"So do you accept Demigod ?"
Percy contemplated the information, then after a few moments replied. "I accept."
At Percy's approval 14 immortals raised their symbol of power and bright beams of light emerged from them converging at a single point above the central lone figure, when the lights died down the energy took the firm of a spherical ball and began rotating around his body, it kept on increasing in speed till it was just a blur, suddenly it stopped and merged into his body. Percy collapsed on the floor as he felt incredible amount of raw power merge into his soul.
Percy got up few moments later, still in slight pain but considerably less. Looking himself over, he saw that transfer of energy had left some changes to his body.
He was a towering 6 feet as apposed to his previous 5'8', with rippling muscles all over his body. His arms looked like corded pythons, incredibly strong but can also react with lightning speed. He looked down at his bare torso and saw his chest was much broader than before but it began to narrow and taper off to a thin but still thick waist. His six-pack stood strong and defined, with deep grooves emphasising each muscle. His legs were long but with thick muscles that were built for speed, power, and strength.
His hands looked light they could crush metal with a simple. Pulling out his sword, he looked at the reflection in the celestial bronze and gaped at the sight that met him.
His hair, which was always shaggy and a complete mess, looked even messier but in a rugged way that was appealing. His face was more defined, cheekbones and nose looked like it was chiseled out of stone, strong chin, and when he opened his mouth he could see his canines were slightly bigger. Not enough to draw more attention to himself, but definitely larger than normal.
Last thing he saw were his eyes. They were still the same alluring sea green, but now they shone with a ferocity that startled even him. They made his wolf-glare that Lupa showed him look a kitten glance. They seemed to shine from within with the primal, animalistic instinct of a monster and he couldn't but think that they made him look very cool and fierce.
Unable to think straight percy hesitantly took a step forward, then in an instant...and BAM, he was standing at one end of the room. Thoroughly confused he again took a step then BAM... he was in the other end of the room in the blink of an eye.
"Wh... Whha.. What has happened to me ?" he questioned afraid and confused.
No one payed attention to his words as they all were staring at him expectantly.
There floating above his head was the symbol of the sun glowing on all is glory, accompanying it were two wings fluttering and flying carrying the sun.
It was Apollo and Hermes who both jumped on their seats and pumped their fists in the air dancing in joy.
Percy shook his head and cleared his throat drawing their attention. "Uhhh, can anyone please tell me what the hell just happened."
"That my dear is our power choosing you. You got both mine and Hermes' powers," replied a grinning Apollo.
"Can you please elaborate..."
"Yeah sorry... what I meant was you got abilities from both of us, from me you get gift of healing and archery, you will be able to heal all wounds as long as they are not fatal, and while I know you are not much of a hit sky in archery, my powers will help you a great lot there with practice you will be as good as any of my children, now lastly as the god of sun I find you the ability to draw energy from the sun so as long as there is sun in the sky you may never feel weak."
After giving me some time to digest all the information Hermes began.
"From me you get super speed, from this day forth nothing be it living or dead, mortal or immortal will be able to catch you, you are from the moment the fastest being alive. With training I daresay you will even surpass the speed of light."
"Wow." Was all I could manage.
"Quite," Zeus chuckled ( I mean seriously the king of the gods, who is always threatening everyone with his lightning chuckled ! Come on what has the world come to these days. ) "Now onto more pressing matters, out first order of business here is to assign trainers to Perseus here who can teach him control of his new abilities. Any volunteers ?"
Both Apollo and Hermes raised their hands, bouncing wildly in there seats like children (No surprise there.)
Zeus shook his head at their antics. "It is decided then Hermes and Apollo will teach him off his powers and as for weapons training..."
"I'll do it father."
To everyone's surprise it was Athena who volunteered.
"Daughter are you sure ?"
"I am father."
"Very well then, it is final then Hermes and Apollo will train him with his powers while Athena will see over his weapons training. Lastly for Perseus' living arrangements, I say he will be staying here in Olympus, so a new palace will be build for him. And with this I conclude today's meeting.
Council Dismissed." He thundered, before vanishing in a column of lightning.
Most of the Olympians vanished but a few remained behind to talk to Percy. Poseidon was the first to approach his son, grabbing him in a tight embrace.
"I know you are hurting son, but please don't let the grief overpower you. Try to live my son and if you ever need any help don't hesitate to ask."
Percy smiled say at his father. "I'll try Dad."
Poseidon hugged his son again before vanishing.
Percy turned around to see Apollo, Hermes and shockingly Athena standing there.
They both approached him first clasping him on his back and congratulated him and officially welcomed him to their 'bro' club, then went away informing him his training will begin tomorrow.
"Those two will never grow up will they ?" Athena questioned as she quietly approached him.
Percy gave her a forced smile, "No, I don't believe so. Um, is there something you wanted to talk about Lady Athena ?"
"Yes... Firstly I wanted to apologise to you Perseus I have always judged and treated you harshly these past years thinking you were not good enough for my daughter, while in reality it was quite the other way around I..."
