The Infinite Proposal- Chap 7:
My message: I have not disappeared…
Last time: The light died down, and revealed something different. Percy was not Percy. He was a BIG Percy. His height grew, his sea-green eyes grew even deeper, his muscle tone enhanced. All in all, he looked godly. All of the deities' eyes widened. To them, Percy had a much stronger reaction to the blessing than anyone else.
Percy rose and saluted to the gods.
"Here I am." Percy said in a deeper voice.
Now:
During the days after the naming, Percy received education on how to behave on Olympus and on the rules of being a god. It was taught to him by Athena, the wise goddess. Unfortunately, it wasn't very fun, as his personality hated being imprisoned by such rules. But the basic idea of it was that Percy couldn't be rude or anything within that range. He had a lift from the Ancient Laws because he was to take a job as one of the Camp Half Blood directors, his co-worker being Chiron. Dionysus got freed and is currently on Olympus, much to the campers' delight.
With the final staging complete, the gods decided that a ceremony was necessary. The purpose was to announce that a new god has taken a part in the Olympic and Roman world. It took place in the main square, where usually all of the big events happened. The floor was marble, surrounded with Greek pillars made with concrete. It was big enough to have a lot of stands for food and still have enough space for both camps.
The party began a few days after the domain naming. It was very festive and very crowded. Fireworks of very complex designs filled the air. Some of them were pictures of Percy's adventures as a demigod. He and Hestia walked through the stands, trying some food that they haven't tried before. After eating godly food, they held hands and walked towards the firework field, where the visitors can sit down and watch. They sat down, and after watching a couple of the fireworks, Hestia turned to Percy and began to speak, "Percy, do you know my story?"
"No, I don't," Percy said shamefully," I usually fall asleep in class before I get to the important stuff."
Hestia laughed, "Well, I'm not surprised! But Percy, you know about the food sacrifice, right?"
"Yes," he replied," I think that I once read about you cursing people when they don't offer sacrifices to the fire, or praying was it?"
Hestia suddenly burst into flames, startling a few demigods. Percy raised his hands and apologized. Apparently, this was a subject that she didn't want to talk about. Hestia sighed sadly, "Sorry Percy, it's just that I don't take part in a lot of stories, I'm more of a distant symbol for everybody. I rarely showed myself until a couple of centuries ago. I will not be surprised if you don't know anything."
Percy was suddenly hit by guilt. In his mind flew images of a young woman with flowing, beautiful orange hair, and fiery red-orange eyes, sitting alone in rags, tending a fire. He knew that many people often ignored her as they thought that she was a beggar of some sort, or they were too busy.
Hestia spoke again, "But I have someone at least…"
Both of them looked at each other and smiled. Percy took a look at his watch. It was late, soon to pass midnight. They both stood up and started walking towards Hestia's palace. When they reached the wooden cabin, Percy let go of her hand and took a step back.
"Percy?"
"Hestia, a few days ago, Athena questioned me about my palace. She interviewed me on what my palace would look like, and told me that it will only take about 4 days until it is complete. She told me a few hours ago that it was finished."
"Oh… I see."
"Yea…" Percy rubbed his neck, "This is goodbye for now."
"I understand Percy, goodnight…." She said monotone.
"Wait!" He grabbed her arm, and she pulled back and walked inside and closed the door. "Hestia!"
He pulled back. He knew it would be no use tonight.
As he walked home, he could see the minor deities, nymphs, satyrs, and whoever lives on Olympus retire into their homes. The sky was pitch black, a clear indication that it is well past bedtime. He walked a couple of seconds more until he reached his palace, which was about a 5 minute walk from the Throne room, even less from Hestia's.
As he neared the palace, he saw how big and beautiful it was. It was a big mansion, kind of the White House except much bigger, with a small ocean pool with a beach out front. Inside was absolutely awe-some. The walls were made of wood with a small, barely noticeable smell of the sea. In the living room, there was a curved, 100in TV, a high-tech computer with light-speed internet, a couch, and an aquarium coffee table. The floor was made of a soft, furry carpet, probably silk. The Kitchen and the Dining room were also grand, as it contained a magic refrigerator, a big stove, cabinets, an automated-sink, and a huge aquarium table. His bed room composed of a Californian King waterbed, a 70n curved TV, a huge bathroom, and a big walk-in closet. There were also other multiple rooms, one for laundry, and rest for guests.
After walking around for an hour, he finally felt like he explored everything. He climbed onto his waterbed and slept.
Next day:
Percy had no dreams last night, which was weird because he usually does. He got out of bed, washed up, dressed, ate, and walked outside towards the Throne Room. The streets were bustling with activity yet again. While he was walking through the crowded streets, people started to bow at him. In return, he just grinned and waved.
