Mt. Olympus, New York
In one of the previous chapters, I said that Thalia's maiden name was 'Nelson'. But now that Last Olympian has come out, I know her real maiden name and out of respect I should use it. I am saying it in this chapter.
12/8/13: I have gone back and changed the story so that Thalia's name is Grace in the chapter it was said to be Nelson.
Disclaimer: I don't own PJO, or the parts of The Lightning Thief and The Last Olympian that I have borrowed.
Sophia's POV
Dad paid the cab driver and we entered the Empire State Building. My parents went right up to the guard at the front desk when they entered the lobby. The man behind it looked up from his newspaper when they approached. He smiled at them like he knew them and gave Dad a key card. Mom said, "Thanks, Travis." He nodded and went back to his newspaper.
My parents waited until an empty elevator opened its doors before stepping in. Dad inserted the key card into the security slot when the doors closed and a red button that said '600' appeared. Dad pressed it and we waited. Annoying elevator music played and just as I was about to say something about it, the doors opened. We stepped out and our parents stopped to watch our expressions.
I've never seen anything so amazing in my life.
We were standing on a narrow stone walkway in the middle of the air. Below us was Manhattan, from the height of an airplane. In front of us, white marble steps wound up the spine of a cloud, into the sky. My eyes followed the stairway to its end, where my brain just could not accept what I saw.
From the top of the clouds rose the decapitated peak of a mountain, its summit covered with snow. Clinging to the mountainside were dozens of multileveled palaces – a city of mansions – all with white-columned porticos, gilded terraces, and bronze braziers glowing with a thousand fires. Roads wound crazily up to the peak, where the largest palace gleamed against the snow. Precariously perched gardens bloomed with olive trees and rosebushes. I could make out an open-air market filled with colorful tents, a stone amphitheater built on one side of the mountain, a hippodrome and a coliseum on the other. It was an Ancient Greek city, except it wasn't in ruins. It was new, and clean, and colorful, the way Athens must've looked twenty-five hundred years ago.
This place can't be here, I told myself. The tip of a mountain hanging over New York City like a billion-ton asteroid? How could something like that be anchored above the Empire State Building, in plain sight to millions of people, and not get noticed? But here it was. And here I was.
I was standing on Mt. Olympus. SWEET! Our parents smiled at Hallie and my reactions to this awesome place. They led us to the huge palace at the very top. The trip there was a daze. People (or creatures; I'm not really sure how to address them) tried to sell me stuff, such as ambrosia on-a-stick. This had to be a dream. It was too perfect to be real. I wasn't the only one who thought so; I heard Hallie murmur, "Pinch me." I knew that she didn't mean it, so I didn't.
When we reached the palace at the top, the doors opened for us. In front of me were all the Olympians in their thrones, and they weren't human size. They were giants! The thrones were shaped like a U, just like the cabins at camp. They were in the same order, too. Hades was sitting in a simple stone guest chair at the foot of the hearth. Tracey stood at the foot of Artemis's throne in all her Hunter glory. Greg, Stella, Tanya, Tommy, Rachel, Uncle Nico, Aunt Aura, Uncle Theodore, and Aunt Thalia were there as well. I was surprised when I saw Rachel; I didn't know mortals were allowed her. Hades, I didn't even know I was allowed here.
With all the gods in the room, it gave me a feeling that the room might explode because of all the power in here. Zeus spoke, "We have come to a decision that we hope you agree to. We would like to make the twelve children and grandchildren of us minor gods and goddesses. We would also like to make Mrs. Smith our permanent and immortal Oracle. You will not shrivel up like the one in the attic at Camp Half-Blood. You will forever make prophecies and stay with your family. If all thirteen of you agree, all thirteen of you will become immortal."
My mouth was hanging slightly open. I blinked a few times. I pinched myself. I shook my head. I cleaned my ear out with my pinky finger. The gods were still looking at us expectantly, so I figured this was happening. This was really happening. I looked at my parents, and they looked just as surprised as us. Dad spoke, "Can we all talk about this first?" Zeus nodded, and the thirteen of us gathered together to discuss this.
"What about the children's education?" Mom asked immediately. I rolled my eyes.
Athena, my grandmother, cleared her throat. We turned to face her, "The children will be immortal, but they will grow at a normal pace. They will attend normal school. They do not have to attend college, as they will not need a job. Their job will be to take care of what their domains. When they become adults, they will stop growing. They will be able to change their appearance as they please after this." Mom nodded.
"It sounds…," Aunt Thalia started.
"Amazing," Aunt Aura finished.
"Yeah," Uncle Theodore agreed.
