Percy thought about how much of a mixed bag being a hero was; it was exciting, exhilarating, and fulfilling, but it was also dangerous, depressing, and resulted in a high level of burnout. However, Percy had been a hero for six years. He thought it was enough for him. He thought that it was time for other heroes to step into the spotlight and that he needed to continue to move forward in a world without Annabeth.
Poseidon pressed gently. "Well, my son?"
The image of Cyrene trying to walk to her brother flashed through his head, as well as Paul teaching him how to wear a tux and his mother eating spaghetti.
Percy looked up at his father.
"Yes. I accept."
A ripple of excitement went through the room.
Grover grinned and put his arms above his head in celebration. Thalia gave him a high-five.
"Way to go, Aquaman."
Percy smiled in response. Athena and Artemis looked at him with unreadable expressions. Poseidon's smile warmed Percy's heart and Zeus grunted. "Well, it's about time. Hands up!"
Every god in the room put their right hand up and suddenly, Percy felt a huge warmth in his body. He felt wind in the room and saw the wind glow into a shining golden color. It swirled around him like Grover's wedding petals swirled around the area. He felt the urge to close his eyes and his mouth, and he did that. Instantly, he opened them again, but golden flames were coming out of them. His body levitated about one foot off the ground, and energy was seeming to bend around him. Percy felt power, intense power, flow through him. He felt every ache and every soreness disappear from his body and after a few seconds, he dropped to the floor.
He felt…a lot like regular Percy. Except a lot stronger. He felt like he had taken about ten baths in the River Styx and that he was constantly in the middle of the sea; alert, strong, and at peace. He felt energy and power brimming at the surface, that he had to consciously hold down. He figured that this was his godly form, anxious to break out and show itself, melting all faces of mortals that looked upon it. At one time, he felt every single tide, wave, and current in every body of water throughout the entire world. Each one seemed to be pulling him there at once, so if Percy wanted to, he could materialize at whatever tide he wanted to.
"GROVER UNDERWOOD!"
Dionysus stood up, and he looked pretty official; slimmed down and wearing a suit now. Percy wondered where he had been, but remembered that Annabeth told him that he was living with his immortal wife in Olympus under a pardon by Zeus.
Grover looked up at him and knelt. "Lord Dionysus."
"We would like you to come live on Olympus as our new God of the Wild. It is a promotion from your original position of Lord of the Wild. It comes with full benefits, and the power of Pan. We have a new residence for you created among our Olympian Gardens."
Grover's jaw fell slack for a second and Percy recognized that as what he would do before he would pass out. However, Grover stopped himself from losing consciousness and took a breath.
"Lord Dionysus, I can't live on Olympus. I…I couldn't leave Juniper like that. We just got married."
Aphrodite smiled warmly. "Grover, we really need you for this job. Tell us that she needs to live with you as your immortal bride or you won't take it."
Grover hesitated. "Um…Juniper…needs to live with me as my immortal bride or you…I mean I, won't take the job."
Aphrodite put her hand on her forehead dramatically. "Oh, no. You drive such a hard bargain. We accept."
Zeus stifled a chuckle. "Everyone, hands up."
In the same process, Grover was made into a God of the Wild. Juniper had appeared in the throne room, undoubtedly confused about how and why she was there. Grover ran over and hugged her, pulling her to the corner to update her. However, as he started to explain, he passed out and Juniper spent the next few minutes cradling Grover's head.
"THALIA GRACE!"
It reminded Percy of the first time that Zeus had boomed his name when he was only twelve years old. He had been scared that the gods were going to kill him, but they voted otherwise.
Thalia looked at Percy and he gave her an encouraging smile. "You got this."
She nodded gratefully and looked at him for a beat too long. She stepped up and knelt at the feet of her father.
Zeus looked at her and said, "Thalia, you make me proud. You and Jason are my favorite children, even above Heracles and Perseus."
Percy grinned at Poseidon, who matched his smile.
Thalia straightened up and gave a brilliant smile that made Percy's heart do a tap dance. "Thanks…Dad."
Artemis had one tear coming down her eye and sliding down her cheek as she regarded Thalia. Percy wondered what she was thinking about.
Thalia took a shaky breath. "Father, I would like to say something before you speak."
Zeus sat back and beckoned her to go on.
"For a few years, I have been serving as one of the Hunters of Artemis. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had and I found a family among those women. Artemis was one of the best mentors I could ever ask for. However-"
Percy stepped forward. He grabbed Thalia's shoulder. "Thalia, don't."
She whipped towards him with lightning in her eyes and Percy took a step back. She regarded the Olympians once more.
"-I must retire from my position among the Hunters of Artemis."
A ripple of discomfort and disbelief flowed over the crowd. Everyone looked at one another in confusion and whispereed to one another. Artemis continued to look on. Percy realized that she must have seen this coming.
