HEY HEY HEY! SHAKE UP THE HAPPINESS! IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL YOU READERS!
I would like to thank all of you people for reviewing this story and giving out your opinions. I have to say I like the progress this storyis making so.. LET'S KEEP IT UP!
Yeah...I just like to point out that this is not Ananke's doing at all but you can still keep on guessing though I'm not going to say if you got it right.
So, my answer for the random question: I probably would give the knife but before that I wold look into Luke's eyes if they are blue or gold, so if blue then probably I would give the knife if not well... I don't think Olympus will be safe in my hands.
AND! IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOT LATER AFTRE YOU READ THIS CHAPPIE! FOR THE MEAN TIME.
Happy Reading!
DISCLAIMER: NOT! owned.
Chapter 3: What hurts the most
Nico would have loved to stay at the underworld where there is a bit more black than up at Olympus. For his opinion is that Olympus is too bright for the young demigod's taste. Then a shudder will pass through him. Saying that he is thinking more and more like his father, day by day. Regularly, this would be Nico's thoughts, or rather complaints, when he set foot on top of Olympus. Now, he just feel numb, scared or any word that may describe the fear that may lie ahead. Though it is not the safety for himself, nor is it for his father. It is for the safety of the one he has seen as a big brother, even though they are cousins. Yes, it is Percy Jackson.
Years have passed, the two have shared a bonding with their other cousin, Thalia. Though it is not always the three were complete, a family love has formed around them. Defending his or her brother or sister through rough challenges or problems. But now, Nico is afraid that neither him nor Thalia could help in Percy's situation that is bound to happen.
He knew all about it last night, when the moon shone brightest. Even though, the moon is not seen under the Underworld but most will get the idea. After Nico had gone for his night time patrol of the Underworld, checking if any souls has gone missing at all. A flash came inside the palace, behind its gates. He went back to the palace to report to his father.
*Flashback*
"The El Felibusterismo is THAT long?" Nico complained.
Nico had gone from the lonely, sad place for judged spirits who have done good and bad in their lives. The Fields of Asphodel that is. He patrolled all around it and you have no idea how long it takes for something as big as that. Nico doesn't know why it has to be patrolled, it's not like anyone would bother to escape. Or either have any memory to know anything or do what so ever, much less get out. He would have complained to his father about this but it would be best and wise to not go against the Lord of the Dead, even if it is your father.
Next stop was the Field of Punishment. It was nothing much. It was just a field full of torture devices. You know, the usual. There are some that are being shot by hundreds of arrows (Nico wondered how much Hades pays the archers) some are being sliced then restored then sliced than restored and so on. There are also sculptures that seems to be making you the statue. They were carving letters in greek that seems to be 'Hades Rulz'. Probably the worst torture there is that they already shot you hundreds of times, cut you a bit to make a huge gash but not enough to cut your whole arm off. Then, they send fire ants which will slowly bite you with poison. Then they try to scorch you with Greek fire and...you probably get the idea.
Now, Nico is currently in Elysium. He walked through the lively streets, with the smell of BBQ in the air, probably the only smell that seems pleasant in the whole Underworld. He visited very often here since most of the greatest heroes of all time are here and it's the nicest place in the Underworld so he would not be bothered to patrol this place any day.
Anyway, Nico has been talking to a guy named Jose Rizal. He was a national hero in which he saved the country with his novels. Nico didn't know how he did it but as far as he can see he deserved Elysium. He spotted him sitting on his front porch with a feather pen, writing. The book he was writing was huge and was filled with fine, small print, which is elegantly written. Nico wouldn't have finished that for five years if he by any chance, read the thing.
"Yes," Rizal replied. "But it did a lot for our country."
"Really?" Nico grinned. "Cool."
"I'm sorry my good man, but I must return to my business." Rizal said.
"Oh, yeah, sure. No problem."Nico replied. "I've got to report to my father anyway."
"Well, I send my best regards to your father." he said.
If it was Nico he would have appreciated the gesture but this was his father, Hades, the Lord of the Dead they were talking about. Of course, Rizal doesn't know that. Never the less, he smiled and nodded, "Okay,"
Rizal nodded and went back to his work, "Good day, again, young man."
