Chapter 26: A Ridiculously Eventful Awards Ceremony
Artemis and Percy found themselves in the empty hospital room they'd disappeared from. It felt a little dimmer without the sun god's presence. Percy turned to face the trident that hadn't moved from its place against the doorframe, still calling to him. He grimaced while Artemis squeezed his shoulder.
"The weapon is yours to carry," she said reassuringly.
Before Percy could respond, the pair picked up on the sounds of shuffling and chatter close by.
"The demigods must have arrived in the plaza. That means we should already be in the throne room," Artemis said, turning on her heel.
Percy caught her wrist, and she turned back towards him.
"I know it's supposed to be a surprise for everyone, and it should be done at the right time, but does that mean you'll have to take off the ring?" he asked, his voice straining.
The goddess smiled warmly at the sentiment.
"Logically, I should," she started, goading a frown out of her fiancé, "but I have already grown far too attached. I may just have to keep my hands out of sight."
Percy grinned as Artemis kissed his cheek and vanished in a silver flash. He turned back to the trident, taking a deep breath as he reached out to claim it.
(Line Break)
The Goddess of the Hunt appeared on her throne, quickly noticing that only the sea god's seat remained empty. Across from her, Apollo grinned and waved obnoxiously, taking every opportunity to irritate his more stoic twin. To his shock, Artemis beamed back.
What's got her in such a good mood? Apollo thought to himself as she quickly turned away.
The goddess looked to her right, eyes wide when she found Aphrodite already staring at her. Unknown to her, the Goddess of Love had instinctively perked up the moment Artemis had appeared in the throne room. Aphrodite eyed her questioningly, silently trying to figure out exactly what was going on.
Artemis shrank into her throne before turning to her left, veering away from the love goddess. She had no escape, however, because she then found herself caught in Hera's keen gaze.
She is the goddess of marriage; of course Hera would have felt something! How could I not have seen this coming? Artemis mentally berated herself before averting her eyes from the Olympian Queen.
The Goddess of the Moon settled on staring at the only empty throne, thinking about how hard Percy would be laughing if he were watching the scenario unfold. Artemis twirled her thumbs, sinking her hands deeper between her thighs as she hid her ring from the scrutinizing eyes of the conjugal goddesses. None of the other Olympians seemed to notice, all chattering aimlessly amongst each other.
The throne room silenced as shadows coalesced in front of the central hearth, and Percy appeared, firmly grasping his trident. Before anyone else could react, Hestia had already bounded from her throne and wrapped her son in a hug. Percy melted into her embrace, shutting his eyes and hugging her back just as tightly.
To his shock, light applause from around the room reached his ears. Artemis looked around, equally surprised at the Olympians' seated ovation. Apollo, of course, added his own flair and threw in a whistle.
"I missed you so much, mom," Percy said in a muffled voice.
"I missed you too, my son," she replied through her quiet tears.
As he and Hestia separated, Percy looked down, and his eyes bugged out of his head at how far away the floor seemed. He realized he'd subconsciously grown to his godly height when entering the throne room. The new Olympian quickly adjusted to his newfound stature, standing up straight at twenty-five feet, tall for even a god. Hestia's eyes shone as she looked up at her son, nudging him towards the empty throne.
The applause dissipated as Percy steeled his nerves and walked forward. He lowered himself into his father's seat, tensing for something to happen. When nothing did, he breathed a sigh of relief. Zeus cleared his throat uneasily, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room.
"Welcome to the council, nephew," the King of the Gods said, his voice clipped.
Nearly every other Olympian rolled their eyes at his tone. It was no secret to any deity present that, though Zeus truly was grateful for Percy's role in the war, he felt threatened by the former demigod's suddenly-immense power.
"Thank you, uncle," Percy replied, "I didn't want it to be this way, but I know my dad would have wanted me to be here."
Zeus nodded in understanding before he posed his own question.
"During the battle against Tartarus, Artemis quickly informed us of how you stood before a tribunal and were 'trained' by Nyx. Could you recount those details for us, along with what happened to your father?"
Percy imperceptibly winced, not wanting to dredge up his year of imprisonment.
"I'd prefer not to relive everything that happened in the House of Night, and I've already told Artemis every detail about it," he started.
"I agree, father," Artemis added, "Much of that story is not permissible for what is supposed to be a favorable day of ceremony."
"But you all absolutely deserve to know what happened to Poseidon," Percy finished.
Through a quivering voice, he retold the story of his last encounter with his father, making sure to emphasize that his family is what kept Poseidon going for as long as he did. Many of the Olympians shed tears or held somber looks as they listened to the final memory of the former God of the Sea. Even Zeus' apprehension seemed to fade as Percy finished speaking.
