"You saved me," she whispered. Zoe and Phoebe smirked.
"No, we didn't do anything. He saved you," they said pointing at Percy. Artemis looked at Percy who was covered in blood and ichor. She smiled warmly at him. Phoebe helped her to her feet. Artemis hugged her hunters, before looking at Percy.
"We must go to Olympus. They need to know what has happened. It is time for you to return, Gabriel. It's time for you to come back home." Percy shook his head.
"Not yet," he said. "We still have to figure out what parts of the prophecy have come true and what's left." Thalia managed to pour some nectar down Luke's throat and the young demigod slowly started to wake up. His eyes widened when he saw everyone standing around.
"Wh-where's Annabeth?" Thalia pointed beside her. Luke looked and saw the child of Athena in chains and unconscious. He smiled before trying to sit up. Clarisse helped him but he held up his hand. She backed away and he sat up himself. "What happened? Last thing I remember was holding up the sky." Artemis smiled weakly at him.
"You lost consciousness, child," she said. "They used you to hold up the sky so they could torture me before putting me back under the sky." Percy's eyes flashed a frightful gold. Artemis grabbed his hand to calm him down. "I apologize for what they did to you." Luke just shrugged, not noticing what she was doing with Percy.
"It's alright. I'm free now and still alive." Percy smiled and gave him a small, light hug.
"It's good to have you back, Luke. The Hermes cabin has been a bore." Luke smirked at him.
"Aw you missed me, Golden Boy?" Percy laughed.
"No, I actually liked the silence. But we need to figure out this prophecy." Artemis and the others nodded.
"The first line, Five shall go west to aid the goddess who's lost, I'm pretty sure that's self-explanatory," said Zoe. Everyone nodded. "One will pay the ultimate cost." Everyone frowned.
"Percy was that when you had to reveal yourself a little at the Smithsonian?" Percy shook his head.
"No. I don't know what that means." Thalia looked at Annabeth's sleeping frame.
"I actually think that line refers to Annabeth," she said.
"What do you mean?" asked Clarisse. Everyone looked at her.
"Well she loved Luke. Probably still does." Luke grimaced. "I'm sure seeing Luke tortured for her cause was a terrible cost to pay for her betrayal." Everyone seemed to think it made sense.
"Alright, so what is the bane of Olympus? I don't remember following anything," said Zoe. The questers thought hard but couldn't think of anything.
"I know what that one means," said Artemis. Everyone turned to her. "The monster I was tracking for Zeus was the Ophiotaurus." Zoe, Phoebe, and Percy paled. The others just looked even more confused. "The Ophiotaurus is an ancient creature born from the chaos between Gaea and Ouranos. It is part cow, part serpent. Whoever slays the monster and burns its entrails is said to have the power to destroy the gods." This time everyone paled.
"What happened to it?" asked Luke.
"I got lost and was trapped by Atlas and Annabeth before I could get to it. I don't know where it is now." Percy just hoped that if they couldn't find it then the Titans wouldn't be able to either.
"So that was what led you here to California," said Phoebe. Artemis nodded at her hunter. "Well that's the third line. The fourth line is simple again. Our quest was made up of hunters and campers. And a god of course," she remarked smirking at Percy. Clarisse glared at him, making him start to sweat. Luke just looked at him confused.
"What's she talking about, Perce?" Percy didn't look at him. He stared at Clarisse fearfully.
"I'll explain later, I promise." Luke nodded, though he was still confused. Clarisse smiled at being able to make a god nervous. Artemis took pity on Percy and gave his hand a little squeeze. He smiled at her. This time Luke did notice.
"What the Hades? Why are you holding hands with Artemis?" he asked incredulously, he tried to stand up but his legs were still too weak.
"We were very close a very long time ago," said Percy. "It's been years since we have seen each other." Luke gave him a very scrutinizing look but dropped it. "The Titan's curse must one withstand. Must be having to hold up the sky. Both you and Artemis had to face that curse," he said to Luke. Everyone nodded.
"But what about the last line? Who are the 'lost souls?'" asked Thalia. Everyone just looked at each other confused.
"I don't know," said Artemis. "The parent could be anybody. Atlas is Zoe's father, and Kronos is the father of the Olympians." Percy nodded and let go of Artemis' hand to help Luke stand up.
"Well now we have no choice. We must go to Olympus. These two traitors must pay for their treachery," he said glaring at the sleeping demigods. Artemis snapped her fingers and a beautiful chariot pulled by reindeer appeared.