Nico smiled and head out of Elysium. Just in time too, A flash of light had appeared in the palace. The shadows have enveloped him and he shadow travelled into Hades' palace.
The U.S. Marine soldiers saluted at Nico while he nodded back. He trudged forward. Luckily, it's spring so in other words, Persephone is gone and he will not get turned into a dandelion. Taken that aside, the son of Hades has arrived in his father's throne room.
"Father?" Nico called out.
"Yes, Nico?" Hades asked. Emotions aren't really Hades' forte but he is getting nervous for his son. He doesn't know how his son would handle the news. So, he kept a facade. He will just have to break the news to him carefully.
"I have finished my patrol. Oh, and I met a hero back in Elysium, he seems to be a novelist." Nico smiled. "I wonder how you finish a book that big in less than a year?"
Hades would have rolled his eyes at his son, if he wasn't having problems on how he would be phrasing the news to his son. He just sometimes think that his son thinks of the most smallest things. Though he guess that would change tomorrow.
"That's...nice, Nico." Hades answered.
Nico frowned. Okay, he did not see that coming. "Father? Is something wrong? Has something happened up at Olympus?"
"Well, Nico. It has something to do with our...discussion."
Nico's frowned deepened, "Discussion? About what?"
"Yes, discussion. And it is about your cousin, Perseus." Hades answered.
Now, Nico is getting nervous. Something happened, something big and he doesn't have a good feeling about it. He continued his questions, "What about Percy? Is he in trouble? He's not, right?"
"I can never assure you that." Hades frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, the discussion about Perseus has something to do with his power or his overpowering aura. They say, it was uncontrollable and..." he trailed.
"What? What is it?" he forged on then realization hit him and it almost knock him unconscious. "You don't mean that Percy, of all people, is treated as a threat?"
Hades nodded to the horror of his son. "They will decide what they would do to him tomorrow. A votation if they would allow them to live or if they would, to put it bluntly, kill him."
It took a minute for Nico to process the information that his father had just said. After that, he exploded in anger, "WHAT?!"
Nico's outburst would've been heard in the whole underworld but the boy could have care less. It was mind-blowing, insane, ridiculous. After all that has happen, this is the result of all that? Nico is trembling with anger. His brother is being decided if he should be dead or alive just because he is too powerful. Then dread replaced it all. He can never defend Percy against the gods, how...how can he help him? He faced his father.
"It's not yet decided, right? Percy...he can still be saved right?" He asked, frantically.
"Yes, and you have the campers to help. The vote will include the whole camp. There is a high chance that Zeus' statement be overthrown." Hades said.
Nico nodded. That calm him, at least, a little. "And besides, his father will defend him, right? And the other gods too."
"That, Nico, is something that I cannot say. Poseidon seems to be agreeing with my younger brother, Zeus." he said, frowning.
Now, that was unexpected. This caused Nico to again shout, "WHAT?!"
"Yes, some of the gods, majority also are siding with Zeus."
Nico's eyes are wide with shock. His brown eyes seem to be appearing black now, "Why? Who are these gods?"
"Well, there's Zeus and Poseidon, like I said. Athena and Ares, though those two never liked the hero. And it looks like Dionysus and even Aphrodite too. Demeter and Hephaestus. And finally Hera."
Nico expected the others but the one he can never entirely believe is that his Uncle, Poseidon, is voting for his som to get killed. He let out a breath. "So that's nine of you fourteen Olympians. The ones that remained loyal to him are Apollo, Hermes, Artemis, Lady Hestia and you. I would at least believe Artemis to vote against Percy but Uncle Poseidon? How could he? A male hater is the one who stood up for Percy instead of his own father."
"I understand that. Even I, myself could not believe that my loyal brother will even think of betraying his son. Especially one that has served him well."
Nico bit his lip. Gods, he's worried. He's beyond worried. "Will...Percy be alright?"
Hades shook his head, "We'll know tomorrow. We are all needed in the meeting. Even the hunters are coming. We will all vote tomorrow. So, every vote counts."