Thalia sighed, and in a moment that made Percy feel like lightning was racing through his body, she said, "I am in love with Percy Jackson. Years ago, you couldn't have paid me to believe that was ever going to happen, but here I am, saying this. He is strong, honorable, courageous, brave, loyal, humble, a good fighter, and a better man. He has provided me comfort in the darkest of days and he has been on my mind like…a tumor. He's been in my heart for the better part of a year, and when I left him, I felt like I was missing something inside. With these feelings, I don't believe that I can serve Artemis with all of my being, and she deserves nothing less from her lieutenant."
Thalia knelt at the feet of Artemis and put a closed fist to her chest. "I am leaving the Hunters of Artemis for the company of a man. I understand that this means that you turn me into whatever animal you see fit."
The room flipped upside down for Percy and he tried to move or say something. The petal on his necklace was glowing a purple, then a pink, then a red.
An animal? Percy realized that he didn't know much about Hunter lore and the logistics of the oath they swear, but his hand still went reflexively to his pocket.
Artemis watched Thalia with an unreadable expression. She flashed her eyes towards Percy, and back towards Thalia. The throne room was deathly quiet as the constellations above continued to move. Artemis looked up at the stars and the constellations of Zoe and Orion glowed. She sighed.
"Thalia Grace, you joined the Hunters of Artemis out of a broken heart and you are now leaving it due to an aching one. Orion almost had my heart once, and I was not sure if I would have given up my maidenhood for him. But, I did consider it once. Your actions with the Hunters have showed great dedication to the Hunt, but your actions regarding Percy have shown me what I would've done for Orion out of love. But, a promise of consequences is a promise that must be kept."
She extended hand and Percy ran in front of Thalia protectively. "NO! Don't do this, Artemis. Turn me into one, but not her. This world could do without me, but not without Thalia…in human form."
Artemis' eyes glowed. "Move, Jackson."
Grover stepped from the corner. "Percy! MOVE!"
Percy felt his eyes glow sea green as well. "No. I am a god now. I won't let you hurt her. She has been your loyal lieutenant for years, and now you're going to turn her into an animal because she had a feeling?!"
Artemis regarded him and he stared back at her, feeling the Wolf on his face. He saw her muscles tense and he realized that she would not be as easy of an opponent as Ares was. But Thalia was worth him trying.
As he looked at Artemis, he felt a warm hand slip into his. Thalia reached kissed him on the cheek. Percy felt power and a strong current rush through his body.
"Percy, thank you. But this is what I have to do."
He felt like she was sacrificing herself on Half-Blood Hill again, but this time, he was there to feel himself losing her. And he felt distraught. He had turned into a god partly for Thalia, and now she was going to turn into an animal.
But Thalia lived by a code of honor and strength. Percy thought about what he knew about Thalia and concluded that for him to stand in the way of her code of honor would almost be an insult to her.
Poseidon shifted uneasily. "Son, move out of the way."
Percy felt like someone was pulling his blood towards Thalia, but he stepped back so she was in the path of Artemis. Grover slung an arm around his shoulder. The Goddess of the Hunt's finger glowed and golden light surrounded Thalia.
It enveloped her so Percy couldn't see her any more.
He screamed and went to run to her, but Grover held him back.
Once the light faded though, Thalia was still there. Her silvery glow was not around her anymore and Percy's godly eyes could immediately see one thing.
Thalia Grace was mortal.
Percy could somehow both see and feel her insides slowly dying and the estimate that she would live about 71 more years popped into his head. Artemis sat back in her chair and Percy was wondering if it didn't work.
Thalia was thinking the same thing. "Did you want to try again or…?"
A hint of a smile played on Artemis' lips. "I took away your immortality, as is custom of the Hunter code. And I did turn you into an animal, Grace. The worst kind of animal; a woman in love."
A woman in love is the worst kind of animal?
Percy looked at Thalia who had a grateful smile on her face. "I will take being a mortal girl over a boar any day. Thank you, Lady Artemis."
Artemis put up her finger. "And now for your subsequent offer-"
Percy looked in confusion to Poseidon, who just winked at him.
Zeus stood up once more. "Thalia Grace, will you accept a position as the Goddess of Lightning? You would be a minor goddess, and you would intern under either me or Artemis to take our positions in the future. Should you accept, you would have your immortality restored and you would make a choice regarding who you wanted to study under."
Thalia nodded and wiped at her eye. "I accept."
In a cyclone of golden-white light, Thalia was still there in her previous clothes, but she now had a golden aura around her. Percy wondered if that's what he looked like. She looked between Artemis and Zeus, trying to make her decision. The King of the Olympians and the God of the Sky, or the Goddess of the Hunt.
Then she did the unexpected, which is signature of Thalia.
She stepped forward and declared, "I will study under Artemis, as the intern to the Goddess of the Hunt."
Percy thought that he saw sadness in Zeus' eyes. Thalia expanded, "I believe that I still have to make up my resignation from the Hunters to Artemis, and I plan to do that. I also already have the years of experience with Artemis. Uh, and I'm still afraid of heights. However, the main reason is that I truly believe that my brother will find his way to this same position one day, and I know where he belongs; interning for the Lord of the Sky. One of these days, he may rule Olympus, and under your guidance, I believe he would thrive."
