Note: Thanks to TaliaAppiah for the idea!
IIIII
"Before this next viewing starts, shall we all make an agreement?" Athena questioned as the screen in front of them swirled, whatever they were watching next taking its time to load. Allowing them a brief amount of time to talk. "What type of world or path do we wish to choose? We have to be extremely careful, as even the most minuscule difference can have drastic consequences."
"I agree." Apollo nodded before his lips spread into a large smirk. "So how much do you all want to bet there's a path where Percy bags another goddess? I mean, if he got one without even trying, who's to say he can't date Lil sis over here if he put his mind to it?"
"Enough with the dating nonsense. It's not happening!" Artemis ground out, glaring at her twin. Knowing the god was doing it to aggravate her, and of course, it was working. "Focus on something else!"
"Fine, fine." Apollo laughed, nudging Hermes. "So, as the focus is Percy. Do we all want to choose a path where he's still with Athena's daughter?"
"What?" Athena glared, hers worse than Artemis's. "Of course we are. I may not like Jackson, but no other man my daughter could have chosen would be better. So whatever you're thinking, stop thinking it."
"I agree." Aphrodite chimed to the surprise of everyone else. Noticing the gazes, she huffed. "What? Percy and Tyche may have made a cute couple. I'm sure most would with Percy. But Percy and Annabeth are my go-to pair. Their romance is my baby. No matter what anyone says, I'm not destroying such a sweet marriage. I'm the goddess of love, not a monster!"
"...It appears we are in agreement then," Athena replied, looking as if the very thought of agreeing with the love goddess was distasteful.
"Oh well, it was worth a shot." Apollo sighed, staring up at the ceiling. "Sorry, Percy, my man. It looks like you're stuck not knowing the wonders of being a bachelor."
"The day may yet come. Don't give up hope now." Hermes frowned, clucking his tongue. "Who knows, maybe their decision will change in the future."
"This is utter nonsense." Hades groaned, giving an annoyed glance at his nephews.
"It truly is." Zeus acquiesced.
"Percy is obviously staying with Athena's daughter. It goes without saying. We should be discussing more important matters." Hades continued, so focused on the discussion in the throne room he didn't notice the odd look shot his way by Zeus, Hera, and Demeter.
"Enough. There's no point in continuing to talk about this." Poseidon spoke up. "We've only watched one path. We don't know what we might see in the future, nor how many paths we'll be able to see. Trying to pick one now with how little we know is pointless."
"Is it?" Athena sneered. "Don't you think a set of guidelines for the path to pick should be mentioned? I, for one, do not wish to choose a world where the Titans won the war."
"That's an impossibility, daughter," Zeus said, scoffing a little. "And this is all ridiculous. No matter what path we choose, we, unfortunately, have to agree in the end. None of that will happen unless we watch more paths and find our options."
Zeus's words got him an eye roll from Hera. "You just want to watch more paths. Admit it, that's why we're even in this situation in the first place."
"That is a possibility," Zeus replied.
"Hey," Artemis called out, then pointed to the screen. "It's starting."
"So, why have you two called us here? We could have been enjoying a nice dinner right about now, you know." Leo asked, leaning back in his chair, grinning. Calypso sitting right beside the boy leaning her head against Leo's shoulder.
"Isn't that you're son, Hephaestus?" Zeus frowned, the boy on screen looking vaguely familiar, but he couldn't pinpoint why exactly.
"Who care's about that," Apollo said before Hephaestus could speak. "The real question is how a demigod like that managed to get Calypso interested in him."
Shrugging his shoulders, Percy motioned towards Annabeth next to him, just as confused as Leo as to why they were gathering. Something was off with Annabeth, something strange that he couldn't put his finger on. It was a feeling he'd been having for the past few months after the war with Gaea, and it hadn't disappeared. Instead, worryingly enough, it was increasing.
"Huh, that was years ago." Hermes frowned.
Every day that passed, his girlfriend seemed a little different. As if a burden on her shoulders was becoming heavier by the day. But despite Percy noticing and trying to ask Annabeth about it without being too obvious. He hadn't been able to get an answer. The blonde kept whatever was plaguing her close to her chest, staying deep in thought for sometimes days without saying a word.
It worried him, and Percy didn't know what to think about it anymore. So when Annabeth had said they needed to gather their friends and the leaders of all the cabins, Percy had practically raced to get it done. Hoping the girl was finally ready to spill what had been troubling her for so long. Hence why, in his rush, he'd forced everyone in the cabin to skip dinner for the meeting.
"That doesn't sound like you're daughter, Athena," Hera said, eyebrow raised.
"Yes, strange." Athena frowned.
Opposite them, Hermes's own frown deepened as they were shown a broader view of the cabin on screen. The image had over two dozen demigods, many he could easily recognize from their distinctive features pointing to who their parent was. However, oddly enough. He could only see one of his own children.
