Sorry, people! I kinda got banned from going online for a while. And so few people bothered to review that I almost lost motivation.
The night of Percy's twelfth birthday:
I opened my eyes and saw the dark pit again. Gray spirits swirled around me, trying to pull me away from the pit- Tartarus. I ignored them and walked to the edge of the pit. I had been here pretty much every night since I returned from Camp Jupiter, and was no longer intimidated by the endless pit. Kronos had tried to persuade me every night to join him, reminding me of everything that had been taken away from me because of the gods. True, the gods were bad, but Kronos was definitely worse.
I scowled at the pit. "How many times do I have to say no? Don't you get tired of dragging me here every night?"
Ah, Percy. You will join me- perhaps not now, but eventually, when I am stronger. What would you gain by staying with the gods? They would kill you after you have accomplished what they demand. You could assist me in striking down Zeus instead. Do you not want revenge against him? He has attempted to kill you, murdered your mother in cold blood, and allowed Juno separate Jason from his family. I would make you powerful. I would let you destroy the one who has betrayed you. If you join me, I could give you what you most desire. I could bring your mother back.
All my thoughts left me. "Mom?"
Yes. You would have your mother back, and I will give you revenge. Join me. I am the reason you are alive, after all.
That cleared up my mind pretty quickly. "Whoa. I don't recall you ever saving my life, you only deprive me of much needed sleep."
No, I've never saved you. I brought you to back to life. I captured your spirit and revived you.
What was with gods and titans claiming I've died?
I give you one day to decide. Enjoy your memories.
I woke up gasping. Were the gods really worth it? Could I give up my mom for what was right, for some immortal jerks? Were Kronos and the gods telling the truth about me being dead? Did Kronos bring me back to life? What about memories?
It was too much, and I closed my eyes. As soon as I did, I was falling into a swirl of images. I saw a few blurry scenes.
A drunk teenage guy with glazed sea-green eyes attacking a young woman- Merope, daughter of king Oenopion
The king blinding the teenager in vengeance.
The same teenager, but older, being surrounded by a soothing white light, and having his vision restored.
The teenager, now a man, meeting a beautiful girl with auburn hair and alluring silvery yellow eyes.
The man and the girl, now in the form of a woman, deep in a forest, hunting for a horrendous beast.
The last image was the clearest.
The two are alone in a meadow bathed in moonlight.
The woman notches an arrow and points it at the man's heart.
His eyes widen in shock and betrayal. "No, Artemis, you wouldn't."
She glares at him. "Why not? You are a distraction, and distraction must be removed."
The arrow is released and pierces the man's heart.
He gasps, pained, but not because of the arrow. "I love you."
The goddess sneers at him. "And I hate you."
The man doesn't look like he cares. He smiles gently- lovingly at her as the light in his eyes dims.
I was ripped away from the tragedy in the meadow.
The scenes glowed brightly, searing themselves into my mind.
And I remembered everything.
My eyes opened, and I saw Piper hovering anxiously above me. "Percy! What happened? I found you passed out in your room."
I took a deep breath. Okay, so I know who I am, or was. Orion. I looked at Piper. "Can you go outside? I'm feeling terrible."
She looked worried, but nodded.
So that was what everybody was talking about. Orion. Me. The hunter who gave up everything for a maiden goddess. I knew what I wanted would would never happen. We were supposed to be enemies.
A Roman and a Greek.
A son of Neptune and a daughter of Zeus.
A demigod and a goddess. A maiden goddess.
There was no logical reason she would want me. But love wasn't logical. So I stayed with her and hoped. Of course, I knew I was lucky to have met her, blessed to stand beside her, and completely unworthy of her love. I was content with her presence beside me. I didn't need anything else. But I wanted more, somewhere deep inside myself I suppressed with all my willpower. I never really acknowledged why I risked my life to be with her until I died.
I loved her.
She killed me, said she hated me, and broke my heart.
And I still love her.
A terrible pain washed over me, much worse than any physical wound I've ever endured in my lives. I forced it down.
I muttered darkly. "Why would Kronos give me these memories?"
I knew the answer as soon as the words escaped me. He expects me to hate her. A part of me does, but it's much smaller than the other part.
I scowled. That wasn't right, though. He should have a backup plan. Kronos said that he'd get me to join when he was stronger. He also told me he was the one who reincarnated me. How did he do that? The ancient laws forbid dead people from coming back to life, except through choosing rebirth. I didn't even go to Hades, she cast my soul to the heavens. Did she not want happiness for me in death? How could she bear so much animosity towards me?
No. I can't think about her. In this life, I will have nothing to do with her.
I took a deep breath and tried to think logically. I had to deal the most urgent things first. Kronos offered me a choice, and the deadline was tomorrow.
What should I do? Did I want my mother back or did I want to try to save the gods?
I knew my mother wouldn't want me to choose her over the world. But I knew the gods probably wouldn't be grateful towards me at all. Especially not one goddess.
But it didn't matter. I had already made my decision unconsciously as soon as I recovered my memories.
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