Nico is partly relieved and majorly angry. Relieved that at least there is still a chance especially with the campers and Thalia with her hunters. Though, majority of him wanted to explode. He wanted to curse every god that has sided with Zeus. He wanted to shout at every Olympian. Because, as far as Nico can tell, Percy is not a puppet or any instrument you can just throw out when everyone agrees on it. It's like they are using Percy as a tool and it sickens him. It sickens him enough that he wants Zeus to be dead. The Hades with controlling the world, it's less destructive and more smart than with the Lord of the Skies, Zeus under control.
"Vote. Whether Percy should be dead or alive. How does Zeus get away from these things?" Nico scowled.
Hades stared at his son. He sighed. His son is so much like his mother, so caring and loving yet he is so much like him. "Nico, you should get rested. The meeting will be early in the morning. I will just send the guards to call for you."
Nico nodded and went towards his room. His scowl still on his face. He is bitter with the gods yet scared of what is to come.
He just wish for his brother to be alright.
*Flashback END*
His feelings for this meeting still hasn't change. In all honesty, it just improved his major anger to the gods. Something inside him is stirring. Something doesn't feel right. A shiver came down his spine. He looked towards his back and frowned at the sight. Some people seems to be avoiding Percy. From the looks of things, they are a bit far off from his cousin, though he didn't know why, it sent a tugging feeling down his chest.
Everything will be fine. Nico assured himself. Percy will be fine.
...At least he hopes.
This was the gods they are talking about. They can do a lot to Percy. What is about to happen, Nico can never predict that. His heart is probably thumping through his chest. He is just so nervous.
He looked back towards his cousin. There stood Percy Jackson, the same as ever. He stands straight like some hero (which he is) and a slight gentle smile plastered on his face. He looks perfectly normal, relaxed even. His eyes glistened a bright sea-green lighting his now mature face. He's still the same Percy. The same happy-go-lucky, confident leader of Camp Half-Blood and Hero of Olympus.
That is, if he is still a hero to the faces of the gods. You could see it completely. The gods appears to have no use for Percy anymore except for a few.
It's like Hades had said to Nico. Only some remained loyal to his cousin. Even though the official votation has not yet started, you would know who will vote for Percy to be killed or not to be killed by their faces.
It took a while before Zeus has finished staring at Percy though his cousin doesn't seem to notice. Then Zeus boomed, "Perseus Jackson,"
It's time. Deciding ones fate. Fate of a young hero. An obedient son. A loyal friend. And a loving lover. Nico's feeling started bad. Something in Zeus' face seems cold...dark. And it almost seems that it is affecting him. It is like something has suddenly hit him that left something 's pulling him like how he was pulled into Tartarus.
Nico shook his head. This is nothing. I can do this. Percy can survive. Everything will be back to normal.
After that thought, another wave of powerful gust hit him. He frowned.
What's going on?
Thalia's mind is to preoccupied to listen to his father's dramatics. Even though she wants to listen, her thoughts always drifts back to her dream last night. Actually, her thoughts always drift of to her dreams. It wasn't just last night. It was everything she had dreamt about after the war with Gaia. Sometimes there is just plain darkness that she seems to just be trapped in with voices that seems to say it in a shuddering whisper with the words 'Choose wisely' and 'The time is near'. Whatever those two meant every time she dreams about it, she has no idea. There is just one thing that is suspicious of those two statements.
They both sound like they were arguing. Like they were with Thalia. Only covered in the darkness with no light at all. It was creepy even for Thalia.
Though her dream changed last night.
*Flashback*
"Lady Artemis," Thalia approached her while bowing.
It was late afternoon when their mistress has returned from Olympus. Artemis had said that their father had called on a meeting. She said that it would only take awhile but it lasted quite a few more hours than what Thalia had expected.
"Thalia," Artemis nodded. "Is everything well when I was away?"
Thalia nodded. "Yes, milady. We had done our chores and we are already butchering the splendid deer we had caught."
Artemis smiled, though to Thalia it seemed forced. She frowned. Had something happen? Artemis seems troubled and that is not likely for the moon goddess. In all actuality, she never does. There is something wrong. Though Thalia doesn't know what that is.