"I agree. I was hungry, you know?" Jason smirked, though from the troubled look in his eyes and the gaze he was shooting toward Annabeth. Percy knew he wasn't the only one who'd noticed something wrong with the daughter of Athena.
"Ah, there's mini Zeus," Hades smirked.
"Yes, yes," Annabeth spoke up, her voice rasping a little from disuse. "I know it's sudden, but this is urgent. We have a problem, a problem that I've been struggling to solve and unfortunately have come to only one solution to fix it."
"This isn't a riddle, right?" Piper spoke up, sounding a little putout. "I don't really want to deal with another one after the last time. Those are tough, especially your's Annabeth."
"Ugh, you and me both, Piper." Aphrodite bemoaned, holding her face in her hands. If there was one thing, she didn't like when visiting the Jacksons. It was Annabeth's recent obsession with riddles. Something about them increasing her child's intelligence before birth or some other nonsense. No matter the reason, they were usually relatively tricky and a pain to try and figure out in most cases.
"No, Piper," Annabeth said, tone flat. "This isn't a riddle. This is a gathering, a preparation, if you will."
"Preparation?" Percy asked, unsure where exactly his girlfriend was going.
"Yes, a preparation for war. I want to overthrow the gods." Annabeth admitted frankly.
"WHAT!" Zeus roared, standing up from his throne in shock, the rest of the god's in the room in similar states of surprise.
"This... This... What?" Aphrodite stuttered out, words failing her. Athena, right across from the other goddess, shook her head. What had just left Annabeth's mouth was something she'd never even dreamed of hearing come from her favorite daughter.
"They must be dreaming. They have to be. Overthrow us? That's... That's crazy." Apollo blinked, confusion filling his face. He'd never foreseen this happening, nor had any of his oracles, so how was this a possible path?
"Did that girl really consider this after the second war?" Artemis asked aloud, far calmer than the rest of the gods but still caught by surprise.
"Sweet." Leo raised a fist happily.
"About time."
"Y-You sure?"
"Great, they all agree. Some children you have." Hera smirked with amusement. Though if anyone looked at her, they would have noticed Hera's hands were white from her death grip on her throne.
Keeping quiet himself, Percy just stared at Annabeth, ignoring the mutterings of surprise and excitement coming from their friends and fellow cabin leaders. He wasn't sure what Annabeth was doing, and he had a feeling by the end of whatever was said. Something was going to be different, he couldn't say what that was, but Percy could feel it deep inside of himself.
"Of course, something's going to be different. That's rebellion! Think about what that girl is saying, Percy!" Aphrodite yelled, outraged that her two favorite demigods, outside of her own children, were thinking what they were.
"Why?" Piper asked after a minute silencing the voices.
"...Because I do not forgive, and I do not forget. The gods may be our parents if any of you truly wish to call them that. They may have given some advice and helped us here an there in minuscule increments. But to tell the truth, none of that changes one iron-clad fact. The gods are monsters." Annabeth spoke in a dead even tone. "History, distorted as it might be by the mortals, can easily tell us that. As can our own experiences. But what truly shows how monstrous their actions are this last year is the wars we've all faced."
"Wha-"
"Quiet!" Artemis shushed Apollo immediately before her twin could say a word.
"Do anyone of you think how odd it is that after years and years of peace... After decades of nothing except battles with monsters. That two wars happened back to back so quickly? Does no one find it strange that prophecy after prophecy keeps appearing in rapid succession, without warning, plan, or reason?" Annabeth rattled off as she continued. "I didn't, as much as I'm ashamed to admit it. However, after our last battle and after all our losses. I noticed something, something I never thought was possible."
"What?" A voice asked from the back, the boy looking similar enough in features to Annabeth that Percy could tell he was a son of Athena. Most likely, the cabin leader, though Percy wasn't entirely sure. After all, technically, he'd just told a kid in the Athena cabin to tell their leader to go to the Poseidon cabin before dinner. So the guy could really be anyone.
"Rachel," Annabeth replied. "Rachel, our friend, and fellow demigod. Or who we thought was a demigod if she's still considered one with her new occupation. She's working with the gods. Of course, before anyone says that's obvious, hear me out. Rachel isn't an oracle. I'd bet my life on it. She's nothing but a fraud. A fake who gives out prophecies the gods tell her to, so we do their bidding."
"Okay, this is getting out of hand!" Apollo stood and began pacing in front of his throne. "That girl isn't a fake. She's my oracle. How could we even try and fake her getting chosen and what she's told them?"
"It... It could be done." Athena slowly began, considering the possibilities of what she was hearing her daughter speak of. "It would be difficult but not impossible."
"Who care's about that," Dionysus said. "The girls not wrong. Those quests, heroic or not, in the end, are from us. It's what we want them to do, and they get a chance to be a 'hero' and get the task done."
"You know that's not how it works, nephew." Poseidon scowled.
"What are you talking about, Annabeth?" Jason questioned, a deep frown on his face. "How is that possible? We've seen her tell a prophecy ourselves. How could any of that be faked?"
