Chapter IV: Jason I
AN1: Hey guys, thanks for waiting for the next update. The story's next chapter is from another main character's perspective.
To General Jackson, thank you for the offer, and it is one that I will seriously consider going forward.
To Black Victor Cachat, I give credit where credit is due. I would appreciate any further ideas I can incorporate into my story.
To Shortmike24, If you read the consequent chapters, you will find that the demigods have lost easy access to metaphysical powers. And as for stomping out their foes in the first chapter, I had only insinuated that they had won decisive victories over their rivals. I haven't revealed the human losses that the Olympian Army might have suffered. I will expand on these nitty-gritty details as the story progresses. Additionally, demigods are a minority in the overall demography of the Empire. If you read the chapters, the population is dominated by mortals, albeit legacies, with long lifespans.
To shingai3213, I know that the Golden Company was created in 212 AC. Still, I have taken certain creative and artistic liberties to make their conception earlier in the year 210 AC. The reason for the Golden Company's early creation will soon be revealed in the upcoming chapters.
To the other people who reviewed my work, thank you so much. I will keep the story engaging. I also hope that you keep reading my stories and reviewing them.
EDITS - Hey, everyone; I have made some edits to the plotline/ revelations as a couple of my friends who read the story pointed out some glaring flaws in the chapter. I might also make other edits to the story to improve some awkward and abrupt parts.
DISCLAIMER: - The credit for the characters goes to Rick Riordan and George RR Martin. I own the plot and some new characters I might introduce for weaving the story.
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SOME MATURE SCENES.
The structure of governance of the Olympian Empire defies simple categorisation, representing a unique blend of various forms of government worldwide. It draws inspiration from the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros and the merchant rule of Volantis, resulting in a distinctive fusion. Unlike adhering to a strict autocratic rule or a small group of elites, the Empire of Olympia embraces a form of governance that the Olympians call a 'Constitutional Monarchy'.
The Emperor of Olympia wields unparalleled power and influence over the Empire's workings within this system, much like the Iron Throne holds sway over the Seven Kingdoms. However, the extent of his influence is curtailed significantly by the presence of the 'Olympian Senate' - a body of elected representatives from the Empire's 12 city-state provinces called 'Senators'.
The Senate is vested with a lot of authority and power in nearly all matters of the state. Here the new policies and laws are written, debated and codified in the 'Constitution of Olympia' - A book containing all the rules and guidelines which help the Empire function seamlessly. All laws and debates are agreed upon if a said law or policy change is agreed upon and voted to be adopted by a simple majority in the Senate.
Though the Emperor may bring new laws to the Senate via a proclamation called an 'Ordinance', it becomes null and void within a year if the majority of members of the Senate do not agree upon it and vote to pass it with a simple majority.
The budget for the year and the overall tax collections, though handled by the 'Treasury Secretary' -our equivalent of the 'Master of coins', still have to be scrutinised and approved by the Senate before its adoption. So does the expansion and creation of new cities, the infrastructure development and the trade deals between different powers in Essos and Westeros.
Notably, these Senators, the members of the Senate as they are called, are selected in a custom called an 'election' by the common folk of the Empire. All citizens above 21 are expected to vote for an individual to represent them in the Senate, making this particular form of government quite exceptional.
While the concept of 'election' is not new, it is the fact that even ordinary folk can choose to run for the position of senator and all Olympian citizens, regardless of their financial status, can have a say in their choice of a representative is what makes this 'election' quite a stark contrast from what is held in Volantis.
Volantis is ruled by three triarchs, chosen annually through festive and tumultuous elections. They are selected from amongst the noble families who can prove unbroken descent from old Valyria and will serve until the first day of the new year. Also, only freeborn who own land, regardless of gender, can vote.
Similar to how the triarchs of Volantis belong to one of two political parties, the elephants and the tigers, three main political parties dominate the Olympian Senate and the city councils. The idea of political parties is of Volanitne origin. Still, the Olympians assert that the idea came from their old world.
Each comprises a group of like-minded senators, all attempting to win control over the Senate to enact their idealogy in the Empire. The three main political parties that dominate the senatorial landscape are the Optimates, the Populares and the Mithrades.
The Optimates are a prominent conservative faction within the Empire, championing preserving and maintaining traditional values and practices. Historically, they have advocated for military expansion, but in response to evolving public opinion, they have recently adjusted their stance.
With an unwavering commitment to the status quo, the Optimates emphasise the importance of stability and upholding established institutions within the Empire. They firmly believe that the Empire's strength lies in adhering to proven governance methods and maintaining the Emperor's authority. However, in recognition of shifting public sentiments, the Optimates have gradually moderated their position, seeking a balance between tradition and popular will.
Contrasting with the Optimates, the Populares represent a populist faction within the Empire that aims to change the political system significantly. They advocate for radical ideas such as devolving power to cities and the Senate while severely curtailing the authority of the Emperor.