"We can take my chariot." They all loaded up on the chariot, Thalia and Clarisse dragging Annabeth and Ethan onto it, and soon they were off in the air. The moon shown down on them, much brighter than it had been the last week or so. Percy and Artemis were talking quietly at the front while Zoe and Phoebe sat snickering behind them, occasionally looking at them and making little jokes. Thalia, Clarisse, and Luke sat in the back talking to each other about what all had happened. Thalia was very interested in finding out what had happened a couple weeks ago when Luke, Annabeth, and Grover had gone missing. They were really upset when Luke didn't know what had happened to their friendly satyr.
"What happened to the demigod you were supposed to pick up?" asked Thalia. Luke sighed.
"We reached the school where they were supposed to be, but we were attacked by a manticore. It was actually two kids. A brother and a sister. We grabbed them and told them to come with us. Seeing a creepy monster chasing us was enough motivation for them to trust us. We ran into a park, but Annabeth turned on us. She knocked me out and the next thing I know I'm in a prison being tortured by Ethan Nakamura." Thalia patted his shoulder sadly. "I don't know where Grover or the other two are."
"Annabeth will know. We will get it out of her. Maybe they are the lost souls we need to save." Luke's eyes widened but he closed them with determination.
"I won't fail them this time." Thalia smiled at him. Luke returned the smile before looking back at the front of the chariot where Percy and a twelve year old looking Artemis were talking to each other.
"So what's going on with Percy? Why did you guys say he is a god?" Thalia nodded. Clarisse just glared at Percy.
"He is. His real name is Gabriel. He is the oldest of the Olympians but thousands of years ago, Olympus grew too powerful so he stepped down. He gave Zeus his position as King and then just disappeared. I don't know exactly what he did but he pretty much put all of his godly essence into a demigod body. Now he is fully god but not limited to the ancient laws." Luke frowned.
"So he was a god this whole time, just lying to us?" Clarisse looked at Thalia.
"No. He didn't have any of his memories from his godly life when he became a demigod. He slowly gained more memories which made his eyes turn more gold." Clarisse and Luke's eyes widened.
"That makes much more sense," said Clarisse. "I wondered why his eyes changed so much on our quest last year." Luke nodded thinking the same thing.
"It was actually when Artemis and the hunters showed up that he got all of his memories. Now his eyes are completely gold, and he has all of his powers, I think. He might not have all of his memories back but he has enough to remember who he is and actually be his old self." Clarisse and Luke nodded. Zoe and Phoebe leaned over to them.
"She's right," said Zoe. "He still doesn't remember everything but he's not just Percy anymore. He's Gabriel again." Luke glared at them.
"Why do you even care? Aren't you angry he was holding hands with Artemis?" Phoebe glared at him.
"Watch who you're talking about, boy," she hissed. Clarisse and Thalia rolled their eyes. The hunters were back to their normal selves.
"Gabriel helped Artemis start the hunt. He is as much a part of the hunt as Artemis is. It used to simply be called the Hunt, until Gabriel disappeared. He and Artemis are both our patrons. In the past we would receive both of their blessings. The more recent hunters only have Artemis' blessing," said Zoe to Thalia and Clarisse. She refused to look at the male in front of her.
"What does his blessing do?" asked Thalia interested. Clarisse nodded.
"Enhanced agility and strength. It balances you out in power and in mind. He doesn't give you more because if a demigod or hunter were to have any more of his power they would die from it all. Especially when hunters have Artemis and Gabriel's blessings." The demigods nodded. They were incredibly impressed with what they had heard. They all looked back at where the gods were talking. It was hard for them to see little Percy as anything other than a demigod that had kept mostly to himself in camp. Luke shook his head. So much had changed and it had only been a couple of weeks, maybe a month, since he had gone missing.
"We are here guys," said Percy a couple of hours later. Annabeth and Ethan had woken up but were gagged before they could say anything. Thalia, Luke, and Clarisse looked around in awe. Olympus was a massive mountain. The walls and streets were shining brilliantly. Trees and gardens lined every courtyard. Nymphs, satyrs, and minor gods ran around keeping up with their duties. The main throne room stood at the very end of the main street down Olympus. Artemis had pulled the chariot up in front of the Throne Room. They all got out, and Thalia and Clarisse forced the traitorous demigods with their spears towards the Olympian council.
They walked into the Throne Room. Everyone but Artemis stood in awe. Even Annabeth and Ethan couldn't help but see how spectacular Olympus was. Annabeth was practically giddy when she looked at all the architecture. Percy felt an incredible sense of nostalgia as he looked around him. He hadn't been on Olympus in thousands of years. He saw Hestia sitting in the corner of the Throne Room poking at a fire with a stick. She looked up and smiled at him. He returned the smile, but frowned. Changes needed to be made. The first being that Hestia and Hades needed to return to Olympus.
