards them- she could see the Stolls and some of their younger siblings straightening up. She wished Luke was here- she knew he savoured the moments that he got to spend with his dad.
He looked exhausted Percy noticed, though he managed a smile at her.
"It's good to see you Persephone. I see my eldest son isn't yet here. I hoped to see him."
"No. I'm sorry Hermes." Percy felt sorry for the Hermes kids there- they looked hurt, "But we have a lot of your kids here-"
"I know. Hermes shook his head, "But they're not- as much as I love all my sons- Luke... he's the one who- this- what's coming- it could have-"
"I know Lord Hermes." Percy met his gaze, "We both know. But things are different now and Luke's going to be fine. You don't need to worry about him."
And Hermes shoulders lost their tension and he closed his eyes, letting out a soft breath.
"Right. Of course. My son is in safe hands- he always has been."