Driven by their populist agenda, the Populares strive to decentralise power and promote a more inclusive system. They perceive the concentration of power in the hands of the Emperor as a potential threat to the liberties of the Empire's citizens.
The Populares argue that by empowering cities and the Senate, a more democratic and accountable system can be established. Their proposals often involve redistributing authority among different branches of government and fostering greater transparency in decision-making processes.
In contrast to the Optimates and the Populares, the Mithrades emerge as a radical bloc within the Empire. They are deeply concerned with the complete centralisation of power. The Mithrades are currently pushing for creating a new governing body that would wield even greater authority than the Senate, and they advocate for the dissolution of city councils.
The Mithrades' ultimate objective is to consolidate authority in the hands of a select few, whom they believe can guide the Empire towards progress and efficiency. They argue that the existing governance structures must be updated and hinder the Empire's ability to swiftly respond to challenges and implement effective policies. They assert that the realm could overcome bureaucratic hurdles and achieve rapid progress by concentrating power in a single body.
However, the Mithrades face strong opposition from the Optimates and the Populares. The Optimates perceive their ideas as a direct threat to established institutions within the Empire and fear the erosion of traditional power structures. The Populares, while sharing the Mithrades' dissatisfaction with the current system, question the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals and advocate for a more inclusive and democratic approach.
The ongoing dynamics between these factions within the Empire shape its political landscape and influence the course of governance. As debates and discussions unfold, the balance of power will inevitably shift, ultimately determining the path the Empire chooses to follow.
Despite all the power of the Senate, the Emperor still has complete control over the army and navy of Olympia and its deployments in various conflicts. Foreign Policy, too, falls under the Emperor's sole purview. This seems to be a sore point between the Senate and Emperor, with him not liable to explain his decisions.
Additionally, the Emperor has the power to veto laws that he deems to be going against the spirit of the constitution or ones which may be detrimental to the progress of the Empire. Though in this case, he needs to provide a detailed explanation of his actions to the Senate.
Another interesting fact to note is that the while the laws are made and codified in the Senate, the Emperor is responsible for properly implementing the rules and policies. The Emperor performs this job with advice from his 'Executive Council' composed of the significant Lords of Olympia. These Lords belong to the noble houses that played the most crucial role in the building and expansion of the Empire. This is similar to the small council which advises the Iron Throne. They also have the power to present new policies to the Senate, which has to pass a majority vote before it can be accepted.
Though this kind of governance might seem quite chaotic and highly complex, this system helps promote accountability of all the stakeholders of the Empire. The Emperor answers to the Senate, and in turn, the Senate can only work at the pleasure of the Emperor, given that he can easily dissolve the Senate if he so wishes, albeit with the support of the executive council.
Excerpts from Journey through Olympus, by Archmaester Marwyn
The Olympians, in general, have tended to arrogantly look down on most of the customs in blessed Westeros. However, ironically, certain practices followed here in Westeros have been taken up by the usually proud people of the Empire. The primary approach adopted was the noble houses' system of words and sigils that our prestigious nobility used to identify themselves.
The Olympian Empire comprised 12 city-states, each ruled by a lord/lady (a governor, as they call it). The governors are assisted and advised by a group of elected representatives from the city-state called the city council.
The Governor of each city-state is a member chosen from the ruling noble family of the said state, though usually, the head of the family occupies the Governor's seat. The cases where the head is not the Governor is when the head of the family serves on the Emperor's executive council, a small body of Lords and Ladies who act like the small council of the Iron Throne.
The 12 leading families rule each city, supposedly tracing their lineage to one of the patron gods of the heathen religion that the Olympians follow. They are also the families who were instrumental in laying the foundations of the Empire in Essos. This feels like quite a hypocritical step by the Olympians - who call themselves the champions of the common folk.
The individual city-states have similar governance structures to the Empire's central government. Each city-state has a council headed by the Governor, a group of elected members called counsellors. The city councils are subservient to the Olympian Senate but have complete control over their respective cities. The general populace of Olympia elected the counsellors through the provincial elections.
The only exception to this rule is the capital city of Olympia which is under the direct control of the Emperor of Olympia, Perseus Jackson Poseidonios, the first patriarch of the House Poseidonis before relinquishing the head of the family title to his nephew: Theseus Poseidonis.
Excerpts from The Olympian Empire of Essos by Archmaester Pereston
Shivering Sea – 211 AC
Jason looked out onto the choppy waters of the Shivering Sea as he stood at the bow of the Dawn Treader. The wind blew gently at his face, ruffling his golden blonde hair as the ship made its way towards its first destination in its yearlong diplomatic voyage: the free city of Braavos. According to the latest update from the captain during breakfast, they would be within the sights of the city-state in a week.