"We should put it to a vote," Mom suggested, "All in favor?" All thirteen of us raised our hands. The adults nodded with slight smiles and we turned to face the Olympians again.
Dad spoke for the group, "We accept." The Olympians smiled and clapped, even though Ares and Dionysus's attempts were feeble.
"Thalia Grace Fisher," Zeus called. Aunt Thalia stepped forward, "Minor Goddess of Lightning." She suddenly began to glow and sparkle, and she suddenly was dressed in a flowing stormy-grey dress. She stood at the foot of Zeus's throne.
"Aura Davidson di Angelo," Zeus called. Aunt Aura stepped forward, "Minor Goddess of Wind." She glowed as Aunt Thalia did, and a blue and white dress appeared on her body. She went to stand next to her sister.
"Perseus Leonard Jackson," Poseidon called. Dad stepped forward, "Minor God of Sea Creatures and Horses." He glowed just as the two before him did and a black-green suit appeared on his body. I seriously thought they were going to put him in a tunic or toga or something, and he looked relieved they didn't. Dad stood at the foot of Poseidon's throne.
"Nico di Angelo," Hades called. Uncle Nico stepped forward, "Minor God of Shadows." He glowed too, and a black suit appeared on him. He stood at the foot of Hades throne.
"Annabeth Chase Jackson," Athena called. Mom stepped forward, "Minor Goddess of Architecture." She glowed. And sparkled. She suddenly wore shimmering grey dress. She stood at the foot of Athena's throne.
"Theodore Lee Fisher," Apollo called. Uncle Theodore stepped forward, "Minor God of Prophecy." He glowed much brighter than everyone else, and I guessed that was because his dad is the god of the sun. A creamy yellow suit appeared on his body. He stood at the foot of Apollo's throne.
"Thomas Alexander Smith," Apollo called. Tommy stepped forward, "Minor God of Medicine." That makes sense; he's a doctor at the local hospital. He glowed just as bright as his brother and a white suit appeared on his body. He raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment as he stood at the foot of Apollo's throne.
"Rachel Dare Smith," Apollo called. Rachel stepped forward. Apollo he slid off his throne, shrinking to normal size. He snapped his fingers and beckoned for Theodore to come with him. Theodore stood next to Apollo, and the Oracle from the attic at camp appeared in front of Rachel. The latter held her arms out as if she were waiting for someone to throw her a ball she was going to catch. Green Mist swirled around her. She shivered like she was going into shock. Apollo spoke, "Rachel Elizabeth Dare Smith. You have the gift of prophecy. But it is also a curse. Are you sure you want this?"
Rachel nodded, "It's my destiny."
"Do you accept the risks?"
"I do."
"Then proceed," the god said. How was she supposed to know what to say? But apparently she did.
Rachel closed her eyes, "I accept this role. I pledge myself to Apollo, God of Oracles and Theodore, Minor God of Prophecy. I open my eyes to the future and embrace the past. I accept the spirit of Delphi, Voice of the Gods, Speaker of Riddles, Seer of Fate."
I didn't know where she got the words, but they flowed out of her as the Mist thickened. A green column of smoke, like a huge python, uncoiled from the mummy's mouth and slithered towards Rachel, curling affectionately at her feet. The Oracle's mummy crumbled, falling away until it was nothing but a pile of dust in old tie-dyed dress. Mist enveloped Rachel in a column.
For a moment I couldn't see her at all. Then the smoke cleared.
Rachel collapsed and curled unto the fetal position. All thirteen of us rushed forward, but Apollo said, "Stop! This is the most delicate part."
"What's going on?" Tommy demanded. "What do you mean?"
Apollo studied Rachel with concern. "Either the spirit takes hold, or it doesn't."
"And if it doesn't?" Greg asked worriedly. I squeezed his hand comfortingly.
"Five syllables," Apollo said, counting them on his fingers. "That would be real bad."
Despite Apollo's warning, Tommy ran forward and knelt over Rachel. The Mist sank into the ground and the green light faded. But Rachel was still pale. She was barely breathing.
Then her eyes fluttered open, and a green dress appeared on her body. She focused on Tommy with difficulty. "Tommy."
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
She tried to sit up. "Ow." She pressed her hands to her temples.
"Rachel," Uncle Nico said, "your life aura almost faded completely. I could see you dying." Hades nodded furiously.
"I'm all right," she murmured. "Please, help me up. The visions – they're a little disorienting."
"Are you sure you're okay?" Tommy asked his wife as he helped her stand.