"Thank you!" Apollo waved at the screen. "Father, I think that one's my favorite out of all the demigods you've had. At least he seems to have some level of reason in that skull."
"It's simple if you have the help of the gods. As for why, well, do the god truly need a reason?" Annabeth asked back. "Their monsters that look like humans. Act like humans, appear human. But in the end, none of them are or ever have been human. They rape, kill, butcher, and play around with people, mortals, monsters, and demigods alike, all for their own amusement!"
"That's not... Fully accurate." Hermes spoke, voice hesitant. Knowing full well that all of them had done one or all of those things Athena's daughter listed at one point or another. Whether it be by mistake, tricked, or on purpose without remorse or guilt.
"Eh, I no shame in what I've done," Ares smirked before a large grin spread across his face, the idea of the demigods rising up to face the gods once again, getting his blood pumping for another war.
"That's because only some of us." Hera gave a pointed look at Zeus. "Truly have done all those things, or still do them to this day."
"Hades above, have any of you thought about why monsters are allowed to roam free? Hunting demigods, our brothers, and sisters, when the gods could wipe them to ash with a flick of their fingers?" Annabeth chuckled, her voice sounding bitter. "It's not because they can't, that's for sure. It's because they won't. If they did, there would be too many demigod children to care for. No, in their eyes, it's better to let the monsters weed out the weak so the stronger ones of us could make it to their camps to play their games. That is why they're monsters, and it's only one of many reasons."
"I'm going to be sick," Piper said, putting a hand to her mouth while Jason rested a hand on her shoulder.
"T-That can't be true, can it?" Hazel asked, looking a bit queasy herself.
"That's not true in the slightest." Athena's eyes narrowed. "We're not all-knowing. With how easily monsters can disguise themselves around mortals. It's impossible to know where they are until it's too late."
"Hmm... True, except for those Artemis hunts." Demeter pointed out.
"Those are rare and don't happen often. My hunters and I can't cover the whole continent. Losses are inevitable." Artemis replied, giving a pointed glare.
"It is, and that's only part of it," Annabeth replied, her voice coming out steelier than before. "If we're the entertainment, the children who get weeded out among the weak from the strong. What do you think our parents are? Do you truly think any of them really love the gods? Or do you think they're afraid? Or even know at all?"
"No need to answer, I'll tell you. It's because they can't! Our parents, our siblings, and all mortals are nothing but breeding chattel for the gods!"
"Athena... Is your daughter alright?" Zeus frowned. The longer the girl spoke, the more outlandish her claims became. Sure, some were true because of mistakes or issues of the past. But the majority was completely false.
"She's fine," Athena said. "But remember, this is another path. It's not only one choice that's different from ours. Maybe some more drastic changes have happened in their world we can't see."
Seeing the sneer on Annabeth's face, Percy couldn't help but think it made his girlfriend look even more attractive in her commanding stance. However, knowing it wasn't the time, he pushed the thought away and focused on what the girl was saying, even if he had trouble agreeing with what he was hearing. The idea his mom was considered a breeding animal by his father a tough pill to swallow. But, as Annabeth was the one saying it, he knew she must have a reason. Almost nothing wise girl said was ever groundless or without evidence.
"Everything she's said is basically groundless." Poseidon breathed, trying not to become annoyed. He liked Annabeth, he truly did and he was glad she had become his son's wife. The boy couldn't have done better. That was one of the few things he agreed with Athena on. However, to hear the words that he and others treated their mortal lovers like breeding sows was beginning to anger him. Especially as Percy seemed to agree simply because of Annabeth's past history.
"What makes you say that?" A girl from the back of the cabin asked, sounding a little shaken.
"Two things. Have any of you ever thought how odd it is that no one can seem to resist the gods? Maybe none of you have seen it, but I have. Once, long ago, Athena came to visit my family. My father, who is as rational as they come, was a stumbling fool. Red-faced, tripping over himself and unable to even take his eyes off Athena as if bewitched."
"Now, that may sound like an infatuated man, but as soon as she left, he was back to normal, if not in a daze. From my observations and other interactions I've seen with Ares and Aphrodite, it's not a one-time occurrence either. When it comes to the gods, mortals can't resist them. They feel or see something none of us, as their children do." Annabeth continued. Which begs the question and brings me to the second point. Was any of our parents even willing? Is their love, infatuations, feelings, or even memories real? Or are they all false? Altered, or even outright fake? A way to keep them compliant until the god's next visit until they have a child and move on?"
"Now that's ridiculous. I've been rejected countless times." Apollo sneered.
"Ha, that's because you've been around for millennia Apollo," Artemis said with an equal sneer. "Her words aren't entirely false. When was the last time you were rejected by someone other than my hunters?"
"Not that it's any of you're business. But... Uh..." Apollo trailed off, trying to remember, then shrugged. "Society's different now. It's more open compared to a century ago. I'm sure I've been rejected. It's just been a while."