"Thank you, Perseus. My brother could not have chosen a better heir," the King of the Gods said.
The room fell silent again before Hades, of all gods, interrupted it.
"Poseidon would flood all of Olympus if he could see us moping over him while a thousand of our children waited outside for us to pull ourselves together. Let us honor his sacrifice, celebrate his successor, and have a legendary ceremony to mark the greatest victory in our history," the God of the Underworld declared with uncharacteristic charisma rivaling even Apollo's.
Noticing and not wanting to be outdone, the sun god bounded from his throne and dramatically spread his hands. He threw open the doors of the Olympus' throne room, beckoning the gathered crowd forward.
(Line Break)
Over a thousand assorted demigods and gods filed into the massive expanse, looking ahead at the fourteen thrones assembled in a reverse U-shape. As the doors closed behind them, excited chatter filled the air because it was the first time on Olympus for hundreds of the people present. From his new elevated perch, Percy singled out his friends among the crowd, who hadn't noticed him yet.
Annabeth's eyes traced the historical tapestries that displayed the gods' exploits, all hanging between the columns of the throne room. During the last awards ceremony, the tapestries had spanned Kronos' original defeat until Typhon's tombing in New York. In the year following Gaea's defeat, the daughter of Athena had updated the Hall of the Gods to include the Battle of Athens against the giants as well as the Earth Mother's final stand on Half-Blood Hill.
"Now that another war is over," Annabeth said to her surrounding friends, "That means more art to update the room with."
"Ooh! I've got some ideas!" Leo piped in, "I want to see all of my dragons holding the portals of Tartarus open; we can immortalize their sacrifice," he finished somberly.
Calypso elbowed him in the side.
"Don't be so dramatic. We'll have them back to fully functional by the end of the week," the Titaness said.
The son of Hephaestus pouted in response.
"So? Just because I'm the greatest mechanic–"
Calypso narrowed her eyes at him.
"Just because we're the greatest mechanics in the world," Leo corrected, "it doesn't take away from their sacrifice. We can put the tapestry up in that open space right above Posei– PERCY?!"
The newly crowned God of the Sea smiled sheepishly at his friends, whose heads had all snapped in his direction as their jaws left craters in the floor. The crowd released the beginning of what would most likely become an uproar, and Ares immediately quashed it by cracking a gunshot into the air. Hestia scrunched her nose at her nephew's crude decision before she spoke.
"During the war against Tartarus, Lord Poseidon passed his mantle to his son before he faded. Today's ceremony is a celebration of his sacrifice as well as all of the sacrifices you've made on the battlefield. Alongside the rewards demigods will receive today, a new Olympian has joined the council. All Hail Perseus Jackson," the Goddess of the Hearth finished proudly.
Every demigod present knelt and repeated the acknowledgement, making Percy feel incredibly awkward. Artemis snickered at his uncomfortable expression, but her sound was muffled by the demigods hailing him. In the brief silence that followed, a second laugh was not so inconspicuous.
Thalia's chortling rang out across the throne room, and she quickly covered her mouth in surprise, only making her laugh more while all of the demigods returned to their feet.
"Is something wrong, daughter?" Zeus asked, shifting in his throne.
"It's nothing, dad. Only that we just hailed a guy that I've seen fall out of a tree a dozen times because he fell asleep while keeping watch," she explained, stifling herself.
Laughter erupted across the demigod ranks from everyone that knew Percy, as well as from some of the Olympians, easing any remaining tension in the room as the occupants transitioned towards a celebration. Leo stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Since Percy technically cheated and got his award before the rest of us had the chance, can I still count as going first?" the elfish son of Hephaestus asked.
Percy laughed out loud, grateful that his friends weren't going to tiptoe around him and treat him like he was glass. Hephaestus smirked at his upstart child, but Zeus beat him to a reply.
"No. Our last procession was a special case due to your unique involvement in Gaea's defeat. This time, we begin with my son," the King of the Gods proclaimed.
The Romans cheered as Jason stepped forward and bowed to his father. Zeus shifted to Jupiter, smiling proudly at his son. The Roman god beckoned him to stand.
"My son, you have made Olympus very proud. I received word that you defeated the hell-blessed Porphyrion in the war in the desert, and that is a feat worthy of receiving your award first," Jupiter lectured.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Uh, actually, that was Piper and Percy," the demigod explained.
Before Jupiter could be embarrassed, both of the people mentioned jutted in.
"I actually only came in at the very end to deal a necessary godly blow," Percy said.
"Yeah, and I only stabbed him once. Jason and Reyna were the ones to do all of the damage to get him there. Oh, and Lord Pegasus," Piper explained, taking her husband's hand.
Jason smiled at her before turning back to his father.
"But, based on what you said, dad, I think that means Piper should go first," he said, lightly goading her forward.