Escorting them was the Seventh fleet of the Olympian Navy, which comprised 12 warships and two massive cargo ships. These cargo ships were loaded with costly and unique gifts which would be gifted to break the ice and begin the process of establishing trade and diplomatic relations with the other powers of this new world.
When the ship suddenly bobbed up because of a vast wave, Jason's hands instinctively gripped the railing tightly, his knuckles white. Below him, the ice-cold choppy seas tossed and turned, white sea spray nearly flying up his face.
The scent of sea brine was heavy in the air, permeating the mist around him. The cold arctic winds from the north also blew in, albeit gently, making him shiver slightly despite his heavy black fur coat.
The spring season had just dawned, and the Shivering Sea had started to become free of ice. Jason could spot huge icebergs beginning to break from the polar ice sheets in the distance. Though the mild rays of the sun on his face did help alleviate the cold slightly, the misty grey sky didn't allow enough sunlight to make him comfortable.
Overall, it was a serene day, but Jason knew that with the arrival of spring, storm clouds were soon to follow. Due to his father, Lord Jupiter's divine blood in his veins, he could feel the storm clouds forming on the horizon, worrying him slightly. While they could escape the storms during the journey towards Braavos, the storm might catch up to them when they began the tour of the 7 kingdoms.
Jason didn't like boats. He didn't care if he was far away from the influence of Poseidon; he didn't like boats. Bile rose in his throat, and he forced it down, though the sour taste lingered in his mouth. In his youth, his several month-long travels on the Argo II did not ease his discomfort with long sea voyages. He remembered that he often insisted that Leo take the ship to the sky whenever it was his turn to keep watch during their quest to stop Gaia.
However, if he stayed inside his cabin, he would inevitably start feeling seasick, much to his embarrassment. That's why, despite the weather and the scenery not conducive for being up on the deck, he was here, staring at the horizon to prevent the bile from rising from his stomach.
Turning to look to his right side, he saw his wife, Piper, at some distance, quietly enjoying the voyage, as evident from the unfiltered joy on her face. She, too, was dressed similarly in heavy winter wear, albeit her beautiful brown locks hung freely, swaying with the breeze. Looking at her, Jason couldn't help but feel a little envious.
'Though it does help that her mother emerged from the sea,' Jason said with a small smile. He crushed his slight envy at her comfortability with the voyage and tried to focus on the horizon again.
Piper loved the sea, and surfing was her favourite pastime. Surfing was one of the few things that connected her to her late father, Tristan McClean, whom they had to abandon when they were forced to flee their old world. Piper had been heartbroken when the gods had revealed that only selected mortals could accompany the demigods on their journey to their new world.
She had attempted to share the joy with him. Still, thanks to Jason's nature, he was only somewhat comfortable with something related to the sea. He failed to get any thrill out of it. Nevertheless, Jason never missed the chance to accompany her to the beach at her father's beach house in Malibu. Watching her bravely surf through the waves was a huge yet secret turn-on for him. But, of course, her doing it in a swimsuit that accentuated her generous curves did not help matters.
Banishing the naughty thoughts beginning to stir his loins, he briefly thought about how their children would turn out. Would they be like their mother and take to the sea as a fish would to water, or like him and be uncomfortable by it? Would they have his hair and Piper's eyes?
'Wait… Children? Now where did that thought come from?' thought Jason as his thoughts along those lines instantly came to a screeching stop. However, it was no surprise that such a thought had risen in his mind. Only yesterday night had Piper initiated a discussion on the very same topic.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
Sounds of wet, slapping flesh echoed off the wall as Jason slid in and out of Piper in ecstasy. His wife released an abrupt loud moan as she orgasmed, pushing back against him while her hands reached behind him to grip his back. Her sharp fingernails dug into his skin, but Jason didn't notice in his search for heavenly release.
Then with one final grunt, he collapsed onto his wife boneless on top of Piper, spilling his seed into her womb. Piper traced patterns on his back as his breathing slowed. A few moments later, he lifted his head and kissed her collarbone as he rolled off her onto his back, his naked body caked heavily in sweat.
Taking another couple of moments to calm his beating heart, Jason gently pulled Piper onto his chest with her bountiful bosom pressing partially into his side. He pulled a heavy comforter over their naked bodies to shield them from the cold breeze from the partially open cabin window.
Jason slowly ran his right hand soothingly down his wife's naked back while Piper drew soft, slow, imaginary circles on his chest. They spent another couple of moments enjoying their post-coital bliss and silence of the cabin. The silence was occasionally interrupted by the light sea breeze and the gentle sound of waves as the ship cut through the water. It was rather soothing and peaceful.
Just as Jason was about to surrender to the realm of Morpheus, Piper's melodious yet slightly muffled voice to his ears broke him out of his trance.
"Do you ever think about having children?"
"Hmm? What did you say, Pipes?" Jason muttered sleepily, his eyes half open.
