Chapter 8, council of the gods. Not very long, but this is an important one. Also, to answer Yesse's question, Hermes appeared in his Greeak form at the end of ch7 because ares already knew percy was a son of lupa and Phobos. They were following it as greek gods, which is why he appeared in his greek form. Anyway, enjoy!

Ares

The war god had followed the development of the entire conflict with glee. He had seen the son of Lupa gore in strength over the years, and now he revelled in the violence that he unleashed on Lyacon's monsters. However, as he stood facing the drakon, Ares was truly excited to see what would happen. He himself had fought the two-headed beast, a long time ago, and it had been tough, even for him. However, the comparatively small wolf stood fearlessly, bearing his teeth at the massive serpent.

Never one to miss a good fight, he moved closer to the battle, floating near the boy and the beast from Lésvos. They engaged in battle, a thrilling dance of death, and Ares looked as giddy as a small child being given candy. He was impressed with the boy's skill and his speed, as he avoided all of the dragon's attacks, even managing to strike one of its eyes. When the drakon burned his own head, Ares burst out laughing. He had never had more fun in the last 10 years! The boy was sent flying into the mountain, and Ares cringed; he remembered those blows. He came out bruised and bloodied, and the war god was sure he was done for. A good effort, truly! However, the boy leapt at the drakon.

Turning into a human in midair, he summoned a knife and stabbed the beast in a weak spot, killing it. It was an impressive kill, sure, but Ares knew he had not done it alone. For a moment, when the blow had been delivered, he had felt a particular presence, one he was accustomed to feel in the back of his chariot in battle. He had felt the presence of fear, his son, driving the blade home.

Ares was truly shocked. It explained everything: his enhanced physical prowess, his abilities, his stature… his eyes. The boy had prayed to his father, and he had helped his only son kill the beast. Ares left after that, flashing to Olympus in a state of pure shock. Phobos was one of the only beings in existence that he could say he even loved, but he had to tell Zeus. A child of Greece and Rome… It was too important.

—

'WHAT?', yelled Zeus, his face red with anger. 'How is this possible?'

'I do not know, father, but I am certain. He is his.'

'A son of Lupa… and Phobos', Zeus mused angrily. 'Greece and Rome. This is bad news. There have been laws put in place to prevent this! It is unacceptable!'

Poseidon spoke up. 'Brother, do not be rash. This boy has never done anything against us, and has fought alongside Artemis, saving many of her hunters. We should talk to him.'

'He is a threat to us', muttered Zeus angrily. 'My orders have been disobeyed once again.'

'Well, the boy's certainly a strong one', said Apollo. 'You sprinkle a bit of archery in the mix, the occasional haiku… You got yourself a specimen!'

Dionysus looked extremely bored. 'If you don't like him, then kill him! Politics can really be slow-paced sometimes.'

Aphrodite looked shocked. 'You old drunk! Do you know the plans I have for that boy?'

'SILENCE!', Zeus voice boomed. 'Hermes, bring him to Olympus. We will talk to him here, and pass fair judgement.

—

Percy

Hermes put his hand on Percy's shoulder, and he felt as if he was being pulled forwards at incredible speeds. His vision went white, then completely black. He felt weightless, spinning around helplessly. Suddenly, his feet hit solid ground, and pain jolted up his legs. Wait… his legs. He was in human form again. He opened his eyes, finding himself in the side of a busy street. It was dark, and drizzle was starting to fall. Mortals passed them by, talking into cellphones and stepping over the puddles that were beginning to form. Percy watched cars whizz by, amazed by the amount of flashing lights and noises. Hermes stood next to him, and Percy realised he must have been gaping, as he was looking at him with an amused expression.

'This is Fifth Avenue,' said Hermes. 'In the heart of New York. A far cry from the forests and the mountains, isn't it?'

Hermes' face was suddenly covered with a serious expression, and his eyes looked clouded as he looked at the night sky.

'That', Hermes `pointed to the doorway of an enormous building. 'is the entrance. Walk in, ask for the guy behind the desk for the 600th floor. They'll know who you are. Good luck, young one.'

