Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson and the Olympians or Heroes of Olympus series.
Balance
In a rush the Olympians began to scramble out of their individual thrones to bow and greet one of the most powerful beings in the universe.
"Remain seated. I have come to be the balance, naught for you to grovel at my feet." The deep deadly voice of Helix penetrated through the throne room, freezing the Olympians stone cold.
Zeus slowly settled back down into his throne, clearing his throat nervously after some time. "My Lord," Zeus began his voice still bordering his fear at what were to happen if this being had cause to turn on him. His eyes quickly flashed toward his daughter and than just as quickly back to the young looking man before him. "If I could ask something of you," Zeus swallowed, scared and hoping he was not threading into dangerous territory. "Why is it my Lord, that your scent resembles that of my daughter's?"
Helix swept his hardened gaze once more over every seated Olympian, returning to speak to the council in general with no one person, personally directed at. "To not frighten you, I will be somewhat honest with you. My being here has already begun to make a balance between any and all of you."
The silence emitting from within the throne room, was so deafening that it seemed out worldly. Silence as deafening as it was at that moment, was not something heard within the throne room. Looking upon the past, no deity in the throne room would want to revert back to the prominent noise usually heard.
"For example, Hephaestus and Aphrodite would be known as a balance in a sense. Hephaestus being the mind and Aphrodite lacking of mind, results in the balance of each other. Thus results the problem of Aphrodite and Ares, both of which are lacking of mind, not resulting in balance."
Helix's gaze drifted slowly to Hephaestus, "Upon close inspection of the smith, changes within his appearance have already begun to show."
Athena's voice came enthusiastically, "So between the married pair, both of their respective realms will coincide in the two of them." Athena remembered soon after who she'd cut off, quickly draining her enthusiasm, rendering her smooth features to pale considerably.
"Precisely, daughter of Zeus," Helix's powerful voice returned.
"Alright, but-," Zeus' voice was cut off by Aphrodite.
"What do you mean by lacking of mind," Aphrodite asked unknowingly.
"Well Aphrodite, in all fairness, you are definitely not the brightest of deities." Helix said unsure as to how to explain without offending the goddess too much.
"Well of course not, that would be Apollo," Aphrodite said now completely lost.
"Ah, give me a break; he's calling you stupid/dimwitted in a polite way Aphrodite." Athena's voice broke through. Her expression soon changed to one of thoughtfulness.
"The most intelligible of you fourteen would be you, Athena." Helix answered Athena's unasked question. "To answer your thoughts, the second most intelligible among you would be three amongst you who are relatively even. Artemis, Hestia and Poseidon," Helix spoke evenly, through the disbelief being emitted from the three targeted deities.
Athena turned to look at the others sitting on their thrones, then bellowing out in between hysterical laughter, "Poseidon, really! Artemis and Hestia are believable, but Poseidon!" Athena's laughter seized to continue, once she realized no one laughing with her, to thus look out into the glaring eyes of Helix, clogging up her throat tightly shut in profound fright.
"Precisely, daughter of Zeus," Helix's tone becoming one of cold menace, turning all the Olympian's skin inside out, as they remembered this man's standing and power, reminding themselves not aggravate the son of Chaos, ever again. "Water being the most destructive force of nature, which is most abundant, must be constantly kept in check, always to remain as calm as possible. It takes great powers of mind to remain calm before all else."
Helix turned toward Poseidon, giving him a small, yet still noticeable nod of respect toward the mentioned god of the sea. Being praised by the son of Chaos seemed to mean a great deal to the sea god, for pride and gratitude began to radiate off of him.
"Now, to finish your first question Zeus, long ago on my birthday, after long and vigorous training, my father graced me with a ring. A ring from which he'd created himself millennia ago, to always keep his work and love close at hand. Being past down from father to son, the ring became a symbolic representation of love."
Helix paused looking up to the ceiling before continuing, "When the father came for the son, for the betterment of the world and brought him to the darkness. This ring was removed from the son, and placed upon the one who had all rights to his heart, promising his love that he'd one day return. Albeit that was lost, the meaning of the ring was lost, in attempt to quench the unforgiving hurt his love would endure, so her memories were wiped only for the cruel fates to tamper with the taking of his love's memories. Keeping her in a world of pain and hurt for millennia."