"He's right." Aphrodite sighed. "It's easier now, though I've been rejected many times in the last few years."
"What? Who rejected you of all people?" Hermes asked, chuckling.
"Percy."
"I'd like to say they're real... But I think I can speak for everyone here when I say we've experienced how the gods truly are in greater depth than most demigods. Anything is possible when it comes to them." Percy sighed, speaking up for the first time since the meeting started. Annabeth's words rotated in his mind, making him feel sick as he remembered his altered memories and the swap between camps.
"Great, thanks, Hera." Demeter coughed, trying to hide her smile. "You've made it easier for the boy to believe Athena's daughter's claims."
"Please, sister." Hera tapped her nails across her armrest. "It's not as if we can modify someone's memories with a flick of our wrists. That plan took a lot of time, power, and a deal with the Styx to make it work."
"Exactly." Annabeth nodded her head in agreement. "And as I said before, the point of it all? Entertainment, the gods aren't mortal after all. They aren't us and can't be judged by normal actions, no matter how we grew up. They are immortal beings and see us as playthings. Why else would they all do this? Why else would they make all these supposed restrictions on themselves? Their gods! All those answers and rules were nothing but excuses and reasons to placate demigods. Ways to prevent rebellions."
"Because Zeus is paranoid," Poseidon smirked.
"And it has worked for all these centuries just fine," Zeus replied instantly. "However, not all those rules were created by me. The fates had a hand in the majority, as did a few of you."
"But, why do that at all?" Calypso asked, her hand squeezing Leo's. "Why not just ignore any questions?"
"I'm glad you asked," Annabeth replied with a small smile. "Now, it might sound unbelievable. But I believe the reason is because the gods are scared. They are scared of us, their children, if we rise up to overthrow them like they did to the titans."
"Paranoia and Zeus." Hades sighed. Poseidon beside him, letting out a similar sigh.
"Well was I wrong!?" Zeus asked, getting irritated. "They are rising up against us. We should have had them swear to be loyal to Olympus the minute they showed how powerful they were!"
"Father, this is a different path." Athena frowned, glancing at the king. "This isn't the world we live in now."
"That's absurd!" Leo scoffed.
"No, it's not." Annabeth denied. "Think about it. Why come up with all these answers, restrictions, and camps? For fun, it could be. However, I believe it's to placate us, so their entertainment doesn't get any ideas they shouldn't. Think about it. What happened with Luke? He went against the gods, rallied demigods to his cause, and what did the gods do? They sent us demigods after one of our own. Their children taking care of their problem for them."
"What about Kronos?" Percy asked, starting to get a vague idea of where Annabeth was going now and unsure how to take it.
"That's even more evidence," Annabeth said. "Have any of us ever met Kronos? Truly met the titan? No. Sure there was Percy's dream and Luke's words. But for all we know, it could be another trick, a way to make us believe that Luke wasn't trying to fight against the gods of his own will but was forced. After all, what better way to make us believe a rebellion wasn't a real rebellion than with a show of the leader being 'manipulated' by a titan. A monster worse than the gods who wanted to overthrow them and used a demigod to do it."
"Never mind that it could have been of Luke's free will after he probably had discovered the truth. For those of us who were here. Don't any of you remember? Luke tried to tell us, tell us what monsters the gods were. But none of us listened. Instead, choosing to go against our family, our real family, not the gods but fellow demigods like good little soldiers. Following orders without thinking about what might be happening behind the scenes."
"...You know." Apollo began, an odd expression on his face. "Either you're daughter can really twist the truth. Or something like that may have actually happened to them in their world. Why else would it actually be beginning to make sense?"
"It could be both." Athena nodded, having thought of that already herself. Annabeth had always been a child who could get others to see her way if she really put her mind to it. That was just one of the reasons why the girl was her favorite.
"Wait, but didn't you guys discover it was Kronos, not the gods?" Piper asked, not sounding like she disagreed, but more with a horrified confusion than anything else.
"More like some of us didn't want to admit it," Artemis said, ignoring the three glares sent by her father and uncles.
"That's what they wanted us to believe." Annabeth agreed. "But really, if they could enter our minds to give us help, alter and erase our memories like they did Percy and Jason. Who's to say they didn't do it then or even implant the idea in our minds. How do we know if anything is even real, or how much of our minds are really ours or not? How-"
"Hold it, Annabeth!" Jason stood up, taking a deep breath. "I don't think anyone here is going to disagree with you. Even without everything you said, I would follow you and Percy, even if it's to battle the gods. I'm sure everyone else here can say the same."
At that, a chorus of agreement and nods came from everyone in the room, so Jason continued. "But how much is there? How much have the gods done to make you come to this decision... And what do you need us to do?"
"And I take it back. Thalia's my favorite again." Apollo groaned. "Is that all they really needed to decide to go against us? That seems almost too easy. Why are they so willing to follow those two even if it means death?"