Looking up at him from her position on his chest, she repeated while giving him a slight pinch on his hips, "I said, sparky, Do you ever want children in the future?"
"Ow…", Exclaimed Jason as his drowsiness was utterly wiped out. Then, glaring at her without any heat, he replied, "And what bought this on, Pipes? You know that we have sworn not to attempt for children until we have acquired the much-needed stability for the Empire, haven't we?"
Settling her on the side, he adjusted the both of them so that they were face to face, with just their heads peeking out of the covers. Then, gently caressing her cheek, he continued after a brief kiss on her forehead, "And as for the answer to your question, Yes. Yes, I do dream about having children with you one day… A beautiful girl with your eyes and curly blonde hair. But given that our mission is incomplete, I do not want a child yet."
He then became slightly guarded and suspicious, "You haven't by any chance forgotten to eat your monthly dose of Ambrosia, have you?"
Ambrosia was an incredible substance and a boon to the citizens of Olympia. While it could be consumed in its raw form only by demigods, it could be administered to mortals in its diluted and modified form. Though it was nearly a one-stop solution to almost all ailments, it was only used in dire situations.
The main reason for its highly restrictive use was its highly addictive nature and the danger it posed due to overconsumption. It did not help that its production rate by the children of Hecate was a time-consuming process, making it very costly. Thus, the distribution of Ambrosia was tightly controlled by the state.
Other than curing ailments, Ambrosia, in very minute amounts with other unique herbs, was a very effective contraceptive for women. Ambrosia considered the human sperm, should it enter a woman's womb, as a foreign object and would immediately destroy it, thereby preventing unwanted pregnancies. It was a much safer alternative than the 'moon tea' found in this world, and a woman only needed to consume one small dose to prevent pregnancy for the whole month.
Piper smacked him lightly on his chest and scowled with her eyes slightly blazing, "Of course I did. So what do you think I am, huh? While I may not be as duty-bound as you are, I won't shrink away from my responsibilities like that."
Jason quickly pacified his wife with a kiss," Of course not, dear. It's just that … I was wondering how this question popped so suddenly?"
Piper let out a small sigh before resting her head on his chest. Then, after tracing imaginary patterns on his chest for a couple of moments, she replied softly.
"Just before we left Olympia, Drew gave birth to her second set of fraternal twins and invited me to see them. They were so beautiful and cute. And the joy and contentment on her face when she and her husband held their twins was a sight to behold. Looking at my previously tempestuous half-sister so happy with her family… you know, created this ache for a family of our own. That's what led me to ask you…if you get me."
Jason made to interrupt her, but shushing him down with a finger on his lips, his wife continued, "I know we still have time to bring a child into this world, nevertheless after decades of our marriage, this maternal instinct sort of kicked into overdrive when I saw Drew's child. Don't feel like I am pressurising you…."
This time it was Jason's turn to silence his wife with a soft kiss, "I understand, love. I believe that once we finish our diplomatic mission to the free cities and Westeros, we will finally be ready to try and have children. And we will get to it as soon as we return to Olympia. Percy will agree; I think even he has wanted children if I am not wrong. I can't wait for you to bring our children into this world and create our own little family."
Then flipping his wife so that he rested on top of her, he continued with a smirk at her sudden squeal of surprise, "However, I think we should practice the process a bit more…practice, after all, makes a person perfect; doesn't it?", before capturing his wife's lips in a searing kiss.
FLASHBACK ENDS
Coming out of his brief musings, Jason turned to look at the horizon once more to stave off another bout of seasickness that threatened to overcome him. His hands were again forced to clutch the railings when another wave crashed into their ship, with the spray nearly reaching the ship's deck. He had just begun to calm himself down when the relative silence of his immediate surroundings was interrupted by a slight chuckle.
"Not a seafaring person, huh?"
Jason turned to look back at the source of the voice, a quizzical expression on his face. When he spotted Annabeth walking towards him with her hands behind her back, his shoulders relaxed, though only fractionally. She was dressed in blue jeans with boots on her leg and wore a heavy brown woollen sweater. Her golden locks of hair hung freely behind her back, fluttering with the wind.
Jason forced a smile onto his face, "Not really."
He looked over the ocean, hoping Annabeth would leave him alone. He didn't need to feel any more insignificant here, out in the open ocean. Despite being far from the Gods, he always felt small and uneasy when forced to sail on a ship. He theorised that this phobia was ingrained into the very DNA of all the children of Zeus/Jupiter.
"You know, I'm not a sea person either," Annabeth said. Jason was once again interrupted from his thoughts and gazed at her, unsure of where she was going with this.
"Percy and I once went on a quest to the Sea of Monsters- aka the Bermuda Triangle- and he hijacked Blackbeard's ship, The Queen Anne's Revenge. I got so seasick; that my face turned the colour of guacamole. It's funny getting seasick and having the son of Poseidon as your husband.