Hermes disappeared into thin air, leaving Percy staring at the place were he had been. People looked at him strangely and avoided him, walking around him warily. Percy had passed the city of San Francisco many times in his voyages to Camp Jupiter, but had never gone in, and the amount of noise was slightly deafening. How could the mortals live like this, all crammed up and stressed? Percy shook his head, and looked at the entrance Hermes had pointed at. He was on the other side of the road, and cars speeded by, left and right, blinding lights on each of them. Did he just have to avoid them to be able to cross? Percy doubted it, as if it would be difficult for him, mortals would surely be killed. He looked left, and saw the cars suddenly stop, and mortals begun to cross across, an array of white strips that had been drawn of the ground. Percy didn't really understand what was going on, but he took it as his chance, and ran across.

He reached the other side, his head pounding as he walked through the entrance of the building. The inside was huge, with floors and walls of polished marble and high ceilings. His steps echoed, and he spotted the 'guy behind the desk' Hermes had talked about. He was bald, with bright blue eyes that were focused intently on his book. Percy approached him.

'Excuse me. Six hundredth floor.'

The man didn't look up. 'Ain't no six hundredth floor, kid.'

'I was told there was. I was also told you knew I was coming', Percy growled slightly.

The bald man looked up disinterestedly, when sudden realisation hit him. 'Wait, are you-'

'Yeah.'

'The kid that has the-'

'That's me.'

The man swore under his breath, and hit a button on his desk. The gates of the elevator swung open, and Percy walked in, looking around in amazement. On the left side of the wall, an array of buttons were displayed. As Percy was looking, a new one appeared at the top, larger than the rest, the number 600 engraved on it. Percy hit it, and the elevator shot up. Some horrendous music started playing, and Percy backed up to the wall. After around thirty seconds, the doors opened, and Percy gasped loudly. He did a double take. It was still there. Percy had never seen anything like it.

The mountain floated in the air, connected to the freestanding elevator where Percy was standing by a narrow stone passageway. Gleaming palaces and gardens adorned the sloping sides, full of gateways and arches. In the night, the city was lit up by thousands of torches, gleaming green fire making the floating mountain glow in the dark sky. At the peak of the mountain stood an enormous buliding, and Percy knew what it was immediately. The hall of the gods. Where his life would be decided in a matter of moments.

Walking through the streets, Percy was in shock, gaping at the structures rising around him. It had a resemblance to New Rome, but everything was bigger, grander, richer. Smells and chatter filled the air, and even in the middle of the night the streets were bustling, minor gods and nymphs looking at him with interest. Marble statues of all the gods were everywhere, deities striking grand poses and looking at him with piercing eyes. Finally, he arrived at a set of doors. They were huge, maybe twenty metres tall, solid gold and carved with images of glorious battle on one, and peace and prosperity on the other. Percy touched them, and they swung open.

The throne room of the gods was maybe as large as a football stadium. Marble columns as big as skyscrapers rose up to the massive domed ceiling, twelve thrones were set up in a U-shape, each housing a different Olympian god. The gods themselves were around seven or eight metres tall, all looking at him with very different expressions. His steps seemed to echo forever in the great hall. Percy had never felt so small in his life.

A small hearth crackled in the middle of the thrones, and a small girl tending it. Her eye sockets were full of flames, but she smiled at Percy warmly. Percy saw Hermes sitting on his throne, wearing a pinstriped business suit and scrolling through his iPad intently.

'Perseus', Zeus's voice boomed. 'The son of Lupa. I will ask this once. Who is your father?'

Percy's blood turned to ice. 'They already know,' he thought. What would happen to him. Would Zeus decide to kill him? If he did, there was little Percy could do about it.

'My father is Phobos, my lord. Although I think you already knew that.'

Zeus' eyes flashed dangerously. 'Then I think you already know you are a mistake. Every time our Greek and Roman aspects interact, disaster follows. That is why I made a law some time ago, that there would be no interactions with the other side, for demigods or gods. You are the result of a broken oath.'

Percy felt himself heat up at those words, but immediately forced the sensation down. If he was anything but apologetic in front of the king of the gods, he would be blasted to bits.