"Very good, Thalia." Artemis said. "Tell the Hunters to get ready for dinner. I have some news to say to all of you."
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Is everything alright, milady? Has something happen?"
Artemis kept a straight, not showing any kind of emotion, "You'll have to wait and see my Lieutenant. Later I will tell all of you. Or tomorrow you will all know. Till then, have dinner prepared."
After that, she left and went towards her tent. Now, Thalia was sure. This cold or unsure behavior their mistress is showing has something to do with the meeting up on Olympus. Never the less, she went towards the Hunters and said what Artemis had said.
Tomorrow she will know. She trusts her-their patron's words. Artemis is always at their side. No matter what.
Dinner is now served. The hunters all had gather in the food tent. They had a very well cooked butchered deer. With the fresh plants they have gathered and fresh sweet fruits, it made a simple supper yet all the hunters enjoy it.
Thalia smiled. Even though her brother, Jason and cousins, Percy and Nico, are not with her she always enjoy the company of her sisters. There is always someone willing to share some fun times and the new hunters will laugh with the older ones. It's always like they are all family. In a way, they already were.
Yet their is always a certain day that she misses her friends back at camp. The other hunters might not like there but that was the home of their friends. It is every bit important to her as to the campers.
She shook away from her thoughts. That's enough. They had a successful hunt this day an their mistress is back. They had caught an excellent deer and having so much fun. She is the Lieutenant she has to be the one looking after her sisters next to Artemis. She put on a smile to see Phoebe catching a berry thrown by Chloe with her mouth. The hunters laughed which made Thalia grin. She looked at their mistress which made her frown slightly again.
Artemis is smiling yet it is obvious that it does not reach her eyes. She is looking at Phoebe yet it looks like she is staring off in the distance.
Thalia touched the arm of Artemis, "My Lady?" she asked quietly.
This snapped the moon goddess out of thought, which she gave a slight flinch, barely unseen but is enough for Thalia to see. Fortunately for Artemis it went unnoticed by the hunters.
"Is everything alright, milady?" Thalia asked.
Artemis gave a nod, "Do not worry, my Lieutenant. Everything is fine."
Thalia thoughts have some of the words 'I don't believe you' or 'It looks like nothing is fine' but she kept silent.
Artemis clapped her hands to get the hunters attention. The talking stopped but the grape landed on the nose of Phoebe which everyone gave a slight giggle and a glare to Chloe from Phoebe.
Artemis cleared her throat, "That's enough, hunters. I have an announcement. We will all be going to Olympus tomorrow morning for a meeting."
Angel, one of the best healers in the group asked Artemis, "What for, milady? Is it really that important?"
Artemis nodded, "It is of utmost important, alright. Everyone is in need to attend this meeting. As said by my father, Zeus himself."
Now, that's weird. Thalia thought. Never in her whole life would she expect her father to like having demigods in his presence. And since she is now immortal, well, that's forever. Unless there is something entirely wrong and important, Zeus will never call upon other people except the gods.
That's it. Thalia thought. Something happened. Whatever it is, it's defiantly big.
Thalia asked, "What is the meeting all about, Lady Artemis?"
"You will all find out about it, tomorrow. For now, all of you clean this mess and prepare for sleep. We will be early tomorrow. At least, I hope my brother will wake up early for us to be picked up." Artemis frowned while several huntress groaned or scowled.
In Thalia's case, she just went pale just by thinking of riding that monstrosity again. It took awhile before she notice everyone had gone to their own duties. She'll just have to hope that Apollo will take it easy.
That time of the night has arrived to which all the hunters will get a good night sleep. Though 'good' is not something Thalia describes her own sleep. Her dreams has been her source of fatigue. Every time she wakes up in cold sweat, panting hard in the middle of the night. Fortunately, nobody from the hunters had noticed the strange behavior their Lieutenant has gone through. And that's enough for her.
Well, time for another restless night. Thalia thought. I thought peace will be given to me once I have joined the hunt, I guess I thought wrong.
She went inside her tent for, hopefully, a sweet, timely and peaceful night. Unfortunately, it's not actually a peaceful night at all. Once she had laid down in her soft, comfortable bed and as she closed her eyes and darkness consumed her.