"Ah," Jason thought. "So that's why Annabeth is having a conversation with me. She wants to ask me something to do with Percy, and I guess I may be right about what she wants from me."
Jason knew Annabeth was never one for idle chit-chat, even among friends. Despite his close relationships with Piper and Thalia, Annabeth lacked complete trust in him. Their friendship had always been chilly since his arrival at Camp Half-Blood, and it showed no signs of thawing.
He sensed Annabeth had come to confront him about something. He had his suspicions but hoped she wouldn't ask. Annabeth was relentless once she set her mind on something.
"Let's skip the small talk, Annabeth. What do you want to know?" Jason met her gaze briefly, her eyes narrowed and fixed on the horizon.
"Why did you insist on joining Piper and me on this mission? Wouldn't it make more sense for you to lead the legions in the south rather than embark on a year-long sea voyage?"
Annabeth interrupted before he could respond, her voice filled with intensity. "Don't feed me clichés about supporting your wife or seeking worldly experiences. And spare me the duty of engaging with leaders of other world religions, as Pontifex Maximus. Your excuses might have convinced Percy and the council, but I won't be fooled."
Jason observed Annabeth's impatience by suppressing a sharp retort and resisting the urge to dismiss her. He realised this wasn't the time for a confrontation that would only deepen her suspicions. Revealing too much could jeopardise his covert mission, as she might impose surveillance on him through her Praetorian guards. He couldn't risk that. But he also knew that Annabeth couldn't force him to divulge information without cause or facing severe political consequences.
As Pontifex Maximus of the Olympian Empire and patriarch of House Jupitovis, Jason held influential positions and maintained connections among powerful senators. However, these connections had become more of a liability than an asset, intensifying the tension between him and Annabeth. He was cautious not to provoke Athena's daughter, for she was treacherous and ruthless when protecting her family. He had witnessed firsthand the consequences she unleashed upon the senators who plotted against Percy in the Senate - a sight forever etched into his memory.
Jason sighed, maintaining a composed demeanour despite the mounting tension. "I'm asking a legitimate question, Grace. Don't push me to extract the answers from you," Annabeth prodded, her stormy grey eyes fixed upon him.
Meeting her gaze head-on, Jason guarded his expression. "I've shared everything, Annabeth. Despite what you think, I told the truth to the council."
Annabeth shook her head, unconvinced. "I find it hard to believe that you would leave your position as leader of the Argosian legions for a year-long sea voyage just for a diplomatic mission."
Jason clenched his jaw. "I'm not giving up my post, Annabeth. I'm taking a temporary leave, a sabbatical, nothing more."
A flash of intensity ignited in Annabeth's eyes. "And why exactly is that? Stop evading my question. What's so important about this mission you felt compelled to join?"
"Annabeth, I have reasons for joining you and Piper," he responded cautiously. "But they're personal and not something you or anyone else needs to know. Just trust that I'm fully dedicated to this diplomatic mission. I won't step out of line. You have to trust me."
Annabeth's narrowed eyes revealed her scepticism as she listened to Jason's explanation. She sensed he was hiding something, and her unease grew. Though he declined to uncover the truth, she couldn't shake the feeling that his secret could lead to dire consequences. Doubt crept into her thoughts, whether it involved the Empire or something else entirely.
"Are you sure that's all, Jason?" she asked, her tone frigid and pointed.
Jason hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't disclose the truth but couldn't sustain the web of lies either.
"There's another reason I joined you and Piper, and it's personal, Annabeth," he replied, taut. "There are matters I need to attend to, truths I must discover and witness firsthand in Westeros before sharing them with anyone, even the executive council. I can't achieve that confined behind a desk in Argos."
Annabeth scrutinised him silently, her expression inscrutable. "This troubles me, Jason," she uttered her voice low and cutting. "Your excessive secrecy breeds doubt. I have to consider the potential consequences, whether it's for the Empire or some other hidden agenda."
Jason's anger surged in response to her words. "Do you think I'm working against you? That I'm a traitor?"
Raising her hand, Annabeth silenced him. "I haven't suggested that, Jason. But I must entertain all possibilities and ensure your unwavering dedication to the mission, with no hidden agenda that could jeopardise our future. I hope you understand what I am insinuating."
Gritting his teeth, his fists clenched, Jason acknowledged Annabeth's point, despite his discontent. He understood the importance of regaining her trust, no matter the sacrifices required.
"I understand," he responded, his voice strained.
Annabeth regarded him in silence for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. But I will forcefully remove you from this mission if you prove untrustworthy. Neither of us wants that outcome."
With those words, Annabeth swiftly left him alone with his thoughts and retreated to her cabin.