All of the Olympians were relatively bewildered, other than the two who had clearly understood. Poseidon sat staring at Helix in joy, as tears ran down his face. Artemis sat on her throne, looking down at her hand with the intricate ring on it, tears also falling from her flawless face, at the revelation the man before her had made.
Helix's armour dissipated altogether as Artemis stood up in a rush, and pressed her face to his chest, her body racking with her sobs of joy. Pushing her head back, Artemis looked into the eyes of the man she loved and longed for, through bleary tear coated eyes.
Reaching up, her arms entwined themselves behind Helix's strong neck, pulling his head down to hers. Finally after three millennia her lips were once again moulding those of her lovers. Their passionate kiss finally came to an end; Artemis reached up lovingly brushing the side of his face still shadowed in the darkness of his hood, whispering softly almost to reassure herself that this was truly happening, "Perseus." That was all she uttered from her luscious and captivating lips that, like a ventriloquist's, scarcely stirred as she still seemed dazed by her love finally having returned to her.
"Who do you believe you are, to dare and touch my daughter by bewitchment, I will have you tortured for eternity?" Zeus yelled in seething anger, not realizing who this being was. As other than Artemis only Poseidon knew as to who Helix was, albeit everyone was far too concentrated on the son of Chaos, than to see the blissful tears running down Poseidon's deeply sun tanned checks, running for shelter in his rugged beard.
Helix pressed Artemis' head against his chest as to tell the Olympians that they would never take her away from him and as a way for her to not here him as he spoke.
"Speaking through ignorance is the worst; you could do for yourself right now, especially as you are speaking to someone who is your better, Zeus."
As Helix had suspected, the Olympians as a whole shivered in fear, new to a being more powerful than they standing before them, threatening them with a cold, menacingly deadly tone making their blood curl.
Poseidon unable to maintain himself any longer, jumped up from his throne, sprinting to take his long lost son within his arms.
The remaining deities, bemused tried to comprehend the unfolding event before them, the son of Chaos foreboding the very definition of deadly-powerful and divine was wrapped closely in a heart felt hug by the goddess Artemis and the old sea god Poseidon
The council room was silent for a time, expect for the occasional escaping sobs of joy coming from both Artemis and Poseidon. The silence was broken as Athena finally grasped the totality of the event in the middle of the throne room occurring, making her gasp loudly.
"Perseus," she uttered looking at the man named Helix, wanting conformance of her suspicion.
Helix released Artemis from his chest, allowing her to hear once more, "Perseus is no more. He was the person who obtained his name in attempt for good luck by a mortal mother and immortal father. That identity is no more. The being before you is the son of Chaos, born in the formation of the Helix galaxy, put to sleep for millennia to be then suppressed in power and put into the womb of a most amazing mortal."
His voiced cracked a tiny bit, barely noticeable before Helix continued, "To learn the ways of life, morals and to learn in all how to love. Chaos could not stand to have another child who was corrupt and used his power to lead as a tyrant. Poseidon and Sally Jackson will always remain in my heart as parents, but I long ago learned to cope with my true identity, as such I ask that you not call me by that name."
The Olympians watched Helix, the Primordial Battle God, uncertainly. Helix watched them in return, until a frown formed on his lips. Pulling down his thick white hood Helix grinned at them all, "please my father hasn't influenced me that much! I'm still relatively the same as three millennia ago."
And for once the deities in the council chamber finally saw the face of Helix. To the gods and goddesses surprise, Helix still clearly resembled to Perseus when he last disappeared. The only different Helix had were his eyes and hair, Helix's eyes were brilliant white sun's radiating unimaginable power, and his normally thick black messy hair was now white, white like his eye's only not as brilliant and flamboyant, simply a dazzling pure white.
Helix looked down into the eyes of his love, "Please forgive me Artemis, for having left you for so long, it pained me to leave your side for so long, and the pain was greater as I saw you mourning, praying for me to return every full moon. Please forgive me."