But before he reached the Throne Room, he had one place to stop at, the armor shop. When he reached the shop, he was greeted by an old man wearing a dusty robe and a fire-proof apron. Percy looked around the shop until he found what he was looking for. It was a light armor, designed for flexibility. It had 2 red lines starting from the helmet and each line ending at the end of the boots. The rest were just pure dark. The helmet looked like a typical Spartan helmet without the plume. The body didn't have anything sticking out, perfect for sneaking. It had a Master Chief design to it but much less bulky. Its gauntlets had slots in it for hidden blades and guns.
When he went to the old man to buy it, he was startled at the price. Pouting, he paid and put it on. It fit perfectly since the armor was adjustable. He walked to the Throne Room while wearing the armor, looking like a complete badass. Everybody was already there, waiting silently. When he sat down on his throne, Zeus began to speak. Apparently, there was an uprising in the underworld, and Percy with a group of demigods, are supposed to go and help Hades settle it down. Percy and his team have a week to prepare before embarking on the mission. But Percy was confused. Wasn't there supposed to be a prophecy? He asked this to the council, before Athena replied, "I was just about to get to it."
She continued," The prophecy is, Two and a newborn will go to see,
To a place where a less than a few tell about with glee.
To face a challenge with fire,
Only to end with what they don't desire.
Three shall come out safe and sound,
While one stays, chained and bound.
Athena then said," I might have figured out the first line… I think it says that a new god, Percy; the newborn, and two demigods will go somewhere where people don't talk about with glee?"
" Last two lines dictate that three will make it out, but one will be held or something?" Percy added, "But what about the middle lines?"
The room became silent. Percy looked over to the side where Hestia sat and saw her poking the fire. Fire… Something rang in Percy's head. Does this mean that Hestia's part of this prophecy too?
"Well, if no one has anything to say, Percy will now go down to camp and get a group to go on this quest." Zeus said.
"But Lord Zeus, if I'm a god, why do I get to go on quests?" Percy questioned.
"How can a baby go on a quest? It clearly means you, as in a newborn god." Athena replied.
Percy sighed, "Alright."
With that, Zeus declared that the meeting is over. Everyone except Percy and Hestia flashed out. Percy went to Hestia and look at her in the eyes.
"I'm sorry." She said.
"I'm sorry too. I was wondering if you would like to... spend some time after this quest… if you can."
She looked up and stared at him without any emotions. She suddenly lurched forward and hugged him. Percy, overcoming his shock, hugged her back. They just stood there hugging in the middle of the Throne room. Their foreheads met, their eyes just a centimeter apart. Percy's heart starting pumping faster, until their lips came together… It was a strange feeling. A shock went through his body, like he was struck by lightning. Her lips were so soft and they fit like puzzle pieces with his lips. His mind went into shock, and his face was absolutely red. When they pulled back, her eyes were wide and her mouth was open. She looked like she was going to faint. When Percy realized what they just did, Hestia flashed out, causing him to just hug air.
With his face being awestruck, he walked around the Throne room to think about what just happened, when he realized that he needed to get to camp.
Camp:
Percy flashed into the dining hall, on the director's table. It was a couple of minutes before all of the demigods came into the dining hall for lunch. Percy looked around camp and thought that there was a lot of change. Around 100 or more cabins were built to accommodate the new campers. And the camp itself was just filled like the streets of Olympus. Demigods were everywhere, fighting, reading, making weapons, and climbing that damn lava wall. Soon, the conch blew, and everybody started to file into the dining hall to their respective tables. As they passed by Percy, Percy didn't look up as he was too embarrassed to look at any of them. But in the demigods' minds, they were curious as to why Percy was sitting there instead of the Poseidon table. And when Chiron arrived, he greeted Percy with a clap on the back and saying, "I know what happened. I will introduce you.".
After everyone was seated, Chiron stomped his foot and started to announce Percy's arrival.
"So, as many of you know, Mr. D has officially retired from camp!"
The demigods cheered.
"So taking his place is a good friend that we all know, Percy Jackson."
The room went silent. Suddenly, people started rising up and clapping, and shouting. Chiron stomped again, silencing them.
"A few days ago, the gods were merciful and decided that Percy should gain the ultimate gift, immortality."
A few seconds later, tables were being flipped, cabbages were thrown in the air, it was total chaos.
"SILENCE!" Chiron shouted, "Ahem. So, all hail Lord Perseus, Olympian God of Strength and Honor!"
All of the demigods started to kneel, while Percy was looking around confused.
"Don't worry milord, I'm sure everything will go fine."
"Just Percy is okay…" Percy said in a weak, thin voice, while looking around embarrassed at all of the attention he was getting. This was going to be a long week.