Jason swallowed hard, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to be kicked out of the mission and had to find a way to quell Annabeth's suspicions swiftly. Dropping hints had bought him some time, but Jason couldn't delay much longer. He had to ensure that Annabeth wouldn't uncover his secrets before he was ready to reveal them.
One of the other reasons he had joined the mission was to prove his loyalty to Percy, Annabeth and others on the council. The assassination attempt on Percy, orchestrated by members of the Populares party, the same faction he had deep ties with, had severely damaged his political sway and had nearly drawn the Empire into a civil war. Percy and most council members believed in his innocence, yet Annabeth's mistrust lingered. He needed to regain her trust for his personal mission to succeed.
He still remembered the day his father had spoken to him about his true mission.
FLASHBACK BEGINS
A local collection of storm clouds and the crackling sound of electricity was the only warning before a massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens. The whole surrounding was momentarily lit up by a bolt blinding the surroundings in its vicinity before it quickly dissipated.
All that was left in its aftermath was a metal smoking target and a twenty-year-old man on his knees some distance away from the painted mark. He was panting rather heavily, and his violet camp-half-blood shirt was soaked in sweat, with his hands supporting his tiered frame.
Rivulets of sweat ran down his face, but the expression on his was one of disappointment when the young man noticed that the blackened area on the metal target was several inches from the centre. Cursing himself, Jason slowly stood on his legs, swaying slightly due to the absolute exhaustion permeating his bones.
He could not, and he will not give up.
Gritting his teeth and battling the scary thoughts of his mind telling him to give up, Jason again closed his eyes and tried to reach out with his powers to call down another bolt. However, a loud and regal voice snapped him out of his task before he could proceed any further.
"That will be enough for today, Jason."
Turning around, Jason saw the stern visage of his father, dressed in a pinstripe suit striding towards him, his hands placed behind his back. His face was calm, but he could see a slight trace of sympathy and understanding in his electric blue eyes.
Pushing himself up onto his feet unsteadily, Jason managed to pant out. " No, Father, I think I have a few more lightning bolts left in my tank. I still have a long way to go before I can reach a satisfactory level of expertise.."
Just as he was about to close his eyes and summon another bolt, the heavy hand of his father rested on his shoulder. The King of the Gods spoke in a tone that brokered no argument.
" Any more, and the infirmary is the only place you will end up. Come now, walk with me."
Jason made to protest but sighed before joining his father on a stroll. Lord Zeus then gave him a bottle of water to quench his thirst to which Jason gave a grateful nod of thanks. The father-son duo then continued their stroll, passing the temporary encampments made to accommodate the new mortals accompanying them to the new world.
The situation between the mortals and demigods had been tense, mainly due to the shock of the impossibility imposed upon them. Many were unwilling to accept their reality and attempted to assert their independence from whom they essentially saw as kids. However, they were quickly brought to heel by Percy, who threatened them in no simple terms - follow and thrive in the safe zone or be banished to perish in the outside world.
The interaction with Percy when it came to dealing with daily matters, his cunningness and the ruthless manner in which he verbally deconstructed political opponents to his rule made Jason in awe of him. His exponential growth as a leader, not that he was not good before, made a tiny part of Jason envious.
Even amongst Romans of Camp Jupiter, where he was praetor for barely 2 weeks, he was more popular than and respected than Jason, who had served in the Legions since he was 6. A small part of him wanted to have become the Emperor or, at the very least have his father consider him a worthy candidate. But from the bits and pieces of conversation Jason had heard about the meeting on Olympus, it seems his father had backed Percy's candidature to the top post.
Though Jason had to agree, Percy was a natural leader. Despite being severely handicapped due to the preconceived notions of his parentage, he had managed to rise to the post of a praetor and lead Camp Jupiter. Additionally, Jason was also very thankful to Percy. Had he not come in time with Camp Half-Blood reinforcements, there was a likely chance that Camp Jupiter would have been burnt to the ground.
"Ask me the question I know for sure has been bugging you since the sea spawn was selected as the Emperor."
Jason began to stammer excuses, but the Lord of the Skies wasn't having any of it. Turning his electric blue eyes at him, his face completely emotionless, " You don't need to hide, Jason. After all, ambition and a thirst for power is something that my children unfortunately inherited from me."
Jason swallowed. He thought he had not been pronounced with his aspirations and disappointments. Even Piper, with her heightened powers of an empath, had been unable to grasp the reason for his inner turmoil, though she had been rather persistent. But it seemed his father had long known his thoughts. Still, Jason was nevertheless curious about why his father had not questioned so far.
" Yes, Father, you would be right. I… thought… Am I not worthy enough of a candidate for the seat of Emperor? Aren't I not capable enough?"
Jupiter sighed before speaking sombrely, his eyes boring into Jason's.