"Perhaps in their eyes, we truly are such monsters that it would be worth going against us even if they die?" Aphrodite shrugged, offering her thoughts.
"More like they assume they can beat us," Athena replied. They'd all seen firsthand the power Jackson had, as well as a few other demigods though none had yet come close to the boy's level of ability. However, she didn't believe it was enough. One or two gods, such as Ares, may fall if they get too confident... Again. But the rest of them should be fine and stomp out the rebellion the minute it begins. The disparity between gods and demigods was too significant to surpass after all.
Percy placed a hand on Annabeth's back in silent comfort and waited for his girlfriend to answer the question. Trying his best to offer his support and comfort as best he could. Having witnessed the struggle and toll she'd been going through all these months in silence alone.
"...To be honest, everyone." Annabeth began. "There's too much to tell. The gods have done too many atrocities to count. We could be here all night without me even getting through the main highlights. Things such as Artemis's crusade against men and the immoral kidnappings and killings of male children. The perverseness rampant among the gods and terrible tragedies that befall any who fall in the sight of both gods and goddesses. The sick games that happen with the handmaidens and servants of the gods on Olympus, among others things. However, if you are all convinced. We can save it all for another time."
"Excuse me?" Artemis blinked, confusion filling her eyes. She'd never kidnapped or killed any male child. In fact, unless it was a casualty during one of their wars which were on accident, she'd never killed any children below the age of thirteen. After that age, most were capable of making decisions for themselves. Even then, she could count on two hands the number of times she killed someone so young, and they'd all been female. Traitors who'd tried to sneak into her camp to become hunters. Spying on her for the enemy.
"I know, right?" Aphrodite said with a glance toward Artemis. "My handmaidens are my children, and they want to serve me on Olympus. Nothing is sick about that, and no games go on with them. Touching one of them is a death sentence to any who try in my palace."
Taking a deep breath, Annabeth continued. "To answer your question, Jason. What I need you all to do is prepare for war. We need to gather the campers, both greek and roman. We need to forge weapons, collect supplies, plan our route of action, and organize our strike before the gods can catch wind of what we are up to."
"Understood." Jason nodded.
"Don't just agree. Challenge that decision. You all are walking towards your death." Zeus stared in disbelief at his son Jason. He'd always thought the boy was intelligent, smarter than most of his children compared to those born in the past. But this was proving the opposite. How much did the boy trust the Jacksons to lead him even to death?
"I have a question before we all get started." Leo stood up. "This is great and all, and I'm on board. But how are we going to kill the gods? How can we possibly beat them? It's impossible, isn't it?"
"Thank you! Finally, someone brings it up!" Apollo slapped a hand on his thigh, leaning forward.
"It's not impossible." Percy shook his head. "I've beaten Ares before. I know now he was going easy on me. But if we can play on their arrogance. Force them to play to our rules, not theirs. It's possible. It just won't be without casualties."
"...That's it?" Hades asked, confused. "No grand weapon, just... A normal battle, and they expect to win?"
"Jackson has a screw loose." Ares rolled his eyes. Sure the kid had beaten him, but he wasn't in his right mind then. That and if he had indeed killed the boy, Poseidon would have skinned him alive.
"It does look like that, doesn't it." Dionysus nodded in agreement.
"And who says we'll be alone?" Annabeth smirked. "The gods have many enemies. Ones that will do anything, swear any oath, no matter how binding, if it meant a chance to get back at the gods. It's just a matter of using them and taking down the gods one by one... It will be difficult. Many will die, I have no doubt. However, it can be done, and with both camps united, I don't believe the gods will stand a chance."
"And there's her Athena side." Hestia sighed quietly. She wasn't nearly as arrogant as most of the gods watching, and she had visited the camp many times over the years. Annabeth wasn't stupid, far from it. If she believed it could be done, it probably could, which worried Hestia for the future of the gods in the path they were watching.
"But should they do this she'll be facing me," Athena replied, having heard Hestia's remarks. "No child of mine is prepared for that. They have no chance of winning."
"Okay, good enough for me." Leo smiled. "What do you need us to do, commander?"
"Idiot." Hephaestus sighed, the first of his children able to control and fully use his abilities, and he was going to try and fight against him. It was like a bad joke.
Tuning everyone's voices out as Annabeth began to order everyone their individual tasks, Percy stared down at the floor in thought with worry. Now that he fully knew the extent of Annabeth's thoughts.
"Worry? He should be feeling outright terror." Ares snorted.
Could it all really work? He didn't doubt his girlfriend. She was wiser than him when it came to such matters. But still, could they succeed? Or would they be dooming themselves to a fate worse than death should they fail? Would they be sentenced to Tartarus or perhaps banished or tortured another way? Maybe even like the gods had done in the past? Ways Chiron had assured many when asked were false and exaggerated. Though Percy had long doubted it and knew it was most likely a lie.