Zeus and the other Olympians were standing around talking when they noticed Artemis leading the demigods into the Throne Room. Athena glared at her daughter, who stared defiantly right back at her.
"Artemis," said Zeus. "You have returned." Artemis grew to her godly height and took her place on her throne. Apollo gave her a look full of relief. She rolled her eyes but gave him the tiniest hint of a smile. The demigods bowed before the council, Thalia and Clarisse forcing Annabeth and Ethan to bow. Percy, however, refused to bow. He looked around the room. The gods had not changed much since he had last seen them. The Olympians looked at him confused. They seemed to recognize him but couldn't quite figure out who he was. Zeus glared at him.
"Who are you, demigod? You dare deny us the respect we deserve?" Percy looked at him and smiled. Zeus's eyes widened when he saw Percy's golden eyes.
"Hello, brother." The other Olympians stood up out of their thrones, except for Artemis who sat smirking. Hestia just smiled from the hearth. "It's been a very long time, hasn't it." The other Olympians, except for Dionysus, shrunk down to normal size and walked up to Percy. Zeus sat in his throne not knowing what to do.
"Gabriel?" asked Poseidon. Percy turned to him and smiled.
"It's me, brother. I have missed you all so very much." The Olympians grabbed Percy and each gave him a tight hug. Hestia flashed away from the hearth. She needed to bring someone to see this.
"Where have you been?" asked Hera. Percy frowned.
"I've been many places. I traveled around the world doing what I could to help keep the peace. But I saw the fate of Olympus, and I know Apollo has seen a little as well. War is coming. In fact, it is already here. I needed to find a way to be free from the ancient laws. I won't tell you how I discovered this power, but I managed to put my essence into a mortal body. I am now fully god and fully demigod." Athena just sat there dumbfounded as did the other Olympians. Percy just shook his head. "I can explain things later. Right now we have business to attend to." They nodded and returned to their thrones. Percy looked at Zeus who still had not so much as twitched.
"How is this possible?" asked Zeus. "We thought you had faded!" Percy frowned.
"I was always nearby. I just couldn't reveal myself. But now the time has come for me to return. Family," he said. "The Titans are returning." The gods paled but nodded. They had expected this. The other demigods stood back up, and together they told the Olympians about their quest. They told them about each line of the prophecy and how it had been fulfilled. They were horrified that Artemis had not found the Ophiotaurus. Before they could continue, Annabeth laughed.
"What's so funny?" ordered Zeus. Thalia jabbed her with her spear and removed the gag. Annabeth jumped away in shock. She glared at Zeus.
"The Titans already got hold of the Ophiotaurus. It has already been slain and burnt." The gods paled tremendously. Even Percy's golden eyes dimmed to a pale yellow.
"You lie," said Zeus, though he was shaking.
"It's the truth," replied Annabeth haughtily with a smile. Ethan glared at her and tried to speak but couldn't with the gag in place.
"Then who burnt it?" Annabeth just smiled and kept her mouth shut. Thalia tried to force it out of her but Annabeth wouldn't budge. Percy grew tiresome of her antics and grabbed her face. He stared deep into her eyes. He saw everything. Grover and the two demigod children were locked away on a ship. The children belonged to Hades who had hidden them away so that Zeus would not kill them. Her master was planning on forcing one of them to slay the Ophiotaurus. However, he saw that Annabeth was lying. He pulled away, leaving her pale and shaking.
"She lies. The Ophiotaurus has not been sacrificed yet. However, their master plans on using the children that Luke and Grover were tasked with retrieving to burn the monster." Athena stared angrily at her daughter. Ethan did as well, though he was furious that Annabeth had given away their master's secrets.
"Who is their master?" asked Zeus. "Is it Kronos?" Percy shook his head.
"She doesn't know. I'm guessing that whoever it is has the power to keep them hidden away and keep their identity a closely guarded secret. I doubt even Atlas knows." Zeus nodded, but frowned.
"Then who are these children? What makes them so valuable?" Percy stared at him coldly.
"They are the children of Hades." Thunder flashed in the background and Zeus grew furious. Before he could respond, however, Hestia returned to the Throne Room.
"Who called my name?" Percy and the others turned around and saw Hestia standing beside a tall man with pale skin.
"Hades!" cried out Percy. He rushed to the god's side and gave him a strong hug. Hades blanched.
"Gabriel?" he asked incredulously. Percy pulled away and nodded. Hades pulled him back and gave him another hug. "I thought I would never see you again! I thought you had faded, I couldn't feel your presence anywhere on earth!" Percy nodded.