Zeus gave a tight smile and though Artemis had a straight face, pride danced in her eyes. Percy felt pure pride surge through his body.
Aphrodite shifted positions. "It would do you all good to find either a consort or an immortal spouse. Eternity can get lonely."
With a wink, Grover, Juniper, Percy, and Thalia were teleported to Olympus' Gardens.
It was a large circular area that was about 500 feet in diameter. In the center was a stone-wall house that bloomed with flowers, vines, and woodland magic. There was a marble white path that led from the house and split into multiple walking paths through the gardens. On every side of every path were all different types of otherworldly and earthly plants. It looked like Demeter and Persephone had planted these themselves and Calypso tended them individually. Each plant, tree, and flower were blooming at top quality. The trees stretched high and healthily. There were flowers of each color of the window; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, white, and different fluorescent combinations of the colors. There was dew on all of the plants, as if they had been freshly watered.
Percy and Thalia were turning and looking at the Olympic Gardens in wonder. Grover clapped his shoulder.
"Yo, Juniper and I are going to go check out our new house. We'll meet up with you…"
His brow furrowed as he frowned, looking at Percy and Thalia like he wasn't used to referring to them as a couple. Thalia grinned though. "We'll meet back up with you and Juniper later, Grover."
Grover was still looking between the new God of Heroes and the Goddess of Lightning and pointing at them like he was trying to solve a math problem. Juniper rolled her eyes and pulled Grover's wrist. "We'll see you all later!"
They jogged up to the house and Percy looked at Thalia. She still looked lithe and strong, and her skin was shining with the godly energy. Her hair was automatically perfectly combed and her eyes literally glowed with power. With her Hunter's outfit on, her glowing eyes, and her now godly aura, she almost reminded Percy of Artemis. But he knew she was different.
And gods, she was perfect.
He offered his arm as if they were in the 1950's, and Thalia slung her arm through it. They walked through the gardens and his petal was glowing a constant pink/purple. As they walked, they pointed out their favorite flowers, plants, and trees as they related it to the multiple adventures it reminded them of.
They finally arrived at a space where the path spread out into a rest area with multiple stone benches. In front of them were long plants with skinny, purple flowers that had an ethereal luminescence to them. He looked at Thalia and she smiled at him.
"Well, I don't think I have to tell you again, but…"
Percy's heart twisted. He began to get nervous and happy at the same time. She had given up the blessing of Artemis and immortality for him; because she was in love with him. He felt like doing fifteen backflips. Thalia was all he could think about over the few months. He felt good about his decision.
He thought about Artemis telling him that she believed that his calling was the "sea." He didn't know what she was talking about at the time, but either she could tell the future, or she was speaking in vague terms on purpose so she would have a large umbrella of her correctness as the future played out.
One day, he was going to be the God of the Seas. But now, he was the God of Heroes, Tides, and Swordsmanship. He wondered if he was going to get a new Riptide, but that didn't matter to him at the moment. What mattered was that he was walking through the Olympian Gardens with the radiant Thalia, Goddess of Lightning. And she was going to tell her how she feels. He felt like the stereotypical girl on a date who's excited that the guy was going to ask her to go steady.
Thalia took a breath. "…but Batman is twice as good as Black Panther. He'd annihilate him."
Percy ripped his arm from hers. "Lie again. Black Panther is a king. He is Bruce Wayne, but just a better version."
"Mm, I don't know about that. Bruce Wayne could run the country if he wanted to. And he has better gadgets and toys than the Panther. All that guy uses is his cat suit. I mean, a guy who dresses like a cat definitely has issues."
Percy couldn't believe it. "I can't believe you. Bruce Wayne dresses up like a bat because it burst through his window once. ONCE?! That's like me dressing up as a Pegasus because I saw it once. Black Panther doesn't need the toys because he is formidable without it."
Thalia's eyes sparked. "Bruce Wayne has Alfred. So he automatically wins this fi-"
While she was talking, Percy moved forward, grabbed her face and kissed her long and deep.
Her lips were warm and powerful. His body began to tingle, but in a good way. He felt like his insides were sparking alive and his petal glowed a half yellow, half purple. She was caught off guard at first, but then melted into the kiss, holding his face and pulling herself close to him. When they finally released, they looked at one another. Her eyes glowed as she smiled at him, then looked down to the flowers blooming on the ground.
Percy cleared his throat. "That was…"
"Late." Thalia laughed awkwardly. But a good awkward; that had been their first kiss.
"I know. Sorry. I felt like it was-"
She shook her head. "Shut up, Aquaman."
She kissed him again, throwing her arms around his neck and sending life into his insides. Electricity raced through his heart.
They kissed again. And again. And again. The more they kissed, the more the flowers, plants, and trees began to bloom around them. Despite all the wonderful scents, only one was permeating Percy's entire being; the smell of Christmas.
Percy felt at home. Not at the apartment in New York, not at Camp Half-Blood, but in the lightning.
With Thalia.
And as they kissed for the fifteenth time, Percy felt like he was on a rainbow.