'Your parents were irresponsible and stupid. They were also treasonous in hiding you from me. However, they are gods, and cannot pay the full price of their punishment. You will suffer as a consequence.'

Artemis looked stressed. 'Father, please. The boy has fought with the hunters and myself against Lyacon, slain many monsters to protect his family and mine. He saved by lieutenant from death. He has gained my respect.'

'She is right, brother', said Poseidon. 'The boy has done nothing against Olympus. Let us put this to a vote.'

Zeus looked ready to explode, but managed to calm himself down. 'A vote, then', he said through gritted teeth. 'This child is a product of a prohibited relationship, and a threat to us. His very existence goes against the fates, and if we allow him to remain the three sisters will have their revenge. He should die'.

Demeter spoke up next. 'I will not pretend I care for him, but he is good friends with one of my daughters. I also see no need to kill him. We could use him behind a plough. Look at those broad shoulders! He would make an excellent farmer.'

Hera looked irritated. 'No one cares about farming, Demeter.' She looked at Percy with an icy stare. 'He is a threat to the continued peace of our families. We should kill him.'

'That is two to one', said Zeus. 'Hephaestus?'

The forge god's beard burst into flames, but he quickly recovered and patted it out. 'I have nothing against him, but it is never wise to keep a faulty machine around. You never know if it might blow up. I vote for execution.'

Aphrodite looked horrified at the words of her husband. 'I have many great plans for this boy. He will capture many hearts in the future. I will not see him dead!'

'Nor will I', said Artemis firmly. 'I have fought beside him, and can say he is honourable and loyal. He has saved the lives of many of my hunters. Today I will try to save his.'

She locked her silvery eyes with Percy's, and he felt reassured for a small moment.

A guy wearing sunglasses and a tank top spoke up. He looked about 19, with sandy blonde hair and a white smile. 'I gotta stand with my little sis on this one. The dude looks loyal, and could be a competent archer if he was blessed with a fine teacher such as myself. In fact, this reminds me of a limerick I-'

Zeus growled. 'That's enough, Apollo. You have cast your vote.' The god focused on a regal woman with grey eyes. She noticed, and looked at Percy intently.

'I always advise to make decisions on such matters taking into account what is wise. Letting this boy live would not be.' Percy's heart fell. 'We would be shooting ourselves in the foot. He would be unreliable, his loyalty with neither side. Who knows how he will side if our enemies ever return? Not to mention risking the wrath of the fates. The boy should die.'

'4 to 4', said Zeus. He looked at the Dionysus. 'Go on.'

The wine god raised an eyebrow, and looked at Percy lazily. He looked extremely bored, twirling a vine between his fingers. 'If he is a problem, kill him. You could bore him to death by forcing him to attend one of these meetings every day', said the god, going back to peeling grapes.

Ares looked at Dionysus in anger. 'You drunken idiot. You wouldn't recognise bravery and greatness if it stood in front of you as it does now.' He gestured at Percy. 'Even a mortal is more deserving of being on the council than you!'

Dionysus' eyes lit up with purple fire, but Zeus interrupted. 'Enough! What is your vote, Ares?'

Ares looked at Percy with his intense flaming eyes. 'I normally care very little for mortals, but this is the only offspring of my son. I followed you in your fights, kid. You put down the Drakon of Lésvos in spectacular fashion, and I can assure you you will have many great battles in the future. I vote for the kid to live.'

Poseidon was next up. 'Let him live. He has done nothing to threaten us, or our rule. He has shown his courage and his heart, and I would not kill him because of it. If we do, we will be no better than our father.'

Percy looked at the sea god, and was impressed by the difference between the two brothers. Poseidon seemed so calm and collected, and Zeus angry and frustrated. His wishes were being denied, and Percy was guessing he liked his orders followed at all times.

'Fine', he grumbled. 'That makes it 5 for, 6 against. It is your turn, Hermes.'