Percy held up his hand stopping her, "There is no need to apologise Lady Athena I assure I don't and never will hold you responsible for 'her' betrayal and as far as my treatment is concerned I can assure you had I been in your place I would have done the exact same thing, I understand with your animosity with my father it wouldn't have been easier you to agree with me, now what is done is in the past and since none of us have the ability to go back in time we can only move forward. So how about we bury the past and star anew ? Hi, I am Perseus Jackson, son of Poseidon and savior of Olympus I... guess, you can call me Percy." He extended his hand for a shake with a real smile.
Athena stared at him for some time not believing that he had forgiven her so easily, then she pushed those thoughts out and shook his extended hand returning his smile, "Hi, I am Pallas Athena, goddess f Wisdom and Battle strategy, you can call me Athena."
Time Skip 1 year
"Faster Percy, faster." Hermes shouted at me as I kept running laps inside the speed lab, I kept pushing harder and harder till I heard clap of lightning behind me and suddenly I was running faster than ever, I looked around to see that time had almost literally stopped around me. I mean I always see things slower than normal but this was a record even for me. I eventually came to a halt and turned to a grinning Hermes with a questioning look. "Hermes what was that lightning sound I just heard ?"
"That my dear was a light boom and the completion of your final stage, congratulations bro you just broke the light barrier. This concludes your training with me, I will go and inform father immediately." With that Hermes vanished in a bright light.
I too headed towards my palace, deciding to call it a day. Taking a shower I sat in my balcony contemplating.
My life had changed drastically since the day I became the commander of Olympus. I had grown closer to my immortal family. Apollo and Hermes were like my two cool and immature brothers and Athena like my older sister (shocker much), while I couldn't have myself ever imagined that my friendship with Athena had steadily increased especially from the day I lost my family. Sighing I remembered that memory as if it happened yesterday.
Flashback
Walking along the familiar streets of New York, I began to feel a bit of nostalgia run through me. The lights, the sounds, the hustling and bustling of the City that Never Sleeps, the place where I grew up and the place that was my city. Walking along the cracked sidewalk, looking up at the old buildings around me, I couldn't help but remember the battle that took place on these very streets, the sounds of past friends' defiant war cries as they met the monster army head-on, sounds of metal and battle howling through the streets, and, worst of all, the screams of dying demigods as they fell into Thanatos' cold grip defending Olympus and each other.
Shaking my head vainly trying to clear my mind of the painful memories, I kept on walking until I reached the familiar old apartment building where my mom and Paul lived. Looking at the building, I felt a bit unease and a little tingle on the back of my neck as the little hairs began to stand up. I instinctively reached into my pocket, pulling out my trusty pen Riptide. Something wasn't right. Years of being a demigod made me trust my senses and instincts in a lot of situations and they are rarely ever wrong. That little voice in the back of my mind was yelling at me 'Danger! Danger!' as I made my way into the building.
Walking up the stairwell, I kept a hand on Riptide; ready to uncap it at a moment's notice should there be a threat. Turning into the hallway leading to my mom's apartment, I noticed something odd, or lack of something. There was no noise. An apartment filled with people and it was eerily silent as I made my way to my Mom's door. A cold sense of dread began to grip my heart as I saw the door slightly ajar. Suddenly, a cry of pain and fear broke through the building like a gunshot sound and panic filled me as I recognised that cry: the cry of my Mother. Uncapping Riptide, I barrelled into the room and what I saw froze me in horror.
A trio of monsters was standing in my mother's living room; two dracaena and an Empousa were standing there over the bodies of my mom and step-dad. Two bronze spears were pierced through Paul's chest and stomach and blood covered his clothes and the ground he was laying on. But what chilled my blood was the blood trickling from the empousa's as she hovered over my mother, who had two small teeth holes on the side of her pale neck.
Seeing that, anger roared in my ears as I let out a yell of anger and water burst from the sink and pipes in the wall. The water swirled around me in an angry maelstrom as I created four tentacles of water with sharp ice tips and willed them to slam into the two snake women that were standing over Paul's corpse. They let out a wail of pain as the water spears slammed into them, piercing through their chests and stomach killing them in a similar manner in the way that they killed Paul. Ironic justice, I thought grimly before turning back to the monsters.
The Empousa turned towards with apprehension and slight fear on her face before it was replaced with a malicious smile. Wiping some of the blood from her mouth with her fingers, she brought them to her mouth as she licked the blood of them.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" I yelled, leveling my sword at her as water continued to swirl around me.
"Oh, the son of Poseidon, fancy meeting you here. I was just in the neighbourhood and decided to come up her for a quick snack. I had no idea how delicious draining the Hero of Olympus's mother could be. " She replied in a peppy voice of cheerleaders with an undertone of malice in her voice. Her red eyes glittered with gleeful hatred as she said those words
Trembling with rage, I shot my hands out to her, willing the water spears to pierce her through her arms, legs, shoulders and pinning her to the wall. She screeched in pain as the cocky smile was wiped off her face as fear replaced it as she looked into the glowing, rage-filled, sea green eyes of the son of the sea god as he stalked towards her.