Apollo announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, gods and goddesses, may I introduce the new Oracle of Delphi." We all clapped, and Rachel smiled weakly. Apollo grew back to giant size and got back on his throne. Rachel took her place at the foot of his throne, holding Tommy's hand. Theodore returned too. He had a smile on his face; he was probably happy that someone just pledged themselves to him.
"Sophia Minerva Jackson," Athena called. I stepped forward, squeezing Greg's hand one last time before I did. My heart was beating overtime in my chest; I was way too excited for my own good.
"Who will you represent; Poseidon or Athena?" Poseidon asked.
"Represent?" I asked, confused.
"Minor gods and goddesses are sort of…branches of the Olympians' domains. Who's domain will you be apart of?" Athena asked. I bit my lip; I didn't want to choose which grandparent to represent.
Everyone is always telling me that I am more like Athena. Poseidon said so himself. But he also said that the power of an earthquake was inside me. I looked nervously at my grandparents, "I don't want to make a decision before I know what I'll be in each domain."
Poseidon nodded, and Athena said, "Fair enough. In my domain, you would be Sophia, Minor Goddess of Learning."
"In my domain, you'll be Sophia, Minor Goddess of Aftershocks," Poseidon added.
I thought for a moment, and I made my decision. I took a deep breath, "When I say my answer, I am not picking a favorite grandparent. I want the other to know that I don't favor the one I choose over them. I don't favor either more than the other. Please understand when I say I choose Lady Athena, Lord Poseidon."
"I understand," Poseidon smiled at me. I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Sophia Minerva Jackson," Athena announced, "Minor Goddess of Learning." I felt tingly all over as I began to glow and sparkle myself. When that stopped, I felt stronger, invulnerable. I was wearing a chalkboard-green dress that went to my knees instead of the floor like the adults'. I went to stand at the foot of Athena's throne.
"Hallie Amphitrite Jackson," Poseidon called. Hallie stepped forward. She knew that they were going to ask her to choose.
"Who do you choose?" Athena asked.
"May I hear my options like Sophia?" Hallie asked nervously.
"Hallie, Minor Goddess of Trust," Athena said. What does trust have to do with wisdom and strategy in battle? I guess you have to be wise about who you trust…
"Hallie, Minor Goddess of Currents and Tides," Poseidon said.
Hallie paused, took a shaky breath, and announced, "No hard feelings. Please. I choose Lord Poseidon."
"I am not offended," Athena promised. Hallie smiled weakly at her.
"Hallie Amphitrite Jackson," Poseidon announced again, "Minor Goddess of Currents and Tides." She glowed and sparkled, and a knee-length blue dress appeared on her body. She went to stand at the foot of Poseidon's throne. I guessed she did it so Poseidon didn't feel bad about not being near both of his grandchildren.
"Tanya Elefteria Fisher," Zeus called. Tanya stepped forward.
"Minor Goddess of Music," Apollo suggested.
"Minor Goddess of Clouds," Zeus offered. Tanya bit her lip, just as I did. If it was me standing there, I would think about fairness. Apollo will have five representatives if she chooses music. Zeus will still only have three at least, at most four, if she chooses music. It would be even if she and Stella both chose Zeus. Rachel, Tommy, Greg, and Uncle Theodore for Apollo. Aunt Thalia, Aunt Aura, Tanya, and Stella for Zeus.
"I choose Lord Zeus," Tanya answered suddenly. Apollo nodded.
"Tanya Elefteria Fisher," Zeus announced again, "Minor Goddess of Clouds." Tanya began to sparkle, and suddenly she was wearing a knee-length dress that looked like clouds. Cool.
"Stella Daphney di Angelo," Hades called. Stella stepped forward.
"Minor Goddess of Birds," Zeus offered.
"Minor Goddess of Skeletons," Hades offered.
"Can I ask you something?" Stella tried. The gods nodded, so she continued, "I have a different idea, if you will allow it. I want to represent both of you, just as I did against Typhon. Maybe, Minor Goddess of Stars? They are in the sky, and they make up constellations. Constellations are normally of the dead."
Zeus and Hades considered Stella. They looked at each other, and nodded once. They turned back to Stella, "You are a bright young woman; as bright as the stars in your domain. I introduce Stella Daphney di Angelo, Minor Goddess of Stars," Zeus announced.
"Gregory Jasen Smith," Apollo called. Greg stepped forward, "Minor God of Archery." He began to glow, just like everyone else, and he was suddenly wearing a dark brown suit. He went to stand at the foot of Apollo's throne.
Zeus spoke, "Congratulations, heroes. You are now minor gods and goddesses. You are…royalty. Your titles are 'Lord' and 'Lady'. Welcome home."
It's not over yet!
Elefteria: el-uf-tear-ee-a