"It is not a question of your capability, but rather your fatal flaw which prevented your selection as the leader of the demigods. You, Jason, have the flaw of deliberating too long, never knowing where your loyalties lie. Both in your personal life and the place you truly feel at home. Amongst the Romans, you chaffed under the weight of traditions and rules, always feeling a little unconventional. You also hated the infighting and the power plays there and attempted to fight your destiny; you never did want to be a leader just because of your birth. You were always an unwilling leader amongst a team of unequals."
Looking at Jason's open mouth, Zeus gave him a kind smile, " What? Even though I was not in your life physically, I and, more importantly, Hera closely watched you. So, I do know what you went through in Camp Jupiter, my son. It is not just my brother who closely monitors their mortal children."
Jason, who had recovered from the shock, muttered, " Oh…" but the gratefulness was visible in his eyes.
Zeus, continuing from where he had left, "Your stay at Camp Half-Blood has been quite transformative for you. Without the pressure of the legion, you became much more laid-back and introspective. You began to break the rules and crack jokes. You even allowed your hair to grow out and become messier. However, despite enjoying your time here, it caused an identity crisis because you felt you were betraying your roots and the people who have for so long followed and given you a home. Thus, you never managed to truly step into the shoes of Perseus as a leader of the Greeks."
His father's expression changed to annoyance, " Though I never understood your need to break up with Aphrodite's favourite daughter. Just because of some old prophecy telling that should you confront Caligula, you would lose her seems pretty idiotic. I thought you should have realised by now that prophecies are often vague. The number of ruffled feathers that Hera and I had to smooth over to prevent you from turning into a furry little animal was enormous."
Jason chastised suitably, just muttered, "I am sorry, Father. I have made up with Piper after apologising to her sincerely. Aphrodite also gave me a dressing down that I will unlikely never forget. And I understand why you did not consider me for the Emperor. I was not worthy of it."
Saying this, the father-son duo sat in relative peace, with Jason reeling from the revelations from his father. At the same time, the Lord of the skies just observed the clouds forming in the distance.
"Tell me, Jason, what do you know about the war of the Gods with the storm giant Typhon?" Zeus inquired, his voice betraying none of his emotions.
Jason, slightly taken aback by the question coming from his father, gathered his thoughts before responding. "Well, Father, I know only some bits about that legendary battle," he began, his voice steady.
Jason paused momentarily, his mind replaying the epic scenes of that fateful conflict he had seen on the mural in a museum and through the stories he had heard in Camp Jupiter's History class.
"Typhon was the fearsome offspring of Tartarus and Gaea. He posed a great threat to Olympus, seeking to bring destruction upon the gods by destroying the seat of your power."
"The other gods, caught off guard by Typhon's overwhelming power, were forced to retreat, but you, Dad, never faltered," Jason continued, his words infused with slight admiration. "You stood at the forefront, wielding your thunderbolts with unparalleled strength and resolve. And after a long and protracted battle, and with help from Lord Hermes, you managed to defeat him."
He met his father's gaze, his eyes reflecting the awe for his father. "With Typhon defeated, you sealed his fate by hurling Mount Etna upon him, forever trapping him beneath its weight. The eruptions from the volcano are a constant reminder of his defeat and attempt to escape his prison."
Zeus, though, seemed to be in a world of his own. Though there was a slight but grim smile on his face, there appeared to be a contemplative memory running through his mind. Sighing, the king of the Gods began to speak.
"While it is true that I managed to defeat Typhon in the end, the battle was not as straightforward as the stories have led you would believe. The first time we fought against him, the gods, including me, were routed thoroughly, and we barely managed to escape from being made to fade into the void. We strategically retreated to Egypt, where we tried to gain strength. However, the Egyptian pantheon was unhappy and gave us only a week before they would remove us from their sphere of influence."
Zeus turned to look at his son, his electric blue eyes reflecting his troubled thoughts, " Thats when Hecate, after pooling all our divine powers, managed to create a portal to the new world, A world that had been untouched by the divine ever since its existence."
Zeus then looked down at his hands, "And there, in that new world, we began to regain our strength that had been severely depleted. All the Olympians escaped to this new world, biding our time and regaining our strength. Once we regained our strength sufficiently, we returned to this world. Then after another climactic battle, we defeated Typhon and imprisoned him under Mount Etna."
Then, looking into his son's eyes, Zeus said in a grave tone, "We, however, did not leave the other world unattended. We left, Avatars, beings with similar personalities to the original but with a sliver of our divine powers behind in that world. These Avatars, you could say, were more like immortal demigods rather than full-fledged god-like beings."
"We were all quite curious as to what would happen in that. Also, we felt it was good enough to expand our divine powers and have an additional place to act as a safe refuge if we ever faced a threat like Typhon again. But unfortunately, our avatars did not last long."
Zeus turning even graver, replied in an even darker tone. Jason could feel the air turn even colder, "However, our avatars did not last long. One day out of the blue, a malicious force marched onto us from the far north and began to slaughter us one after the other. The local populace gave them the name - the White Walkers."