The messenger god leaned forward in his throne and locked eyes with Percy. He felt a bead of sweat falling down his back. If Hermes voted for execution, there would be a tie, and the will of Zeus would probably overthrow it. At the thought of this, he felt red-hot anger rise to his cheeks. These were meant to be the all-powerful rulers of the earth, yet some of them came across to Percy as paranoid and weak. They really did care nothing for the lives of mortals, did they? It must have begun to show on his face, because Hermes frowned slightly.

'Let him live.'

Percy felt relief course through his body, and felt himself relax slightly. However, the look on the lord of the skies' face would not let him do so entirely.

'Very well. Perseus will live. But he will still suffer the consequences. My orders will not be ignored without them. You will not go back to your mother's pack, my young wolf', he said with distate. 'Your parents lied and hid you, disobeyed direct orders and broke a sacred oath. From this day forward, you shall serve Olympus. You will travel the country, hunting the most dangerous of monsters and removing threats to the gods. You will not stay at the Wolf House, or any of the camps. You will hunt alone, under our orders. Artemis will give you the rest of the details. Now swear to serve and hunt for Olympus, and fight for us when called upon.'

Percy hated that he was not being allowed to stay in the pack, but he understood that it was better than getting blasted to nothing by the master bolt. He walked in front of Zeus' throne and knelt.

'I swear on the River Styx to serve Olympus. I will be loyal, fight when necessary and complete the duty that is set out for me.'

Thunder boomed, and the throne room shook.

Zeus looked at him with crackling eyes. 'Perseus, I will also swear to you. If you ever betray us, I will disintegrate you. Now take him, Artemis. Council dismissed.'

—

The gods flashed out of the throne room quickly, until only Artemis was left, looking at him with her unwavering silvery gaze. She stood up, and as she walked towards Percy, reduced in size until she stood in her normal thirteen-year old form. Percy was a full head taller than her, but he could still feel her aura of power, making his skin tingle.

'Follow me.'

Percy followed the goddess to the back of the throne room through a small wooden door. It led to a large room, dimly lit with oil lamps that seemed to be burning with green fire.

Artemis gestured at the bronze lamps. 'It is Greek fire. It burns anywhere, even underwater.'

The room had a round wooden table in the middle. Percy could see a map of the world carved on it, many areas covered by massive rolls of parchment and other maps. Towers of scrolls loomed in the corners of the room, and piles of swords and axes supported them. One wall had a rack of spears, all gleaming bronze.

The goddess gestured around. 'This is the war room. We handle centralised military operations here, missions that serve the good of Olympus. This is also where battle strategy is formulated. Athena spends a lot of time in here.'

She pulled a chair from underneath the table and sat down, and Percy did the same.

'Your mission will serve Olympus, so that is why I speak to you here. As my father said, you will leave the pack.'

Percy's jaw tightened when he heard that, but Artemis continued.

'Much like my hunters, you will travel the country and bring down large monsters causing havoc. Due to the extent to which you will have to travel, you need to be enlightened to.. certain secrets.'

Artemis quietened, and Percy leaned forward.

'You already know that there are two pantheons of the gods, divided between their Greek and Roman aspects. Artemis and Diana are not just different names for me. They are completely different goddesses. This is the same case for the rest of the gods. As a result, we can have demigod children in both our forms. Camp Jupiter houses Roman demigods, I trust you know that.'

Percy nodded. 'Is there a Greek camp?'

'There is. Camp-Half Blood. It is in Long Island, not very far from here. It is run by a centaur called Chiron.'

'My father once told me about him. He said I would meet him one day.'

'You will. I need you to know this because every time Greek and Roman demigods have crossed paths, great bloodshed has followed. You will encounter both Greek and Roman demigods on your travels, and it is imperative that they don't learn of each other's existence. Understood?'

He nodded again. He felt very curious about Camp Half-Blood. Would demigods there be the same as in Camp Jupiter. He wanted to know.

'My lady, I must thank you. You stood up for me, a male, and most probably saved my life today. I don't know how to repay you.'

Artemis smiled at him. 'You do not have to repay me. I saw you make friends with Lacy, how you helped her throughout our expedition. You saved countless of my hunters. Zoë is like a sister to me, and you saved her life as well. If anything, young hero, it is I that owes a debt to you.'

Percy said nothing, just looked at the goddess in stunned silence.