All of it, the thoughts and what if's floating in his mind, was depressing. It was no wonder if these types of ideas were even somewhat similar to what Annabeth had been thinking over these past few months that she'd been so silent. Percy was only just beginning, and he could already feel the crushing weight of what they were planning on attempting. He couldn't imagine how the girl had made it so long until tonight.
"Oh, he's so sweet worrying about her!" Aphrodite squealed with delight.
"Aphrodite, focus. They're trying to overthrow us here," Hades said, not even glancing at the goddess.
"It doesn't change how sweet it is."
Feeling a hand touch him, Percy lifted his head to see Annabeth looking at him with concern. "You alright, seaweed brain?"
Chuckling a little, knowing Annabeth was attempting to lighten the mood with the use of the nickname, Percy nodded. "Yeah, I'm good... But listen, Annabeth, are you sure you want to go through with this? Once we do, there's no turning back. If we fail, we'll be hunted until we die. Huh, actually, knowing how much of a grudge the gods can hold, they'll probably still chase us even after death. If Hades doesn't just bring us back to be tortured or worse."
"Can you do-" Apollo began only to get cut off by Hades.
"I could, but I wouldn't. It goes against all my principles."
"I know," Annabeth replied calmly. "I've considered it all, but I'm still willing. I don't want to live like a puppet any longer, dancing to the god's theme. I want to be free, with you, without danger. I don't want to worry about our lives or our future family if we leave camp and try to make it in the mortal world. Worry about one day coming home from work to find monsters have destroyed our home or one of us having died fighting... The only question I have is, Percy. Are you with me? To the end, no matter what happens?"
"You shouldn't even feel the need to ask. You know I am." Percy sighed, pulling Annabeth into his arms, standing in the middle of his cabin, light from the setting sun shining on them from the window. Though at that moment, whether that was an omen of things to come, neither of them cared. Just taking comfort in the other as thoughts of the uncertain future floated through their minds.
"Again, that's so sweet." Aphrodite chimed again.
"Aphrodite!" Artemis huffed, the constant interruptions getting on her nerves. Especially the ones from the love goddess.
"You know, she's not wrong," Hestia said, though which goddess she was supporting with that sentence she didn't explain further.
Ten years later
"Oof, ten years? Think they've been exterminated yet?" Apollo winced as the ten years later splashed across the screen without much warning.
"Maybe it will show their children?" Hera said with a slight shrug. Sure they could be petty and cruel at times. Nevertheless, if the Jacksons did have a child, she was sure they'd let them live. No matter what his son may do, Poseidon would probably make sure of it.
Chest wrapped in bandages, Percy stood next to Annabeth, his wife of seven years as the crowd of demigods in the gladiatorial arena cheered. The echo's from the roars and clapping sounded everywhere, making it almost impossible to hear a voice speak if someone tried.
"Well... That answers that." Hera's eyebrow rose in surprise at the sudden screen change.
"What in Aphrodite's lef-"
"Don't you dare finish that!" Aphrodite yelled, glaring at Hermes. How those curses got started, she'd never know. Sure, she liked sex... a lot. But really, using her body as an example when cursing, insulting, or for the shock effect was just plain weird. She was just glad her children had never picked up on the habit.
Of course, given that Zeus, king of the old gods, the last of the fallen Olympians, was now bound in the middle of the arena floor. The people's excitement, Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, and all the rest of the pantheon's among the god's children, was understandable. They had been fighting for ten long bloody years.
"Impossible!" Both Zeus and Athena yelled out in unison, the former because of how surprised he was to see himself kneeling in front of crowds of demigods. Not at all looking like the king of the gods. While the latter was shocked and running through the calculations of how such a thing was possible. Her father's form in the arena on screen made it clear the demigods had won, the ramifications of such a thing a hard pill to swallow.
"They look older," Poseidon muttered, not paying much attention to the arena, more focused on his son and daughter-in-law. The years hadn't appeared to be kind to them. But given that ten years had passed, it would make sense for some change to occur. It was just a little more drastic than he was anticipating.
Annabeth's plan had gone off without a hitch, and they'd struck against the gods, none of which, not even Apollo with his foresight, had seen any of it coming. Surprisingly, they learned the gods were weaker than they first imagined and that it was mainly their reputation and armies that kept them from being overthrown all these years. And those Legions of troops joined the demigod side after negotiations and a few deals.
"That's not true!" Ares gaped, unable to believe what he was hearing. Sure his armies, like his old Sparta ones, were powerful. But that was because of him and his abilities. It wasn't an exaggeration to say they were ten times weaker without him.
"Of course, it isn't." Athena slammed a fist on her throne. What they heard from Percy's thoughts was pure slander. No doubt about it. There was no way they had been beaten so easily by their children. It was impossible. Even if it was another world or some drastic change had occurred. Athena didn't think in the slightest that victory could be won so quickly and in a mere ten years.