"There were many years that I wasn't. But that's a story for another day. Your children are in danger, Hades. The leader of the Titans is planning on using them to raze Olympus to the ground." Hades tried to respond but was cut off by a roar of thunder.
"Hades!" yelled Zeus. "You dared to have children?" Hades looked at his younger brother murderously.
"They were born seventy years ago! I hid them away where they would not age to protect them from you! And how dare you threaten me for having children. Your own daughter stands in this very room!" Thalia didn't know what to do. Hades looked like he was going to throw her into Tartarus right there. Percy put a calming hand on Hades' shoulder.
"Calm yourself, brother. I know that Zeus has wronged you many times in the past. His actions must be corrected." Zeus glared at Percy.
"You have no right. I am the King of the Gods now. I say what will or will not happen." Percy's eyes glowed gold with rage. Thalia and the others backed away quickly. Annabeth and Ethan moved to the side as quickly as they could in their chains. Zeus flinched at Percy's look of rage.
"I placed you in charge so that you would lead Olympus by doing what is right. I tried many times even before I left to correct you and put you on the right path. I thought that by doing this the fate of Olympus would be safe and secure. I was wrong. Your egotistical pride and jealousy has corrupted this council." All the Olympians except for Dionysus and Zeus smirked. "I may be much smaller than you. I may have the body of a twelve year old, but I still am Gabriel. I have more power than anyone in this room. I thought you would see my example and not use your powers to satisfy your own greed!" Zeus looked down, chastised. "Now you listen to me, Zeus. The Titans have returned and Olympus will fall unless it has a strong worthy leader. Will you be that leader? Or do I need to replace you with someone more qualified?" Zeus shook his head.
"I will be the leader Olympus needs me to be." Percy nodded.
"Good. You can show that to be true by returning Hestia and Hades to their rightful spots as Olympians." Zeus glared at him. Percy stared at him right back.
"Fine," Zeus managed. "I will allow them to return." Percy just stared at him. A couple of seconds later two more thrones emerged. Hades and Hestia smiled at their older brother and sat in their own thrones. Everyone could feel the power of Olympus grow exponentially. Annabeth and Ethan began shaking with fear.
"Now we have two more things to go over. First, we must rescue the children of Hades before the Titans turn them against us. Second, these two must be punished for their crimes against Olympus." The Olympians nodded.
"Who shall go find the children?" asked Zeus.
"We will go," said Zoe speaking for the first time. Artemis looked at her hunter with pride. "This was our quest and we will finish it to the letter." The Olympians nodded once more.
"Very well," said Zeus. "Go and find the demigods and bring them back to camp. Now for the punishment." Thalia and Clarisse dragged Annabeth and Ethan before the gods. "We will decide what punishment will be best. Heroes, you may leave now. Go and complete your quest. Leave these traitors to us." Percy and the others nodded. The hunters and demigods bowed and walked out of the Throne Room. Percy stayed for a minute longer.
"I will return when the prophecy is over. We still have much to catch up on," he said. The Olympians smiled and nodded. Artemis got off her throne and walked with him out of the Throne Room. "We will need a lift back to San Francisco," he told Artemis. She gave him a confused look. "I saw in Annabeth's mind that the ship that the demigods and Grover are being kept on is in the San Francisco Bay."
"I will take you all there. Will Luke be going with you?" Percy shook his head.
"He was not a part of this quest. He will return to camp where he will get some much needed rest." Artemis nodded. They returned to the others and Percy told them the plan. Luke was a bit miffed at not being able to go along but the aches in his back from his month of torture kept him from arguing. The got back on Artemis's chariot. She stopped outside camp to let Luke off. He waved goodbye and they took off once more towards California. The chariot went much faster this time and in only three hours they were back where they had been before. They got off the chariot and waved goodbye to Artemis. She pulled Percy into a hug and threatened to kill him if he didn't come back to the hunt with Zoe and Phoebe. He laughed and agreed to return. They watched Artemis leave and then turned back to the coast. About two miles off shore, they saw a small yacht in the water.
"That's it," said Percy. "Now remember. We aren't going in there guns blazing. We get in, we rescue the others, and we get out. If we can manage to find them and get them out without alerting any of the monsters on board then it will be even better." They all nodded. They found a small dock and paid the owner to use his row boat. Soon they were gliding across the moonlit ocean. They pulled up beside the yacht. The words Princess Andromeda were painted on the side. Percy helped hoist Zoe and Phoebe up over the side before he climbed up himself. Thalia and Clarisse would remain on the row boat to make sure they would still have a way to leave if things went sour.