Jupiter glared, irritated by his own logic being used against him, but he curtly nodded. Aphrodite shook excitedly in her throne as she beamed down at Piper and Jason standing hand in hand.
"Piper, I am so proud of you," the love goddess started cheerily, "and I know you two already got your adorable joint immortality wish during the last ceremony, but I want to make you a goddess now!"
Piper stuttered to deny it, not wanting to do it alone, but Aphrodite immediately cut her off.
"Oh, please. There's no question that Jupiter is going to do the same for Jason; you'll both be gods together," the goddess explained, silencing her daughter.
Piper nodded numbly, realizing she was going to be a goddess, as three flashes of light appeared around the hearth. The Fates materialized, one after another, and every demigod knelt in their direction.
"Ugh, I abhor demigods' worship," Atropos said, scrunching her nose.
"I dunno, I think it is sweet," Clotho replied, gesturing for them to rise.
"Sisters, focus!" Lachesis hissed.
Even the Olympians bowed their heads quickly in the three sisters' direction.
"Moirai, thank you for coming," Athena said respectfully.
"Yes, we didn't get much choice in the matter," Atropos groaned.
"Mother Night sent us with the directive to allow every chosen demigod's ascension," Lachesis stated.
"Our mother speaks very highly of you," Clotho said kindly as she looked in Percy's direction, "and she has instructed us to save your officiation for last."
Percy smiled back at the old woman, who seemed much nicer than the last time he'd seen her staring at him while knitting death socks.
The Moirai turned towards Piper, and the old woman in the middle, Lachesis, produced a black thread. She held it in her left palm as all three Fates held their right hands out towards it.
A soft pink glow enveloped the daughter of Aphrodite, and everyone watched in awe as the black thread representing her life shifted to a shimmering golden. The Moirai lowered their heads as they spoke in unison.
"All Hail Piper McLean-Grace, Goddess of Relationships, Song, and Minor Goddess of Love."
The crowd erupted in cheers, none louder than Aphrodite or Jason.
"This will be a long ceremony," Atropos noted, muffled by the uproar.
As the noise died down, a foreign voice spoke.
"Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano."
The Roman Praetor stumbled forward, shocked by the woman that had appeared in full battle regalia. Bellona smiled proudly at her daughter who dropped to kneel before her. The goddess reached down, lifting the demigod by her shoulders.
"You have far surpassed every obstacle both I and even higher powers have placed before you. I could not be more honored to call you my daughter and would like to offer you godhood as well," Bellona said confidently.
Reyna saluted in front of her mother, tears in her eyes as she nodded. The Fates repeated the process, and a regal red light emanated around the Roman Praetor.
"All Hail Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Goddess of Leadership and Resilience, and Minor Goddess of War."
The Roman demigods saluted in unison while the Greeks erupted with rowdy noise.
"Jason Grace," Jupiter boomed, not allowing for another interruption to the sequence he wanted.
The demigod stepped forward, grinning proudly after seeing both his wife and his former co-praetor receive the rewards they each deserved.
"You have proven yourself a leader throughout every major war you have taken part in. It brings me great pleasure to bestow godhood upon you," Jupiter announced.
Jason radiated an electric blue as his thread turned golden.
"All Hail Jason Grace, God of Electricity and Flight, and Minor God of Storms."
Through the cheering that ensued, Percy nodded approvingly at their presumably shared domain of storms. Jason smirked, nodding back before he saluted his father.
"I'm literally better than you with electricity. How is that going to be your domain?" Thalia complained as Jason grinned at her.
"Wait for your turn, Thalia," Artemis said from her throne, sending a knowing glance in her Lieutenant's direction.
As the ceremony fell into a groove, the rest of the awards began to go by more quickly. Each of the commanders of the demigod army stepped up one by one, and each was offered some form of godhood. Percy's smile only grew more and more as he watched his friends receive the honors they deserved.
Annabeth proudly became the Goddess of Architecture, Strategy, and Thought.
Frank awkwardly became the God of Protection, Transformations, and Minor God of War.
Leo was dubbed the God of Machines, Minor God of Fire, and self-proclaimed God of Metal Dragons.
Nico and Hazel both became Minor Gods of the Underworld, with the former also becoming the God of Necromancy and the latter becoming the Goddess of Illusions.
Clarisse, surprisingly, turned down the offer of true godhood in favor of her and her boyfriend, Chris Rodriguez, both receiving immortality.
Will Solace joined his ecstatic dad as a God of Healing as well as a Minor God of Archery.
Thalia became the Goddess of Lightning, gloating in her little brother's face, as well as a Minor Goddess of both the Sky and the Hunt.