Then light filled up the room. And she saw herself.
Saw, not faced. See saw herself with his best friend and cousin...fighting. It was before she had joined the hunt. They were playing Capture the Flag with the Hunters. Actually, they were already finished and the two cousins had gone fighting.
Thinking back, them fighting is like a child's game. Fighting over why they lost the game is not mature for a demigod. Especially when it was then that Annabeth had gone missing. Thalia had guess that since both her and Percy had lost an important person to their hearts that they were like that. She doesn't admit it but she agrees that she and Percy are alike. Too much alike even.
The scene keeps going on with their fight and when Percy had splashed Thalia, drowning her with water. She felt a little tingle of anger when she herself drowsed with water that Percy had caused but it was quickly dismissed. Percy is powerful, even by Big Three standards.
Then the flashback disappears along with the light. An she met darkness again.
She never thought that she will be able to be afraid of darkness so bad but this thing is something that Thalia could never describe. It could make her cower in fear. There's this thing that surrounding her though she's not sure what it is.
This is something Thalia has to deal with every night. Every time she sleeps, a fatal darkness surrounds her but everything change.
A light shone. Like a spotlight. And it showed Percy.
He was on a chair with cuffs on his wrists and ankles. He was struggling to free himself. Wiggling, making the chair bounce and pound against the cement-like floor.
Thalia took her first step towards him but her legs felt stuck. Her legs and feet are glued in place. She looked back to his cousin and called out, "Percy-?"
"NO! Stay away from me!" he shouted.
Thalia frowned. What's going on with him? Doesn't he recognize her? Then she noticed the burnt marks on his arms. His hands are bleeding and his clothes are all torn and burnt. Thalia was never scared of blood since she's seen it a lot of times. But seeing Percy, his best friend and also like a brother to him, bleeding is not a sight that she wants to see.
Then the light turned off. She was once again covered in darkness. Though she's seeing a silhoette from afar. Just a faded outline of a person. Then a whisper entered her ear, "What he has done..."
And another one, "Did you see the suffering..."
Then another, "What he deserves..."
Once again, "It is wrong..."
Thalia wanted to cover her ears. The whispers are nearing. And it's driving her crazy. Crazy with fear, crazy with questions. What? What does he deserves? What is wrong?
What is happening?
Another spotlight shone and she is now facing Percy. From far away she could already see his injuries but right now, up close, it was already hard to breath.
He was paper white. He is barefooted with his jeans scorched and torn. Some have deep wounds that are bleeding. Like a sword cut. Same as his jeans, his shirt is also burnt and ragged. His wrist have a blood pouring out and is all bruised. His arms have small bruises and some are bleeding like he was being pecked out alive. Finally his face, his lower lip is bleeding and a large bruise is at his left jaw. But he's face has tear stains like he spent the whole night crying. His eyes are a pale sea-green that are brimmed with red.
"Percy? It's me, Thalia." She said.
His lips trembled, "Thalia? You're...you're not gone?"
She frowned, what does he mean by gone? But she put on a smile and said, "Of course not, us Big Three kids gotta stay together, right?"
He shook his head, "They left Thalia, they left me broken and tortured. They left me like this."
"Who is this 'they' Percy?"
He looked up and Thalia flinched. His eyes are so cold, lonely and frail. Yet, you can see his eyes are raging, angry yet hurt. "They-"
A sword gash through his chest. Then the lights are off again.
Thalia woke up sure she was screaming. And screaming she was. For mere seconds, the hunters had gathered around her along with their mistress. They all wore worried faces, asking 'What's wrong?' and 'What has happened?'
"Thalia," Phoebe called as she sat down next to her. She put a hand behind her back, rubbing soothing circles but it did nothing. "Are you alright? Have you dreamt about something?"
The image of Percy's eyes hit her again. And she does not want to remember that dream ever. So, she shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I just thought I was falling."
Stupid lie, but it's something. She looked at her sisters and she knew they didn't buy it. She sat up straight and smiled which she almost cringed at, "I'm fine, gals."
She looked at Artemis, "My lady, I'm sorry I have all of you disturbed. I will just prepare myself and I will join you outside."