What his father revealed to him afterwards was so bone-chilling that it would continue to haunt Jason.
When his father had finished, Jason asked, swallowing, " Why did you have to burden me with this impossible task and foreknowledge, Father? Why not reveal it to the other demigod leaders? Why not reveal it to Percy? Isn't he the Emperor you all chose? Will he not benefit from what is to come?"
Zeus replied," Son, you are the Pontifex Maximus. We do not know how; we do not when all we know is that they will come back. And when they do, you will need the help of our avatars, who have been slumbering. And you must reach out to them and awaken them. That is something only you can do."
Turning to him, he said in a steely tone, " As for the other demigods, we do not want them to know. Especially not Perseus. His fatal flaw might trigger the prophetic event earlier than usual despite all the good he can do. So, till the time comes, please keep it a secret. Who knows, such a thing may never come to pass in your lifetime."
Zeus then turned to the horizon again and saw that the sun was about to set. He then spoke.
"We all know how dangerous foreknowledge can be. Michael Varus's Alaskan expedition is proof enough, I believe. So, I need you to promise me on the River Styx, Jason, until the time is right, you will not reveal this secret to anyone. Not even to the daughter of Aphrodite."
Jason hesitated but said, " I disagree with this father, but I will make the vow. However, how will I know when the time is right?"
Zeus replied somberly, "You will know, son. You will know. I pray that situation will never arise in your lifetime."
FLASHBACK ENDS.
A slender pair of arms encircling his torso again broke Jason from his dark musings. He stiffened slightly but relaxed when he realised the rosy scent of his wife's natural odour permeated his nose. Taking her right, he placed a small kiss on the back of it before drawing his wife into a side embrace.
The couple enjoyed the comfortable silence that permeated there before Piper asked the obvious.
"Hey Sparky, do I need to know what happened between you and Annabeth? Things seemed to be quite tense between you guys."
Jason replied with a kiss on her lips instead, which she gladly reciprocated.
" Just the usual love. No need for you to worry."
Placing one final kiss on Piper's forehead, Jason replied with a sigh," I am not feeling well, love and the seas sickness seems to be getting the better of me. I think I will head to my cabin."
Jason then turned around and walked towards his cabin, completely missing the worry and the look of contemplation on his wife's face.
JASON'S FLASHBACK ( After he has left )
The King of the Gods was sitting where his son had vacated a couple of moments ago, simply taking in the last light of the day before Artemis took over from her brother's duties.
Zeus closed his eyes and called, " You can come out now, Athena."
Athena approached, her footsteps barely audible as she moved gracefully towards Zeus. Her piercing grey eyes held a hint of curiosity and slight accusation. "Father," she said, her voice carrying a slight edge, "Why did you reveal the truth of Apollo's prophetic vision only to Jason? Why not tell them to the rest of the demigods? "
Zeus opened his eyes, meeting Athena's gaze with a sombre expression. "Athena, it's a matter of delicacy and timing. The vision you speak of... it's more terrifying than you can imagine."
Athena's brow furrowed, her tone softening with understanding. "I know the weight of prophecy, Father, but at the very least, Perseus deserves to know the gravity of what's at stake. He's been chosen as a leader to guide our demigods to a new world as Earth crumbles. They'll face the consequences head-on."
Zeus leaned back, his expression burdened. "It's a calculated risk, Athena. We tread on the precipice of altering destinies with every choice we make. The council's reaction to the vision was proof of that. The full revelation could lead to panic and chaos, derailing our carefully orchestrated plan to escape Earth's destruction."
Athena's fingers played with the folds of her robe, her thoughts in turmoil. "But these demigods are our future. They're stepping into the unknown and should be armed with the truth."
Zeus sighed heavily, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his eyes. "You're right, Athena. The vision has shaken even the gods. Unlike anything we've seen, it's a dire omen, a force of destruction."
Athena's lips tightened, the edges of her anger softening into a mix of concern and fear. "Then why keep it from Perseus? Shouldn't he be prepared for the trials ahead?"
Zeus just nodded mournfully." Our best option is that we must let the future play out. If we were to interfere with the Morai, who knows what we will bring upon our children."
Athena's eyes softened as she regarded her father. "I understand, Father. It's a difficult path we tread, one that requires the utmost care."
As they concluded their conversation, both gods knew their choices had immense consequences. Athena's advocacy for transparency was rooted in her love for her demigod kin. Yet, their escape's urgency and the prophecy's volatility posed a unique challenge. The vision's terrifying image, where Perseus stood on the brink of the abyss of destruction, was a chilling reminder of the impending upheaval. They hoped their collective wisdom would guide the demigods through the tumultuous transition to their new world.
I appreciate more constructive criticism of the story, which would further improve my writing skills. So please review my story.