Helix looked down ashamed to having been the cause of her pain and hurt for so long. His head was lifted gently by delicate small hands, for his eyes to once again rest within the gaze of Artemis. Artemis her eyes once again brimming with tears she spoke, "I will forgive you my love, for everything. Although you must promise me to never leave again, to never leave me again."
Helix nodded unable to speak for fear of breaking down before her and worst the other deities. "I promise, I swear it on Lord Chaos." Darkness as dark as within the void began to condense in the throne room, before dissipating, making the promise official for all of eternity.
Thus afterwards both passionately collided with each other in an embrace to almost compensate those missed throughout the three millennia.
The deities within the council chambers cried out in triumph for the couple finally being together, and openly showing their love.
"Hermes contact Chiron, tell him to bring his heroes, it's a time to rejoice and celebrate as it will be the only opportunity to properly celebrate." Zeus' voice called from the shoots of common joy.
Chiron stood within his camp for demigods for millennia his camp had barely changed, three millennia ago being a time were the camp changed and prospered for the demigods living within its borders like never before. Albeit like every few years what changed for camp on a regular basis, was its location.
It changed location to accommodate the location where the world was at its strongest, and like history for the first time, the location was repeated. Olympus, the home of the deities living upon it, moved. Albeit this time, Olympus was once again located above Mount Olympus, in Greece, just as it had millennia ago, long forgotten by mortals.
"Your bow arm must remain taut as you aim and shoot," Chiron told his students. Camp had also become so populated with demigods that Chiron and the immortal campers were also packed within their schedules. Will Solace was further in the archery range for too many campers were in need of assistance for only one to teach.
Hermes shimmered to existence before Chiron through a blinding yellow light. Chiron gave the Olympian a small bow, to show respect. The new campers how ever stared wide-eyed at Hermes, being for the first time before a god.
"Lord Hermes, how may I be of assistance?" Chiron asked while returning to his full height.
"Zeus has asked that you and your heroes come to Olympus, in late afternoon." With that Hermes, transported away, back to the throne room on Olympus.
Chiron studied the time, the gods had given him enough time to gather the councillors and then to arrive at Mount Olympus.
"Solace!" Chiron called, once with his attention he began. "Gather the other councillors at the big house; we must prepare to depart for Olympus."
"On it, Sir!" Will Solace called back already running off to tell the couple dozen councillors scattered about the camp.
After Will Solace found the first councillor closest to him from the archery range, it continued similarly to dominoes, the first telling the second only to continually multiply and eventually get every councillor in the big house within a matter of minutes.
"Councillors as you might have been informed you have been asked with my self included to go to Olympus, per request of the gods." Chiron told the many faces gathered before him. "Pack lightly; for we ride to Mount Olympus in twenty minutes time."
Councillors rushed out in curiosity, the times with the deities for many of them had been quite sparse, some campers only seeing the gods once or twice in their entire lifetime for the day of mourning on the disappearance of Lord Perseus which took place once every ten years. Most of the councillors didn't even pack, simply rushing for a Pegasus. The twelve immortal councillors however packed, always equipped with their necessities for any possible occurrences.
Through the rush of the councillors' haste, most did not take notice of Lord Perseus' immortal black Pegasus, missing. The ones who did take notice were the attentive ones, and those with years of experience such as the immortal campers, thus why all were a teacher in their respectful areas of expertise. Their talent, skill and prowess in these areas bested all heroes to come after them; all were feared and respected throughout Camp Half-Blood.
Gathered in front of the big house before departure, Chiron gave the councillors clear instructions to go directly for Mount Olympus, that there would be no detours during the journey looking specifically at the Stoll's while he explained this.
For Chiron was much to large for a Pegasus, and he himself was half horse thus he would join them on Mount Olympus in the same amount of time, the only difference would be that he was to journey by land, while they by flight.
The flight was rather short before the councillors lay eyes upon the magnificent city of Olympus, home to the gods. Landing one by one before the stables, the Pegasus and their riders were separated. The Pegasus being led into the fresh and clean stable, while the demigods where lead toward the imposing doors to the throne room. The first demigods to arrive before the intimidating doors were more concerned with the doors then Chiron and Blackjack, Lord Perseus' black Pegasus waiting there for them. Most councillors as they had never even been into Olympus before, others creating possible reasons for their invitation and others just to stunned to take notice.