Artemis nodded and gestured the hunters to leave. After they are all gone, she looked directly at Thalia. "Are you alright, Thalia?"
Thalia gave a small smile, "Of course, milady."
"Before you go Thalia, what is it that you dreamt about?" she asked.
She stiffened. Percy's beat up images came back into her mind. She shook he head and focused her eyes on the floor, "It's nothing, milady. It's not worth it."
"It's been keeping you awake since after the war, my Lieutenant. I hardly think it's not worth it." she raised an eyebrow.
Thalia faced her mistress in surprise, "How did you know that, milady?
"The moon watches on the hunters, Thalia." Artemis smiled, slightly. Then she went serious. "What is your dream about? At least tell me about that."
Thalia sat down her bed. She hugged her legs towards her chest and placed her chin on her knee, "I don't know, milady. I mean...I know but, it's complicated. But I saw on thing clear. Percy was there. And he looked battered, tortured an just plain wounded."
Thalia shivered. She remembered how Percy had looked at her in the eye. She never thought that Percy's eyes could ever be like that. It had always been with a light in it. To show that he was happy but it was never cold. Even when he's sad or angry, he never showed bitterness. She would never expect those expressions in his eyes.
"And," Thalia continued. "He said something about how he became like that. He said that 'they left him'. But I don't know who are these they. He didn't get to tell...because..."
Blood. Thalia could only see blood when the sword had came through Percy. He was killed there. If he died in Thalia's dream, will he really die? Thalia may not be a demigod anymore but it doesn't change a thing that when you are in the Mythological world, you're dreams can be prophetic. Percy can't die, can he?
"Because?" Artemis asked. Somehow Thalia saw some worry in her eyes. But, she ignored it.
"A sword came through him. It killed him." she answered. Thalia doesn't know how she will react if Percy died. She already lost Luke. Luckily, she found Jason. But she could never bear the pain if she loose Percy.
Artemis stared at Thalia. If she stared any longer Thalia would have burn up. Then a light started flashing through.
"Apollo," Artemis said. "My brother is here."
The two huntress went outside the tent, just as Apollo was getting out of his bus.
'Now, that's weird.' Thalia thought. 'Apollo isn't this prepared and he'll always flirt around the hunters.'
"Artemis," Apollo called. "We should get going. We'll be late."
Artemis nodded. "I know. Hunters, get in."
Most of the Hunters are frowning. Apollo is never this serious and he was never an early bird. Something is probably wrong if he is this serious. Never the less, all the hunters filed in. With Thalia still thinking of her dream.
*Flashback END*
"Perseus Jackson," Zeus boomed.
This snapped Thalia back to reality. She didn't realize that the whole camp is now here. She's been to busy boring holes on the marble floor.
Anyway, Percy is with the crowd of campers with Jason, Piper, Hazel, Frank and Leo. Annabeth is standing beside her mother's throne. Nico is standing by his Father, occasionally glancing at Percy every now and then.
Thalia frowned. Nico looked quite nervous. His fingers are fidgeting with the sides of his jeans. His other hand is either patting his hair or gripping his sword. Nico isn't usually like this. He's the emo and quiet but mature kind of thirteen year old.
Nico caught the eye of Thalia. Thalia mouthed, 'What's wrong?'. He bit his lip, like he's unsure of something then shook his head. She frowned and glared at him, making him get the message that she will not take no for an answer. He flinched, though it was barely seen. He put a finger on his mouth and then mouthed, 'Listen.'.
"I suppose you, Perseus Jackson, know why all of you are summoned here?" Zeus asked.
Percy frowned. He looked confused but he shook his head, "I'm sorry, Lord Zeus, but I don't know."
Zeus raised an eyebrow, "Really? Can you tell me about the incident that had happen back at you camp, Perseus?"
Realization had dawned upon Percy's face. He bowed his head, "I'm sorry, Lord Zeus. I didn't mean to make a mess out of the camp's arena. I am prepared to do what you ask me to do for the camp."
Thalia frowned. She didn't know that something happened back at camp. Maybe this is the news Lady Artemis was telling. She looked at Nico, to see he is also frowning. Guess he didn't know also.
