"Apollo…" I said.
Apollo didn't radiate no anger nor any other emotion for that matter. His attitude unnerved me… chills flowed down my spine. The world slowed around me, waiting for Apollo to reach me. Normally he'd be hyper and jumping around. Right now it was whole new deal.
"Percy… How are you feeling?" he said softly. His cold demeanor remained but his concern did not match it. Almost as if he were debating about something.
"As good as I can be… I guess," I said.
"That's good…" he said," Perce… I screwed up… I hurt you and my sister… I even dragged Hermes into this." He remained silent, unable to say a word.
I looked at him in curiosity. What is with his reaction? I thought he would have beaten me to pulp or something along those lines. He feel remorse. Why? If my mind hadn't been clouded with thoughts of regret and sadness, I would have stopped all this. No one would have suffered… especially Artemis. I regret not able to…Damn, Why? Has this been my fate, to suffer? Another dog with the same bone… I guess.
"Not the first time I have heard that," I said
"Percy, I am sorry," he said.
"Cut it Apollo… seriously what is with everyone apologizing all of a sudden," I said, "Am I that pitiful… that you wished to apologize"
Laughter escaped from my lips. How funny? Two gods apologizing the same day, is it the lottery? Then Am I truly Pitiful to them?
"Won't…" he started to say.
"You expect me to believe you, O Great Lord Apollo," I interrupted, "why should I… you senile god?"
"Perseus… you are treading on dangerous territory," he hissed.
Resorting to treats, aren't we. I have lost too much to care even more. Tartarus was hell. No everything of this world has become hell. The only things keeping me alive in this suffocating ocean are my mother and… Annabeth. I wonder if that is their intent. To make me realize my place. They don't care about us mortals…not even my father. We are mere tools, to fight wars for them. Our lives don't matter.
"Ha… I've been to hell and back… your threats have no meaning," I said, "Amuse me more, won't you Apollo."
"Damn it… Percy," He said," why are you like this?"
"Jackpot… finally someone asked something different,"
He sure is a slow one for such a hyperactive one. A normal person would think that for thousands of years old, he would be quite knowledgeable. Hasn't he noticed my cruel existence, cursed to suffer?
"Why do you think?" I said, "These wars… brought only death and suffering, many of my friends and companions are dead… and I hurt Artemis... I hurt her."
"It is not your fault… its mine," he said, "I shouldn't have given that potion… Then Artemis wouldn't have been hurt… I've never seen her like that…except when mother faded."
Well…you can say I was a bit surprised. For a god to admit his mistakes… it was quite something. Normally they were stubborn and temperamental. Unable to admit their mistakes. I guess being thousands of years old would make a person an apathetic jerk. So immortality might not be what it's hyped up to be.
"Well… and you still used that potion, you cannot change the past Apollo," I said.
"True… but I still I am supposed to protect her," said Apollo," I kept men away from her… to allow her to fulfill her oath… yet it is my fault that oath is broken."
Oh… I understand. He is those overprotective brother types. So that means is that he may be the cause of Artemis hatred of men. It has no importance… I still tainted Artemis. For all intents and purposes, I should be dead by now. Or I will be in the near future. It will probably be out of mercy for saving Olympus twice. I have accepted my fate. It was all my fault and mine alone… should have been stronger.
"How do think I feel?" I said, "Artemis became my friend... a trusted friend, and I unable to stop… Hurt her."
"It was an unforeseen accident, Percy… you have no fault in it," Apollo said," it is all mine… only mine."
All you fault, really Apollo? Do you fail to see what has occurred? I tainted, stained, or however you want to say it but I took what Artemis held the most precious for thousands of years… her chastity. The fault is all mine… sure you may have been the cause but the fault is all mine. I should have stopped myself. I harmed her in a way I can't even imagine. And you say it was only your fault… Don't screw with me Apollo.
Living had become a struggle. I don't wish to die but at times it almost seems as if I have no alternative. Grief fills my heart. Unable to contain it anymore almost like a dam reaching its limit. It is all I can think of but I know if I were to die it would be agonizing to my mother, Annabeth… and my father. I don't dislike my father but sometimes all the gods and goddesses seem the same. In the end, I lay between two choices, live in suffering or die knowing it will cause others to suffer. A choice I can't seem to take.
"Say what you will," I said," I know perfectly what I have done."
"Percy… Why do you do this to yourself?" said Apollo.
Before I could answer, a golden flash blinded me. Hermes had teleported to the room.
"Zeus has called a meeting… he wants Perseus present," said Hermes.
Okay... it seems the time of judgment has come. My sins shall be paid in full. Whether I die or live, my choice shall be chosen. It will end this mess once and for all. Or so I thought.
Apollo placed his hand on my shoulder, teleporting me to the throne room. I felt relieved of a great burden.
*Chapter finished... i took a while on this. Update when i can... Artemis POV next chapter, Things will get interesting. It is only the beginning of the Tale.