"Enter," Lord Zeus' voice resonated through the heavy metal doors clad in rich gold.
The demigods filed into the throne room of the gods in a line of practically seven large with Blackjack and Chiron.
The immortal demigods with Chiron bowed to the assembled deities. However a good dozen of the normal councillors of Camp Half-Blood shook in fright, making their already unpractised bow, an even bigger fail.
"Rise," Zeus called through the throne room, and waited dramatically before explaining to those gathered before him. "As some of you might have learned from other sources, the Titans and Gaea have almost finished waking. Both these parties have decided to effectively join forces in an attempt to finally crush us."
"Then we stand no chance," Ryan said quietly. Everyone turned towards him at his spoken comment.
Poseidon looked worriedly at his son, "Why is that son?"
"Father I know I was not part of the last Titan and Giant wars, but you know I have done extensive research on my older brother. Without him the first Titan war would have been closed and finished in mere moments, the same goes with the Giant war. How can we defeat both parties joined together in a single war, without the god of Heroes?" Ryan looked toward his father his strength slowly leaving him in his fright knowing that they would be crushed.
Poseidon gave his son a small smile and turned towards Zeus as he began to speak once more. "Thus why you are here heroes, we have called you here to announce to you of our recent help." Zeus spoke, and even with him being practically god of theatre, gratitude still seeped through his voice.
"Lord Chaos has offered his services," Zeus paused dramatically. "Thus why he has sent us his son," Zeus pointed behind the gathered demigods with Chiron. Blackjack had long ago made his pleasure to Helix quite clear, finally having his master back.
"Hello demigods," Helix spoke evenly and calmly with his deep powerful voice. Every gathered demigod with Chiron included shook slightly in the power this man projected with simply his voice. Except for Ryan Waters, he unlike the others slightly shook in anger.
"How dare you desecrate my brother's throne," Ryan shouted at the man in Perseus' throne while he shook with anger. "Remove your self from his throne this instant," his voice rang out violently as his baby blue eyes, similar to the Caribbean darkened considerably.
The other deities seemed frozen within their thrones, all fearing what might happen to the demigod that was probably going to get incinerated. All the gods looked toward Helix fearing what he might do, even if they had earlier learned that he was Perseus from all those years ago. His power still seeped out of him like gallons of water, making him someone to be weary of. Although Helix still looked calm within his throne, as he rose from the throne all mighty and powerful at 13" in height he posed a frightening threat.
All within the throne room unintentionally took a step backward in fear; the gods seemed to retreat further within their thrones. Only Artemis rose to quell Helix of his anger, but she stayed put when his gaze settled on her.
"I am Helix, son of Chaos, heir to the void, and the Primordial Battle God. I am not restricted by the ancient laws demigod. And I will sit upon my throne if I so wish it." As he spoke his size decreased and his form changed. In an instant Perseus, him self stood before the demigods. Raising his hand, Chiron stopped advancing.
"I am not your brother Ryan, for Perseus Jackson was never a son of Poseidon, it was the form Chaos gave me to teach me the proper way of life. I would ask everyone present to refer to me as Helix, for that is who I am. I learned long ago to accept who I am." Slowly Helix returned to his original form.
Looking around Helix's sun, white eyes fell upon Ryan Waters, son of Poseidon. "Your courage is amiable, demigod. It is nice to meet a son of the big three, who is powerful and respectful, who does not bathe himself in his pride. It is comforting to know heroes such as yourselves will be on the battle field, powerful demigods will usually become egoistic people." Helix gave a small smile to the demigods before him.
"Now I believe Zeus wishes for you demigods to expel your fears in the form of partying before the war, so I leave you to it," Helix turned toward Zeus. "I will not take part in this party Zeus; I would ask that I not be disturbed."
The Primordial turned around to exit the throne room. Quick, light footsteps were heard behind him with a shout, "I would ask the same father!" Helix left the hall of the gods laughing lightly with the goddess Artemis upon his back.