The Hall of the Gods exploded in a deafening cheer as the Fates transformed the final deity of the ceremony. As the applause died down, the three old ladies turned towards Percy.
"You are already a god, an Olympian at that, but Mother Night still requested us to announce exactly what you preside over," Atropos said, somehow verbally rolling her eyes.
The kindest of the trio, Clotho, elbowed her sister before she looked into the already-golden thread representing Percy's immortal life.
"All Hail Perseus Jackson," Clotho started, her eyes widening as she spoke, "God of the Seas, Earthquakes, Storms, Horses, Guardians… Night…"
Lachesis, shocked, snapped her eyes in Percy's direction before also looking into the golden thread. The middle woman murmured to herself before she continued for her stunned sister.
"Guardians, Night, Heroes, and Loyalty. Minor God of Shadows, Courage, Hearth, and Home."
"Di Chaos, what a laundry list," Atropos muttered irritatedly into the silent room.
Congratulations, my champion, an invisible voice spoke from every direction before its presence vanished as quickly as it had arrived.
The Fates' jaws all but hit the floor as they recognized their grandmother's voice, and every other being present stood in an even deeper silence. Naturally, Percy awkwardly smiled as he felt over a thousand pairs of eyes on him. He couldn't have been more thankful when Apollo broke the tense atmosphere.
"Ten new gods, a super-Olympian, and a cameo from the Creator of the Universe. That's a pretty great wrap up for the most significant awards ceremony we've ever had. Now, let's get onto the important stuff: the AFTERPARTY!" the sun god shouted, bringing the King of the Gods out of his stupor.
Zeus, having transformed back into his Greek form, cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Uh– yes," the god boomed as he jolted Dionysus' groggy form.
The God of Wine snapped to attention, clapping twice as he disappeared in a plume of smoke. As the doors flew open, revealing the gleaming city that accompanied an Olympian party, Percy and Artemis shared a glance. He looked down at her still-hidden hands, posing a silent question. She smiled and nodded as Percy turned back to the King of the Gods.
"Actually," Percy interrupted while some of the Olympians began to stand, "I don't think I've asked for a reward yet, Lord Zeus. And it's something I can only get from you."
Artemis facepalmed with her empty hand at the phrasing of her idiot fiancé's sentence. Zeus' grip tightened on his weapon as the dangerous smell of ozone filled the air.
"You want something that belongs to me?" The King of the Gods threatened.
"Yes. Or no, it doesn't belong to you. But it's something you have, and it's sorta something you can give," Percy rambled on.
Several of the Olympians looked on in shock at what the newest Olympian seemed to be implying. Artemis grew more and more frustrated as she watched every muscle in her father's body tense. She couldn't tell if she was more embarrassed by Zeus' instinctive belief that Percy wanted his throne, or by Percy not realizing that that was exactly what he seemed to be implying.
Pressure mounted between the two Olympians, one confused and one steaming in rage, and Artemis couldn't take it anymore.
"Father, he wants to marry me!" the goddess blurted out, holding out her ringed hand for the entire throne room to see.
"Uh– yes. Could I have your blessing to marry your daughter?" Percy finally asked.
Zeus' Master Bolt clattered to the ground as the entire room divulged into chaos.
A/N: Heh, I had fun writing this chapter and bringing back some of the aspects of Olympus I wrote about way back in Chapter 1. Also, it felt so weird calling Jason and Piper husband and wife. I had almost forgotten that I wrote an entire wedding sequence for them. Anyways, I bet you can guess what the next chapter is going to be and I need to make it perfect, so I might take a tiny bit longer than usual to write it. Hope you guys liked this chapter, review and let me know!
MisguidedPenguin: Wow Chekhov's engagement ring. Never saw that coming, I love it
This actually made me laugh when I read it. It really was a Chekhov's ring the whole time and I was so excited to reveal it.
levisorus: f*ck yeah man, excuse the french, they're getting married! grinned like an idiot the whole story. thanks for this dude, you really got a knack for writing. always look forward to your updates.
I'm always happy to see a kind review from you. So glad you enjoyed, but get ready for how much you'll enjoy the chapter after this one!
Guest:Im so glad I came late to this book, and it already had 25 chapters. Idve died from the cliffhangers :). Its been a wholesome journey man, feels like rick wrote this himself. Waiting on chapter 26 P.S: how many chapters are there going to be? 30?
You all really gas me so much. Being inspired by Rick to pick up writing in the first place and then being compared to him by anybody is such a crazy feeling. Thank you so much and haha yeah I had a little too much fun with the cliffhangers. There's going to be 28 chapters total with the 28th being the epilogue :)
I didn't reply to everyone, but, as always, thank you all so much. It makes me feel so good having such kind people reading along with something I enjoy writing so much. I'll see everyone next time.