Zeus nodded, "Really? Can you tell me what happened?"
"I-" Percy bit his lip. He was double guessing himself or maybe regretting himself, Thalia can't see. But Percy took a deep breath and continued, "I lost control. I didn't know how to stop it. The pain in my gut worsen when I decided to power up and...that's why..."
Zeus nodded again at the same time looking smug, "That is all I need, Perseus. You have announced your crime."
Percy frowned, "Crime? It just messed up the arena. I didn't hurt anybody."
"Oh? What do you call the case of my son, Perseus? Not hurt?"
"I didn't mean that! Like I said, I just lost control!"
"It is not just a just, Perseus. The power you present, it's too strong and for that we must banish it."
Thalia's mind was zooming with question. What is her dad saying? Why is he doing this?
This sounds like... Thalia thought. Then her brain lit up in realization. My father is treating Percy as a threat.
"What do you mean banish?" Percy asked.
"We mean gone, Perseus. We, Olympians banish you. Because you are a threat to us."
Everyone was quiet. You can perhaps hear a pin drop. Down Olympus were cars honking at each other. It was the only sound that was heard in the deadly silence. Zeus' accusation still rang in everyone's head.
Percy's mind was still buffering. 10 percent, 20 percent...50 percent. It probably stopped there. He's mind is blank. He didn't know what to think. He didn't know what to say but his own body is reacting on its own. His jaw is dropped to the floor and his eyes are wide, staring intently at Zeus.
It would have lasted forever if Thalia hadn't shouted, "What?!"
At least it prevented him from drooling on the marble floor but it wasn't enough to make him form words. His mouth was moving like a goldfish but nothing came out.
"What is the meaning of this, Father?!" Thalia shouted.
"Be quiet, huntress! This does not concern you." Zeus spatted out. "This concerns Poseidon's son."
Zeus talking back to Thalia was enough to wake Percy up, "Don't talk to her like that."
"Do not talk back to me, Perseus." he glared.
"I have every right to talk back." Percy shouted. "You considered me a threat as if I did nothing for Olympus! Why are you even treating me like one! I did nothing wrong!"
Athena cut in, "Don't you feel it, Perseus? That power your emitting. It's to powerful, even or a child of a Big Three."
"And what's the problem about that?" Percy asked. "My powers are evolving. Aren't you suppose to be more proud of than scared?"
"The problem is, Perseus" Athena's calm voice became deadly sharp and silent, "Is that you can't control it. What if a more powerful force takes control of you? What will happen to Olympus? We can't let you get away with it that easily. You are the one that can put Olympus in danger again."
"Again?!" Apollo shouted. He rose from his seat. His bow and arrow are already summoned and he also had pain intended in his eyes. His eyes that are directed to Athena.
"Sit down, Apollo." Zeus commanded and slammed his Master Bolt to the ground, causing him to stumble back to his throne.
Percy stared at Apollo intently. Apollo looked back to Percy. He saw the sorry look in Apollo's face. He shook his head and offered the Sun god a slight smile. It was barely, just barely visible to anyone but it showed the gratitude Percy has for Apollo. For defending him against Athena.
"We will see each other's side." Zeus said. "With a voting. If Perseus Jackson deserves to live or die."
Percy's eyes flashed dangerously. He can take it if he will be asked to leave but to be voted if he should live or not? No way. He is not someone who you could use and then throw away like a broken toy when its broken then forget about it.
"What did I ever do to you?" Percy asked when Zeus was about to speak. "All I did was to save you when all of you needed my help and then this is how you repay me?"
He stared at his dad, "Dad? Why aren't you saying something? Are you agreeing with them too? Am I just another demigod tool to you?"
Poseidon's eyes were dark. The light in his sea-green eyes are gone. They were not the same when Percy saw them. It wasn't him. It wasn't the one that gives you comfort. It looks more like it's shutting you out.
"Brother," Poseidon started. "I think it is time for us to vote."
"Uncle Poseidon?!" Thalia shouted. His eyes are scrunched together in anger and confusion. Percy's pretty sure that's how he also looked.
"I said silence, huntress." Zeus boomed.