That was all besides the point after Olympus fell and they'd won the first battle. Percy had thought naively it would be smooth sailing. But of course, in typical demigod fashion. It wasn't, and for the past ten years. Not only did they fight the Olympians, but they fought the Egyptian gods, the Roman gods, well the counterparts, and a few other pantheons from overseas. However, they'd been defeated and hunted down like dogs.
In fact, demigods had gotten so good at hunting down the gods it had become a sport. So when a god was captured, they would be thrown into the arena with rune-suppressing cuffs created by a child of Hecate that would seal a god's power. Two gods would fight, and the winner would live one more day until they eventually fell in battle.
"No, this... This is impossible." Athena whispered, eyes locked on the screen as flashes flew past. Moments of battles with the gods being hunted like animals. Athena herself included, until a demigod she'd never seen before used her own spear to stab the goddess and carry her away to the arena. "There must be some change we haven't seen. None of this could happen. Surely a prophecy or warning would have let us know if our children had such capabilities?"
"Don't get all paranoid on us, Athena. Father's enough for us all." Apollo frowned. "I agree with you though. I would have foreseen it, or one of my oracles... Maybe the gods in this path are weaker or are at the level of power of a demigod?"
"I doubt it," Hestia replied, the hearth behind her dying a bit before growing in flames as Hestia recovered from her shock. She'd expected the demigods to win, though part of her had hoped they wouldn't. Nonetheless, actually seeing it and seeing god's hunted to extermination was something else entirely.
"Is no one going to mention that they fought against the Egyptians and the other pantheons?" Artemis asked, wondering why everyone was ignoring that part. They usually stayed out of each other's way. But those gods were just as powerful as they were, a few even stronger than her father though he always claimed differently.
It was barbaric and something from the days of the past. But everyone loved it, the excitement from each game better than the last. Even Percy, despite not enjoying it as much as others such as Jason or Piper. He couldn't resist watching a few and throwing in his own prisoners instead of executing them.
"...I don't even know what to say about that." Zeus leaned back against his throne, astonished at what he and everyone gathered were watching. He'd always been prepared for demigods to rise against him as he and his siblings had done against their own parents. But it had always been the thought of an attempt of a rebellion. Not one that would actually succeed. Nor did he ever think his own child, his flesh and blood, would be a part of it.
That was actually the reason Zeus was in the arena, getting ready to face whatever other god had been captured or created from their crafters. Percy had found the king of the fallen gods in the arctic. It had been a long and terrible battle. One of the worst he'd faced beside's when he'd killed Poseidon. But Percy had done it and had decided to have Zeus fight in the arena. The Last Olympian, the last of the greek gods still living but soon to fall. All under the eyes of the demigods he once saw as entertainment. A fitting end that all seemed to agree if the cheering was any sign.
"My son... Killed me?" Poseidon gaped, feeling hurt. It was a strange feeling, one he hadn't felt in millennia, which made it all the more strange.
"Never mind that," Zeus said. "That boy can apparently duel us to a standstill and win. How's that possible? Even if he's your child, Poseidon, no demigod has ever been that powerful!"
"QUIET!" Annabeth's voice boomed, magnified by an earring explicitly made by the children of Hephatasus, now called crafters for this occasion. "I know we all want to see the god fall. However, I have one thing to say first... Thank you. Thank you, my brothers and sisters. This, I know, has been an exhausting ten years. Longer than any thought it would take. For those of us who believed we would even make it this far."
Chuckles rippled across the crowds, everyone knowing what they'd accomplished was a miracle, and none disagreeing with Annabeth's words.
"However, we did it. We've conquered the gods and mortals and exterminated the monsters so thoroughly that none will willingly leave Tartarus! We did the impossible! So thank you, my brothers and sisters, my family! Now let us have fun and let the seven hundredth gladiator game begin!" Annabeth roared, arm raised. Every demigod in sight, Percy included, followed in unison.
"Seven hundred? They've killed seven hundred gods?" Hephatasus reeled in shock. Despite his age, he didn't even know seven hundred gods, and their children had killed them? It was unbelievable, yet the proof was right in front of them, his own father in the arena, preparing to fight to the death.
"...What did she way about conquering mortals?" Artemis asked, having caught the mention and having a bad feeling about what it meant. Surely Annabeth hadn't gone that crazy to fight against the mortals. Sure, the gods could do it. But they were demigods. Going against the mortals was like going against the world itself.
"It was probably a reference to a battle," Athena replied.
Staring beside himself at the woman he'd married, the love of his life and fellow commander, Percy couldn't help but smile at how beautiful she was, scars and all. Ten years had taken a toll on them all, Annabeth included. But somehow, despite the wrinkles, the graying hair, and his wife's cold, expressionless face. Percy had never found the woman as attractive as he did now.
"Aww..." Aphrodite fanned herself with her hand in exaggeration.
Glancing at the goddess Artemis opened her mouth ready to tell the woman to shut up, then stopped herself. Even she had to admit that Percy was a little cute with his thoughts about Annabeth. The boy, or rather the man with the time skip, was full of nothing but thoughts for his wife. It was... Sweet. Though Artemis would never ever say that aloud or let Aphrodite know she thought that. If she did, she'd never hear the end of it.
