Chapter 16: I am revealed as my true self

He started to come toward me, but changed his mind and started talking to the man who brought me here. They had an argument and then he returned the tube, which was supposed to hold the man's lightning bolt. I realized I was on Mount Olympus and these were the gods and goddesses, in the flesh. I noticed that one of the men; he was dressed in shorts and a fishing shirt.

He only took his eyes off me for a moment, to look at Percy, before continuing to gaze at me. He looked very confused and concerned. "Brother, we should…" "We shall in a moment." The main man said, picking up the tube. "More are coming." One of the women said and I looked at the doors, hoping to see the guys running in to save me. When nothing happened, I noticed the man who stared at me had untied me and was holding out his hand.

"Take it my dear." He said and his voice was sweet and gentle. I did and he stood me up, and then turned me in a circle, showing everyone every side of me. "Perseus Jackson, leave and return to your world." The man said and I watched slowly as Percy walked out, keeping his eyes on me. Once he was gone, the others turned back to me.

"She has gone by Erika…" "To hide her real self…" "To try to make friends…" "For all of our sakes…" "She is truly our heavenly one." I didn't understand anything of what they were saying. "Why are you confused?" the man asked and I looked into his sea-green eyes. "I am Erika, I'm not sure if this is a dream or not, I lost my memory." I tried to explain and suddenly whispered talks burst out around me.

"We shall give you your memory back if you wish it." I smiled, I could remember everything. I went to say yes, but remembered what Percy said, that I wasn't like I am now, I was serious, didn't want to be around people at all. I looked at my feet and mumbled, "Will I remember what happened after the memory lost? Or will it be forgotten and my mind restarts from when I lost my memory?"

They looked between each other and finally the sea-green eyed man smiled at me. "You will remember everything, before and after." I smiled and nodded, taking the offer. "It might hurt." "I understand." "Lie down and relax." He said and helped me back onto the marble table where I was just tied down. I breathed in and out slowly, trying to help them by remembering on my own.

I closed my eyes and felt myself slip into somewhat of a trance, then gasped as my memory rushed back in full. I found myself reliving the past few days once more, but with my full memory. I felt myself blush a deep shade of red as the kisses with the Stoll brothers happened. Once it was caught up, I slowly blinked, then sat up completely. I looked around and bowed slightly to each of the gods and goddesses.

"I had a few eventful days as I see it." "You have truly returned?" I looked at my love, he looked worried still. "I have. I wish to change, into formal clothes for the arrival of our guests." They nodded and Poseidon took my hand, leading me to a different room. "I'm sure you will find everything you will need." He said and I touched his cheek. "Thank you." He bowed and left me alone.

I changed quickly, into my outfit and heard the doors open and talking. "Erika!" it was them, they had come to get me. I sighed and finished getting ready and then walked out to see them looking surprised, concerned, shocked, and relief at the same time. I walked out and the gods and goddesses either bowed slightly or nodded at me. I walked over to the table where I was able to regain my memories and then turned from the guys, not able to face them just yet.

"You shouldn't have come." I said and looked up at Zeus, he was smiling at me like he used to. "I have not forgiven you and I shall not." I said with irritation, his smile faltered just barely and I finally faced the guys and knew they were slowly realizing that I wasn't normal, even by their standards.

"Travis and Connor Stoll, sons of Hermes, you have come here to take her from us correct?" Zeus's voice filled the room and the guys shared a look, before nodding. "We have become her protectors, even if she doesn't wish us to be. This is our choice." Travis said and Connor added, "She is special to us, even if we aren't special to her." Zeus looked at me.

"Are they special to you?" I shook my head in confusion. "They were very special to Erika, she was confused and they were always there for her. She even started to feel strongly toward the both of them." "Erika? What are you talking about?" Connor asked and I smiled sadly at them. "My name isn't Erika; it is a name I came up with when Percy Jackson asked. I didn't want him to know who I really am. I didn't want anyone, except the gods and goddesses to know who I truly am."

"Why?" "Because, I knew that I would be treated differently if everyone knew, even if they didn't mean to." I explained and they started toward me, but Zeus's voice filled the room again. "She is not for your entertainment. She is very special in deed and she belongs to us." I turned and glared at him. "You are the one that sent me away because I refused your courtship." I snapped and he stood from his throne, getting ready for a childish argument.

He towered above me, looking at me with his eyes shining with a storm. "One does not refuse courtship from the lord of the gods!" "I did!" I shot back, tired of hiding my true self for his own protection. "You sent me away because I did not feel for you as you did for me. I didn't want to be your secret queen, you have a wife." He raised his hand to hit me, but I stomped my foot, the entire room shook.

"I will not be treated as a prize!" I screamed, my voice booming like his did. He dropped his hand and the room went silent. I glared at each of the god and goddesses, and then sighed. "All of you gods wanted me to become your secret lover; the goddesses wanted me to become their follower, so you could train me to be like you. I wished to go home, yet Zeus will not allow it because he cannot get over me."

I turned to the guys and shook my head as they smiled. "I am sorry, but you wronged me when I lost my memory, I have it back now and understand that you wanted to make the mission easier for you with me more feeling and not as serious and stern. This was wrong…but I cannot regret it, you two shown me that I can still be myself and not have to be so angry."

I turned back to Zeus. "Why did I lose my memory, I was fine until a shadow hit me, then blank." He looked at the others and then back at me. "We are not sure." I nodded, knowing they weren't telling me everything. "So…your name isn't Erika?" I looked back at the guys and nodded. "Then what is it?" I looked at my hands and then up at Zeus, who nodded slightly. "It is your choice." I turned to the guys and said with confidence. "My name is Hesperia." "Hesperia?" Travis said and Connor just stared.

"See, they don't even know who you are." Zeus said behind me and I felt like throwing something at him. "Zeus, you say it is my choice, yet you don't believe in them to know. After all, it is hard to remember me when I've been here." I said and he snorted behind me. "I shall show you because you meant a great deal to Erika." I said and they nodded, waiting for me to speak.

I looked around the room and each of the gods and goddesses put out the flames, except the burning hearth in the center, it became a dim flame and I thanked the goddess. I closed my eyes and focused my energy; it has been so long since I let my power be free. I heard the guys gasp and the others were sighing in awe or longing. I opened my eyes and stared into their blue eyes. "I am Hesperia, the evening star and treasure to the gods and goddesses." I said, my voice flowing around like silk.