"You killed my mother." I said in a deathly quiet voice, "You killed the greatest woman on this planet! For that, your death will be painful. I will rip you limb from limb as you beg for death! But first, who sent you?"
"I don't know what you're talking abo-AHHH!" She screamed as I slammed Riptide into her stomach.
"Tell me who sent you!" I yelled in a constrained voice.
"I don't know!" She gasped out, "It was some demigod. Annabeth yeah that was her name. We were given the order that should the Titans fail in rising we were to seek out and kill your family!"
I froze as her words registered in my mind. Rage unparalleled rage filled me and at that moment I swore that the traitorous bitch would pay, she would pay for taking the best person my life away from me.
With a roar of fury, I yanked riptide from the empousa's stomach and in one swift motion, severed her head from he body and watched as she crumpled into golden dust.
I turned around and ran to my mother's side, dropping to my knees by her body. Her skin was a ghostly white and blood continued to trickle out of the hole in her neck. Suddenly, I saw her eyes flutter a little bit and with a groan of pain, she opened her eyes and looked at me.
"Mom!" I carefully wrapped my arms around her in a hug. Oh gods, she was so cold.
"Don't worry mom, I'm gonna call the paramedics, you'll be alright, you're gonna be alright." I tried to reassure her, but I knew that she is only moments away from death; I could see it in her eyes.
"Percy," She said weakly, "Percy, I just want to let you know, that I am so proud of you. You are everything a mother could ever want in a son." Tears began to trickle down both our cheeks, as we both knew it was almost over and she would die soon.
"Listen to me Percy, don't let your heart be lost to anger, bitterness, and hate." My mom whispered, "Don't lose yourself and don't lose yourself to grief. Know that I will always love you and I want you to move one from this."
"But mom, I can't lose you too! I can't!" I sobbed out. I could feel her hand starting to weaken and her eyes were beginning to close. "I already lost so much! Please don't leave me too. Please!"
"It's my time Percy." I could barely her voice, "You are so strong Percy. You will do so much more in this world. I love you, baby. I love you."
"I love you too mom." I whispered in a voice chocked with emotion. With that final comment, mom closed her eyes with a faint smile on her lips. I could feel the life leave her and I knew she was gone.
Throwing back my head, I let out of wail of pain and sorrow. The ground shook violently and storm clouds were swirling in the sky outside. I just lost my mother. She was brutally murdered in front of my eyes. Nothing would be right ever again. 'Don't lose yourself Percy. I love you' my mom's words whispered in my mind.
Wiping the tears from my eyes I stood up and went to the closet in the hallway. I got out some bed sheets and carrying back to my parent's bodies, I began to wrap them in the sheets. After the bodies were fully wrapped, I placed two drachmas on each body, praying for quick and safe passage to my uncle's realm.
"Please uncle, let them pass to your realm quickly and peacefully. Let them enter Elysium, they more than deserve it." I prayed as I fell to my knees in grief.
Third Person P.O.V
As Percy sat there weeping uncontrollably he noticed a bright light and heard the sound of someone teleporting. When he looked up he saw Athena standing there with a saddened expression on her face. No Words were needed as she crossed the room and enveloped the demigod in a tight embrace.
"I am sorry for your loss Percy, I came as soon as I sensed some disturbance down there."
Athena looked down at the young hero in front of her and she could hardly recognise him. His hair was wild and disheveled while his once bright sea green eyes were a dull green and bloodshot from crying. Not only was his appearance different, but also his posture was that of a broken man, with slumped shoulders and a hopeless expression on his face. He did not look like Percy Jackson, Hero of Olympus; he just looked like a defeated man who lost nearly everything in this world.
"Athena I don't know what to do anymore she was my only family left, I have no other reason left to live I wish to die."
"No, I will not allow you to die Perseus you have much to live for, there are still people who need you. Your father needs his son and I need my brother Percy. You are the annoying little brother I always wanted, please don't leave me. I love you"
Through all the crying percy managed a small smile and just hugged her tightly. "Ï Love you too Sis."
"Could you please take care of their bodies? Could you take them to Montauk beach where they can be buried by the cabin please?" Percy asked a small broken voice.
Athena nodded her head sadly and with a wave of her hand, she, Percy, and the bodies vanished in a column of flames.
They arrived at Montauk beach by the cabin Percy and his mother always went to when he was a kid. The goddess and the demigod were still holding each other in an embrace still feeling the effects of grief. Athena again waved her hand as both shrouds were engulfed in warm flames and the ashes were spread over the beach and t you.
Finally, Percy released Athena from the hug, knelt down.
"Okay. Just give me a minute so say one last goodbye." He turned to where the ashes were spread.
"Goodbye mom, goodbye Paul. I love you guys and I will miss you. I'll never forget all you did for me. I will work on not losing myself mom. I promise. I love you"