"They are being kept below," whispered Percy. Zoe and Phoebe nodded. They crept along the yacht careful not to make any noise. They could hear monsters screaming and shrieking below them. They reached the stairs going down. Percy pulled out Anaklusmos and led them down. The first room they passed was a small kitchen where a couple of enemy demigods sat around a table eating. Thankfully, because of the monsters aboard, the yacht was kept in near total darkness. They kept to the shadows and went one floor lower. This one was even darker and they could see the outline of several monsters fighting. They didn't stop for fear that they would catch on to their scent. They made it down to the lowest level and found a celestial bronze door right at the foot of the steps. Two demigods were standing guard, though in the darkness they couldn't see the questers creeping down the stairs. Zoe and Phoebe pulled out hunting knives and made quick work of the guards. The stepped over the bodies and opened the door to the prison. Percy rummaged around in his backpack and found a flashlight. He clicked it on and searched the room. Grover and the two demigods were huddled in the corner shaking. Percy couldn't see any signs of harm which was a good sign.
"Please! Don't hurt us," cried out the girl. Percy was impressed at her resilience.
"We aren't here to hurt you. We've come to get you out." Grover looked up.
"Percy?" He couldn't see who was there with the light flashing in his eyes.
"Yes, it's me and two of the hunters. Now come on we need to get out of here." Zoe and Phoebe came into sight and helped the demigods stand up. Grover gave Percy a one arm hug.
"I'm so glad to see you, Perce." Percy smiled.
"You too. Now when we go back out of this door follow me. Move quickly and as quietly as you can." They all nodded and followed Percy out of the room. They passed the first floor with the monsters with no problem. On the second floor, however, the two demigods and Grover's stomachs growled loudly at the sight of the enemy demigods eating. The demigods stood up from the table drawing their weapons. Percy lunged forward. He kicked one in the legs knocking him to the ground. He ducked underneath one's sword and stabbed upwards with Anaklusmos. The third demigod swung his sword, but Percy grabbed his wrist stopping the demigod's swing. He thrust Anaklusmos straight into the demigod's stomach. Blood came gushing out of the wound as well as the kid's mouth. When he fell Anaklusmos was ripped out of his stomach. The first demigod got up and tried to stab Percy in the back but collapsed to the ground. Percy whirled around but saw the demigod lying on the ground, blood gushing out of his back. He looked up and saw Phoebe holding up a dagger. She smirked at him and wiped her blade off with a napkin on the table. Percy wiped Anaklusmos off with his shirt and they continued up. They reached the side of the boat and Thalia and Clarisse helped the demigods down. Zoe and Phoebe climbed down next. Percy swung a leg over the side when he heard shrieks from down below.
"Shit!" He yelled. He dropped quickly onto the rowboat almost causing it to tip over. "They found the bodies. Get us out of here." Thalia and Clarisse didn't need more and began rowing them back to shore. The shrieking got louder back on the yacht and Percy let out a breath. The two demigod children were shaking. He sat down in front of them.
"What are your names?" The girl pulled her brother closer. They both had pale skin, brown hair, and brown eyes. Just like their father, thought Percy.
"Bianca di Angelo. This is my brother Nico." Percy gave them a reassuring smile.
"My name is Percy Jackson. I'm sure Grover here has told you guys who you guys really are?" Bianca nodded.
"You mean what we are?" Percy just laughed. Hearing the laugh the two children slowly began to loosen up. They smiled hesitantly at Percy.
"Yeah that's what I mean."
"Grover told us that we are demigods," said Nico. Percy nodded.
"It's true. We are on a quest to save you guys and bring you back. Your father is waiting for you." Nico's eyes widened.
"You know our father?" he asked eagerly. Bianca's eyes widened as well.
"Very well actually," said Percy.
"Who is he?" they both practically shouted. The others on the boat laughed. Percy smiled at them.
"Your father is Hades. The Olympian God of the Underworld." The looks on their faces were priceless. Percy snapped in their faces to get their attention.
"Our father is Hades?" asked Nico. He was practically bouncing. "He's awesome! He's one of the most powerful characters in Mythomagic!" Percy cocked his head.
"It's a game that he plays," explained Bianca. Percy nodded and smiled.
"Why don't you explain it to me, Nico? We've got a long ways to go." Nico smiled brilliantly, glad that finally someone wanted to hear about his game. Before he could start explaining, Bianca cut him off.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked.
"We're going to New York."
"What's in New York?" asked Nico.
"Olympus."
A/N: Here's chapter 13. I hope you all enjoyed it. Let me know what you guys think. Keep reviewing! The reviews have been amazing so far. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed this story!