Though a part of Percy, the more clear-minded side of his brain, couldn't help but become a little worried now that they'd finally captured Zeus. After they'd caught the other gods the previous year, leaving only the king to find. It had become their goal, what every demigod had worked towards, and they'd accomplished that goal.
However, without a goal now, what would happen? Would the mortals regroup and attack them in revenge? Would the monsters rise back up and challenge them again? Perhaps the giants, beings they'd used to help overthrow the gods before backstabbing them and locking them in Tartarus, would return. Or, maybe worst of all. Their fellow demigods would turn on Annabeth and him as they had done the gods.
"How did they manage to accomplish that?" Hade's eyes narrowed in consideration. The giants were powerful and not an easy enemy to face. Though as the demigods had beaten the gods and hunted them the way they were, perhaps the giants weren't even a challenge for them.
The latter was a distinct possibility Percy had been thinking about for the past few years ever since they'd attacked the mortals. That was the day everything changed. They had gone from targeting just the gods to basically the world itself. Not that there had been much left of it after the fights with the gods broke out, and giants had ravaged the lands. But it had happened, not on accident either. Though few had blamed Annabeth for the order as it had been her mortal side of the family that had been found murdered.
Staying silent, Athena took in the information and tried to process it as best she could. However, it was difficult with her being proven wrong with every bit of information revealed as Jackson thought more and more about the past. But besides all that, perhaps worse of all was the unknown. Questions she did and didn't yet have. Questions such as how had Annabeth done it? She desperately wanted to know the secret. How her daughter and the other demigods had done what they did in such a short amount of time. Yet, she knew unless the fates revealed it or they saw it themselves. She would probably never know, and that tore Athena up inside.
Still, though, now that they were without a goal. Would his fellow demigods see Annabeth as a threat and try and remove her before she made another choice they didn't like? If he could see it, a person called dense by most. Then Percy was sure others could see the path Annabeth was narrowly treading along.
"We've done it, my love."
Hearing Annabeth's words, Percy nodded in agreement. "So we have."
Sighing softly to himself, Percy watched as Zeus broke free of his bindings to face some metal creature created by their crafters. The god would die or make it through. He didn't really care about either option, mind filled with thoughts of the future. Nevertheless, even as he clapped with the crowd as Zeus was battered across the arena floor, Percy couldn't help but think that one thing, no matter what happened, was certain.
"That looks like an improved version of my mechanical bull." Hephaestus smiled, memorizing the different looks and changes in his children's creations compared to his own. Not really caring about what the beast was doing or the fact it was his father getting trashed in the arena.
"Is that really what you should be focusing on, man?" Hermes asked with a side glance.
He'd protect Annabeth with his life, as well as their unborn child. Whether it was from the monsters in Tartarus, mortals, or even his fellow demigods. If he had to butcher them all to keep his wife safe, he would. Really, anything other than that honestly didn't matter.
[Do you choose this future?]
"Really? Not even a single mention? How'd I die?" Ares groaned. He'd been waiting to hear about it ever since they'd found out the demigods had beaten them. "I'm the god of war. Surely the battle had to be amazing. How could Jackson not remember or even think of me?"
"It's probably because you were the first to die. With it being so long ago, he's probably forgotten it." Artemis shrugged, a slight smirk on her lips.
"Which isn't important," Hera said, giving a stern look to them both. "We should focus on how they managed to kill us in the first place. From the looks of it, our deaths were permanent. Something that's not possible as we should revive ourselves given time."
"Perhaps they destroyed our symbol of power?" Dionysus offered lazily, eyes half closed looking as if he'd fall asleep at any moment.
"That still wouldn't be enough. Maybe it was one of Hecate's children who did something. They did create those rune cuffs on Father." Athena frowned, thinking over the possibilities. "It still shouldn't be possible, however. Hecate isn't a powerful goddess. The magic she uses pales compared to most other gods' abilities."
"That's all interesting, no doubt we could sit and twiddle our thumbs as we think about the possibilities. But I believe we shall answer the question on screen before it accepts our silence by default." Hades spoke up, motioning towards the front of the room towards the screen.
Nodding, Zeus stood. "I'm sure none of us wish to see this future come to pass. So any who disagree say aye. None do? Great, it's time to move on."
"Really, brother?" Poseidon raised an eyebrow, amused. He wasn't truly complaining. Zeus may not have given anyone a chance to speak on the choice. But it was unneeded. Not a single one of them wanted that future. With them being dead, it would be pointless anyway.
"The next path better be something more pleasant. Because if there are all like this..." Zeus trailed off. Now beginning to understand that perhaps being bored might have been the better option. He'd wanted excitement but watching his own destruction wasn't what he meant. But of course, knowing the fates, he probably shouldn't have been so surprised. This was precisely the type of thing they enjoyed doing.
IIIII