Artemis spoke up, "Do not talk to my hunter that way, father."
Zeus glared at them but faced me and the campers, "This a question for everyone. A question for the campers and for us, Olympians that may decide the fate of Olympus. Who votes for Percy Jackson to be killed?"
Percy was at the lost of words when he saw how many people raised their hands. His eyes scanned the crowd. Most campers has their hand raised. Majority of them are the new campers except for the ones he had help in getting to camp but still a lot of them voted for him to get killed.
Half of almost all cabins are agreeing with Zeus statement. All of those who disagreed are the ones who have fought beside Percy during the Titan war. But something surprised Percy a lot more.
Jason and Piper are raising their hands. Percy never thought. He never thought that the ones he had gone through so many trials during the war with Gaia is now voting for him to get killed.
"What is this?" Percy asked.
Thalia's voice cut in Percy's terrain of thought, "Annabeth?"
Percy turned around wide eye to the daughter of Athena and almost fell over unconscious. When Percy saw her standing by her mother's throne, Percy want nothing but to held her into his arms. He wanted to say how much he misses her, how much he loves her but now she's siding with her mother, with Zeus. She's not stopping anyone, not arguing for his freedom.
She just stood there. With her hand raised. Waiting for him to be killed.
"I think the votes are clear." Zeus said.
"This isn't fair!" Clarisse shouted.
"Yeah, Zeus!" Travis yelled.
"After all Percy has done?!" Katie followed. She looked at her mother. "Why are you supporting this, Mother? This isn't a reward for a hero who has done so many for Olympus!"
"All of you have no right to speak here!" Zeus thundered.
Frank stepped in, "No, we have every right. This is wrong. You are killing an innocent person."
"We are exterminating a threat, son of Mars." Athena spatted.
"You're exterminating a hero who had done nothing but serve you, Olympians." Hazel argued, glaring at Athena.
Athena's eyes turned dark, "You dare talk to a goddess that way, Roman?"
Leo cut in, "What if we do? Killing Percy isn't wise, Athena. And you two..." he faced Jason and Piper, "I thought we were all in this together even before the war with Dirt face and now you vote for Percy to be killed."
Piper stepped forward, "Leo, if you knew what happened you would..."
"I knew what happened." Leo glared. "But I called that an accident, do you really think Percy would intentionally try to hurt Jason? It was only a duel went wrong, Piper!"
Jason now entered, stepping forward to defend Piper. "Now, Listen here, Valdez-"
Zeus tapped his Master Bolt, "That is enough! The vote is now done. You can do nothing about it. Percy Jackson will be killed."
Those who voted against it forged forward, weapons now in hand. Zeus blasted his Master Bolt which created a field between the Olympians and the campers. He looked at Percy who was still staring at Annabeth in shock, "Chain him."
Hephaestus snapped his fingers and bronze handcuffs chained his to the floor. Hermes and Apollo stood, "Father-"
"Do not dare interrupt, Hermes and Apollo." Zeus glared. "I suggest to not fight back anymore, Perseus. You are doing another service for Olympus. Unfortunately, this is your final service."
He pointed his Master Bolt at the hero but he spoke, "Why? Why would I bother?"
He faced Zeus with red eyes. His face is already streaming with tears. Though you could still see pain, anger an most of all hurt in his eyes. "You already crushed me. And I already died. How could you? Dad? And especially you, Annabeth? What?! Tell me! What had I done wrong to any of you?!"
"Father," Thalia begged. "Don't do this."
Zeus held his Bolt tighter though an evil glint lighted his stone cold electric blue eyes, "This is a farewell to you, Perseus."
Then he blasted him. And darkness is all he saw.
Well, that's a chapter done!
So? I would let all of you review your thoughts. PLEASE! I BEG OF YOU! (Okay, not desperate but...yeah.)
Okay, the IMPORTANT THING THAT I WANT TO ASK IS: Do you people still want to have romance in this because well, he's betrayed and you know...
I need your opinion's on this one question, the one I need are the reasons to why he should have a love life or not so, review!
RANDOM QUESTION: I know it's a bit to late but, What are your thoughts for the Mark of Athena?
Until next update.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, PJSavior signing out.
